Topic Editors

Department of Chemical and Bilological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
Dr. Se-Woong Baek
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea

Perovskites for Energy Applications

Abstract submission deadline
closed (30 September 2022)
Manuscript submission deadline
closed (30 November 2022)
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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Exploring prospective materials for energy production and storage is one of the biggest challenges of this century. Perovskites are promising key materials for energy applications.

The modern society enjoys more material abundance and convenience than ever before in human history because the Si-based optoelectronic technologies enable the manipulation of photons and electrons. Through the n-type or p-type Si, diodes and transistors have been demonstrated and, consequently, the Si industries have been boosted to date. Due to the continuous development of Si industries, we conveniently sustain our daily life using computers, televisions, smart phones, car navigations, etc., which require Si-based semiconductors such as diodes, transistors, memories, and image sensors and electricity for their operation.

Although we are still living in the Si era and Si will be used for a long time, Si does not have abundant degree of freedom in terms of material design because it has a diamond crystal structure, which is composed of a covalent bond between the same Si atoms. Accordingly, there is no degree of freedom to control its optical, physical, and electronical properties by compositional and structural engineering except for substituting the Si with other elements such as B, Al, N, and P. In addition, the diamond structure makes it difficult to form an atomic scale thin film such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides with hexagonal structures.

To date, metal halide perovskites (MHPs) with AMX3 (A = monovalent cation such as alkyl ammonium and alkali metals, M = divalent metal such as Pb, Sn, and Ge, and X = halogen such as Cl, Br, and I) and metal halide pseudo-perovskites such as A3B2X9 (B = trivalent metal such as Sb and Bi) with a layer or dimer structure have attracted attention because of their unique properties such as a high degree of freedom in material design due to the almost infinite possible combinations of perovskites using compositional and structural engineering, strong absorption coefficient due to direct bandgap, ambipolar charge transportability due to the formation of Wannier excitons, long charge carrier diffusion length due to the small trap densities caused by ionic crystal behavior, quantum-well-like crystal structure, and solution processability.

Unlike the Si, with three-dimensional interconnected diamond structures, MHPs can have 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional crystal structures, and their shapes are also controllable to nanodots, nanorods, nanowires, nanoplates, and bulk crystals. Hence, it is expected that the photons, electrons, and phonons are controllable by MHPs with controlled dimensions, structures, compositions, shapes, and morphologies.

Therefore, this Topic targets all new developments in perovskite materials with the goal of using them as efficient energy supply, such as optolectronic applications of metal halide perovskites such as perovskite solar cells, LEDs, photodetectors, X-ray detectors, phosphors or scintillators, thin-film transistors, photo rechargeable batteries, photo rechargeable supercapacitors, etc.

Prof. Dr. Sang Hyuk Im
Dr. Se-Woong Baek
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • perovskite
  • metal halide perovskites
  • solar cells
  • photovoltaics
  • batteries
  • LEDs
  • light-emitting diode
  • photodetectors
  • image sensors
  • X-ray detectors
  • phosphors
  • transistors
  • supercapacitors
  • energy conversion
  • energy storage

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Applied Sciences
applsci
2.7 4.5 2011 16.9 Days CHF 2400
Energies
energies
3.2 5.5 2008 16.1 Days CHF 2600
Materials
materials
3.4 5.2 2008 13.9 Days CHF 2600
Molecules
molecules
4.6 6.7 1996 14.6 Days CHF 2700
Sustainability
sustainability
3.9 5.8 2009 18.8 Days CHF 2400

