Abstract: Superlattices and methods of making them are disclosed herein. The superlattices are prepared by irradiating a sample to prepare an alternating superlattice of layers of a first material and a second material, wherein the ratio of the first deposition rate to the second deposition rate is between 1.0:2.0 and 2.0:1.0. The superlattice comprises a multiplicity of alternating layers, wherein the multiplicity of layers of the first material have a thickness between 0.1 nm and 50.0 nm or the multiplicity of layers of the second material have a thickness between 0.1 nm and 50.0.

Abstract: Surface-functionalized nano structures, arrays of the nanostructures, and method for using the arrays in surfaced-enhanced spectroscopy and dielectric sensing applications, such as surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, are provided. The nanostructures are functionalized with specific binding moieties that are bound to the nanostructures via phosphonic acid linkers.

Abstract: Superlattices and methods of making them are disclosed herein. The superlattices are prepared by irradiating a sample to prepare an alternating superlattice of layers of a first material and a second material, wherein the ratio of the first deposition rate to the second deposition rate is between 1.0:2.0 and 2.0:1.0. The superlattice comprises a multiplicity of alternating layers, wherein the multiplicity of layers of the first material have a thickness between 0.1 nm and 50.0 nm or the multiplicity of layers of the second material have a thickness between 0.1 nm and 50.0.

Abstract: Surface-functionalized nano structures, arrays of the nanostructures, and method for using the arrays in surfaced-enhanced spectroscopy and dielectric sensing applications, such as surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, are provided. The nanostructures are functionalized with specific binding moieties that are bound to the nanostructures via phosphonic acid linkers.

Abstract: Compositions of carbonaceous nanoparticle fabrication and their use for electrode materials in supercapacitors are provided. The supercapacitor includes a first electrode having a first substrate and carbonaceous nanoparticles; a second electrode comprising a second substrate and carbonaceous nanoparticles; a separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an electrolyte. Methods of making an electrode for a supercapacitor are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of optical modulation, the method comprising irradiating an optical switch with a control beam at a first control time and irradiating the optical switch with a signal beam at a signal time. The transmitted intensity of the signal beam in a direction depends on the delay time between the first control time and the signal time and the transmitted intensity of the signal beam in the direction is detectably different than a static signal. The optical switch comprises a nanorod array, the nanorod array comprising a plurality of nanorods extending outwardly from a substrate.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells including a hole-transport layer in contact with the perovskite light-absorbing layer, where the hole-transport layer (HTL) is a pristine (undoped) polymer. More specifically, the HTL comprises a copolymer including a benzo[1,2-d;4,5-d?]bistriazole-containing repeating unit and a benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b?]dithiophene-containing repeating unit.

Abstract: Compositions of carbonaceous nanoparticle fabrication and their use for electrode materials in supercapacitors are provided. The supercapacitor includes a first electrode having a first substrate and carbonaceous nanoparticles; a second electrode comprising a second substrate and carbonaceous nanoparticles; a separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an electrolyte. Methods of making an electrode for a supercapacitor are also provided.

Abstract: Solar cells are provided which comprise an electron transporting layer and a light sensitizing layer of perovskite disposed over the surface of the electron transporting layer. The perovskite may have a formula selected from the group consisting of A2MX6, Z2MX6 or YMX6, wherein A is an alkali metal, M is a metal or a metalloid, X is a halide, Z is selected from the group consisting of a primary ammonium, an iminium, a secondary ammonium, a tertiary ammonium, and a quaternary ammonium, and Y has formula Mb(L)3, wherein Mb is a transition metal in the 2+ oxidation state L is an N—N neutral chelating ligand. Methods of making the solar cells are also provided, including methods based on electrospray deposition.

