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Leadership and talent retention are critical HR-related components in post-merger and acquisition (M&A) integration, but the extent to which these factors interact with each other and eventually contribute to the success of post-M&A integration is under-explored. The present study investigates the effect of leadership styles on talent retention strategies and on the effectiveness of post-M&A integration in a Chinese context. Based on in-depth examination of an M&A case study, we propose that an authoritative, coaching, task-focused and relationship-focused approach has a positive influence on talent retention and effective post-M&A integration in a Chinese context. As far as talent retention strategies are concerned, authoritative leaders use communication, whereas leaders adopting a coaching style use an incentive structure to positively influence talent retention. Furthermore, task-focused leaders use position and performance in order to identify and retain talented employees. By contrast, relationship-focused leaders emphasize the guanxi network, communication and an incentive structure in their strategies of talent retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revisiting the theoretical roots of the key concepts of "emheddedness" and "networks" that underpin many recent regional innovation polices, this paper strives to achieve a more systematic understanding of the overall network structure of geographic agglomerations, which helps to form a more convincing model of regional development based on learning. This also helps to establish an analytical framework with indicators to assess the overall network structure in regional innovation policies. Employing the framework, the examination of cluster policy in the West Midlands highlights its weakness in addressing the overall cluster network structure and the contingent factors influencing the structure. The analysis suggests that there may be similar weaknesses in other regional innovation policies and the theories underpinning them as they share a common weakness in addressing the structural characteristics of overall networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Uniform single-crystalline tungsten oxide (WO3) nanosheets have been synthesized in a large-scale with W powders as starting material. The results from the thermal stability measurements show that the as-synthesized WO3 nanosheets are anhydrous. Their thickness and length are ∼80 and ∼500nm, respectively. They exhibit blue luminescence emissions at ∼431, 486 and 497nm, UV emissions at ∼362 and 398nm. The blue emissions are resulted from the band–band indirect transition and the UV emissions should be attributed to the defect states of WO3. The growth mechanism of the two-dimensional WO3 nanosheets is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

AbstractElectrochromic devices (ECDs) have broad application prospects in smart windows, low-power displays, anti-glare rearview mirrors, and so on. The electrolyte layer is one of the crucial components of ECDs acting as an interface layer between two electrodes to provide ions transport. Conventional liquid electrolytes have disadvantages of easy leakage, low safety and complex encapsulation, while inorganic solid electrolytes (ISEs) have very poor room temperature conductivity. Polymer electrolytes are composites consisting of polymeric matrices, solvents, conductive salts and curing agents, including solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) and composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs). They are widely used in ECDs because of their excellent ionic conductivity, superior electrochemical stability, high transparency and simplicity of processing. This review provides a detailed discussion of the types, mechanisms, characteristics and preparation methods of polymer electrolytes for ECDs. The latest research progresses in the design and application of CPEs based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are highlighted, and the potential applications of polymer electrolytes in the field of electrochromism are reviewed. Furthermore, the future development of polymer electrolytes in ECDs with stability, significant coloration efficiency and high ionic conductivity is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochromic smart windows are promising for building energy savings due to their dynamic regulation of the solar spectrum. Restricted by materials or traditional complementary device configuration, precisely and independently controlling of visible (VIS) and near‐infrared (NIR) light is still on the drawing board. Herein, a novel Zn2+ electrochemically active Ce4W9O33 electrode is reported, which demonstrates three distinct states, including VIS and NIR transparent "bright and warm" state, VIS and NIR opaque "dark and cool" state, VIS transparent and NIR opaque "bright and cool" state. A dual‐operation mode electrochromic platform is also presented