Visible-light mediated photoinduced reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) is a promising method for producing well-defined polymers; however, it typically requires metal-containing catalysts, which can be toxic and limit practical applications. Therefore, developing new RDRP techniques is crucial. One promising approach is visible-light mediated photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization (photoATRP), which utilizes metal-free photocatalysts and eco-friendly light to catalyze polymerization. PhotoATRP offers more precise control over polymerization kinetics and can be performed in diverse solvents, including water, enhancing versatility and enabling the production of polymers with well-defined structures, low molecular weight distribution indexes, and controllable relative molecular weights. This minireview outlines recent advances on photoATRP using metal-free quantum dots (QDs) as photocatalysts. The research progress and influence factors for QDs-based photoATRP, as well as the mechanistic insights into the process, were discussed. Finally, we address the challenges and opportunities facing QDs-based photoATRP.

In the photovoltaic field, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining momentum due to the implementation of interface and additive engineering as viable approaches to advance commercialization. Our review begins with an outline of the latest progress in PSCs, followed by essential background information. The primary focus is on recent studies of small molecules and ionic liquids employed in interface and additive engineering to enhance device stability and performance. Ferrocenyl-bis-thio- phene-2-carboxylate (FcTc₂) and 3,4-bis(4-bromophenyl)-cyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione (BED) belong to interface engineering, while 3-ethylbenzo[b]thiophene-1,1-dioxide (PSAD), 1-bromo-4-(methylsulfinyl) benzene (BMMS), 1-(4-bromophenyl)-6,7-diphenylimidazo indolizine (PDPII) and 9-bromo-6,7-diphenyl- pyrido[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5-ium hexafluoro-phosphate (DPPIQ⁺PF₆^-), utilized in our previous research, are part of additive engineering. These studies centered around the potential interactions between additives and perovskites and the mechanisms these compounds minimize or passivate defects. Our aim with this review is to shed light on these findings and inspire continued theoretical and experimental investigations.

Among best known semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanostructures, whose much enhanced photoexcited state properties over those of uncapped CdSe nanoparticles are rationalized in the literature such that “the ZnS capping with a higher bandgap than CdSe passivates the core crystallite removing the surface traps”. In this work, the method commonly employed in the ZnS capping of CdSe for CdSe/ZnS QDs was applied to the same capping of small carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) for CNP/ZnS core/shell nanostructures, which are conceptually and configuration-wise equivalent to the replacement of the semiconductor (CdSe) core with CNP in the classical core/shell QDs. The fluorescence emission properties of CNP/ZnS core/shell nanostructures were found to be similar to those of organic functionalized CNPs in classically defined carbon dots (CDots), both dramatically enhanced from those of “naked” CNPs in solvent dispersions. Mechanistic implications of the findings are discussed.

One-dimensional (1D) Al-doped V₂O₅ nanowires were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and subsequent heat treatment process. The microstructure, surface morphology, and electrochemical performance of the as-prepared 1D Al-doped V₂O₅ nanowires were analyzed by XRD, XPS, SEM, CV, EIS, and galvanostatic discharge/charge tests. The results show that Al³⁺ doping can effectively increase the V⁴⁺ concentration in V₂O₅ material and prevent the agglomeration of V₂O₅ nanowires. When used as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the Al-doped V₂O₅ sample exhibits much-enhanced cycling performance, improved high-rate capability, higher electrochemical reaction reversibility, and lower electrochemical reaction resistance than the pure V₂O₅ sample (without Al³⁺ doping).