Inverse opal carbons for counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Kang, Da-Young; Lee, Youngshin; Cho, Chang-Yeol; Moon, Jun Hyuk

2012-05-01

We investigated the fabrication of inverse opal carbon counter electrodes using a colloidal templating method for DSSCs. Specifically, bare inverse opal carbon, mesopore-incoporated inverse opal carbon, and graphitized inverse opal carbon were synthesized and stably dispersed in ethanol solution for spray coating on a FTO substrate. The thickness of the electrode was controlled by the number of coatings, and the average relative thickness was evaluated by measuring the transmittance spectrum. The effect of the counter electrode thickness on the photovoltaic performance of the DSSCs was investigated and analyzed by interfacial charge transfer resistance (R(CT)) under EIS measurement. The effect of the surface area and conductivity of the inverse opal was also investigated by considering the increase in surface area due to the mesopore in the inverse opal carbon and conductivity by graphitization of the carbon matrix. The results showed that the FF and thereby the efficiency of DSSCs were increased as the electrode thickness increased. Consequently, the larger FF and thereby the greater efficiency of the DSSCs were achieved for mIOC and gIOC compared to IOC, which was attributed to the lower R(CT). Finally, compared to a conventional Pt counter electrode, the inverse opal-based carbon showed a comparable efficiency upon application to DSSCs.

A comparative study of dye-sensitized solar cells added carbon nanotubes to electrolyte and counter electrodes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uk Lee, Sung; Hong, Byungyou [School of Information and Communication Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (Korea); Seok Choi, Won [Department of Electrical Engineering, Hanbat National University (Korea)

2010-04-15

For the purpose of increasing the energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added to electrolyte and PtCl{sub 4}-treated electrode. We used two different powders containing single-wall CNT (SWCNT) and multi-wall CNT (MWCNT). We added CNTs to PtCl{sub 4}-treated electrode (called as CNT-counter electrode) or electrolyte (called as CNT-electrolyte) and then fabricated four kinds of DSSCs with SWCNT-counter electrode, MWCNT-counter electrode, SWCNT-electrolyte, and MWCNT-electrolyte. The efficiency of CNT-counter electrode DSSC was improved to 4.03% (SWCNT) and 4.36% (MWCNT), respectively. In case of CNT-electrolyte DSSC, MWCNT-electrolyte DSSC showed higher efficiency (4.2%) than SWCNT-electrolyte DSSC (3.62%). Compared with a standard DSSC without CNTs whose efficiency was 3.22%, the energy conversion efficiency increased up to about 26% and 24% for the MWCNT-electrode DSSC and the MWCNT-electrolyte DSSC, respectively. (author)

Nitrogen-doped graphene as transparent counter electrode for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, Guiqiang; Fang, Yanyan; Lin, Yuan; Xing, Wei; Zhuo, Shuping

2012-01-01

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► NG sheets are prepared through a hydrothermal reduction of graphite oxide. ► The transparent NG counter electrodes of DSCs are fabricated at room temperature. ► Transparent NG electrode exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of I 3 − . ► The DSC with NG electrode achieves a comparable efficiency to that of the Pt-based cell. ► The efficiency of rear illumination is about 85% that of front illumination. -- Abstract: Nitrogen-doped graphene sheets are prepared through a hydrothermal reduction of graphite oxide in the presence of ammonia and applied to fabricate the transparent counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells. The atomic percentage of nitrogen in doped graphene sample is about 2.5%, and the nitrogen bonds display pyridine and pyrrole-like configurations. Cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate a much higher electrocatalytic activity toward I − /I 3 − redox reaction for nitrogen-doped graphene, as compared with pristine graphene. The dye-sensitized solar cell with this transparent nitrogen-doped graphene counter electrode shows conversion efficiencies of 6.12% and 5.23% corresponding to front-side and rear-side illumination, respectively. Meanwhile, the cell with a Pt counter electrode shows a conversion efficiency of 6.97% under the same experimental condition. These promising results highlight the potential application of nitrogen-doped graphene in cost-effective, transparent dye-sensitized solar cells.

Preparation of a Counter Electrode with P-Type NiO and Its Applications in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chuen-Shii Chou

2010-01-01

Full Text Available This study investigates the applicability of a counter electrode with a P-type semiconductor oxide (such as NiO on a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC. The counter electrode is fabricated by depositing an NiO film on top of a Pt film, which has been deposited on a Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO glass using an ion-sputtering coater (or E-beam evaporator, using a simple spin coating method. This study also examines the effect of the average thickness of TiO2 film deposited on a working electrode upon the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC. This study shows that the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC with a Pt(E/NiO counter electrode (4.28% substantially exceeds that of a conventional DSSC with a Pt(E counter electrode (3.16% on which a Pt film was deposited using an E-beam evaporator. This result is attributed to the fact that the NiO film coated on the Pt(E counter electrode improves the electrocatalytic activity of the counter electrode.

TiO 2 counter electrode for electrochromic devices

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Home; Journals; Bulletin of Materials Science; Volume 38; Issue 2 ... The band gap energy decreases (g) from 3.45 eV for pristine CeO2 to 2.98–3.09 eV ... as counter electrode in electrochromic smart windows in which they are able to retain ...

High-performance dye-sensitized solar cells with gel-coated binder-free carbon nanotube films as counter electrode

Science.gov (United States)

Mei, Xiaoguang; Cho, Swee Jen; Fan, Benhu; Ouyang, Jianyong

2010-10-01

High-performance dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with binder-free films of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), as the counter electrode are reported. The CNT films were fabricated by coating gels, which were prepared by dispersing CNTs in low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) through mechanical grinding and subsequent ultrasonication, on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) glass. PEG was removed from the CNT films through heating. These binder-free CNT films were rough and exhibited good adhesion to substrates. They were used as the counter electrode of DSCs. The DSCs with SWCNT or MWCNT counter electrodes exhibited a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency comparable with that with the conventional platinum (Pt) counter electrode, when the devices were tested immediately after device fabrication. The DSCs with an SWCNT counter electrode exhibited good stability in photovoltaic performance. The efficiency did not decrease after four weeks. On the other hand, DSCs with the MWCNT or Pt counter electrode exhibited a remarkable decrease in the photovoltaic efficiency after four weeks. The high photovoltaic performance of these DSCs is related to the excellent electrochemical catalysis of CNTs on the redox of the iodide/triiodide pair, as revealed by the cyclic voltammetry and ac impedance spectroscopy.

High-performance dye-sensitized solar cells with gel-coated binder-free carbon nanotube films as counter electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mei Xiaoguang; Cho, Swee Jen; Fan Benhu; Ouyang Jianyong

2010-01-01

High-performance dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) with binder-free films of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs), as the counter electrode are reported. The CNT films were fabricated by coating gels, which were prepared by dispersing CNTs in low-molecular-weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) through mechanical grinding and subsequent ultrasonication, on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) glass. PEG was removed from the CNT films through heating. These binder-free CNT films were rough and exhibited good adhesion to substrates. They were used as the counter electrode of DSCs. The DSCs with SWCNT or MWCNT counter electrodes exhibited a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency comparable with that with the conventional platinum (Pt) counter electrode, when the devices were tested immediately after device fabrication. The DSCs with an SWCNT counter electrode exhibited good stability in photovoltaic performance. The efficiency did not decrease after four weeks. On the other hand, DSCs with the MWCNT or Pt counter electrode exhibited a remarkable decrease in the photovoltaic efficiency after four weeks. The high photovoltaic performance of these DSCs is related to the excellent electrochemical catalysis of CNTs on the redox of the iodide/triiodide pair, as revealed by the cyclic voltammetry and ac impedance spectroscopy.

Fabrication and performance of the Pt-Ru/Ni-P/FTO counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ma, Huanmei; Tian, Jianhua; Bai, Shuming; Liu, Xiaodong; Shan, Zhongqiang

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Pt-Ru alloy acts as the catalyst of counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cell. • Ni-P/FTO (fluorine-doped SnO 2 ) substrate is prepared by electroless plating method. • Pt-Ru/Ni-P/FTO counter electrode is fabricated by electrodeposition method. • The Ni-P sublayer improves the conductivity and light reflectance of FTO substrate. • The cell with Pt-Ru/Ni-P/FTO counter electrode exhibits an improved efficiency. - Abstract: In this paper, Pt-Ru/Ni-P/FTO has been designed and fabricated as the counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. The Pt-Ru catalytic layer and Ni-P alloy sublayer are prepared by traditional electrodeposition method and a simple electroless plating method, respectively, and the preparation conditions have been optimized. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the Pt-Ru particles are evenly distributed on FTO and Ni-P/FTO substrate. By X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), it is confirmed that the Ni-P amorphous alloy has been formed, and no other compounds involved Ni and P have been formed. The electrochemical measurement results reveal that the Pt-Ru electrode has higher catalytic activity and stability towards tri-iodine reduction reaction than Pt electrode in the organic medium. The Ni-P sublayer deposited on FTO glasses increases the conductivity and light-reflection ability of the counter electrode, and this contributes to lowering the inner resistance of the cell and improving the light utilization efficiency. Through the photovoltaic test, it is confirmed that the energy conversion efficiency of a single DSSC with the optimized Pt-Ru/Ni-P/FTO counter electrode is increased by 29% compared with that of the cell based on the Pt/FTO counter electrode under the same conditions

Engineered porous silicon counter electrodes for high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Erwin, William R; Oakes, Landon; Chatterjee, Shahana; Zarick, Holly F; Pint, Cary L; Bardhan, Rizia

2014-06-25

In this work, we demonstrate for the first time, the use of porous silicon (P-Si) as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with efficiencies (5.38%) comparable to that achieved with platinum counter electrodes (5.80%). To activate the P-Si for triiodide reduction, few layer carbon passivation is utilized to enable electrochemical stability of the silicon surface. Our results suggest porous silicon as a promising sustainable and manufacturable alternative to rare metals for electrochemical solar cells, following appropriate surface modification.

Carbon coated stainless steel as counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Prakash, Shejale Kiran; Sharma, Rakesh K.; Roy, Mahesh S.; Kumar, Mahesh

2014-10-01

A new type of counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells has been fabricated using a stainless steel sheet as substrate and graphite, graphene and multiwall carbon nanotubes as the catalytic material which applied by screen printing technique. The sheet resistances of the substrates and there influence on the dye sensitized solar cells has been studied. The fabricated counter electrodes i.e. SS-graphite, SS-graphene SS-MWCNT and SS-platinum were tested for their photovoltaic response in the form of dye sensitized solar cells.

P3HT-graphene bilayer electrode for Schottky junction photodetectors

Science.gov (United States)

Aydın, H.; Kalkan, S. B.; Varlikli, C.; Çelebi, C.

2018-04-01

We have investigated the effect of a poly (3-hexylthiophene-2.5-diyl)(P3HT)-graphene bilayer electrode on the photoresponsivity characteristics of Si-based Schottky photodetectors. P3HT, which is known to be an electron donor and absorb light in the visible spectrum, was placed on CVD grown graphene by dip-coating method. The results of the UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy measurements have been evaluated to confirm the optical and electronic modification of graphene by the P3HT thin film. Current-voltage measurements of graphene/Si and P3HT-graphene/Si revealed rectification behavior confirming a Schottky junction formation at the graphene/Si interface. Time-resolved photocurrent spectroscopy measurements showed the devices had excellent durability and a fast response speed. We found that the maximum spectral photoresponsivity of the P3HT-graphene/Si photodetector increased more than three orders of magnitude compared to that of the bare graphene/Si photodetector. The observed increment in the photoresponsivity of the P3HT-graphene/Si samples was attributed to the charge transfer doping from P3HT to graphene within the spectral range between near-ultraviolet and near-infrared. Furthermore, the P3HT-graphene electrode was found to improve the specific detectivity and noise equivalent power of graphene/Si photodetectors. The obtained results showed that the P3HT-graphene bilayer electrodes significantly improved the photoresponsivity characteristics of our samples and thus can be used as a functional component in Si-based optoelectronic device applications.

Interaction of Melittin with Negatively Charged Lipid Bilayers Supported on Gold Electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Juhaniewicz, Joanna; Sek, Slawomir

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT: The interactions of melittin, a cationic antimicrobial peptide, with model lipid membranes consisting of negatively charged phospholipids: 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DMPG) or 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine (DMPS) were investigated using electrochemical techniques and atomic force microscopy. Lipid bilayers were deposited on gold electrodes using a combination of Langmuir-Blodgett and Langmuir-Schaefer methods and the resulting membranes established a barrier for electron transfer between the electrode and the redox probe in the solution. After exposure to melittin, the blocking properties of the membranes were monitored using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was observed that after treatment with peptide, the charge transfer through lipid bilayer is initially strongly inhibited. However, after longer exposure to melittin, the structure of the lipid film becomes less compact and the electrode reactions are facilitated due to the presence of numerous defect sites exposing bare substrate. We have assumed that such behavior reflects initial adsorption of melittin on top of the membrane and its further insertion which leads to formation of the pores or partial micellization of the lipid film. AFM imaging revealed that the exposure to 10 μM melittin solution induces significant structural changes in DMPG and DMPS membranes. However, melittin seems to affect their organization in a different manner. DMPG film appears to be more susceptible to peptide action compared with DMPS bilayer. In the latter case, long-time exposure to melittin does not result in the rupture of the membrane but rather leads to formation of pore-like defects. This observation is explained in terms of different nanomechanical properties of DMPG and DMPS films and different barrier for the reorientation and insertion of the peptide molecules into the membranes.

Top-Contact Pentacene-Based Organic Thin Film Transistor (OTFT) with N, N'-Bis(3-Methyl Phenyl)- N, N'-Diphenyl Benzidine (TPD)/Au Bilayer Source-Drain Electrode

Science.gov (United States)

Borthakur, Tribeni; Sarma, Ranjit

2018-01-01

A top-contact Pentacene-based organic thin film transistor (OTFT) with N, N'-Bis (3-methyl phenyl)- N, N'-diphenyl benzidine (TPD)/Au bilayer source-drain electrode is reported. The devices with TPD/Au bilayer source-drain (S-D) electrodes show better performance than the single layer S-D electrode OTFT devices. The field-effect mobility of 4.13 cm2 v-1 s-1, the on-off ratio of 1.86 × 107, the threshold voltage of -4 v and the subthreshold slope of .27 v/decade, respectively, are obtained from the device with a TPD/Au bilayer source-drain electrode.

Direct synthesis of platelet graphitic-nanofibres as a highly porous counter-electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Hsieh, Chien-Kuo; Tsai, Ming-Chi; Yen, Ming-Yu; Su, Ching-Yuan; Chen, Kuei-Fu; Ma, Chen-Chi M; Chen, Fu-Rong; Tsai, Chuen-Horng

2012-03-28

We synthesized platelet graphitic-nanofibres (GNFs) directly onto FTO glass and applied this forest of platelet GNFs as a highly porous structural counter-electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We investigated the electrochemical properties of counter-electrodes made from the highly porous structural GNFs and the photoconversion performance of the cells made with these electrodes.

Vanadium oxide (VO) based low cost counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vijayakumar, P.; Pandian, Muthu Senthil; Ramasamy, P., E-mail: ramasamyp@ssn.edu.in [SSN Research Centre, SSN College of Engineering, Kalavakkam-603 110, Chennai, Tamilnadu (India)

2015-06-24

Vanadium oxide nanostars were synthesized by chemical method. The prepared Vanadium oxide nanostars are introduced into dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) as counter electrode (CE) catalyst to replace the expensive platinum (Pt). The products were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The photovoltaic performance of the VO as counter electrode based DSSC was evaluated under simulated standard global AM 1.5G sunlight (100 mW/cm{sup 2}). The solar to electrical energy conversion efficiency (η) of the DSSC was found to be 0.38%.This work expands the Counter electrode catalyst, which can help to reduce the cost of DSSC and thereby encourage their fundamental research and commercial application.

A long-term analysis of Pt counter electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells exploiting a microfluidic housing system

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sacco, Adriano, E-mail: adriano.sacco@iit.it [Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino (Italy); Pugliese, Diego; Lamberti, Andrea [Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino (Italy); Castellino, Micaela; Chiodoni, Angelica [Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino (Italy); Virga, Alessandro [Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino (Italy); Bianco, Stefano [Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento 21, 10129 Torino (Italy); Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino (Italy)

2015-07-01

The study of the degradation process occurring in Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) is still a hot topic, in view of the final industrialization and application of this class of devices. Currently the long-term analysis of DSCs is carried out on the entire devices, while the monitoring of cell components cannot be performed in situ directly on the materials, but only through indirect methods. In this paper we report on the analysis of two different kinds of Pt counter electrodes through direct measurements performed under real operating conditions, thanks to the use of a home-made microfluidic housing system, which allows the opening and the investigation of the cell components. The counter electrode samples were studied through X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, UV–visible Spectroscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy for a period longer than 1 year. The results showed that the performances of both classes of Pt counter electrodes remained stable for all the investigation period, despite some slight variation of the morphology. DSCs fabricated employing aged counter electrodes exhibited the same photovoltaic performance behavior of reference cells using fresh-produced counter electrodes, thus demonstrating that both class of materials do not undergo degradation during normal operating conditions. - Highlights: • The analysis of Pt counter electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells was carried out. • Two families of counter electrodes were studied for a period longer than 1 year. • The analyzed samples were investigated in real operating condition. • A small detachment of the Pt clusters in the thermal samples was observed. • The charge transfer properties remained unchanged for all the investigation period.

Electrochemically Deposited Polypyrrole for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Counter Electrodes

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Khamsone Keothongkham

2012-01-01

Full Text Available Polypyrrole films were coated on conductive glass by electrochemical deposition (alternative current or direct current process. They were then used as the dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that polypyrrole forms a nanoparticle-like structure on the conductive glass. The amount of deposited polypyrrole (or film thickness increased with the deposition duration, and the performance of polypyrrole based-dye-sensitized solar cells is dependant upon polymer thickness. The highest efficiency of alternative current and direct current polypyrrole based-dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs is 4.72% and 4.02%, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy suggests that the superior performance of alternative current polypyrrole solar cells is due to their lower charge-transfer resistance between counter electrode and electrolyte. The large charge-transfer resistance of direct current solar cells is attributed to the formation of unbounded polypyrrole chains minimizing the I3 − reduction rate.

Spray deposited CeO2–TiO2 counter electrode for electrochromic ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

application in smart window technology. The technological requirement of smart windows includes the electrochromic working electrode and ion storage layer that should be optically passive after intercalation/deintercalation process. There are only few materials which are used as an optically passive counter electrode with ...

A multi-electrode and pre-deformed bilayer spring structure electrostatic attractive MEMS actuator with large stroke at low actuation voltage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hu, Fangrong; Li, Zhi; Xiong, Xianming; Niu, Junhao; Peng, Zhiyong; Qian, Yixian; Yao, Jun

2012-01-01

This paper presents a multi-electrode and pre-deformed bilayer spring structure electrostatic attractive microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuator; it has large stroke at relatively low actuation voltage. Generally, electrostatic-attractive-force-based actuators have small stroke due to the instability resulted from the electrostatic ‘pull-in’ phenomenon. However, in many applications, the electrostatic micro-actuator with large stroke at low voltage is more preferred. By introducing a multi-electrode and a pre-deformed bilayer spring structure, an electrostatic attractive MEMS actuator with large stroke at very low actuation voltage has been successfully demonstrated in this paper. The actuator contains a central plate with a size of 300 µm × 300 µm × 1.5 µm and it is supported by four L-shaped bilayer springs which are pre-deformed due to residual stresses. Each bilayer spring is simultaneously attracted by three adjacent fixed electrodes, and the factors affecting the electrostatic attractive force are analyzed by a finite element analysis method. The prototype of the actuator is fabricated by poly-multi-user-MEMS-process (PolyMUMP) and the static performance is tested using a white light interferometer. The measured stroke of the actuator reaches 2 µm at 13 V dc, and it shows a good agreement with the simulation. (paper)

Photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells with various MWCNT counter electrode structures produced by different coating methods

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Munkhbayar, B.; Hwang, Seunghwa; Kim, Junhyo; Bae, Kangyoul; Ji, Myoungkuk; Chung, Hanshik; Jeong, Hyomin

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Catalyst on tube surface was removed and the tube caps were opened by purification. ► Highest peak of UV-light absorption was achieved in the purified and ground MWCNTs solution. ► The particles uniformly distributed on glass substrate by spin coating method. ► Highest photoelectric efficiency of DSSCs with MWCNTs counter electrode was achieved 4.94%. - Abstract: We report the successful application of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as electrocatalysts for triiodide reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To improve the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs, upgrade the quality of MWCNT structure and obtain an optimum deposition approach regarding a counter electrode, the present study was investigated. Three different MWCNT structures, raw, purified and purified and ground, were investigated as platinum (Pt) alternatives for counter electrodes in DSSCs. The counter electrodes were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates by two different techniques: spin coating from fluid-type MWCNTs and screen printing from paste-type MWCNTs. By utilizing a spin-coating technique, a DSSC that was fabricated with a purified and ground MWCNT counter electrode achieved an overall photovoltaic efficiency of 4.94%. This photovoltaic performance is comparable to that of a DSSC using a conventional “Pt” counter electrode fabricated under the same conditions. We found that the grinding method is powerful for increasing specific surface area and porosity. With this technique, macropores can be transformed into mesopores, thereby reducing the agglomeration of the MWCNTs, and with an additional modification, an increased DSSC photovoltaic efficiency results.

Vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes as low-cost and high electrocatalytic counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Dong, Pei; Pint, Cary L; Hainey, Mel; Mirri, Francesca; Zhan, Yongjie; Zhang, Jing; Pasquali, Matteo; Hauge, Robert H; Verduzco, Rafael; Jiang, Mian; Lin, Hong; Lou, Jun

2011-08-01

A novel dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) structure using vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (VASWCNTs) as the counter electrode has been developed. In this design, the VASWCNTs serve as a stable high surface area and highly active electrocatalytic counter-electrode that could be a promising alternative to the conventional Pt analogue. Utilizing a scalable dry transfer approach to form a VASWCNTs conductive electrode, the DSSCs with various lengths of VASWCNTs were studied. VASWCNTs-DSSC with 34 μm original length was found to be the optimal choice in the present study. The highest conversion efficiencies of VASWCNTs-DSSC achieved 5.5%, which rivals that of the reference Pt DSSC. From the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, it shows that the new DSSC offers lower interface resistance between the electrolyte and the counter electrode. This reproducible work emphasizes the promise of VASWCNTs as efficient and stable counter electrode materials in DSSC device design, especially taking into account the low-cost merit of this promising material.

Robust and Recyclable Substrate Template with an Ultrathin Nanoporous Counter Electrode for Organic-Hole-Conductor-Free Monolithic Perovskite Solar Cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Ming-Hsien; Yang, Yu-Syuan; Wang, Kuo-Chin; Chiang, Yu-Hsien; Shen, Po-Shen; Lai, Wei-Chih; Guo, Tzung-Fang; Chen, Peter

2017-12-06

A robust and recyclable monolithic substrate applying all-inorganic metal-oxide selective contact with a nanoporous (np) Au:NiO x counter electrode is successfully demonstrated for efficient perovskite solar cells, of which the perovskite active layer is deposited in the final step for device fabrication. Through annealing of the Ni/Au bilayer, the nanoporous NiO/Au electrode is formed in virtue of interconnected Au network embedded in oxidized Ni. By optimizing the annealing parameters and tuning the mesoscopic layer thickness (mp-TiO 2 and mp-Al 2 O 3 ), a decent power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.25% is delivered. With mp-TiO 2 /mp-Al 2 O 3 /np-Au:NiO x as a template, the original perovskite solar cell with 8.52% PCE can be rejuvenated by rinsing off the perovskite material with dimethylformamide and refilling with newly deposited perovskite. A renewed device using the recycled substrate once and twice, respectively, achieved a PCE of 8.17 and 7.72% that are comparable to original performance. This demonstrates that the novel device architecture is possible to recycle the expensive transparent conducting glass substrates together with all the electrode constituents. Deposition of stable multicomponent perovskite materials in the template also achieves an efficiency of 8.54%, which shows its versatility for various perovskite materials. The application of such a novel NiO/Au nanoporous electrode has promising potential for commercializing cost-effective, large scale, and robust perovskite solar cells.

Nitrogen-Doped Graphene/Platinum Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

KAUST Repository

Lin, Chinan; Lee, Chuanpei; Ho, Shute; Wei, Tzuchiao; Chi, Yuwen; Huang, Kunping; He, Jr-Hau

2014-01-01

Nitrogen-doped graphene (NGR) was utilized in dye-sensitized solar cells for energy harvesting. NGR on a Pt-sputtered fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate (NGR/Pt/FTO) as counter electrodes (CEs) achieves the high efficiency of 9.38% via the nitrogen

Enhancement of the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell with multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polythiophene composite counter electrodes prepared by electrodeposition

Science.gov (United States)

Luo, Jun; Niu, Hai-jun; Wu, Wen-jun; Wang, Cheng; Bai, Xu-duo; Wang, Wen

2012-01-01

For the purpose of increasing the energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polythiophene (PTh) composite film counter electrode has been fabricated by electrophoresis and cyclic voltammetry (CV) in sequence. The morphology and chemical structure have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy respectively. The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PTh composite film has reached 4.72%, which is close to that of the DSSC with a platinum (Pt) counter electrode (5.68%). Compared with a standard DSSC with MWCNT counter electrode whose efficiency is 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency has been increased by 76.12% for the DSSC with MWCNT/PTh counter electrode. These results indicate that the composite film with high conductivity, high active surface area, and good catalytic properties for I 3- reduction can potentially be used as the counter electrode in a high-performance DSSC.

Study on Carbon Nano composite Counter electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen, Y.; Zhang, H.; Lin, J.

2012-01-01

Carbon nano composite electrodes were prepared by adding carbon nano tubes (CNTs) into carbon black as counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The morphology and structure of carbon nano composite electrodes were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The influence of CNTs on the electrochemical performance of carbon nano composite electrodes is investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Carbon nano composite electrodes with CNTs exhibit a highly interconnected network structure with high electrical conductivity and good catalytic activity. The influence of different CNTs content in carbon nano composite electrodes on the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and filling factor of DSSCs is also investigated. DSSCs with 10% CNTs content exhibit the best photovoltaic performance in our experiments.

Study on the optical and electrical properties of tetracyanoethylene doped bilayer graphene stack for transparent conducting electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Limbu, Tej B.; Barrionuevo, Danilo; Katiyar, Ram S.; Morell, Gerardo; Mendoza, Frank; Carpena, Jennifer; Maruyama, Benji; Weiner, Brad R.

2016-01-01

We report the optical and electrical properties of chemically-doped bilayer graphene stack by tetracyanoethylene, a strong electron acceptor. The Tetracyanoethylene doping on the bilayer graphene via charge transfer was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and Infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. Doped graphene shows a significant increase in the sheet carrier concentration of up to 1.520 × 10"1"3 cm"−"2 with a concomitant reduction of the sheet resistance down to 414.1 Ω/sq. The high optical transmittance (ca. 84%) in the visible region in combination with the low sheet resistance of the Tetracyanoethylene-doped bilayer graphene stack opens up the possibility of making transparent conducting electrodes for practical applications.

Electrical properties of graphene film for counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Khalifa, Ali; Shafie, S.; Hasan, W. Z. W.; Lim, H. N.; Rusop, M.; Samaila, Buda

2018-05-01

A graphene counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell was prepared simply by drop casting method on a conducting FTO glass at room temperature. Raman spectroscopy was used to study the defection in the graphene films. The sheet resistance was also measured and recoded minimum value of 7.04 Ω/□ at 22.19µm thickness. The casted films show good adhesion to substrates with low defects. A DSSC based on graphene counter electrode demonstrates reasonable conversion efficiency of 2.78% with short circuit current of 7.60mA, open circuit voltage of 0.69V and fill factor of 0.52. The high conductivity and low defects render the prepared graphene dispersion for DSSCs' CE application.

Cost–effective Polythiophene Counter Electrodes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tolu Merve Celik

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs are most promising devices among third–generation solar cells because of low cost, easy production, environmental friendliness, and relatively high conversion efficiency. Counter electrode (CE, which is an important component in DSSCs, functions as an electron transfer agent as well as the regenerator of redox couple. Hitherto, various methods and materials were used to prepare different counter electrodes.Among these materials, conducting polymers have been widely investigated and employed in various applications such as sensors, supercapacitors, energy storage devices, DSSCs and others. In this study, Polythiophene (PTh conducting polymer was successfully synthesized by electrochemical deposition method, and employed as an alternative to expensive platinum (Pt CE for DSSC. Besides, PTh conducting polymer was electrochemically deposited via cyclic voltammetry method on FTO substrates. The morphology of the PTh film was characterized by SEM and AFM. Finally, the photovoltaic performance of PTh CE based DSSC was compared with PEDOT CE based device. This new concept—along with promising electrocatalytic activity and facile electron transfer—provides a new approach to enhance the photovoltaic performances of Pt–free DSSCs.

Characteristics of thermally reduced graphene oxide and applied for dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrode

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ho, Ching-Yuan, E-mail: cyho@cycu.edu.tw [Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan (China); Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanotechnology and Institute of Biomedical Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan (China); Wang, Hong-Wen [Department of Chemistry, Center for Nanotechnology and Institute of Biomedical Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan (China); Department of Chemistry, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan (China)

2015-12-01

Graphical abstract: Experimental process: (1) graphite oxidized to graphene oxide; (2) thermal reduction from graphene oxide to graphene; (3) applying to DSSC counter electrode. - Highlights: • Intercalated defects were eliminated by increasing reduction temperature of GO. • High reduction temperature of tGP has lower resistance, high the electron lifetime. • Higher thermal reduction of GO proposes electrocatalytic properties. • DSSC using tGP{sub 250} as counter electrode has energy conversion efficiency of 3.4%. - Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized from a flake-type of graphite powder, which was then reduced to a few layers of graphene sheets using the thermal reduction method. The surface morphology, phase crystallization, and defect states of the reduced graphene were determined from an electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersion spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectra. After graphene formation, the intercalated defects that existed in the GO were removed, and it became crystalline by observing impurity changes and d-spacing. Dye-sensitized solar cells, using reduced graphene as the counter electrode, were fabricated to evaluate the electrolyte activity and charge transport performance. The electrochemical impedance spectra showed that increasing the thermal reduction temperature could achieve faster electron transport and longer electron lifetime, and result in an energy conversion efficiency of approximately 3.4%. Compared to the Pt counter electrode, the low cost of the thermal reduction method suggests that graphene will enjoy a wide range of potential applications in the field of electronic devices.

Characteristics of thermally reduced graphene oxide and applied for dye-sensitized solar cell counter electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ho, Ching-Yuan; Wang, Hong-Wen

2015-01-01

Graphical abstract: Experimental process: (1) graphite oxidized to graphene oxide; (2) thermal reduction from graphene oxide to graphene; (3) applying to DSSC counter electrode. - Highlights: • Intercalated defects were eliminated by increasing reduction temperature of GO. • High reduction temperature of tGP has lower resistance, high the electron lifetime. • Higher thermal reduction of GO proposes electrocatalytic properties. • DSSC using tGP 250 as counter electrode has energy conversion efficiency of 3.4%. - Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized from a flake-type of graphite powder, which was then reduced to a few layers of graphene sheets using the thermal reduction method. The surface morphology, phase crystallization, and defect states of the reduced graphene were determined from an electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersion spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectra. After graphene formation, the intercalated defects that existed in the GO were removed, and it became crystalline by observing impurity changes and d-spacing. Dye-sensitized solar cells, using reduced graphene as the counter electrode, were fabricated to evaluate the electrolyte activity and charge transport performance. The electrochemical impedance spectra showed that increasing the thermal reduction temperature could achieve faster electron transport and longer electron lifetime, and result in an energy conversion efficiency of approximately 3.4%. Compared to the Pt counter electrode, the low cost of the thermal reduction method suggests that graphene will enjoy a wide range of potential applications in the field of electronic devices.

Dual functional reduced graphene oxide as photoanode and counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells and its exceptional efficiency enhancement

Science.gov (United States)

Jumeri, F. A.; Lim, H. N.; Zainal, Z.; Huang, N. M.; Pandikumar, A.; Lim, S. P.

2015-10-01

The dual functionalities of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as photoanode and counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is explored. A titanium dioxide (TiO2) film is deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass using an in-house aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. Graphene oxide (GO) is then introduced onto the TiO2-ITO substrate, and the GO layer is successively thermally treated to rGO. The TiO2-rGO film is used as a compact layer for the photoanode of the DSSC. A layer of zinc oxide-silver (ZnO-Ag) is introduced on top of the compact layer as an active material. Its highly porous flower-shaped morphology is advantageous for the adsorption of dye. The in-situ electrochemical polymerization method used for the fabrication of polypyrrole incorporated with rGO and p-toluenesulfonate (pTS) (Ppy-rGO-pTS) on an ITO glass is used as a counter electrode for the DSSC. The DSSC assembled with the Ppy-rGO-1.0pTS counter electrode exhibites an enhanced conversion efficiency of 1.99% under solar illumination, which is better than that using conventional Pt as a counter electrode (0.08%). This is attributed to the increased contact area between the Ppy-rGO-pTS counter electrode and electrolyte, which subsequently improves the conductivity and high electrocatalytic activities of the Ppy-rGO-pTS counter electrode.

Nickel doped cobalt sulfide as a high performance counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kim, Hee-Je; Kim, Chul-Woo; Punnoose, Dinah; Gopi, Chandu V.V.M.; Kim, Soo-Kyoung; Prabakar, K.; Rao, S. Srinivasa, E-mail: srinu.krs@gmail.com

2015-02-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • First ever employment of Ni doped CoS{sub 2} counter electrode as a replacement of Pt counter electrode. • Efficiency of 5.50% was achieved using Ni doped CoS{sub 2} counter electrode in contrast to 5.21% efficiency obtained using Pt electrode. • Dependency of efficiency on Ni dopant reported for the first time. • Cost effective chemical bath deposition was used for the fabrication of the counter electrode. - Abstract: The use of cells based on cobalt sulfide (CoS{sub 2}) and nickel sulfide (NiS) has found a steep upsurge in solar cell applications and as a substitute for conventional Pt-based cells owing to their low cost, low-temperature processing ability, and promising electro-catalytic activity. In this study, CoS{sub 2}, NiS and Ni-doped CoS{sub 2} nanoparticles were incorporated on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by simple chemical bath deposition (CBD). The surface morphology of the obtained films was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Tafel polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammograms of the Ni-doped CoS{sub 2} (Ni 15%) films indicated enhanced electro-catalytic activity for I{sub 3}{sup −} reduction in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) compared to a Pt CE. The Ni-doped CoS{sub 2} CE also showed an impressive photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 5.50% under full sunlight illumination (100 mW cm{sup −2}, AM 1.5 G), exceeding that of DSSCs using a Pt CE (5.21%). We show that the highest conversion efficiency mainly depends on the charge transfer resistance and adequate Ni ion doping with CoS{sub 2} nanoparticles.

Highly efficient and stable dye-sensitized solar cells based on nanographite/polypyrrole counter electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yue, Gentian; Zhang, Xin’an; Wang, Lei; Tan, Furui; Wu, Jihuai; Jiang, Qiwei; Lin, Jianming; Huang, Miaoliang; Lan, Zhang

2014-01-01

Graphical abstract: Much higher photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell with nanographite/PPy counter electrode as well as that of Pt configuration device. - Highlights: • Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells. • The nanographite/PPy composite film showed high catalytic activity as well as Pt electrode. • The enhanced catalytic activity was attributed to increased active sites. • The DSSC based on the nanographite/PPy electrode showed a high photovoltaic performance. - Abstract: Nanographite/polypyrrole (NG/PPy) composite film was successfully prepared via in situ polymerization on rigid fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate and served as counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The surface morphology and composition of the composite film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The electrochemical performance of the NG/PPy electrode was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results of CV and EIS revealed that the NG/PPy electrode possessed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction reaction of triiodide to iodide and low charge transfer resistance at the interface between electrolyte and CE, respectively. The DSSC assembled with the novel NG/PPy CE exhibited an enhanced power conversion efficiency of 7.40% under full sunlight illumination as comparing to that of the DSSC based on sputtered-Pt electrode. Thus, the NG/PPy CE could be premeditated as a promising alternative CE for low-cost and high- efficient DSSCs

Carbon Nanotubes as Counter Electrodes for Gratzel Solar Cells

Science.gov (United States)

Shodive, Hasan; Aliev, Ali; Zhang, Mei; Lee, Sergey; Baughman, Ray; Zakhidov, Anvar

2006-03-01

The role of interfaces is very critical for solar cell devices which use nanostructured materials. Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) are devices which parts are interfacial in character and physico --chemical processes occur at the interface of two distinct media. DSSC are of great interest due to combination of their high efficiency and relatively low cost. An effective counterelectrode with high electrochemical activity is an important component of DSSC to enhance its practical utility. Presently used Pt coated ITO counterelectrode can not be applied in flexible DSSC architectures, while there is a growing need for flexible anodes which are transparent and have desired interface characteristics. In this work in order to search for such materials for counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells, newly developed strong and transparent and modified carbon nanotube sheets [1] are used in interfacial counter electrode. To increase the electrochemical activity of the anode the CNT sheets are coated with highly conductive SWCNT and compared with pure multiwall CNT sheets. We show that the transparent sheets of SWCNT/MWCNT perform as a flexible anode and as electrochemical catalyst and also can be used in tandems of dye sensitized solar cells as transparent charge recombination or interconnect layers. [1] M. Zhang, S.Fang, A.Zakhidov, S.B.Lee, A.Aliev et.al., Science, 309,(2005) 1215

Glucose aided preparation of tungsten sulfide/multi-wall carbon nanotube hybrid and use as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Wu, Jihuai; Yue, Gentian; Xiao, Yaoming; Huang, Miaoliang; Lin, Jianming; Fan, Leqing; Lan, Zhang; Lin, Jeng-Yu

2012-12-01

The tungsten sulfide/multi-wall carbon nanotube (WS(2)/MWCNT) hybrid was prepared in the presence of glucose by the hydrothermal route. The hybrid materials were used as counter electrode in the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The results of cyclic voltammetry measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that the glucose aided prepared (G-A) WS(2)/MWCNT electrode had low charge-transfer resistance (R(ct)) and high electrocatalytic activity for triiodide reduction. The excellent electrochemical properties for (G-A) WS(2)/MWCNT electrode is due to the synergistic effects of WS(2) and MWCNTs, as well as amorphous carbon introduced by glucose. The DSSC based on the G-A WS(2)/MWCNT counter electrode achieved a high power conversion efficiency of 7.36%, which is comparable with the performance of the DSSC using Pt counter electrode (7.54%).

Performance of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) using Syngonium Podophyllum Schott as natural dye and counter electrode

Science.gov (United States)

Oktariza, Lingga Ghufira; Yuliarto, Brian; Suyatman

2018-05-01

The extraction of chlorophyll pigment of Syngonium podophyllum Schott leaves which is used as natural dyes in this DSSC devices. The use of dye from nature with its simple production process is very effective to reduce DSSC production cost. Besides being used as a natural dye, chlorophyll can also be used as an alternative counter electrode. Chlorophyll that is used as a counter electrode has been through chemical activation and carbonization processes. The characterization were done using Uv-Vis, Cyclic Voltametry and DSSC device under solar simulator. Characterization of chlorophyll absorbance using UV-Vis has resulted in typical absorbance peak at visible light wavelength of 447 nm and 666 nm. The Tauc equation analysis of the Uv-Vis characterization showed 1.91 eV energy gap of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll carbonized dye is used as an alternative to Pt counter electrode. Carbonized chlorophyll dye resulted in lower conversion efficiency of 0.308% with HSE electrolyte.

A transparent nickel selenide counter electrode for high efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dong, Jia; Wu, Jihuai, E-mail: jhwu@hqu.edu.cn; Jia, Jinbiao; Ge, Jinhua; Bao, Quanlin; Wang, Chaotao; Fan, Leqing

2017-04-15

Highlights: • Ni{sub 0.85}Se was obtained by hydrothermal way and the film was gained by spin-coating. • Ni{sub 0.85}Se film has good conductivity and excellent electrocatalytic activity. • DSSC based on transparent Ni{sub 0.85}Se counter electrode obtains PCE of 8.96%. • The PCE reaches 10.76% when putting a mirror under Ni{sub 0.85}Se counter electrode. - Abstract: Nickel selenide (Ni{sub 0.85}Se) was synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal reaction and Ni{sub 0.85}Se film was prepared by spin-coating Ni{sub 0.85}Se ink on FTO and used as counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The Ni{sub 0.85}Se CEs not only show high transmittance in visible range, but also possess remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward I{sup −}/I{sub 3}{sup −}. The electrocatalytic ability of Ni{sub 0.85}Se films was verified by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization curves. The DSSC using Ni{sub 0.85}Se CE exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.96%, while the DSSC consisting of sputtered Pt CE only exhibits a PCE of 8.15%. When adding a mirror under Ni{sub 0.85}Se CE, the resultant DSSC exhibits a PCE of 10.76%, which exceeds that of a DSSC based on sputtered Pt CE (8.44%) by 27.49%.

Interaction of Cecropin B with Zwitterionic and Negatively Charged Lipid Bilayers Immobilized at Gold Electrode Surface

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Juhaniewicz, Joanna; Szyk-Warszyńska, Lilianna; Warszyński, Piotr; Sęk, Sławomir

2016-01-01

Membranolytic properties of cationic antimicrobial peptide cecropin B were investigated using electrochemical techniques, atomic force microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. Two types of artificial lipid bilayers supported on gold electrode were used as model systems composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and cholesterol (Chol) at 7:3 molar ratio and L-α-phosphatidylethanolamine (E. coli) (PE), L-α-phosphatidylglycerol sodium salt (E. coli) (PG) at 8:2 molar ratio. Thus the lipid content was intended to represent either mammalian or bacterial membrane respectively. Model bilayers were exposed to cecropin B at 1 μM concentration and the changes in bilayer structure, permeability and morphology were monitored as a function of time. We have found that cecropin B does not show any pronounced effect on POPC/Chol bilayer, while PE/PG system was strongly affected in the presence of the peptide. This observation suggests that cecropin B shows some selectivity with respect to lipid composition of the membrane. In case of PE/PG membrane, we have observed that peptide action involves electrostatically driven adsorption of the cecropin B at the top of the bilayer with simultaneous fluidization and swelling of the membrane. The latter may facilitate the rearrangement and insertion of the molecules into the core of the lipid bilayer, which leads to further rupture and degradation of the film through formation of mixed peptide-lipid aggregates.