by integrating Ce4W9O33/NiO complementary device and Zn anode‐based electrochromic device (Ce4W9O33/Zn/NiO device). Such a platform enables an added VIS opaque and NIR transparent "dark and warm" state, thus realizing four color states through individually controlling Ce4W9O33 and NiO electrodes, respectively. These results present an effective approach for facilitating electrochromic windows more intelligent to weather/season conditions and personal preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • A new salicylicaldehyde hydrazone derivative was prepared for sensing acetaldehyde. • The sensor exhibited fluorescence "turn-on" response to acetaldehyde. • The detection can be performed in neutral aqueous solution by forming an AIEgen. • Fast & highly selective detection of acetaldehyde in liquor and spirits was achieved. Abstract Acetaldehyde is one of the most important flavor constituents in liquor and spirits, which is the major origination of its spicy taste. However, as a human carcinogen, excessive intake of acetaldehyde is harmful to health. In this work, a fluorescence sensor of 5-methoxycarbonylsalicylaldehyde hydrazone (1) was developed to achieve a fast and highly selective response for acetaldehyde. Mechanism study showed that when 1 combined with acetaldehyde in aqueous solution at neutral pH, an aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) was produced, resulting in a "turn-on" fluorescence response. Compared to gas chromatography, the traditional detective method for acetaldehyde in liquor and spirits, fluorometry using 1 has a number of advantages including simplicity, quick response and capability of real-time detection. More important, the detections of acetaldehyde in real liquor and spirits samples were successfully achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten trioxide (WO 3) is a classical electrochromic (EC) material with advantages of abundant reserves, high coloration efficiency and cyclic stability. However, WO 3 films are often accompanied by a narrow spectrum of modulation due to a single-color change from transparent to blue. In this work, we report a wide-spectrum tunable WO 3 ·H 2 O nanosheets EC film solvothermally grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass. Interestingly, the crystalline WO 3 ·H 2 O nanosheets film is transformed into amorphous WO 3 after annealing at 250 °C for 1 h. The amorphous film can be transformed into crystalline WO 3 film by increasing the annealing temperature to 450 °C. After annealing at 250 °C, the WO 3 film exhibits an optical modulation of 75.8% in a broad solar spectrum range of 380–1400 nm and blocks 88.9% of solar irradiance. Fast switching responses of 4.9 s for coloration and 6.0 s for bleaching, and a coloration efficiency of 86.4 cm2 C−1 are also achieved. Additionally, the WO 3 film annealed at 250 °C also demonstrates an excellent cyclic stability, where 99.6% of the initial optical modulation can be retained after 1500 cycles. This simple and mild solvothermal method used in this work provides a new idea for the preparation of wide-spectrum tunable WO 3 EC films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature negative thermal quenching (NTQ) phosphors are crucial to high-performance light-emitting devices. Herein, we report the high-temperature NTQ effect in deep-red to near-infrared (NIR) emitting copper iodide cluster-based coordination polymers as unconventional phosphors, whose NTQ operating temperature can reach as high as 500 K, the highest temperature reached by NTQ molecular-based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ionic conductivity of gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) is usually provided by the added inorganic salt ions. Here, we report a salt-free poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogel electrolyte with an ionic conductivity of 3.7 × 10−3 S cm−1. The carboxylic groups of PAA can release free H+ ions to provide ionic conductivity, which not only simplifies the preparation of GPEs, but also benefits the fabrication of GPEs with high transparency (>95.6 % from 400 to 1000 nm). The as-prepared hydrogel electrolyte is assembled into an electrochromic (EC) device (ECD) by using Prussian blue/PAA GPE/hydrated tungsten trioxide. The fabricated ECD achieves a high optical modulation (72.7 %), fast responses (2.6 s for coloration and 2.2 s for bleaching), a high coloration efficiency (172.9 cm2 C−1) and good cycling stability (retaining 96.3 % of the original optical modulation after 1200 cycles). Moreover, the ECD has good energy storage properties, demonstrating a potential application for energy-storage smart windows. An in situ polymerized poly(acrylic acid) gel shows ionic conductivity by releasing free H+ ions, which can serve as a gel electrolyte for electrochromic devices. [Display omitted] • A salt-free polyacrylic acid hydrogel electrolyte with a high ionic conductivity was fabricated. • The carboxylic groups of polyacrylic acid can