Abstract: Nanostructured carbon electrode usable for electrochemical devices and methods of fabricating the same. The method of fabricating a nanostructured carbon electrode includes providing a carbon material of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), mixing the carbon material of PAH with a surfactant in a solution to form a suspension thereof; depositing the suspension onto a substrate to form a layered structure; and sintering the layered structure at a temperature for a period of time to form a nanostructured carbon electrode having a film of PAH.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of carbonaceous nanoparticle fabrication and their use for electrode materials in supercapacitors are provided. The method includes a first step of reacting a first carbon source with a second carbon source in the presence of a nitrogen source in a DC arc furnace to form a composite nanoparticle. The second carbon source includes a dopant. The composite nanoparticle includes a crystalline carbon phase having an amorphous phase comprising dopant or carbide. The method includes a second step of removing the amorphous second layer to form the carbonaceous nanoparticle.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cells incorporating the compounds A/M/X compounds as hole transport materials are provide. The A/M/X compounds comprise one or more A moieties, one or more M atoms and one or more X atoms. The A moieties are selected from organic cations and elements from Group 1 of the periodic table, the M atoms are selected from elements from at least one of Groups 3, 4, 5, 13, 14 or 15 of the periodic table, and the X atoms are selected from elements from Group 17 of the periodic table.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of optical modulation, the method comprising irradiating an optical switch with a control beam at a first control time and irradiating the optical switch with a signal beam at a signal time. The transmitted intensity of the signal beam in a direction depends on the delay time between the first control time and the signal time and the transmitted intensity of the signal beam in the direction is detectably different than a static signal. The optical switch comprises a nanorod array, the nanorod array comprising a plurality of nanorods extending outwardly from a substrate.

Abstract: Nanostructured carbon electrode usable for electrochemical devices and methods of fabricating the same. The method of fabricating a nanostructured carbon electrode includes providing a carbon material of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), mixing the carbon material of PAH with a surfactant in a solution to form a suspension thereof; depositing the suspension onto a substrate to form a layered structure; and sintering the layered structure at a temperature for a period of time to form a nanostructured carbon electrode having a film of PAH.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells including a hole-transport layer in contact with the perovskite light-absorbing layer, where the hole-transport layer (HTL) is a pristine (undoped) polymer. More specifically, the HTL comprises a copolymer including a benzo[1,2-d;4,5-d?]bistriazole-containing repeating unit and a benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b?]dithiophene-containing repeating unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain polymeric compounds and their use as organic semiconductors in organic and hybrid optical, optoelectronic, and/or electronic devices such as photovoltaic cells, light emitting diodes, light emitting transistors, and field effect transistors. The present compounds can provide improved device performance, for example, as measured by power conversion efficiency, fill factor, open circuit voltage, field-effect mobility, on/off current ratios, and/or air stability when used in photovoltaic cells or transistors. The present compounds can have good solubility in common solvents enabling device fabrication via solution processes.

Abstract: Solar cells are provided which comprise an electron transporting layer and a light sensitizing layer of perovskite disposed over the surface of the electron transporting layer. The perovskite may have a formula selected from the group consisting of A2MX6, Z2MX6 or YMX6, wherein A is an alkali metal, M is a metal or a metalloid, X is a halide, Z is selected from the group consisting of a primary ammonium, an iminium, a secondary ammonium, a tertiary ammonium, and a quaternary ammonium, and Y has formula Mb(L)3, wherein Mb is a transition metal in the 2+ oxidation state L is an N—N neutral chelating ligand. Methods of making the solar cells are also provided, including methods based on electrospray deposition.

Abstract: Anodes, solar cells utilizing said anodes, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. More specifically, the anodes disclosed herein may comprise a substrate made from a conducting material, and further comprise an array of nanowires projecting from the substrate. Solar cells that utilize an anode disclosed herein include nanoparticle-based cells and organic photovoltaic cells. The nanoparticle-based cells include dye sensitized solar cells and quantum dot/rod sensitized solar cells. The organic photovoltaic cells can include polymer solar cells, and hybrid organic/inorganic cells utilizing a combination of nanoparticle based and polymer solar cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of carbonaceous nanoparticle fabrication and their use for electrode materials in supercapacitors are provided. The method includes a first step of reacting a first carbon source with a second carbon source in the presence of a nitrogen source in a DC arc furnace to form a composite nanoparticle. The second carbon source includes a dopant. The composite nanoparticle includes a crystalline carbon phase having an amorphous phase comprising dopant or carbide. The method includes a second step of removing the amorphous second layer to form the carbonaceous nanoparticle.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a solar cell. In one embodiment, the solar cell includes an anode, a p-type semiconductor layer formed on the anode, and an active organic layer formed on the p-type semiconductor layer, where the active organic layer has an electron-donating organic material and an electron-accepting organic material.