Fabrication of TiO2 nanoparticles/nanorod composite arrays via a two-step method for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Ti O2nanoparticles/nanorod composite arrays were prepared on the F-doped tin oxide(FTO)substrate through a two-step method of hydrothermal and d.c.magnetron sputtering.The microstructure and optical properties of the samples were characterized respectively by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD),field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)and UV–vis spectrometer.The results showed that the Ti O2composite nanorod arrays possess the nature of high surface area for more dye molecule absorption and the strong light scattering effects.The dye sensitized solar cells(DSSCs)based on Ti O2composite nanorod arrays exhibited a 80%improvement in the overall energy conversion efficiency compared with the pure Ti O2nanorod arrays photoanode.     

High conversion efficiency of pristine TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotube arrays based dye-sensitized solar cells

We prepared highly-ordered titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNAs) by anodizing Ti foils in F-containing electrolytes.The crystalline nature and morphology of the TNAs were studied using X-ray diffraction patterns and scanning electron microscopy.We found the morphology of TNAs affects the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).The efficiency of DSSCs reached 5.95% under the condition of light illuminated from the counter electrode.The high efficiency of TNA-based DSSCs was attributed to the neat top surface of TNAs,which allows more dye molecule loading on the surface of the TiO 2 nanotubes,and fewer electron recombination centers and a low interface resistance of integrated TNAs.     

Nanostructured SnO2 photoanode-based dye-sensitized solar cells

This review focuses on recent developments in the nanostructured SnO2 photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSCs） applications. Carefully designed and fabricated nanostructured SnO2 films are advantageous for effective improvement in performance of DSSCs. Nano- crystals can offer a large surface area for dye adsorption; nanowires are able to provide a direct transfer pathway for the rapid collection of photogenerated electrons; the mes- oporous, monodisperse beads with a submicrometer-sized diameter ensure a large specific surface area for dye adsorption and simultaneously promote light scattering; the surface modification of SnO2 by other oxides may improve the photovoltage and photocurrent, hence resulting in the higher power conversion efficiency of SnO2-based DSSCs.     

Influence of deposition time on the morphology and optical properties of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-ZnO composite photonic crystals

SiO2 photonic crystal were successfully prepared by vertical deposition and then used as a template to fabricate SiO2-ZnO composite photonic crystals on ITO substrates by electrodeposition and subsequent calcination. A number of different deposition times were used. The morphologies of the silica opals and SiO2-ZnO composite photonic crystals were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that ZnO particles grew randomly on the surfaces of the silica spheres when the deposition time was short. As the deposition time was increased, the ZnO particles grew evenly on the surfaces of the silica spheres so that the interstitial space of the silica template was filled with ZnO particles. Reflectance spectra of the SiO2-ZnO composite crystals revealed that all of the fabricated photonic crystals exhibit a photonic band gap in the normal direction.     

Structure and photocatalytic properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Graphene Oxide intercalated composite

TiO2-Graphene Oxide intercalated composite (TiO2-Graphene Oxide) has been successfully prepared at low temperature (80°C) with graphite oxide (GO) and titanium sulfate (Ti(SO4)2) as initial reactants.GO was firstly exfoliated by NaOH and formed single and multi-layered graphite oxide mixture which can be defined as graphene oxide,[TiO]2+ induced by the hydrolysis of Ti(SO4)2 diffused into graphene oxide interlayer by electrostatic attraction.The nucleation and growth of TiO2 crystallites took place at low temperature and TiO2-Graphene Oxide composite was successfully synthesized.Furthermore,the photocatalytic properties of TiO2-Graphene Oxide under the irradiation of UV light were also studied.The results show that the degradation rate of methyl orange is 1.16 mg min-1 g-1(refer to the efficiency of the initial 15 min).Compared with P25 powder,this kind of intercalation composite owns much better efficiency.On the other hand,the reusable properties and stable properties of TiO2-Graphene Oxide intercalated composite are also discussed in this paper.At last,crystalline structure,interface status,thermal properties and microscopic structure of TiO2-Graphene Oxide were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS),thermogravimetric analysis (TGA),field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM).Also,we have analyzed major influencing factors and mechanism of the composite structures which evidently improve the photocatalytic properties.     

