Perovskite solar cells, as an emerging high-efficiency and low-cost photovoltaic technology1–6, face obstacles on their way towards commercialization. Substantial improvements have been made to device stability7–10, but potential issues with lead toxicity and leaching from devices remain relatively unexplored11–16. The potential for lead leakage could be perceived as an environmental and public health risk when using perovskite solar cells in building-integrated photovoltaics17–23. Here we present a chemical approach for on-device sequestration of more than 96 per cent of lead leakage caused by severe device damage. A coating of lead-absorbing material is applied to the front and back sides of the device stack. On the glass side of the front transparent conducting electrode, we use a transparent lead-absorbing molecular film containing phosphonic acid groups that bind strongly to lead. On the back (metal) electrode side, we place a polymer film blended with lead-chelating agents between the metal electrode and a standard photovoltaic packing film. The lead-absorbing films on both sides swell to absorb the lead, rather than dissolve, when subjected to water soaking, thus retaining structural integrity for easy collection of lead after damage. Using lead-absorbing materials to coat the front and back of perovskite solar cells can prevent lead leaching from damaged devices, without affecting the device performance or long-term operation stability.

On-device lead sequestration for perovskite solar cells.

Man-made structural colors, which originate from resonant interactions between visible light and manufactured nanostructures, are emerging as a solution for ink-free color printing. We show that non-iridescent structural colors can be conveniently produced by nanostructures made from high-index dielectric materials. Compared to plasmonic analogs, color surfaces with high-index dielectrics, such as germanium (Ge), have a lower reflectance, yielding a superior color contrast. Taking advantage of band-to-band absorption in Ge, we laser-postprocess Ge color metasurfaces with morphology-dependent resonances. Strong on-resonance energy absorption under pulsed laser irradiation locally elevates the lattice temperature (exceeding 1200 K) in an ultrashort time scale (1 ns). This forms the basis for resonant laser printing, where rapid melting allows for surface energy–driven morphology changes with associated modification of color appearance. Laser-printable high-index dielectric color metasurfaces are scalable to a large area and open a new paradigm for printing and decoration with nonfading and vibrant colors.

/pdf/resonant-laser-printing-of-structural-colors-on-high-index-2o8f1ghita.pdf

Resonant laser printing of structural colors on high-index dielectric metasurfaces

Perovskite Solar Cells: Can We Go Organic‐Free, Lead‐Free, and Dopant‐Free?

Nanoparticle-Induced Autophagy in Biomedical Research Karen Peynshaert,†,‡ Bella B. Manshian, Freya Joris,†,‡ Kevin Braeckmans,†,‡ Stefaan C. De Smedt,*,†,∥ Jo Demeester,† and Stefaan J. Soenen*,†,§ †Lab of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ‡Centre for Nanoand Biophotonics, and Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicine, Ghent University, B9000 Ghent, Belgium Biomedical MRI Unit/MoSAIC, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, B3000 Leuven, Belgium

Exploiting intrinsic nanoparticle toxicity: the pros and cons of nanoparticle-induced autophagy in biomedical research.

The pH dependent surface charging and points of zero charge. VII. Update.

Lithium metal anode on a copper dendritic superstructure

Iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) are known to be one of the most biocompatible and safe nanoparticles. However, their long-term persistence remains a problem, and macrophages play as an important mediator in continuous stimulation of the immune system due to biopersistence of nanoparticles. In the present study, we identified the mechanisms underlying the uptake and toxicity of bare-FeNPs using RAW264.7 cells, a mouse peritoneal macrophage cell line. The bare-FeNPs penetrated the cell membrane through electrostatic interactions together with the general phagocytic pathway. At 24 h after exposure, they distributed freely in the cytosol or within autophagosome-like vacuoles. Bare-FeNPs induced decrease in the cell viability along with the cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. In addition, they increased the generation of ROS and the secretion of NO and TNF alpha as well as the expression of SOD-1 and SOD-2 proteins, which are an antioxidant. While the mitochondrial calcium level, the intensity of labeled mitochondria, and ATP production decreased, the levels of autophagy-related proteins such as p62, beclin 1, ATG5, and LC3B increased in a dose-dependent manner together with the levels of ATF 3, p-EGFR, and p-ERK proteins. However, the level of p-JNK protein clearly decreased. TEM images also showed that damaged organelle exist within autophagosome-like vacuoles with bare-FeNPs. On the basis of these results, we suggest that bare-FeNPs induce autophagy by initiating oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, ERK, but not JNK, pathway is activated in bare-FeNPs-induced autophagy.

ERK pathway is activated in bare-FeNPs-induced autophagy

The perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a rapidly advancing solar technology with high efficiencies and low production costs. However, as the PSC contains methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3, MAPbI3) in the light-harvesting active layer, addressing the safety issue of PSCs is an important prerequisite for its commercialization. In this study, the potential hazards of the PSC were investigated with consideration of Pb species released from PSC using an ecotoxicity, cytotoxicity, chronic toxicity, and genotoxicity battery assay. PSC and its degradation products can cause significant toxicity, with PSC being more toxic than the individual degradation products. The order of ecotoxicity and cytotoxicity was found to be Pb2+ > PSC > PbI2 = PbO. Aquatic toxicity of PSC and its degradation products was suggested by Daphnia magna acute, chronic, and genotoxicity results. The current study highlights the non-negligible hazard potentialities of the PSC and its degradation products, as evidenced by our ecotoxicity and cytotoxicity battery assay. Our study indicates that great caution should be taken in the mass production of PSCs and could facilitate proper risk assessment. Based on our study, some considerations on the implementation of the “safe-by-design (SbD)” approach for the sustainable development of PSC technology can be formulated.

/pdf/hazard-potential-of-perovskite-solar-cell-technology-for-4t4ahknklb.pdf

Hazard potential of perovskite solar cell technology for potential implementation of "safe-by-design" approach.

Structural colors of the ordered photonic nanostructures are widely used as an effective platform for manipulating the propagation of light. Although several approaches have been explored in attempts to mimic the structural colors, improving the reproducibility, mechanical stability, and the economic feasibility of sophisticated photonic crystals prepared by complicated processes continues to pose a challenge. In this study, we report on an alternative, simple method for fabricating a tunable photonic crystal at room temperature. A bowl-like nanostructure of TiO2 was periodically arranged on a thin Ti sheet through a two-step anodization process where its diameters were systemically controlled by changing the applied voltage. Consequently, they displayed a broad color distribution, ranging from red to indigo, and the principal reason for color generation followed the Bragg diffraction theory. This noncolorant method was capable of reproducing a Mondrian painting on a centimeter scale without the need to e...

Tuning the Structural Color of a 2D Photonic Crystal Using a Bowl-like Nanostructure

Sensitivity of nanoparticles’ stability at the point of zero charge (PZC)

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