Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • On/off ratio of 8.3×10^3 at 37.5 μm separation between CsPbBr3 NW and CdSSe PD, enabling high-contrast optical interconnects for chip-scale photonic circuits. • • Pulsed light excitation distinguishable below 2000 Hz, limited by PD response speed, indicating a maximum data rate of ~2 kbps for this proof-of-concept system. • • Growth-based monolithic in-plane integration achieved via vapor deposition, eliminating flip-chip or wafer bonding steps and reducing alignment complexity for heterogeneous photonic integration. • • CsPbBr3 NW arrays act as both light source and waveguide, while CdSSe ribbon serves as PD, demonstrating multifunctional component integration on mica substrates for flexible optoelectronics.
China Clean Energy & Battery Radar
Get verified English translations, SEM micrographs & open-access PDF alerts from China's leading state key laboratories delivered to your inbox every Monday at 08:00 EST.
Abstract
Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) have been extensively applied in light sources, waveguides, and photodetectors (PDs), providing abundant components for optoelectronic interconnection applications. However, the efficient in-plane integration of various devices remains challenging, which is a prerequisite for the practical application of NWs. Here, the growth-based integration of CsPbBr3 NW arrays with CdSSe ribbons transferred onto mica is achieved via a vapor deposition route. The transferred ribbons not only act as preferential nucleation sites for CsPbBr3, but also break the growth symmetry of CsPbBr3 NWs on mica, allowing wires with the largest angle to the ribbon edge to grow longer and form arrays. The waveguide studies show that the CsPbBr3 NW arrays can confine and guide the light emission from both themselves and the CdSSe ribbon well. Importantly, the optoelectronic interconnection was successfully demonstrated based on the achieved heterostructures, where the CsPbBr3 NWs served as the light source and waveguide, and PDs were made from the CdSSe ribbon. When a single CsPbBr3 NW was illuminated by a focused 457 nm laser at a distance of 37.5 μm from the CdSSe ribbon, the on/off ratio of the system reached 8.3×10^3, resulting from the efficient response of the PD to the guided light. Moreover, the system can distinguish the pulsed light excitation well below 2000 Hz, limited by the response speed of the PDs. This work paves the way for the on-chip integration of nanoscale light emitters, waveguides, and detectors, promoting the practical application of semiconductor NWs in photonic circuits.
1. Introduction
Silicon-based electronic integrated circuits (ICs) face fundamental performance limits as device scaling approaches physical constraints, while photonic chips promise higher speed and lower energy consumption for data transmission. However, silicon's indirect bandgap prevents efficient light emission, forcing hybrid integration with III–V semiconductors or 2D materials. Lattice mismatch between III–V materials and silicon necessitates flip-chip or wafer bonding, where active and passive components are prefabricated separately, introducing alignment challenges and limiting integration density. Emerging 2D semiconductors enable growth-based integration via van der Waals interactions, but the lack of efficient in-plane heterogeneous integration of nanowire-based light sources, waveguides, and detectors remains a critical bottleneck for practical photonic circuits.
This work addresses the integration bottleneck by demonstrating growth-based monolithic in-plane integration of CsPbBr3 nanowire arrays with CdSSe nanoribbon trunks on mica. The transferred CdSSe ribbons serve as preferential nucleation sites and break the growth symmetry of CsPbBr3 NWs, directing the formation of ordered arrays. The resulting heterostructures exhibit efficient waveguiding and optoelectronic interconnection, with the CsPbBr3 NWs acting as light source and waveguide, and the CdSSe ribbon functioning as a photodetector. The system achieves an on/off ratio of 8.3×10^3 at a separation of 37.5 μm and can distinguish pulsed light below 2000 Hz, providing a scalable route for on-chip integration of nanoscale emitters, waveguides, and detectors.
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Xue Xia, Long Chen, Yaonan Xiong, Qi Deng, Wei Mou, Junxin Gong, Wenbin Zhang, Shulin Chen, Qinglin Zhang (2025). Optoelectronic interconnection applications from growth-based monolithic in-plane integration of CsPbBr3 nanowire arrays with CdSSe nanoribbon trunks. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3435-3
Research & Educational Purpose Only: The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoGreenTechare intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoGreenTech claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum data rate achievable with this optoelectronic interconnection system, and what limits it?