Hydrogen storage properties of MgH<Subscript>2</Subscript> co-catalyzed by LaH<Subscript>3</Subscript> and NbH

To improve the hydrogen storage properties of Mg-based alloys, a composite material of MgH₂ + 10wt%LaH₃ + 10wt%NbH was prepared by a mechanical milling method. The composite exhibited favorable hydrogen desorption properties, releasing 0.67wt% H₂ within 20 min at 548 K, which was ascribed to the co-catalytic effect of LaH₃ and NbH upon dehydriding of MgH₂. By contrast, pure MgH₂, an MgH₂ + 20wt%LaH₃ composite, and an MgH₂ + 20wt%NbH composite only released 0.1wt%, 0.28wt%, and 0.57wt% H₂, respectively, under the same conditions. Analyses by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that the composite particle size was small. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic mapping demonstrated that La and Nb were distributed homogeneously in the matrix. Differential thermal analysis revealed that the dehydriding peak temperature of the MgH₂ + 10wt%LaH₃ + 10wt%NbH composite was 595.03 K, which was 94.26 K lower than that of pure MgH₂. The introduction of LaH₃ and NbH was beneficial to the hydrogen storage performance of MgH₂.     

CuInSe<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films obtained by pulse-plating electrodeposition technique with novel pulse wave

CuInSe₂ films were electrodeposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate in constant current mode using bell-like wave modulated square wave in aqueous solution. The films obtained at different pulse frequencies were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectro- scopy was used to study the optical properties of these films. The results showed that the chalcopyrite phase CuInSe₂ films with a smooth surface and stoichiometric composition could be obtained at appropriate pulse frequency. The crystallinity of CuInSe₂ films could be further improved after annealing treatment. Despite this, we also found that the films obtained using the pulse-plating electrodeposition technique had a faster deposition rate and better film adhesion ability than that using the traditional CIS elec-trodeposition technique, which is significant to the low-cost CIS thin film solar cell production.     

Preparation and radar-absorbing properties of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Yb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite powder

Al₂O₃/TiO₂/Fe₂O₃/Yb₂O₃ composite powder was synthesized via the sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, and radar-absorption properties of the composite powder were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and RF impedance analysis. The results show that two types of particles exist in the composite powder. One is irregular flakes (100-200 nm) and the other is spherical Al₂O₃ particles (smaller than 80 nm). Electromagnetic wave attenuation is mostly achieved by dielectric loss. The maximum value of the dissipation factor reaches 0.76 (at 15.68 GHz) in the frequency range of 2-18 GHz. The electromagnetic absorption of waves covers 2-18 GHz with the matching thicknesses of 1.5-4.5 mm. The absorption peak shifts to the lower-frequency area with increasing matching thickness. The effective absorption band covers the frequency range of 2.16-9.76 GHz, and the maximum absorption peak reaches -20.18 dB with a matching thickness of 3.5 mm at a frequency of 3.52 GHz.     

Silicon field emission arrays coated with CN<Subscript>x</Subscript> thin films

Arrays of silicon micro-tips were made by etching the p-type (1 0 0) silicon wafers which had SiO₂ masks with alkaline solution. The density of the micro-tips is 2×10⁴ cm⁻². The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) photos showed that the tips in these arrays are uniform and orderly. The CN_x thin film, with the thickness of 1.27 μm was deposited on the silicon micro-tip arrays by using the middle frequency magnetron sputtering technology. The SEM photos showed that the films on the tips are smoothly without particles. Keeping the sharpness of the tips will benefit the properties of field emission. The X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) showed that carbon, nitrogen and oxygen are the three major elements in the surfaces of the films. The percents of them are C: 69.5%, N: 12.6% and O: 17.9%. The silicon arrays coated with CN_x thin films had shown a good field emission characterization. The emission current intensity reached 3.2 mA/cm² at 32.8 V/μm, so it can be put into use. The result showed that the silicon arrays coated with CN_x thin films are likely to be good field emission cathode. The preparation and the characterization of the samples were discussed in detail. Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (19975035) Biography: Chen Ming an (1978-), male, Ph. D candidate, research direction: novel functional materials film and ion beam modification of materials.     

Comparison between P25 and anatase-based TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells

Pure anatase TiO2 films have been made via hydration of titanium isopropoxide using a sol-gel tech-nique, while mixed TiO2 films which contained both anatase and rutile TiO2 were made from commercial P25 powder. Quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated with these two kinds of mesoporous films and a comparison study was carried out. The result showed that the open-circuit photovoltages （Voc） for both kinds of cells were essentially the same, whereas the short-circuit photo-currents （1sc） of the anatase-based cells were about 33% higher than that of the P25-based cells. The highest photocurrent intensity of the anatase-based cell was 6.12 mA/cm^2 and that of the P25-based cell was 4.60 mA/cm^2. Under an illumination with the light intensity of 30 mW/cm^2, the corresponding energy conversion efficiency was measured to be 7.07% and 6.89% for anatase-based cells and P25-based cells, respectively.     

