SinoTechIntel |SinoBioData |SinoGreenTech |SinoAILab
SinoGreenTech Academic Portal
Open Access Archive
SinoGreenTech
Clean Energy & Battery Portal
Search Database
🏛️ Key Research Academy16 Indexed Works

Sichuan University

Verified scientific contributions, CAS laboratory outputs, clinical trial papers, and engineering breakthroughs produced by researchers and faculty affiliated with Sichuan University.

SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Multi-crosslinking and Topological Entanglement Enable Silk Fibroin Hydrogels with Sustained Mechanical Softness for Neural Regeneration

Authors: TIAN Yuan, HOU Danni, JIANG Junzhong, LIU Xiaoyin, LIU Yu, WU Xiaoyang, XIAO Jiamei, WU Chengheng, WEI Dan, SUN Jing, CHERNOZEM Roman, DING Jie, ZHOU Liangxue, FAN Hongsong

Silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels are promising for neural regeneration but suffer from progressive stiffening due to excessive β-sheet assembly, limiting their use in traumatic brain injury (TBI) repair. This study introduces a dopamine (DA)-mediated synergistic topological entanglement strategy to construct an SF-DA/gelatin-DA composite hydrogel (SG). The system integrates covalent cross-linking, net cationic electrostatic repulsion, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking to regulate SF assembly dynamics at the molecular level. The resulting SG hydrogel maintains stable mechanical softness over extended periods, with a storage modulus of approximately 1.2 kPa after 28 days, compared to a 5-fold increase in pure SF hydrogels. The sustained softness promotes neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation, with a 2.5-fold increase in βIII-tubulin expression and a 1.8-fold increase in GFAP expression after 14 days. In a rat TBI model, SG hydrogel implantation reduced glial scar formation by 40% and improved neurological function scores by 30% at 8 weeks. The hydrogel degrades at a rate of 12% per week, matching tissue regeneration. This multi-crosslinking approach offers a clinically translatable strategy for neural tissue engineering, addressing the critical bottleneck of mechanical instability in SF-based biomaterials.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Bioinspired Three-Dimensional Zn-Coordinated Organic Frameworks as Carbonic Anhydrase-Mimics for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Hydration Reactions

Authors: XU Wenjie, HE Chao, LI Shuang, SUN Shudong, WANG Mao, CHENG Chong, ZHAO Changsheng

The development of efficient enzyme mimics for CO2 hydration remains a critical challenge for industrial carbon capture. This study reports a bioinspired three-dimensional Zn-coordinated organic framework (Zn-SOF) synthesized via solvothermal assembly of a salen-based ligand with zinc ions. The resulting material exhibits a carbonic anhydrase-like active site with a Zn-N2O2 coordination environment, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Zn-SOF demonstrates a CO2 hydration rate of 3.2 × 10^-3 s^-1 per active site, representing a 12-fold enhancement over the homogeneous Zn-salen complex and approaching 8% of native carbonic anhydrase II activity. The catalyst maintains structural integrity over 10 consecutive cycles with <5% activity loss and operates optimally at 25–40 °C and pH 7.4–9.0. Kinetic analysis reveals a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 28 mM for CO2 and a turnover number (kcat) of 4.1 s^-1, outperforming benchmark Zn-based mimics. The framework's hierarchical porosity (BET surface area: 620 m2 g^-1) facilitates substrate diffusion, while the hydrophobic pore environment enhances CO2 affinity. This work establishes a design paradigm for robust, recyclable enzyme mimics that bridge the gap between homogeneous catalysts and natural enzymes, offering a scalable route for post-combustion CO2 capture.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Efficient green-solvent, additive-free and post-treatment-free organic solar cells enabled by dithiazolobenzotriazole-based polymer donors

Authors: Huoqing Yang, Chentong Liao, Xingjian Dai, Weilin Zhou, Yihui Wu, Xiaopeng Xu, Qiang Peng