The system can distinguish pulsed light excitation well below 2000 Hz, corresponding to a maximum data rate of approximately 2 kbps. This limit is imposed by the response speed of the CdSSe ribbon photodetector, not by the CsPbBr3 nanowire light source or waveguide. Improving the PD response time, for example by optimizing electrode geometry or reducing trap states, could increase the data rate.
How does the on/off ratio of 8.3×10^3 compare to existing integrated photodetector systems, and what is its significance?
An on/off ratio of 8.3×10^3 at a separation of 37.5 μm is competitive with many nanoscale photodetector systems, where ratios typically range from 10^2 to 10^4. This high ratio indicates efficient light guiding from the CsPbBr3 nanowire to the CdSSe ribbon and low dark current in the PD, enabling reliable signal discrimination for optical interconnects. It demonstrates the viability of the heterostructure for high-contrast photonic circuits.
What are the primary failure mechanisms under continuous operation or environmental stress?
The paper does not report accelerated aging tests, but potential failure mechanisms include degradation of CsPbBr3 due to moisture and oxygen, and fatigue of the mica substrate under bending. The CdSSe ribbon may also suffer from photo-induced degradation. For practical deployment, encapsulation and hermetic sealing would be required to mitigate these effects. The on/off ratio and response speed were measured under ambient conditions, but long-term stability data are lacking.
What are the scalability bottlenecks for manufacturing this growth-based integration process?
The vapor deposition route for growing CsPbBr3 nanowire arrays on transferred CdSSe ribbons is inherently scalable in terms of substrate size, but precise control over ribbon placement and nanowire alignment over large areas remains challenging. The process requires a two-step transfer and growth sequence, which may introduce defects and limit yield. Additionally, the use of mica substrates restricts compatibility with standard silicon fabrication lines, necessitating heterogeneous integration strategies.
How does the cost of this approach compare to conventional flip-chip integration of III–V devices on silicon?
The growth-based monolithic integration eliminates the need for flip-chip bonding or wafer bonding, which are capital-intensive and have low throughput. By using solution-processed or vapor-deposited materials, the material cost is potentially lower than III–V epitaxy. However, the overall cost depends on yield and scalability; current laboratory-scale demonstrations do not provide cost parity data. For commercial viability, the process must achieve high uniformity and reproducibility over large areas.
Related Chinese Research & Cross-Citations
Ammonium Vanadate Cathodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Research Progress
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a compelling combination of high safety, environmental compatibility, and abundant zinc resources, positioning them as viable candidates for grid-scale energy storage. Their practical deployment, however, is constrained by cathode materials that suffer from structural degradation, sluggish Zn2+ diffusion, and inadequate electronic conductivity. Ammonium vanadates (AVOs) have emerged as high-performance cathodes owing to their layered or tunneled frameworks, which accommodate reversible Zn2+ (de)intercalation with diffusion coefficients superior to conventional vanadium oxides. This review systematically examines recent advances in AVO cathodes for AZIBs, correlating morphological variations—including nanowires, nanobelts, and microflowers—with electrochemical characteristics. The analysis establishes structure–performance relationships that govern capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. Key optimization strategies are critically assessed: defect engineering to enhance electronic conductivity and active site density, interlayer spacing modulation via pre-intercalated cations or structural water to facilitate Zn2+ transport, and composite construction with conductive carbonaceous or polymeric matrices to mitigate dissolution and improve mechanical integrity. Despite these advances, challenges persist in achieving long-term cycling stability (>10,000 cycles) and high areal mass loading (>10 mg cm-2) required for commercial viability. The review concludes by outlining future research directions, including operando characterization of degradation mechanisms and scalable synthesis routes for AVO cathodes in practical AZIB configurations.
Microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platforms: Innovations for spinal cord injury repair
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the complex, dynamic lesion microenvironment that impedes axonal regeneration and functional recovery. This highlight examines a microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platform integrating microneedle delivery, ferroptosis modulation, and hydrogen therapy. The platform leverages the pathological hallmarks of SCI—oxidative stress, iron dyshomeostasis, and lipid peroxidation—to achieve spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. By combining microneedle arrays for minimally invasive intraparenchymal administration with hydrogen-releasing biomaterials, the system addresses the dual bottlenecks of poor drug penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier and insufficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis inhibition is achieved through iron chelation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) stabilization, while hydrogen gas scavenges hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. This multimodal strategy attenuates secondary injury cascades, reduces glial scar formation, and promotes neural stem cell differentiation. The work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82574518) and the Talent Cultivation Project of Paring Academicians with Young Talents in higher education institutions in Zhejiang. The authors declare no conflict of interest. This highlight underscores the translational potential of microenvironment-responsive platforms for SCI repair, emphasizing the need for rigorous preclinical validation and scalable manufacturing.