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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11 pages, 3021 KiB  
Article
Insight into the Physical Properties of Fluoro-Perovskites Compounds of Tl-Based TlMF3 (M = Au, Ga) Compounds Studied for Energy Generation Utilizing the TB-MBJ Potential Approximation Approach
by Hukam Khan, Mohammad Sohail, Muhammad Shoaib Arif and Kamaleldin Abodayeh
Materials 2023, 16(2), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020686 - 10 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1226
Abstract
Fluoro-perovskites compounds based on the Tl element TlMF3 (M = Au, Ga) were examined computationally, and their different aspects, studied utilizing TB-mBJ potential approximations, can be used for the generation of energy because of their ever-increasing power conversion efficiency. Birch Murnaghan’s graph [...] Read more.
Fluoro-perovskites compounds based on the Tl element TlMF3 (M = Au, Ga) were examined computationally, and their different aspects, studied utilizing TB-mBJ potential approximations, can be used for the generation of energy because of their ever-increasing power conversion efficiency. Birch Murnaghan’s graph and tolerance factor show that these composites are structurally cubic and stable. The optimum volume of the compounds corresponding to the optimum energies and the optimized lattice constants were computed. The algorithm IRelast was used to predict the elastic information, and these results demonstrated that the presented compounds are stable mechanically and show anisotropic and ductile properties. TlAuF3 and TlGaF3 have an indirect band energy gap at (M-X) positions, with a forbidden energy gap of −0.55 eV for TlAuF3 and 0.46 eV for TlGaF3. The compounds show a metallic nature due to a small indirect band gap. Different component states corresponding to the upper and lower bands of the Fermi energy level are influenced by the total density in the different states and the density in various directions (TDOS & PDOS). These composites exhibit strong absorption, conductivity, and reflective coefficients at higher energy series together with a low refractive index, given by an inquiry into optical properties. The applications of these composites are thought to be good for conduction purposes in industries due to the indirect band gap. For the first time, computational analysis of these novel compounds offers a thorough understanding of their many characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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11 pages, 9830 KiB  
Article
Situation and Perspectives on Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells
by Yingxiao Fan, Yu Wu, Yang Xu, Wenhui Li, Huawei Zhou and Xianxi Zhang
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16603; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416603 - 12 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1526
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells have become the current research focus because of their high conversion efficiency and other advantages; however, the toxicity of lead used in them has raised environmental concerns. Tin-based perovskite materials have become the most promising alternative materials for perovskite solar [...] Read more.
Perovskite solar cells have become the current research focus because of their high conversion efficiency and other advantages; however, the toxicity of lead used in them has raised environmental concerns. Tin-based perovskite materials have become the most promising alternative materials for perovskite solar cells because of their relatively low toxicity, suitable band gap and relatively higher energy conversion efficiency than perovskite materials based on other elements. In this article, the status of this rapidly growing field, authors’ output and cooperation, hot research topics, important references and the development trends of tin-based perovskite solar cells are identified and visualized using CiteSpace software. The main research fields are found to be optical properties, 3D–2D perovskite and perovskite solar cell conduction band materials. The mixed organic metal halide perovskite solar cell and the CsSnI3 semiconductor are identified as emerging trends for tin-based perovskite solar cells. Such contents in this article highlight the key points in the wide field of literature so it can be understood efficiently. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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14 pages, 3858 KiB  
Article
Computational Probing of Tin-Based Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells: Effects of Absorber Parameters and Various Electron Transport Layer Materials on Device Performance
by Arunkumar Prabhakaran Shyma and Raja Sellappan
Materials 2022, 15(21), 7859; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217859 - 07 Nov 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2176
Abstract
Tin-based perovskite solar cells have gained global research attention due to the lead toxicity and health risk associated with its lead-based analog. The promising opto-electrical properties of the Tin-based perovskite have attracted researchers to work on developing Tin-based perovskite solar cells with higher [...] Read more.