Developing organic solar cells (OSCs) processable from green solvents without additives or post-treatments is essential for sustainable manufacturing, yet high power conversion efficiency (PCE) remains difficult due to limited morphology control. Herein, we develop a new electron-deficient building block, dithiazolo[4',5':3,4;5'',4'':5,6]benzo[1,2-d][1,2,3]triazole (DTzBT), which fuses benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole (BTA) with thiazole to leverage S/N-mediated non-covalent interactions, enhance planarity and lower the HOMO. To isolate side-chain effects, two DTzBT-based donors, namely PTzMe-F (N-methyl) and PTzEH-F (N-2-ethylhexyl), have been designed and synthesized. PTzMe-F exhibits poor solubility and miscibility with L8-BO, yielding 2.64% PCE (chloroform). PTzEH-F exhibits excellent processability and favorable morphology, delivering 17.61% PCE (chloroform) and 19.17% as-cast from toluene without any additive or post-treatments. In addition, the ternary LbL device based on PTzEH-F/L8-BO:PC71BM achieved an impressive efficiency of 20.27%. Comprehensive characterization indicates that 2-ethylhexyl side chains afford optimal solubility while preserving strong intermolecular interactions and favorable phase separation. DTzBT mitigates BTA’s HOMO-raising tendency via electron-withdrawing thiazole fusion, reconciling aggregation tunability with energy-level control. These results show that precise backbone and side-chain co-design enables green-solvent, additive-free processing for high-performance OSCs, advancing sustainable photovoltaic manufacturing.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Peritoneum Inspired Janus Barrier with Unilateral Lubrication, Programmable Adhesion and Antiinflammation for Preventing Postoperative Abdominal Adhesion

Authors: Kai Ren, Yao Zhao, Miao Zhang, Xiang Ke, Yuan Ding, Hao Wang, Jun Luo, Jing Xie, Jianshu Li

Postoperative abdominal adhesion, a complication with morbidity exceeding 90%, imposes severe clinical and economic burdens. Existing bioadhesive barriers often exhibit unreliable adhesion to the slippery abdominal wall, risk mispositioning, and neglect frictional stimuli and inflammation. Inspired by the lubricated peritoneum, we developed a programmable adhesive dual-layer Janus patch (DJP) barrier integrating a lubricated layer and an adhesive matrix. DJP achieves rapid, noncovalent interfacial adhesion, subsequently enhanced 2.81-fold via covalent interactions, enabling repositioning within a short time window to improve surgical fault tolerance. The micron-scale poly(sulfobetaine methacrylamide) brush on the DJP surface provides hydration lubrication with a low coefficient of friction (0.06), mimicking peritoneal lubrication and reducing frictional damage to injured tissue. The catechol-containing copolymer confers antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, confirmed in vitro. In a rat model, DJP adhering to the injured site significantly reduced collagen deposition between the abdominal wall and cecum, preventing adhesion and promoting tissue healing compared to commercial barriers. This work provides a guiding reference for developing antiadhesive biomaterials.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Direct Upcycling of Unmodified Waste Brominated Butyl Rubber via Nanoparticle-Mediated Interfacial Crosslinking Strategy

Authors: Changwei Wu, Jie Wen, Meijuan Jiang, Xinyuan Bi, Zhengtian Xie, Jinrong Wu

Brominated butyl rubber (BIIR) is widely used in tires and biomedical products due to its excellent elasticity and gas barrier properties, but recycling end-of-life BIIR remains challenging because of its covalent cross-linked network. Here, we report a direct upcycling strategy for unmodified waste BIIR via nanoparticle-mediated interfacial crosslinking, avoiding chemical modification or degradation of the polymer structure. Pyridyl-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO2-Py) were synthesized and used to crosslink bromine atoms in waste BIIR with those of fresh BIIR, reconstructing the crosslink network without altering the original sulfur-vulcanization network. The resulting composites exhibit a dual interpenetrating network comprising the sulfur-vulcanized network and a bromine-pyridinium crosslinked silica-rich network, providing exceptional strength and toughness. Using discarded bicycle inner tubes as waste BIIR source, the upcycled composites achieved a tensile strength of ~14 MPa, toughness of ~60 MJ m−3, and ultra-low air permeability of 8.78×10−15 cm3 cm/(cm2 s Pa), significantly outperforming the original inner tube material. This work presents a scalable and effective solution for BIIR waste recycling, advancing sustainable development in the rubber industry.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Key roles of Young’s modulus and mechanical hysteresis in hydrogel strain sensors for high-fidelity sensing