Synthesis and characterization of natural dye and counter electrode thin films with different carbon materials for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Chang, Ho; Chen, Tien-Li; Kao, Mu-Jung; Chen, Chih-Hao; Chien, Shu-Hua; Jiang, Lii-Jenq

2011-08-01

This study aims to deal with the film of the counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and the preparation, structure and characteristics of the extract of natural dye. This study adopts different commercial carbon materials such as black lead, carbon black and self-made TiO2-MWCNT compound nanoparticle as the film of the counter electrodes. Moreover, for the preparation of natural dyes, anthocyanins and chlorophyll dyes are extracted from mulberry and pomegranate respectively. Furthermore, the extracted anthocyanins and chlorophyll are blended into cocktail dye to complete the preparation of natural dye. Results show that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the single-layer TiO2-MWCNT counter electrode film and the cocktail dye of the DSSCs is 0.462%.

Study and Fabrication of Super Low-Cost Solar Cell (SLC-SC) Based on Counter Electrode from Animal’s Bone

Science.gov (United States)

Fadlilah, D. R.; Fajar, M. N.; Aini, A. N.; Haqqiqi, R. I.; Wirawan, P. R.; Endarko

2018-04-01

The synthesized carbon from bones of chicken, cow, and fish with the calcination temperature at 450 and 600°C have been successfully fabricated for counter electrode in the Super Low-Cost Solar Cell (SLC-LC) based the structure of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC). The main proposed study was to fabricate SLC-SC and investigate the influence of the synthesized carbon from animal’s bone for counter electrode towards to photovoltaic performance of SLC-SC. X-Ray Diffraction and UV-Vis was used to characterize the phase and the optical properties of TiO2 as photoanode in SLC-SC. Meanwhile, the morphology and particle size distribution of the synthesized carbon in counter electrodes were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Particle Size Analyzer (PSA). The results showed that the TiO2 has anatase phase with the absorption wavelength of 300 to 550 nm. The calcination temperature for synthesizing of carbon could affect morphology and particle size distribution. The increasing temperature gave the effect more dense in morphology and increased the particle size of carbon in the counter electrode. Changes in morphology and particle size of carbon give effect to the performance of the SLC-SC where the increased morphology’s compact and particle size make decreased in the performance of the SLC-SC.

Improved efficiency of CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cell with an organic redox couple and a polymer counter electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shu, Ting; Li, Xiong; Ku, Zhi-Liang; Wang, Shi; Wu, Shi; Jin, Xiao-Hong; Hu, Chun-Di

2014-01-01

Highlights: • The organic AT - /BAT and T - /T 2 redox couples were used in CdS QDSSCs. • The AT - /BAT and PEDOT are better than polysulfide electrolyte and Pt and CoS CEs. • An improved η of 1.53% was obtained with the AT - /BAT electrolyte and the PEDOT CE. • PEDOT CE deposited at high deposition charge has better electrochemical activity. • The AT - /BAT outperformed T - /T 2 electrolyte due to suppressed charge recombination. - Abstract: Quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) based on an organic thiolate/disulfide redox couple (C 7 H 5 N 4 S - /C 14 H 10 N 8 S 2 or C 2 H 3 N 4 S - /C 4 H 6 N 8 S 2 ) and a polymer counter electrode [poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT] were fabricated and their photovoltaic performance were investigated. In CdS QDSSC, the organic C 7 H 5 N 4 S - /C 14 H 10 N 8 S 2 electrolyte shows better performance than the polysulfide electrolyte, and the PEDOT counter electrode exhibits higher efficiency than that of the Pt counter electrode and the CoS counter electrode. An efficiency of 1.53% was achieved in this QDSSC. The influences of the morphology and the deposition charge of the PEDOT counter electrodes on the cell performance were also studied. Furthermore, it was found that the C 7 H 5 N 4 S - /C 14 H 10 N 8 S 2 redox couple outperformed the C 2 H 3 N 4 S - /C 4 H 6 N 8 S 2 redox couple due to reduced electron recombination

Effects of mesoscopic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Kun-Mu; Chiu, Wei-Hao; Wei, Hung-Yu; Hu, Chih-Wei; Suryanarayanan, Vembu; Hsieh, Weng-Feng; Ho, Kuo-Chuan

2010-01-01

Counter electrode coated with chemically polymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was studied. The surface morphology and the nature of I - /I 3 - redox reaction based on PEDOT film were investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry, respectively. The performance of the DSSCs containing the PEDOT coated electrode was compared with sputtered-Pt electrode. We found that the root mean square roughness decreases and conductivity increases as the molar ratio of imidazole (Im)/EDOT in the PEDOT film increases. The DSSC containing the PEDOT coated on fluorine doped tin oxide glass with Im/EDOT molar ratio of 2.0, showed a conversion efficiency of 7.44% compared to that with sputtered-Pt electrode (7.77%). The high photocurrents were attributed to the large effective surface area of the electrode material resulting in good catalytic properties for I 3 - reduction. Therefore, the incorporation of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in the PEDOT film, coated on various substrates was also investigated. The DSSC containing the PEDOT films with 0.6 wt.% of MWCNT on stainless steel as counter electrode had the best cell performance of 8.08% with short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage and fill factor of 17.00 mA cm -2 , 720 mV and 0.66, respectively.

Effects of mesoscopic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Kun-Mu, E-mail: d93549007@ntu.edu.t [Photovoltaics Technology Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Chutung, Hsinchu 31040, Taiwan (China); Chiu, Wei-Hao [Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 Tahsueh Road, Hsinchu 30050, Taiwan (China); Wei, Hung-Yu; Hu, Chih-Wei [Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan (China); Suryanarayanan, Vembu [Electro Organic Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi 630 006 (India); Hsieh, Weng-Feng [Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 Tahsueh Road, Hsinchu 30050, Taiwan (China); Ho, Kuo-Chuan [Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan (China); Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan (China)

2010-01-01

Counter electrode coated with chemically polymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was studied. The surface morphology and the nature of I{sup -}/I{sub 3}{sup -} redox reaction based on PEDOT film were investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry, respectively. The performance of the DSSCs containing the PEDOT coated electrode was compared with sputtered-Pt electrode. We found that the root mean square roughness decreases and conductivity increases as the molar ratio of imidazole (Im)/EDOT in the PEDOT film increases. The DSSC containing the PEDOT coated on fluorine doped tin oxide glass with Im/EDOT molar ratio of 2.0, showed a conversion efficiency of 7.44% compared to that with sputtered-Pt electrode (7.77%). The high photocurrents were attributed to the large effective surface area of the electrode material resulting in good catalytic properties for I{sub 3}{sup -} reduction. Therefore, the incorporation of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in the PEDOT film, coated on various substrates was also investigated. The DSSC containing the PEDOT films with 0.6 wt.% of MWCNT on stainless steel as counter electrode had the best cell performance of 8.08% with short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage and fill factor of 17.00 mA cm{sup -2}, 720 mV and 0.66, respectively.

The effect of metal-buffer bilayer drain/source electrodes on the operational stability of the organic field effect transistors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Karimi-Alavijeh, H.R.; Ehsani, A.

2015-01-01

In this paper, we have investigated experimentally the effect of different drain/source (D/S) electrodes and charge injection buffer layers on the electrical properties and operational stability of a stilbene organic field effect transistor (OFET). The results show that the organic buffer layer of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) considerably improves the electrical properties of the transistors, but has a negligible effect on their temporal behavior. On the other hand, inorganic metal-oxide buffer layer of molybdenum oxide (MoO 3 ) drastically changes both the electrical properties and operational stability. The functionalities of this metal-oxide tightly depend on the properties of the D/S metallic electrodes. OFETs with Al/MoO 3 as the bilayer D/S electrodes have the best electrical properties: field effect mobility μ eff = 0.32 cm 2 V −1 s −1 and threshold voltage V TH = − 5 V and the transistors with Ag/MoO 3 have the longest operational stability. It was concluded that the chemical stability of the metal/metal-oxide or metal/organic interfaces of the bilayer D/S electrodes determine the operational stability of the OFETs. - Highlights: • The effect of buffer layers on the performance of the stilbene OFETs has been investigated. • Inorganic buffer layer improved the electrical and temporal behaviors simultaneously. • Organic buffer layer only changes the electrical properties. • Chemical stability of the interfaces determines the operational stability of the transistor

Bilayered Oxide thin films for transparent electrode application

Science.gov (United States)

Dutta, Titas; Narayan, Jagdish

2008-10-01

Ga doped ZnO films with electrical and optical properties comparable to indium tin oxide (ITO) is a promising candidate for transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) because of its superior stability in hydrogen environment, benign nature and relatively inexpensive supply. However, ZnO based TCO films suffer from low work function, which is a critical parameter for device applications. We report here the growth of a novel bilayered structure consisting of very thin (few monolayers) ITO, MoOx layer on Zn0.95Ga0.05O film for transparent electrode applications by using pulsed laser deposition technique at different temperatures and oxygen partial pressure. The characteristics of the ITO film and the heterostructure have been investigated in detail using XRD, TEM, XPS, and electrical and optical property measurements. It is envisaged that the overall transmittance and the resistivity are dictated by the thicker layer of ZnGa0.05O beneath the ITO layer. Hence, this study is aimed to improve the surface characteristics without affecting the overall transmittance and sheet resistance. This will enhance the transport of the carriers across the heterojunction in the device, thus, resulting in the increase in device efficiency.

Binder-Free Graphene Organogels as Cost-Efficient Counter Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pan, Dengyu; Feng, Chuanqi; Wang, Liang; Liu, Yuan; Chen, Zhiwen; Shi, Wenyan; Li, Zhen

2016-01-01

Graphene organogels (GOGs) filled with organic electrolytes may function as high-activity, low-cost electrodes for energy conversion and storage devices such as Li ion batteries, supercapacitors, and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), because of their ideal electron-transport and ion-diffusion pathways through an interconnected 3D porous framework self-assembled from highly conductive and high-specific-area graphene sheets. Here, graphene hydrogels prepared by a modified hydrothermal method are converted into organogels with a specific surface area up to ∼1298 m 2 g −1 by a simple solvent-exchange approach, and pressed onto titanium meshes to form GOG films as economical, wearable counter electrodes for DSSCs. Without optimizing TiO 2 photoanodes, GOG-based DSSCs show a markedly enhanced short-circuit current density (16.34 mA cm −2 ) and thus an impressive power conversion efficiency of 7.2%, higher than those using graphene aerogels (11.6 mA cm −2 , 5.9%) and commercial Pt films (10.2 mA cm −2 , 5.9%) as counter electrodes under otherwise identical conditions. The improved efficiency is ascribed to a substantial reduction in charge-transfer resistance and series resistance, which is correlated with the high conductivity and high specific area of GOGs.

Oleic acid-assisted exfoliated few layer graphene films as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liu, Jincheng; Wang, Yinjie; Sun, Darren Delai

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Few layer graphene was obtained by liquid exfoliation in oleic acid (OLA). ► The concentration of exfoliated few layer graphene is as high as 1.3 mg/mL. ► OLA-assisted graphite (OLA-G) film has high catalytic activity. ► A power conversion efficiency of 3.56% can be gained by DSSCs with the counter electrode of OLA-G film. - Abstract: We have demonstrated a facile sonication method to exfoliate graphite into few layer graphene with a high concentration of 1.3 mg/mL in oleic acid (OLA). The exfoliations of natural graphite in oleylamine (OA) and trioctylphosphine (TOP) are investigated as a comparison. The few layer graphene dispersion in OLA and the graphite nanoparticles in OA are confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. The exfoliated graphene dispersion in OLA (OLA-G) and graphite dispersion in OA (OA-G) are fabricated into a film on the FTO substrate by the doctor-blading method. The morphology and catalytic activity in the redox couple regeneration of all the graphite films are examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammograms. The OLA-G films on FTO glass with few layer graphene flakes shows better catalytic activity than the OA-G films. The energy conversion efficiency of the cell with the OLA-G film as counter electrode reached 3.56%, which is 70% of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with the sputtering-Pt counter electrode under the same experimental condition.

Study of the ion-channel behavior on glassy carbon electrode supported bilayer lipid membranes stimulated by perchlorate anion

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Zhiquan; Shi, Jun; Huang, Weimin, E-mail: huangwm@jlu.edu.cn

2015-10-01

In this paper, a kind of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) layer membranes was supported on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). We studied the ion channel behavior of the supported bilayer lipid membrane by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SCEM) in tris(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium(II) solution. Perchlorate anion was used as a presence of stimulus and ruthenium(II) complex cations as the probing ions for the measurement of SECM, the lipid membrane channel was opened and exhibited the behavior of distinct SECM positive feedback curve. The channel was in a closed state in the absence of perchlorate anions while reflected the behavior of SECM negative feedback curve. The rates of electron transfer reaction in the lipid membranes surface were detected and it was dependant on the potential of SECM. - Highlights: • The rates of electron transfer reaction in the lipid membranes surface were detected. • Dynamic investigations of ion-channel behavior of supported bilayer lipid membranes by scanning electrochemical microscopy • A novel way to explore the interaction between molecules and supported bilayer lipid membranes.

Improved performance of CdS/CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cells using Mn-doped PbS quantum dots as a catalyst in the counter electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kim, Byung-Man; Son, Min-Kyu; Kim, Soo-Kyoung; Hong, Na-Yeong; Park, Songyi; Jeong, Myeong-Soo; Seo, Hyunwoong; Prabakar, Kandasamy; Kim, Hee-Je

2014-01-01

Highlights: • PbS QDs synthesized using the SILAR method act not only as the electrochemical catalysts but as donors providing additional electrons under illumination. • The electrochemical and optical properties of the PbS QDs were enhanced considerably after Mn 2+ doping. • The electron supply from the counter electrode was significantly activated by Mn 2+ doping, improving the performance of QDSSC. - Abstract: This study reports the enhanced catalytic ability of Mn-doped PbS QDs synthesized using a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). Electrochemical and optical analysis of each material showed that the catalytic ability of the PbS electrode was improved significantly by Mn 2+ doping. Two factors can explain this behavior. The first is that intentional impurities have an impact on the structure of the host material, such as increases in surface roughness. The other is that dopants create new energy states that delay the exciton recombination time and allow charge separation to be activated. As a result, the photoelectron supply from the counter electrode is accelerated, resulting in vigorous redox reactions at the polysulfide electrolyte. The performance of the CdS/CdSe QDSSC using a Mn-doped PbS counter electrode was compared with those using the Pt and PbS counter electrodes. Finally, a power conversion efficiency of 3.61% was achieved with the Mn-doped PbS counter electrode (V OC = 0.61 V, J SC = 11.67 mA cm −2 , FF = 0.51) under one sun illumination (100 mW cm −2 ), which is ∼40% higher than that of CdS/CdSe QDSSCs with the bare PbS counter electrode

The use of carbon black-TiO2 composite prepared using solid state method as counter electrode and E. conferta as sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications

Science.gov (United States)

Jaafar, Hidayani; Ahmad, Zainal Arifin; Ain, Mohd Fadzil

2018-05-01

In this paper, counter electrodes based on carbon black (CB)-TiO2 composite are proposed as a cost-effective alternative to conventional Pt counter electrodes used in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications. CB-TiO2 composite counter electrodes with different weight percentages of CB were prepared using the solid state method and coated onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass using doctor blade method while Eleiodoxa conferta (E. conferta) and Nb-doped TiO2 were used as sensitizer and photoanode, respectively, with electrolyte containing I-/I-3 redox couple. The experimental results revealed that the CB-TiO2 composite influenced the photovoltaic performance by enhancing the electrocatalytic activity. As the amount of CB increased, the catalytic activity improved due to the increase in surface area which then led to low charge-transfer resistance (RCT) at the electrolyte/CB electrode interface. Due to the use of the modified photoanode together with natural dye sensitizers, the counter electrode based on 15 wt% CB-TiO2 composite was able to produce the highest energy conversion efficiency (2.5%) making it a viable alternative counter electrode.

NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite catalyst as a counter electrode for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Raissan Al-bahrani, Majid; Liu, Linfeng; Ahmad, Waqar; Tao, Jiayou; Tu, Fanfan; Cheng, Ze; Gao, Yihua

2015-03-01

In this paper, we fabricated nickel oxide nanofilament/multiwall carbon nanotubes (NiO-NF/MWCNT) nanocomposite by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method as a counter- electrode (CE) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated the formation of NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite. The electro-chemical properties of NiO-NF/MWCNT CE are studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In particular, current-voltage measurements indicated superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.63% of the NiO-NF/MWCNT CE compared to 6.72% for the platinum (Pt). The superior photovoltaic performance and low cost of the NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite can be potentially exploited as a new counter-electrode in DSSCs.

Investigation of Electrochemically Deposited and Chemically Reduced Platinum Nanostructured Thin Films as Counter Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chih-Hung Tsai

2018-02-01

Full Text Available In this paper, we demonstrated that platinum (Pt counter electrodes (CEs fabricated using electrochemical deposition and chemical reduction can replace conventional high-temperature thermally decomposed Pt electrodes. In this study, Pt electrodes were fabricated using thermal decomposition, electrochemical deposition, and chemical reduction, and the influence of the different Pt counter electrodes on the efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs was analyzed. The properties of the various Pt CEs were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM, surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS, and cyclic voltammetry (CV. DSSCs with various Pt CEs were characterized using current density-voltage (J-V, incident photo-current conversion efficiency (IPCE, and EIS measurements. The results show that the power conversion efficiencies of these three types of DSSC devices were between 7.43% and 7.72%. The DSSCs based on the Pt electrode fabricated through electrochemical deposition exhibited the optimal power conversion efficiency. Because the processes of electrochemical deposition and chemical reduction do not require high-temperature sintering, these two methods are suitable for the fabrication of Pt on flexible plastic substrates.

Transparent nickel selenide used as counter electrode in high efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jia, Jinbiao; Wu, Jihuai, E-mail: jhwu@hqu.edu.cn; Tu, Yongguang; Huo, Jinghao; Zheng, Min; Lin, Jianming

2015-08-15

Highlights: • A transparent Ni{sub 0.85}Se is prepared by a facile solvothermal reaction. • Ni{sub 0.85}Se electrode has better electrocatalytic activity than Pt electrode. • DSSC with Ni{sub 0.85}Se electrode obtains efficiency of 8.88%, higher than DSSC with Pt. • DSSC with Ni{sub 0.85}Se/mirror electrode achieves an efficiency of 10.19%. - Abstract: A transparent nickel selenide (Ni{sub 0.85}Se) is prepared by a facile solvothermal reaction and used as an efficient Pt-free counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Field emission scanning electron microscopy observes that the as-prepared Ni{sub 0.85}Se possesses porous structure. Cyclic voltammogram measurement indicates that Ni{sub 0.85}Se electrode has larger current density than Pt electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that the Ni{sub 0.85}Se electrode has lower charge-transfer resistance than Pt electrode. Under simulated solar light irradiation with intensity of 100 mW cm{sup −2} (AM 1.5), the DSSC based on the Ni{sub 0.85}Se CE achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.88%, which is higher than the solar cell based on Pt CE (8.13%). Based on the transparency of Ni{sub 0.85}Se, the DSSC with Ni{sub 0.85}Se/mirror achieves a PCE of 10.19%.

A high mobility C60 field-effect transistor with an ultrathin pentacene passivation layer and bathophenanthroline/metal bilayer electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhou Jian-Lin; Yu Jun-Sheng; Yu Xin-Ge; Cai Xin-Yang

2012-01-01

C 60 field-effect transistor (OFET) with a mobility as high as 5.17 cm 2 /V·s is fabricated. In our experiment, an ultrathin pentacene passivation layer on poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) insulator and a bathophenanthroline (Bphen)/Ag bilayer electrode are prepared. The OFET shows a significant enhancement of electron mobility compared with the corresponding device with a single PMMA insultor and an Ag electrode. By analysing the C 60 film with atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques, it is shown that the pentacene passivation layer can contribute to C 60 film growth with the large grain size and significantly improve crystallinity. Moreover, the Bphen buffer layer can reduce the electron contact barrier from Ag electrodes to C 60 film efficiently. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)

Platinum/polyaniline transparent counter electrodes for quasi-solid dye-sensitized solar cells with electrospun PVDF-HFP/TiO2 membrane electrolyte

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Peng, Shengjie; Li, Linlin; Tan, Huiteng; Srinivasan, Madhavi; Mhaisalkar, Subodh G.; Ramakrishna, Seeram; Yan, Qingyu

2013-01-01

Composite films of platinum and polyaniline (Pt/PANI) with different Pt loadings are prepared by chemical reduction and then a spin-coating process on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. The obtained Pt/PANI transparent counter electrodes are applied in quasi-solid dye-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) from front and rear light illuminations, using electrospun poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/TiO 2 (PVDF-HFP/TiO 2 ) as the electrolyte. The analytical results show that the 1.8-nm sized Pt nanoparticles are distributed uniformly in the Pt/PANI film when the Pt loading is 1.5 μg cm −2 . Electrocatalytic activity of the Pt/PANI electrode with 1.5 μg cm −2 Pt loading for the I 3 − /I − redox reaction is higher than the conventional sputtered Pt electrode. Furthermore, the mean optical transmittance of the Pt/PANI electrodes is above 60% in the wavelength of 400–800 nm. The optimal QDSC composed of Pt/PANI with 1.5 μg cm −2 Pt loading exhibits power conversion efficiencies of 6.34% and 3.85%, when measured using an AM1.5G solar simulator at 100 mW cm −2 under front and rear light illuminations. The efficiencies are both higher than those of the QDSCs employing the conventional sputtered Pt counter electrode with 8.3 μg cm −2 Pt loading. Moreover, the QDSC exhibits superior long-term stability. These promising results make the potential application of Pt/PANI films as cost-effective, transparent counter electrodes

Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction deposited kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoflakes counter electrodes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mali, Sawanta S.; Shim, Chang Su; Hong, Chang Kook

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 nanoflakes by SILAR technique. • Hydrothermal synthesis of TiO 2 . • Counter electrode for DSSC application. • 4.48% conversion efficiency. - Abstract: In this investigation, we have successfully synthesized Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) nanoflakes by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method and used as a counter electrode in the hydrothermally grown TiO 2 based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The prepared CZTS nanoflakes were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), micro Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive analysis. Our DSSCs results revealed that, compared with conventional Pt/FTO counter electrode DSSCs, nanoflakes of p-type CZTS as the photocathode and n-type TiO 2 thin films as the photoanode shows an increased short circuit current (13.35 mA/cm 2 ) with 4.84% power conversion efficiency. The detailed interface properties of were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements

Comparison of dye solar cell counter electrodes based on different carbon nanostructures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aitola, Kerttu; Halme, Janne; Halonen, Niina; Kaskela, Antti; Toivola, Minna; Nasibulin, Albert G.; Kordas, Krisztian; Toth, Geza; Kauppinen, Esko I.; Lund, Peter D.

2011-01-01

Three characteristically different carbon nanomaterials were compared and analyzed as platinum-free counter electrodes for dye solar cells: 1) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) random network films on glass, 2) aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forest films on Inconel steel and quartz, and 3) pressed carbon nanoparticle composite films on indium tin oxide-polyethylene terephtalate plastic. Results from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electron microscopy were discussed in terms of the catalytic activity, conductivity, thickness, transparency and flexibility of the electrode films. The SWCNT films showed reasonable catalytic performance at similar series resistance compared to platinized fluorine doped tin oxide-coated glass. The MWCNTs had similar catalytic activity, but the electrochemical performance of the films was limited by their high porosity. Carbon nanoparticle films had the lowest charge transfer resistance resulting from a combination of high catalytic activity and dense packing of the material.

Comparison of dye solar cell counter electrodes based on different carbon nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aitola, Kerttu, E-mail: kerttu.aitola@aalto.fi [Aalto University, Department of Applied Physics, P.O. Box 15100, 00076 Aalto (Finland); Halme, Janne [Aalto University, Department of Applied Physics, P.O. Box 15100, 00076 Aalto (Finland); Halonen, Niina [Microelectronics and Materials Physics Laboratories, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014 University of Oulu (Finland); Kaskela, Antti; Toivola, Minna; Nasibulin, Albert G. [Aalto University, Department of Applied Physics, P.O. Box 15100, 00076 Aalto (Finland); Kordas, Krisztian; Toth, Geza [Microelectronics and Materials Physics Laboratories, Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4500, FI-90014 University of Oulu (Finland); Kauppinen, Esko I. [Aalto University, Department of Applied Physics, P.O. Box 15100, 00076 Aalto (Finland); VTT Biotechnology, P.O. Box 1000, 02044 VTT (Finland); Lund, Peter D. [Aalto University, Department of Applied Physics, P.O. Box 15100, 00076 Aalto (Finland)

2011-09-01

Three characteristically different carbon nanomaterials were compared and analyzed as platinum-free counter electrodes for dye solar cells: 1) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) random network films on glass, 2) aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forest films on Inconel steel and quartz, and 3) pressed carbon nanoparticle composite films on indium tin oxide-polyethylene terephtalate plastic. Results from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electron microscopy were discussed in terms of the catalytic activity, conductivity, thickness, transparency and flexibility of the electrode films. The SWCNT films showed reasonable catalytic performance at similar series resistance compared to platinized fluorine doped tin oxide-coated glass. The MWCNTs had similar catalytic activity, but the electrochemical performance of the films was limited by their high porosity. Carbon nanoparticle films had the lowest charge transfer resistance resulting from a combination of high catalytic activity and dense packing of the material.

Laser synthesized super-hydrophobic conducting carbon with broccoli-type morphology as a counter-electrode for dye sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Gokhale, Rohan; Agarkar, Shruti; Debgupta, Joyashish; Shinde, Deodatta; Lefez, Benoit; Banerjee, Abhik; Jog, Jyoti; More, Mahendra; Hannoyer, Beatrice; Ogale, Satishchandra

2012-10-01

A laser photochemical process is introduced to realize superhydrophobic conducting carbon coatings with broccoli-type hierarchical morphology for use as a metal-free counter electrode in a dye sensitized solar cell. The process involves pulsed excimer laser irradiation of a thin layer of liquid haloaromatic organic solvent o-dichlorobenzene (DCB). The coating reflects a carbon nanoparticle-self assembled and process-controlled morphology that yields solar to electric power conversion efficiency of 5.1% as opposed to 6.2% obtained with the conventional Pt-based electrode.A laser photochemical process is introduced to realize superhydrophobic conducting carbon coatings with broccoli-type hierarchical morphology for use as a metal-free counter electrode in a dye sensitized solar cell. The process involves pulsed excimer laser irradiation of a thin layer of liquid haloaromatic organic solvent o-dichlorobenzene (DCB). The coating reflects a carbon nanoparticle-self assembled and process-controlled morphology that yields solar to electric power conversion efficiency of 5.1% as opposed to 6.2% obtained with the conventional Pt-based electrode. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Materials and equipment details, solar cell fabrication protocol, electrolyte spreading time measurement details, XPS spectra, electronic study, film adhesion test detailed analysis and field emission results. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr32082g

N-Doped graphene/PEDOT composite films as counter electrodes in DSSCs: Unveiling the mechanism of electrocatalytic activity enhancement

Science.gov (United States)

Paterakis, Georgios; Raptis, Dimitrios; Ploumistos, Alexandros; Belekoukia, Meltiani; Sygellou, Lamprini; Ramasamy, Madeshwaran Sekkarapatti; Lianos, Panagiotis; Tasis, Dimitrios

2017-11-01

A composite film was obtained by layer deposition of N-doped graphene and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and was used as Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. N-doping of graphene was achieved by annealing mixtures of graphene oxide with urea. Various parameters concerning the treatment of graphene oxide-urea mixtures were monitored in order to optimize the electrocatalytic activity in the final solar cell device. These include the mass ratio of components, the annealing temperature, the starting concentration of the mixture in aqueous solution and the spinning rate for film formation. PEDOT was applied by electrodeposition. The homogeneity of PEDOT coverage onto either untreated or thermally annealed graphene oxide-urea film was assessed by imaging (AFM/SEM) and surface techniques (XPS). It was found that PEDOT was deposited in the form of island structures onto untreated graphene oxide-urea film. On the contrary, the annealed film was homogeneously covered by the polymer, acquiring morphology of decreased roughness. An apparent chemical interaction between PEDOT and N-doped graphene flakes was revealed by XPS data, involving potential grafting of PEDOT chains onto graphitic lattice through Csbnd C bonding. In addition, diffusion of nitrogen-containing fragments within the PEDOT layer was found to take place during electrodeposition process, resulting in enhanced interfacial interactions between components. The solar cell with the optimized N-doped graphene/PEDOT composite counter electrode exhibited a power conversion efficiency (η) of 7.1%, comparable within experimental error to that obtained by using a reference Pt counter electrode, which showed a value of 7.0%.

Electropolymerization of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and functionalized, multi-walled, carbon nanotubes counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells and characterization of its performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang Jun, E-mail: zhangjundoc@sina.co [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 235 West University Road, Hohhot 010021 (China); Li Xiaoxue [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 235 West University Road, Hohhot 010021 (China); Guo Wei [College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 235 West University Road, Hohhot 010021 (China); Hreid Tubshin [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 235 West University Road, Hohhot 010021 (China); Hou Jinfeng [Test Center, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, 49 Aimin Street, Xincheng District, Hohhot 010051 (China); Su Haiquan [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, 235 West University Road, Hohhot 010021 (China); Yuan Zhuobin [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19(A) Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049 (China)

2011-03-30

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Research highlights: PEDOT-MWCNT and PEDOT as the counter electrodes of DSSCs. The counter electrodes fabricated by a electropolymerization method. PEDOT-MWCNT films were more porous than PEDOT films. The energy conversion efficiency with PEDOT-MWCNT was 13.0% higher than with PEDOT. - Abstract: Composite films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and functionalized, multi-walled, carbon nanotubes (PEDOT-MWCNT) were fabricated by a simple oxidative electropolymerization method. These films were formed on fluorine-doped, tin oxide, glass substrates as counter electrodes (CEs) of platinum-free, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The surface morphology, formation mechanism and electrochemical nature of PEDOT-MWCNT films were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy. The SEM and AFM images showed that PEDOT-MWCNT films were more porous than PEDOT films. CV and AC impedance spectroscopy revealed that the PEDOT-MWCNT electrode had higher electrocatalytic activity for the I{sub 3}{sup -}/I{sup -} redox reaction and a smaller charge transfer resistance than the PEDOT electrodes. The energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC with a PEDOT-MWCNT CE was 13.0% higher than with a PEDOT CE using the same conditions with a ruthenium sensitizer.

Electropolymerization of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and functionalized, multi-walled, carbon nanotubes counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells and characterization of its performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Jun; Li Xiaoxue; Guo Wei; Hreid Tubshin; Hou Jinfeng; Su Haiquan; Yuan Zhuobin

2011-01-01

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Research highlights: → PEDOT-MWCNT and PEDOT as the counter electrodes of DSSCs. → The counter electrodes fabricated by a electropolymerization method. → PEDOT-MWCNT films were more porous than PEDOT films. → The energy conversion efficiency with PEDOT-MWCNT was 13.0% higher than with PEDOT. - Abstract: Composite films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and functionalized, multi-walled, carbon nanotubes (PEDOT-MWCNT) were fabricated by a simple oxidative electropolymerization method. These films were formed on fluorine-doped, tin oxide, glass substrates as counter electrodes (CEs) of platinum-free, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The surface morphology, formation mechanism and electrochemical nature of PEDOT-MWCNT films were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy. The SEM and AFM images showed that PEDOT-MWCNT films were more porous than PEDOT films. CV and AC impedance spectroscopy revealed that the PEDOT-MWCNT electrode had higher electrocatalytic activity for the I 3 - /I - redox reaction and a smaller charge transfer resistance than the PEDOT electrodes. The energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC with a PEDOT-MWCNT CE was 13.0% higher than with a PEDOT CE using the same conditions with a ruthenium sensitizer.

Novel tandem structure employing mesh-structured Cu2S counter electrode for enhanced performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang, Yue-Yong; Zhang, Quan-Xin; Wang, Tian-Zi; Zhu, Li-Feng; Huang, Xiao-Ming; Zhang, Yi-Duo; Hu, Xing; Li, Dong-Mei; Luo, Yan-Hong; Meng, Qing-Bo

2013-01-01

Highlights: ► This is the first report on practical tandem structures for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). ► Mesh-structured Cu 2 S counter electrode exhibits high catalytic activity and good transmittance. ► Influence of photoanode thickness on tandem QDSCs has been systematically studied. ► Tandem QDSCs shows higher photocurrent and efficiency as against the single-photoanode cell. ► This structure can achieve higher efficiency with different QD sensitizers for complementary spectral responses. -- Abstract: A practical tandem structure with a semitransparent mesh-structured Cu 2 S counter electrode sandwiched between two TiO 2 photoelectrodes has been designed for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). The mesh-structured Cu 2 S counter electrode exhibits high catalytic activity for polysulfide electrolyte. CdS/CdSe quantum dot-sensitized TiO 2 films have been applied as both top and bottom photoelectrodes to testify the effectiveness of the tandem structure. The influence of the TiO 2 film thickness on the performance of the tandem cell has been systematically studied. The optimized tandem QDSC shows an improved photocurrent and 12-percent increase of efficiency over the top cell with a 4.7 μm thick top cell and an 11.0 μm thick bottom cell, presenting a new effective approach towards highly efficient QDSCs

TiN-conductive carbon black composite as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, G.R.; Wang, F.; Song, J.; Xiong, F.Y.; Gao, X.P.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► The TiN nanoparticles are highly dispersed on conductive carbon black matrix (CCB). ► The well dispersion of TiN nanoparticles can improve electrochemical performance. ► The TiN/CCB shows a high photovoltaic performance with high conversion efficiency. - Abstract: TiN-conductive carbon black (CCB)/Ti electrodes are prepared by the nitridation of TiO 2 –CCB mixtures filmed on metallic Ti substrate in ammonia atmosphere. It is demonstrated from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that TiN nanoparticles are highly dispersed on the CCB matrix in the composites. TiN–CCB/Ti electrodes show outstanding electrochemical performances as compared to individual TiN/Ti and CCB/Ti electrodes. In particular, the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using TiN–CCB (1:1, mass ratio)/Ti electrode presents an energy conversion efficiency of 7.92%, which is higher than that (6.59%) of the device using Pt/FTO (fluorine doped tin oxide) electrode measured under the same test conditions. Based on the analysis of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), the enhancements for the electrochemical and photochemical performance of TiN–CCB/Ti electrodes are attributed to the fact that the dispersed TiN nanoparticles in the CCB matrix provide an improved electrocatalytic activity and a facilitated diffusion for triiodine ions. This work shows a facile approach to develop metal nitrides–carbon composites as counter electrodes for DSSCs. High energy conversion efficiency and low lost will make the composites have significant potential for replacing the conventional Pt/FTO electrodes in DSSCs.

Synthesis of hemin functionalized graphene and its application as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xu Chunhui; Li Jing; Wang Xianbao; Wang Jingchao; Wan Li; Li Yuanyao; Zhang Min; Shang Xiaopeng; Yang Yingkui

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Hemin functionalized reduced graphene oxide (hemin–RGO) materials were synthesized by microwave irradiation. ► Hemin–RGO exhibits a homogeneous dispersion in water, dimethylformamide, and acetone. ► Hemin–RGO was used as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells and exhibited preferable electrocatalytic activity. - Abstract: This work reports a facile and rapid method assisted by microwave irradiation for the synthesis of hemin functionalized reduced graphene oxide (hemin–RGO) materials. Our investigation confirmed that the hemin molecules were covalently grafted to the surface of graphene by the amidation reaction of the -NH 2 groups on the edges of ethylenediamine functionalized graphene oxide with the -COOH groups of hemin. Hemin–RGO exhibits a homogeneous dispersion in water, dimethylformamide, and acetone after more than one month, indicating that hemin can effectively improve the dispersion and solubility of RGO in the solvent. Hemin–RGO was used as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells and exhibited preferable electrocatalytic activity for I 3 − to I − reduction compared with RGO.

Synthesis of hemin functionalized graphene and its application as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xu Chunhui; Li Jing [Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Wang Xianbao, E-mail: wangxb68@yahoo.com.cn [Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Ministry-of-Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China); Wang Jingchao; Wan Li; Li Yuanyao; Zhang Min; Shang Xiaopeng; Yang Yingkui [Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062 (China)

2012-02-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hemin functionalized reduced graphene oxide (hemin-RGO) materials were synthesized by microwave irradiation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hemin-RGO exhibits a homogeneous dispersion in water, dimethylformamide, and acetone. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Hemin-RGO was used as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells and exhibited preferable electrocatalytic activity. - Abstract: This work reports a facile and rapid method assisted by microwave irradiation for the synthesis of hemin functionalized reduced graphene oxide (hemin-RGO) materials. Our investigation confirmed that the hemin molecules were covalently grafted to the surface of graphene by the amidation reaction of the -NH{sub 2} groups on the edges of ethylenediamine functionalized graphene oxide with the -COOH groups of hemin. Hemin-RGO exhibits a homogeneous dispersion in water, dimethylformamide, and acetone after more than one month, indicating that hemin can effectively improve the dispersion and solubility of RGO in the solvent. Hemin-RGO was used as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells and exhibited preferable electrocatalytic activity for I{sub 3}{sup -} to I{sup -} reduction compared with RGO.

Enhancement of the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell with multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole composite counter electrodes prepared by electrophoresis/electrochemical polymerization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luo, Jun; Niu, Hai-jun; Wen, Hai-lin; Wu, Wen-jun; Zhao, Ping; Wang, Cheng; Bai, Xu-duo; Wang, Wen

2013-01-01

Graphical abstract: The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PPy CE reached 3.78%. Compared with a reference DSSC using single MWCNT film CE with efficiency of 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency was increased by 41.04%. Highlights: ► MWCNT/PPy composite film prepared by electrodeposition layer by layer was used as counter electrode in DSSC. ► The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC was 3.78% by employing the composite film. ► The energy conversion efficiency increased by 41.04% compared with efficiency of 2.68% by using the single MWCNT film. ► We analyzed the mechanism and influence factor of electron transfer in the composite electrode by EIS. - Abstract: For the purpose of replacing the precious Pt counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with higher energy conversion efficiency, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypyrrole (PPy) double layers film counter electrode (CE) was fabricated by electrophoresis and cyclic voltammetry (CV) layer by layer. Atom force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) demonstrated the morphologies of the composite electrode and Raman spectroscopy verified the PPy had come into being. The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PPy CE reached 3.78%. Compared with a reference DSSC using single MWCNT film CE with efficiency of 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency was increased by 41.04%. The result of impedance showed that the charge transfer resistance R ct of the MWCNT/PPy CE had the lowest value compared to that of MWCNT or PPy electrode. These results indicate that the composite film with high conductivity, high active surface area, and good catalytic properties for I 3 − reduction can potentially be used as the CE in a high-performance DSSC

Enhancement of the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell with multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole composite counter electrodes prepared by electrophoresis/electrochemical polymerization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Luo, Jun; Niu, Hai-jun; Wen, Hai-lin [Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry (Heilongjiang University), Ministry of Education, Department of Macromolecular Material and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150086 (China); Wu, Wen-jun; Zhao, Ping [Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237 (China); Wang, Cheng; Bai, Xu-duo [Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry (Heilongjiang University), Ministry of Education, Department of Macromolecular Material and Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150086 (China); Wang, Wen, E-mail: haijunniu@hotmail.com [School of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150080 (China)

2013-03-15

Graphical abstract: The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PPy CE reached 3.78%. Compared with a reference DSSC using single MWCNT film CE with efficiency of 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency was increased by 41.04%. Highlights: ► MWCNT/PPy composite film prepared by electrodeposition layer by layer was used as counter electrode in DSSC. ► The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC was 3.78% by employing the composite film. ► The energy conversion efficiency increased by 41.04% compared with efficiency of 2.68% by using the single MWCNT film. ► We analyzed the mechanism and influence factor of electron transfer in the composite electrode by EIS. - Abstract: For the purpose of replacing the precious Pt counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with higher energy conversion efficiency, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypyrrole (PPy) double layers film counter electrode (CE) was fabricated by electrophoresis and cyclic voltammetry (CV) layer by layer. Atom force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) demonstrated the morphologies of the composite electrode and Raman spectroscopy verified the PPy had come into being. The overall energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC employing the MWCNT/PPy CE reached 3.78%. Compared with a reference DSSC using single MWCNT film CE with efficiency of 2.68%, the energy conversion efficiency was increased by 41.04%. The result of impedance showed that the charge transfer resistance R{sub ct} of the MWCNT/PPy CE had the lowest value compared to that of MWCNT or PPy electrode. These results indicate that the composite film with high conductivity, high active surface area, and good catalytic properties for I{sub 3}{sup −} reduction can potentially be used as the CE in a high-performance DSSC.

Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction deposited kesterite Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoflakes counter electrodes for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mali, Sawanta S.; Shim, Chang Su; Hong, Chang Kook, E-mail: hongck@chonnam.ac.kr

2014-11-15

Highlights: • Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} nanoflakes by SILAR technique. • Hydrothermal synthesis of TiO{sub 2}. • Counter electrode for DSSC application. • 4.48% conversion efficiency. - Abstract: In this investigation, we have successfully synthesized Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) nanoflakes by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method and used as a counter electrode in the hydrothermally grown TiO{sub 2} based dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The prepared CZTS nanoflakes were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), micro Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive analysis. Our DSSCs results revealed that, compared with conventional Pt/FTO counter electrode DSSCs, nanoflakes of p-type CZTS as the photocathode and n-type TiO{sub 2} thin films as the photoanode shows an increased short circuit current (13.35 mA/cm{sup 2}) with 4.84% power conversion efficiency. The detailed interface properties of were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/reduced graphene oxide composites as counter electrodes for high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Ma, Jinfu; Yuan, Shenghua; Yang, Shaolin; Lu, Hui; Li, Yingtao

2018-05-01

A facile, low cost, easy-controllable method to prepare Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites by electrochemical deposition onto fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) as counter electrodes (CEs) in high performance dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is reported. The electro-deposition process was accomplished by electro-polymerization of graphene oxide (GO)/PEDOT composites onto FTO substrates followed by electrochemical reduction of the GO component. Electrochemical measurements show that the I-/I3- catalytic activity of the as-prepared PEDOT/rGO CE is improved compared with that of the pure PEDOT and PEDOT/GO electrode. Through the analysis of photoelectric properties, the performance of the electrodes fabricated with different polymerization times are compared, and the optimal preparation condition is determined. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSSC assembled with PEDOT/rGO electrode reaches 7.79%, close to 8.33% of the cell with Platinum (Pt) electrode, and increases by 13.2% compared with 6.88% of the device with the PEDOT electrode.

