| 1. |
- Alvi, Sajid Ali, et al.
(author)
-
Adaptive nanolaminate coating by atomic layer deposition
- 2019
-
In: Thin Solid Films. - : Elsevier. - 0040-6090 .- 1879-2731. ; 692
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to deposit ZnO/Al2O3/V2O5 nanolaminate coatings to demonstrate a coating system with temperature adaptive frictional behaviour. The nanolaminate coating exhibited excellent conformity and crack-free coating of thickness 110 nm over Inconel 718 substrate. The ALD trilayer coating showed a hardness and elastic modulus of 12 GPa and 193 GPa, respectively. High-temperature tribology of the nanolaminate trilayer was tested against steel ball in dry sliding condition at 25 °C (room temperature, RT), 200 °C, 300 °C, and 400 °C. It was found that the nanolaminate coating showed a low coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate at RT and 300 °C. The trilayer coating was found intact and stable at all temperatures during the friction tests. The adaptability of nanolaminate coating with the temperature was verified by performing the cyclic friction test at 300 °C and RT. The low COF and wear rate had been attributed to the (100) and (002) basal plane sliding of ZnO top layer, and the interlayer sliding of weakly bonded planes parallel to (001) plane in V2O5 bottom layer. Furthermore, even after the removal of ZnO coating during the tribotest, the bottom V2O5 layer coating stabilized the COF and wear rate at RT and 300 °C.
|
|
| 2. |
- Dobryden, Illia, et al.
(author)
-
Nanoscale characterization of an all-oxide core-shell nanorod heterojunction using intermodulation atomic force microscopy (AFM) methods
- 2021
-
In: Nanoscale Advances. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2516-0230. ; 3:15, s. 4388-4394
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The electrical properties of an all-oxide core-shell ZnO-Co3O4nanorod heterojunction were studied in the dark and under UV-vis illumination. The contact potential difference and current distribution maps were obtained utilizing new methods in dynamic multifrequency atomic force microscopy (AFM) such as electrostatic and conductive intermodulation AFM. Light irradiation modified the electrical properties of the nanorod heterojunction. The new techniques are able to follow the instantaneous local variation of the photocurrent, giving a two-dimensional (2D) map of the current-voltage curves and correlating the electrical and morphological features of the heterostructured core-shell nanorods.
|
|
| 3. |
- Enrichi, Francesco, et al.
(author)
-
Ag nanoaggregates as efficient broadband sensitizers for Tb3+ ions in silica-zirconia ion-exchanged sol-gel glasses and glass-ceramics
- 2018
-
In: Optical materials (Amsterdam). - : Elsevier. - 0925-3467 .- 1873-1252. ; 84, s. 668-674
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper we report the study of down-shifting silica-zirconia glass and glass-ceramic films doped by Tb3+ ions and Ag nanoaggregates, which combine the typical spectral properties of the rare-earth-ions with the broadband sensitizing effect of the metal nanostructures. Na-Tb co-doped silica-zirconia samples were obtained by a modified sol-gel route. Dip-coating deposition followed by annealing for solvent evaporation and matrix densification were repeated several times, obtaining a homogeneous crack-free film. A final treatment at 700 °C or 1000 °C was performed to control the nanoscale structural properties of the samples, resulting respectively in a glass (G) or a glass-ceramic (GC), where tetragonal zirconia nanocrystals are surrounded by an amorphous silica matrix. Ag introduction was then achieved by ion-exchange in a molten salt bath, followed by annealing in air to control the migration and aggregation of the metal ions. The comparison of the structural, compositional and optical properties are presented for G and GC samples, providing evidence of highly efficient photoluminescence enhancement in both systems, slightly better in G than in GC samples, with a remarkable increase of the green Tb3+ PL emission at 330 nm excitation: 12 times for G and 8 times for GC samples. Furthermore, after Ag-exchange, the shape of Tb3+ excitation resembles the one of Ag ions/nanoaggregates, with a broad significant absorption in the whole UV-blue spectral region. This broadband enhanced downshifting could find potential applications in lighting devices and in PV solar cells.