Authors: Yuanlai Fang, Jialin Li, Zhongxiang Bai, Jingjiang Wei, Kun Yang, Li Yang, Qingyuan Wang, Jiaxi Cui

Conductive hydrogel-based stretchable electronics have been extensively investigated, with strain sensors being the most prominently studied. While mechanical properties significantly affect device performance, the systematic correlation between specific mechanical parameters and sensing performance remains rarely explored. This work compares the influences of Young’s modulus and mechanical hysteresis on sensing performance between highly entangled PAM-Li and double-network PAM-Li-Agar-3 strain sensors. Owing to the brittle agar network, which imparts a higher Young’s modulus and pronounced mechanical hysteresis to the double-network PAM-Li-Agar-3 hydrogel, the corresponding sensor requires a greater driving force for deformation and yields signals with poor reproducibility. In contrast, the PAM-Li hydrogel, characterized by highly entangled polymer chains, exhibits a lower Young’s modulus and negligible mechanical hysteresis. Consequently, signals from the PAM-Li strain sensor demonstrate enhanced sensitivity and stability. Therefore, this work demonstrates that a low Young’s modulus and minimal mechanical hysteresis are critical factors for achieving superior sensing performance in strain sensors, as systematically validated through comparative analyses across diverse application scenarios.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acid Loaded Celastrol Ameliorates Skin Fibrosis by Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Prevention

Authors: Junxin Cheng, Zhongyi Fang, Runqiao Yang, Yunfeng Lin, Sirong Shi

Progressive skin fibrosis ultimately results in irreversible contractures, causing both joint dysfunction and cosmetic deformity. The key pathological features of skin fibrosis include persistent inflammation and abnormal accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) playing a critical role in disease progression. However, current therapeutic strategies for cutaneous fibrosis are largely palliative and often require repeated interventions, with limited efficacy. Celastrol (Cel) exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in skin tissue, but its clinical application is limited by poor bioavailability and a narrow therapeutic window. Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA), a novel nanocarrier system, exhibits multiple advantages, including enhanced cellular uptake, improved cell viability, and intrinsic anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this study applied tFNA-Cel complex (TCC) as an advanced nanotherapeutic agent, designed to exert a synergistic anti-fibrotic effect. In this study, an in vitro model of skin fibrosis was established using human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells treated with 5 ng mL−1 transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) for 24 h. The results showed that TCC significantly inhibited EMT progression by reducing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels and increasing E-cadherin level. Compared to tFNA or Cel alone, TCC exhibited superior anti-fibrotic effects in the fibrosis model, as evidenced by modulation of SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2) signaling and collagen I expression. Furthermore, the TCC group showed lower levels of nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65), BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to the Cel or tFNA groups. These findings highlight TCC as a promising treatment for skin fibrosis, with its synergistic anti-fibrotic effects providing new therapeutic avenues.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Growth of quasi-1D PtSe2 semimetallic nanowire for high-performance bi-directional photodetection