Performance of Natural Dye and Counter Electrode from Robusta Coffee Beans Peel Waste for Fabrication of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)

Science.gov (United States)

Setiawan, T.; Subekti, W. Y.; Nur'Adya, S. S.; Ilmiah, K.; Ulfa, S. M.

2018-01-01

The DSSC prototype using activated carbon (AC) and natural dye from Robusta coffee bean peels have been investigated. The natural dye obtained from the extraction of Robusta coffee bean peels is identified as anthocyanin by UV-Vis spectrophotometer at maximum wavelength 219.5 nm and 720.0 nm in methanol. From the FT-IR analysis, the vibration of O-H observed at 3385 cm-1, C=O at 1618 cm-1, and C-O-C at 1065 cm-1. The counter electrode prepared by calcined the peels at 300°C. Surface analyser of AC showed the larger surface area compared prior activation. The DSSC prototype was prepared using FTO glass (2x2 cm) coated with carbon paste in various thickness. The working electrode is coated with the TiO2 paste. The optimum voltage measured was 395mV (300 μL of CA), 334 mV (200 μL AC), and 254 mV (100 μL AC). From this result, we understand that the thickness of counter electrode influent the voltage of the DSSC.

A hybrid nanostructure of platinum-nanoparticles/graphitic-nanofibers as a three-dimensional counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Hsieh, Chien-Kuo; Tsai, Ming-Chi; Su, Ching-Yuan; Wei, Sung-Yen; Yen, Ming-Yu; Ma, Chen-Chi M; Chen, Fu-Rong; Tsai, Chuen-Horng

2011-11-07

We directly synthesized a platinum-nanoparticles/graphitic-nanofibers (PtNPs/GNFs) hybrid nanostructure on FTO glass. We applied this structure as a three-dimensional counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and investigated the cells' photoconversion performance. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Pulsed voltage deposited lead selenide thin film as efficient counter electrode for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jin, Bin Bin [Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062 (China); Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Industry, Shaanxi Institute of Technology, Xi’an 710300 (China); Wang, Ye Feng [Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062 (China); Wang, Xue Qing [Faculty of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024 (China); Zeng, Jing Hui, E-mail: jhzeng@ustc.edu [Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062 (China)

2016-04-30

Highlights: • PbSe thin film is deposited on FTO glass by a pulse voltage electrodeposition method. • The thin film is used as counter electrode (CE) in quantum dot-sensitized solar cell. • Superior electrocatalytic activity and stability in the polysulfide electrolyte is received. • The narrow band gap characteristics and p-type conductivity enhances the cell efficiency. • An efficiency of 4.67% is received for the CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cells. - Abstract: Lead selenide (PbSe) thin films were deposited on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass by a facile one-step pulse voltage electrodeposition method, and used as counter electrode (CE) in CdS/CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). A power conversion efficiency of 4.67% is received for the CdS/CdSe co-sensitized solar cells, which is much better than that of 2.39% received using Pt CEs. The enhanced performance is attributed to the extended absorption in the near infrared region, superior electrocatalytic activity and p-type conductivity with a reflection of the incident light at the back electrode in addition. The physical and chemical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), reflectance spectra, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization measurements. The present work provides a facile pathway to an efficient CE in the QDSSCs.

NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite catalyst as a counter electrode for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raissan Al-bahrani, Majid; Liu, Linfeng; Ahmad, Waqar; Tao, Jiayou; Tu, Fanfan; Cheng, Ze; Gao, Yihua

2015-01-01

Highlights: • High-performance NiO-NF/MWCNT CE was incorporated in a Pt-CE in DSSCs. • NiO-NF/MWCNT CE exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.63%. • NiO-NF/MWCNT composite has a high catalytic activity for the reduction of I 3 − . • NiO-NF/MWCNT composite has a low R ct on the electrolyte/CE interface. - Abstract: In this paper, we fabricated nickel oxide nanofilament/multiwall carbon nanotubes (NiO-NF/MWCNT) nanocomposite by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method as a counter- electrode (CE) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated the formation of NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite. The electro-chemical properties of NiO-NF/MWCNT CE are studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In particular, current-voltage measurements indicated superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.63% of the NiO-NF/MWCNT CE compared to 6.72% for the platinum (Pt). The superior photovoltaic performance and low cost of the NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite can be potentially exploited as a new counter-electrode in DSSCs

Fabrication of reduced graphene oxide/macrocyclic cobalt complex nanocomposites as counter electrodes for Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Tsai, Chih-Hung; Shih, Chun-Jyun; Wang, Wun-Shiuan; Chi, Wen-Feng; Huang, Wei-Chih; Hu, Yu-Chung; Yu, Yuan-Hsiang

2018-03-01

In this study, macrocyclic Co complexes were successfully grafted onto graphene oxide (GO) to produce GO/Co nanocomposites with a large surface area, high electrical conductivity, and excellent catalytic properties. The novel GO/Co nanocomposites were applied as counter electrodes for Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Various ratios of macrocyclic Co complexes were used as the reductant to react with the GO, with which the surface functional groups of the GO were reduced and the macrocyclic ligand of the Co complexes underwent oxidative dehydrogenation, after which the conjugated macrocyclic Co systems were grafted onto the surface of the reduced GO to form GO/Co nanocomposites. The surface morphology, material structure, and composition of the GO/Co composites and their influences on the power-conversion efficiency of DSSC devices were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that the GO/Co (1:10) counter electrode (CE) exhibited an optimal power conversion efficiency of 7.48%, which was higher than that of the Pt CE. The GO/Co (1:10) CE exhibited superior electric conductivity, catalytic capacity, and redox capacity. Because GO/Co (1:10) CEs are more efficient and cheaper than Pt CEs, they could potentially be used as a replacement for Pt electrodes.

Dye-sensitized solar cell with energy storage function through PVDF/ZnO nanocomposite counter electrode.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Xi; Huang, Xuezhen; Li, Chensha; Jiang, Hongrui

2013-08-14

Dye-sensitized solar cells with an energy storage function are demonstrated by modifying its counter electrode with a poly (vinylidene fluoride)/ZnO nanowire array composite. This simplex device could still function as an ordinary solar cell with a steady photocurrent output even after being fully charged. An energy storage density of 2.14 C g(-1) is achieved, while simultaneously a 3.70% photo-to-electric conversion efficiency is maintained. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Needle counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fujita, Yuzo

1977-01-01

Needle counter had been devised by Geiger about 60 years ago before the present GM counter appeared. It is suitable for the detection of weak radiation because it is limited in effective volume, if the background due to mainly cosmic ray is proportional to the effective volume of the counter. Recently the very low β detector having a needle counter as the main detector has been developed. It showed highly excellent performance in the measurements of small area samples, about ten times sensitive as compared with other detectors. The counter is installed in the very low radiation measuring well at Nokogiriyama, Chiba Prefecture, using a NaI scintillator as its guard counter. D. H. Wilkinson first treated a gas amplification counter theoretically and quantitatively. The authors have obtained good results in the comparison with the experiments of the counter using a generalized form of Wilkinson theory. The findings obtained through this study seem to be applicable to the electrode arrangement which is important for the counter design. It was found that the excellent rise time of induced pulses in a gas amplification counter was achieved in larger amplification factor and smaller convolution effect. In the detection of charged particles with small obstructing capability such as γ ray, faster rise time and higher pulses can be obtained with needle counters than wire counters. (Wakatsuki, Y.)

Electrochemical pulsed deposition of platinum nanoparticles on indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate as a flexible counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wei, Yu-Hsuan; Chen, Chih-Sheng; Ma, Chen-Chi M.; Tsai, Chuen-Horng; Hsieh, Chien-Kuo

2014-01-01

In this study, a pulsed-mode electrochemical deposition (Pulse-ECD) technique was employed to deposit platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on the indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) substrate as a flexible counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The characteristic properties of the Pulse-ECD PtNPs were prepared and compared to the traditional (electron beam) Pt film. The surface morphologies of the PtNPs were examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and the atomic force microscope (AFM). The FE-SEM results showed that our PtNPs were deposited uniformly on the ITO/PET flexible substrates via the Pulse-ECD technique. The AFM results indicated that the surface roughness of the pulsed PtNPs influenced the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of DSSCs, due to the high specific surface area of PtNPs which enhanced the catalytic activities for the reduction (I 3 − to I − ) of redox electrolyte. In combination with a N719 dye-sensitized TiO 2 working electrode and an iodine-based electrolyte, the DSSCs with the PtNPs flexible counter electrode showed a PCE of 4.3% under the illumination of AM 1.5 (100 mW cm −2 ). The results demonstrated that the Pulse-ECD PtNPs are good candidate for flexible DSSCs. - Highlights: • We used indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate as a flexible substrate. • We utilized pulse electrochemical deposition to deposit platinum nanoparticles. • We synthesized a flexible counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). • The power conversion efficiency of DSSC was measured to be 4.3%

Self-folding graphene-polymer bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Deng, Tao [Institute of Microelectronics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States); Yoon, ChangKyu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States); Jin, Qianru [Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States); Li, Mingen [Department of Physics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States); Liu, Zewen [Institute of Microelectronics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Gracias, David H., E-mail: dgracias@jhu.edu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States); Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (United States)

2015-05-18

In order to incorporate the extraordinary intrinsic thermal, electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of graphene with three dimensional (3D) flexible substrates, we introduce a solvent-driven self-folding approach using graphene-polymer bilayers. A polymer (SU-8) film was spin coated atop chemically vapor deposited graphene films on wafer substrates and graphene-polymer bilayers were patterned with or without metal electrodes using photolithography, thin film deposition, and etching. After patterning, the bilayers were released from the substrates and they self-folded to form fully integrated, curved, and folded structures. In contrast to planar graphene sensors on rigid substrates, we assembled curved and folded sensors that are flexible and they feature smaller form factors due to their 3D geometry and large surface areas due to their multiple rolled architectures. We believe that this approach could be used to assemble a range of high performance 3D electronic and optical devices of relevance to sensing, diagnostics, wearables, and energy harvesting.

Nb/NiCu bilayers in single and stacked superconductive tunnel junctions: preliminary results

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pepe, G.P.; Ruotolo, A.; Parlato, L.; Peluso, G.; Ausanio, G.; Carapella, G.; Latempa, R.

2004-01-01

We present preliminary experimental results concerning both single and stacked tunnel junctions in which one of the electrodes was formed by a superconductor/ferromagnet (S/F) bi-layer. In particular, in the stacked configuration a Nb/NiCu bi-layer was used as the intermediate electrode, and it was probed by tunneling on both sides. Tunnel junctions have been characterized in terms of current-voltage characteristics (IVC), and differential conductance. Preliminary steady-state injection-detection measurements performed in the stacked devices at T=4.2 K are also presented and discussed

TiN nanoparticles on CNT-graphene hybrid support as noble-metal-free counter electrode for quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Youn, Duck Hyun; Seol, Minsu; Kim, Jae Young; Jang, Ji-Wook; Choi, Youngwoo; Yong, Kijung; Lee, Jae Sung

2013-02-01

The development of an efficient noble-metal-free counter electrode is crucial for possible applications of quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). Herein, we present TiN nanoparticles on a carbon nanotube (CNT)-graphene hybrid support as a noble-metal-free counter electrode for QDSSCs employing a polysulfide electrolyte. The resulting TiN/CNT-graphene possesses an extremely high surface roughness, a good metal-support interaction, and less aggregation relative to unsupported TiN; it also has superior solar power conversion efficiency (4.13 %) when applying a metal mask, which is much higher than that of the state-of-the-art Au electrode (3.35 %). Based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, the enhancement is ascribed to a synergistic effect between TiN nanoparticles and the CNT-graphene hybrid, the roles of which are to provide active sites for the reduction of polysulfide ions and electron pathways to TiN nanoparticles, respectively. The combination of graphene and CNTs leads to a favorable morphology that prevents stacking of graphene or bundling of CNTs, which maximizes the contact of the support with TiN nanoparticles and improves electron-transfer capability relative to either carbon material alone. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

High performance dye-sensitized solar cell based on hydrothermally deposited multiwall carbon nanotube counter electrode

Science.gov (United States)

Siriroj, Sumeth; Pimanpang, Samuk; Towannang, Madsakorn; Maiaugree, Wasan; Phumying, Santi; Jarernboon, Wirat; Amornkitbamrung, Vittaya

2012-06-01

Conductive glass was coated with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by a hydrothermal method. MWCNTs films were subsequently used as dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) counter electrodes. The performance of hydrothermal MWCNT DSSC was ˜2.37%. After film annealing in an Ar atmosphere, annealed-hydrothermal MWCNT (AHT-CNT) DSSC efficiency was significantly increased to ˜7.66%, in comparison to ˜8.01% for sputtered-Pt DSSC. Improvement of AHT-CNT DSSC performance is attributed to a decrease in charge-transfer resistance from 1500 Ω to 30 Ω as observed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite catalyst as a counter electrode for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Raissan Al-bahrani, Majid [Center for Nanoscale Characterization & Devices (CNCD), Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO)-School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology - HUST, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China); Faculty of Science, Thi-Qar University, Nassiriya (Iraq); Liu, Linfeng [Michael Grätzel Center for Mesoscopic Solar Cells, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan 430074 (China); Ahmad, Waqar; Tao, Jiayou; Tu, Fanfan [Center for Nanoscale Characterization & Devices (CNCD), Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO)-School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology - HUST, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China); Cheng, Ze [School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China); Gao, Yihua, E-mail: gaoyihua@hust.edu.cn [Center for Nanoscale Characterization & Devices (CNCD), Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO)-School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology - HUST, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China)

2015-03-15

Highlights: • High-performance NiO-NF/MWCNT CE was incorporated in a Pt-CE in DSSCs. • NiO-NF/MWCNT CE exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.63%. • NiO-NF/MWCNT composite has a high catalytic activity for the reduction of I{sub 3}{sup −}. • NiO-NF/MWCNT composite has a low R{sub ct} on the electrolyte/CE interface. - Abstract: In this paper, we fabricated nickel oxide nanofilament/multiwall carbon nanotubes (NiO-NF/MWCNT) nanocomposite by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method as a counter- electrode (CE) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicated the formation of NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite. The electro-chemical properties of NiO-NF/MWCNT CE are studied by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In particular, current-voltage measurements indicated superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.63% of the NiO-NF/MWCNT CE compared to 6.72% for the platinum (Pt). The superior photovoltaic performance and low cost of the NiO-NF/MWCNT nanocomposite can be potentially exploited as a new counter-electrode in DSSCs.

In situ synthesis of oriented NiS nanotube arrays on FTO as high-performance counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Yan, E-mail: liyan-nwnu@163.com [Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070 (China); Chang, Yin [Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070 (China); Zhao, Yun [Laboratory of Clean Energy Chemistry and Materials, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000 (China); Wang, Jian; Wang, Cheng-wei [Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070 (China)

2016-09-15

Oriented nickel sulfide (NiS) nanotube arrays were successfully in-situ fabricated on conductive glass substrate and used directly as counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells without any post-processing. Compared with Pt counter electrode, for the beneficial effect of electronic transport along the axial direction through the arrays to the substrate, oriented NiS nanotube arrays exhibit both higher electrocatalytic activity for I{sub 3}{sup −} reduction and better electrochemical stability, resulting in a significantly improved power conversion efficiency of 9.8%. Such in-situ grown oriented sulfide semiconductor nanotube arrays is expected to lead a new class structure of composites for highly efficient cathode materials. - Highlights: • In-situ synthesis strategy was proposed to construct oriented NiS nanotube arrays. • Such oriented tube nanostructure benefits the electronic transport along the axial direction of the arrays. • As CE of DSSCs, NiS nanotube arrays exhibit both higher efficiency (9.8%) and electrochemical stability than Pt.

An Efficient Metal-Free Hydrophilic Carbon as a Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mojgan Kouhnavard

2016-01-01

Full Text Available This study presents a new cost-effective metal-free counter electrode (CE for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs. CE was prepared by doctor blading a hydrophilic carbon (HC particle on a fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate. Thereafter, HC CE was characterized using X-ray diffraction, profilometry, four-point probe testing, and cyclic voltammetry. A 2 µm thick HC CE revealed a comparable catalytic activity to that of the Pt electrode under the same experimental conditions. DSSC based on HC CE was analyzed and showed Jsc of 6.87 mA/cm2 close to that of DSSC with Pt CE (7.0 mA/cm2. More importantly, DSSC based on HC CE yielded a power conversion efficiency (η of 2.93% under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW/cm2, which was comparable to that of DSSC based on standard Pt CE. These findings suggest that HC CE could be a promising CE for low-cost DSSCs.

Formation of nanotubes in poly (vinylidene fluoride): Application as solid polymer electrolyte in DSC fabricated using carbon counter electrode

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Muthuraaman, B. [Department of Energy, University of Madras, Guindy campus, Chennai 600025 (India); Maruthamuthu, P., E-mail: pmaruthu@yahoo.com [Department of Energy, University of Madras, Guindy campus, Chennai 600025 (India)

2011-09-01

Highlights: > Incorporation of a {pi}-electron donor compound as dopant in poly(vinylidene fluoride) along with redox couple (I{sup -}/I{sub 3}{sup -}) which forms brush like nanotubes. > Investigations about the use of conducting carbon coated FTO as a durable counter electrode and its effects in DSC. > High charge separation and the channelized flow of electrons in the nanotubes in electrolyte favors stable performance. - Abstract: In the present work, we report the incorporation of 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) along with the redox couple (I{sup -}/I{sub 3}{sup -}). When ABTS, a {pi}-electron donor, is used to dope PVDF, the polymer composite forms brush-like nanotubes and has been successfully used as a solid polymer electrolyte in dye-sensitized solar cells. Under the given conditions, the electrolyte composition forms nanotubes while it is doped with ABTS, a {pi}-electron donor. With this new electrolyte, a dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated using N3 dye adsorbed over TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles as the photoanode and conducting carbon cement coated FTO as counter electrode.

Dye sensitized solar cell based on platinum decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes as catalytic layer on the counter electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mathew, Ambily; Rao, G. Mohan; Munichandraiah, N.

2011-01-01

Graphical abstract: I-V characteristics of the DSSCs with Pt CE and Pt/MWCNT CE measured at 100 mW/cm 2 . It shows relatively better performance with Pt/MWCNT counter electrodes. Highlights: → Synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis. → Synthesis of Pt/MWCNT composite by chemical reduction. → Fabrication DSSC using Pt/MWCNT as catalytic layer on the counter electrode. → Study of catalytic activity by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. -- Abstract: In this study we have employed multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), decorated with platinum as catalytic layer for the reduction of tri-iodide ions in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). MWCNTs have been prepared by a simple one step pyrolysis method using ferrocene as the catalyst and xylene as the carbon source. Platinum decorated MWCNTs have been prepared by chemical reduction method. The as prepared MWCNTs and Pt/MWCNTs have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In combination with a dye adsorbed TiO 2 photoanode and an organic liquid electrolyte, Pt/MWCNT composite showed an enhanced short circuit current density of 16.12 mA/cm 2 leading to a cell efficiency of 6.50% which is comparable to that of Platinum.

Dye sensitized solar cell based on platinum decorated multiwall carbon nanotubes as catalytic layer on the counter electrode

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mathew, Ambily [Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 India (India); Rao, G. Mohan, E-mail: gmrao@isu.iisc.ernet.in [Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 India (India); Munichandraiah, N. [Department of Inorgonic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 India (India)

2011-11-15

Graphical abstract: I-V characteristics of the DSSCs with Pt CE and Pt/MWCNT CE measured at 100 mW/cm{sup 2}. It shows relatively better performance with Pt/MWCNT counter electrodes. Highlights: {yields} Synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis. {yields} Synthesis of Pt/MWCNT composite by chemical reduction. {yields} Fabrication DSSC using Pt/MWCNT as catalytic layer on the counter electrode. {yields} Study of catalytic activity by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. -- Abstract: In this study we have employed multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), decorated with platinum as catalytic layer for the reduction of tri-iodide ions in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). MWCNTs have been prepared by a simple one step pyrolysis method using ferrocene as the catalyst and xylene as the carbon source. Platinum decorated MWCNTs have been prepared by chemical reduction method. The as prepared MWCNTs and Pt/MWCNTs have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In combination with a dye adsorbed TiO{sub 2} photoanode and an organic liquid electrolyte, Pt/MWCNT composite showed an enhanced short circuit current density of 16.12 mA/cm{sup 2} leading to a cell efficiency of 6.50% which is comparable to that of Platinum.

Performance Enhancement of Small Molecular Solar Cells by Bilayer Cathode Buffer.

Science.gov (United States)

Sun, Qinjun; Zhao, Huanbin; Zhou, Miao; Gao, Liyan; Hao, Yuying

2016-04-01

An effective composite bilayer cathode buffer structure is proposed for use in small molecular solar cells. CsF was doped in Alq3 to form the first cathode buffer, leading to small serial resistances. BCP was used as the second cathode buffer to block the holes to the electrode. The optimized bilayer cathode buffer significantly increased the short circuit and fill factor of devices. By integrating this bilayer cathode buffer, the CuPc/C60 small molecular heterojunction cell exhibited a power conversion efficiency of up to 0.8%, which was an improvement of 56% compared to a device with only the Alq3 cathode buffer. Meanwhile, the bilayer cathode buffer still has a good protective effect on the performance of the device.

Active counter electrode in a-SiC electrochemical metallization memory

Science.gov (United States)

Morgan, K. A.; Fan, J.; Huang, R.; Zhong, L.; Gowers, R.; Ou, J. Y.; Jiang, L.; De Groot, C. H.

2017-08-01

Cu/amorphous-SiC (a-SiC) electrochemical metallization memory cells have been fabricated with two different counter electrode (CE) materials, W and Au, in order to investigate the role of CEs in a non-oxide semiconductor switching matrix. In a positive bipolar regime with Cu filaments forming and rupturing, the CE influences the OFF state resistance and minimum current compliance. Nevertheless, a similarity in SET kinetics is seen for both CEs, which differs from previously published SiO2 memories, confirming that CE effects are dependent on the switching layer material or type. Both a-SiC memories are able to switch in the negative bipolar regime, indicating Au and W filaments. This confirms that CEs can play an active role in a non-oxide semiconducting switching matrix, such as a-SiC. By comparing both Au and W CEs, this work shows that W is superior in terms of a higher R OFF/R ON ratio, along with the ability to switch at lower current compliances making it a favourable material for future low energy applications. With its CMOS compatibility, a-SiC/W is an excellent choice for future resistive memory applications.

Ultrafast lithium diffusion in bilayer graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Kühne, Matthias; Paolucci, Federico; Popovic, Jelena; Ostrovsky, Pavel M.; Maier, Joachim; Smet, Jurgen H.

2017-09-01

Solids that simultaneously conduct electrons and ions are key elements for the mass transfer and storage required in battery electrodes. Single-phase materials with a high electronic and high ionic conductivity at room temperature are hard to come by, and therefore multiphase systems with separate ion and electron channels have been put forward instead. Here we report on bilayer graphene as a single-phase mixed conductor that demonstrates Li diffusion faster than in graphite and even surpassing the diffusion of sodium chloride in liquid water. To measure Li diffusion, we have developed an on-chip electrochemical cell architecture in which the redox reaction that forces Li intercalation is localized only at a protrusion of the device so that the graphene bilayer remains unperturbed from the electrolyte during operation. We performed time-dependent Hall measurements across spatially displaced Hall probes to monitor the in-plane Li diffusion kinetics within the graphene bilayer and measured a diffusion coefficient as high as 7 × 10-5 cm2 s-1.

Nitrogen-Doped Graphene/Platinum Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

KAUST Repository

Lin, Chinan

2014-12-17

Nitrogen-doped graphene (NGR) was utilized in dye-sensitized solar cells for energy harvesting. NGR on a Pt-sputtered fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate (NGR/Pt/FTO) as counter electrodes (CEs) achieves the high efficiency of 9.38% via the nitrogen doping into graphene. This is due to (i) the hole-cascading transport at the interface of electrolyte/CEs via controlling the valence band maximum of NGR located between the redox potential of the I-/I- redox couple and the Fermi level of Pt by nitrogen doping, (ii) the extended electron transfer surface effect provided by large-surface-area NGR, (iii) the high charge transfer efficiency due to superior catalytic characteristics of NGR via nitrogen doping, and (iv) the superior light-reflection effect of NGR/Pt/FTO CEs, facilitating the electron transfer from CEs to I3 - ions of the electrolyte and light absorption of dye. The result demonstrated that the NGR/Pt hybrid structure is promising in the catalysis field. (Chemical Presented). © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Electrochemical behavior of LiCoO2 as aqueous lithium-ion battery electrodes

KAUST Repository

Ruffo, Riccardo; Wessells, Colin; Huggins, Robert A.; Cui, Yi

2009-01-01

.e., as the counter electrode. A commercial reference electrode is also present. Both the working and the counter electrodes have been prepared as thin layers on a metallic substrate using the procedures typical for the study of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

NiS(NPs)-PEDOT-PSS composite counter electrode for a high efficiency dye sensitized solar cell

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maiaugree, Wasan [Integrated Nanotechnology Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002 (Thailand); Center for Alternative Energy Research and Development, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002 (Thailand); Pimparue, Pachara; Jarernboon, Wirat [Integrated Nanotechnology Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002 (Thailand); Pimanpang, Samuk [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok 10110 (Thailand); Amornkitbamrung, Vittaya [Integrated Nanotechnology Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002 (Thailand); Swatsitang, Ekaphan, E-mail: ekaphan@kku.ac.th [Integrated Nanotechnology Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002 (Thailand); Center for Alternative Energy Research and Development, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002 (Thailand)

2017-06-15

Graphical abstract: Figure(a) and (b) represent models depict PEDOT-PSS counter electrodes of DSSC without and with NiS NPs modification, respectively. The active surface area of PEDOT-PSS polymer can be improved by combining with NiS(NPs). The I-V curves in figure (c) show the superior photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 8.18% for NiS(NPs)/PEDOT-PSS DSSC. - Highlights: • Active surface area of PEDOT-PSS CE can be improved by mixing with NiS(NPs). • Electrocatalytic activity of mixed NiS(NPs)/PEDOT-PSS polymer is also improved. • NiS(NPs)/PEDOT-PSS CE shows a very low charge transfer resistance of 0.46 Ω. • In this work, the high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 8.18% is achieved. - Abstract: Nickel sulfide (NiS) nanoparticles (NPs) (NiS(NPs)) were prepared by the hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicate the hexagonal structure of NiS(NPs). SEM micrographs reveal the agglomeration of irregular hexagonal – shaped NiS(NPs) with estimated particle size in the range of 50–150 nm. Counter electrodes (CEs) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were prepared by coating the composite slurry of different NiS(NPs) loadings and Poly (3, 4-Ethylendioxythiophene) – Poly (Styrene Sulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) on fluoride-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates using a doctor blading technique. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) results indicate that the composites of NiS(NPs) and PEDOT-PSS (NiS(NPs)/PEDOT-PSS) films could function as a catalyst for I{sub 3}{sup −} reduction with a maximum cell efficiency of 8.18% for a cell of 0.3 g NiS(NPs) loading.

Theoretical investigations of metallic surfaces for water chemistry; Theoretische Untersuchungen metallischer Oberflaechen fuer die Wasserstoffchemie

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schnur, Sebastian

2010-11-19

Properties of the metal-water interface have been addressed by periodic density functional theory calculations, in particular with respect to the electronic and geometric structures of water bilayers on several transition metal surfaces. The structure and the vibrational spectra of water bilayers at room temperatures have been studied performing ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. In order to model varying electrode potentials, an explicite counter electrode has been implemented in a periodic density functional theory code, and first preliminary results using this implementation will be presented. (orig.)

Layer-by-layer self-assembled multilayer films composed of graphene/polyaniline bilayers: high-energy electrode materials for supercapacitors.

Science.gov (United States)

Sarker, Ashis K; Hong, Jong-Dal

2012-08-28

Multilayer assemblies of uniform ultrathin film electrodes with good electrical conductivity and very large surface areas were prepared for use as electrochemical capacitors. A layer-by-layer self-assembly approach was employed in an effort to improve the processability of highly conducting polyaniline (PANi) and chemically modified graphene. The electrochemical properties of the multilayer film (MF-) electrodes, including the sheet resistance, volumetric capacitance, and charge/discharge ratio, were determined by the morphological modification and the method used to reduce the graphene oxide (GO) to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in the multilayer films. The PANi and GO concentrations could be modulated to control the morphology of the GO monolayer film in the multilayer assemblies. Optical ellipsometry was used to determine the thickness of the GO film in a single layer (1.32 nm), which agreed well with the literature value (~1.3 nm). Hydroiodic acid (HI), hydrazine, or pyrolysis were tested for the reduction of GO to RGO. HI was found to be the most efficient technique for reducing the GO to RGO in the multilayer assemblies while minimizing damage to the virgin state of the acid-doped PANi. Ultimately, the MF-electrode, which could be optimized by fine-tuning the nanostructure and selecting a suitable reduction method, exhibited an excellent volumetric capacitance, good cycling stability, and a rapid charge/discharge rate, which are required for supercapacitors. A MF-electrode composed of 15 PANi/RGO bilayers yielded a volumetric capacitance of 584 F/cm(3) at a current density of 3.0 A/cm(3). Although this value decreased exponentially as the current density increased, approaching a value of 170 F/cm(3) at 100 A/cm(3), this volumetric capacitance is one of the best yet reported for the other carbon-based materials. The intriguing features of the MF-electrodes composed of PANi/RGO multilayer films offer a new microdimensional design for high energy storage devices

In situ preparation of NiS2/CoS2 composite electrocatalytic materials on conductive glass substrates with electronic modulation for high-performance counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Faxin; Wang, Jiali; Zheng, Li; Zhao, Yaqiang; Huang, Niu; Sun, Panpan; Fang, Liang; Wang, Lei; Sun, Xiaohua

2018-04-01

The electrocatalytic composite materials of honeycomb structure NiS2 nanosheets loaded with metallic CoS2 nanoparticles are in situ prepared on F doped SnO2 conductive glass (FTO) substrates used as counter electrodes of DSSCs through chemical bath deposition (CBD) and sulfidizing process. Single crystalline NiS2 honeycomb structure array lay a foundation for the large surface area of NiS2/CoS2 composite CEs. The formed NiS2/CoS2 nanointerface modulates electronic structure of composite CEs from the synergetic interactions between CoS2 nanoparticles and NiS2 nanosheets, which dramatically improves the electrocatalytic activity of NiS2/CoS2 composite CEs; Metallic CoS2 nanoparticles covering NiS2 nanosheets electrodes adjusts the electrodes' structure and then reduces the series resistance (Rs) and the Nernst diffusion resistance (Zw) of counter electrodes. The improvement of these areas greatly enhances the electrocatalytic performance of CEs and the short circuit current density (Jsc) and Fill factor (FF) of DSSCs. Impressively, the DSSC based on NiS2/CoS2-0.1 CE shows the best photovoltaic performance with photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 8.22%, which is 24.36% higher than that (6.61%) of the DSSC with Pt CE. And the NiS2/CoS2-0.1 CE also displays a good stability in the iodine based electrolyte. This work indicates that rational construction of composite electrocatalytic materials paves an avenue for high-performance counter electrodes of DSSCs.

Synthesis and characterization of DSSC by using Pt nano-counter electrode: photosensor applications

Science.gov (United States)

Yahia, I. S.; AlFaify, S.; Al-ghamdi, Attieh A.; Hafez, Hoda S.; EL-Bashir, S.; Al-Bassam, A.; El-Naggar, A. M.; Yakuphanoglu, F.

2016-06-01

Pt electrode prepared by chemical method has been employed as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell. TiO2 nanomaterial was deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate to be used as photoanode. Structure of the TiO2 and Pt films was investigated by atomic force microscope. The effect of illumination intensity on the photovoltaic parameters such as open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, output power, fill factor and efficiency of these cells was investigated in the range 2.5-130 mW/cm-2. The cell efficiency is stable above 70 mW/cm2. The fill factor is almost constant all over the studied range of illumination intensity. Impedance spectroscopy of the studied device as the summary measurements of the capacitance-voltage, conductance-voltage and series resistance-voltage characteristics were investigated in a wide range of frequencies (5 kHz-1 MHz). At low frequencies, the capacitance has positive values with peak around the origin due to the interfaces. At 200 and 300 kHz, the capacitance is inverted to negative with further increasing of the positive biasing voltage. Above 400 kHz, C-V profile shows complete negative behavior. Also, the impedance-voltage and phase-voltage characteristics were investigated. This cell shows a new promising device for photosensor applications due to high sensitivity in low and high illuminations.

Analysis of Al2O3—parylene C bilayer coatings and impact of microelectrode topography on long term stability of implantable neural arrays

Science.gov (United States)

Caldwell, Ryan; Mandal, Himadri; Sharma, Rohit; Solzbacher, Florian; Tathireddy, Prashant; Rieth, Loren

2017-08-01

Objective. Performance of many dielectric coatings for neural electrodes degrades over time, contributing to loss of neural signals and evoked percepts. Studies using planar test substrates have found that a novel bilayer coating of atomic-layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 and parylene C is a promising candidate for neural electrode applications, exhibiting superior stability to parylene C alone. However, initial results from bilayer encapsulation testing on non-planar devices have been less positive. Our aim was to evaluate ALD Al2O3-parylene C coatings using novel test paradigms, to rigorously evaluate dielectric coatings for neural electrode applications by incorporating neural electrode topography into test structure design. Approach. Five test devices incorporated three distinct topographical features common to neural electrodes, derived from the utah electrode array (UEA). Devices with bilayer (52 nm Al2O3  +  6 µm parylene C) were evaluated against parylene C controls (N  ⩾  6 per device type). Devices were aged in phosphate buffered saline at 67 °C for up to 311 d, and monitored through: (1) leakage current to evaluate encapsulation lifetimes (>1 nA during 5VDC bias indicated failure), and (2) wideband (1-105 Hz) impedance. Main results. Mean-times-to-failure (MTTFs) ranged from 12 to 506 d for bilayer-coated devices, versus 10 to  >2310 d for controls. Statistical testing (log-rank test, α  =  0.05) of failure rates gave mixed results but favored the control condition. After failure, impedance loss for bilayer devices continued for months and manifested across the entire spectrum, whereas the effect was self-limiting after several days, and restricted to frequencies  physiological fluids may improve performance. Testing frameworks which take neural electrode complexities into account will be well suited to reliably evaluate such encapsulation schemes.

Preparation of Platinum (Pt) Counter Electrode Coated by Electrochemical Technique at High Temperature for Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Application

Science.gov (United States)

Ponken, Tanachai; Tagsin, Kamonlapron; Suwannakhun, Chuleerat; Luecha, Jakkrit; Choawunklang, Wijit

2017-09-01

Pt counter electrode was coated by electrochemical method. Electrolyte solution was synthesized by platinum (IV) choloride (PtCl4) powder dissolved in hydrochloric acid solution. Pt films were deposited on the FTO substrate. Deposition time of 10, 30 and 60 minutes, the coating current of 5, 10, 15 and 20 mA and electrolyte solution temperatures for Pt layer synthesis of 25, 30 and 40°C were varied. Surface morphology and optical properties was analyzed by digital microscopic and UV-vis spectrophotometer. Pt films exhibit uniform surface area highly for all the conditions of coating current in the deposition time of 30 and 40 minutes at 40°C. Transmittance values of Pt films deposited on FTO substrate has approximately of 5 to 50 % show that occur high reflection corresponding to dye molecule absorption increases. DSSC device was fabricated from the TiO2 standard and immersed in dye N719 for 24 hours. Efficiency was measured by solar simulator. Efficiency value obtains as high as 5.91 % for the coating current, deposition time and solution temperature of 15 mA, 30 minutes and 40°C. Summary, influence of temperature effects efficiency increasing. Pt counter electrode can be prepared easily and the suitable usefully for DSSC.

Reliable reference electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

KAUST Repository

La Mantia, F.

2013-06-01

Despite the high attention drawn to the lithium-ion batteries by the scientific and industrial community, most of the electrochemical characterization is carried out using poor reference electrodes or even no reference electrode. In this case, the performances of the active material are inaccurate, especially at high current densities. In this work we show the error committed in neglecting the polarizability of lithium counter electrodes, and we propose two reference electrodes to use in organic electrolytes based on lithium salts, namely Li4Ti5O12 and LiFePO 4. In particular, it was observed that, the polarizability of the metallic lithium counter electrode has a relevant stochastic component, which renders measurements at high current densities (above 1 mA·cm - 2) in two electrode cells non reproducible.

N-Doped graphene nanoplatelets as superior metal-free counter electrodes for organic dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Ju, Myung Jong; Kim, Jae Cheon; Choi, Hyun-Jung; Choi, In Taek; Kim, Sang Gyun; Lim, Kimin; Ko, Jaejung; Lee, Jae-Joon; Jeon, In-Yup; Baek, Jong-Beom; Kim, Hwan Kyu

2013-06-25

Highly efficient counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were developed using thin films of scalable and high-quality, nitrogen-doped graphene nanoplatelets (NGnP), which was synthesized by a simple two-step reaction sequence. The resultant NGnP was deposited on fluorine-doped SnO2 (FTO)/glass substrates by using electrospray (e-spray) coating, and their electrocatalytic activities were systematically evaluated for Co(bpy)3(3+/2+) redox couple in DSSCs with an organic sensitizer. The e-sprayed NGnP thin films exhibited outstanding performances as CEs for DSSCs. The optimized NGnP electrode showed better electrochemical stability under prolonged cycling potential, and its Rct at the interface of the CE/electrolyte decreased down to 1.73 Ω cm(2), a value much lower than that of the Pt electrode (3.15 Ω cm(2)). The DSSC with the optimized NGnP-CE had a higher fill factor (FF, 74.2%) and a cell efficiency (9.05%), whereas those of the DSSC using Pt-CE were only 70.6% and 8.43%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the extraordinarily better current-voltage characteristics of the DSSC-NGnP outperforming the DSSC-Pt for the Co(bpy)3(3+/2+) redox couple (in paticular, FF and short circuit current, Jsc) is highlighted for the first time.

Low-temperature self-assembled vertically aligned carbon nanofibers as counter-electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mahpeykar, S M; Tabatabaei, M K; Ghafoori-fard, H; Habibiyan, H; Koohsorkhi, J

2013-01-01

Low-temperature AC–DC PECVD is employed for direct growth of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) on ordinary transparent conductive glass as counter-electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on utilization of VACNFs grown directly on ordinary FTO-coated glass as a cost-effective catalyst material in DSSCs. According to the FESEM images, the as-grown arrays are well aligned and dense, and offer uniform coverage on the surface of the substrate. In-plane and out-of-plane conductivity measurements reveal their good electrical conductivity, and Raman spectroscopy suggests a high number of electrocatalytic active sites, favoring charge transport at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Hybrid VACNF/Pt electrodes are also fabricated for performance comparison with Pt and VACNF electrodes. X-ray diffraction results verify the crystallization of Pt in hybrid electrodes and further confirm the vertical alignment of carbon nanofibers. Electrochemical characterization indicates that VACNFs provide both high catalytic and good charge transfer capability, which can be attributed to their high surface area, defect-rich and one-dimensional structure, vertical alignment and low contact resistance. As a result, VACNF cells can achieve a comparable performance (∼5.6%) to that of the reference Pt cells (∼6.5%). Moreover, by combination of the excellent charge transport and catalytic ability of VACNFs and the high conductivity of Pt nanoparticles, hybrid VACNF/Pt cells can deliver a performance superior to that of the Pt cells (∼7.2%), despite having a much smaller amount of Pt loading, which raises hopes for low-cost large-scale production of DSSCs in the future. (paper)

Reference and counter electrode positions affect electrochemical characterization of bioanodes in different bioelectrochemical systems

KAUST Repository

Zhang, Fang

2014-06-16

The placement of the reference electrode (RE) in various bioelectrochemical systems is often varied to accommodate different reactor configurations. While the effect of the RE placement is well understood from a strictly electrochemistry perspective, there are impacts on exoelectrogenic biofilms in engineered systems that have not been adequately addressed. Varying distances between the working electrode (WE) and the RE, or the RE and the counter electrode (CE) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can alter bioanode characteristics. With well-spaced anode and cathode distances in an MFC, increasing the distance between the RE and anode (WE) altered bioanode cyclic voltammograms (CVs) due to the uncompensated ohmic drop. Electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) also changed with RE distances, resulting in a calculated increase in anode resistance that varied between 17 and 31Ω (-0.2V). While WE potentials could be corrected with ohmic drop compensation during the CV tests, they could not be automatically corrected by the potentiostat in the EIS tests. The electrochemical characteristics of bioanodes were altered by their acclimation to different anode potentials that resulted from varying the distance between the RE and the CE (cathode). These differences were true changes in biofilm characteristics because the CVs were electrochemically independent of conditions resulting from changing CE to RE distances. Placing the RE outside of the current path enabled accurate bioanode characterization using CVs and EIS due to negligible ohmic resistances (0.4Ω). It is therefore concluded for bioelectrochemical systems that when possible, the RE should be placed outside the current path and near the WE, as this will result in more accurate representation of bioanode characteristics. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Preparation, electrochemical characterization and charge-discharge of reticulated vitreous carbon/polyaniline composite electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dalmolin, Carla; Biaggio, Sonia R.; Rocha-Filho, Romeu C.; Bocchi, Nerilso

2009-01-01

Polyaniline was electrodeposited onto reticulated vitreous carbon - RVC - in order to obtain a tridimensional composite electrode. Three variations of these electrodes were analysed: a small-anion-doped polyaniline (RVC/Pani), a polyanion-doped polyaniline (RVC/PaniPSS) and a bi-layer type formed by an inner layer of the first electrode and an outer layer of the second one (RVC/Pani/PaniPSS). These composites were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, scanning electronic microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Photomicrographies, voltammetric profiles and impedance data pointed to different morphological and electrochemical characteristics for polyaniline doped with small or large anions, and a mixed behavior for the bi-layer electrodes. Charge-discharge tests for these tridimensional (3D) electrodes, employed as the cathode in lithium batteries, indicated better performance for the RVC/Pani electrode. These RVC composites presented higher specific capacities when compared with those obtained for Pani deposited onto bidimensional substrates.