|
|
| 4. |
- Ghamgosar, Pedram, 1979-
(author)
-
Advanced Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Solar Energy Harvesting and Solar Fuel Production
- 2017
-
Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Increasing energy consumption and its environmental impacts make it necessary to look for alternative energy sources. Solar energy as huge energy source which is able to cover the terms sustainability is considered as a favorable alternative. Solar cells and solar fuels are two kinds of technologies, which make us able to harness solar energy and convert it to electricity and/or store it chemically.Metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) have a major role in these devices and optimization of their properties (composition, morphology, dimensions, crystal structure) makes it possible to increase the performance of the devices. The light absorption, charge carriers mobility, the time scale between charge injection, regeneration and recombination processes are some of the properties critical to exploitation of MOSs in solar cells and solar fuel technology.In this thesis, we explore two different systems. The first one is a NiO mesoporous semiconductor photocathode sensitized with a biomimetic Fe-Fe catalyst and a coumarin C343 dye, which was tested in a solar fuel device to produce hydrogen. This system is the first solar fuel device based on a biomimetic Fe-Fe catalyst and it shows a Faradic efficiency of 50% in hydrogen production. Cobalt catalysts have higher Faradic efficiency but their performance due to hydrolysis in low pH condition is limited. The second one is a photoanode based on the nanostructured hematite/magnetite film, which was tested in a photoelectrochemical cell. This hybrid electrode improved the photoactivity of the photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting. The main mechanism for the improvement of the functional properties relies with the role of the magnetite phase, which improves the charge carrier mobility of the composite system, compared to pure hematite, which acts as good light absorber semiconductor.By optimizing the charge separation and mobility of charge carriers of MOSs, they can be a promising active material in solar cells and solar fuel devices due to their abundance, stability, non-toxicity, and low-cost. The future work will be focused on the use of nanostructured MOSs in all-oxide solar cell devices. We have already obtained some preliminary results on 1-dimensional heterojunctions, which we report in Chapter 3.3. While they are not conclusive, they give an idea about the future direction of the present research.
|
|
| 5. |
- Ghamgosar, Pedram, 1979-
(author)
-
Advanced Nanostructured Transition Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Solar Energy Applications
- 2019
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Increasing energy consumption and its environmental impacts make it necessary to look for alternative energy sources. Solar energy as huge energy source that can cover the terms sustainability is considered as a favorable alternative. Optoelectronic devices like solar cells and photoelectrochemical cells are in very high interest to provide the energy that we need. They can convert solar energy, as a sustainable energy source, to electricity and fuel. Transition metal oxides (TMOs) due to high chemical stability, abundance, facile production and low cost are favorable materials to be used in these optoelectronic applications. In TMOs, d orbitals electrons contribute in forming bonds that gives special magnetic, electronic and geometric characteristics to these materials. They can be synthesized with different types of chemical and physical deposition methods.The electronic properties of TMOs varies from metallic characteristics to electrical insulators. Transition metal oxide semiconductors (TMOSs) are mostly used in optoelectronic devices. Tuning the properties of TMOSs like, composition, morphology, dimensions, crystal structure, improves the performance of the optoelectronic devices. The light absorption, charge carrier mobility, the time scale between charge injection, regeneration and recombination processes are some of the properties critical to exploitation of TMOSs in solar cells and solar fuel technology.In this thesis, we explore the use of nanostructured TMOSs in all-oxide solar cells, photodetectors and photoelectrochemical cells. 1-dimentional heterojunctions of n-type transparent semi-conductive metal oxides (ZnO and TiO2) in conjunction to p-type light absorbing semi-conductive metal oxides (Cu2O and Co3O4) have been tested in all-oxide photodetectors and solar cells. It is shown that the 1-dimentional nanostructured geometry (nanowires, nanotubes) improves the charge separation and charge transport properties. Increasing the surface to volume aspect ratio in nanowires and nanotubes improves the light absorption compare to the thin film geometry. Our ZnO-Cu2O core-shell nanowire photodetector is the fastest visible light photodetector reported till now. Mesoporous NiO photocathode, sensitized with a biomimetic FeFe-catalyst and coumarin C343 dye, was tested in a photoelectrochemical cell for hydrogen production. This system is the first solar fuel device based on a biomimetic FeFe-catalyst and it shows a Faradic efficiency of 50% in hydrogen production. Cobalt catalysts have higher Faradic efficiency but their performance due to hydrolysis in low pH condition is limited. Nanostructured hematite/magnetite film as a photoanode was tested in a photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting. This hybrid electrode improved the photoactivity of the photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting. The main mechanism for the improvement of the functional properties relies with the role of the magnetite phase, which improves the charge carrier mobility of the composite system, compared to pure hematite, which acts as good light absorbing semiconductor.
|
|
| 6. |
- Ghamgosar, Pedram, 1979-, et al.
(author)
-
Self-Powered Photodetectors Based on Core-Shell ZnO-Co3O4 Nanowire Heterojunctions
- 2019
-
In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 11:26, s. 23454-23462
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Self-powered photodetectors operating in the UV–visible–NIR window made of environmentally friendly, earth abundant, and cheap materials are appealing systems to exploit natural solar radiation without external power sources. In this study, we propose a new p–n junction nanostructure, based on a ZnO–Co3O4 core–shell nanowire (NW) system, with a suitable electronic band structure and improved light absorption, charge transport, and charge collection, to build an efficient UV–visible–NIR p–n heterojunction photodetector. Ultrathin Co3O4 films (in the range 1–15 nm) were sputter-deposited on hydrothermally grown ZnO NW arrays. The effect of a thin layer of the Al2O3 buffer layer between ZnO and Co3O4 was investigated, which may inhibit charge recombination, boosting device performance. The photoresponse of the ZnO–Al2O3–Co3O4 system at zero bias is 6 times higher compared to that of ZnO–Co3O4. The responsivity (R) and specific detectivity (D*) of the best device were 21.80 mA W–1and 4.12 × 1012 Jones, respectively. These results suggest a novel p–n junction structure to develop all-oxide UV–vis photodetectors based on stable, nontoxic, low-cost materials.
|
|
| 7. |
- Ghamgosar, Pedram, 1979-, et al.