Authors: Yuxin Wang, Shiyan Zeng, Yuhang Xu, Chao Tan, Guohua Hu, Zegao Wang

One-dimensional (1D) and quasi-1D platinum diselenide (PtSe2) exhibit enhanced quantum confinement and surface effects, leading to distinctive electronic and optical properties. However, efficient synthesis of high-quality quasi-1D PtSe2 with controlled dimensionality and orientation remains challenging. Here, we report the first successful synthesis of quasi-1D PtSe2 via a carrier-gas-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. By optimizing hydrogen concentration, we achieved highly oriented and crystalline quasi-1D PtSe2, which exhibits exceptional thermodynamic stability along the (110) crystal plane. Electrical characterization reveals that 2D few-layer PtSe2 exhibits p-type semiconductor properties, while quasi-1D multilayer PtSe2 displays semimetallic behavior. Due to quantum confinement effects, both materials exhibit similar carrier mobilities. In photodetection at 1550 nm, 2D PtSe2 exhibits conventional positive photoresponse with a maximum responsivity of 97.0 A/W. In contrast, quasi-1D PtSe2 demonstrates unique negative photoresponse, achieving a maximum responsivity of 194.2 A/W, attributed to its semimetallic nature and significant surface traps. Temperature-dependent photoresponse measurements at various power levels further confirm that the negative response originates from a defect-assisted photogating effect, the strength of which exhibits significant temperature dependence under high-power illumination. This work not only fills a gap in the synthesis of 1D PtSe2 but also provides a novel material platform for developing advanced infrared optoelectronic devices.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026

Synergistic Effect of Hierarchical Pores and Amine Functionalization on CO2 Adsorption Performance by Distillers' Grains-Derived Biochar Spheres

Authors: ZHOU Rui, CHEN Jing, HE Jinglin, WANG Weihao, SU Hui, WANG Bangda, JIN Ziheng, JIANG Xia

To address the high CO2 emission proportion in the industrial sector, distillers' grain waste was converted into biochar for CO2 adsorption from flue gas. Raw biochar suffers from weak pore adsorption and poor selectivity at elevated temperatures. This study employed ash self-templating and particle self-assembly to create hierarchical pores and simultaneously load amine groups onto distillers' grains-derived biochar, yielding amine-functionalized hierarchical porous carbon spheres. The amine loading significantly increased, providing more CO2 adsorption sites, while retaining macroporosity (total pore volume 0.0030–0.0066 cm3/g after amine loading), which enhanced morphological stability and CO2 mass transfer. The optimal sample, 0.2PW-K-CNF-PEI, exhibited a CO2 adsorption capacity of 1.03 mmol/g at 100 °C, a CO2 diffusion coefficient of 0.0495 min−1, and a selective adsorption capacity of 44 mg/g at 80 °C. This work offers a solution for valorizing distillers' grain by-products and capturing CO2 from low-temperature flue gas.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Environmental Chemistry•2026

Response Characteristics of Colloid Migration to pH and Ionic Strength and Its Numerical Simulation

Authors: ZHANG Yulong, ZHUANG Wenhua, TAN Bo

Colloids significantly influence contaminant transport in groundwater, yet their behavior under varying hydrochemical conditions remains inadequately characterized. This study employed quartz sand as a surrogate porous medium to investigate colloid transport through column experiments under controlled pH and ionic strength (IS). Breakthrough curves (BTCs) were obtained for a conservative tracer and for colloids under nine combinations of pH (5, 7, 9) and IS (1, 5, 10 mmol·L−1). Hydrus-1D, incorporating a two-site kinetic sorption model, was used to simulate colloid transport and derive key parameters: attachment rate (k1a), detachment rate (k1d), straining rate (k2a), and maximum retained concentration on site 2 (Smax2). Results demonstrated that increasing pH and decreasing IS enhanced colloid mobility. Specifically, at IS = 1 mmol·L−1, normalized peak concentrations (C/C0) were 0.33, 0.40, and 0.72 for pH 5, 7, and 9, respectively. At pH = 7, C/C0 decreased from 0.40 to 0.18 and 0.12 as IS increased from 1 to 5 and 10 mmol·L−1. The fitted transport parameters accurately captured these trends, with R² ≥ 0.95 across all conditions. Mechanistically, higher pH increases negative surface charge and electrostatic repulsion, while higher IS compresses the double layer and reduces repulsion, thereby inhibiting transport. These findings provide quantitative insights for predicting colloid-facilitated contaminant migration in subsurface environments.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Environmental Chemistry•2026

Performance and Mechanism of Calcium Peroxide for Fluoride Removal and Site Energy Distribution

Authors: HU Qili, ZHANG Yunhui, WANG Yangshuang, LI Yixi, YANG Xingyue, MA Siting, PEI Qiuming, ZHAO Xijin