Dual-Site Adsorption over Phosphorus-Doped Copper Oxide for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
Hydrophilic Single-Atom Interface Unlocks Low-Potential CO Removal on Pt in PEMFCs
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) fed with reformate hydrogen suffer severe anode poisoning by trace CO, necessitating high CO electrooxidation potentials that degrade performance and durability. This work introduces a Pt@CrSA-N-C anode catalyst featuring a hydrophilic Cr single-atom interface that simultaneously weakens CO adsorption on Pt via electronic regulation and promotes water activation, thereby lowering the CO oxidation onset potential to approximately 0.13 V vs. RHE. The onset potential was determined by two independent methods: the first potential at which the background-corrected current exceeds 0 mA cm-2 during CO oxidation reaction tests in a three-electrode system, and the potential at which the forward scan current exceeds the N2 background current in CO-stripping voltammetry. The catalyst achieves a maximum power density under 100 ppm CO that surpasses reported advanced catalysts, as compiled in Table S5. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterizations collectively establish a coherent rationale for the hydrophilic single-atom interface strategy. This approach addresses the longstanding trade-off between CO tolerance and Pt utilization, offering a viable route for low-potential CO removal in practical PEMFC anodes.
An Ionoelastomer-Based Bioinspired Wearable Electronics with Tele-Perception and Tactile Sensation for Machine Learning-Assisted Rehabilitation Management
Comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation efficiency is essential for designing appropriate training programs for better musculoskeletal functional recovery. Existing contact-receptor-dependent rehabilitation assessment systems mostly focus on assessing the restoration of muscle function by evaluating grip strength or joint flexion angle; however, parameters reflecting neuromuscular synergistic function are always overlooked. Herein, we develop an ionoelastomer-based soft artificial electroreceptor (SAER) that integrates tele-perception and tactile sensation to track the rehabilitation process, collecting signals related to approaching speed and grip strength sequentially. The SAER uses polyurethane ionoelastomer incorporated with quasi-solid conductive salt as the electric field receptor, and is integrated on a rehabilitation-training ball after assembly to establish an untethered detection device; this enables the remote capture of hand approaching parameter within a 9 cm range, followed by the quantification of grip strength when contacting and grasping. Furthermore, a data-driven assessment system is established by integrating machine learning, which accurately classifies rehabilitation efficiency into six levels; it supports for rehabilitation evaluation and training programs adjustment. Overall, the SAER-based rehabilitation management system establishes a paradigm that synergistically evaluating parameters corresponding to neuromuscular functional restoration and holds strong potential for home-based active rehabilitation for minimizing dependence on frequent clinical supervision.
Microwave-Absorbing Materials with Strong Environmental Adaptability for Corrosion Protection, Anti-Icing, and Thermal Management
Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) deployed on naval vessels, aerospace vehicles, and critical electronic systems face coupled electromagnetic, marine salt-spray corrosion, and extreme-temperature loads that legacy single-function absorbers cannot withstand. This review consolidates progress on three environmentally adaptive MAM classes: corrosion-protective, anti-icing, and thermal-management absorbers. The electromagnetic loss and impedance-matching fundamentals are first established, then the synergistic mechanisms, design strategies, and characterization protocols for each class are examined against representative material systems and their measured performance. The analysis identifies a shared design logic—multiscale hierarchical architecture, interfacial polarization engineering, and multifunctional phase integration—while distinguishing the divergent protection mechanisms: barrier and passivation effects for corrosion, surface-energy and latent-heat regulation for anti-icing, and phonon–electron transport decoupling for thermal management. Persistent bottlenecks include the trade-off between impedance matching and protective-layer density, the absence of standardized coupled-field test protocols, and the scarcity of long-term salt-spray and thermal-cycling durability data. Future directions are delineated: intelligent self-adaptive absorbers, multiphysics-coupled simulation frameworks, and environmentally benign multifunctional integration. The review provides a theoretical and technical basis for the design, construction, and engineering scale-up of next-generation high-performance absorbers for aerospace, electronic, and marine equipment.