Self-assembled bilayers based on organothiol and organotrimethoxysilane on zinc platform

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Berger, Francois; Delhalle, Joseph; Mekhalif, Zineb

2010-01-01

This study describes the formation of a bilayer system developed on electrodeposited zinc. In a first step, a monolayer of 11-mercapto-1-undecanol is grafted on zinc, optimization of the conditions of elaboration have been performed. In a second step, organotrimethoxysilane have been grafted on the zinc modified with the hydroxyl terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) to finalize the bilayer system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), polarization modulation-infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and contact angle measurements are used to characterize each step of modification. An electrochemical evaluation of the different created systems is carried out by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET). The impact of the modification of zinc using SAM and self-assembled bilayer (SAB) on the electrochemical activity of the surface is highlighted.

Highly sensitive and selective room-temperature NO_2 gas sensor based on bilayer transferred chemical vapor deposited graphene

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Seekaew, Yotsarayuth; Phokharatkul, Ditsayut; Wisitsoraat, Anurat; Wongchoosuk, Chatchawal

2017-01-01

Highlights: • Simple and low-cost fabrication of bilayer graphene gas sensor was presented. • Layer effects of graphene on NO_2 gas-sensing properties were investigated. • Bilayer graphene sensor exhibited a high linear NO_2 sensitivity of 1.409 ppm"−"1. • The NO_2-sensing mechanisms based on band diagram were highlighted. - Abstract: This work presents a highly sensitive room-temperature gas sensor based on bilayer graphene fabricated by an interfacial transfer of chemical vapor deposited graphene onto nickel interdigitated electrodes. Scanning electron microscopic and Raman spectroscopic characterizations confirm the presence of graphene on interdigitated nickel electrodes with varying numbers of graphene layers. The NO_2 detection performances of bilayer graphene gas sensor have been investigated in comparison with those of monolayer and multilayer graphene gas sensors at room temperature. From results, the bilayer graphene gas sensor exhibits higher response, sensitivity and selectivity to NO_2 than monolayer and multilayer graphene. The sensitivity of bilayer graphene gas sensor is 1.409 ppm"−"1 towards NO_2 over a concentration range of 1–25 ppm, which is more than twice higher than that of monolayer graphene. The NO_2-sensing mechanism of graphene sensing film has been explained based on the direct charge transfer process due to the adsorption of NO_2 molecules.

Interfacial characterization and supercapacitive properties of polyaniline-Gum arabic nanocomposite/graphene oxide LbL modified electrodes

Science.gov (United States)

Oliveira, Rafaela D.; Santos, Cleverson S.; Ferreira, Rodolfo T.; Marciniuk, Gustavo; Marchesi, Luís F.; Garcia, Jarem R.; Vidotti, Marcio; Pessoa, Christiana A.

2017-12-01

In this manuscript, we describe the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of polyaniline-gum arabic nanocomposites and graphene oxide (PANI-GA/GO) modified electrodes with a detailed study concerning their supercapacitive properties. The electrode modification was carried out by using the Layer-by-Layer technique (LbL), where the PANI-GA nanocomposite dispersion was used as polycation and the GO colloidal dispersion as polyanion. The bilayer growth was followed by both UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, and an increase in the characteristic PANI absorption and in the electrochemical signal was verified, confirming the electrode build up. Galvanostatic charge-discharge curves (GCDC) were performed to evaluate the supercapacitive properties of the modified electrodes, these results showed the dependence of the specific capacitance with the number of bilayers, where values of CS around 15 mF cm-2 (i = 0.1 mA cm-2) were found. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the pseudocapacitive properties of the modified electrodes, showing an increase in the low-frequency capacitance with the number of bilayers. Hereby the (PANI-GA/GO)-LbL electrodes were shown to be good candidates for active materials in supercapacitors.

Structure and dynamics of water and lipid molecules in charged anionic DMPG lipid bilayer membranes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rønnest, A. K.; Peters, G. H.; Hansen, F. Y.; Taub, H.; Miskowiec, A.

2016-01-01

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the influence of the valency of counter-ions on the structure of freestanding bilayer membranes of the anionic 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DMPG) lipid at 310 K and 1 atm. At this temperature, the membrane is in the fluid phase with a monovalent counter-ion and in the gel phase with a divalent counter-ion. The diffusion constant of water as a function of its depth in the membrane has been determined from mean-square-displacement calculations. Also, calculated incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering functions have been compared to experimental results and used to determine an average diffusion constant for all water molecules in the system. On extrapolating the diffusion constants inferred experimentally to a temperature of 310 K, reasonable agreement with the simulations is obtained. However, the experiments do not have the sensitivity to confirm the diffusion of a small component of water bound to the lipids as found in the simulations. In addition, the orientation of the dipole moment of the water molecules has been determined as a function of their depth in the membrane. Previous indirect estimates of the electrostatic potential within phospholipid membranes imply an enormous electric field of 10 8 –10 9 V m −1 , which is likely to have great significance in controlling the conformation of translocating membrane proteins and in the transfer of ions and molecules across the membrane. We have calculated the membrane potential for DMPG bilayers and found ∼1 V (∼2 ⋅ 10 8 V m −1 ) when in the fluid phase with a monovalent counter-ion and ∼1.4 V (∼2.8 ⋅ 10 8 V m −1 ) when in the gel phase with a divalent counter-ion. The number of water molecules for a fully hydrated DMPG membrane has been estimated to be 9.7 molecules per lipid in the gel phase and 17.5 molecules in the fluid phase, considerably smaller than inferred experimentally for 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3

Structure and dynamics of water and lipid molecules in charged anionic DMPG lipid bilayer membranes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rønnest, A. K.; Peters, G. H.; Hansen, F. Y., E-mail: flemming@kemi.dtu.dk [Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, IK 207 DTU, DK-2800 Lyngby (Denmark); Taub, H.; Miskowiec, A. [Department of Physics and Astronomy and the University of Missouri Research Reactor,University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211 (United States)

2016-04-14

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the influence of the valency of counter-ions on the structure of freestanding bilayer membranes of the anionic 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DMPG) lipid at 310 K and 1 atm. At this temperature, the membrane is in the fluid phase with a monovalent counter-ion and in the gel phase with a divalent counter-ion. The diffusion constant of water as a function of its depth in the membrane has been determined from mean-square-displacement calculations. Also, calculated incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering functions have been compared to experimental results and used to determine an average diffusion constant for all water molecules in the system. On extrapolating the diffusion constants inferred experimentally to a temperature of 310 K, reasonable agreement with the simulations is obtained. However, the experiments do not have the sensitivity to confirm the diffusion of a small component of water bound to the lipids as found in the simulations. In addition, the orientation of the dipole moment of the water molecules has been determined as a function of their depth in the membrane. Previous indirect estimates of the electrostatic potential within phospholipid membranes imply an enormous electric field of 10{sup 8}–10{sup 9} V m{sup −1}, which is likely to have great significance in controlling the conformation of translocating membrane proteins and in the transfer of ions and molecules across the membrane. We have calculated the membrane potential for DMPG bilayers and found ∼1 V (∼2 ⋅ 10{sup 8} V m{sup −1}) when in the fluid phase with a monovalent counter-ion and ∼1.4 V (∼2.8 ⋅ 10{sup 8} V m{sup −1}) when in the gel phase with a divalent counter-ion. The number of water molecules for a fully hydrated DMPG membrane has been estimated to be 9.7 molecules per lipid in the gel phase and 17.5 molecules in the fluid phase, considerably smaller than inferred experimentally for 1

Cu{sub 2−x}S films as counter-electrodes for dye solar cells with ferrocene-based liquid electrolytes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Congiu, M., E-mail: mirko.congiu@fc.unesp.br [UNESP, Univ. Estadual Paulista, POSMAT — Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais, Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube14-01, 17033-360 Bauru, SP (Brazil); Nunes-Neto, O. [UNESP, Univ. Estadual Paulista, POSMAT — Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais, Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube14-01, 17033-360 Bauru, SP (Brazil); De Marco, M.L.; Dini, D. [University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Department of Chemistry, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, RM (Italy); Graeff, C.F.O. [UNESP, Univ. Estadual Paulista, POSMAT — Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais, Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube14-01, 17033-360 Bauru, SP (Brazil); DC-FC, UNESP, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Av. Eng. Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube14-01, 17033-360 Bauru, SP (Brazil)

2016-08-01

In this work, the application of hexagonal CuS nanoparticle layers as counter electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells has been studied. A fast, cheap and reliable deposition method was proposed for the one-step preparation of Cu{sub 2−x}S layers on F-doped SnO{sub 2} within 30 min through an ink-based technique. The electrodes prepared with our method were tested with iodine/iodide electrolyte, Co(II)/(III) bipyridine redox shuttle and Fe(II)/(III) ferrocene-based liquid electrolyte. The Cu{sub 2−x}S layers showed high efficiency and stability with the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple, showing a fast charge recombination kinetic, low charge transfer resistance (R{sub ct} = 0.73 Ω cm{sup 2}), reasonably high limiting current (11.8 mA cm{sup −2}) and high stability in propylene carbonate. - Highlights: • We proposed a low-cost Cu{sub 2−x}S electrode for dye solar cells. • Easy deposition and processing • Suitable for large-area applications • Advantages and limitations of Cu{sub 2−x}S with three different redox electrolytes • High electro-catalytic efficiency and stability with the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple.

Preliminary study on zinc-air battery using zinc regeneration electrolysis with propanol oxidation as a counter electrode reaction

Science.gov (United States)

Wen, Yue-Hua; Cheng, Jie; Ning, Shang-Qi; Yang, Yu-Sheng

A zinc-air battery using zinc regeneration electrolysis with propanol oxidation as a counter electrode reaction is reported in this paper. It possesses functions of both zincate reduction and electrochemical preparation, showing the potential for increasing the electronic energy utilization. Charge/discharge tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs reveal that when a nickel sheet plated with the high-H 2-overpotential metal, cadmium, was used as the negative substrate electrode, the dendritic formation and hydrogen evolution are suppressed effectively, and granular zinc deposits become larger but relatively dense with the increase of charge time. The performance of batteries is favorable even if the charge time is as long as 5 h at the current density of 20 mA cm -2. Better discharge performance is achieved using a 'cavity-opening' configuration for the discharge cell rather than a 'gas-introducing' configuration. The highest energy efficiency is up to 59.2%. That is, the energy consumed by organic electro-synthesis can be recovered by 59.2%. Cyclic voltammograms show that the sintered nickel electrode exhibits a good electro-catalysis activity for the propanol oxidation. The increase of propanol concentration conduces to an enhancement in the organic electro-synthesis efficiency. The organic electro-synthesis current efficiency of 82% can be obtained.

Highly sensitive and selective room-temperature NO{sub 2} gas sensor based on bilayer transferred chemical vapor deposited graphene

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Seekaew, Yotsarayuth [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 (Thailand); Phokharatkul, Ditsayut; Wisitsoraat, Anurat [Nanoelectronics and MEMS Laboratory, National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 (Thailand); Wongchoosuk, Chatchawal, E-mail: chatchawal.w@ku.ac.th [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 (Thailand)

2017-05-15

Highlights: • Simple and low-cost fabrication of bilayer graphene gas sensor was presented. • Layer effects of graphene on NO{sub 2} gas-sensing properties were investigated. • Bilayer graphene sensor exhibited a high linear NO{sub 2} sensitivity of 1.409 ppm{sup −1}. • The NO{sub 2}-sensing mechanisms based on band diagram were highlighted. - Abstract: This work presents a highly sensitive room-temperature gas sensor based on bilayer graphene fabricated by an interfacial transfer of chemical vapor deposited graphene onto nickel interdigitated electrodes. Scanning electron microscopic and Raman spectroscopic characterizations confirm the presence of graphene on interdigitated nickel electrodes with varying numbers of graphene layers. The NO{sub 2} detection performances of bilayer graphene gas sensor have been investigated in comparison with those of monolayer and multilayer graphene gas sensors at room temperature. From results, the bilayer graphene gas sensor exhibits higher response, sensitivity and selectivity to NO{sub 2} than monolayer and multilayer graphene. The sensitivity of bilayer graphene gas sensor is 1.409 ppm{sup −1} towards NO{sub 2} over a concentration range of 1–25 ppm, which is more than twice higher than that of monolayer graphene. The NO{sub 2}-sensing mechanism of graphene sensing film has been explained based on the direct charge transfer process due to the adsorption of NO{sub 2} molecules.

Surfactant Effect in Polypyrrole and Polypyrrole with Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube Counter Electrodes: Improved Power Conversion Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell.

Science.gov (United States)

Thuy, Chau Thi Thanh; Park, Ji Young; Lee, Seung Woo; Suresh, Thogiti; Kim, Jae Hong

2016-05-01

In our present study, polypyrrole-1 (PPy1), polypyrrole-2 (PPy2), and polypyrrole-2/multi wall carbon nanotube composite film (PPy2/MWCNT) were proposed as counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to replace the precious Pt CE. These films were fabricated on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by using a facile electrochemical polymerization route, and served as CEs in DSSCs. It is shown that the introduction of anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), enhanced the catalytic activity, thus leading to an improvement in the performance of PPy2. Further, introduction of MWCNT resulted in increase in conversion efficiency of DSSCs with PPy2/MWCNT composite film. The Tafel and electrochemical impedance analysis revealed that the PPy2 and PPy2/MWCNT CEs prepared with anionic surfactant possessed more catalytic activity and lower charge transfer resistance in comparison with PPy1 -based CE. This resulted in a better conversion efficiency of 5.88% for PPy2/MWCNT-based DSSC under 1 sun condition, reaching 86% of the DSSC based on reference Pt counter electrode (6.86%). These results indicate that the composite film with high catalytic properties for I3- reduction can potentially be used as the CE in a high-performance DSSC.

Highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell with GNS/MWCNT/PANI as a counter electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Al-bahrani, Majid Raissan; Xu, Xiaobao; Ahmad, Waqar; Ren, Xiaoliang; Su, Jun; Cheng, Ze; Gao, Yihua

2014-01-01

Highlights: • High-performance PANI/MWCNT-CE was incorporated in a Pt-CE in DSSCs. • GNS/MWCNT/PANI-CE exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.52%. • GNS/MWCNT/PANI composite has a high catalytic activity for the reduction of I 3 − . • GNS/MWCNT/PANI composite has a low R CT on the electrolyte/CE interface. - Abstract: A graphene-based nanosheet composite/multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline (GNS/MWCNT/PANI) was synthesized via an in situ polymerization technique and applied by the spin-coating method as a counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The combination of the high catalytic activity of PANI and outstanding conductivity of GNS/MWCNT improved the photovoltaic performance of the hybrid CE. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the GNS/MWCNT/PANI composite has high catalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide to iodide and low charge-transfer resistance at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the GNS/MWCNT/PANI-CE has a rough and porous structure and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of PANI coating on the surface of the GNS/CNT. In particular, current–voltage measurements showed the superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.52% of the DSSC based on GNS/MWCNT/PANI-CE compared to the PCE of 6.69% of the DSSC based on Pt-CE

Highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cell with GNS/MWCNT/PANI as a counter electrode

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Al-bahrani, Majid Raissan [Center for Nanoscale Characterization and Devices (CNCD), Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO)-School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology - HUST, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China); Faculty of Science, Thi-Qar University, Nassiriya (Iraq); Xu, Xiaobao [Michael Grätzel Center for Mesoscopic Solar Cells, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, 430074 Wuhan (China); Ahmad, Waqar; Ren, Xiaoliang; Su, Jun [Center for Nanoscale Characterization and Devices (CNCD), Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO)-School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology - HUST, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China); Cheng, Ze [School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China); Gao, Yihua, E-mail: gaoyihua@hust.edu.cn [Center for Nanoscale Characterization and Devices (CNCD), Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO)-School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology - HUST, Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074 (China)

2014-11-15

Highlights: • High-performance PANI/MWCNT-CE was incorporated in a Pt-CE in DSSCs. • GNS/MWCNT/PANI-CE exhibits a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.52%. • GNS/MWCNT/PANI composite has a high catalytic activity for the reduction of I{sub 3}{sup −}. • GNS/MWCNT/PANI composite has a low R{sub CT} on the electrolyte/CE interface. - Abstract: A graphene-based nanosheet composite/multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline (GNS/MWCNT/PANI) was synthesized via an in situ polymerization technique and applied by the spin-coating method as a counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The combination of the high catalytic activity of PANI and outstanding conductivity of GNS/MWCNT improved the photovoltaic performance of the hybrid CE. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the GNS/MWCNT/PANI composite has high catalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide to iodide and low charge-transfer resistance at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the GNS/MWCNT/PANI-CE has a rough and porous structure and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of PANI coating on the surface of the GNS/CNT. In particular, current–voltage measurements showed the superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.52% of the DSSC based on GNS/MWCNT/PANI-CE compared to the PCE of 6.69% of the DSSC based on Pt-CE.

Development of a slip sensor using separable bilayer with Ecoflex-NBR film

Science.gov (United States)

Kim, Sung Joon; Moon, Hyungpil; Choi, Hyouk Ryeol; Koo, Ja Choon

2017-04-01

Polymer film-type slip sensor is presented by using novel working principle rather than measuring micro-vibration. The sensor is comprised of bilayer with Ecoflex and NBR(acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) films divided by di-electric. When slip occur on surface, bilayer have relative displacement from each other because friction-induced vibration make a clearance between two layers. This displacement can be obtained by capacitance difference. CNT(carbon nanotube) was employed for electrode because of flexible and stretchable characteristics. Also normal and shear force can be decoupled by the working principle. To verify developed sensor, slip test apparatus was designed and experiments were conducted.

Solid oxide fuel cells with bi-layered electrolyte structure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Xinge; Robertson, Mark; Deces-Petit, Cyrille; Xie, Yongsong; Hui, Rob; Qu, Wei; Kesler, Olivera; Maric, Radenka; Ghosh, Dave [Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, National Research Council Canada, 4250 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1W5 (Canada)

2008-01-10

In this work, we have developed solid oxide fuel cells with a bi-layered electrolyte of 2 {mu}m SSZ and 4 {mu}m SDC using tape casting, screen printing, and co-firing processes. The cell reached power densities of 0.54 W cm{sup -2} at 650 C and 0.85 W cm{sup -2} at 700 C, with open circuit voltage (OCV) values larger than 1.02 V. The electrical leaking between anode and cathode through an SDC electrolyte has been blocked in the bi-layered electrolyte structure. However, both the electrolyte resistance (R{sub el}) and electrode polarization resistance (R{sub p,a+c}) increased in comparison to cells with single-layered SDC electrolytes. The formation of a solid solution of (Ce, Zr)O{sub 2-x} during sintering process and the flaws in the bi-layered electrolyte structure seem to be the main causes for the increase in the R{sub el} value (0.32 {omega} cm{sup 2}) at 650 C, which is almost one order of magnitude higher than the calculated value. (author)

Lipid bilayers suspended on microfabricated supports

Science.gov (United States)

Ogier, Simon D.; Bushby, Richard J.; Cheng, Yaling; Cox, Tim I.; Evans, Stephen D.; Knowles, Peter F.; Miles, Robert E.; Pattison, Ian

2001-03-01

The plasma membrane, that exists as part of many animal and plant cells, is a regulator for the transport of ions and small molecules across cell boundaries. Two main components involved are the phospholipid bilayer and the transport proteins. This paper details the construction of a micromachined support for bilayers (MSB) as a first step towards the development of highly selective and highly sensitive ion-channel based biosensors. The device consists of a ~100 micrometer hole in a polymeric support above a cavity that can hold ~25 nL of electrolyte. Electrodes attached to the structure allow the resistance of the membranes to be measured using d.c. conductivity. The MSB is made in two halves, using SU8 ultra-thick resist, which are subsequently bonded together to make the final structure. A layer of gold, surrounding the aperture, enables self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols to be used to make the polymeric structure biocompatible. Lipid membranes have been formed over these holes with resistances comparable with those of natural membranes >10 MOhmcm^2. The ion-channel gramicidin has successfully been incorporated into the bilayer and its activity monitored. It is proposed that this type of device could be used not only for studying membrane transport phenomena but also as part of an ion-channel based biosensor.

Bifacial dye-sensitized solar cells from covalent-bonded polyaniline-multiwalled carbon nanotube complex counter electrodes

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Huihui; He, Benlin; Tang, Qunwei; Yu, Liangmin

2015-02-01

Exploration of cost-effective counter electrodes (CEs) and enhancement of power conversion efficiency have been two persistent objectives for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In the current work, polyaniline-multiwalled carbon nanotube (PANi-MWCNT) complexes are synthesized by a reflux method and employed as CE materials for bifacial DSSCs. Owing to the high optical transparency of PANi-MWCNT complex CE, the incident light from rear side can compensate for the incident light from TiO2 anode. The charge-transfer ability and electrochemical behaviors demonstrate the potential utilization of PANi-MWCNT complex CEs in robust bifacial DSSCs. The electrochemical properties as well as photovoltaic performances are optimized by adjusting MWCNT dosages. A maximum power conversion efficiency of 9.24% is recorded from the bifacial DSSC employing PANi-8 wt‰ MWCNT complex CE for both irradiation, which is better than 8.08% from pure PANi CE.

Poly(aniline) nanowires in sol-gel coated ITO: A pH-responsive substrate for planar supported lipid bilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Ge, Chenhao; Orosz, Kristina S.; Armstrong, Neal R.; Saavedra, S. Scott

2011-01-01

Facilitated ion transport across an artificial lipid bilayer coupled to a solid substrate is a function common to several types of bioelectronic devices based on supported membranes, including biomimetic fuel cells and ion channel biosensors. Described here is fabrication of a pH-sensitive transducer composed of a porous sol-gel layer derivatized with poly(aniline) (PANI) nanowires grown from an underlying planar indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The upper sol-gel surface is hydrophilic, smooth, and compatible with deposition of a planar supported lipid bilayer (PSLB) formed via vesicle fusion. Conducting tip AFM was used to show that the PANI wires are connected to the ITO, which convert this electrode into a potentiometric pH sensor. The response to changes in the pH of the buffer contacting the PANI nanowire/sol-gel/ITO electrode is blocked by the very low ion permeability of the overlying, fluid PSLB. The feasibility of using this assembly to monitor facilitated proton transport across the PSLB was demonstrated by doping the membrane with lipophilic ionophores that respond to a transmembrane pH gradient, which produced an apparent proton permeability several orders of magnitude greater than values measured for undoped lipid bilayers. PMID:21707069

Development of Graphene Nano-Platelet Based Counter Electrodes for Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Iftikhar Ahmad

2015-09-01

Full Text Available Graphene has been envisaged as a highly promising material for various field emission devices, supercapacitors, photocatalysts, sensors, electroanalytical systems, fuel cells and photovoltaics. The main goal of our work is to develop new Pt and transparent conductive oxide (TCO free graphene based counter electrodes (CEs for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs. We have prepared new composites which are based on graphene nano-platelets (GNPs and conductive polymers such as poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene poly(styrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS. Films of these composites were deposited on non-conductive pristine glass substrates and used as CEs for DSSCs which were fabricated by the “open cell” approach. The electrical conductivity studies have clearly demonstrated that the addition of GNPs into PEDOT:PSS films resulted in a significant increase of the electrical conductivity of the composites. The highest solar energy conversion efficiency was achieved for CEs comprising of GNPs with the highest conductivity (190 S/cm and n-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP treated PEDOT:PSS in a composite film. The performance of this cell (4.29% efficiency compares very favorably to a DSSC with a standard commercially available Pt and TCO based CE (4.72% efficiency in the same type of open DSSC and is a promising replacement material for the conventional Pt and TCO based CE in DSSCs.

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of bilayers of poly(O-aminophenol/ polypyrrole/lignin composites for enhanced charge storage in supercapacitors

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

S. Admassie

2016-02-01

Full Text Available Using simple electrosynthesis methods a single and bilayer of conducting polymers, polypyrrole and poly(o-aminophenol with biopolymer lignin hybrid composites were formed on gold electrodes. The specific capacitance of the single polymer-lignin composite value of 400 F/g obtained from galvanostatic charge-discharge experiment at 1 A/g is improved to a value of 514 F/g in the bilayer polymer-lignin composite systems. The charge capacity is also improved from 61 mAh/g to 121 mAh/g by forming a bilayer of conducting polymers. Moreover, the charge retention during self-discharge is improved in the bilayer system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v30i1.15

Automatable lipid bilayer formation and ion channel measurement using sessile droplets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Poulos, J L [Librede Inc., Sherman Oaks, CA (United States); Portonovo, S A; Schmidt, J J [Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles (United States); Bang, H, E-mail: schmidt@seas.ucla.ed [School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University (Korea, Republic of)

2010-11-17

Artificial lipid bilayer membranes have been used to reconstitute ion channels for scientific and technological applications. Membrane formation has traditionally involved slow, labor intensive processes best suited to small scale laboratory experimentation. We have recently demonstrated a high throughput method of membrane formation using automated liquid-handling robotics. We describe here the integration of membrane formation and measurement with two methods compatible with automation and high throughput liquid-handling robotics. Both of these methods create artificial lipid bilayers by joining lipid monolayers self-assembled at the interface of aqueous and organic phases using sessile aqueous droplets in contact with a measurement electrode; one using a pin tool, commonly employed in high throughput fluid handling assays, and the other using a positive displacement pipette. Membranes formed with both methods were high quality and supported measurement of ion channels at the single molecule level. Full automation of bilayer production and measurement with the positive displacement pipette was demonstrated by integrating it with a motion control platform.

Device model investigation of bilayer organic light emitting diodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Crone, B. K.; Davids, P. S.; Campbell, I. H.; Smith, D. L.

2000-01-01

Organic materials that have desirable luminescence properties, such as a favorable emission spectrum and high luminescence efficiency, are not necessarily suitable for single layer organic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) because the material may have unequal carrier mobilities or contact limited injection properties. As a result, single layer LEDs made from such organic materials are inefficient. In this article, we present device model calculations of single layer and bilayer organic LED characteristics that demonstrate the improvements in device performance that can occur in bilayer devices. We first consider an organic material where the mobilities of the electrons and holes are significantly different. The role of the bilayer structure in this case is to move the recombination away from the electrode that injects the low mobility carrier. We then consider an organic material with equal electron and hole mobilities but where it is not possible to make a good contact for one carrier type, say electrons. The role of a bilayer structure in this case is to prevent the holes from traversing the device without recombining. In both cases, single layer device limitations can be overcome by employing a two organic layer structure. The results are discussed using the calculated spatial variation of the carrier densities, electric field, and recombination rate density in the structures. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics

Highly catalytic carbon nanotube counter electrode on plastic for dye solar cells utilizing cobalt-based redox mediator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aitola, Kerttu; Halme, Janne; Feldt, Sandra; Lohse, Peter; Borghei, Maryam; Kaskela, Antti; Nasibulin, Albert G.; Kauppinen, Esko I.; Lund, Peter D.; Boschloo, Gerrit; Hagfeldt, Anders

2013-01-01

A flexible, slightly transparent and metal-free random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on plain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic substrate outperformed platinum on conductive glass and on plastic as the counter electrode (CE) of a dye solar cell employing a Co(II/III)tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) complex redox mediator in 3-methoxypropionitrile solvent. The CE charge-transfer resistance of the SWCNT film was 0.60 Ω cm 2 , 4.0 Ω cm 2 for sputtered platinum on indium tin oxide-PET substrate and 1.7 Ω cm 2 for thermally deposited Pt on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass, respectively. The solar cell efficiencies were in the same range, thus proving that an entirely carbon-based SWCNT film on plastic is as good CE candidate for the Co electrolyte

Stimulation and recording electrodes for neural prostheses

CERN Document Server

Pour Aryan, Naser; Rothermel, Albrecht

2015-01-01

This book provides readers with basic principles of the electrochemistry of the electrodes used in modern, implantable neural prostheses. The authors discuss the boundaries and conditions in which the electrodes continue to function properly for long time spans, which are required when designing neural stimulator devices for long-term in vivo applications. Two kinds of electrode materials, titanium nitride and iridium are discussed extensively, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The influence of the counter electrode on the safety margins and electrode lifetime in a two electrode system is explained. Electrode modeling is handled in a final chapter.

The ion dependent change in the mechanism of charge storage of chemically preintercalated bilayered vanadium oxide electrodes

Science.gov (United States)

Clites, Mallory; Pomerantseva, Ekaterina

2017-08-01

Chemical pre-intercalation is a soft chemistry synthesis approach that allows for the insertion of inorganic ions into the interlayer space of layered battery electrode materials prior to electrochemical cycling. Previously, we have demonstrated that chemical pre-intercalation of Na+ ions into the structure of bilayered vanadium oxide (δ-V2O5) results in record high initial capacities above 350 mAh g-1 in Na-ion cells. This performance is attributed to the expanded interlayer spacing and predefined diffusion pathways achieved by the insertion of charge-carrying ions. However, the effect of chemical pre-intercalation of δ-V2O5 has not been studied for other ion-based systems beyond sodium. In this work, we report the effect of the chemically preintercalated alkali ion size on the mechanism of charge storage of δ- MxV2O5 (M = Li, Na, K) in Li-ion, Na-ion, and K-ion batteries, respectively. The interlayer spacing of the δ-MxV2O5 varied depending on inserted ion, with 11.1 Å achieved for Li-preintercalated δ-V2O5, 11.4 Å for Na-preintercalated δ- V2O5, and 9.6 Å for K-preintercalated δ-V2O5. Electrochemical performance of each material has been studied in its respective ion-based system (δ-LixV2O5 in Li-ion cells, δ-NaxV2O5 in Na-ion cells, and δ-KxV2O5 in K-ion cells). All materials demonstrated high initial capacities above 200 mAh g-1. However, the mechanism of charge storage differed depending on the charge-carrying ion, with Li-ion cells demonstrating predominantly pseudocapacitive behavior and Naion and K-ion cells demonstrating a significant portion of capacity from diffusion-limited intercalation processes. In this study, the combination of increased ionic radii of the charge-carrying ions and decreased synthesized interlayer spacing of the bilayered vanadium oxide phase correlates to an increase in the portion of capacity attributed diffusion-limited charge-storage processes.

Photovoltaic performance of multi-wall carbon nanotube/PEDOT:PSS composite on the counter electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell

Science.gov (United States)

Rhee, Yonghoon; Ko, Minjae; Jin, Hwayoung; Jin, Joon-Hyung; Min, Nam Ki

2014-08-01

A composite of poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was cyclovoltametrically electropolymerized on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate and used as a counter electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell. The PEDOT:PSS-MWCNT composite film was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CV diagrams showed that the PEDOT:PSS-MWCNT composite film has better electro-catalytic activity for the I-/I3- redox reaction than the conventional platinized FTO. The best energy conversion efficiency was observed in EIS data with an MWCNT content of 0.002 wt %.

Performance of microstrip proportional counters for x-ray astronomy on spectrum-roentgen-gamma

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Budtz-Jørgensen, Carl; BAHNSEN, A; Christensen, Finn Erland

1991-01-01

DSRI will provide a set of four imaging proportional counters for the Danish-Soviet X-ray telescopes XSPECT/SODART. The sensor principle is based on the novel micro-strip proportional counter (MSPC), where the strip electrodes are deposited by photolithography onto a rigid substrate. The MSPC off...

Fundamentals of gas counters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bateman, J.E.

1994-01-01

The operation of gas counters used for detecting radiation is explained in terms of the four fundamental physical processes which govern their operation. These are 1) conversion of neutral radiation into charged particles, 2) ionization of the host gas by a fast charge particle 3) transport of the gas ions to the electrodes and 4) amplification of the electrons in a region of enhanced electric field. Practical implications of these are illustrated. (UK)

Discrimination of the wall effect in a thin counter with micro-gap structure for neutron position sensing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sakae, Takeji; Manabe, Tohru; Kitamura, Yasunori; Nohtomi, Akihiro [Kyushu Univ., Fukuoka (Japan); Sakamoto, Sigeyasu

1996-07-01

Simulation by the Monte Carlo method is applied to estimate the wall effect in a thermal neutron counter having a new function for discriminating the effect. The counter is designed to have paralleled electrodes with micro-gap structure. A resistive anode is used for position sensing on the center of a set of the three electrode. The structure can be made by simple arrangement of anode and cathode wires on an insulator plane. The calculation shows discrimination of the wall effect can be achieved by coincident counting of two or three elements included in the counter. By using the coincident counting, the thickness of the neutron counter can be made into 1 mm with the information of the total energy created in the neutron detection. (author)

Pt-graphene electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoshi, Hajime; Tanaka, Shumpei; Miyoshi, Takashi

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Graphene films with Pt nanoparticles were prepared from commercial graphene. • Pt consumption can be reduced by using Pt-graphene films. • The film showed improved catalytic activity for the reaction I 3 − /I − . • The film can be used as the counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). • The performance of DSSC was superior to that of the Pt electrode. - Abstract: A simple paste method for fabricating graphene films with Pt nanoparticles was developed. First, graphene pastes with Pt nanoparticles were prepared from commercially available graphene. The resulting films of graphene nanoplatelet aggregates with Pt nanoparticles (Pt-GNA) contained Pt nanoparticles distributed over the entire three-dimensional surface of the GNA. Then, the catalytic activity for the I 3 − /I − redox reaction was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The GNA electrode exhibited higher activity than a graphene nanoplatelet electrode because of its higher effective surface area. Addition of Pt nanoparticles to the electrodes improved the catalytic activity. In particular, a large Faradaic current for the I 3 − /I − reaction was observed for the Pt-GNA electrode. As the counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), their performance was consistent with the cyclic voltammetry results. In particular, the DSSC performance of the Pt-GNA electrode was superior to that of the Pt electrodes commonly used in DSSCs

Morphology controllable time-dependent CoS nanoparticle thin films as efficient counter electrode for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Reddy, Araveeti Eswar; Rao, S. Srinivasa; Gopi, Chandu V. V. M.; Anitha, Tarugu; Thulasi-Varma, Chebrolu Venkata; Punnoose, Dinah; Kim, Hee-Je

2017-11-01

Cobalt sulfide (CoS) agglomerated nanoparticle thin films obtained by a facile chemical bath method at different deposition times. The CoS counter electrode (CE) deposited at 3 h deposition time (CC-3h) based quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) achieves higher power conversion efficiency (η) of 3.67% than those of CC-2h (1.83%), CC-4h (2.52%), and Pt (1.48%) CEs, under one sun illumination (100 mW cm-2, AM 1.5 G). The electrochemical analysis revealed that CC-3h CE shows a smaller charge transfer resistance (9.22 Ω) at the CE/electrolyte interface than the CC-2h (23.34 Ω), CC-4h (19.73 Ω) and Pt (139.92 Ω) CEs, respectively.

Printing Semiconductor-Insulator Polymer Bilayers for High-Performance Coplanar Field-Effect Transistors.

Science.gov (United States)

Bu, Laju; Hu, Mengxing; Lu, Wanlong; Wang, Ziyu; Lu, Guanghao

2018-01-01

Source-semiconductor-drain coplanar transistors with an organic semiconductor layer located within the same plane of source/drain electrodes are attractive for next-generation electronics, because they could be used to reduce material consumption, minimize parasitic leakage current, avoid cross-talk among different devices, and simplify the fabrication process of circuits. Here, a one-step, drop-casting-like printing method to realize a coplanar transistor using a model semiconductor/insulator [poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/polystyrene (PS)] blend is developed. By manipulating the solution dewetting dynamics on the metal electrode and SiO 2 dielectric, the solution within the channel region is selectively confined, and thus make the top surface of source/drain electrodes completely free of polymers. Subsequently, during solvent evaporation, vertical phase separation between P3HT and PS leads to a semiconductor-insulator bilayer structure, contributing to an improved transistor performance. Moreover, this coplanar transistor with semiconductor-insulator bilayer structure is an ideal system for injecting charges into the insulator via gate-stress, and the thus-formed PS electret layer acts as a "nonuniform floating gate" to tune the threshold voltage and effective mobility of the transistors. Effective field-effect mobility higher than 1 cm 2 V -1 s -1 with an on/off ratio > 10 7 is realized, and the performances are comparable to those of commercial amorphous silicon transistors. This coplanar transistor simplifies the fabrication process of corresponding circuits. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pt-graphene electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hoshi, Hajime, E-mail: hoshi@ed.tus.ac.jp; Tanaka, Shumpei; Miyoshi, Takashi

2014-12-15

Highlights: • Graphene films with Pt nanoparticles were prepared from commercial graphene. • Pt consumption can be reduced by using Pt-graphene films. • The film showed improved catalytic activity for the reaction I{sub 3}{sup −}/I{sup −}. • The film can be used as the counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). • The performance of DSSC was superior to that of the Pt electrode. - Abstract: A simple paste method for fabricating graphene films with Pt nanoparticles was developed. First, graphene pastes with Pt nanoparticles were prepared from commercially available graphene. The resulting films of graphene nanoplatelet aggregates with Pt nanoparticles (Pt-GNA) contained Pt nanoparticles distributed over the entire three-dimensional surface of the GNA. Then, the catalytic activity for the I{sub 3}{sup −}/I{sup −} redox reaction was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The GNA electrode exhibited higher activity than a graphene nanoplatelet electrode because of its higher effective surface area. Addition of Pt nanoparticles to the electrodes improved the catalytic activity. In particular, a large Faradaic current for the I{sub 3}{sup −}/I{sup −} reaction was observed for the Pt-GNA electrode. As the counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), their performance was consistent with the cyclic voltammetry results. In particular, the DSSC performance of the Pt-GNA electrode was superior to that of the Pt electrodes commonly used in DSSCs.

Comparison of physical and electrical properties of GZO/ZnO buffer layer and GZO as source and drain electrodes of α-IGZO thin-film transistors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wu, Jia-Ling; Lin, Han-Yu; Su, Bo-Yuan; Chen, Yu-Cheng [Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (China); Chu, Sheng-Yuan, E-mail: chusy@mail.ncku.edu.tw [Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (China); Advanced Optoelectronic Technology Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (China); Liu, Ssu-Yin [Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (China); Chang, Chia-Chiang; Wu, Chin-Jyi [Industrial Technology Research Institute, Mechanical and Systems Research Laboratories, Hsinchu 310, Taiwan (China)

2014-04-01

Highlights: • The electrodes of bi-layer GZO/ ZnO and single-layer GZO in α-IGZO TFT were compared. • The TFT performances of two different structures were systematically investigated. • The bi-layer GZO/100-nm ZnO S/D electrodes showed the better TFT device properties. - Abstract: In this research, top-gate bottom-contact thin-film transistors (TFTs) made with amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (α-IGZO) active layers were grown using the radio-frequency sputtering technique. Two kinds of source and drain (S/D) electrodes, namely bi-layer GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer/Corning 1737 and single-layer GZO/Corning 1737, used in the TFT devices and the electric characteristics of the devices were compared. To explain the differences in the TFT performances with these different S/D electrodes, X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and contact angles were measured. The α-IGZO TFT with the bi-layer GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer structure as S/D electrodes exhibited superior device performance compared to that of the TFT with a single-layer GZO structure, with a higher thin film density (5.94 g/cm{sup 3}), lower surface roughness (0.817 nm), and larger surface energy (62.07 mJ/m{sup 2}) and better adhesion properties of neighboring α-IGZO films. In addition, the mechanisms responsible for the GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer/Corning 1737 structure S/D electrodes improving the device characteristics were systematically investigated. The α-IGZO TFT saturation mobility, subthreshold voltage, on/off current ratio, and the trap density of the GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer/Corning 1737 S/D electrodes were 13.5 cm{sup 2} V{sup −1} S{sup −1}, 0.43 V/decade, 3.56 × 10{sup 7}, and 5.65 × 10{sup 12} eV{sup −1} cm{sup −2}, respectively, indicating the potential of this bi-layer structure to be applied to large-area flat-panel displays.

