Yunpeng Wen^1,*, Bingyang Ke², Junrong Ding³

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.076587 - 26 January 2026

Abstract This study reports an active learning (AL)-guided strategy to optimize the sulfurization–selenization processing conditions of Sb₂(S,Se)₃ thin-film photovoltaic absorbers for enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE). By coupling Gaussian process modeling with iterative experimental feedback, we explored 20 targeted annealing conditions across the full compositional spectrum (x = 0–1) and identified an optimal S/(S + Se) ratio of 0.40 (x = 0.60), which yielded a band gap (Eg) of ~1.34 eV, close to the theoretical Shockley–Queisser optimum. The optimized process employed a controlled two-step 420°C anneal with sequential H₂Se→H₂S exposure, which produced large plate-like grains (300–500 nm)… More >

N. Masood¹, A. M. Toufiq^2,*, S. Magam^3,4, S. M. W. Ali², M. T. Qureshi^3,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.12, pp. 1047-1053, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.2212.1047 - 08 December 2025

Abstract Self-assembled highly hierarchical novel SnS₂ microflowers having acute edge nanopetals have been fabricated using a facile template-free hydrothermal growth technique utilizing Tin (II) chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂·2H₂O) and Sodium sulfide nonahydrate (Na₂S·9H₂O) as reaction reagents. Morphological analysis exhibits the flower-type SnS₂ microarchitectures ranging from 4 to 7 μm. The vibrational mode measured at A_1g = 314 cm⁻¹ confirms the existence of hexagonal phase SnS₂ using Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical results suggest the promise of as-synthesized SnS₂ structures as a cathodic material in lithium-sulfur batteries. More >

J. T. Jia^a,b, X. H. Yang^a,b,*, L. W. Wang^a,b

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.21, No.7, pp. 543-556, 2024, DOI:10.15251/CL.2024.217.543

Abstract Chalcogenide perovskites are promising lead-free, stable absorber materials for solar cells. This work reports the synthesis of orthorhombic phase pure CaSnS₃ thin films by facile low temperature sulfurization of solution-processed CaSnO₃ oxide precursors. Structural characterization confirms complete anion exchange to produce crystalline CaSnS₃ films with vertically aligned rod-like grains. Optical studies show strong visible light absorption with direct bandgap of 1.72 eV, ideal for photovoltaics. Electrical measurements indicate p-type conductivity with hole concentration of 1.2×10¹⁷ cm^-3 and mobility around 8 cm2V-1s-1 at room temperature. First-principles DFT calculations corroborate the p-type electronic structure. Prototype CaSnS3 solar cells are fabricated More >

Xinhe Wei, Wei Zhao, Yanbin Sun, Shoukun Dong^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.8, pp. 1851-1873, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.051671 - 30 August 2024

Abstract Soybean is a crucial crop utilized for both food and oil production, with balanced crop nutrition being a key determinant of soybean yield throughout its growth cycle. Sulfur, an essential nutrient for crop growth, substantially impacts soybean yield. In this study, two soybean cultivars, Laidou 2 and Hefeng 55, were used to study the changes in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur contents in soybean plants at different growth stages. Additionally, the effects of dry matter accumulation under five different sulfur levels were examined. The results showed that the sulfur levels had varying effects on the… More >

N. Messei^a,*, M. S. Aida^b, A. Attaf^a, N. Hamani^a, S. Laznek^c

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.20, No.2, pp. 165-175, 2023, DOI:10.15251/CL.2023.202.165

Abstract To enhance the efficiency of kesterite Cu₂ZnSnS₄ solar cell, different gradient strategies are investigated. Absorber layer gradient is obtained by partial substitution of sulfur with selenium or tin with germanium. The PV Parameters are calculated using the SCAPS1D program. The effect of the front, back, and double gradient on the cell parameters was investigated. We proposed also the fully graded gap absorber layer profile. The opencircuit voltage has increased to 1.040V, the fill factor has increased to 71.69%, and the efficiency has exceeded 22.95%. In contrast to other types of gradients, the short-circuit current density remains More >