release free H+ ions to provide ionic conductivity. • The fabricated electrochromic device achieves a high optical modulation, fast response and a high coloration efficiency. • The electrochromic device demonstrates a potential application for energy-storage smart windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gel polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and good stability are obtained by adding cellulose derivative to poly acrylamide electrolyte. • The electrochromic device using the gel polymer electrolyte exhibits fast response and good cycling stability. • The good electrochromic properties are attributed to the existence of large number of hydrogen bonds between poly acrylamide and cellulose derivative. Cellulose is one of the most widely distributed and abundant natural polymer material. Hypromellose (HPMC), a cellulose derivative, has received much attention in recent years in the field of electrolytes because of its biodegradability, high transparency, excellent water solubility and biocompatibility. In this work, poly acrylamide (PAM)-based hydrogel electrolytes with high ionic conductivity (5.3 × 10−2 S cm−1) and high transmittance (95.8% at 672 nm) were prepared by thermocuring AM monomer containing a certain amount of HPMC. We assembled an electrochromic device (ECD) based on this gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) with Prussian blue (PB) film and WO 3 · x H 2 O film. The ECD enables color switching between colorless and blue states. The optical modulation at 672 nm is 73.2% and the coloration efficiency is 154.7 cm2⋅C−1. The coloration time and bleaching time are 2.5 and 3.1 s, respectively. In addition, the optical modulation of the ECD remains 93.7% of its initial value after 1,000 cycles, demonstrating a good cycling stability of the ECD, which should be attributed to the existence of large number of hydrogen bonds between PAM and HPMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated that niobium pentoxide (Nb 2 O 5) films can be directly grown on fluorine-doped tin oxides (FTO) coated glasses by a simple solvothermal process. The effect of ethanol concentration in precursor solution on the structure and electrochromic properties of Nb 2 O 5 films was investigated. The XRD patterns show that the as-grown Nb 2 O 5 films are polycrystalline. When the ethanol volume percentage in precursor solution is 30% or 40%, the prepared Nb 2 O 5 films display [040] preferred orientation and reticular structure. The research results on the electrochromic properties reveal that the Nb 2 O 5 film prepared with an ethanol volume percentage of 30% presents the largest optical modulation of 69.0% at the wavelength of 800 nm. For the film, fast switching from colorless state to blue-black state (coloration time: 10.7 s) and then to colorless state (bleaching time: 0.7 s) were observed. The coloration efficiency reaches 85.9 cm2 C−1. The results of cyclic voltammetry tests further demonstrate that the electrochromic properties of the film prepared with an ethanol volume percentage of 30% remain stable within 400 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivars that produce black grains are thought to be more nutritious and contain powerful antioxidant properties, but little is known about the chemical foundation and the genetic mechanism behind this trait. In this research, widely-targeted metabolome and transcriptome analyses were employed to unveil the chemical and genetic differences between black and white quinoa cultivars. A total of 157 differentially expressed metabolites were found in the black and white quinoa cultivars. The tannins and flavonoids were present at high levels in the black quinoa grains. The tannins comprised 13 proanthocyanins, all of which could barely be detected in white grains. Proanthocyanidins are suggested to cause the black grain trait in Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica species and are thought to produce the black grain trait, while contributing to antioxidant activity, in black grain quinoa. A total of 4620 differentially expressed unigenes were identified in the black and white quinoa grains. Structural genes associated with proanthocyanin biosynthesis, particularly DFR, LAR, LDOX and ANR, were more highly expressed in black than white grains. Genes involved in the betalain biosynthetic pathway, which competes with anthocyanin biosynthesis, showed relatively lower levels of expression in black grains. Two MYB and one MYC transcription factor related to the phenylpropane metabolic pathway displayed higher expression levels in black grains, while BvMYB1, associated with betalain biosynthesis, was not detected. This study suggested that the accumulation of proanthocyanins produces the black grain trait in quinoa, and the activation of transcription factors triggers the proanthocyanidin biosynthesis pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum) is one of the most important crops in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Soil