Comparison of physical and electrical properties of GZO/ZnO buffer layer and GZO as source and drain electrodes of α-IGZO thin-film transistors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wu, Jia-Ling; Lin, Han-Yu; Su, Bo-Yuan; Chen, Yu-Cheng; Chu, Sheng-Yuan; Liu, Ssu-Yin; Chang, Chia-Chiang; Wu, Chin-Jyi

2014-01-01

Highlights: • The electrodes of bi-layer GZO/ ZnO and single-layer GZO in α-IGZO TFT were compared. • The TFT performances of two different structures were systematically investigated. • The bi-layer GZO/100-nm ZnO S/D electrodes showed the better TFT device properties. - Abstract: In this research, top-gate bottom-contact thin-film transistors (TFTs) made with amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (α-IGZO) active layers were grown using the radio-frequency sputtering technique. Two kinds of source and drain (S/D) electrodes, namely bi-layer GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer/Corning 1737 and single-layer GZO/Corning 1737, used in the TFT devices and the electric characteristics of the devices were compared. To explain the differences in the TFT performances with these different S/D electrodes, X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and contact angles were measured. The α-IGZO TFT with the bi-layer GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer structure as S/D electrodes exhibited superior device performance compared to that of the TFT with a single-layer GZO structure, with a higher thin film density (5.94 g/cm 3 ), lower surface roughness (0.817 nm), and larger surface energy (62.07 mJ/m 2 ) and better adhesion properties of neighboring α-IGZO films. In addition, the mechanisms responsible for the GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer/Corning 1737 structure S/D electrodes improving the device characteristics were systematically investigated. The α-IGZO TFT saturation mobility, subthreshold voltage, on/off current ratio, and the trap density of the GZO/100-nm ZnO buffer layer/Corning 1737 S/D electrodes were 13.5 cm 2 V −1 S −1 , 0.43 V/decade, 3.56 × 10 7 , and 5.65 × 10 12 eV −1 cm −2 , respectively, indicating the potential of this bi-layer structure to be applied to large-area flat-panel displays

Axle-sleeve Structured MWCNTs/Polyaniline Composite Film as Cost-effective Counter-Electrodes for High Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Niu, Haihong; Qin, Shengxian; Mao, Xiaoli; Zhang, Shouwei; Wang, Renbao; Wan, Lei; Xu, Jinzhang; Miao, Shiding

2014-01-01

Graphical abstract: Axle-sleeve structured composite materials made with carbon nanotubes and polyaniline were prepared via a co-polymerization strategy. The composite materials were employed as cost-effective counter electrode modifier in dye-sensitized solar cells which demonstrate a comparable photo-to-electron conversion efficiency as the Pt catalyst. - Highlights: • Axle-sleeve structured MWCNT/PANI composite was prepared. • The optimum mass ratio of MWCNT/ANIranges between 1:3 and 1:1. • The π-π drive force was confirmed by spectroscopicmeans. • The polymerization time of 12∼24 hrs affords the highest conversion efficiency. • The DSSCs assembled with the MWCNTs/PANI CEs exhibit a comparable η(7.21%) as that with Pt CE (7.59%). - Abstract: Axle-sleeve structured composite materials made with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyaniline (PANI) were prepared, characterized, and employed as cost-effective counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The composite was synthesized by co-polymerization of aniline with carboxylated MWCNTs by using ammonium persulfate in the acidic medium. Thin films of MWCNTs/PANI were prepared via a spin coating technique followed by thermal treatment in N 2 atmosphere. The micro-structure of the composite was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) linked with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The coating layer of PANI on the MWCNTs and new-formed chemical bonds between MWCNTs and PANI was studied by UV-Vis absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman and FT-IR spectroscopic means. The effect of the multiple-level porosity or the axle-sleeve structures in the composite of MWCNTs/PANI on the electro-catalytic activity was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analysis. The DSSCs assembled with MWCNTs/PANI as CEs exhibit a comparable energy conversion efficiency (η) of 7

Electrochemical surface plasmon resonance sensor based on two-electrode configuration

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Bing; Dong, Wei; Wen, Yizhang; Pang, Kai; Wang, Xiaoping; Li, Yazhuo; Zhan, Shuyue

2016-01-01

To obtain detailed information about electrochemistry reactions, a two-electrode electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (EC-SPR) sensor has been proposed. We describe the theory of potential modulation for this novel sensor and determine the factors that can change the SPR resonance angle. The reference electrode in three-electrode configuration was eliminated, and comparing with several other electrode materials, activated carbon (AC) is employed as the suitable counter electrode for its potential stability. Just like three-electrode configuration, the simpler AC two-electrode system can also obtain detailed information about the electrochemical reactions. (paper)

The CdS/CdSe/ZnS Photoanode Cosensitized Solar Cells Basedon Pt, CuS, Cu2S, and PbS Counter Electrodes

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tung Ha Thanh

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Highly ordered mesoporous TiO2 modified by CdS, CdSe, and ZnS quantum dots (QDs was fabricated by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR method. The quantity of material deposition seems to be affected not only by the employed deposition method but also and mainly by the nature of the underlying layer. The CdS, CdSe, and ZnS QDs modification expands the photoresponse range of mesoporous TiO2 from ultraviolet region to visible range, as confirmed by UV-Vis spectrum. Optimized anode electrodes led to solar cells producing high current densities. Pt, CuS, PbS, and Cu2S have been used as electrocatalysts on counter electrodes. The maximum solar conversion efficiency reached in this work was 1.52% and was obtained by using Pt electrocatalyst. CuS, PbS, and Cu2S gave high currents and this was in line with the low charge transfer resistances recorded in their case.

Micropipette as Coulter counter for submicron particles

Science.gov (United States)

Rudzevich, Yauheni; Ordonez, Tony; Evans, Grant; Chow, Lee

2011-03-01

Coulter counter based on micropipette has been around for several decades. Typical commercial Coulter counter has a pore size of 20 μ m, and is designed to detect micron-size blood cells. In recent years, there are a lot of interests in using nanometer pore size Coulter counter to detect single molecule and to sequence DNA. Here we describe a simple nanoparticle counter based on pulled micropipettes with a diameter of 50 -- 500 nm. Borosilicate micropipettes with an initial outer diameter of 1.00 mm and inner diameter of 0.5 mm are used. After pulling, the micropipettes are fire polished and ultrasound cleaned. Chlorinated Ag/AgCl electrodes and 0.1 M of KCl solution are used. The ionic currents are measured using an Axopatch 200B amplifier in the voltage-clamp mode. Several types and sizes of nanoparticles are measured, including plain silica and polystyrene nanospheres. The results will be discussed in terms of pH values of the solution and concentrations of the nanoparticles. Financial support from National Science Foundation (NSF-0901361) is acknowledged.

Preparation of Carbon Nanotube/TiO2 Mesoporous Hybrid Photoanode with Iron Pyrite (FeS2) Thin Films Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

OpenAIRE

Bayram Kilic; Sunay Turkdogan; Aykut Astam; Oguz Can Ozer; Mansur Asgin; Hulya Cebeci; Deniz Urk; Selin Pravadili Mucur

2016-01-01

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/TiO2 mesoporous networks can be employed as a new alternative photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By using the MWCNT/TiO2 mesoporous as photoanodes in DSSC, we demonstrate that the MWCNT/TiO2 mesoporous photoanode is promising alternative to standard FTO/TiO2 mesoporous based DSSC due to larger specific surface area and high electrochemical activity. We also show that iron pyrite (FeS2) thin films can be used as an efficient counter electrode...

Schiff Base modified on CPE electrode and PCB gold electrode for selective determination of silver ion

Science.gov (United States)

Leepheng, Piyawan; Suramitr, Songwut; Phromyothin, Darinee

2017-09-01

The schiff base was synthesized by 2,5-thiophenedicarboxaldehyde and 1,2,4-thiadiazole-3,5-diamine with condensation method. There was modified on carbon paste electrode (CPE) and Printed circuit board (PCB) gold electrode for determination silver ion. The schiff base modified electrodes was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The electrochemical study was reported by cyclic voltammetry method and impedance spectroscopy using modified electrode as working electrode, platinum wire and Ag/AgCl as counter electrode and reference electrode, respectively. The modified electrodes have suitable detection for Ag+. The determination of silver ions using the modified electrodes depended linearly on Ag+ concentration in the range 1×10-10 M to 1×10-7 M, with cyclic voltammetry sensitivity were 2.51×108 μAM-1 and 1.88×108 μAM-1 for PCB gold electrode and CPE electrode, respectively, limits of detection were 5.33×10-9 M and 1.99×10-8 M for PCB gold electrode and CPE electrode, respectively. The modified electrodes have high accuracy, inexpensive and can applied to detection Ag+ in real samples.

Discharge quenching circuit for counters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Karasik, A.S.

1982-01-01

A circuit for quenching discharges in gas-discharge detectors with working voltage of 3-5 kV based on transistors operating in the avalanche mode is described. The quenching circuit consists of a coordinating emitter follower, amplifier-shaper for avalanche key cascade control which changes potential on the counter electrodes and a shaper of discharge quenching duration. The emitter follower is assembled according to a widely used flowsheet with two transistors. The circuit permits to obtain a rectangular quenching pulse with front of 100 ns and an amplitude of up to 3.2 kV at duration of 500 μm-8 ms. Application of the quenching circuit described permits to obtain countering characteristics with the slope less than or equal to 0.02%/V and plateau extent greater than or equal to 300 V [ru

Hydrophobic silver nanoparticles trapped in lipid bilayers: Size distribution, bilayer phase behavior, and optical properties

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bothun Geoffrey D

2008-11-01

Full Text Available Abstract Background Lipid-based dispersion of nanoparticles provides a biologically inspired route to designing therapeutic agents and a means of reducing nanoparticle toxicity. Little is currently known on how the presence of nanoparticles influences lipid vesicle stability and bilayer phase behavior. In this work, the formation of aqueous lipid/nanoparticle assemblies (LNAs consisting of hydrophobic silver-decanethiol particles (5.7 ± 1.8 nm embedded within 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC bilayers is demonstrated as a function of the DPPC/Ag nanoparticle (AgNP ratio. The effect of nanoparticle loading on the size distribution, bilayer phase behavior, and bilayer fluidity is determined. Concomitantly, the effect of bilayer incorporation on the optical properties of the AgNPs is also examined. Results The dispersions were stable at 50°C where the bilayers existed in a liquid crystalline state, but phase separated at 25°C where the bilayers were in a gel state, consistent with vesicle aggregation below the lipid melting temperature. Formation of bilayer-embedded nanoparticles was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence anisotropy, where increasing nanoparticle concentration suppressed the lipid pretransition temperature, reduced the melting temperature, and disrupted gel phase bilayers. The characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR wavelength of the embedded nanoparticles was independent of the bilayer phase; however, the SPR absorbance was dependent on vesicle aggregation. Conclusion These results suggest that lipid bilayers can distort to accommodate large hydrophobic nanoparticles, relative to the thickness of the bilayer, and may provide insight into nanoparticle/biomembrane interactions and the design of multifunctional liposomal carriers.

Lipid bilayers and interfaces

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Kik, R.A.

2007-01-01

In biological systems lipid bilayers are subject to many different interactions with other entities. These can range from proteins that are attached to the hydrophilic region of the bilayer or transmembrane proteins that interact with the hydrophobic region of the lipid bilayer. Interaction between

Electrical resistivity of monolayers and bilayers of alkanethiols in tunnel junction with gate electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

York, Roger L.; Nacionales, David; Slowinski, Krzysztof

2005-01-01

The tunneling resistances of monolayers and bilayers of n-alkanethiols in macroscopic Hg-Hg junctions with an electrochemical gate are reported. The resistances near zero bias calculated per 1 hydrocarbon chain vary from (5 ± 4) x 10 12 Ω for n-nonanethiol to (4 ± 2) x 10 16 Ω for n-octadecanethiol. These values indicate that monolayers of hydrocarbons in Hg-Hg junctions are substantially more resistive as compared to measurements employing microscopic tunnel junctions. The tunneling resistances of monolayer junctions are approximately 1 order of magnitude larger than those of bilayer junctions containing the same number of atoms indicating inefficient electronic coupling across the non-bonded -CH 3 |Hg interface. The symmetric current-voltage curves observed for the asymmetric junctions of Hg-S-(CH 2 ) n -CH 3 |Hg type suggest that these junctions do not behave as molecular diodes. Additional experimental evidence for the nature of the -CH 3 |Hg interface in the Hg-S-(CH 2 ) n -CH 3 |Hg junction is also presented

Valley-filtered edge states and quantum valley Hall effect in gated bilayer graphene.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Xu-Long; Xu, Lei; Zhang, Jun

2017-05-10

Electron edge states in gated bilayer graphene in the quantum valley Hall (QVH) effect regime can carry both charge and valley currents. We show that an interlayer potential splits the zero-energy level and opens a bulk gap, yielding counter-propagating edge modes with different valleys. A rich variety of valley current states can be obtained by tuning the applied boundary potential and lead to the QVH effect, as well as to the unbalanced QVH effect. A method to individually manipulate the edge states by the boundary potentials is proposed.

Investigation of Coral-Like Cu2O Nano/Microstructures as Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chih-Hung Tsai

2015-08-01

Full Text Available In this study, a chemical oxidation method was employed to fabricate coral-like Cu2O nano/microstructures on Cu foils as counter electrodes (CEs for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs. The Cu2O nano/microstructures were prepared at various sintering temperatures (400, 500, 600 and 700 °C to investigate the influences of the sintering temperature on the DSSC characteristics. First, the Cu foil substrates were immersed in an aqueous solution containing (NH42S2O8 and NaOH. After reacting at 25 °C for 30 min, the Cu substrates were converted to Cu(OH2 nanostructures. Subsequently, the nanostructures were subjected to nitrogen sintering, leading to Cu(OH2 being dehydrated into CuO, which was then deoxidized to form coral-like Cu2O nano/microstructures. The material properties of the Cu2O CEs were comprehensively determined using a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer, Raman spectrometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope, and cyclic voltameter. The Cu2O CEs sintered at various temperatures were used in DSSC devices and analyzed according to the current density–voltage characteristics, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency, and electrochemical impedance characteristics. The Cu2O CEs sintered at 600 °C exhibited the optimal electrode properties and DSSC performance, yielding a power conversion efficiency of 3.62%. The Cu2O CEs fabricated on Cu foil were generally mechanically flexible and could therefore be applied to flexible DSSCs.

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: The Future of Using Earth-Abundant Elements in Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (Adv. Mater. 20/2016).

Science.gov (United States)

Briscoe, Joe; Dunn, Steve

2016-05-01

Sustainability is an important concept generating traction in the research community. To be really sustainable the full life cycle of a product needs to be carefully considered. A key aspect of this is using elements that are either readily recycled or accessible in the Earth's biosphere. Jigsawing these materials together in compounds to address our future energy needs represents a great opportunity for the current generation of researchers. On page 3802, S. Dunn and J. Briscoe summarize the performance of a selection of alternative materials to replace platinum in the counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Townsend coefficients of gases in avalanche counters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brunner, G.

1978-01-01

Though much work has been done by many authors in the last few years in the development and application of avalanche counters for ion radiation, it is based upon values of the Townsend coefficients as the essential gas parameter, which were determined many years ago for much lower reduced field strengths F/p than prevail in such counters. Therefore absolute determinations of α in vapours of methyl alcohol, cyclohexane, acetone, and n-heptene were performed under original conditions of avalanche counters. The values obtained do not differ by more than 30%-50% from the former values indeed, extrapolated over F/p for the first three mentioned substances, but the amounts of A and B in the usual representation α/p=A exp(-B(F/p)) are much greater for the stronger reduced fields. This is of importance for such counter properties as the dependence of pulse heights on pressure, voltage, electrode distance etc., which are governed by other combinations of A and B than α/p itself. A comparison of results for different ionic radiations shows a marked influence of the primary ionization density along the particle tracks which is hard to explain. (Auth.)

Carbon nanotube aerogel-CoS2 hybrid catalytic counter electrodes for enhanced photovoltaic performance dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Tao; Mai, Xianmin; Chen, Haijun; Ren, Jing; Liu, Zheting; Li, Yingxiang; Gao, Lina; Wang, Ning; Zhang, Jiaoxia; He, Hongcai; Guo, Zhanhu

2018-03-01

The carbon nanotube aerogel (CNA) with an ultra-low density, three-dimensional network nanostructure, superior electronic conductivity and large surface area is being widely employed as a catalytic electrode and catalytic support. Impressively, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) assembled with a CNA counter electrode (CE) achieved a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.28%, which exceeded that of the conventional platinum (Pt)-based DSSC (7.20%) under the same conditions. Furthermore, highly dispersed CoS 2 nanoparticles endowed with excellent intrinsic catalytic activity were hydrothermally incorporated to form a CNA-supported CoS 2 (CNA-CoS 2 ) CE, which was due to the large number of catalytically active sites and sufficient connections between CoS 2 and the CNA. The electrocatalytic ability and stability were systematically evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and Tafel polarization, which confirmed that the resultant CNA-CoS 2 hybrid CE exhibited a remarkably higher electrocatalytic activity toward I 3 - reduction, and faster ion diffusion and electron transfer than the pure CNA CE. Such cost-effective DSSCs assembled with an optimized CNA-CoS 2 CE yielded an enhanced PCE of 8.92%, comparable to that of the cell fabricated with the CNA-Pt hybrid CE reported in our published literature (9.04%). These results indicate that the CNA-CoS 2 CE can be considered as a promising candidate for Pt-free CEs used in low-cost and high-performance DSSCs.

Electrochemical synthesis of bilayer coatings of poly(N-methylaniline) and polypyrrole on mild steel and their corrosion protection performances

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zeybek, Buelent [Ankara University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Ankara (Turkey); Dumlupinar University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Kuetahya (Turkey); Ozcicek Pekmez, Nuran, E-mail: npekmez@hacettepe.edu.t [Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Ankara (Turkey); Kilic, Esma [Ankara University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Ankara (Turkey)

2011-10-30

Highlights: > The bilayers of poly(N-methylaniline) and polypyrrole-dodecylsulfate were synthesized. > These films on mild steel were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, FTIR and FESEM. > DS dopant allows permeation to cations and decreases the ingress of chloride ions. > The PNMA/PPy-DS bilayer coating exhibited the best corrosion resistance in 0.5 M HCl. > The protective properties of polymers was developed by preparing their bilayer coatings. - Abstract: Homopolymer and bilayer coatings of poly(N-methylaniline) (PNMA) and polypyrrole-dodecylsulfate (PPy-DS) have been electropolymerized on a mild steel (MS) surface by the potentiodynamic method in aqueous oxalic acid solutions. In order to include dodecylsulfate ion as dopant in the polypyrrole, sodium dodecylsulfate was also added to the polymerization solution of pyrrole. Characterization of coatings was carried out by the cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Corrosion behavior of the polymer coated MS electrodes was investigated in highly aggressive 0.5 M HCl solution by the Tafel test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Corrosion test revealed that among the protective coatings obtained, the PNMA/PPy-DS bilayer exhibited the best corrosion resistance at all immersion times.

Glucose aided synthesis of molybdenum sulfide/carbon nanotubes composites as counter electrode for high performance dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yue, Gentian; Zhang, Weifeng; Wu, Jihuai; Jiang, Qiwei

2013-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • The glucose aided (G-A) preparation of MoS 2 /CNTs composites were employed as CE in Pt-free DSSC. • The (G-A) MoS 2 /CNTs* CE showed the low R ct of 1.77 Ω cm 2 . • The efficiency of the DSSC reached 7.92% based on the (G-A) MoS 2 /CNTs* CE. - Abstract: In our present study, the composites of molybdenum disulfide/carbon nanotubes (MoS 2 /CNTs) were synthesized with glucose aided (G-A) by using an in situ hydrothermal route, and proposed as counter electrode (CE) catalyst in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for enhancing electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of triiodide. The MoS 2 /CNTs composites with tentacle-like structure were confirmed by using the scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The superior structural characteristics including large active surface area and particularly the unique tentacle-like nanostructure along with 3D large interconnected interstitial volume guaranteed fast mass transport for the electrolyte, and enabled the (G-A) MoS 2 /CNTs CE to speed up the reduction of triiodide to iodide. The extensive electrochemical studies by the cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedence spectroscopy and Tafel measurements indicated that the (G-A) MoS 2 /CNTs CE possessed superior electrocatalytic activity, great electrochemical stability and impressive low charge transfer resistance on the electrolyte|electrode interface (1.77 Ω cm 2 ) in the triiodide/iodide system compared to the pristine MoS 2 , MoS 2 /C and sputtered Pt CEs. The DSSC assembled with the novel (G-A) MoS 2 /CNTs CE exhibited high power conversion efficiency of 7.92% under the illumination of 100 mW cm −2 , comparable to that of the DSSC with the Pt electrode (7.11%)

Bias induced up to 100% spin-injection and detection polarizations in ferromagnet/bilayer-hBN/graphene/hBN heterostructures

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Gurram, Mallikarjuna; Omar, Siddharta; van Wees, Bart

2017-01-01

We study spin transport in a fully hBN encapsulated monolayer-graphene van der Waals heterostructure at room temperature. A top-layer of bilayer-hBN is used as a tunnel barrier for spin-injection and detection in graphene with ferromagnetic cobalt electrodes. We report surprisingly large and

Carbon nanomaterials as counter electrodes for dye solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aitola, K.

2012-05-15

The dye solar cell (DSC) is an interesting emerging technology for photovoltaic conversion of solar electromagnetic energy to electrical energy. The DSC is based mainly on cheap starting materials and it can be manufactured by roll-to-roll deposition techniques on flexible substrates, which is considered as one option for cost-effective large-scale solar cell production. The most expensive component of the DSC is the transparent conductive oxide glass substrate, and considerable cost reductions can be achieved by changing it to e.g. a plastic substrate. Plastic substrates are very flexible, lightweight and transparent. The state of the art DSC catalyst is thermally deposited or sputtered platinum, but platinum is a rare and expensive metal. Carbon, on the other hand, is widely available and some of its nanomaterials conduct electricity and are catalytic toward the DSC counter electrode (CE) reduction reaction. In this work, carbon nanomaterials and their composites were studied as the DSC CE active material. The materials were random network single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) film on glass and plastic substrate, vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube 'forest' film on steel and quartz substrate and carbon nanoparticle composite film on indium tin oxidepolyethylene terephthalate (ITO-PET) substrate. After comparison of the materials, the SWCNT network film on PET was chosen as the main CE type of this study, since it offers superior conductivity, transparency and flexibility over the other carbon-based CEs, it is also the thinnest and contains only one active material component. When a 30 % transparent SWCNT network film on PET was tested as a DSC CE, it was found out that such a film is not catalytic and conductive enough for a full 1 sun illumination DSC device, but the film could be suitable for a indoor illumination level application. The catalytic properties of a 10 % transparent SWCNT film were improved by depositing conductive PEDOT

Low-cost and eco-friendly nebulizer spray coated CuInAlS2 counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Dhas, C. Ravi; Christy, A. Jennifer; Venkatesh, R.; Esther Santhoshi Monica, S.; Panda, Subhendu K.; Subramanian, B.; Ravichandran, K.; Sudhagar, P.; Raj, A. Moses Ezhil

2018-05-01

CuInAlS2 thin films for different substrate temperatures were deposited by a novel nebulizer spray technique. The polycrystalline CIAS thin film exhibited tetragonal structure with the preferential orientation of (1 1 2) plane. Nanoflakes were observed from the surface morphology of CIAS film. The peak position of core level spectra confirms the presence of CuInAlS2 from XPS analysis. The absorbance spectra and optical band gap were observed from the optical property. The activation energy, carrier concentration, hole mobility and resistivity were determined by linear four probe and Hall effect measurements. The CIAS film was used as a counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and is characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel measurements. DSSC fabricated with the CIAS CE achieved the photo conversion efficiency of about 2.55%.

L-tryptophan-induced electron transport across supported lipid bilayers: an alkyl-chain tilt-angle, and bilayer-symmetry dependence.

Science.gov (United States)

Sarangi, Nirod Kumar; Patnaik, Archita

2012-12-21

Molecular orientation-dependent electron transport across supported 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers (SLBs) on semiconducting indium tin oxide (ITO) is reported with an aim towards potential nanobiotechnological applications. A bifunctional strategy is adopted to form symmetric and asymmetric bilayers of DPPC that interact with L-tryptophan, and are analyzed by surface manometry and atomic force microscopy. Polarization-dependent real-time Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) analysis of these SLBs reveals electrostatic, hydrogen-bonding, and cation-π interactions between the polar head groups of the lipid and the indole side chains. Consequently, a molecular tilt arises from the effective interface dipole, facilitating electron transport across the ITO-anchored SLBs in the presence of an internal Fe(CN)(6)(4-/3-) redox probe. The incorporation of tryptophan enhances the voltammetric features of the SLBs. The estimated electron-transfer rate constants for symmetric and asymmetric bilayers (k(s) = 2.0×10(-2) and 2.8×10(-2) s(-1)) across the two-dimensional (2D) ordered DPPC/tryptophan SLBs are higher compared to pure DPPC SLBs (k(s) = 3.2×10(-3) and 3.9×10(-3) s(-1)). In addition, they are molecular tilt-dependent, as it is the case with the standard apparent rate constants k(app)(0), estimated from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and bipotentiostatic experiments with a Pt ultramicroelectrode. Lower magnitudes of k(s) and k(app)(0) imply that electrochemical reactions across the ITO-SLB electrodes are kinetically limited and consequently governed by electron tunneling across the SLBs. Standard theoretical rate constants (k(th)(0)) accrued upon electron tunneling comply with the potential-independent electron-tunneling coefficient β = 0.15 Å(-1). Insulator-semiconductor transitions moving from a liquid-expanded to a condensed 2D-phase state of the SLBs are noted, adding a new dimension

Multiwalled carbon nanotube coated polyester fabric as textile based flexible counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cell.

Science.gov (United States)

Arbab, Alvira Ayoub; Sun, Kyung Chul; Sahito, Iftikhar Ali; Qadir, Muhammad Bilal; Jeong, Sung Hoon

2015-05-21

Textile wearable electronics offers the combined advantages of both electronics and textile characteristics. The essential properties of these flexible electronics such as lightweight, stretchable, and wearable power sources are in strong demand. Here, we have developed a facile route to fabricate multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) coated polyester fabric as a flexible counter electrode (CE) for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). A variety of MWCNT and enzymes with different structures were used to generate individual enzyme-dispersed MWCNT (E-MWCNT) suspensions by non-covalent functionalization. A highly concentrated colloidal suspension of E-MWCNT was deposited on polyester fabric via a simple tape casting method using an air drying technique. In view of the E-MWCNT coating, the surface structure is represented by topologically randomly assembled tubular graphene units. This surface morphology has a high density of colloidal edge states and oxygen-containing surface groups which execute multiple catalytic sites for iodide reduction. A highly conductive E-MWCNT coated fabric electrode with a surface resistance of 15 Ω sq(-1) demonstrated 5.69% power conversion efficiency (PCE) when used as a flexible CE for DSSCs. High photo voltaic performance of our suggested system of E-MWCNT fabric-based DSSCs is associated with high sheet conductivity, low charge transfer resistance (RCT), and excellent electro catalytic activity (ECA). Such a conductive fabric demonstrated stable conductivity against bending cycles and strong mechanical adhesion of E-MWCNT on polyester fabric. Moreover, the polyester fabric is hydrophobic and, therefore, has good sealing capacity and retains the polymer gel electrolyte without seepage. This facile E-MWCNT fabric CE configuration provides a concrete fundamental background towards the development of textile-integrated solar cells.

Development of a position-sensitive fission counter and measurement of neutron flux distributions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamagishi, Hideshi; Soyama, Kazuhiko; Kakuta, Tsunemi

2001-08-01

A position-sensitive fission counter (PSFC) that operates in high neutron flux and high gamma-ray background such as at the side of a power reactor vessel has been developed. Neutron detection using the PSFC with a solenoid electrode is based on a delay-line method. The PSFC that has the outer diameter of 25 mm and the sensitive length of 1000 mm was manufactured for investigation of the performances. The PSFC provided output current pulses that were sufficiently higher than the alpha noise, though the PSFC has a solenoid electrode and large electrode-capacitance. The S/N ratio of PSFC outputs proved to be higher than that of ordinary fission counters with 200 mm sensitive length. A performance test to measure neutron flux distributions by a neutron measuring system with the PSFC was carried out by the side of a graphite pile, W2.4 x H1.4 x L1.2 m, with neutron sources, Am-Be 370 GBq x 2. It was confirmed that the neutron flux distribution was well measured with the system. (author)

Performances of some low-cost counter electrode materials in CdS and CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Jun, Hieng Kiat; Careem, Mohamed Abdul; Arof, Abdul Kariem

2014-02-10

Different counter electrode (CE) materials based on carbon and Cu2S were prepared for the application in CdS and CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The CEs were prepared using low-cost and facile methods. Platinum was used as the reference CE material to compare the performances of the other materials. While carbon-based materials produced the best solar cell performance in CdS QDSSCs, platinum and Cu2S were superior in CdSe QDSSCs. Different CE materials have different performance in the two types of QDSSCs employed due to the different type of sensitizers and composition of polysulfide electrolytes used. The poor performance of QDSSCs with some CE materials is largely due to the lower photocurrent density and open-circuit voltage. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy performed on the cells showed that the poor-performing QDSSCs had higher charge-transfer resistances and CPE values at their CE/electrolyte interfaces.

The parallel plate avalanche counter: a simple, rugged, imaging X-ray counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Joensen, K.D.; Budtz-Joergensen, C.; Bahnsen, A.; Madsen, M.M.; Olesen, C.; Schnopper, H.W.

1995-01-01

A two-dimensional parallel gap proportional counter has been developed at the Danish Space Research Institute. Imaging over the 120 mm diameter active area is obtained using the positive ion component of the avalanche signals as recorded by a system of wedge- and strip-electrodes. An electronically simple, but very effective background rejection is obtained by using the fast electron component of the avalanche signal. Gas gains up to 8x10 5 have been achieved. An energy-resolution of 16% and a sub-millimeter spatial resolution have been measured at 5.9 keV for an operating gas gain of 10 5 . In principle, the position coordinates are linear functions of electronic readouts. The present model, however, exhibits non-linearities, caused by imperfections in the wedge and strip-electrode pattern. These non-linearities are corrected by using a bilinear correction algorithm. We conclude that the rugged construction, the simple electronics, the effectiveness of the background rejection and the actual imaging performance makes this a very attractive laboratory detector for low and intermediate count rate imaging applications. ((orig.))

Universal low-temperature MWCNT-COOH-based counter electrode and a new thiolate/disulfide electrolyte system for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Hilmi, Abdulla; Shoker, Tharallah A; Ghaddar, Tarek H

2014-06-11

A new thiolate/disulfide organic-based electrolyte system composed of the tetrabutylammonium salt of 2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazole-3-thiol (S(-)) and its oxidized form 3,3'-dithiobis(2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazole) (DS) has been formulated and used in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrocatalytic activity of different counter electrodes (CEs) has been evaluated by means of measuring J-V curves, cyclic voltammetry, Tafel plots, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A stable and low-temperature CE based on acid-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) was investigated with our S(-)/DS, I(-)/I3(-), T(-)/T2, and Co(II/III)-based electrolyte systems. The proposed CE showed superb electrocatalytic activity toward the regeneration of the different electrolytes. In addition, good stability of solar cell devices based on the reported electrolyte and CE was shown.

Morphology-Tuned Synthesis of Nickel Cobalt Selenides as Highly Efficient Pt-Free Counter Electrode Catalysts for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Qian, Xing; Li, Hongmei; Shao, Li; Jiang, Xiancai; Hou, Linxi

2016-11-02

In this work, morphology-tuned ternary nickel cobalt selenides based on different Ni/Co molar ratios have been synthesized via a simple precursor conversion method and used as counter electrode (CE) materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The experimental facts and mechanism analysis clarified the possible growth process of product. It can be found that the electrochemical performance and structures of ternary nickel cobalt selenides can be optimized by tuning the Ni/Co molar ratio. Benefiting from the unique morphology and tunable composition, among the as-prepared metal selenides, the electrochemical measurements showed that the ternary nickel cobalt selenides exhibited a more superior electrocatalytic activity in comparison with binary Ni and Co selenides. In particular, the three-dimensional dandelion-like Ni 0.33 Co 0.67 Se microspheres delivered much higher power conversion efficiency (9.01%) than that of Pt catalyst (8.30%) under AM 1.5G irradiation.

A complete carbon counter electrode for high performance quasi solid state dye sensitized solar cell

Science.gov (United States)

Arbab, Alvira Ayoub; Peerzada, Mazhar Hussain; Sahito, Iftikhar Ali; Jeong, Sung Hoon

2017-03-01

The proposed research describes the design and fabrication of a quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells (Q-DSSCs) with a complete carbon based counter electrode (CC-CE) and gel infused membrane electrolyte. For CE, the platinized fluorinated tin oxide glass (Pt/FTO) was replaced by the soft cationic functioned multiwall carbon nanotubes (SCF-MWCNT) catalytic layer coated on woven carbon fiber fabric (CFF) prepared on handloom by interlacing of carbon filament tapes. SCF-MWCNT were synthesized by functionalization of cationised lipase from Candida Ragusa. Cationised enzyme solution was prepared at pH ∼3 by using acetic acid. The cationic enzyme functionalization of MWCNT causes the minimum damage to the tubular morphology and assist in fast anchoring of negative iodide ions present in membrane electrolyte. The high electrocatalytic activity and low charge transfer resistance (RCT = 2.12 Ω) of our proposed system of CC-CE shows that the woven CFF coated with cationised lipase treated carbon nanotubes enriched with positive surface ions. The Q-DSSCs fabricated with CC-CE and 5 wt% PEO gel infused PVDF-HFP membrane electrolyte exhibit power conversion efficiency of 8.90% under masking. Our suggested low cost and highly efficient system of CC-CE helps the proposed quasi-solid state DSSCs structure to stand out as sustainable next generation solar cells.

Influence of tube volume on measurement uncertainty of GM counters

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Stanković Koviljka Đ.

2010-01-01

Full Text Available GM counters are often used in radiation detection since they generate a strong signal which can be easily detected. The working principal of a GM counter is based on the interaction of ionizing radiation with the atoms and molecules of the gas present in the counter's tube. Free electrons created as a result of this interaction become initial electrons, i. e. start an avalanche process which is detected as a pulse of current. This current pulse is independent of the energy imparted on the gas, that being the main difference between a GM counter and the majority of other radiation detectors. In literature, the dependence on the incidence of radiation energy, tube's orientation and characteristics of the reading system are quoted as the main sources of measurement uncertainty of GM counters. The aim of this paper is to determine the dependence of measurement uncertainty of a GM counter on the volume of its counter's tube. The dependence of the pulse current on the size of the counter's tube has, therefore, been considered here, both in radial and parallel geometry. The initiation and expansion of the current pulse have been examined by means of elementary processes of electrical discharge such as the Markov processes, while the changes in the counter's tube volume were put to test by the space - time enlargement law. The random variable known as the 'current pulse in the counter's tube' (i. e. electrical breakdown of the electrode configuration has also been taken into account and an appropriate theoretical distribution statistically determined. Thus obtained theoretical results were then compared to corresponding experimental results established in controlled laboratory conditions.

Properties and microstructure of the Ru-coated carbon nano tube counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Han, Jeungjo; Yu, Byungkwan; Noh, Yunyoung; Suh, Young Joon; Kim, Moon J; Yoo, Kicheon; Ko, Min Jae; Song, Ohsung

2014-08-01

In this study, we investigated the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with the ruthenium (Ru) coated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on the counter electrode (CE). High purity MWCNT (0.01~0.06 g) was sprayed on glass/fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). Then 30 nm-thick Ru thin films were coated on a MWCNT template at low temperature by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using RuDi and O2 as precursor to prepare Ru-CNT CE and the 0.45 cm2 DSSC device of glass/FTO/TiO2/Dye (N719)/electrolyte (C6DMII, GSCN)/Ru-CNT CE was fabricated. The surface morphology of CEs and the energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC device were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and photocurrent-voltage (I-V) measurement. We confirmed that effective surface of the CE increased linearly as the amount of MWCNT spray increased and the crystallized Ru was deposited very conformally around the MWCNT nano template. Moreover, the efficiency of the DSSC increased up to 3.3% as the amount of MWCNT increased.

An annular BF3 counter of large sensitive volume

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Janardhanan, S.; Swaminathan, N.

1975-01-01

An annular neutron counter having a large sensitive volume with inner and outer diameter 31 cms with multiple electrode system fabricated especially to measure the neutron output from fissile region of standard fast reactor fuel of length nearly equivalent to 500 cms is described. The counter efficiency is nearly 0.3% for neutron and sensitivity 0.0018 counts/neutron for (alpha, neutron) and spontaneous fission source. Its other potential applications which are indicated are : (1) quality control of fast reactor fuel pins (2) fuel inventory (3) assessing radioactivity of solid waste packets containing PuO 2 (4) uniformity of fuel loading of a reactor and (5) neutron monitoring in a fuel plant. (M.G.B.)

Adhesion Improvement and Characterization of Magnetron Sputter Deposited Bilayer Molybdenum Thin Films for Rear Contact Application in CIGS Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Weimin Li

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Molybdenum (Mo thin films are widely used as rear electrodes in copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS solar cells. The challenge in Mo deposition by magnetron sputtering lies in simultaneously achieving good adhesion to the substrates while retaining the electrical and optical properties. Bilayer Mo films, comprising five different thickness ratios of a high pressure (HP deposited bottom layer and a low pressure (LP deposited top layer, were deposited on 40 cm × 30 cm soda-lime glass substrates by DC magnetron sputtering. We focus on understanding the effects of the individual layer properties on the resulting bilayer Mo films, such as microstructure, surface morphology, and surface oxidation. We show that the thickness of the bottom HP Mo layer plays a major role in determining the micromechanical and physical properties of the bilayer Mo stack. Our studies reveal that a thicker HP Mo bottom layer not only improves the adhesion of the bilayer Mo, but also helps to improve the film crystallinity along the preferred [110] direction. However, the surface roughness and the porosity of the bilayer Mo films are found to increase with increasing bottom layer thickness, which leads to lower optical reflectance and a higher probability for oxidation at the Mo surface.

Characterization and electrochemical studies of Nafion/nano-TiO2 film modified electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yuan Shuai; Hu Shengshui

2004-01-01

A nano-TiO 2 film from stable aqueous dispersion has been modified on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This nanostructured film exhibits an ability to improve the electron-transfer rate between electrode and dopamine (DA), and electrocatalyze the redox of DA. The electrocatalytical behavior of DA was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Combined with Nafion, the bilayer-modified electrode (N/T/GCE) gives a sensitive voltammetric response of DA regardless of excess ascorbic acid (AA). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at a fixed potential was performed at variously treated GCEs. The mechanism of the electrode reaction of DA at N/T/GCE and the equivalent circuits of different GCEs have been proposed

Alcohol's Effects on Lipid Bilayer Properties

Science.gov (United States)

Ingólfsson, Helgi I.; Andersen, Olaf S.

2011-01-01

Alcohols are known modulators of lipid bilayer properties. Their biological effects have long been attributed to their bilayer-modifying effects, but alcohols can also alter protein function through direct protein interactions. This raises the question: Do alcohol's biological actions result predominantly from direct protein-alcohol interactions or from general changes in the membrane properties? The efficacy of alcohols of various chain lengths tends to exhibit a so-called cutoff effect (i.e., increasing potency with increased chain length, which that eventually levels off). The cutoff varies depending on the assay, and numerous mechanisms have been proposed such as: limited size of the alcohol-protein interaction site, limited alcohol solubility, and a chain-length-dependent lipid bilayer-alcohol interaction. To address these issues, we determined the bilayer-modifying potency of 27 aliphatic alcohols using a gramicidin-based fluorescence assay. All of the alcohols tested (with chain lengths of 1–16 carbons) alter the bilayer properties, as sensed by a bilayer-spanning channel. The bilayer-modifying potency of the short-chain alcohols scales linearly with their bilayer partitioning; the potency tapers off at higher chain lengths, and eventually changes sign for the longest-chain alcohols, demonstrating an alcohol cutoff effect in a system that has no alcohol-binding pocket. PMID:21843475

Highly Efficient and Stable Organic Solar Cells via Interface Engineering with a Nanostructured ITR-GO/PFN Bilayer Cathode Interlayer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ding Zheng

2017-08-01

Full Text Available An innovative bilayer cathode interlayer (CIL with a nanostructure consisting of in situ thermal reduced graphene oxide (ITR-GO and poly[(9,9-bis(3′-(N,N-dimethylamionpropyl-2,7-fluorene-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctyl fluorene] (PFN has been fabricated for inverted organic solar cells (OSCs. An approach to prepare a CIL of high electronic quality by using ITR-GO as a template to modulate the morphology of the interface between the active layer and electrode and to further reduce the work function of the electrode has also been realized. This bilayer ITR-GO/PFN CIL is processed by a spray-coating method with facile in situ thermal reduction. Meanwhile, the CIL shows a good charge transport efficiency and less charge recombination, which leads to a significant enhancement of the power conversion efficiency from 6.47% to 8.34% for Poly({4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyloxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl}{3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexylcarbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl} (PTB7:[6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM-based OSCs. In addition, the long-term stability of the OSC is improved by using the ITR-GO/PFN CIL when compared with the pristine device. These results indicate that the bilayer ITR-GO/PFN CIL is a promising way to realize high-efficiency and stable OSCs by using water-soluble conjugated polymer electrolytes such as PFN.

ZnO/CdS bi-layer nanostructures photoelectrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dalal, Paresh V., E-mail: paresh10dalal@gmail.com [Physics Research Lab, Shri V. S. Naik Arts, Commerce and Science College, Raver-425508 (M. S.) (India); Deshpande, Milind P., E-mail: vishwadeshpande@yahoo.co.in [Department of Physics, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388120 (Gujarat) (India); Solanki, Bharat G., E-mail: bhrt.solanki17@gmail.com; Soni, Saurabh S., E-mail: soni-b21@yahoo.co.in [Department of Chemistry, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388120 (Gujarat) (India)

2016-05-06

Simple chemical deposition method for the synthesis of ZnO/CdS bilayer photoelectrode on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate in aqueous medium at low temperature (< 373K) is described. The different preparative parameters such as deposition time, bath temperature, concentration of precursor solution and, pH of the bath etc. were optimized. Nanograined ZnO was deposited on FTO coated glass substrates by dip-coating method, whereas CdS nanorods were successfully synthesized on pre-deposited ZnO film by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) method. The Photovoltaic properties of FTO/ZnO/CdS bilayer photo electrodes were also studied. A maximum short circuit current density of 9.1 mA cm-2 and conversion efficiency 1.05% are observed for ZnO/CdS-10min. Layer, which supports fast electron injection kinetics due to hetero structured nanorod, while minimum values of 0.53mA cm-2 and 0.01% respectively are observed for only ZnO deposited layer.

Graphene as transparent and current spreading electrode in silicon solar cell

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Behura, Sanjay K., E-mail: sanjaybehura@gmail.com; Nayak, Sasmita; Jani, Omkar [Solar Energy Research Wing, Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute - Research, Innovation and Incubation Centre, Gandhinagar 382007, Gujarat (India); Mahala, Pramila [School of Solar Energy, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar 382007, Gujarat (India)

2014-11-15

Fabricated bi-layer graphene (BLG) has been studied as transparent and current spreading electrode (TCSE) for silicon solar cell, using TCAD-Silvaco 2D simulation. We have carried out comparative study using both Ag grids and BLG as current spreading electrode (CSE) and TCSE, respectively. Our study reveals that BLG based solar cell shows better efficiency of 24.85% than Ag-based cell (21.44%), in all of the critical aspects, including generation rate, recombination rate, electric field, potential and quantum efficiency. Further BLG based cell exhibits pronounce rectifying behavior, low saturation current, and good turn-on voltage while studying in dark.