Electrodeposition and characterization of thermoelectric Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films

Bi₂Se₃ thin films were electrochemically deposited on Ti and indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates, respectively, at room temperature, using Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O and SeO₂ as starting materials in diluted HNO₃ solution. A conventional three-electrode cell was used with a platinum sheet as a counter electrode, and a saturated calomel electrode was used as a reference electrode. The films were annealed in argon atmosphere. The influence of cold isostatic pressing before annealing on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the films was investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the film grown on the indium tin oxide-coated glass substrate is pure rhombohedral Bi₂Se₃, and the film grown on the Ti substrate consists of both rhombohedral and orthorhombic Bi₂Se₃.     

Magnetic properties of perpendicularly orientated L1<Subscript>0</Subscript> FePt nanoparticles

L10 FePt films were deposited on MgO (001) substrates heated to 700°C by magnetron sputtering.Assisted by the misfit of lattice between film and substrate,strong (001) texture was formed.The film at nominal thickness t N=5 nm was composed of nanoparticles with a size of～70 nm,and showed a high coercivity of～105 kOe at 4.2 K.At t N=～50 nm,as the film changed from discontinuous to continuous,the coercivity dropped about one order of magnitude.Micromagnetic simulation implies that the magnetization reversal is...     

Influence of post-annealing on the properties of Ta-doped In<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> transparent conductive films

Ta-doped In₂O₃ transparent conductive oxide films were deposited on glass substrates using radio-frequency (RF) sputtering at 300°C. The influence of post-annealing on the structural, morphologic, electrical and optical properties of the films was investigated using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Hall measurements and optical transmission spectroscopy. The obtained films were polycrystalline with a cubic structure and were preferentially oriented in the (222) crystallographic direction. The lowest resistivity, 5.1×10⁻⁴ Ω cm, was obtained in the film annealed at 500°C, which is half of that of the un-annealed film (9.9×10⁻⁴ Ω cm). The average optical transmittance of the films was over 90%. The optical bandgap was found to decrease with increasing annealing temperature.     

Structural stability of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> films under the bombardment of 1.95 GeV Kr ions

The structural stability of C₆₀ films under the bombardment of 1.95 GeV Kr ions is investigated. The irradiated C₆₀ films were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman scattering technique. The analytical results indicate that the irradiation induced a decrease of icosahedral symmetry of C₆₀ molecule and damage of C₆₀ films; different vibration modes of C₆₀ molecule have different irradiation sensitivities; the mean efficient damage radius obtained from experimental data is about 1.47 nm, which is in good agreement with thermal spike model prediction.     

CaCO<Subscript>3</Subscript> film synthesis from ladle furnace slag: morphological change,new material properties,and Ca extraction efficiency

A rapidly air-cooled ladle furnace slag (RA-LFS), which is a type of steelmaking slag discharged from a steel mill, was used to synthesize CaCO₃ film. The CaCO₃ film with 35 cm2 of surface area was synthesized under atmospheric conditions, and the surface morphology of the CaCO₃ films was changed by using additives (CaCl₂ and ethylene glycol). Especially, the addition of CaCl₂ changed the surface morphology of CaCO₃ film with pore and induced new material properties, such as water adsorption. The (012) face of CaCO₃ film (calcite) was rapidly decreased by the addition of CaCl₂. The major components of RA-LFS were calcium (type of CaO, 53.9wt%) and aluminum (type of Al₂O₃, 37.9wt%), and the major crystal phases of RA-LFS were C₃S, C₁₂A₇, and C₃A. The calcium extraction efficiency of RA-LFS was significantly increased after the CaCO₃ film synthesis. The material properties (hardness and elastic modulus) and the thermal characteristics of the CaCO₃ films were analyzed by nano-indentation and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis. The synthesized CaCO₃ films from RA-LFS and Ca(OH)₂ (reagent) showed similarities in terms of their material properties and the decomposition temperature.     

Synthesis and characterization of high density and high aspect ratio Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>S nanoparticle nanowires from a paired cell method

Ag₂S nanoparticle nanowires were prepared in a porous anodic aluminum oxide template by a simple paired cell method,and were characterized by XRD,FESEM,HRTEM and EDS.The results showed that the as-prepared nanowires were composed of monoclinic Ag₂S nanoparticles.The nanowire diameters ranged from 165 to 270 nm,and Ag₂S nanoparticles were nearly spherical with diameters of 40 to 60 nm.The paired cell method is simple,low cost and easy to control for the fabrication of high density and high aspect ratio Ag₂S nanoparticle nanowires.A formation mechanism for the nanoparticle nanowires was suggested.     