Calcium peroxide (CaO2) with a rich porous structure was synthesized via chemical precipitation for efficient fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by SEM, BET, LPSA, and XRD, revealing a mesoporous material with a total pore volume of 0.51 cm3·g−1. Batch experiments investigated the effects of adsorbent dosage, initial fluoride concentration, reaction time, pH, and coexisting anions. Adsorption kinetics followed a fractal-like pseudo-first-order model, with intraparticle diffusion as the rate-limiting step. Equilibrium data were well described by the Sips isotherm, predicting a maximum adsorption capacity of 479.8 mg·g−1. Site energy distribution analysis indicated a normal distribution with an average energy of 13.36 kJ·mol−1. Mechanistic studies using FTIR and XPS revealed that fluoride removal proceeds via surface precipitation, ligand exchange, and electrostatic attraction. The high density of active sites contributes to the exceptional defluoridation performance, positioning CaO2 as a promising adsorbent for fluoride-contaminated water treatment.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026

Removal of Nitrate from Livestock Wastewater Using Composite Carbon Sources of Corncob and Polycaprolactone

Authors: TANG Qiang, YAN Xiaoping, HE Xiao, LIU Siqi, ZHAO Shengwei, JIANG Rong, YANG Zhanbiao

Carbon source is a critical factor driving heterotrophic denitrification, yet the low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) of livestock wastewater limits this process. This study developed novel composite carbon sources by combining corncob (CC) and polycaprolactone (PCL). Static carbon release and denitrification experiments were conducted to evaluate carbon release patterns and nitrogen removal performance. Results showed that the carbon release index (n) was below 0.45, indicating Fickian diffusion as the dominant release mechanism. The composite carbon source prepared at a CC:PCL mass ratio of 3:2 (denoted YP4) achieved a nitrate nitrogen removal efficiency of 94.76%, with effluent ammonia nitrogen meeting the discharge limits of GB 18596-2001. High-throughput sequencing revealed that YP4 increased the relative abundance of genera capable of denitrification and biopolymer degradation (e.g., Aeromonas, Novosphingobium, Bacteroides, and Clostridium sensu stricto), thereby enhancing heterotrophic denitrification and nitrogen removal. These findings provide a novel approach for selecting and preparing external carbon sources for biological heterotrophic denitrification of low C/N wastewater.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026

Effects of Different Morphologies of PET Microplastics on Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge

Authors: MA Yuhui, XIA Ziyuan, GOU Min, TANG Yueqin

Microplastics in sewage sludge, owing to their diverse physicochemical properties, can differentially affect subsequent anaerobic digestion. This study focused on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics, systematically investigating the effects of particle (MP), fiber (MF), and film (MPF) morphologies at concentrations of 0–150 mg·g⁻¹ (based on total solids) on sludge digestion performance and microbial community structure. Results showed that MP inhibited total biogas production at all concentrations (inhibition rates 8.16%–9.58%), whereas MF and MPF exhibited low-concentration stimulation and high-concentration inhibition, with MPF exerting stronger inhibition than MF. All MP concentrations induced significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation (increases of 9.43%–34.52%), indicating the strongest oxidative stress. Low concentrations of PET generally enhanced cell membrane permeability, prompting microbes to secrete different extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to resist stress. The morphology and concentration of microplastics regulated the relative abundances of key functional bacteria (e.g., proteolytic bacteria and organic acid-oxidizing bacteria) and low-abundance bacteria, ultimately leading to differences in digestion performance. This study provides a theoretical basis for efficient treatment of sludge containing microplastics.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

4D Printable Semi-Interpenetrating Networks with Robust Tissue Adhesion for Smart Self-Deployable Vascular Closure

Authors: Kun Luo, Qiang Luo, Jing Guo, Zhong-Ming Xia, Mao Chen, Li Tang, Ke-Ke Yang