Electrochemical deposition of molybdenum sulfide thin films on conductive plastic substrates as platinum-free flexible counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cheng, Chao-Kuang; Hsieh, Chien-Kuo, E-mail: jack_hsieh@mail.mcut.edu.tw

2015-06-01

In this study, pulsed electrochemical deposition (pulsed ECD) was used to deposit molybdenum sulfide (MoS{sub x}) thin films on indium tin oxide/polyethylene naphthalate (ITO/PEN) substrates as flexible counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The surface morphologies and elemental distributions of the prepared MoS{sub x} thin films were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The chemical states and crystallinities of the prepared MoS{sub x} thin films were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The optical transmission (T (%)) properties of the prepared MoS{sub x} samples were determined by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Tafel-polarization measurements were performed to analyze the electrochemical properties and catalytic activities of the thin films for redox reactions. The FE-SEM results showed that the MoS{sub x} thin films were deposited uniformly on the ITO/PEN flexible substrates via the pulsed ECD method. The CV and Tafel-polarization curve measurements demonstrated that the deposited MoS{sub x} thin films exhibited excellent performances for the reduction of triiodide ions. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSSC produced with the pulsed ECD MoS{sub x} thin-film CE was examined by a solar simulator. In combination with a dye-sensitized TiO{sub 2} working electrode and an iodine-based electrolyte, the DSSC with the MoS{sub x} flexible CE showed a PCE of 4.39% under an illumination of AM 1.5 (100 mW cm{sup −2}). Thus, we report that the MoS{sub x} thin films are active catalysts for triiodide reduction. The MoS{sub x} thin films are prepared at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and in a simple and rapid manner. This is an important practical contribution to the production of flexible low-cost thin-film CEs based on plastic substrates. The MoS{sub x

Tunneling Plasmonics in Bilayer Graphene.

Science.gov (United States)

Fei, Z; Iwinski, E G; Ni, G X; Zhang, L M; Bao, W; Rodin, A S; Lee, Y; Wagner, M; Liu, M K; Dai, S; Goldflam, M D; Thiemens, M; Keilmann, F; Lau, C N; Castro-Neto, A H; Fogler, M M; Basov, D N

2015-08-12

We report experimental signatures of plasmonic effects due to electron tunneling between adjacent graphene layers. At subnanometer separation, such layers can form either a strongly coupled bilayer graphene with a Bernal stacking or a weakly coupled double-layer graphene with a random stacking order. Effects due to interlayer tunneling dominate in the former case but are negligible in the latter. We found through infrared nanoimaging that bilayer graphene supports plasmons with a higher degree of confinement compared to single- and double-layer graphene, a direct consequence of interlayer tunneling. Moreover, we were able to shut off plasmons in bilayer graphene through gating within a wide voltage range. Theoretical modeling indicates that such a plasmon-off region is directly linked to a gapped insulating state of bilayer graphene, yet another implication of interlayer tunneling. Our work uncovers essential plasmonic properties in bilayer graphene and suggests a possibility to achieve novel plasmonic functionalities in graphene few-layers.

Potassium-doped n-type bilayer graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Yamada, Takatoshi; Okigawa, Yuki; Hasegawa, Masataka

2018-01-01

Potassium-doped n-type bilayer graphene was obtained. Chemical vapor deposited bilayer and single layer graphene on copper (Cu) foils were used. After etching of Cu foils, graphene was dipped in potassium hydroxide aqueous solutions to dope potassium. Graphene on silicon oxide was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy. Both XPS and EDX spectra indicated potassium incorporation into the bilayer graphene via intercalation between the graphene sheets. The downward shift of the 2D peak position of bilayer graphene after the potassium hydroxide (KOH) treatment was confirmed in Raman spectra, indicating that the KOH-treated bilayer graphene was doped with electrons. Electrical properties were measured using Hall bar structures. The Dirac points of bilayer graphene were shifted from positive to negative by the KOH treatment, indicating that the KOH-treated bilayer graphene was n-type conduction. For single layer graphene after the KOH treatment, although electron doping was confirmed from Raman spectra, the peak of potassium in the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum was not detected. The Dirac points of single layer graphene with and without the KOH treatment showed positive.

Electronic properties of graphene-based bilayer systems

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rozhkov, A.V., E-mail: arozhkov@gmail.com [CEMS, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198 (Japan); Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electrodynamics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 125412 Moscow (Russian Federation); Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141700 (Russian Federation); Sboychakov, A.O. [CEMS, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198 (Japan); Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electrodynamics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 125412 Moscow (Russian Federation); Rakhmanov, A.L. [CEMS, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198 (Japan); Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electrodynamics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 125412 Moscow (Russian Federation); Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141700 (Russian Federation); All-Russia Research Institute of Automatics, Moscow, 127055 (Russian Federation); Nori, Franco, E-mail: fnori@riken.jp [CEMS, RIKEN, Saitama 351-0198 (Japan); Physics Department, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 (United States)

2016-08-23

This article reviews the theoretical and experimental work related to the electronic properties of bilayer graphene systems. Three types of bilayer stackings are discussed: the AA, AB, and twisted bilayer graphene. This review covers single-electron properties, effects of static electric and magnetic fields, bilayer-based mesoscopic systems, spin–orbit coupling, dc transport and optical response, as well as spontaneous symmetry violation and other interaction effects. The selection of the material aims to introduce the reader to the most commonly studied topics of theoretical and experimental research in bilayer graphene.

Electrochemical behavior of LiCoO2 as aqueous lithium-ion battery electrodes

KAUST Repository

Ruffo, Riccardo

2009-02-01

Despite the large number of studies on the behavior of LiCoO2 in organic electrolytes and its recent application as a positive electrode in rechargeable water battery prototypes, a little information is available about the lithium intercalation reaction in this layered compound in aqueous electrolytes. This work shows that LiCoO2 electrodes can be reversibly cycled in LiNO3 aqueous electrolytes for tens of cycles at remarkably high rates with impressive values specific capacity higher than 100 mAh/g, and with a coulomb efficiency greater than 99.7%. Stable and reproducible cycling measurements have been made using a simple cell design that can be easily applied to the study of other intercalation materials, assuming that they are stable in water and that their intercalation potential range matches the electrochemical stability window of the aqueous electrolyte. The experimental arrangement uses a three-electrode flooded cell in which another insertion compound acts as a reversible source and sink of lithium ions, i.e., as the counter electrode. A commercial reference electrode is also present. Both the working and the counter electrodes have been prepared as thin layers on a metallic substrate using the procedures typical for the study of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries in organic solvent electrolytes. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dispersion of fullerenes in phospholipid bilayers and the subsequent phase changes in the host bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jeng, U-S. [National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30077, Taiwan (China)]. E-mail: usjeng@nsrrc.org.tw; Hsu, C.-H. [National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 30077, Taiwan (China); Lin, T.-L. [Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan (China); Wu, C.-M. [Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan (China); Chen, H.-L. [Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan (China); Tai, L.-A. [Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan (China); Hwang, K.-C. [Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan (China)

2005-02-28

We have studied the structure and phase transition characteristics of the fullerenes (C{sub 60})-embedded lipid bilayers. With small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), we have observed a degradation of bilayer ordering and a suppression effect on the phase transitions of the host vesicle bilayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), due to the embedment of fullerenes. The fullerene-embedded lipid system with substrate-oriented bilayers is also investigated using X-ray reflectivity and grazing incident small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). In the depth direction, the multilamellar peaks observed in the X-ray reflectivity profile for the oriented DPPC/C{sub 60} bilayers reveal a larger head-to-head distance D{sub HH} of 50.6 A and a bilayer spacing D of 59.8 A, compared to the D{sub HH}=47.7 A and D=59.5 A for a pure DPPC membrane measured at the same conditions. Furthermore, the lipid head layers and water layers in the extracted electron density profile for the complex system are highly smeared, implying a fluctuating or corrugated structure in this zone. Correspondingly, GISAXS for the oriented DPPC/C{sub 60} membrane reveals stronger diffuse scatterings along the membrane plane than that for the pure DPPC system, indicating a higher in-plane correlation associated with the embedded fullerenes.

Characteristics of TiO_2/ZnO bilayer film towards pH sensitivity prepared by different spin coating deposition process

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rahman, Rohanieza Abdul; Zulkefle, Muhammad Al Hadi; Abdullah, Wan Fazlida Hanim; Rusop, M.; Herman, Sukreen Hana

2016-01-01

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO_2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) bilayer film for pH sensing application will be presented. TiO_2/ZnO bilayer film with different speed of spin-coating process was deposited on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), prepared by sol-gel method. This fabricated bilayer film was used as sensing membrane for Extended Gate Field-Effect Transistor (EGFET) for pH sensing application. Experimental results indicated that the sensor is able to detect the sensitivity towards pH buffer solution. In order to obtained the result, sensitivity measurement was done by using the EGFET setup equipment with constant-current (100 µA) and constant-voltage (0.3 V) biasing interfacing circuit. TiO_2/ZnO bilayer film which the working electrode, act as the pH-sensitive membrane was connected to a commercial metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET). This MOSFET then was connected to the interfacing circuit. The sensitivity of the TiO2 thin film towards pH buffer solution was measured by dipping the sensing membrane in pH4, pH7 and pH10 buffer solution. These thin films were characterized by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) to obtain the surface morphology of the composite bilayer films. In addition, I-V measurement was done in order to determine the electrical properties of the bilayer films. According to the result obtained in this experiment, bilayer film that spin at 4000 rpm, gave highest sensitivity which is 52.1 mV/pH. Relating the I-V characteristic of the thin films and sensitivity, the sensing membrane with higher conductivity gave better sensitivity.

Schottky Barriers in Bilayer Phosphorene Transistors.

Science.gov (United States)

Pan, Yuanyuan; Dan, Yang; Wang, Yangyang; Ye, Meng; Zhang, Han; Quhe, Ruge; Zhang, Xiuying; Li, Jingzhen; Guo, Wanlin; Yang, Li; Lu, Jing

2017-04-12

It is unreliable to evaluate the Schottky barrier height (SBH) in monolayer (ML) 2D material field effect transistors (FETs) with strongly interacted electrode from the work function approximation (WFA) because of existence of the Fermi-level pinning. Here, we report the first systematical study of bilayer (BL) phosphorene FETs in contact with a series of metals with a wide work function range (Al, Ag, Cu, Au, Cr, Ti, Ni, and Pd) by using both ab initio electronic band calculations and quantum transport simulation (QTS). Different from only one type of Schottky barrier (SB) identified in the ML phosphorene FETs, two types of SBs are identified in BL phosphorene FETs: the vertical SB between the metallized and the intact phosphorene layer, whose height is determined from the energy band analysis (EBA); the lateral SB between the metallized and the channel BL phosphorene, whose height is determined from the QTS. The vertical SBHs show a better consistency with the lateral SBHs of the ML phosphorene FETs from the QTS compared than that of the popular WFA. Therefore, we develop a better and more general method than the WFA to estimate the lateral SBHs of ML semiconductor transistors with strongly interacted electrodes based on the EBA for its BL counterpart. In terms of the QTS, n-type lateral Schottky contacts are formed between BL phosphorene and Cr, Al, and Cu electrodes with electron SBH of 0.27, 0.31, and 0.32 eV, respectively, while p-type lateral Schottky contacts are formed between BL phosphorene and Pd, Ti, Ni, Ag, and Au electrodes with hole SBH of 0.11, 0.18, 0.19, 0.20, and 0.21 eV, respectively. The theoretical polarity and SBHs are in good agreement with available experiments. Our study provides an insight into the BL phosphorene-metal interfaces that are crucial for designing the BL phosphorene device.

Phase I Final Report: Ultra-Low Background Alpha Activity Counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Warburton, W.K.

2005-01-01

processor we easily distinguish between these two risetimes and thereby count only alpha particles emitted by the sample. Alpha particles emitted from the sample tray are absorbed in the rear of the sample, so the tray's emissivity does not contribute to the background either. Extensions of the method to the counter's sidewalls similarly allow us to reject alpha particles emitted from the sidewalls. We can thus able obtain background rates over a factor of 1000 lower than in conventional instruments without active background rejection. Extending this principle to count at the 0.00001 alpha/cm 2 /hour, level encounters difficulties because there will typically be only 2.4 alpha particles per square meter per day. Since about 6 counts are required to measure activity at the 95% confidence level, large sample areas are required to make measurements in reasonable times. Unfortunately, increasing the counter's anode area to a square meter raises its capacitance so much that the preamplifier noise levels swamp the alpha particle signals and make counting impossible. In this SBIR we worked to solve this dilemma by segmenting the single large area electrode into several smaller, lower capacitance electrodes that could still detect the alpha particles reliably. Each electrode would have its own electronic and we would capture signals from all of them in coincidence (since an alpha track might well deposit charge on more than one electrode), a technique in which XIA is experienced. Therefore, in Phase I we worked to show proof of principle by subdividing our original 1,800 cm 2 electrode into 4 square segments, each 625 cm 2 and demonstrating that signal noise on individual channels reduced as expected. Because the Phase II counter with a 1 m 2 segmented anode would require 16 segments plus a segmented guard as well, we also designed low cost signal processing electronics to instrument it in Phase II. Our Phase I effort met our major proof of principle goals. In particular, reducing

Honeycomb-like NiCo2S4 nanosheets prepared by rapid electrodeposition as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Yin, Jie; Wang, Yuqiao; Meng, Wenfei; Zhou, Tianyue; Li, Baosong; Wei, Tao; Sun, Yueming

2017-08-01

Honeycomb-like nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCo2S4) nanosheets were directly deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by a rapid voltammetric deposition method. The method was also controllable and feasible for preparing NiCo2S4 on flexible Ti foil without any heating processes. Compared with Pt, CoS and NiS, NiCo2S4 exhibited low charge-transfer resistances and excellent electrocatalytic activity for {{{{I}}}3}- reduction, acting as a counter electrode for a dye-sensitized solar cell. The NiCo2S4-based solar cell showed higher power conversion efficiency (7.44%) than that of Pt-based solar cell (7.09%) under simulated illumination (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW cm-2). The device based on the flexible NiCo2S4/Ti foil achieved a power conversion efficiency of 5.28% under the above illumination conditions. This work can be extended to flexible and wearable technologies due to its facile technique.

Graphene as transparent and current spreading electrode in silicon solar cell

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sanjay K. Behura

2014-11-01

Full Text Available Fabricated bi-layer graphene (BLG has been studied as transparent and current spreading electrode (TCSE for silicon solar cell, using TCAD-Silvaco 2D simulation. We have carried out comparative study using both Ag grids and BLG as current spreading electrode (CSE and TCSE, respectively. Our study reveals that BLG based solar cell shows better efficiency of 24.85% than Ag-based cell (21.44%, in all of the critical aspects, including generation rate, recombination rate, electric field, potential and quantum efficiency. Further BLG based cell exhibits pronounce rectifying behavior, low saturation current, and good turn-on voltage while studying in dark.

First Townsend coefficient of organic vapour in avalanche counters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sernicki, J.

1990-01-01

A new concept is presented in the paper for implementing the proven method of determining the first Townsend coefficient (α) of gases using an avalanche counter. The A and B gas constants, interrelated by the expression α/p=A exp[-B/(K/p)], are analyzed. Parallel-plate avalanche counters (PPAC) with an electrode spacing d from 0.1 to 0.4 cm have been employed for the investigation, arranged to register low-energy alpha particles at n-heptane vapour pressures of p≥5 Torr. An in-depth discussion is given, covering the veracity and the behaviour vs K/p, of the n-heptane A and B constants determined at reduced electric-field intensity values ranging from 173.5 to 940 V/cm Torr; the constants have been found to depend upon d. The results of the investigation are compared to available data of the α coefficient of organic vapours used in avalanche counters. The PPAC method of determining α reveals some imperfections at very low values of the pd product. (orig.)

Homogeneous PCBM layers fabricated by horizontal-dip coating for efficient bilayer heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Huh, Yoon Ho; Bae, In-Gon; Jeon, Hong Goo; Park, Byoungchoo

2016-10-31

We herein report a homogeneous [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) layer, produced by a solution process of horizontal-dipping (H-dipping) to improve the photovoltaic (PV) effects of bilayer heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) based on a bi-stacked poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) electron donor layer and a PCBM electron acceptor layer (P3HT/PCBM). It was shown that a homogeneous and uniform coating of PCBM layers in the P3HT/PCBM bilayer OPVs resulted in reliable and reproducible device performance. We recorded a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.89%, which is higher than that (2.00%) of bilayer OPVs with a spin-coated PCBM layer. Moreover, introducing surfactant additives of poly(oxyethylene tridecyl ether) (PTE) into the homogeneous P3HT/PCBM PV layers resulted in the bilayer OPVs showing a PCE value of 3.95%, which is comparable to those of conventional bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) OPVs (3.57-4.13%) fabricated by conventional spin-coating. This improved device performance may be attributed to the selective collection of charge carriers at the interfaces among the active layers and electrodes due to the PTE additives as well as the homogeneous formation of the functional PCBM layer on the P3HT layer. Furthermore, H-dip-coated PCBM layers were deposited onto aligned P3HT layers by a rubbing technique, and the rubbed bilayer OPV exhibited improved in-plane anisotropic PV effects with PCE anisotropy as high as 1.81, which is also higher than that (1.54) of conventional rubbed BHJ OPVs. Our results suggest that the use of the H-dip-coating process in the fabrication of PCBM layers with the PTE interface-engineering additive could be of considerable interest to those seeking to improve PCBM-based opto-electrical organic thin-film devices.

Vacuum-assisted bilayer PEDOT:PSS/cellulose nanofiber composite film for self-standing, flexible, conductive electrodes.

Science.gov (United States)

Ko, Youngsang; Kim, Dabum; Kim, Ung-Jin; You, Jungmok

2017-10-01

Sustainable cellulose nanofiber (CNF)-based composites as functional conductive materials have garnered considerable attention recently for their use in soft electronic devices. In this work, self-standing, highly flexible, and conductive PEDOT:PSS-CNF composite films were developed using a simple vacuum-assisted filtration method. Two different composite films were successfully fabricated and then tested: 1) a single-layer composite composed of a mixture of PEDOT:PSS and CNF phases and 2) a bilayer composite composed of an upper PEDOT:PSS membrane layer and a CNF matrix sub-layer. The latter composite was constructed by electrostatic/hydrogen bonding interactions between PEDOT:PSS and CNFs coupled with sequential vacuum-assisted filtration. Our results demonstrated that the resultant bilayer composite film exhibited a competitive electrical conductivity (ca. 22.6Scm -1 ) compared to those of previously reported cellulose-based composites. Furthermore, decreases in the electrical properties were not observed in the composite films when they were bent up to 100 times at an angle of 180° and bent multiple times at an angle of 90°, clearly demonstrating their excellent mechanical flexibility. This study provides a straightforward method of fabricating highly flexible, lightweight, and conductive films, which have the potential to be used in high-performance soft electronic systems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessment of pseudo-bilayer structures in the heterogate germanium electron-hole bilayer tunnel field-effect transistor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Padilla, J. L.; Alper, C.; Ionescu, A. M.; Medina-Bailón, C.; Gámiz, F.

2015-01-01

We investigate the effect of pseudo-bilayer configurations at low operating voltages (≤0.5 V) in the heterogate germanium electron-hole bilayer tunnel field-effect transistor (HG-EHBTFET) compared to the traditional bilayer structures of EHBTFETs arising from semiclassical simulations where the inversion layers for electrons and holes featured very symmetric profiles with similar concentration levels at the ON-state. Pseudo-bilayer layouts are attained by inducing a certain asymmetry between the top and the bottom gates so that even though the hole inversion layer is formed at the bottom of the channel, the top gate voltage remains below the required value to trigger the formation of the inversion layer for electrons. Resulting benefits from this setup are improved electrostatic control on the channel, enhanced gate-to-gate efficiency, and higher I ON levels. Furthermore, pseudo-bilayer configurations alleviate the difficulties derived from confining very high opposite carrier concentrations in very thin structures

Assessment of pseudo-bilayer structures in the heterogate germanium electron-hole bilayer tunnel field-effect transistor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Padilla, J. L., E-mail: jose.padilladelatorre@epfl.ch; Alper, C.; Ionescu, A. M. [Nanoelectronic Devices Laboratory, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015 (Switzerland); Medina-Bailón, C.; Gámiz, F. [Departamento de Electrónica y Tecnología de los Computadores, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada (Spain)

2015-06-29

We investigate the effect of pseudo-bilayer configurations at low operating voltages (≤0.5 V) in the heterogate germanium electron-hole bilayer tunnel field-effect transistor (HG-EHBTFET) compared to the traditional bilayer structures of EHBTFETs arising from semiclassical simulations where the inversion layers for electrons and holes featured very symmetric profiles with similar concentration levels at the ON-state. Pseudo-bilayer layouts are attained by inducing a certain asymmetry between the top and the bottom gates so that even though the hole inversion layer is formed at the bottom of the channel, the top gate voltage remains below the required value to trigger the formation of the inversion layer for electrons. Resulting benefits from this setup are improved electrostatic control on the channel, enhanced gate-to-gate efficiency, and higher I{sub ON} levels. Furthermore, pseudo-bilayer configurations alleviate the difficulties derived from confining very high opposite carrier concentrations in very thin structures.

Characteristics of TiO{sub 2}/ZnO bilayer film towards pH sensitivity prepared by different spin coating deposition process

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rahman, Rohanieza Abdul, E-mail: rohanieza.abdrahman@gmail.com; Zulkefle, Muhammad Al Hadi, E-mail: alhadizulkefle@gmail.com [NANO-Electronic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); Abdullah, Wan Fazlida Hanim, E-mail: wanfaz@salam.uitm.edu.my [Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); Rusop, M., E-mail: rusop@salam.uitm.com [NANO-Electronic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); NANO-Science Technology Centre (NST), Institute of Science (IOS), Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA - UiTM, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); Herman, Sukreen Hana, E-mail: hana1617@salam.uitm.edu.my [NANO-Electronic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); CoRe of Frontier Materials & Industry Applications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia)

2016-07-06

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) and zinc oxide (ZnO) bilayer film for pH sensing application will be presented. TiO{sub 2}/ZnO bilayer film with different speed of spin-coating process was deposited on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), prepared by sol-gel method. This fabricated bilayer film was used as sensing membrane for Extended Gate Field-Effect Transistor (EGFET) for pH sensing application. Experimental results indicated that the sensor is able to detect the sensitivity towards pH buffer solution. In order to obtained the result, sensitivity measurement was done by using the EGFET setup equipment with constant-current (100 µA) and constant-voltage (0.3 V) biasing interfacing circuit. TiO{sub 2}/ZnO bilayer film which the working electrode, act as the pH-sensitive membrane was connected to a commercial metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET). This MOSFET then was connected to the interfacing circuit. The sensitivity of the TiO2 thin film towards pH buffer solution was measured by dipping the sensing membrane in pH4, pH7 and pH10 buffer solution. These thin films were characterized by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) to obtain the surface morphology of the composite bilayer films. In addition, I-V measurement was done in order to determine the electrical properties of the bilayer films. According to the result obtained in this experiment, bilayer film that spin at 4000 rpm, gave highest sensitivity which is 52.1 mV/pH. Relating the I-V characteristic of the thin films and sensitivity, the sensing membrane with higher conductivity gave better sensitivity.

H3PO4 treated surface modified CuS counter electrodes with high electrocatalytic activity for enhancing photovoltaic performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Panthakkal Abdul Muthalif, Mohammed; Sunesh, Chozhidakath Damodharan; Choe, Youngson

2018-05-01

Herein we report a simple synthetic strategy to prepare highly efficient and surface modified CuS counter electrodes (CEs) for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) in the presence of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) using the chemical bath deposition method. This is the first report of successful treatment of H3PO4 on the surface of CuS CEs for designing a high-performance QDSSCs with improved photovoltaic properties. After optimization, the 4 ml H3PO4 treated CuS CE-based QDSSC exhibits excellent photovoltaic performance with a conversion efficiency (η) of 4.20% (Voc = 0.592 V, Jsc = 13.35 mA cm-2, FF = 0.532) under one full-sun illumination (100 mW cm-2, AM 1.5 G).

Synthesis and microstructural studies of annealed Cu(2)O/Cu(x)S bilayer as transparent electrode material for photovoltaic and energy storage devices.

Science.gov (United States)

Taleatu, B A; Arbab, E A A; Omotoso, E; Mola, G T

2014-10-01

Cu2 O thin film and a transparent bilayer have been fabricated by electrodeposition method. The growths were obtained in potentiostatic mode with gradual degradation of anodic current. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study showed that the bilayer is polycrystalline and it possesses mixture of different crystallite phases of copper oxides. Surface morphology of the films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM images revealed that the films were uniformly distributed and the starting material (Cu2 O) had cubical structure. Grains agglomeration and crystallinity were enhanced by annealing. Optical studies indicated that all the samples have direct allowed transition. Energy band gap of the bilayer film was reduced by annealing treatment thus corroborating quantum confinement upshot. © 2014 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2014 Royal Microscopical Society.

Economical low-light photovoltaics by using the Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cell with graphene dot/PEDOT:PSS counter electrodes

KAUST Repository

Lee, Chuan Pei

2015-10-23

Graphene dots (GDs) are used for enhancing the performance of the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)-based counter electrodes in Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As compared to PEDOT:PSS CEs, GD-PEDOT:PSS films possess a rough surface morphology, high conductivity and electrocatalytic activity, and low charge-transfer resistance toward I/I redox reaction, pushing cell efficiency to 7.36%, which is 43% higher than that of the cell with PEDOT:PSS CEs (5.14%). Without much impact on efficiency, the DSSCs with GD-PEDOT:PSS CEs work well under low-light conditions (light intensity <13.5mWcm and angle of incidence >60°), such as indoor and low-level outdoor lighting and of the sun while the other traditional cells would fail to work. The concurrent advantage in low cost in Pt-free materials, simple fabrication processes, comparable efficiency with Pt CEs, and high performance under low-light conditions makes the DSSC with GD-PEDOT:PSS CEs suitable to harvest light for a diverse range of indoor and low-level outdoor lighting locations.

Molecular packing and area compressibility of lipid bilayers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

White, S.H.; King, G.I.

1985-01-01

Knowledge of the molecular packing of lipids and water in lipid bilayers is important for understanding bilayer mechanics and thermodynamics. Information on packing is most often obtained from x-ray or neutron diffraction measurements. Given the d spacing, composition, and partial specific volumes of the lipid and water, it is a simple matter to calculate the area per lipid molecule, bilayer thickness, and bilayer mass density. The partial specific volumes are commonly assumed to be those of bulk water and of lipid in excess water regardless of the degree of bilayer hydration. The authors present evidence here that these assumptions should be seriously questioned. At low hydrations, they find the head groups of egg and dioleoyl lecithin to be much less tightly packed than previously thought and the partial specific volume of water to be considerably smaller than 1 ml/g. Because the molecular packing affects the mechanical properties of bilayers, they use the results to reevaluate published experiments concerning the elastic area compressibility modulus of egg lecithin bilayers and the repulsive hydration force between bilayers

Nanoscale current spreading analysis in solution-processed graphene oxide/silver nanowire transparent electrodes via conductive atomic force microscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shaw, Joseph E.; Perumal, Ajay; Bradley, Donal D. C.; Stavrinou, Paul N.; Anthopoulos, Thomas D., E-mail: t.anthopoulos@ic.ac.uk [Department of Physics and Centre for Plastic Electronics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ (United Kingdom)

2016-05-21

We use conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) to study the origin of long-range conductivity in model transparent conductive electrodes composed of networks of reduced graphene oxide (rGO{sub X}) and silver nanowires (AgNWs), with nanoscale spatial resolution. Pristine networks of rGO{sub X} (1–3 monolayers-thick) and AgNWs exhibit sheet resistances of ∼100–1000 kΩ/□ and 100–900 Ω/□, respectively. When the materials are deposited sequentially to form bilayer rGO{sub X}/AgNW electrodes and thermally annealed at 200 °C, the sheet resistance reduces by up to 36% as compared to pristine AgNW networks. CAFM was used to analyze the current spreading in both systems in order to identify the nanoscale phenomena responsible for this effect. For rGO{sub X} networks, the low intra-flake conductivity and the inter-flake contact resistance is found to dominate the macroscopic sheet resistance, while for AgNW networks the latter is determined by the density of the inter-AgNW junctions and their associated resistance. In the case of the bilayer rGO{sub X}/AgNWs' networks, rGO{sub X} flakes are found to form conductive “bridges” between AgNWs. We show that these additional nanoscopic electrical connections are responsible for the enhanced macroscopic conductivity of the bilayer rGO{sub X}/AgNW electrodes. Finally, the critical role of thermal annealing on the formation of these nanoscopic connections is discussed.

Nanoscale biomemory composed of recombinant azurin on a nanogap electrode

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chung, Yong-Ho; Lee, Taek; Choi, Jeong-Woo; Park, Hyung Ju; Yun, Wan Soo; Min, Junhong

2013-01-01

We fabricate a nanoscale biomemory device composed of recombinant azurin on nanogap electrodes. For this, size-controllable nanogap electrodes are fabricated by photolithography, electron beam lithography, and surface catalyzed chemical deposition. Moreover, we investigate the effect of gap distance to optimize the size of electrodes for a biomemory device and explore the mechanism of electron transfer from immobilized protein to a nanogap counter-electrode. As the distance of the nanogap electrode is decreased in the nanoscale, the absolute current intensity decreases according to the distance decrement between the electrodes due to direct electron transfer, in contrast with the diffusion phenomenon of a micro-electrode. The biomemory function is achieved on the optimized nanogap electrode. These results demonstrate that the fabricated nanodevice composed of a nanogap electrode and biomaterials provides various advantages such as quantitative control of signals and exclusion of environmental effects such as noise. The proposed bioelectronics device, which could be mass-produced easily, could be applied to construct a nanoscale bioelectronics system composed of a single biomolecule. (paper)

Optically Transparent Thin-Film Electrode Chip for Spectroelectrochemical Sensing

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Branch, Shirmir D.; Lines, Amanda M.; Lynch, John A.; Bello, Job M.; Heineman, William R.; Bryan, Samuel A.

2017-07-03

The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical applications of an optically transparent thin film electrode chip are investigated. The working electrode is composed of indium tin oxide (ITO); the counter and quasi-reference electrodes are composed of platinum. The stability of the platinum quasi-reference electrode is modified by coating it with a planar, solid state Ag/AgCl layer. The Ag/AgCl reference is characterized with scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Open circuit potential measurements indicate that the potential of the planar Ag/AgCl electrode varies a maximum of 20 mV over four days. Cyclic voltammetry measurements show that the electrode chip is comparable to a standard electrochemical cell. Randles-Sevcik analysis of 10 mM K3[Fe(CN)6] in 0.1 M KCl using the electrode chip shows a diffusion coefficient of 1.59 × 10-6 cm2/s, in comparison to the standard electrochemical cell value of 2.38 × 10-6 cm2/s. By using the electrode chip in an optically transparent thin layer electrode (OTTLE), the spectroelectrochemical modulation of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ florescence was demonstrated, achieving a detection limit of 36 nM.

Nanostructured Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sholklapper, Tal Zvi [Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

2007-01-01

The ability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) to directly and efficiently convert the chemical energy in hydrocarbon fuels to electricity places the technology in a unique and exciting position to play a significant role in the clean energy revolution. In order to make SOFC technology cost competitive with existing technologies, the operating temperatures have been decreased to the range where costly ceramic components may be substituted with inexpensive metal components within the cell and stack design. However, a number of issues have arisen due to this decrease in temperature: decreased electrolyte ionic conductivity, cathode reaction rate limitations, and a decrease in anode contaminant tolerance. While the decrease in electrolyte ionic conductivities has been countered by decreasing the electrolyte thickness, the electrode limitations have remained a more difficult problem. Nanostructuring SOFC electrodes addresses the major electrode issues. The infiltration method used in this dissertation to produce nanostructure SOFC electrodes creates a connected network of nanoparticles; since the method allows for the incorporation of the nanoparticles after electrode backbone formation, previously incompatible advanced electrocatalysts can be infiltrated providing electronic conductivity and electrocatalysis within well-formed electrolyte backbones. Furthermore, the method is used to significantly enhance the conventional electrode design by adding secondary electrocatalysts. Performance enhancement and improved anode contamination tolerance are demonstrated in each of the electrodes. Additionally, cell processing and the infiltration method developed in conjunction with this dissertation are reviewed.

Edge states in gated bilayer-monolayer graphene ribbons and bilayer domain walls

Science.gov (United States)

Mirzakhani, M.; Zarenia, M.; Peeters, F. M.

2018-05-01

Using the effective continuum model, the electron energy spectrum of gated bilayer graphene with a step-like region of decoupled graphene layers at the edge of the sample is studied. Different types of coupled-decoupled interfaces are considered, i.e., zigzag (ZZ) and armchair junctions, which result in significant different propagating states. Two non-valley-polarized conducting edge states are observed for ZZ type, which are mainly located around the ZZ-ended graphene layers. Additionally, we investigated both BA-BA and BA-AB domain walls in the gated bilayer graphene within the continuum approximation. Unlike the BA-BA domain wall, which exhibits gapped insulating behaviour, the domain walls surrounded by different stackings of bilayer regions feature valley-polarized edge states. Our findings are consistent with other theoretical calculations, such as from the tight-binding model and first-principles calculations, and agree with experimental observations.

Reactions of radicals with lecithin bilayers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barber, D.J.W.; Thomas, J.K.

1978-01-01

The kinetics of reaction of .OH and e/sub aq/ - with lecithin bilayers have been measured. The rate for .OH + lecithin is 5.1 +- 0.9 x 10 8 M -1 sec -1 while the e/sub aq/ - + lecithin rate is very slow. When a solute such as pyrene is solubilized in the bilayer, .OH and e/sub aq/ - may react with the solute; rates of 1.65 +- 0.12 x 10 9 M -1 sec -1 and 7 x 10 7 M -1 sec -1 have been measured for reaction of .OH and e/sub aq/ - , respectively, with pyrene in lecithin. These rates are lower than those observed for similar reactions in homogeneous systems. This is explained in terms of (a) the protective effect of the bilayer, this being especially true for e/sub aq/ - which does not readily leave the aqueous phase, and (b) in terms of the restricted diffusion imposed on the reactive species by the bilayer. The kinetics in these model systems are relevant to reactions of radicals with membranes. Long-term alteration in the model membrane following .OH attack is manifested in terms of damage to the head group, increasing water penetration of the bilayer, and of cross-linking with the membrane, thereby restricting motion in the interior of the bilayer. Increased rigidity and leakiness of membranes is an expected consequence of radiation damage

A high performance transparent resistive switching memory made from ZrO_2/AlON bilayer structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsai, Tsung-Ling; Chang, Hsiang-Yu; Tseng, Tseung-Yuen; Lou, Jesse Jen-Chung

2016-01-01

In this study, the switching properties of an indium tin oxide (ITO)/zirconium oxide (ZrO_2)/ITO single layer device and those of a device with an aluminum oxynitride (AlON) layer were investigated. The devices with highly transparent characteristics were fabricated. Compared with the ITO/ZrO_2/ITO single layer device, the ITO/ZrO_2/AlON/ITO bilayer device exhibited a larger ON/OFF ratio, higher endurance performance, and superior retention properties by using a simple two-step forming process. These substantial improvements in the resistive switching properties were attributed to the minimized influence of oxygen migration through the ITO top electrode (TE), which can be realized by forming an asymmetrical conductive filament with the weakest part at the ZrO_2/AlON interface. Therefore, in the ITO/ZrO_2/AlON/ITO bilayer device, the regions where conductive filament formation and rupture occur can be effectively moved from the TE interface to the interior of the device.

Flexible electroluminescent device with inkjet-printed carbon nanotube electrodes

Science.gov (United States)

Azoubel, Suzanna; Shemesh, Shay; Magdassi, Shlomo

2012-08-01

Carbon nanotube (CNTs) inks may provide an effective route for producing flexible electronic devices by digital printing. In this paper we report on the formulation of highly concentrated aqueous CNT inks and demonstrate the fabrication of flexible electroluminescent (EL) devices by inkjet printing combined with wet coating. We also report, for the first time, on the formation of flexible EL devices in which all the electrodes are formed by inkjet printing of low-cost multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Several flexible EL devices were fabricated by using different materials for the production of back and counter electrodes: ITO/MWCNT and MWCNT/MWCNT. Transparent electrodes were obtained either by coating a thin layer of the CNTs or by inkjet printing a grid which is composed of empty cells surrounded by MWCNTs. It was found that the conductivity and transparency of the electrodes are mainly controlled by the MWCNT film thickness, and that the dominant factor in the luminance intensity is the transparency of the electrode.

Scalable Fabrication of Efficient NiCo2S4 Counter Electrodes for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Using a Facile Solution Approach

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Su, An-Lin; Lu, Man-Ning; Chang, Chin-Yu; Wei, Tzu-Chien; Lin, Jeng-Yu

2016-01-01

Exploiting highly electrocatalytic and cost-effectiveness counter electrodes (CEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) has been regarded as a persistent objective. In this work, we proposed a facile low-cost solution approach for scalable fabrication of NiCo 2 S 4 (NCS) CEs in Pt-free DSCs. Firstly, NCS particles were synthesized by means of a solvothermal method. Afterwards, the NCS particles were successfully immobilized on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrate and indium doped tin oxide polyethylene naphthalate (ITO/PEN) flexible substrate as NCS CE and flexible NCS CE, respectively, by using series of dip-coating processes. On the basis of extensive electrochemical characterizations, the NCS CEs displayed Pt-like electrocatalytic activity for I 3 − reduction. The DSC based on the NCS CE achieved an impressive cell efficiency of 8.94%, which was higher than that of the cell with the conventional Pt CE (8.51%). More interesting, the DSC using the flexible NCS CE still demonstrated an acceptable cell performance of 8.62% (or 8.57% with the bended flexible NCS CE).

Heuristic method of fabricating counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells based on a PEDOT:PSS layer as a catalytic material

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Edalati, Sh; Houshangi far, A; Torabi, N; Baneshi, Z; Behjat, A

2017-01-01

Poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was deposited on a fluoride-doped tin oxide glass substrate using a heuristic method to fabricate platinum-free counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this heuristic method a thin layer of PEDOT:PPS is obtained by spin coating the PEDOT:PSS on a Cu substrate and then removing the substrate with FeCl 3 . The characteristics of the deposited PEDOT:PSS were studied by energy dispersive x-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy, which revealed the micro-electronic specifications of the cathode. The aforementioned DSSCs exhibited a solar conversion efficiency of 3.90%, which is far higher than that of DSSCs with pure PEDOT:PSS (1.89%). This enhancement is attributed not only to the micro-electronic specifications but also to the HNO 3 treatment through our heuristic method. The results of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization plots show the modified cathode has a dual function, including excellent conductivity and electrocatalytic activity for iodine reduction. (paper)

Influence of thin film thickness of working electrodes on photovoltaic characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lai Yeong-Lin

2017-01-01

Full Text Available This paper presents the study of the influence of thin film thickness of working electrodes on the photovoltaic characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells. Titanium dioxide (TiO2 thin films, with the thickness from 7.67 to 24.3 μm, were used to fabricate the working electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs. A TiO2 film was coated on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO conductive glass substrate and then sintered in a high-temperature furnace. On the other hand, platinum (Pt solution was coated onto an FTO substrate for the fabrication of the counter electrode of a DSSC. The working electrode immersed in a dye, the counter electrode, and the electrolyte were assembled to complete a sandwich-structure DSSC. The material analysis of the TiO2 films of DSSCs was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis spectroscopy, while the photovoltaic characteristics of DSSCs were measured by an AM-1.5 sunlight simulator. The light transmittance characteristics of the TiO2 working electrode depend on the TiO2 film thickness. The thin film thickness of the working electrode also affects the light absorption of a dye and results in the photovoltaic characteristics of the DSSC, including open-circuited voltage (VOC, short-circuited current density (JSC, fill factor, and photovoltaic conversion efficiency.

Distributed performance counters

Science.gov (United States)

Davis, Kristan D; Evans, Kahn C; Gara, Alan; Satterfield, David L

2013-11-26

A plurality of first performance counter modules is coupled to a plurality of processing cores. The plurality of first performance counter modules is operable to collect performance data associated with the plurality of processing cores respectively. A plurality of second performance counter modules are coupled to a plurality of L2 cache units, and the plurality of second performance counter modules are operable to collect performance data associated with the plurality of L2 cache units respectively. A central performance counter module may be operable to coordinate counter data from the plurality of first performance counter modules and the plurality of second performance modules, the a central performance counter module, the plurality of first performance counter modules, and the plurality of second performance counter modules connected by a daisy chain connection.

Flexible and Transparent Plastic Electrodes Composed of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polyaniline Films for Supercapacitor Application

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sarker, Ashis K.; Hong, Jongdal

2014-01-01

In this article, we described about the preparation and electrochemical properties of a flexible energy storage system based on a plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The PET treated with UV/ozone was fabricated with multilayer films composed of 30 polyaniline (PANi)/graphene oxide (GO) bilayers using layerby-layer assembly of positively charged PANi and negatively charged GO. The conversion of GO to the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in the multilayer film was achieved using hydroiodic acid vapor at 100 .deg. C, whereby PANi structure remained nearly unchanged except a little reduction of doping state. Cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge curves of 30 PANi/RGO bilayers on PET substrate (shorten to PANi-RGO 30 /PET) exhibited an excellent volumetric capacitance, good cycling stability, and rapid charge/discharge rates despite no use of any metal current collectors. The specific capacitance from charge/discharge curve of the PANi-RGO 30 /PET electrode was found to be 529 F/cm 3 at a current density of 3 A/cm 3 , which is one of the best values yet achieved among carbon-based materials including conducting polymers. Furthermore, the intrinsic electrical resistance of the PANi-RGO 30 /PET electrodes varied within 20% range during 200 bending cycles at a fixed bend radius of 2.2 mm, indicating the increase in their flexibility by a factor of 225 compared with the ITO/PET electrode

Solid-state, polymer-based fiber solar cells with carbon nanotube electrodes.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Dianyi; Zhao, Mingyan; Li, Yan; Bian, Zuqiang; Zhang, Luhui; Shang, Yuanyuan; Xia, Xinyuan; Zhang, Sen; Yun, Daqin; Liu, Zhiwei; Cao, Anyuan; Huang, Chunhui

2012-12-21

Most previous fiber-shaped solar cells were based on photoelectrochemical systems involving liquid electrolytes, which had issues such as device encapsulation and stability. Here, we deposited classical semiconducting polymer-based bulk heterojunction layers onto stainless steel wires to form primary electrodes and adopted carbon nanotube thin films or densified yarns to replace conventional metal counter electrodes. The polymer-based fiber cells with nanotube film or yarn electrodes showed power conversion efficiencies in the range 1.4% to 2.3%, with stable performance upon rotation and large-angle bending and during long-time storage without further encapsulation. Our fiber solar cells consisting of a polymeric active layer sandwiched between steel and carbon electrodes have potential in the manufacturing of low-cost, liquid-free, and flexible fiber-based photovoltaics.

Mixed Mechanism of Lubrication by Lipid Bilayer Stacks.

