Antimony sulfide (Sb₂S₃) is a competitive photovoltaic material, especially for tandem solar cells. However, the quasi-intrinsic carrier concentration and deep work function of Sb₂S₃ cause serious extraction problem at Sb₂S₃/hole-transport-layer (HTL) interface. In this study, Professor Tang Jiang's Research Group at Huazhong University of Science and Technology proposed an efficient strategy to modify the Sb₂S₃/HTL interface by lead chloride (PbCl₂) post-treatment. Their results demonstrated that Cl can passivate the defect of V_S and Sb_S, and Pb enabled effective p-type doping at the Sb₂S₃ interface with the help of V_S removal. And the synergistic effect of Pb and Cl elements matched well with HTL energy level, facilitated hole extraction and enhanced the interface conductivity. By employing PbCl₂ treatment, the resulting devices obtained a high fill factor (FF) of 66.02%, and a top power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.05%.

A comprehensive review in Biological Diversity maps two decades of breakthroughs in Chinese seed plant genetic diversity research, links advances to sequencing technology, identifies key threats from climate change and habitat loss, and proposes a clear agenda to integrate genetics into global biodiversity conservation.

Friction and wear are the ‘energy drains’ and ‘lifespan terminators’ in the mechanical world. Conventional lubricant additives, such as the well-known zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), are highly effective but contain environmentally unfriendly elements like sulfur and phosphorus. Moreover, their lubrication performance is significantly reduced on ‘soft metals’ such as aluminum alloys and stainless steel. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanocrystals, with their controllable morphology and eco-friendly properties, are considered ideal candidates as next-generation lubricant additives.

Researchers developed a two-step CO₂ etching and high-temperature carbonization process to engineer closed nanopores in hard carbon anodes. The synergistic approach precisely controls pore architecture, enabling sodium-ion batteries with 388.8 mAh/g capacity, 83.8% retention after 800 cycles, and 165.2 Wh/kg full-cell energy density, advancing sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.

In a new study from the Texas A&M Superfund Research Center, the researchers examined archived dolphin milk samples collected between 1991 and 1993 to determine the presence of PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The Texas A&M Superfund Research Center is a multi-institution center funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences and led by the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS).

Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) have shown remarkable prospects in solving forward and inverse problems involving partial differential equations (PDEs).

New research redefines the role of botanic gardens as vital healing spaces for human health and planetary conservation.