Structural and electrical properties of HCl-polyaniline-Ag composites synthesized by polymerization using Ag-coated (NH4)2S2O8 powder

Ag nanoparticles were sputter-deposited on ammonium persulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₈) powder to obtain (NH₄)₂S₂O₈-Ag powder, which was used to synthesize the HCl-doped polyaniline-Ag (HCl-PANI-Ag) composite via a polymerization procedure. The Ag nanoparticles were dispersed in the HCl-PANI matrix, and their sizes mainly ranged from 3 to 6 nm. The Ag nanoparticles did not affect the structure of emeraldine salt in the composite, and they increased the ordered crystalline regions in the HCl-PANI matrix. The HCl-PANI-Ag composite had a conductivity of (6.8 ±0.1) S/cm, which is about four times larger than that of the HCl-PANI. The charge transport mechanism in the composite is explained by the three-dimensional Mott variable-range hopping (3D-Mott-VRH).     

Preparation of Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode and its application in pentachlorophenol photoelectrocatalytic degradation

Zn-doped titanium oxide （TiO2） nanotubes electrode was prepared on a titanium plate by direct anodic oxidation and immersing method in sequence. Field emission scanning electron microscopy （FESEM） showed that the Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes were well aligned and organized into high density uniform arrays with diameter ranging from 50 to 90 nm. The length and the thickness were about 200 and 15 nm respectively. TiO2 anatase phase was identified by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy （XPS） indicated that Zn ions were mainly located on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes in form of ZnO clusters. Compared with TiO2 nanotubes electrode, about 20 nm red shift in the spectrum of UV-vis absorption was observed. The degradation of pentachlorophenol （PCP） in aqueous solution under the same condition （initial concentration of PCP： 20 mg/L; concentration of Na2SO4：0.01 mol/L and pH： 7.03） was carried out using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode and TiO2 nanotubes electrode. The degradation rates of PCP using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode were found to be twice and 5.8 times as high as that using TiO2 nanotubes electrode by UV radiation （400 μw/cm^2） and visible light radiation （4500 μw/cm^2）, respectively. 73.5% of PCP was removed using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode against 45.5% removed using TiO2 nanotubes electrode in 120 min under UV radiation. While under visible light radiation, the degradation efficiency of PCP was 18.4% using Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode against 3.2% using TiO2 nanotubes electrode in 120 min. The optimum concentration of Zn doping was found to be 0.909%. The PCP degradation efficiencies of the 10 repeated experiments by Zn-doped TiO2 nanotubes electrode were rather stable with the deviation within 3.0%.     

Preparation and performance of dye-sensitized solar cells based on ZnO-modified TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> electrodes

The ZnO-modified TiO₂ electrode was prepared by adding Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O to the TiO₂ colloid during the sol-gel production process, and was used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The open circuit voltage (V _OC) and fill factor (ff) of the cells were improved significantly. The performances of the ZnO-modified TiO₂ electrode such as dark current, transient photocurrent, impedance, absorption spectra, and flat band potential (V _fb) were investigated. It is found that the interface charge recombination impedance increases and V _fb shifts about 200 mV toward the cathodic potential. The effect mechanism of ZnO modification on the performance of DSCs may be that ZnO occupies the surface states of the TiO₂ film.     

水热法制备TiO2-ZnO纳米棒分级结构及其光电性能研究

为了增加光电极光生电子传输通道并提高其光敏剂的负载能力,采用两步水热法制备了一种新颖的TiO_2-ZnO纳米棒分级结构。采用水热法在FTO导电玻璃基底上生长TiO_2纳米棒有序阵列膜,通过浸泡提拉在TiO_2纳米棒上包覆一层ZnO溶胶,经烧结形成ZnO种子层;再次采用水热法于TiO_2纳米棒上生长ZnO纳米棒,形成TiO_2-ZnO纳米棒分级结构,通过旋涂辅助连续离子反应分别在TiO_2纳米棒阵列和TiO_2-ZnO纳米棒分级结构中沉积光敏剂CdS纳米晶,形成CdS/TiO_2纳米棒复合膜和CdS/TiO_2-ZnO纳米分级结构复合膜。利用SEM,TEM,XRD、紫外-可见吸收光谱、瞬态光电流图谱等表征和测试手段,对样品的形貌、结构、光吸收和光电性能进行了表征和测试。结果表明,与单纯的TiO_2纳米棒阵列相比,TiO_2-ZnO分级结构可以沉积更多的CdS光敏剂,CdS/TiO_2-ZnO纳米分级结构复合膜的光吸收性能和瞬态光电流均明显优于CdS/TiO_2纳米复合薄膜。凭借优异的光电性能,TiO_2-ZnO分级结构在太阳电池光阳极材料中具有很好的应用前景。