Science.gov (United States)

Boţan, Alexandru; Joly, Laurent; Fillot, Nicolas; Loison, Claire

2015-11-10

Although the key role of lipid bilayer stacks in biological lubrication is generally accepted, the mechanisms underlying their extreme efficiency remain elusive. In this article, we report molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayer stacks undergoing load and shear. When the hydration level is reduced, the velocity accommodation mechanism changes from viscous shear in hydration water to interlayer sliding in the bilayers. This enables stacks of hydrated lipid bilayers to act as efficient boundary lubricants for various hydration conditions, structures, and mechanical loads. We also propose an estimation for the friction coefficient; thanks to the strong hydration forces between lipid bilayers, the high local viscosity is not in contradiction with low friction coefficients.

Peierls instability and optical properties of bilayer polyacene

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Longlong, E-mail: zhanglonglong@tyut.edu.cn [The College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024 (China); Xie, Shijie [School of Physics, Shandong University, Jinan 250100 (China)

2017-05-03

Highlights: • The Peierls instability of bilayer polyacene is discussed. • The external electric field effect on bilayer polyacene is discussed. • The pressure effect on bilayer polyacene is discussed. • The optical properties of bilayer polyacene are discussed. - Abstract: We reveal that bilayer polyacene can be the gapped state due to the intralayer Peierls instability. There are six topologically inequivalent Peierls-distorted structures and they are degenerate in energy. The external electric field can tune the Peierls gap and induce the semiconductor-to-metallic phase transitions. The optical conductivity spectra are calculated in an attempt to categorize the Peierls-distorted structures. The strength of the interlayer coupling essentially affects the electronic properties and the optical selection rules.

Infrared spectroscopy of fluid lipid bilayers.

Science.gov (United States)

Hull, Marshall C; Cambrea, Lee R; Hovis, Jennifer S

2005-09-15

Infrared spectroscopy is a powerful technique for examining lipid bilayers; however, it says little about the fluidity of the bilayer-a key physical aspect. It is shown here that it is possible to both acquire spectroscopic data of supported lipid bilayer samples and make measurements of the membrane fluidity. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR) is used to obtain the spectroscopic information and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is used to determine the fluidity of the samples. In the infrared spectra of lipid bilayers composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, the following major peaks were observed; nu(as)(CH3) 2954 cm(-1), nu(s)(CH3) 2870 cm(-1), nu(as)(CH2) 2924 cm(-1), nu(s)(CH2) 2852 cm(-1), nu(C=O) 1734 cm(-1), delta(CH2) 1463-1473 cm(-1), nu(as)(PO2-) 1226 cm(-1), nu(s)(PO2-) 1084 cm(-1), and nu(as)(N+(CH3)3) 973 cm(-1). The diffusion coefficient of the same lipid bilayer was measured to be 3.5 +/- 0.5 micom(2)/s with visual recovery also noted through use of epifluorescence microscopy. FRAP and visual data confirm the formation of a uniform, mobile supported lipid bilayer. The combination of ATR-FT-IR and FRAP provides complementary data giving a more complete picture of fully hydrated model membrane systems.

Viscoelastic deformation of lipid bilayer vesicles.

Science.gov (United States)

Wu, Shao-Hua; Sankhagowit, Shalene; Biswas, Roshni; Wu, Shuyang; Povinelli, Michelle L; Malmstadt, Noah

2015-10-07

Lipid bilayers form the boundaries of the cell and its organelles. Many physiological processes, such as cell movement and division, involve bending and folding of the bilayer at high curvatures. Currently, bending of the bilayer is treated as an elastic deformation, such that its stress-strain response is independent of the rate at which bending strain is applied. We present here the first direct measurement of viscoelastic response in a lipid bilayer vesicle. We used a dual-beam optical trap (DBOT) to stretch 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Upon application of a step optical force, the vesicle membrane deforms in two regimes: a fast, instantaneous area increase, followed by a much slower stretching to an eventual plateau deformation. From measurements of dozens of GUVs, the average time constant of the slower stretching response was 0.225 ± 0.033 s (standard deviation, SD). Increasing the fluid viscosity did not affect the observed time constant. We performed a set of experiments to rule out heating by laser absorption as a cause of the transient behavior. Thus, we demonstrate here that the bending deformation of lipid bilayer membranes should be treated as viscoelastic.

Vanadium oxides (V{sub 2}O{sub 5}) prepared with different methods for application as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wu, Kezhong; Sun, Xiaolong; Duan, Chongyuan; Gao, Jing; Wu, Mingxing [Hebei Normal University, College of Chemistry and Material Science, Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nano-materials of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province (China)

2016-09-15

V{sub 2}O{sub 5} was synthesized by four different procedures employing thermal decomposition, sol-gel, and hydrothermal methods which were subsequently introduced into dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) as counter electrode (CE) catalysts for the regeneration of traditional iodide/triiodide (I{sup -}/I{sub 3} {sup -}) redox couple. The catalytic activities of as-prepared V{sub 2}O{sub 5} were significantly affected by the synthetic routes as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization curve. Power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSCs employing V{sub 2}O{sub 5} CE, fabricated by thermal decomposition method, was observed to be 3.80 % by using citric acid as an additive, while the PCE of the DSCs using V{sub 2}O{sub 5} CE prepared by hydrothermal and thermal decomposition methods without additive, as well as by a sol-gel procedure, was determined to be 2.13, 2.08, and 2.04 %, respectively. (orig.)

Classic and Quantum Capacitances in Bernal Bilayer and Trilayer Graphene Field Effect Transistor

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hatef Sadeghi

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Our focus in this study is on characterizing the capacitance voltage (C-V behavior of Bernal stacking bilayer graphene (BG and trilayer graphene (TG as the channel of FET devices. The analytical models of quantum capacitance (QC of BG and TG are presented. Although QC is smaller than the classic capacitance in conventional devices, its contribution to the total metal oxide semiconductor capacitor in graphene-based FET devices becomes significant in the nanoscale. Our calculation shows that QC increases with gate voltage in both BG and TG and decreases with temperature with some fluctuations. However, in bilayer graphene the fluctuation is higher due to its tunable band structure with external electric fields. In similar temperature and size, QC in metal oxide BG is higher than metal oxide TG configuration. Moreover, in both BG and TG, total capacitance is more affected by classic capacitance as the distance between gate electrode and channel increases. However, QC is more dominant when the channel becomes thinner into the nanoscale, and therefore we mostly deal with quantum capacitance in top gate in contrast with bottom gate that the classic capacitance is dominant.

The suppression of destructive sparks in parallel plate proportional counters

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cockshott, R.A.; Mason, I.M.

1984-02-01

The authors find that high energy background events produce localised sparks in parallel plate counters when operated in the proportional mode. These sparks increase dead-time and lead to degradation ranging from electrode damage to spurious pulsing and continuous breakdown. The problem is particularly serious in low energy photon detectors for X-ray astronomy which are required to have lifetimes of several years in the high radiation environment of space. For the parallel plate imaging detector developed for the European X-ray Observatory Satellite (EXOSAT) they investigate quantitatively the spark thresholds, spark rates and degradation processes. They discuss the spark mechanism, pointing out differences from the situation in spark chambers and counters. They show that the time profile of the sparks allows them to devise a spark suppression system which reduces the degradation rate by a factor of ''200.

A new electrode design for ambipolar injection in organic semiconductors.

Science.gov (United States)

Kanagasekaran, Thangavel; Shimotani, Hidekazu; Shimizu, Ryota; Hitosugi, Taro; Tanigaki, Katsumi

2017-10-17

Organic semiconductors have attracted much attention for low-cost, flexible and human-friendly optoelectronics. However, achieving high electron-injection efficiency is difficult from air-stable electrodes and cannot be equivalent to that of holes. Here, we present a novel concept of electrode composed of a bilayer of tetratetracontane (TTC) and polycrystalline organic semiconductors (pc-OSC) covered by a metal layer. Field-effect transistors of single-crystal organic semiconductors with the new electrodes of M/pc-OSC/TTC (M: Ca or Au) show both highly efficient electron and hole injection. Contact resistance for electron injection from Au/pc-OSC/TTC and hole injection from Ca/pc-OSC/TTC are comparable to those for electron injection from Ca and hole injection from Au, respectively. Furthermore, the highest field-effect mobilities of holes (22 cm 2  V -1  s -1 ) and electrons (5.0 cm 2  V -1  s -1 ) are observed in rubrene among field-effect transistors with electrodes so far proposed by employing Ca/pc-OSC/TTC and Au/pc-OSC/TTC electrodes for electron and hole injection, respectively.One of technological challenges building organic electronics is efficient injection of electrons at metal-semiconductor interfaces compared to that of holes. The authors show an air-stable electrode design with induced gap states, which support Fermi level pinning and thus ambipolar carrier injection.

Engineering plant membranes using droplet interface bilayers.

Science.gov (United States)

Barlow, N E; Smpokou, E; Friddin, M S; Macey, R; Gould, I R; Turnbull, C; Flemming, A J; Brooks, N J; Ces, O; Barter, L M C

2017-03-01

Droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) have become widely recognised as a robust platform for constructing model membranes and are emerging as a key technology for the bottom-up assembly of synthetic cell-like and tissue-like structures. DIBs are formed when lipid-monolayer coated water droplets are brought together inside a well of oil, which is excluded from the interface as the DIB forms. The unique features of the system, compared to traditional approaches (e.g., supported lipid bilayers, black lipid membranes, and liposomes), is the ability to engineer multi-layered bilayer networks by connecting multiple droplets together in 3D, and the capability to impart bilayer asymmetry freely within these droplet architectures by supplying droplets with different lipids. Yet despite these achievements, one potential limitation of the technology is that DIBs formed from biologically relevant components have not been well studied. This could limit the reach of the platform to biological systems where bilayer composition and asymmetry are understood to play a key role. Herein, we address this issue by reporting the assembly of asymmetric DIBs designed to replicate the plasma membrane compositions of three different plant species; Arabidopsis thaliana , tobacco, and oats, by engineering vesicles with different amounts of plant phospholipids, sterols and cerebrosides for the first time. We show that vesicles made from our plant lipid formulations are stable and can be used to assemble asymmetric plant DIBs. We verify this using a bilayer permeation assay, from which we extract values for absolute effective bilayer permeation and bilayer stability. Our results confirm that stable DIBs can be assembled from our plant membrane mimics and could lead to new approaches for assembling model systems to study membrane translocation and to screen new agrochemicals in plants.

Molecular dynamics modelling of EGCG clusters on ceramide bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yeo, Jingjie; Cheng, Yuan; Li, Weifeng; Zhang, Yong-Wei [Institute of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, 138632 (Singapore)

2015-12-31

A novel method of atomistic modelling and characterization of both pure ceramide and mixed lipid bilayers is being developed, using only the General Amber ForceField. Lipid bilayers modelled as pure ceramides adopt hexagonal packing after equilibration, and the area per lipid and bilayer thickness are consistent with previously reported theoretical results. Mixed lipid bilayers are modelled as a combination of ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. This model is shown to be stable after equilibration. Green tea extract, also known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate, is introduced as a spherical cluster on the surface of the mixed lipid bilayer. It is demonstrated that the cluster is able to bind to the bilayers as a cluster without diffusing into the surrounding water.

Interaction of elaiophylin with model bilayer membrane

Science.gov (United States)

Genova, J.; Dencheva-Zarkova, M.

2017-01-01

Elaiophylin is a new macrodiolide antibiotic, which is produced by the Streptomyces strains [1]. It displays biological activities against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The mode of action of this antibiotic has been attributed to an alteration of the membrane permeability. When this antibiotic is inserted into the bilayer membranes destabilization of the membrane and formation of ion-penetrable channels is observed. The macrodiolide antibiotic forms stable cation selective ion channels in synthetic lipid bilayer membranes. The aim of this work was to study the interactions of Elaiophylin with model bilayer membranes and to get information on the mechanical properties of lipid bilayers in presence of this antibiotic. Patch-clamp technique [2] were used in the study

Pair interaction of bilayer-coated nanoscopic particles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Qi-Yi, Zhang

2009-01-01

The pair interaction between bilayer membrane-coated nanosized particles has been explored by using the self-consistent field (SCF) theory. The bilayer membranes are composed of amphiphilic polymers. For different system parameters, the pair-interaction free energies are obtained. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of a sequence of structural transformations of bilayers on spherical particles, which occur during their approaching processes. For different head fractions of amphiphiles, the asymmetrical morphologies between bilayers on two particles and the inverted micellar intermediates have been found in the membrane fusion pathway. These results can benefit the fabrication of vesicles as encapsulation vectors for drug and gene delivery. (condensed matter: structure, thermal and mechanical properties)

Water-soluble polyelectrolyte-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube thin films for efficient counter electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Han, Jinkyu; Kim, Hyunju; Kim, Dong Young; Jo, Seong Mu; Jang, Sung-Yeon

2010-06-22

Water-soluble, polyelectrolyte-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), MWCNT-g-PSSNa, were synthesized using a "grafting to" route. MWCNT-g-PSSNa thin films fabricated by an electrostatic spray (e-spray) technique were used as the counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The e-sprayed MWCNT-g-PSSNa thin-film-based CEs (MWCNT-CE) were uniform over a large area, and the well-exfoliated MWCNTs formed highly interconnected network structures. The electrochemical catalytic activity of the MWCNT-CE at different thicknesses was investigated. The MWCNT-g-PSSNa thin film showed high efficiency as a CE in DSSCs. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the DSSCs using the MWCNT-g-PSSNa thin-film-based CE (DSSC-MWCNT) was >6% at a CE film thickness of approximately 0.3 microm. The optimum PCE was >7% at a film thickness of approximately 1 microm, which is 20-50 times thinner than conventional carbon-based CE. The charge transfer resistance at the MWCNT-CE/electrolyte interface was 1.52 Omega cm(2) at a MWCNT-CE thickness of 0.31 microm, which is lower than that of a Pt-CE/electrolyte interface, 1.78 Omega cm(2). This highlights the potential for the low-cost CE fabrication of DSSCs using a facile deposition technique from an environmentally "friendly" solution at low temperatures.

Complementary resistive switching in BaTiO3/NiO bilayer with opposite switching polarities

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Shuo; Wei, Xianhua; Lei, Yao; Yuan, Xincai; Zeng, Huizhong

2016-12-01

Resistive switching behaviors have been investigated in the Au/BaTiO3/NiO/Pt structure by stacking the two elements with different switching types. The conducting atomic force microscope measurements on BaTiO3 thin films and NiO thin films suggest that with the same active resistive switching region, the switching polarities in the two semiconductors are opposite to each other. It is in agreement with the bipolar hysteresis I-V curves with opposite switching polarities for single-layer devices. The bilayer devices show complementary resistive switching (CRS) without electroforming and unipolar resistive switching (URS) after electroforming. The coexistence of CRS and URS is mainly ascribed to the co-effect of electric field and Joule heating mechanisms, indicating that changeable of resistance in this device is dominated by the redistribution of oxygen vacancies in BaTiO3 and the formation, disruption, restoration of conducting filaments in NiO. CRS in bilayer with opposite switching polarities is effective to solve the sneak current without the introduction of any selector elements or an additional metal electrode.

Transparent ambipolar organic thin film transistors based on multilayer transparent source-drain electrodes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Nan; Hu, Yongsheng, E-mail: huyongsheng@ciomp.ac.cn, E-mail: liuxy@ciomp.ac.cn; Lin, Jie; Li, Yantao; Liu, Xingyuan, E-mail: huyongsheng@ciomp.ac.cn, E-mail: liuxy@ciomp.ac.cn [State Key Laboratory of Luminescence and Applications, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130033 (China)

2016-08-08

A fabrication method for transparent ambipolar organic thin film transistors with transparent Sb{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Ag/Sb{sub 2}O{sub 3} (SAS) source and drain electrodes has been developed. A pentacene/N,N′-ditridecylperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic di-imide (PTCDI-C13) bilayer heterojunction is used as the active semiconductor. The electrodes are deposited by room temperature electron beam evaporation. The devices are fabricated without damaging the active layers. The SAS electrodes have high transmittance (82.5%) and low sheet resistance (8 Ω/sq). High performance devices with hole and electron mobilities of 0.3 cm{sup 2}/V s and 0.027 cm{sup 2}/V s, respectively, and average visible range transmittance of 72% were obtained. These transistors have potential for transparent logic integrated circuit applications.

Metal Selenides as Efficient Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Jin, Zhitong; Zhang, Meirong; Wang, Min; Feng, Chuanqi; Wang, Zhong-Sheng

2017-04-18

Solar energy is the most abundant renewable energy available to the earth and can meet the energy needs of humankind, but efficient conversion of solar energy to electricity is an urgent issue of scientific research. As the third-generation photovoltaic technology, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have gained great attention since the landmark efficiency of ∼7% reported by O'Regan and Grätzel. The most attractive features of DSSCs include low cost, simple manufacturing processes, medium-purity materials, and theoretically high power conversion efficiencies. As one of the key materials in DSSCs, the counter electrode (CE) plays a crucial role in completing the electric circuit by catalyzing the reduction of the oxidized state to the reduced state for a redox couple (e.g., I 3 - /I - ) in the electrolyte at the CE-electrolyte interface. To lower the cost caused by the typically used Pt CE, which restricts the large-scale application because of its low reserves and high price, great effort has been made to develop new CE materials alternative to Pt. A lot of Pt-free electrocatalysts, such as carbon materials, inorganic compounds, conductive polymers, and their composites with good electrocatalytic activity, have been applied as CEs in DSSCs in the past years. Metal selenides have been widely used as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction and light-harvesting materials for solar cells. Our group first expanded their applications to the DSSC field by using in situ-grown Co 0.85 Se nanosheet and Ni 0.85 Se nanoparticle films as CEs. This finding has inspired extensive studies on developing new metal selenides in order to seek more efficient CE materials for low-cost DSSCs, and a lot of meaningful results have been achieved in the past years. In this Account, we summarize recent advances in binary and mutinary metal selenides applied as CEs in DSSCs. The synthetic methods for metal selenides with various morphologies and stoichiometric ratios and

Possible mechanism of adhesion in a mica supported phospholipid bilayer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pertsin, Alexander; Grunze, Michael

2014-01-01

Phospholipid bilayers supported on hydrophilic solids like silica and mica play a substantial role in fundamental studies and technological applications of phospholipid membranes. In both cases the molecular mechanism of adhesion between the bilayer and the support is of primary interest. Since the possibilities of experimental methods in this specific area are rather limited, the methods of computer simulation acquire great importance. In this paper we use the grand canonical Monte Carlo technique and an atomistic force field to simulate the behavior of a mica supported phospholipid bilayer in pure water as a function of the distance between the bilayer and the support. The simulation reveals a possible adhesion mechanism, where the adhesion is due to individual lipid molecules that protrude from the bilayer and form widely spaced links with the support. Simultaneously, the bilayer remains separated from the bilayer by a thin water interlayer which maintains the bilayer fluidity

Viscoelastic deformation of lipid bilayer vesicles†

Science.gov (United States)

Wu, Shao-Hua; Sankhagowit, Shalene; Biswas, Roshni; Wu, Shuyang; Povinelli, Michelle L.

2015-01-01

Lipid bilayers form the boundaries of the cell and its organelles. Many physiological processes, such as cell movement and division, involve bending and folding of the bilayer at high curvatures. Currently, bending of the bilayer is treated as an elastic deformation, such that its stress-strain response is independent of the rate at which bending strain is applied. We present here the first direct measurement of viscoelastic response in a lipid bilayer vesicle. We used a dual-beam optical trap (DBOT) to stretch 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Upon application of a step optical force, the vesicle membrane deforms in two regimes: a fast, instantaneous area increase, followed by a much slower stretching to an eventual plateau deformation. From measurements of dozens of GUVs, the average time constant of the slower stretching response was 0.225 ± 0.033 s (standard deviation, SD). Increasing the fluid viscosity did not affect the observed time constant. We performed a set of experiments to rule out heating by laser absorption as a cause of the transient behavior. Thus, we demonstrate here that the bending deformation of lipid bilayer membranes should be treated as viscoelastic. PMID:26268612

Enhanced performance of flexible dye-sensitized solar cells using flexible Ag@ZrO2/C nanofiber film as low-cost counter electrode

Science.gov (United States)

Yin, Xin; Xie, Xueyao; Song, Lixin; Zhai, Jifeng; Du, Pingfan; Xiong, Jie

2018-05-01

Highly flexible ZrO2/C nanofibers (NFs) coated with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) have been fabricated by a combination of electrospinning, carbonization and hydrothermal treatment. The obtained Ag@ZrO2/C NFs serve as low-cost counter electrodes (CEs) for flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs). A considerable power conversion efficiency of 4.77% is achieved, which is 27.9% higher than the η of ZrO2/C NFs CEs (3.73%) and reaches about 90% of that of Pt CE (5.26%). It can be ascribed to the fact that the introduction of Ag NPs provides a large number of accessible reaction sites for electrolyte ions to rapidly participate in the I3-/I- reaction. Moreover, the Ag NPs can produce synergistic effect with ZrO2/C NFs to further enhance transport capacity and electro-catalytic activity of the Ag@ZrO2/C film. Therefore, the considerable performance together with characteristics of simple preparation, low cost and flexibility suggests the Ag@ZrO2/C film can be promising candidate for the future generation of FDSSC.

Avalanche localization and its effects in proportional counters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fischer, J.; Okuno, H.; Walenta, A.H.

1977-11-01

Avalanche development around the anode wire in a gas proportional counter is investigated. In the region of proportional gas amplification, the avalanche is found to be well localized on one side of the anode wire, where the electrons arrive along the field lines from the point of primary ionization. Induced signals on electrodes surrounding the anode wire are used to measure the azimuthal position of the avalanche on the anode wire. Practical applications of the phenomena such as left-right assignment in drift chambers and measurement of the angular direction of the primary ionization electrons drifting towards the anode wire are discussed

Cholesterol Protects the Oxidized Lipid Bilayer from Water Injury

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Owen, Michael C; Kulig, Waldemar; Rog, Tomasz

2018-01-01

In an effort to delineate how cholesterol protects membrane structure under oxidative stress conditions, we monitored the changes to the structure of lipid bilayers comprising 30 mol% cholesterol and an increasing concentration of Class B oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC...... in a characteristic reduction in bilayer thickness and increase in area per lipid, thereby increasing the exposure of the membrane hydrophobic region to water. However, cholesterol was observed to help reduce water injury by moving into the bilayer core and forming more hydrogen bonds with the oxPLs. Cholesterol also...... resists altering its tilt angle, helping to maintain membrane integrity. Water that enters the 1-nm-thick core region remains part of the bulk water on either side of the bilayer, with relatively few water molecules able to traverse through the bilayer. In cholesterol-rich membranes, the bilayer does...

Analysis of counter flow of corona wind for heat transfer enhancement

Science.gov (United States)

Shin, Dong Ho; Baek, Soo Hong; Ko, Han Seo

2018-03-01

A heat sink for cooling devices using the counter flow of a corona wind was developed in this study. Detailed information about the numerical investigations of forced convection using the corona wind was presented. The fins of the heat sink using the counter flow of a corona wind were also investigated. The corona wind generator with a wire-to-plate electrode arrangement was used for generating the counter flow to the fin. The compact and simple geometric characteristics of the corona wind generator facilitate the application of the heat sink using the counter flow, demonstrating the heat sink is effective for cooling electronic devices. Parametric studies were performed to analyze the effect of the counter flow on the fins. Also, the velocity and temperature were measured experimentally for the test mock-up of the heat sink with the corona wind generator to verify the numerical results. From a numerical study, the type of fin and its optimal height, length, and pitch were suggested for various heat fluxes. In addition, the correlations to calculate the mass of the developed heat sink and its cooling performance in terms of the heat transfer coefficient were derived. Finally, the cooling efficiencies corresponding to the mass, applied power, total size, and noise of the devices were compared with the existing commercial central processing unit (CPU) cooling devices with rotor fans. As a result, it was confirmed that the heat sink using the counter flow of the corona wind showed appropriate efficiencies for cooling electronic devices, and is a suitable replacement for the existing cooling device for high power electronics.

Critical evaluation of the stability of highly concentrated LiTFSI - Acetonitrile electrolytes vs. graphite, lithium metal and LiFePO4 electrodes

Science.gov (United States)

Nilsson, Viktor; Younesi, Reza; Brandell, Daniel; Edström, Kristina; Johansson, Patrik

2018-04-01

Highly concentrated LiTFSI - acetonitrile electrolytes have recently been shown to stabilize graphite electrodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) much better than comparable more dilute systems. Here we revisit this system in order to optimise the salt concentration vs. both graphite and lithium metal electrodes with respect to electrochemical stability. However, we observe an instability regardless of concentration, making lithium metal unsuitable as a counter electrode, and this also affects evaluation of e.g. graphite electrodes. While the highly concentrated electrolytes have much improved electrochemical stabilities, their reductive decomposition below ca. 1.2 V vs. Li+/Li° still makes them less practical vs. graphite electrodes, and the oxidative reaction with Al at ca. 4.1 V vs. Li+/Li° makes them problematic for high voltage LIB cells. The former originates in an insufficiently stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) dissolving and continuously reforming - causing self-discharge, as observed by paused galvanostatic cycling, while the latter is likely caused by aluminium current collector corrosion. Yet, we show that medium voltage LiFePO4 positive electrodes can successfully be used as counter and reference electrodes.

Thermotropic and Barotropic Phase Behavior of Phosphatidylcholine Bilayers

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nobutake Tamai

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Bilayers formed by phospholipids are frequently used as model biological membranes in various life science studies. A characteristic feature of phospholipid bilayers is to undergo a structural change called a phase transition in response to environmental changes of their surroundings. In this review, we focus our attention on phase transitions of some major phospholipids contained in biological membranes, phosphatidylcholines (PCs, depending on temperature and pressure. Bilayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC, which is the most representative lipid in model membrane studies, will first be explained. Then, the bilayer phase behavior of various kinds of PCs with different molecular structures is revealed from the temperature–pressure phase diagrams, and the difference in phase stability among these PC bilayers is discussed in connection with the molecular structure of the PC molecules. Furthermore, the solvent effect on the phase behavior is also described briefly.

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Nanostructured Electrodes for Use in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Science.gov (United States)

Gong, Jiawei

Among various photovoltaic technologies available in the emerging market, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are deemed as an effective, competitive solution to the increasing demand for high-efficiency PV devices. To move towards full commercialization, challenges remain in further improvement of device stability as well as reduction of material and manufacturing costs. This study aims at rational synthesis and photovoltaic characterization of two nanostructured electrode materials (i.e. SnO2 nanofibers and activated graphene nanoplatelets) for use as photoanode and counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. The main objective is to explore the favorable charge transport features of SnO2 nanofiber network and simultaneously replace the high-priced conventional electrocatalytic nanomaterials (e.g. Pt nanoparticles) used in existing counter electrode of DSSCs. To achieve this objective, a multiphysics model of electrode kinetics was developed to optimize various design parameters and cell configurations. The porous hollow SnO2 nanofibers were successfully synthesized via a facile route consisting of electrospinning precursor polymer nanofibers, followed by controlled carbonization. The novel SnO2/TiO2 composite photoanode materials carry advantages of SnO2 nanofiber network (e.g. nanostructural continuity, high electron mobility) and TiO2 nanoparticles (e.g. high specific area), and therefore show excellent photovoltaic properties including improved short-circuit current and fill factors. In addition, hydrothermally activated graphene nanoplatelets (aGNP) were used as a catalytic counter electrode material to substitute for conventionally used platinum nanoparticles. Improved catalytic performance of aGNP electrode was achieved through increased surface area and better control of morphology. Dye-sensitized solar cells using these aGNP electrodes had power conversion efficiencies comparable to those using platinum nanoparticles with I-/I3- redox mediators

A Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Using a Composite of PEDOT:PSS and Carbon Derived from Human Hair for a Counter Electrode

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Klitsada Moolsarn

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Carbon derived from hair is interesting because it has good electrocatalytic activity due to the existence of innate heteroatom dopants especially nitrogen and sulfur. In this study, a carbon catalyst containing high nitrogen contents (9.47 at.% was fabricated without using any harsh chemicals. Moreover, the carbonization temperature was only 700°C. Carbonized hair/PEDOT:PSS composites (CxP with varied carbon contents from x = 0.2 to 0.8 g were tested as a counter electrode (CE for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC. This type of DSSC CE has scarcely been investigated. A DSSC with a C0.6P CE provides the best efficiency (6.54 ± 0.11% among all composite CEs because it has a high fill factor (FF and a high short-circuit current density (Jsc. The efficiency of DSSC with C0.6P CE is lower than Pt’s (7.29 ± 0.01% since the Pt-based DSSC has higher FF and Jsc values. However, C0.6P is still promising as a DSSC CE since it is more cost-effective than Pt.

ITO/Poly(Aniline/Sol-Gel Glass: An Optically Transparent, pH-Responsive Substrate for Supported Lipid Bilayers

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ahmed Al-Obeidi

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Described here is fabrication of a pH-sensitive, optically transparent transducer composed of a planar indium-tin oxide (ITO electrode overcoated with a poly(aniline (PANI thin film and a porous sol-gel layer. Adsorption of the PANI film renders the ITO electrode sensitive to pH, whereas the sol-gel spin-coated layer makes the upper surface compatible with fusion of phospholipid vesicles to form a planar supported lipid bilayer (PSLB. The response to changes in the pH of the buffer contacting the sol-gel/PANI/ITO electrode is pseudo-Nernstian with a slope of 52 mV/pH over a pH range of 4–9. Vesicle fusion forms a laterally continuous PSLB on the upper sol-gel surface that is fluid with a lateral lipid diffusion coefficient of 2.2 μm2/s measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Due to its lateral continuity and lack of defects, the PSLB blocks the pH response of the underlying electrode to changes in the pH of the overlying buffer. This architecture is simpler to fabricate than previously reported ITO electrodes derivatized for PSLB formation and should be useful for optical monitoring of proton transport across supported membranes derivatized with ionophores and ion channels.

Ferrocene-functionalized graphene electrode for biosensing applications

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rabti, Amal [Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona (Spain); Université de Tunis El–Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique et Electrochimie (LR99ES15), Campus universitaire de Tunis El–Manar, 2092, Tunis (Tunisia); Mayorga-Martinez, Carmen C.; Baptista-Pires, Luis [Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona (Spain); Raouafi, Noureddine, E-mail: n.raouafi@fst.rnu.tn [Université de Tunis El–Manar, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique et Electrochimie (LR99ES15), Campus universitaire de Tunis El–Manar, 2092, Tunis (Tunisia); Merkoçi, Arben, E-mail: arben.merkoci@icn2.cat [Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona (Spain); ICREA, Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain)

2016-07-05

A novel ferrocene-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based electrode is proposed. It was fabricated by the drop casting of ferrocene-functionalized graphene onto polyester substrate as the working electrode integrated within screen-printed reference and counter electrodes. The ferrocene-functionalized rGO has been fully characterized using FTIR, XPS, contact angle measurements, SEM and TEM microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The XPS and EDX analysis showed the presence of Fe element related to the introduced ferrocene groups, which is confirmed by a clear CV signal at ca. 0.25 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1 KCl). Mediated redox catalysis of H{sub 2}O{sub 2} and bio-functionalization with glucose oxidase for glucose detection were achieved by the bioelectrode providing a proof for potential biosensing applications. - Graphical abstract: An easy-to-prepare standalone graphene electrode was obtained by the drop-casting ferrocene-functionalized rGO on PET polymer. This electrode can be used as an enzymeless electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide or as an amperometric enzyme-based biosensor for sensitive glucose detection. - Highlights: • A novel ferrocene-functionalized reduced graphene oxide based electrode. • Ease of preparation by drop-casting of Fc-modified graphene and chitosan mixture. • Well-defined and exploitable ferrocene CV signal for sensing purposes. • Sensitive enzymeless detection of hydrogen peroxide at low potentials. • Enzymatic Sensitive detection of glucose on GOx-modified graphene electrode.

Ferrocene-functionalized graphene electrode for biosensing applications

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rabti, Amal; Mayorga-Martinez, Carmen C.; Baptista-Pires, Luis; Raouafi, Noureddine; Merkoçi, Arben

2016-01-01

A novel ferrocene-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based electrode is proposed. It was fabricated by the drop casting of ferrocene-functionalized graphene onto polyester substrate as the working electrode integrated within screen-printed reference and counter electrodes. The ferrocene-functionalized rGO has been fully characterized using FTIR, XPS, contact angle measurements, SEM and TEM microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The XPS and EDX analysis showed the presence of Fe element related to the introduced ferrocene groups, which is confirmed by a clear CV signal at ca. 0.25 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1 KCl). Mediated redox catalysis of H_2O_2 and bio-functionalization with glucose oxidase for glucose detection were achieved by the bioelectrode providing a proof for potential biosensing applications. - Graphical abstract: An easy-to-prepare standalone graphene electrode was obtained by the drop-casting ferrocene-functionalized rGO on PET polymer. This electrode can be used as an enzymeless electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide or as an amperometric enzyme-based biosensor for sensitive glucose detection. - Highlights: • A novel ferrocene-functionalized reduced graphene oxide based electrode. • Ease of preparation by drop-casting of Fc-modified graphene and chitosan mixture. • Well-defined and exploitable ferrocene CV signal for sensing purposes. • Sensitive enzymeless detection of hydrogen peroxide at low potentials. • Enzymatic Sensitive detection of glucose on GOx-modified graphene electrode.

Electrochemical cell and electrode designs for high-temperature/high-pressure kinetic measurements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nagy, Z.; Yonco, R.M.

1987-05-01

Many corrosion processes of interest to the nuclear power industry occur in high-temperature/high-pressure aqueous systems. The investigation of the kinetics of the appropriate electrode reactions is a serious experimental challenge, partially because of the high temperatures and pressures and partially because many of these reactions are very rapid, requiring fast relaxation measurements. An electrochemical measuring system is described which is suitable for measurements of the kinetics of fast electrode reactions at temperatures extending to at least 300 0 C and pressures to at least 10 MPa (100 atmospheres). The system includes solution preparation and handling equipment, the electrochemical cell, and several electrode designs. One of the new designs is a coaxial working electrode-counter electrode assembly; this electrode can be used with very fast-rising pulses, and it provides a well defined, repeatedly-polishable working surface. Low-impedance reference electrodes are also described, based on electrode concepts responding to the pH or the redox potential of the test solution. Additionally, a novel, long-life primary reference electrode design is reported, based on a modification of the external, pressure-balanced Ag/AgCl reference electrode

Electrochemical cell and electrode designs for high-temperature/high-pressure kinetic measurements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nagy, Z.; Yonco, R.M.

1988-01-01

Many corrosion processes of interest to the nuclear power industry occur in high-temperature/high-pressure aqueous systems. The investigation of the kinetics of the appropriate electrode reactions is a serious experimental challenge, partially because of the high temperatures and pressures and partially because many of these reactions are very rapid, requiring fast relaxation measurements. An electrochemical measuring system is described which is suitable for measurements of the kinetics of fast electrode reactions at temperatures extending to at least 300 0 C and pressures to at least 10 MPa (100 atmospheres). The system includes solution preparation and handling equipment, the electrochemical cell, and several electrode designs. One of the new designs is a coaxial working electrode-counter electrode assembly; this electrode can be used with very fast-rising pulses, and it provides a well defined, repeatedly-polishable working surface. Low-impedance reference electrodes are also described, based on electrode concepts responding to the pH or the redox potential of the test solution. Additionally, a novel, long-life primary reference electrode design is reported, based on a modification of the external, pressure-balanced Ag/AgCl reference electrode

Conformal bi-layered perovskite/spinel coating on a metallic wire network for solid oxide fuel cells via an electrodeposition-based route

Science.gov (United States)

Park, Beom-Kyeong; Song, Rak-Hyun; Lee, Seung-Bok; Lim, Tak-Hyoung; Park, Seok-Joo; Jung, WooChul; Lee, Jong-Won

2017-04-01

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) require low-cost metallic components for current collection from electrodes as well as electrical connection between unit cells; however, the degradation of their electrical properties and surface stability associated with high-temperature oxidation is of great concern. It is thus important to develop protective conducting oxide coatings capable of mitigating the degradation of metallic components under SOFC operating conditions. Here, we report a conformal bi-layered coating composed of perovskite and spinel oxides on a metallic wire network fabricated by a facile electrodeposition-based route. A highly dense, crack-free, and adhesive bi-layered LaMnO3/Co3O4 coating of ∼1.2 μm thickness is conformally formed on the surfaces of wires with ∼100 μm diameter. We demonstrate that the bi-layered LaMnO3/Co3O4 coating plays a key role in improving the power density and durability of a tubular SOFC by stabilizing the surface of the metallic wire network used as a cathode current collector. The electrodeposition-based technique presented in this study offers a low-cost and scalable process to fabricate conformal multi-layered coatings on various metallic structures.

Role of polymeric binders on mechanical behavior and cracking resistance of silicon composite electrodes during electrochemical cycling

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Dawei; Wang, Yikai; Hu, Jiazhi; Lu, Bo; Dang, Dingying; Zhang, Junqian; Cheng, Yang-Tse

2018-05-01

This work focuses on understanding the role of various binders, including sodium alginate (SA), Nafion, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), on the mechanical behavior and cracking resistance of silicon composite electrodes during electrochemical cycling. In situ curvature measurement of bilayer electrodes, consisting of a silicon-binder-carbon black composite layer on a copper foil, is used to determine the effects of binders on bending deformation, elastic modulus, and stress on the composite electrodes. It is found that the lithiation induced curvature and the modulus of the silicon/SA electrodes are larger than those of electrodes with Nafion and PVDF as binders. Although the modulus of Nafion is smaller than that of PVDF, the curvature and the modulus of silicon/Nafion composite are larger than those of silicon/PVDF electrodes. The moduli of all three composites decrease not only during lithiation but also during delithiation. Based on the measured stress and scanning electron microscopy observations of cracking in the composite electrodes, we conclude that the stress required to crack the composite electrodes with SA and Nafion binders is considerably higher than that of the silicon/PVDF electrode during electrochemical cycling. Thus, the cracking resistance of silicon/SA and silicon/Nafion composite electrodes is higher than that of silicon/PVDF electrodes.

Interface-mediation of lipid bilayer organization and dynamics.

Science.gov (United States)

Mize, Hannah E; Blanchard, G J

2016-06-22

We report on the morphology and dynamics of planar supported lipid bilayer structures as a function of pH and ionic strength of the aqueous overlayer. Supported lipid bilayers composed of three components (phosphocholine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol) are known to exhibit phase segregation, with the characteristic domain sizes dependent on the amount and identity of each constituent, and the composition of the aqueous overlayer in contact with the bilayer. We report on fluorescence anisotropy decay imaging measurements of a rhodamine chromophore tethered to the headgroup of a phosphoethanolamine, where anisotropy decay images were acquired as a function of solution overlayer pH and ionic strength. The data reveal a two-component anisotropy decay under all conditions, with the faster time constant being largely independent of pH and ionic strength and the slower component depending on pH and ionic strength in different manners. For liposomes of the same composition, a single exponential anisotropy decay was seen. We interpret this difference in terms of bilayer curvature and support surface-bilayer interactions, and the pH and ionic strength dependencies in terms of ionic screening and protonation in the bilayer headgroup region.

Advantages of using Ti-mesh type electrodes for flexible dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

He Weizhen; Kim, Hyung-Kook; Hwang, Yoon-Hwae; Qiu Jijun; Zhuge Fuwei; Li Xiaomin; Lee, Jae-Ho; Kim, Yang-Do

2012-01-01

We used Ti meshes for both the photoanodes and counter electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to improve the flexibility and conductivity of the electrodes. These mesh type electrodes showed good transparency and high bendability when subjected to an external force. We demonstrated the advantages of cells using such electrodes compared to traditional transparent conducting oxide based electrodes and back side illuminated DSSCs, such as low sheet resistance, elevated photo-induced current and enhanced sunlight utilization. Nanotube layers of different thicknesses were investigated to determine their effect on the photovoltaic parameters of the cell. The overall efficiency of the best cells was approximately 5.3% under standard air mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5 G) solar conditions. Furthermore, the DSSCs showed an efficiency of approximately 3.15% due to the all Ti-mesh type electrodes even after illumination from the back side. (paper)

Probing Lipid Bilayers under Ionic Imbalance.

Science.gov (United States)

Lin, Jiaqi; Alexander-Katz, Alfredo

2016-12-06

Biological membranes are normally under a resting transmembrane potential (TMP), which originates from the ionic imbalance between extracellular fluids and cytosols, and serves as electric power storage for cells. In cell electroporation, the ionic imbalance builds up a high TMP, resulting in the poration of cell membranes. However, the relationship between ionic imbalance and TMP is not clearly understood, and little is known about the effect of ionic imbalance on the structure and dynamics of biological membranes. In this study, we used coarse-grained molecular dynamics to characterize a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer system under ionic imbalances ranging from 0 to ∼0.06 e charges per lipid (e/Lip). We found that the TMP displayed three distinct regimes: 1) a linear regime between 0 and 0.045 e/Lip, where the TMP increased linearly with ionic imbalance; 2) a yielding regime between ∼0.045 and 0.060 e/Lip, where the TMP displayed a plateau; and 3) a poration regime above ∼0.060 e/Lip, where we observed pore formation within the sampling time (80 ns). We found no structural changes in the linear regime, apart from a nonlinear increase in the area per lipid, whereas in the yielding regime the bilayer exhibited substantial thinning, leading to an excess of water and Na + within the bilayer, as well as significant misalignment of the lipid tails. In the poration regime, lipid molecules diffused slightly faster. We also found that the fluid-to-gel phase transition temperature of the bilayer dropped below the normal value with increased ionic imbalances. Our results show that a high ionic imbalance can substantially alter the essential properties of the bilayer, making the bilayer more fluid like, or conversely, depolarization of a cell could in principle lead to membrane stiffening. Copyright © 2016 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Bilayer graphene: gap tunability and edge properties

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Castro, Eduardo V; Santos, J M B Lopes dos; Peres, N M R; Guinea, F; Castro Neto, A H

2008-01-01

Bilayer graphene - two coupled single graphene layers stacked as in graphite - provides the only known semiconductor with a gap that can be tuned externally through electric field effect. Here we use a tight binding approach to study how the gap changes with the applied electric field. Within a parallel plate capacitor model and taking into account screening of the external field, we describe real back gated and/or chemically doped bilayer devices. We show that a gap between zero and midinfrared energies can be induced and externally tuned in these devices, making bilayer graphene very appealing from the point of view of applications. However, applications to nanotechnology require careful treatment of the effect of sample boundaries. This being particularly true in graphene, where the presence of edge states at zero energy - the Fermi level of the undoped system - has been extensively reported. Here we show that also bilayer graphene supports surface states localized at zigzag edges. The presence of two layers, however, allows for a new type of edge state which shows an enhanced penetration into the bulk and gives rise to band crossing phenomenon inside the gap of the biased bilayer system.

