Perovskite materials exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties and tunable bandgaps, making them a promising choice for efficient photovoltaic devices. Organic solar cells, with features like solution processing and flexibility, share a similar device structure with perovskite solar cells. Building perovskite/organic tandem structures can effectively enhance spectral utilization, surpassing the theoretical efficiency of single-junction devices, showing broader application potential. This experiment, starting from the forefront progress of tandem photovoltaic devices, recommends a comprehensive chemical design experiment for undergraduate students to understand the principles and advancements of perovskite/organic tandem cells, aiming to enhance their innovative thinking and experimental skills. The experiment involves tandem perovskite devices consisting of wide-bandgap perovskite front sub-cells, an intermediate layer, and organic rear sub-cells, covering thin film fabrication processes based on liquid-phase and vacuum deposition methods. Characterization of perovskite films’ microstructure and crystalline properties is conducted using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while the photovoltaic performance of prepared tandem devices is measured using simulated sunlight and electrical testing systems. With moderate difficulty and rich content, this experiment aims to enable students to comprehend the working principles and frontier developments of photovoltaic devices, fostering their interest in solar cells and nurturing their research innovation and practical skills.

Transition metal-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond formation is a crucial area in synthetic organic chemistry. The Kharasch-Sosnovsky reaction, catalyzed by copper, facilitates the conversion of olefins to allylic esters using tert-butyl peroxybenzoate as both an oxidant and oxygen source. In line with the “National Dual-Carbon Strategy”, the development of green and efficient catalytic systems for carbon-based transformations has become a key focus in organic chemistry. In this context, the Kharasch-Sosnovsky-type reaction has witnesses notable advances regarding asymmetric versions, ligand design, substrate scope expansion, and sustainable conditions. By surveying the cutting-edge chemical research, this paper presents a concise overview of the discovery and new progress of Kharasch-Sosnovsky reaction. It is hoped that this review can not only enhance students’ comprehension of fundamental organic chemistry concepts, but also effectively fill the gaps in existing textbooks, achieving a deep integration of basic chemical knowledge with cutting-edge research in the discipline.

This paper presents the design of an undergraduate experiment utilizing the rare-earth catalyst ErCl₃·6H₂O to promote the one-step synthesis of cyclopent-2-enone derivatives. This reaction involves the biomass platform compound furfural and the commodity chemical dibenzylamine, proceeding via a Nazarov reaction and 4π-electrocyclization to afford important synthon cyclopentyl-2-enone derivatives in high yield. The experiment consists of four main stages: synthesis, filtration, recrystallization, and characterization. The project is characterized by its mild reaction conditions, non-toxic reagents, straightforward operation, good reproducibility, short reaction time, and high product yield, ideal for undergraduate laboratory courses. Furthermore, the experiment introduces important concepts such as green chemistry, high-value transformation of biomass platform compounds, and the theme of rare-earth metal catalysis. This project not only enriches the undergraduate experiment course, but also enhances the students’ interest and accomplishment in chemistry.

Solar cells represent a primary means of harnessing solar energy and are a significant area of development in renewable energy. In recent years, perovskite solar cells have emerged as a promising alternative, demonstrating significantly enhanced photovoltaic conversion efficiencies and the potential to replace traditional solar technologies such as silicon (Si) and cadmium telluride (CdTe). The fabrication of perovskite solar cell devices typically relies on high-vacuum thermal deposition equipment, which is costly and entails complex manufacturing processes, thereby complicating its incorporation into undergraduate laboratory courses. This paper presents an innovative experiment designed for the “New Energy Materials and Devices” program, focusing on the preparation of inverted planar perovskite solar cells using a full-solution spin-coating method. This approach reduces equipment requirements, simplifies the fabrication process, ensures good reproducibility, and enhances safety. It facilitates a deeper understanding for students regarding the working principles, fundamental processes, and characterization techniques associated with solar cells.

Photocatalysis has emerged as a pivotal technology for achieving carbon neutrality and peaking carbon emissions, garnering significant attention in recent years. However, the current undergraduate curriculum lacks adequate theoretical and experimental components related to photocatalysis, resulting in limited student awareness of photochemistry and low-carbon strategies. This study presents a comprehensive experiment aimed at determining the rate constant for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using PbCrO₄ as the photocatalyst. The experiment integrates concepts from inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and instrumental analysis, thereby enhancing students’ experimental skills and overall competencies. Furthermore, this project aims to instill the principles of “green chemistry” and the “dual-carbon goals” within the student body.

Chemical energy is expected to play a critical role in the energy structure both today and in the foreseeable future. Its utilization involves various aspects closely related to physical chemistry, such as chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and kinetics. This paper analyzes the methods of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and explores the role of chemical energy in energy storage from the standpoint of physical chemistry. The analysis aims to enhance the understanding of physical chemistry and deepen students’ knowledge of its applications.

Under the guidance of the goal of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”, aiming at the important problem of waste plastic recycling economy, using the characteristics of “memory effect” of layered double hydroxide (LDHs), we design a research-based comprehensive experiment on the preparation and performance test of dechlorinated adsorbents. The experimental process involves: firstly, synthesizing LDHs through a co-precipitation method and then roasting the LDHs to obtain composite metal oxides (LDO), finally introducing LDO as a dechlorination agent into a chlorinated environment simulated by n-dodecane, NaCl, and deionized water. The adsorption properties are measured at multiple stages, and the structural changes of the adsorbent are characterized. After the adsorption process, the adsorbent undergoes roasting, and its dechlorination performance is evaluated again. This cycle is repeated several times to assess the stability of the adsorbent. This experiment serves as a model for integrating scientific research into educational practice, providing novel approaches for the development of reusable dechlorination agents. Moreover, it enhances students’ environmental awareness, cultivates their scientific research literacy, and sparks their interest in research.

To enhance students’ understanding of the “dual carbon” strategy, this experimental teaching design focuses on reprocessable rubber materials. First, a novel crosslinking agent (B-KH580) was synthesized through the reaction between 1,4-phenyldiboronic acid and (3-mercaptopropyl)triethoxysilane. Subsequently, B-KH580 was blended with styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), followed by hot-pressing at 160 °C to obtain boronate ester-crosslinked SBR. The incorporation of abundant reversible dynamic covalent boron-oxygen bonds (―B―O―) enables the rubber material to exhibit excellent reprocessability. After reprocessing, the material maintains over 95% of its original tensile strength, over 84% of its elongation at break, and over 87% of its Young’s modulus. This experimental approach not only introduces cutting-edge research into laboratory teaching but also provides students with a tangible demonstration of the “dual carbon” strategy.