Tin-based perovskite solar cells have gained global research attention due to the lead toxicity and health risk associated with its lead-based analog. The promising opto-electrical properties of the Tin-based perovskite have attracted researchers to work on developing Tin-based perovskite solar cells with higher efficiencies comparable to lead-based analogs. Tin-based perovskites outperform lead-based ones in areas such as optimal band gap and carrier mobility. A detailed understanding of the effects of each parameter and working conditions on Tin-based perovskite is crucial in order to improve efficiency. In the present work, we have carried out a numerical simulation of a planar heterojunction Tin-based (CH3NH3SnI3) perovskite solar cell employing a SCAPS 1D simulator. Device parameters, namely, the thickness of the absorber layer, the defect density of the absorber layer, working temperature, series resistance, and metalwork function, were exclusively investigated. ZnO was employed as the ETL (electron transport layer) material in the initial simulation to obtain optimized parameters and attained a maximum efficiency of 19.62% with 1.1089 V open circuit potential (Voc) at 700 nm thickness (absorber layer). Further, different ETL materials were introduced into the optimized device architecture, and the Zn2SnO4-based device delivered an efficiency of 24.3% with a Voc of 1.1857 V. The obtained results indicate a strong possibility to model and construct better-performing perovskite solar cells based on Tin (Sn) with Zn2SnO4 as the ETL layer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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12 pages, 3818 KiB  
Article
Theoretical Investigations into the Different Properties of Al-Based Fluoroperovskite AlMF3 (M = Cr, B) Compounds by the TB-MBJ Potential Method
by Hukam Khan, Mohammad Sohail, Rajwali Khan, Nasir Raman, Asad Ullah, Aurangzeb Khan, Abed Alataway, Ahmed Z. Dewidar, Hosam O. Elansary and Kowiyou Yessoufou
Materials 2022, 15(17), 5942; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15175942 - 28 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1262
Abstract
Al-based fluoroperovskites compounds AlMF3 (M = Cr, B) are investigated computationally and calculated their elastic, structural, optical, and electrical properties in this study utilising TB-MBJ potential (also GGA+U for AlCrF3) approximations, according to the Birch Murnaghan Equation curve and tolerance [...] Read more.
Al-based fluoroperovskites compounds AlMF3 (M = Cr, B) are investigated computationally and calculated their elastic, structural, optical, and electrical properties in this study utilising TB-MBJ potential (also GGA+U for AlCrF3) approximations, according to the Birch Murnaghan Equation curve and tolerance factor, these material are structurally cubic and stable. The IRelast algorithm is used to forecast elastic properties, and the outputs show that these compound are mechanically stable, anisotropic and ductile. AlBF3 has a metallic nature and overlapping states, while AlCrF3 have a narrow indirect band gap at (X-M) points of symmetry, with band gaps of 0.71 eV for AlCrF3 and zero eV for AlBF3. The partial and total density of states are being used to determine the influences of different basic states to the conduction and valence bands (TDOS & PDOS). Investigation of Optical properties shows that these compounds have low refractive index and high absorption coefficient, conductivity, reflective coefficient at high energy ranges. Owing to the indirect band gap, the applications of these compounds are deemed in conducting industries. Here we are using these compounds for first time and are examined using the computational method, which delivers a complete view into the different properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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17 pages, 4345 KiB  
Article
Characterization of a New Low Temperature Encapsulation Method with Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate under UV Irradiation for Perovskite Solar Cells
by Luis Ocaña, Carlos Montes, Sara González-Pérez, Benjamín González-Díaz and Elena Llarena
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 5228; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12105228 - 21 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2634
Abstract
In this work, the performance of a new ethylene-vinyl acetate-based low temperature encapsulation method, conceived to protect perovskite samples from UV irradiation in ambient conditions, has been analyzed. To this purpose, perovskite samples consisting of a set of MAPbI3 (CH3NH [...] Read more.
In this work, the performance of a new ethylene-vinyl acetate-based low temperature encapsulation method, conceived to protect perovskite samples from UV irradiation in ambient conditions, has been analyzed. To this purpose, perovskite samples consisting of a set of MAPbI3 (CH3NH3PbI3) films and MAPbI3 with an ETL layer were deposited over glass substrates by spin-coating techniques and encapsulated using the new method. The samples were subjected to an UV lamp or to full solar irradiation in ambient conditions, with a relative humidity of 60–80%. Microscope imaging, spectroscopic ellipsometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques were applied to analyze the samples. The obtained results indicate UV energy is responsible for the degradation of the perovskite layer. Thus, the cut-UV characteristics of the EVA encapsulate acts as an efficient barrier, allowing the laminated samples to remain stable above 350 h under full solar irradiation compared with non-encapsulated samples. In addition, the FTIR results reveal perovskite degradation caused by UV light. To extend the study to encompass whole PSCs, simulations were carried out using the software SCAPS-1D, where the non-encapsulated devices present a short-circuit current reduction after exposure to UV irradiation, while the encapsulated ones maintained their efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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12 pages, 3060 KiB  
Article
Impact of Precursor Concentration on Perovskite Crystallization for Efficient Wide-Bandgap Solar Cells
