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The assembly of proteins into various nano-objects with regular and periodic microstructures, i.e. protein arrays, is a fast-growing field in materials science. Due to the structural complexity of proteins, reports in this field are still quite limited. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in protein array construction by different driving forces, including electrostatic interactions, metal–ligand interactions, molecular recognition and protein–protein interactions. In line with our particular interest, assemblies driven by molecular recognition are particularly explored. Finally, functionalities of the obtained protein arrays are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pt-free cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have been prepared by multi-step pyrolysis of FePc and PhRs, in the best of which show extensively high initial cell performance and good durability compared to other present precious-metal-free cathode catalysts to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pt-free cathode catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have been prepared by multi-step pyrolysis of FePc and PhRs, in the best of which show extensively high initial cell performance and good durability compared to other present precious-metal-free cathode catalysts to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the essential component of a quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC), the counter electrode (CE) plays an important role in electron transfer and catalytic reduction acquisition throughout the device. A novel route to design multilayer functionalized Cu 2 S thin films as CEs with high catalytic activity and enhanced stability, as well as large specific surface area and high conductivity, is presented. Firstly, Mo-based films were prepared by magnetron sputtering on a glass substrate, and then porous CuZnMo conductive films were formed by etching with hydrochloric acid. Secondly, indium tin oxide (ITO) film was sputtered onto the porous structure to act as a protective layer, and a porous ITO/CuZnMo structured film was obtained after optimization. In the third step, multilayer Cu( x )/ITO/CuZnMo structured films were acquired by sputtering Cu films. Finally, multilayer Cu 2 S( t )/ITO/CuZnMo functionalized film CEs were obtained via in situ sulfidation of sputtered Cu films. The functions of conduction and resistance to electrolyte corrosion were produced and enhanced by annealing an ITO layer at high temperature prior to Cu deposition, while catalytic activity enabled by Cu 2 S was realized from Cu film sulfidation. The multilayer Cu 2 S/ITO(500 °C)/CuZnMo functionalized films exhibit high catalytic activity and enhanced stability for resistance to electrolyte corrosion. Taking multilayer Cu 2 S/ITO(500 °C)/CuZnMo films as CEs, the QDSCs demonstrated good stability of power conversion efficiency (PCE) after 500 h of irradiation, from an initial 4.21% to a final 4.00%. Furthermore, the thickness of Cu 2 S film modulated by the duration of Cu sputtering was investigated. It was found that the QDSCs using multilayer Cu 2 S(40 min)/ITO/CuZnMo functionalized film with a Cu 2 S thickness of 1.2 μm as CE exhibit the best performance, and the R ct value was 0.57 Ω. The best photovoltaic performance with a PCE of 5.21% ( V oc = 533.1 mV, J sc = 18.80 mA cm -2 , FF = 52.84%) was achieved under AM 1.5 radiation with an incident power of 100 mW cm -2 . This design of a multilayer functionalized CE introduces potential alternatives to the common brass-based CE for long-term QDSCs with high performance., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)