S. Petrosyan^a,*, A. Musayelyan^a, E. Zaretskaya^b, V. Gremenok^b,c, K. Buskis^b, A. Stanchik^b,c

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.20, No.11, pp. 811-820, 2023, DOI:10.15251/CL.2023.2011.811

Abstract We present the results of the study of the microstructure, X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering spectra of Cu₂SnS₃ (CTS) films synthesized at 500℃ by the sulfurization of SnCu stacked metal precursors with different annealing time. The results indicate that sulfurization time has a great influence on both composition and morphology of the film. It is shown that the process of formation of a single-phase CTS compound with a monoclinic structure and composition close to stoichiometry is completed for a synthesis time of 60 - 80 min. With an increase in the time of synthesis to 120 More >

U. Chalapathi^a, P. R. Prasad^b, C. P. Reddy^c, S. Sambasivam^d, P. Rosaiah^e, M. Ouladsmane^f, S. Alhammadi^g, S. M. Lee^a, S. H. Park^a,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.20, No.11, pp. 797-802, 2023, DOI:10.15251/CL.2023.2011.797

Abstract Wittichenite Cu₃BiS₃ thin films have received significant interest as light harvesters owing to their suitable optoelectronic properties and presence of earth-abundant, and non-toxic elements. We have synthesized Cu₃BiS₃ thin films by a two-stage process; in which, Cu/Bi/Cu metallic stacks were thermally evaporated and then sulfurized at 400℃ for 10–60 min in a quartz tubular furnace. The influence of sulfurization time on the structural, microstructural, compositional, optical, and electrical properties of the films was investigated. The results revealed that the films were orthorhombic Cu₃BiS₃ with the following lattice parameters: a = 0.768 nm; b = 1.043 nm; and More >

Xuefeng Song^*, Minjuan Sun, Juan He, Lei Wang

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.12, pp. 4079-4095, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.028885 - 10 November 2023

Abstract The adsorption method has the advantages of low cost, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness in treating fluorinated wastewater, and the adsorbent material is the key. This study combines the inherent anion-exchange adsorption properties of layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Self-supported porous adsorbent materials loaded with AFm and AFt were prepared from a composite cementitious system consisting of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) by chemical foaming technique. The mineral composition of the adsorbent material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Through the static adsorption experiment, the adsorption… More > Graphic Abstract

Hao Chen¹, Jie Xu¹, Yibo Hu¹, Fuzhou Niu^1,*, Zhiyan Li², Dan Wang², Guizhong Fu¹, Chuanxin Li^3,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.134, No.2, pp. 1251-1262, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2022.022279 - 31 August 2022

Abstract Aiming at the in situ and mobile observation of urban environmental air pollution, a portable instrument using ultraviolet spectrum retrieval algorithm was developed based on the basis of Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) and multiple-pass cell technique. Typical trace gas pollutants, NH₃, SO₂, and NO₂, were explored using their optical spectral characteristics in deep ultraviolet wavelength range from 210 to 215 nm. The gas concentration was retrieved by Lambert-Beer's law and nonlinear least square method. With an optimized optical alignment, the detection limits of NH₃, SO₂, NO₂ were estimated to be 2.2, 2.3, and 36.2 ppb, respectively. The More >

Lixia Guo^1,2,3, Weikai Wang¹, Ling Zhong^1,2,3,*, Yuhang Guo¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 423-434, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.022942 - 10 August 2022

Abstract Based on the high sulfur content in titanium gypsum, the concept of the calcium-silicon-sulfur (Ca/Si/S) ratio was proposed. The Ca/Si/S ratio of concrete was adjusted by changing the titanium gypsum, fly ash, and cement content. The effects of different Ca/Si/S ratios on the mechanical properties, hydration products, and concrete microstructure were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, uniaxial compression, and scanning electron microscopy. The result shows: (1) The compressive strength of concrete mixed with titanium gypsum increases first and then decreases with the Ca/Si/S ratio decrease. When the Ca/Si/S ratio is 1:0.85:0.10, the strength reaches the More > Graphic Abstract