by Shuxian Du, Jing Yang, Shujie Qu, Zhineng Lan, Tiange Sun, Yixin Dong, Ziya Shang, Dongxue Liu, Yingying Yang, Luyao Yan, Xinxin Wang, Hao Huang, Jun Ji, Peng Cui, Yingfeng Li and Meicheng Li
Materials 2022, 15(9), 3185; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15093185 - 28 Apr 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2609
Abstract
High-crystalline-quality wide-bandgap metal halide perovskite materials that achieve superior performance in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been widely explored. Precursor concentration plays a crucial role in the wide-bandgap perovskite crystallization process. Herein, we investigated the influence of precursor concentration on the morphology, crystallinity, [...] Read more.
High-crystalline-quality wide-bandgap metal halide perovskite materials that achieve superior performance in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been widely explored. Precursor concentration plays a crucial role in the wide-bandgap perovskite crystallization process. Herein, we investigated the influence of precursor concentration on the morphology, crystallinity, optical property, and defect density of perovskite materials and the photoelectric performance of solar cells. We found that the precursor concentration was the key factor for accurately controlling the nucleation and crystal growth process, which determines the crystallization of perovskite materials. The precursor concentration based on Cs0.05FA0.8MA0.15Pb(I0.84Br0.16)3 perovskite was controlled from 0.8 M to 2.3 M. The perovskite grains grow larger with the increase in concentration, while the grain boundary and bulk defect decrease. After regulation and optimization, the champion PSC with the 2.0 M precursor concentration exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.13%. The management of precursor concentration provides an effective way for obtaining high-crystalline-quality wide-bandgap perovskite materials and high-performance PSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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10 pages, 4548 KiB  
Article
Prospect of SnO2 Electron Transport Layer Deposited by Ultrasonic Spraying
by Wu Long, Aoxi He, Shenghui Xie, Xiutao Yang and Lili Wu
Energies 2022, 15(9), 3211; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15093211 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1735
Abstract
The SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) has been characterized as being excellent in optical and electrical properties, ensuring its indispensable role in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, SnO2 films were prepared using two approaches, namely, the ultrasonic spraying method [...] Read more.
The SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) has been characterized as being excellent in optical and electrical properties, ensuring its indispensable role in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, SnO2 films were prepared using two approaches, namely, the ultrasonic spraying method and the traditional spin-coating, where the different properties in optical and electrical performance of SnO2 films from two methods were analyzed by UV–Vis, XRD, AFM, and XPS. Results indicate that the optical band gaps of the sprayed and the spin-coated film are 3.83 eV and 3.77 eV, respectively. The sprayed SnO2 film has relatively low surface roughness according to the AFM. XPS spectra show that the sprayed SnO2 film has a higher proportion of Sn2+ and thus corresponds to higher carrier concentration than spin-coated one. Hall effect measurement demonstrates that the carrier concentration of the sprayed film is 1.0 × 1014 cm−3, which is slightly higher than that of the spin-coated film. In addition, the best PCSs efficiencies prepared by sprayed and spin-coated SnO2 films are 18.3% and 17.5%, respectively. This work suggests that the ultrasonic spraying method has greater development potential in the field of flexible perovskite cells due to its feasibility of large-area deposition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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12 pages, 22880 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of Flexible Quasi-Interdigitated Back-Contact Perovskite Solar Cells
by Hryhorii P. Parkhomenko, Erik O. Shalenov, Zarina Umatova, Karlygash N. Dzhumagulova and Askhat N. Jumabekov
Energies 2022, 15(9), 3056; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15093056 - 21 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2667
Abstract
Perovskites are a promising class of semiconductor materials, which are being studied intensively for their applications in emerging new flexible optoelectronic devices. In this paper, device manufacturing and characterization of quasi-interdigitated back-contact perovskite solar cells fabricated on flexible substrates are studied. The photovoltaic [...] Read more.
Perovskites are a promising class of semiconductor materials, which are being studied intensively for their applications in emerging new flexible optoelectronic devices. In this paper, device manufacturing and characterization of quasi-interdigitated back-contact perovskite solar cells fabricated on flexible substrates are studied. The photovoltaic parameters of the prepared flexible quasi-interdigitated back-contact perovskite solar cells (FQIBC PSCs) are obtained for the front- and rear-side illumination options. The dependences of the device’s open-circuit potential and short-circuit current on the illumination intensity are investigated to determine the main recombination pathways in the devices. Spectral response analysis of the devices demonstrates that the optical transmission losses can be minimized when FQIBC PSCs are illuminated from the front-side. Optoelectronic simulations are used to rationalize the experimental results. It is determined that the obtained FQIBC PSCs have high surface recombination losses, which hinder the device performance. The findings demonstrate a process for the fabrication of flexible back-contact PSCs and provide some directions for device performance improvements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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8 pages, 1578 KiB  