salinity seriously affects its cultivation. To investigate the mechanism of salt stress response during seed germination, two contrasting hulless barley genotypes were selected to first investigate the molecular mechanism of seed salinity response during the germination stage using RNA-sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation technologies. Compared to the salt-sensitive landrace lk621, the salt-tolerant one lk573 germinated normally under salt stress. The changes in hormone contents also differed between lk621 and lk573. In lk573, 1597 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 171 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were specifically detected at 4 h after salt stress, and correspondingly, 2748 and 328 specifically detected at 16 h. Most specific DEGs in lk573 were involved in response to oxidative stress, biosynthetic process, protein localization, and vesicle-mediated transport, and most specific DEPs were assigned to an oxidation-reduction process, carbohydrate metabolic process, and protein phosphorylation. There were 96 genes specifically differentially expressed at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels in lk573. These results revealed the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance and provided candidate genes for further study and salt-tolerant improvement in hulless barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We performed a proof of concept trial to evaluate relative safety and efficacy of Rhodiola Capsule for mild to moderate major depressive disorder(MDD).Methods: It is a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial which 100 patients were randomized to 12 weeks into three groups. One of which (group A: 33 patients) received one sertraline and two placebos(0.6 g/day) tablets daily, a second (group B: 33 patients) received one sertraline and two Rhodiola capsules (0.6 g/day) daily, and a third (group C: 34 patients) received one sertraline,one placebo tablet and one tablet of Rhodiola capsule (0.3 g/day)daily. Changes over time in Hamilton Depression Rating (HAM-D), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Clinical Global Impression Change (CGI/C) scores were examined. Significant post-treatment improvements were observed for both groups (Rhodiola Capsule) in HAMD, BDI, and CGI scores. The decline in HAMD, BDI, and CGI scores was greater for group B versus group A and C.While the CGI (versus group A) were greater for group B and C.Results: Statistically significant reductions were observed for HAM-D, BDI, and CGI scores for all treatment conditions with significant difference between groups. The decline in HAM-D, BDI, and CGI scores was greater for group B versus group C and A.Conclusions: It is concluded that the Rhodiola capsule shows anti-depressive potency in patients with depression disorder when administered in dosages of either 0.3 or 0.6 g/day over a 12-week period.Rhodiola capsule can improve the quality of life and clinical symptoms.The high doses of Rhodiola capsule are better than the lower doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We have demonstrated that Prussian green (PG) film can be directly grown on fluorine-doped tin oxides (FTO) glass by a facile, template-free and one-step hydrothermal process, and a reaction mechanism for the formation of PG film under the hydrothermal conditions is also proposed. The as-grown PG film exhibits a much better cycling stability than PG film prepared by electrochemical method. The electrochromic device based on the as-grown PG film shows reversible and multi-stage color changes among green, blue and colorless states. Large optical modulations of 58% and 42% between colorless and both blue and green state, respectively, fast switching times of 1.1 and 2.4 s and a high coloration efficiency of 79.1 cm2 C−1 are also achieved for the PG device, making it promising candidates for applications in high-performance smart windows and displays. Graphical abstract We have demonstrated that Prussian green (PG) film can be directly grown on FTO glass by a facile one-step hydrothermal process, and excellent electrochromic properties are achieved for the PG device, making it promising candidates for applications in high-performance smart windows and displays. fx1 Highlights • Prussian green film is directly grown on FTO glass by a hydrothermal process. • The as-grown Prussian green film exhibits a much better cycling stability than other PG film. • The Prussian green based electrochromic device shows multicolor electrochromism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Polypyrrole (PPy) film doped with p-toluenesulfonate has been grown on indium doped tin oxide (ITO) coated glass by electrochemical polymerization. The PPy film, aluminum (Al) sheet and KCl solution are assembled into a bi-functional electrochemical device exhibiting self-powered electrochromic device and self-rechargeable battery characteristics. As an electrochromic