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Sol–gel processed zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most widely used electron transport layers (ETLs) in inverted organic solar cells (OSCs). The high annealing temperature (≈200 °C) required for sintering to ensure a high electron mobility however results in severe damage to flexible substrates. Thus, flexible organic solar cells based on sol–gel processed ZnO exhibit significantly lower efficiency than rigid devices. In this paper, an indium‐doping approach is developed to improve the optoelectronic properties of ZnO layers and reduce the required annealing temperature. Inverted OSCs based on In‐doped ZnO (IZO) exhibit a higher efficiency than those based on ZnO for a range of different active layer systems. For the PM6:L8‐BO system, the efficiency increases from 17.0% for the pristine ZnO‐based device to 17.8% for the IZO‐based device. The IZO‐based device with an active layer of PM6:L8‐BO:BTP‐eC9 exhibits an even higher efficiency of up to 18.1%. In addition, a 1.2‐micrometer‐thick inverted ultrathin flexible organic solar cell is fabricated based on the IZO ETL that achieves an efficiency of 17.0% with a power‐per‐weight ratio of 40.4 W g−1, which is one of the highest efficiency for ultrathin (less than 10 micrometers) flexible organic solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrathin flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) have garnered widespread attention in wearable electronic devices for their lightweight and excellent conformability. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are one of the most widely used bottom electrodes because of their high conductivity and transmittance. However, the high roughness of AgNWs on the flexible substrate exerts adverse effects on device performance. To address this critical issue, a bilayer electron‐transport‐materials (ETMs) strategy consisting of an indium‐doped zinc oxide (IZO) and a pristine ZnO is developed. The IZO is utilized as the first layer of ETM, which can effectively fill voids in AgNWs to form a high‐conductive composite electrode. The ZnO is used as the second layer of ETM, facilitating charge extraction. The ultrathin flexible OSCs prepared based on the gradient bilayer ETMs can achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.1%, associated with improved mechanical stability, showing a PCE retention of 93% after 10 000 bending cycles (R = 1 mm) and 82% under 1000 compression (30%)‐release cycling test. To the best of knowledge, it's one of the highest efficiency for ultrathin (less than 10 μm) flexible OSCs based on the solution‐processed electrodes. This work will provide a new avenue for fabricating high‐performance and mechanically robust ultraflexible ITO‐free OSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Starch, an affordable and biodegradable polymer, is commonly used for adsorbing chemical hazards like phenol. To enhance phenol adsorption, a porous aminated starch was developed through enzymatic and chemical modification. By optimizing enzymatic reaction time and temperature, the porous starch was successfully fabricated without granule collapse, resulting in a surface area increase from 0.33 m2/g to 0.81 m2/g. Amino groups were then added to the porous starch via amination, boosting phenol adsorption capability from 0.0165 g/g in native starch to 0.0198 g/g in porous aminated starch, marking over 20% improvement. Additionally, the porous aminated starch exhibited a considerably faster adsorption rate than native starch. The porous structure provided more active sites for phenol adsorption, while the additional amino group enhanced interaction with phenol through hydrogen bonding, leading to higher phenol adsorption capability and faster rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial light aggregates with high properties were prepared by reinforcing the brick aggregates with accelerated carbonation technology and shell-core structure. The cylindrical compressive strength of brick aggregates prepared from shell-core structure improved by 41.1%~66.3% comparing to the bare brick aggregates, while the water absorption rate decreased by 23.44~ 33.47% . After the carbonation reinforcement, the cylindrical compressive strength of brick aggregates with core -shell structure reaches 14.38 MPa, and the water absorption rate could be as low as 12.19%. Concretes made with carbonated shell-core aggregates can fulfill the design requirement of C40, and the compressive strength reaches 52 MPa at 90 d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]