New random copolymers with pendant carbazole donor and 1,3,4-oxadiazole acceptor for high performance memory device applications
Yi-Kai Fang, Cheng-Liang Liu and Wen-Chang Chen, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C0JM02535F (Advance Article)
Non-conjugated random copolymers containing pendent electron-donating carbazole (VPK) and electron-accepting oxadiazole (OXD or BOXD) showed the electrical characteristics of diodes, volatile memory and insulators depending on donor/acceptor ratio and acceptor strength.
Mechanical-energy influences to electrochemical phenomena in lithium-ion batteries
T. Ichitsubo, S. Yukitani, K. Hirai, S. Yagi, T. Uda and E. Matsubara, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C0JM02893B (Advance Article)
In this paper the team from Kyoto University, Japan, investigate the mechanical effect’s of mechanical strain or energy on the electrochemical reactions in lithium-ion batteries. This strain considerably affects the value of the electrode potential. Ichitsubo and the team claim that harnessing the strain effect could make the cell voltage higher in lithium ion batteries.
Three-dimensional ZnO nanodendrite/nanoparticle composite solar cells
Chun-Te Wu, Wen-Pin Liao and Jih-Jen Wu, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C0JM03481A (Advance Article)
The team from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, compare the efficiency of sensitized ZnO nanodendrite/nanoparticle composite dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) to that of sensitized TiO2 nanoparticle DSSC. The superior efficiency of the 3D ZnO nanodendrite/nanoparticle composite DSSC compared to that of TiO2 nanoparticle cell is mainly due to the quasi-single-crystalline 3D framework of ZnO NDs which fascinates electron transport.