Article
Alternating Current Field Effects in Atomically Ferroelectric Ultrathin Films
by Jinming Cao, Mengxia Liu, Zhonglei Liu, Hua Hou and Yuhong Zhao
Materials 2022, 15(7), 2506; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15072506 - 29 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1426
Abstract
In this work, atomically K1−xNaxNbO3 thin films are taken as examples to investigate the reversible and irreversible effects in a horizon plane, i.e., the changes of domain structures, phase states, free energies, etc., under a z-axis alternating current [...] Read more.
In this work, atomically K1−xNaxNbO3 thin films are taken as examples to investigate the reversible and irreversible effects in a horizon plane, i.e., the changes of domain structures, phase states, free energies, etc., under a z-axis alternating current field via a phase-field method. The simulation results show the driving forces during the charging and discharging process, where there is a variation for the angles of the domain walls from 180° to 90° (and then an increase to 135°), which are the external electric field and domain wall evolution, respectively. As for the phase states, there is a transformation between the orthorhombic and rhombohedral phases which can’t be explained by the traditional polarization switching theory. This work provides a reasonable understanding of the alternating current field effect, which is essential in information and energy storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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11 pages, 2886 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Grain, Grain Boundary, and Interface Contributions on the Impedance of Ca2FeO5
by Ram Krishna Hona, Gurjot S. Dhaliwal and Rajesh Thapa
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(6), 2930; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12062930 - 13 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2663
Abstract
Conductivity properties such as the impedance contributions of grain, grain boundary, and electrode–material interface of brownmillerite-type Ca2Fe2O5 are studied using alternate current (AC) impedance at different temperatures over a wide range of frequencies. The compound was synthesized at [...] Read more.
Conductivity properties such as the impedance contributions of grain, grain boundary, and electrode–material interface of brownmillerite-type Ca2Fe2O5 are studied using alternate current (AC) impedance at different temperatures over a wide range of frequencies. The compound was synthesized at 1000 °C by a solid-state reaction. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the pure and single-phase formation. The correlation of the electrical properties with the microstructure of the compound was studied by an AC impedance spectroscopic technique at different temperatures (25–300 °C), which demonstrated the contribution of both the grain (bulk) and grain boundary to the impedance. The frequency-dependent electrical conductivity was used to study the conductivity mechanism. The electric impedance and the frequency at different temperatures supported the suggested conduction mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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11 pages, 2974 KiB  
Article
Additive-Assisted Optimization in Morphology and Optoelectronic Properties of Inorganic Mixed Sn-Pb Halide Perovskites
by Rubaiya Murshed and Shubhra Bansal
Materials 2022, 15(3), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15030899 - 25 Jan 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3696
Abstract
Halide perovskite solar cells (HPSCs) are promising photovoltaic materials due to their excellent optoelectronic properties, low cost, and high efficiency. Here, we demonstrate atmospheric solution processing and stability of cesium tin-lead triiodide (CsSnPbI3) thin films for solar cell applications. The effect [...] Read more.
Halide perovskite solar cells (HPSCs) are promising photovoltaic materials due to their excellent optoelectronic properties, low cost, and high efficiency. Here, we demonstrate atmospheric solution processing and stability of cesium tin-lead triiodide (CsSnPbI3) thin films for solar cell applications. The effect of additives, such as pyrazine and guanidinium thiocyanate (GuaSCN), on bandgap, film morphology, structure, and stability is investigated. Our results indicate the formation of a wide bandgap (>2 eV) structure with a mixed phase of tin oxide (SnO2) and Cs(Sn, Pb)I3. The addition of pyrazine decreases the intensity of SnO2 peaks, but the bandgap does not change much. With the addition of GuaSCN, the bandgap of the films reduces to 1.5 eV, and a dendritic structure of Cs(Sn, Pb)I3 is observed. GuaSCN addition also reduces the oxygen content in the films. To enable uniform film crystallization, cesium chloride (CsCl) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) additives are used in the precursor. Both CsCl and DMSO suppress dendrite formation with the latter resulting in uniform polycrystalline films with a bandgap of 1.5 eV. Heat and light soaking (HLS) stability tests at 65 °C and 1 sun for 100 h show all film types are stable with temperature but result in phase segregation with light exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Perovskites for Energy Applications)
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