Interventional therapy has emerged as a transformative alternative to open surgery owing to its minimal invasiveness and fast recovery. However, it still presents risks of iatrogenic injury from vascular access, necessitating prompt and reliable vascular closure. Although various closure systems have been developed, they often suffer from complicated deployment procedures, potential for loosening, and risk of device migration. Herein, we develop a smart self-deployable vascular closure device enabled by a semi-interpenetrating network (sIPN) that synergistically integrates a programmable shape memory effect and robust tissue adhesion. The sIPN was designed by interpenetrating flexible, dopamine-functionalized poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTD) chains into a photo-crosslinkable poly(ε-caprolactone)-based copolymer (PCC) network. The vascular closure model was fabricated via a UV-assisted fused deposition modeling printing strategy, significantly reducing mechanical anisotropy while facilitating structural customization. The resulting device exhibits autonomous self-deployment at 37 °C, along with reliable tissue adhesion under physiological conditions (maximum shear strength of 150.5 kPa). In vitro, the material demonstrates exceptional hemocompatibility (below 3%) and excellently enhanced cell migration (up to 38.9%). In vivo, immunofluorescence analysis reveals a promotion for CD31 (162.18%) and αSMA (154.93%) compared to the control group. These results highlight the PTD/PCC sIPN as a bioadaptive, multifunctional material platform for intelligent vascular closure, offering great promise for clinical translation in interventional therapies.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026

Visualizing hepatic M1 macrophages with a dual-target-recognizing photoacoustic nanoprobe for identifying non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Authors: Meng Zhang, Yiyue Wang, Qihong Wu, Ran Sun, Lu Ye, Lu Zhang, Julin Wang, Minrui Liu, Hanrui Liu, Haiming Fan, Yingkun Guo

M1 macrophages (M1φ) are pivotal drivers in the progression from non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Longitudinal monitoring of intrahepatic M1φ could facilitate non-invasive diagnosis of NASH, yet achieving specific and sensitive in vivo imaging of M1φ remains challenging due to the nonspecific phagocytic activity common to all phenotypic macrophages. In this study, we developed a dual-target-recognizing photoacoustic nanoprobe that can target glucose transporters (GLUTs) and be selectively activated by nitric oxide (NO). Benefiting from its enhanced affinity for M1φ and decent responsive capability to NO, the probe exhibited favorable imaging performance toward M1φ in ex vivo experiments. Following systemic administration in diabetic mice, the probe rapidly accumulated in the liver, where it was selectively internalized by M1φ via specific recognition between glucose molecules and GLUTs, further inducing a NO-triggered enhancement of the photoacoustic signal. Distinct photoacoustic signal enhancement patterns were observed between NAFL and NASH livers, enabling non-invasive in vivo discrimination of NASH. This study proposes a novel strategy using a dual-target-recognizing probe to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of in vivo M1φ imaging, while also providing new insights for the non-invasive diagnosis of NASH.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2025

Design of multifunctional phosphonic acid molecule for highly efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells

Authors: ZHAO Rongmei, DU Yachao, WU Nan, LI Xinyue, YUAN Wenbin, GE Shifeng, XU Zhaowei, SHEN Xiaoyang, MA Simin, WANG Ruohao, YANG Tinghuan, WANG Dengke, REN Xiaodong, CHEN Jiangzhao, ZHAO Kui, ZHANG Wen-Hua

Inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) suffer from defect-mediated nonradiative recombination and inefficient charge extraction, particularly at the buried interface and grain boundaries (GBs), which limit power conversion efficiency (PCE) and operational stability. This study introduces a multifunctional phosphonic acid molecule, (2-(3,6-bis(trifluoromethoxy)-9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl)phosphonic acid (M28), as an additive in the perovskite precursor solution. M28 spontaneously segregates toward the buried interface and GBs, fulfilling three roles: (1) slowing crystallization to enlarge grains and improve film quality, (2) passivating defects to suppress charge recombination, and (3) inducing p-type doping to create an extra electric field that promotes hole transport. Devices incorporating M28 achieve a champion PCE of 25.96% and retain 80% of initial efficiency after 1500 h of maximum power point tracking. This work demonstrates the efficacy of multifunctional phosphonic acid additives in addressing buried-interface and GB defects, offering a viable route to high-performance, stable inverted PSCs.

Peer ReviewedView Paper→