device, the maximum optical modulation of the PPy/Al device is 59.0% at the wavelength of 698.5 nm. The original black device will become yellow after connecting its two electrodes with a response time of 6.5 s. As a battery, the capacity of the PPy/Al device is 75.25 mAh g−1 when it was initially discharged at a constant current density of 1.0 A g−1. The open circuit voltage of the PPy/Al device is 0.94 V. The charging-discharging processes of the PPy/Al device accompany a clear color change. So the capacity of the PPy/Al device can be known from the color of the device. The PPy/Al device can recover its color and capacity after disconnecting its two electrodes, which is attributed to the spontaneous transformation of PPy film from its neutral state (yellow) to p-type doped state (black) by the oxidation of oxygen. Graphical abstract A bi-functional PPy/Al device can recover its color and capacity after disconnecting the two electrodes of the device and being exposed in air, which is attributed to the spontaneous transformation of PPy film from the neutral state to p-type doped state by the oxidation of oxygen. fx1 Highlights • A bi-functional device based on electrodeposited PPy film has been fabricated. • The PPy/Al device can exhibit its capacity through its color. • The PPy/Al device can recover its color and capacity after being exposed in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The "Dielectric/Metal/Dielectric" (DMD) stacked films being used as transparent and conductive (TC) electrodes, have demonstrated excellent application in the ElectroChromic (EC) process and devices. In this work, multilayers (IAI) made of 50 nm of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)/5 nm of metallic silver (Ag)/30 nm of ITO that exhibit band-gap, low resistance of 7.4 Ω and the high figure of merit of 9.9 × 10−3 Ω−1 were introduced in a complete five-layer Glass/IAI/NiO x /LiClO 4 -PC-PMMA/WO 3 /IAI/Glass ElectroChromic Device (ECD). The single IAI electrode as well as the two actives EC layers Glass/IAI/NiO x and Glass/IAI/WO 3 were firstly characterized for their TC and EC properties respectively. Then, the EC properties of the complete five-layer ECD were analyzed. Fast response time (2.02 s for the bleaching and 2.25 s for complete coloration), wide optical modulation in the visible light region (∼55% at 550 nm), long lifetime (more than 6000 s), large capacity and good stability as well as high coloration efficiency (31.7 cm2 C−1) were obtained. The improved EC performance of ECD were related to the good electrical and optical properties of IAI electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The device assembly plays an important role in affecting the electrochromic (EC) performance of an electrochromic device (ECD). Here, WO 3 ·0.33H 2 O films are fabricated by a hydrothermal method and then PEDOT:PSS are spin-coated on the surface of WO 3 ·0.33H 2 O films. Finally, the WO 3 ·0.33H 2 O/PEDOT films are assembled with electrodeposited prussian blue (PB) to fabricate the WO 3 ·0.33H 2 O/PEDOT-PB complementary electrochromic devices (ECDs). Compared with pure WO 3 ·0.33H 2 O and WO 3 ·0.33H 2 O/PEDOT single-active-layer structure ECDs, the complementary ECD exhibits higher optical modulation, higher coloration efficiency and faster response time, which would provide a promising platform for energy-saving smart (ESS) window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a better environmental sustainable development, the construction and new energy vehicle industries have paid more attention to electrochromic (EC) materials that can regulate light and heat to reduce energy use. We report a series of high-performance tungsten-niobium (W–Nb) bimetallic oxide films composed of nanowire/cluster directly grown on transparent conductive glasses by a solvothermal process. Large optical modulations in visible (Vis) (77.0%) and near-infrared (NIR) (79.7%) light regions, and high average coloration efficiency ( C E ‾) of 107.8 cm2·C−1 are achieved for the W–Nb bimetallic oxide films. The solvothermal preparation creates conditions for exploring the rules of the EC properties of W–Nb bimetallic oxide films with the atomic ratios of W to Nb. The EC properties of bimetallic oxides are designable by verifying their atomic ratios of W to Nb, which provides a theoretical support for searching high-performance bimetallic oxide EC films. In addition, we introduce real-time CE and C E ‾ besides the traditional maximum CE to evaluate the coloration performance of the EC films. This creates a foundation for the further research on the CE of EC materials and devices in the future. [Display omitted] • High-performance W-Nb bimetallic oxide films have been directly grown on FTO glasses by a solvothermal process. • Large optical modulations in visible and near-infrared light regions, and high average coloration efficiency are achieved. • Real-time coloration efficiency and average coloration efficiency are introduced to evaluate