(author)
-
ZnO-Cu2O core-shell nanowires as stable and fast response photodetectors
- 2018
-
In: Nano Energy. - : Elsevier. - 2211-2855 .- 2211-3282. ; 51, s. 308-316
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this work, we present all-oxide p-n junction core-shell nanowires (NWs) as fast and stable self-powered photodetectors. Hydrothermally grown n-type ZnO NWs were conformal covered by different thicknesses (up to 420 nm) of p-type copper oxide layers through metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The ZnO NWs exhibit a single crystalline Wurtzite structure, preferentially grown along the [002] direction, and energy gap Eg=3.24 eV. Depending on the deposition temperature, the copper oxide shell exhibits either a crystalline cubic structure of pure Cu2O phase (MOCVD at 250 °C) or a cubic structure of Cu2O with the presence of CuO phase impurities (MOCVD at 300 °C), with energy gap of 2.48 eV. The electrical measurements indicate the formation of a p-n junction after the deposition of the copper oxide layer. The core-shell photodetectors present a photoresponsivity at 0 V bias voltage up to 7.7 µA/W and time response ≤0.09 s, the fastest ever reported for oxide photodetectors in the visible range, and among the fastest including photodetectors with response limited to the UV region. The bare ZnO NWs have slow photoresponsivity, without recovery after the end of photo-stimulation. The fast time response for the core-shell structures is due to the presence of the p-n junctions, which enables fast exciton separation and charge extraction. Additionally, the suitable electronic structure of the ZnO-Cu2O heterojunction enables self-powering of the device at 0 V bias voltage. These results represent a significant advancement in the development of low-cost, high efficiency and self-powered photodetectors, highlighting the need of fine tuning the morphology, composition and electronic properties of p-n junctions to maximize device performances.
|
|
| 8. |
- Leduc, Jennifer, et al.
(author)
-
Electronically-Coupled Phase Boundaries in α‑Fe2O3/Fe3O4 Nanocomposite Photoanodes for Enhanced Water Oxidation
- 2019
-
In: ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2574-0970. ; 2:1, s. 334-342
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splittingreactions are promising for sustainable hydrogen productionfrom renewable sources. We report here, the preparation of α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 composite films via a single-step chemical vapordeposition of [Fe(OtBu)3]2 and their use as efficient photoanode materials in PEC setups. Film thickness and phase segregation was controlled by varying the deposition time and corroborated through cross-section Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The highest water oxidationactivity (0.48 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs RHE) using intermittent AM 1.5 G (100 mW/cm2) standard illumination was found forhybrid films with a thickness of 11 μm. This phenomenon is attributed to an improved electron transport resulting from ahigher magnetite content toward the substrate interface and an increased light absorption due to the hematite layer mainly located at the top surface of the film. The observed high efficiency of α-Fe2O3/Fe3O4 nanocomposite photoanodes is attributed to the close proximity and establishment of 3D interfaces between the weakly ferro- (Fe2O3) and ferrimagnetic (Fe3O4) oxides, which in view of their differential chemical constitution andvalence states of Fe ions (Fe2+/Fe3+) can enhance the charge separation and thus the overall electrical conductivity of the layer.
|
|
| 9. |
- You, Shujie, et al.
(author)
-
Tuning ZnO nanorods photoluminescence through atmospheric plasma treatments
- 2019
-
In: APL Materials. - : American Institute of Physics (AIP). - 2166-532X. ; 7:8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Room temperature atmospheric plasma treatments are widely used to activate and control chemical functionalities at surfaces. Here, we investigated the effect of atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) treatments in reducing atmosphere (Ar/1‰ H2 mixture) on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of single crystal ZnO nanorods (NRs) grown through hydrothermal synthesis on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates. The results were compared with a standard annealing process in air at 300 °C. Steady-state photoluminescence showed strong suppression of the defect emission in ZnO NRs for both plasma and thermal treatments. On the other side, the APPJ process induced an increase in PL quantum efficiency (QE), while the annealing does not show any improvement. The QE in the plasma treated samples was mainly determined by the near band-edge emission, which increased 5–6 fold compared to the as-prepared samples. This behavior suggests that the quenching of the defect emission is related to the substitution of hydrogen probably in zinc vacancies (VZn), while the enhancement of UV emission is due to doping originated by interstitial hydrogen (Hi), which diffuses out during annealing. Our results demonstrate that atmospheric pressure plasma can induce a similar hydrogen doping as ordinarily used vacuum processes and highlight that the APPJ treatments are not limited to the surfaces but can lead to subsurface modifications. APPJ processes at room temperature and under ambient air conditions are stable, convenient, and efficient methods, compared to thermal treatments to improve the optical and surface properties of ZnO NRs, and remarkably increase the efficiency of UV emission.
|
|
