Umeå University's logo

We report on the synthesis of CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) with a high solubility of 75 g/L in toluene and a good film-forming property, as enabled by a dense layer of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide and octanoic acid surface ligands. The crystalline and monodisperse PeQDs feature a cubic-like shape, with an edge length of 10.1 nm, and a high photoluminescence quantum yield of greater than 90% in toluene solution and 36% as a thin film. We find that the PeQDs are n-type doped following the synthesis but also that they can be p-type and additionally n-type doped by in situ electrochemistry. These combined properties render the PeQDs interesting for the emitter in solution-processed light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs), and we report a PeQD-LEC with air-stabile electrodes that emits with a narrow emission spectrum (λpeak = 514 nm, full width at half-maximum = 24 nm) and a luminance of 250 cd/m2 at 4 V and a luminance of 1090 cd/m2 at 6.8 V. To reach this performance, it was critical to include a thin solution-processed layer comprising p-type poly(vinyl carbazole) and a tetrahexylammonium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid between the PeQD emission layer and the anode in order to compensate for the as-synthesized n-type doping of the PeQDs.

Nanoparticulate double-heterojunction photocatalysts comprising TiO_2(Anatase)/WO3/TiO_2(Rutile) were produced by a sol–gel method. The resulting photocatalysts exhibit clear synergistic effects when tested toward the degradation of methyl orange under both UV and visible light. Kinetic studies indicate that the degradation rate on the best double-heterojunction photocatalyst (10 wt % WO₃-TiO₂) depends mainly on the amount of dye concentration, contrary to pure oxides in which the degradation rate is limited by diffusion-controlled processes. The synergistic effects were confirmed through systematic and careful studies including holes and OH radical formation, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, elemental analysis, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and surface area analysis. Our results indicate that the successful formation of a double heterojunction in the TiO_2(Anatase)/WO3/TiO_2(Rutile) system leads to enhanced photoactivity when compared to individual oxides and commercial TiO₂ P25.

The synthesis of electrochemically active β-Mo2C nanoparticles for hydrogen production was achieved by a fast and energy-efficient microwave-assisted carburization process from molybdenum oxides and carbon black. With the use of microwave-based production methods, we aim to reduce the long-time high-temperature treatments and the use of hazardous gases often seen in traditional molybdenum carbide synthesis processes. In our process, carbon black not only serves as a carbon source but also as a susceptor (microwave absorber) and conductive substrate. The irradiation power, reaction time, and Mo:C ratio were optimized to achieve the highest electrocatalytic performance toward hydrogen production in an acidic electrolyte. A complete transformation of MoO3 to β-Mo2C nanoparticles and an additional graphitization of the carbon black matrix were achieved at 1000 W, 600 s, and Mo:C ratio above 1:7.5. Under these conditions, the optimized composite exhibited an excellent HER performance (η10 = 156 mV, Tafel slope of 53 mV·dec-1) and large turnover frequency per active site (3.09 H2·s-1 at an overpotential of 200 mV), making it among the most efficient non-noble-metal catalysts. The excellent activity was achieved thanks to the abundance of β-Mo2C nanoparticles, the intimate nanoparticle-substrate interface, and enhanced electron transport toward the carbon black matrix. We also investigated the flexibility of the synthesis method by adding additional Fe or V as secondary transition metals, as well as the effect of the substrate.

The high catalytic activity of cobalt-doped MoS₂ (Co–MoS₂) observed in several chemical reactions such as hydrogen evolution and hydrodesulfurization, among others, is mainly attributed to the formation of the CoMoS phase, in which Co occupies the edge-sites of MoS₂. Unfortunately, its production represents a challenge due to limited cobalt incorporation and considerable segregation into sulfides and sulfates. We, therefore, developed a fast and efficient solid-state microwave irradiation synthesis process suitable for producing thin Co–MoS₂ flakes (∼3–8 layers) attached on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide. The CoMoS phase is predominant in samples with up to 15 at% of cobalt, and only a slight segregation into cobalt sulfides/sulfates is noticed at larger Co content. The Co–MoS₂ flakes exhibit a large number of defects resulting in wavy sheets with significant variations in interlayer distance. The catalytic performance was investigated by evaluating the activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and a gradual improvement with increased amount of Co was observed, reaching a maximum at 15 at% with an overpotential of 197 mV at −10 mA cm⁻², and a Tafel slope of 61 mV dec⁻¹. The Co doping had little effect on the HER mechanism, but a reduced onset potential and charge transfer resistance contributed to the improved activity. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using a rapid microwave irradiation process to produce highly doped Co–MoS₂ with predominant CoMoS phase, excellent HER activity, and operational stability.