the coloration performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrolytes, especially the gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) play an important role in an electrochromic device (ECD), and have received extensive attention in recent years. GPEs combine the advantages of both liquid and solid electrolytes, and provide a new solution for realizing solid-state ECDs. In this work, polyacrylamide (PAM) GPE with a high ionic conductivity of 6.4 × 10−2 S cm−1 at room temperature was synthesized by an in situ free radical polymerization in an ECD, where Prussian blue (PB) and tungsten trioxide (WO 3) were used as electrochromic (EC) layers. The in situ polymerization realizes a much better match between the electrolyte layer and the EC film. A large optical modulation of 74.8% at 678 nm and a high coloration efficiency of 154.5 cm2·C−1 are achieved for the obtained PB/PAM GPE/WO 3 device. Due to the high ionic conductivity and fast ion transport, the ECD also has a fast coloration time (t c) of 2.1 s and a bleaching time (t b) of 1.7 s. Additionally, the ECD maintains 90.6% of optical modulation after 13,500 cycles, demonstrating an excellent cycling stability. [Display omitted] • Polyacrylamide gel polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity were prepared by a free radical polymerization method. • An electrochromic device (ECD) based on a n in situ polymerized polyacrylamide gel electrolyte was assembled. • The ECD has large optical modulation, fast response and maintain 90.6% of optical modulation after 13,500 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viologen, known as 4-4' bipyridine salts, is one of the most widely used electrochromic materials (ECMs) because of its diverse colour changes, high optical modulation and colouration efficiency. In recent years, researchers have made great efforts to investigate electrochromic devices (ECDs) with electrolytes containing viologens. This review focuses on the differences in the preparation and properties of ECDs with viologens in detail, including all-in-one ECDs with solution-phase electrolytes, all-in-one ECDs with gel electrolytes, and ECDs with electrolytes containing viologens and EC films. Firstly, the review introduces the concept, classification, working principle and application of ECDs. Then with an emphasis on materials choice, device fabrication and performance, a thorough overview of the research development of the three types of ECDs with electrolytes containing viologens is presented. Finally, the current problems and the development prospects of ECDs with electrolytes containing viologens are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WO 3 ·2H 2 O film with porous structure was grown on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass by a simple constant current electrodeposition (CCE). The as-grown WO 3 ·2H 2 O film shows a loose and porous structure, which is formed by the accumulation of large size nanoparticles. For comparison, amorphous WO 3 · x H 2 O film was prepared by constant voltage electrodeposition (CVE). Both the films prepared by CCE and CVE are hydrated oxides instead of simple oxides, which is proved by thermal analysis. A large optical modulation of 86.3% at 550 nm and a high coloration efficiency of 178.8 cm2 C−1 are achieved for the WO 3 ·2H 2 O film. Additionally, the as-prepared film also shows a good cycling stability: the film exhibits an optical modulation of 75.6% after 500 cycles (retaining 87.6% of its initial optical modulation). Excellent electrochromic properties should be attributed to the porous structure of the WO 3 ·2H 2 O film, which brings more electrochemical active sites for insertion and extraction of ions. [Display omitted] • Porous WO 3 ·2H 2 O film were obtained by low-cost and simple electrodeposition method. • The as-prepared WO 3 ·2H 2 O film exhibits large optical modulation and high coloration efficiency. • Both the films prepared by constant current electrodeposition and constant voltage electrodeposition are hydrated oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bi-layer photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was fabricated, in which TiO hollow spheres (THSs) were designed as a scattering layer and P25/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as an under-layer. The THSs were synthesized by a sacrifice template method and showed good light scattering ability as an over-layer of the photoanode. MWNTs were mixed with P25 to form an under-layer of the photoanode to improve the electron transmission ability of the photoanode. The power conversion efficiency of this kind of DSSC with bi-layer was enhanced to 5.13 %, which is 14.25 % higher than that of pure P25 DSSC. Graphical Abstract: A bi-layer composite photoanode based on P25/MWNTs-THSs with improved light scattering and electron transmission, which will provide a new insight into fabrication and structure design of highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]