Laminating solution-processed silver nanowire mesh electrodes onto solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

KAUST Repository

Hardin, Brian E.

2011-06-01

Solution processed silver nanowire meshes (Ag NWs) were laminated on top of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ss-DSCs) as a reflective counter electrode. Ag NWs were deposited in <1 min and were less reflective compared to evaporated Ag controls; however, AgNW ss-DSC devices consistently had higher fill factors (0.6 versus 0.69), resulting in comparable power conversion efficiencies (2.7%) compared to thermally evaporated Ag control (2.8%). Laminated Ag NW electrodes enable higher throughput manufacturing and near unity material usage, resulting in a cheaper alternative to thermally evaporated electrodes. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of carotenoids on lipid bilayers.

Science.gov (United States)

Johnson, Quentin R; Mostofian, Barmak; Fuente Gomez, Gabriel; Smith, Jeremy C; Cheng, Xiaolin

2018-01-31

Carotenoids have been found to be important in improving the integrity of biomembranes in eukaryotes. However, the molecular details of how carotenoids modulate the physical properties of biomembranes are unknown. To this end, we have conducted a series of molecular dynamics simulations of different biologically-relevant membranes in the presence of carotenoids. The carotenoid effect on the membrane was found to be specific to the identity of the carotenoid and the composition of the membrane itself. Therefore, different classes of carotenoids produce a different effect on the membrane, and different membrane phases are affected differently by carotenoids. It is apparent from our data that carotenoids do trigger the bilayer to become thinner. The mechanism by which this occurs depends on two competing factors, the ability of the lipid tails of opposing monolayers to either (1) compress or (2) interdigitate as the bilayer condenses. Indeed, carotenoids directly influence the physical properties via these two mechanisms, thus compacting the bilayer. However, the degree to which these competing mechanisms are utilized depends on the bilayer phase and the carotenoid identity.

Computer Simulations of Lipid Bilayers and Proteins

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sonne, Jacob

2006-01-01

The importance of computer simulations in lipid bilayer research has become more prominent for the last couple of decades and as computers get even faster, simulations will play an increasingly important part of understanding the processes that take place in and across cell membranes. This thesis...... entitled Computer simulations of lipid bilayers and proteins describes two molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies of pure lipid bilayers as well as a study of a transmembrane protein embedded in a lipid bilayer matrix. Below follows a brief overview of the thesis. Chapter 1. This chapter is a short...... in the succeeding chapters is presented. Details on system setups, simulation parameters and other technicalities can be found in the relevant chapters. Chapter 3, DPPC lipid parameters: The quality of MD simulations is intimately dependent on the empirical potential energy function and its parameters, i...

Complementary resistive switching in BaTiO{sub 3}/NiO bilayer with opposite switching polarities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Shuo [State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Nonmetal Composites and Functional Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010 (China); Institut d’Electronique de Micro-électronique et de Nanotechnologie (IEMN), CNRS, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, avenue Poincaré, BP 60069, 59652, Villeneuve d’Ascq cedex (France); Wei, Xianhua, E-mail: weixianhua@swust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Nonmetal Composites and Functional Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010 (China); Lei, Yao [State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, University of Electronics Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054 (China); Yuan, Xincai [State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Nonmetal Composites and Functional Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010 (China); Zeng, Huizhong [State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices, University of Electronics Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054 (China)

2016-12-15

Graphical abstract: Au/BaTiO{sub 3}/NiO/Pt bilayer device shows complementary resistive switching (CRS) without electroforming which is mainly ascribed to anti-serial stack of two RRAM cells with bipolar behaviors. - Highlights: • Complementary resistive switching (CRS) has been investigated in Au/BaTiO{sub 3}/NiO/Pt by stacking the two elements with different switching types. • The realization of complementary resistive switching (CRS) is mainly ascribed to the anti-serial stack of two RRAM cells with bipolar behaviors. • Complementary resistive switching (CRS) in bilayer is effective to solve the sneak current problem briefly and economically. - Abstract: Resistive switching behaviors have been investigated in the Au/BaTiO{sub 3}/NiO/Pt structure by stacking the two elements with different switching types. The conducting atomic force microscope measurements on BaTiO{sub 3} thin films and NiO thin films suggest that with the same active resistive switching region, the switching polarities in the two semiconductors are opposite to each other. It is in agreement with the bipolar hysteresis I–V curves with opposite switching polarities for single-layer devices. The bilayer devices show complementary resistive switching (CRS) without electroforming and unipolar resistive switching (URS) after electroforming. The coexistence of CRS and URS is mainly ascribed to the co-effect of electric field and Joule heating mechanisms, indicating that changeable of resistance in this device is dominated by the redistribution of oxygen vacancies in BaTiO{sub 3} and the formation, disruption, restoration of conducting filaments in NiO. CRS in bilayer with opposite switching polarities is effective to solve the sneak current without the introduction of any selector elements or an additional metal electrode.

Pulse-reversal electropolymerization of polypyrrole on functionalized carbon nanotubes as composite counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, Wei-Yan; Ting, Pan-Ning; Luo, Shu-Hui; Lin, Jeng-Yu

2014-01-01

Highlights: • MWCNT/PPy composite was incorporated in Pt-free DSCs. • Evenly coating of PPy on MWCNT was achieved by using pulse-reversal technique. • The DSC with theMWCNT/PPy composite reached an efficiency of 6.21%. - Abstract: In this current work, we proposed a modified two-step method to prepare multiwalled carbon nanotube/polypyrrol (MWCNT/PPy) composite counter electrodes (CEs) toward triiodide reduction in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). MWCNTs were deposited onto the surface of fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates by electrophoretic deposition, and then subjected to the PPy electropolymerization by using a pulse-reversal technique. With regard to the electropolymerization of PPy on the MWCNTs-coated FTO substrate by conventional cyclic voltammetry (CV) method (designated as MWCNT/PPy-CV CE), the MWCNT/PPy-PR CE still retrained the mesoporous morphology originating from the MWCNT conductive framework and the PPy thin film was found to be evenly coated on the MWCNT surface. According to the extensive electrochemical analyses, the mesoporous nanostructure of the MWCNT/PPy-PR CE provided increased active surface area for I 3 - reduction and facilitated the electron transport at the interface of CE/electrolyte and the redox electrolyte penetration within the CE. As a result, the DSC assembled with the MWCNT/PPy-PR CE reaches a comparable photovoltaic efficiency of 6.21% to that of the DSC based on the Pt CE (6.66%)

Observation of undulation motion of lipid bilayers by neutron spin echo

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamada, Norifumi L.; Seto, Hideki; Hishida, Mafumi

2010-01-01

Aqueous solutions of synthesized phospholipids have been well investigated as model biomembranes. These lipids usually self-assemble into regular stacks of bilayers with a characteristic repeat distance on the order of nm, whereas real biomembrane exist as single bilayers. The key phenomenon in understanding the formation of single isolated bilayers in 'unbinding' of lipid bilayers, in which the inter-bilayer distance of lipid bilayers diverges by the steric interaction due to the membrane undulation. In this paper, we show some results of neutron spin-echo (NSE) experiments to investigate the effect of the steric interaction on unbinding and related phenomena. (author)

Laminating solution-processed silver nanowire mesh electrodes onto solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

KAUST Repository

Hardin, Brian E.; Gaynor, Whitney; Ding, I-Kang; Rim, Seung-Bum; Peumans, Peter; McGehee, Michael D.

2011-01-01

Solution processed silver nanowire meshes (Ag NWs) were laminated on top of solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ss-DSCs) as a reflective counter electrode. Ag NWs were deposited in <1 min and were less reflective compared to evaporated Ag

Simulation studies of protein-induced bilayer deformations, and lipid-induced protein tilting, on a mesoscopic model for lipid bilayers with embedded proteins

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Venturoli, M.; Smit, B.; Sperotto, Maria Maddalena

2005-01-01

membranes. Here we present a mesoscopic model for lipid bilayers with embedded proteins, which we have studied with the help of the dissipative particle dynamics simulation technique. Because hydrophobic matching is believed to be one of the main physical mechanisms regulating lipid-protein interactions......-induced protein tilt, with the hydrophobic mismatch ( positive and negative) between the protein hydrophobic length and the pure lipid bilayer hydrophobic thickness. The protein-induced bilayer perturbation was quantified in terms of a coherence length, xi(P), of the lipid bilayer hydrophobic thickness pro. le...... for positive values of mismatch; a dependence on the protein size appears as well. In the case of large model proteins experiencing extreme mismatch conditions, in the region next to the so-called lipid annulus, there appears an undershooting ( or overshooting) region where the bilayer hydrophobic thickness...

The Importance of Ion Size and Electrode Curvature on Electrical Double Layers in Ionic Liquids

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Feng, Guang [Clemson University; Qiao, Rui [ORNL; Huang, Jingsong [ORNL; Dai, Sheng [ORNL; Sumpter, Bobby G [ORNL; Meunier, Vincent [ORNL

2010-01-01

Room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) are an emerging class of electrolytes for supercapacitors. We investigate the effects of ion size and electrode curvature on the electrical double layers (EDLs) in two ILs 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM][Cl] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF(6)], using a combination of molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The sizes of the counter-ion and co-ion affect the ion distribution and orientational structure of EDLs. The EDL capacitances near both planar and cylindrical electrodes were found to follow the order: [BMIM][Cl] (near the positive electrode) > [BMIM][PF(6)] (near the positive electrode) {approx} [BMIM][Cl] (near the negative electrode) {approx} [BMIM][PF(6)] (near the negative electrode). The EDL capacitance was also found to increase as the electrode curvature increases. These capacitance data can be fit to the Helmholtz model and the recently proposed exohedral electrical double-cylinder capacitor (xEDCC) model when the EDL thickness is properly parameterized, even though key features of the EDLs in ILs are not accounted for in these models. To remedy the shortcomings of existing models, we propose a 'Multiple Ion Layers with Overscreening' (MILO) model for the EDLs in ILs that takes into account two critical features of such EDLs, i.e., alternating layering of counter-ions and co-ions and charge overscreening. The capacitance computed from the MILO model agrees well with the MD prediction. Although some input parameters of the MILO model must be obtained from MD simulations, the MILO model may provide a new framework for understanding many important aspects of EDLs in ILs (e.g., the variation of EDL capacitance with the electrode potential) that are difficult to interpret using classical EDL models and experiments.

A high performance transparent resistive switching memory made from ZrO{sub 2}/AlON bilayer structure

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tsai, Tsung-Ling; Chang, Hsiang-Yu; Tseng, Tseung-Yuen, E-mail: tseng@cc.nctu.edu.tw [Department of Electronics Engineering and Institute of Electronics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan (China); Lou, Jesse Jen-Chung [Department of Energy Information Engineering, School of Software and Microelectronics, Peking University, Wuxi 214125 (China)

2016-04-11

In this study, the switching properties of an indium tin oxide (ITO)/zirconium oxide (ZrO{sub 2})/ITO single layer device and those of a device with an aluminum oxynitride (AlON) layer were investigated. The devices with highly transparent characteristics were fabricated. Compared with the ITO/ZrO{sub 2}/ITO single layer device, the ITO/ZrO{sub 2}/AlON/ITO bilayer device exhibited a larger ON/OFF ratio, higher endurance performance, and superior retention properties by using a simple two-step forming process. These substantial improvements in the resistive switching properties were attributed to the minimized influence of oxygen migration through the ITO top electrode (TE), which can be realized by forming an asymmetrical conductive filament with the weakest part at the ZrO{sub 2}/AlON interface. Therefore, in the ITO/ZrO{sub 2}/AlON/ITO bilayer device, the regions where conductive filament formation and rupture occur can be effectively moved from the TE interface to the interior of the device.

Fragmented state of lipid bilayers in water

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Helfrich, W.; Thimmel, J.; Klösgen, Beate Maria

1999-01-01

The bilayers of some typical biological membrane lipids such as PC and DGDG disintegrate in a large excess of water to form an optically invisible dispersive bilayer phase. `Dark bodies' can be reversibly precipitated from it by raising the temperature. The dispersive phase probably consists...

Cluster Formation of Polyphilic Molecules Solvated in a DPPC Bilayer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xiang-Yang Guo

2017-10-01

Full Text Available We analyse the initial stages of cluster formation of polyphilic additive molecules which are solvated in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC lipid bilayer. Our polyphilic molecules comprise an aromatic (trans-bilayer core domain with (out-of-bilayer glycerol terminations, complemented with a fluorophilic and an alkyl side chain, both of which are confined within the aliphatic segment of the bilayer. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations (1 μ s total duration of a set of six of such polyphilic additives reveal the initial steps towards supramolecular aggregation induced by the specific philicity properties of the molecules. For our intermediate system size of six polyphiles, the transient but recurrent formation of a trimer is observed on a characteristic timescale of about 100 ns. The alkane/perfluoroalkane side chains show a very distinct conformational distribution inside the bilayer thanks to their different philicity, despite their identical anchoring in the trans-bilayer segment of the polyphile. The diffusive mobility of the polyphilic additives is about the same as that of the surrounding lipids, although it crosses both bilayer leaflets and tends to self-associate.

Indium-free Cu/fluorine doped ZnO composite transparent conductive electrodes with stretchable and flexible performance on poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate

Science.gov (United States)

Han, Jun; Gong, Haibo; Yang, Xiaopeng; Qiu, Zhiwen; Zi, Min; Qiu, Xiaofeng; Wang, Hongqiang; Cao, Bingqiang

2015-03-01

Material-abundant ZnO and metal thin film have been proposed as potential alternatives for the most widely commercial indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent and conductive electrode. Yet the deterioration of optical transparency and conductivity for these materials makes them difficult to compete with ITO. In this work, a double-layer structured film-composed of FZO and Cu film is presented at room temperature, which combines the high transparency of FZO and high conductivity of Cu film. We first studied the effect of oxygen pressure on the transparency and conductivity of free-standing FZO layer deposited on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by PLD method. Also the structural, electrical, and optical properties of bilayers electrode dependence on the Cu layer thickness were optimized in detail. As the Cu layer thickness increases, the resistivity decreases. The lowest resistivity of 6.6 × 10-5 Ω cm with a carrier concentration of 1.11 × 1022 cm-3 and mobility of 8.52 cm2 V-1 s-1 was obtained at the optimum Cu (12 nm) layer thickness. We find that FZO layer have anti-reflection effect for Cu/FZO (250 nm) bilayer in the wavelength range of 650-1000 nm compared with single Cu layer. And we firstly study the stretchable performance for Cu film-based composite electrodes with stretching ratio changing from 0 to 5%. Furthermore, we study excellent mechanical flexibility and stability of composite electrodes by bending test.

Characterization of the transverse relaxation rates in lipid bilayers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Watnick, P.I.; Dea, P.; Chan, S.I.

1990-01-01

The 2H NMR transverse relaxation rates of a deuterated phospholipid bilayer reflect slow motions in the bilayer membrane. A study of dimyristoyl lecithin specifically deuterated at several positions of the hydrocarbon chains indicates that these motions are cooperative and are confined to the hydrocarbon chains of the lipid bilayer. However, lipid head group interactions do play an important role in modulating the properties of the cooperative fluctuations of the hydrocarbon chains (director fluctuations), as evidenced by the effects of various lipid additives on the 2H NMR transverse relaxation rates of the dimyristoyl lecithin bilayer

DNA nanotechnology: Bringing lipid bilayers into shape

Science.gov (United States)

Howorka, Stefan

2017-07-01

Lipid bilayers form the thin and floppy membranes that define the boundary of compartments such as cells. Now, a method to control the shape and size of bilayers using DNA nanoscaffolds has been developed. Such designer materials advance synthetic biology and could find use in membrane research.

Regulation of membrane protein function by lipid bilayer elasticity-a single molecule technology to measure the bilayer properties experienced by an embedded protein

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lundbaek, Jens August

2006-01-01

Membrane protein function is generally regulated by the molecular composition of the host lipid bilayer. The underlying mechanisms have long remained enigmatic. Some cases involve specific molecular interactions, but very often lipids and other amphiphiles, which are adsorbed to lipid bilayers, regulate a number of structurally unrelated proteins in an apparently non-specific manner. It is well known that changes in the physical properties of a lipid bilayer (e.g., thickness or monolayer spontaneous curvature) can affect the function of an embedded protein. However, the role of such changes, in the general regulation of membrane protein function, is unclear. This is to a large extent due to lack of a generally accepted framework in which to understand the many observations. The present review summarizes studies which have demonstrated that the hydrophobic interactions between a membrane protein and the host lipid bilayer provide an energetic coupling, whereby protein function can be regulated by the bilayer elasticity. The feasibility of this 'hydrophobic coupling mechanism' has been demonstrated using the gramicidin channel, a model membrane protein, in planar lipid bilayers. Using voltage-dependent sodium channels, N-type calcium channels and GABA A receptors, it has been shown that membrane protein function in living cells can be regulated by amphiphile induced changes in bilayer elasticity. Using the gramicidin channel as a molecular force transducer, a nanotechnology to measure the elastic properties experienced by an embedded protein has been developed. A theoretical and technological framework, to study the regulation of membrane protein function by lipid bilayer elasticity, has been established

Cerenkov counters at ISABELLE

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Etkin, A.; Kostoulas, I.; Leith, D.W.G.S.; Thun, R.

1977-01-01

The Cherenkov counter described for use at Isabelle is a threshold counter in which light is focussed on phototubes. The counter is applicable in large-angle, small-aperture magnetic spectrometers for measurement of particle yields at large p/sub T/. Three of these counters will provide complete π-K-p separation in the range of 7-20 GeV/c. Other Cherenkov counters are discussed and a bibliography of relevant literature on the counters utilizing photoionization is included

Reliable Piezoelectricity in Bilayer WSe2 for Piezoelectric Nanogenerators.

Science.gov (United States)

Lee, Ju-Hyuck; Park, Jae Young; Cho, Eun Bi; Kim, Tae Yun; Han, Sang A; Kim, Tae-Ho; Liu, Yanan; Kim, Sung Kyun; Roh, Chang Jae; Yoon, Hong-Joon; Ryu, Hanjun; Seung, Wanchul; Lee, Jong Seok; Lee, Jaichan; Kim, Sang-Woo

2017-08-01

Recently, piezoelectricity has been observed in 2D atomically thin materials, such as hexagonal-boron nitride, graphene, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Specifically, exfoliated monolayer MoS 2 exhibits a high piezoelectricity that is comparable to that of traditional piezoelectric materials. However, monolayer TMD materials are not regarded as suitable for actual piezoelectric devices due to their insufficient mechanical durability for sustained operation while Bernal-stacked bilayer TMD materials lose noncentrosymmetry and consequently piezoelectricity. Here, it is shown that WSe 2 bilayers fabricated via turbostratic stacking have reliable piezoelectric properties that cannot be obtained from a mechanically exfoliated WSe 2 bilayer with Bernal stacking. Turbostratic stacking refers to the transfer of each chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown WSe 2 monolayer to allow for an increase in degrees of freedom in the bilayer symmetry, leading to noncentrosymmetry in the bilayers. In contrast, CVD-grown WSe 2 bilayers exhibit very weak piezoelectricity because of the energetics and crystallographic orientation. The flexible piezoelectric WSe 2 bilayers exhibit a prominent mechanical durability of up to 0.95% of strain as well as reliable energy harvesting performance, which is adequate to drive a small liquid crystal display without external energy sources, in contrast to monolayer WSe 2 for which the device performance becomes degraded above a strain of 0.63%. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A paper-based electrode using a graphene dot/PEDOT:PSS composite for flexible solar cells

KAUST Repository

Lee, Chuan-Pei; Lai, Kun-Yu; Lin, Chin-An; Li, Chun-Ting; Ho, Kuo-Chuan; Wu, Chih-I; Lau, Shu-Ping; He, Jr-Hau

2017-01-01

We have synthesized a metal-free composite ink that contains graphene dots (GDs) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) that can be used on paper to serve as the counter electrode in a flexible dye-sensitized solar

Fabrication of Li-intercalated bilayer graphene

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

K. Sugawara

2011-06-01

Full Text Available We have succeeded in fabricating Li-intercalated bilayer graphene on silicon carbide. The low-energy electron diffraction from Li-deposited bilayer graphene shows a sharp 3×3R30° pattern in contrast to Li-deposited monolayer graphene. This indicates that Li atoms are intercalated between two adjacent graphene layers and take the same well-ordered superstructure as in bulk C6Li. The angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy has revealed that Li atoms are fully ionized and the π bands of graphene are systematically folded by the superstructure of intercalated Li atoms, producing a snowflake-like Fermi surface centered at the Γ point. The present result suggests a high potential of Li-intercalated bilayer graphene for application to a nano-scale Li-ion battery.

Electronic transport of bilayer graphene with asymmetry line defects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhao Xiao-Ming; Chen Chan; Liang Ying; Kou Su-Peng; Wu Ya-Jie

2016-01-01

In this paper, we study the quantum properties of a bilayer graphene with (asymmetry) line defects. The localized states are found around the line defects. Thus, the line defects on one certain layer of the bilayer graphene can lead to an electric transport channel. By adding a bias potential along the direction of the line defects, we calculate the electric conductivity of bilayer graphene with line defects using the Landauer–Büttiker theory, and show that the channel affects the electric conductivity remarkably by comparing the results with those in a perfect bilayer graphene. This one-dimensional line electric channel has the potential to be applied in nanotechnology engineering. (paper)

Layer-by-layer self-assembling copper tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine on carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode for electro-oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shaik, Mahabul; Rao, V.K.; Gupta, Manish; Pandey, P.

2012-01-01

This paper describes the electrocatalytic activity of layer-by-layer self-assembled copper tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (CuPcTS) on carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode. CuPcTS is immobilized on the negatively charged CNT surface by alternatively assembling a cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) layer and a CuPcTS layer. UV–vis absorption spectra and electrochemical measurements suggested the successive linear depositions of the bilayers of CuPcTs and PDDA on CNT. The surface morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The viability of this CuPcTS/PDDA/CNT modified GC electrode as a redox mediator for the anodic oxidation and sensitive amperometric determination of 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) in alkaline conditions is described. The effect of number of bilayers of CuPcTS/PDDA and pH on electrochemical oxidation of 2-ME was studied. The proposed electrochemical sensor displayed excellent characteristics towards the determination of 2-ME in 0.1 M NaOH; such as low overpotentials (− 0.15 V vs Ag/AgCl), linear concentration range of 3 × 10 −5 M to 6 × 10 −3 M, and with a detection limit of 2.5 × 10 −5 M using simple amperometry. - Highlights: ► Carbon nanotubes (CNT) were drop-dried on glassy carbon electrode (GCE). ► Copper tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (CuPcTS) was deposited on CNT/GCE. ► Layer-by-layer self-assembling method is used for depositing CuPcTS. ► Electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol (ME) was studied at this electrode ► The detection limit of ME at modified electrode was 25 μM by amperometry.

Lipid Bilayer Formation on Organic Electronic Materials

KAUST Repository

Zhang, Yi

2018-04-23

The lipid bilayer is the elemental structure of cell membrane, forming a stable barrier between the interior and exterior of the cell while hosting membrane proteins that enable selective transport of biologically important compounds and cellular recognition. Monitoring the quality and function of lipid bilayers is thus essential and can be performed using electrically active substrates that allow for transduction of signals. Such a promising electronic transducer material is the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) which has provided a plethora of novel bio transducing architectures. The challenge is however in assembling a bilayer on the conducting polymer surface, which is defect-free and has high mobility. Herein, we investigate the fusion of zwitterionic vesicles on a variety of PEDOT:PSS films, but also on an electron transporting, negatively charged organic semiconductor, in order to understand the surface properties that trigger vesicle fusion. The PEDOT:PSS films are prepared from dispersions containing different concentrations of ethylene glycol included as a formulation additive, which gives a handle to modulate surface physicochemical properties without a compromise on the chemical composition. The strong correlation between the polarity of the surface, the fusion of vesicles and the mobility of the resulting bilayer aides extracting design principles for the development of future conducting polymers that will enable the formation of lipid bilayers.

In situ atomic force microscope imaging of supported lipid bilayers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kaasgaard, Thomas; Leidy, Chad; Ipsen, John Hjorth

2001-01-01

In situ AFM images of phospholipase A/sub 2/ (PLA/sub 2/) hydrolysis of mica-supported one- and two-component lipid bilayers are presented. For one-component DPPC bilayers an enhanced enzymatic activity is observed towards preexisting defects in the bilayer. Phase separation is observed in two-co...

Effect of carbon nano tube working electrode thickness on charge transport kinetics and photo-electrochemical characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Gacemi, Yahia; Cheknane, Ali; Hilal, Hikmat S.

2018-02-01

Physiochemical processes at the photo-electrode and the counter electrode of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) involving having carbon nanotubes (CNTs) instead of the TiO2 layer, within the working electrode, are simulated in this work. Attention is paid to find the effect of CNT layer thickness on photo-electrochemical (PEC) characteristics of the CNT-DSSCs. Comparison with other conventional TiO2-DSSC systems, taking into account the working electrode film thickness, is also described here. To achieve these goals, a model is presented to explain charge transport and electron recombination which involve electron photo-excitation in dye molecules, injection of electrons from the excited dye to CNT working electrode conduction band, diffusion of electrons inside the CNT electrode, charge transfer between oxidized dye and (I-) and recombination of electrons. The simulation is based on solving non-linear equations using the Newton-Raphson numerical method. This concept is proposed for modelling numerical Faradaic impedance at the photo-electrode and the platinum counter electrode. It then simulates the cell impedance spectrum describing the locus of the three semicircles in the Nyquist diagram. The transient equivalent circuit model is also presented based on optimizing current-voltage curves of CNT-DSSCs so as to optimize the fill factor (FF) and conversion efficiency (η). The results show that the simulated characteristics of CNT-DSSCs, with different active CNT layer thicknesses, are superior to conventional TiO2-DSSCs.

Multimode pulse counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Natanzon, D.D.

1982-01-01

A pulse counter with code conversion is described. The counter is based on the integrated circuits of direct-counting devices of medium integration. The counter ensures various modes of pulse counting depending on the logical control signals: reversible, two-channel summing, one-channel summing binary, summing with ''storage'' signal code fixation without interrupting pulse counting. Arrangement of the suggested structure as a microcircuit of medium integration might contribute to reduction in the counter type nomenclature in digital families of widely used integrated circuits

Enhanced Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Counter Electrodes Consisting of Two-Dimensional Nanostructural Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets Supported Pt Nanoparticles

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Chao-Kuang Cheng

2017-10-01

Full Text Available This paper reports architecturally designed nanocomposites synthesized by hybridizing the two-dimensional (2D nanostructure of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 nanosheet (NS-supported Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs as counter electrodes (CEs for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs. MoS2 NSs were prepared using the hydrothermal method; PtNPs were subsequently reduced on the MoS2 NSs via the water–ethylene method to form PtNPs/MoS2 NSs hybrids. The nanostructures and chemical states of the PtNPs/MoS2 NSs hybrids were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Detailed electrochemical characterizations by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and Tafel-polarization measurement demonstrated that the PtNPs/MoS2 NSs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activities, afforded a higher charge transfer rate, a decreased charge transfer resistance, and an improved exchange current density. The PtNPs/MoS2 NSs hybrids not only provided the exposed layers of 2D MoS2 NSs with a great deal of catalytically active sites, but also offered PtNPs anchored on the MoS2 NSs enhanced I3− reduction. Accordingly, the DSSCs that incorporated PtNPs/MoS2 NSs CE exhibited an outstanding photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE of 7.52%, which was 8.7% higher than that of a device with conventional thermally-deposited platinum CE (PCE = 6.92%.

Anomalous conductivity noise in gapped bilayer graphene heterostructure

Science.gov (United States)

Aamir, Mohammed Ali; Karnatak, Paritosh; Sai, T. Phanindra; Ghosh, Arindam

Bilayer graphene has unique electronic properties - it has a tunable band gap and also, valley symmetry and pseudospin degree of freedom like its single layer counterpart. In this work, we present a study of conductance fluctuations in dual gated bilayer graphene heterostructures by varying the Fermi energy and the band gap independently. At a fixed band gap, we find that the conductance fluctuations obtained by Fermi energy ensemble sampling increase rapidly as the Fermi energy is tuned to charge neutrality point (CNP) whereas the time-dependent conductance fluctuations diminish rapidly. This discrepancy is completely absent at higher number densities, where the transport is expected to be through the 2D bulk of the bilayer system. This observation indicates that near the CNP, electrical transport is highly sensitive to Fermi energy, but becomes progressively immune to time-varying disorder. A possible explanation may involve transport via edge states which becomes the dominant conduction mechanism when the bilayer graphene is gapped and Fermi energy is situated close to the CNP, thereby causing a dimensional crossover from 2D to 1D transport. Our experiment outlines a possible experimental protocol to probe intrinsic topological states in gapped bilayer graphene.

Bifurcation of self-folded polygonal bilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Abdullah, Arif M.; Braun, Paul V.; Hsia, K. Jimmy

2017-09-01

Motivated by the self-assembly of natural systems, researchers have investigated the stimulus-responsive curving of thin-shell structures, which is also known as self-folding. Self-folding strategies not only offer possibilities to realize complicated shapes but also promise actuation at small length scales. Biaxial mismatch strain driven self-folding bilayers demonstrate bifurcation of equilibrium shapes (from quasi-axisymmetric doubly curved to approximately singly curved) during their stimulus-responsive morphing behavior. Being a structurally instable, bifurcation could be used to tune the self-folding behavior, and hence, a detailed understanding of this phenomenon is appealing from both fundamental and practical perspectives. In this work, we investigated the bifurcation behavior of self-folding bilayer polygons. For the mechanistic understanding, we developed finite element models of planar bilayers (consisting of a stimulus-responsive and a passive layer of material) that transform into 3D curved configurations. Our experiments with cross-linked Polydimethylsiloxane samples that change shapes in organic solvents confirmed our model predictions. Finally, we explored a design scheme to generate gripper-like architectures by avoiding the bifurcation of stimulus-responsive bilayers. Our research contributes to the broad field of self-assembly as the findings could motivate functional devices across multiple disciplines such as robotics, artificial muscles, therapeutic cargos, and reconfigurable biomedical devices.

Magnetic flux distributions in chiral helimagnet/superconductor bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kato, Masaru, E-mail: kato@ms.osakafu-u.ac.jp [Department of Mathematical Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-1, Gakuencho, Nakaku, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531 (Japan); Fukui, Saoto [Department of Mathematical Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-1, Gakuencho, Nakaku, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531 (Japan); Sato, Osamu [Osaka Prefecture University College of Technology, 26-12, Saiwaicho, Neyagawa, Osaka 572-8572 (Japan); Togawa, Yoshihiko [Department of Physics and Electronics, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-1, Gakuencho, Nakaku, Sakai, Osaka 599-8531 (Japan)

2017-02-15

Highlights: • Vortex states in a chiral helimagnet/superconductor bilayer are investigated. • Vortex and anti-vortex appears depending on strength of helimagnet. • Vortex is elongated under a gradient field. • Vortices form a undulated triangular lattice. - Abstarct: Vortex states in a chiral helimagnet/superconductor bilayer are investigated numerically, using the Ginzburg–Landau equations with the finite element method. In this bilayer, effect of the chiral helimagnet on the superconductor is taken as an external field. Magnetic field distribution can be controlled by an applied field to the bilayer. It is shown that a single vortex in a gradient field is elongated along the field gradient. In zero applied field, there are up- and down vortices which are parallel or antiparallel to the z-axis, respectively. But increasing the applied field, down-vortices disappear and up-vortices form undulated triangular lattices.

Interfacial exciplex formation in bilayers of conjugated polymers

Science.gov (United States)

Nobuyasu, R. S.; Araujo, K. A. S.; Cury, L. A.; Jarrosson, T.; Serein-Spirau, F.; Lère-Porte, J.-P.; Dias, F. B.; Monkman, A. P.

2013-10-01

The donor-acceptor interactions in sequential bilayer and blend films are investigated. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) were measured to characterize the samples at different geometries of photoluminescence collection. At standard excitation, with the laser incidence at 45° of the normal direction of the sample surface, a band related to the aggregate states of donor molecules appears for both blend and bilayer at around 540 nm. For the PL spectra acquired from the edge of the bilayer, with the laser incidence made at normal direction of the sample surface (90° geometry), a new featureless band emission, red-shifted from donor and acceptor emission regions was observed and assigned as the emission from interfacial exciplex states. The conformational complexity coming from donor/acceptor interactions at the heterojunction interface of the bilayer is at the origin of this interfacial exciplex emission.

Transport properties in monolayer-bilayer-monolayer graphene planar junctions

Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

Kai-Long Chu; Zi-Bo Wang; Jiao-Jiao Zhou; Hua Jiang

2017-01-01

The transport study of graphene based junctions has become one of the focuses in graphene research.There are two stacking configurations for monolayer-bilayer-monolayer graphene planar junctions.One is the two monolayer graphene contacting the same side of the bilayer graphene,and the other is the two-monolayer graphene contacting the different layers of the bilayer graphene.In this paper,according to the Landauer-Büttiker formula,we study the transport properties of these two configurations.The influences of the local gate potential in each part,the bias potential in bilayer graphene,the disorder and external magnetic field on conductance are obtained.We find the conductances of the two configurations can be manipulated by all of these effects.Especially,one can distinguish the two stacking configurations by introducing the bias potential into the bilayer graphene.The strong disorder and the external magnetic field will make the two stacking configurations indistinguishable in the transport experiment.

Preparation and characterization of RuO2/polypyrrole electrodes for supercapacitors

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Xiang; Wu, Yujiao; Zheng, Feng; Ling, Min; Lu, Fanghai

2014-11-01

Polypyrrole (PPy) embedded RuO2 electrodes were prepared by the composite method. Precursor solution of RuO2 was coated on tantalum sheet and annealed at 260 °C for 2.5 h to develop a thin film. PPy particles were deposited on RuO2 films and dried at 80 °C for 12 h to form composite electrode. Microstructure and morphology of RuO2/PPy electrode were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Our results confirmed that counter ions are incorporated into RuO2 matrix. Structure of the composite with amorphous phase was verified by X-ray diffraction. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy reveals that during grain growth of RuO2/PPy, PPy particle size sharply increases as deposition time is over 20 min. Electrochemical properties of RuO2/PPy electrode were calculated using cyclic voltammetry. As deposition times of PPy are 10, 20, 25 and 30 min, specific capacitances of composite electrodes reach 657, 553, 471 and 396 F g-1, respectively. Cyclic behaviors of RuO2/PPy composite electrodes are stable.

Spin Hall magnetoresistance in antiferromagnet/normal metal bilayers

KAUST Repository

Manchon, Aurelien

2017-01-01

We investigate the emergence of spin Hall magnetoresistance in a magnetic bilayer composed of a normal metal adjacent to an antiferromagnet. Based on a recently derived drift diffusion equation, we show that the resistance of the bilayer depends on the relative angle between the direction transverse to the current flow and the Néel order parameter. While this effect presents striking similarities with the spin Hall magnetoresistance recently reported in ferromagnetic bilayers, its physical origin is attributed to the anisotropic spin relaxation of itinerant spins in the antiferromagnet.

Electrostatic double-layer interaction between stacked charged bilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Hishida, Mafumi; Nomura, Yoko; Akiyama, Ryo; Yamamura, Yasuhisa; Saito, Kazuya

2017-10-01

The inapplicability of the DLVO theory to multilayered anionic bilayers is found in terms of the co-ion-valence dependence of the lamellar repeat distance. Most of the added salt is expelled from the interlamellar space to the bulk due to the Gibbs-Donnan effect on multiple bilayers with the bulk. The electrostatic double-layer interaction is well expressed by the formula recently proposed by Trefalt. The osmotic pressure due to the expelled ions, rather than the van der Waals interaction, is the main origin of the attractive force between the bilayers.

Magnetically assisted bilayer composites for soft bending actuators

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Jang, S.H.; Na, Seon Hong; Park, Yong Lae

2017-01-01

This article presents a soft pneumatic bending actuator using a magnetically assisted bilayer composite composed of silicone polymer and ferromagnetic particles. Bilayer composites were fabricated by mixing ferromagnetic particles to a prepolymer state of silicone in a mold and asymmetrically

Predicting proton titration in cationic micelle and bilayer environments

Science.gov (United States)

Morrow, Brian H.; Eike, David M.; Murch, Bruce P.; Koenig, Peter H.; Shen, Jana K.

2014-08-01

Knowledge of the protonation behavior of pH-sensitive molecules in micelles and bilayers has significant implications in consumer product development and biomedical applications. However, the calculation of pKa's in such environments proves challenging using traditional structure-based calculations. Here we apply all-atom constant pH molecular dynamics with explicit ions and titratable water to calculate the pKa of a fatty acid molecule in a micelle of dodecyl trimethylammonium chloride and liquid as well as gel-phase bilayers of diethyl ester dimethylammonium chloride. Interestingly, the pKa of the fatty acid in the gel bilayer is 5.4, 0.4 units lower than that in the analogous liquid bilayer or micelle, despite the fact that the protonated carboxylic group is significantly more desolvated in the gel bilayer. This work illustrates the capability of all-atom constant pH molecular dynamics in capturing the delicate balance in the free energies of desolvation and Coulombic interactions. It also shows the importance of the explicit treatment of ions in sampling the protonation states. The ability to model dynamics of pH-responsive substrates in a bilayer environment is useful for improving fabric care products as well as our understanding of the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Predicting proton titration in cationic micelle and bilayer environments

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Morrow, Brian H.; Shen, Jana K. [Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 (United States); Eike, David M.; Murch, Bruce P.; Koenig, Peter H. [Computational Chemistry, Modeling and Simulation GCO, Procter and Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201 (United States)

2014-08-28

Knowledge of the protonation behavior of pH-sensitive molecules in micelles and bilayers has significant implications in consumer product development and biomedical applications. However, the calculation of pK{sub a}’s in such environments proves challenging using traditional structure-based calculations. Here we apply all-atom constant pH molecular dynamics with explicit ions and titratable water to calculate the pK{sub a} of a fatty acid molecule in a micelle of dodecyl trimethylammonium chloride and liquid as well as gel-phase bilayers of diethyl ester dimethylammonium chloride. Interestingly, the pK{sub a} of the fatty acid in the gel bilayer is 5.4, 0.4 units lower than that in the analogous liquid bilayer or micelle, despite the fact that the protonated carboxylic group is significantly more desolvated in the gel bilayer. This work illustrates the capability of all-atom constant pH molecular dynamics in capturing the delicate balance in the free energies of desolvation and Coulombic interactions. It also shows the importance of the explicit treatment of ions in sampling the protonation states. The ability to model dynamics of pH-responsive substrates in a bilayer environment is useful for improving fabric care products as well as our understanding of the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Metal-free polymer/MWCNT composite fiber as an efficient counter electrode in fiber shape dye-sensitized solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Ali, Abid; Mujtaba Shah, Syed; Bozar, Sinem; Kazici, Mehmet; Keskin, Bahadır; Kaleli, Murat; Akyürekli, Salih; Günes, Serap

2016-09-01

Highly aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as fiber were modified with a conducting polymer via a simple dip coating method. Modified MWCNT exhibited admirable improvement in electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of tri-iodide in dye sensitized solar cells. Scanning electron microscopy images confirm the successful deposition of polymer on MWCNT. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were carried out to investigate the inner mechanism for the charge transfer behaviour. Results from bare and modified electrodes revealed that the MWCNT/(poly (3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite electrode is much better at catalysing the {{{{I}}}3}-/{{{I}}}- redox couple compared to the pristine fiber electrode. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5.03% for the modified MWCNT electrodes was comparable with that of the conventional Pt-based electrode. The scientific results of this study reveal that MWCNT/PEDOT:PSS may be a better choice for the replacement of cost intensive electrode materials such as platinum. Good performance even after bending up to 90° and in-series connection to enhance the output voltage were also successfully achieved, highlighting the practical application of this novel device.

Poly(amidoamine) dendrimers on lipid bilayers II: Effects of bilayer phase and dendrimer termination.

Science.gov (United States)

Kelly, Christopher V; Leroueil, Pascale R; Orr, Bradford G; Banaszak Holl, Mark M; Andricioaei, Ioan

2008-08-07

The molecular structures and enthalpy release of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers binding to 1,2-dimyristoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) bilayers were explored through atomistic molecular dynamics. Three PAMAM dendrimer terminations were examined: protonated primary amine, neutral acetamide, and deprotonated carboxylic acid. Fluid and gel lipid phases were examined to extract the effects of lipid tail mobility on the binding of generation-3 dendrimers, which are directly relevant to the nanoparticle interactions involving lipid rafts, endocytosis, lipid removal, and/or membrane pores. Upon binding to gel phase lipids, dendrimers remained spherical, had a constant radius of gyration, and approximately one-quarter of the terminal groups were in close proximity to the lipids. In contrast, upon binding to fluid phase bilayers, dendrimers flattened out with a large increase in their asphericity and radii of gyration. Although over twice as many dendrimer-lipid contacts were formed on fluid versus gel phase lipids, the dendrimer-lipid interaction energy was only 20% stronger. The greatest enthalpy release upon binding was between the charged dendrimers and the lipid bilayer. However, the stronger binding to fluid versus gel phase lipids was driven by the hydrophobic interactions between the inner dendrimer and lipid tails.

SFG studies on interactions between antimicrobial peptides and supported lipid bilayers.

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Xiaoyun; Chen, Zhan

2006-09-01

The mode of action of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in disrupting cell membrane bilayers is of fundamental importance in understanding the efficiency of different AMPs, which is crucial to design antibiotics with improved properties. Recent developments in the field of sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy have made it a powerful and unique biophysical technique in investigating the interactions between AMPs and a single substrate supported planar lipid bilayer. We will review some of the recent progress in applying SFG to study membrane lipid bilayers and discuss how SFG can provide novel information such as real-time bilayer structure change and AMP orientation during AMP-lipid bilayer interactions in a very biologically relevant manner. Several examples of applying SFG to monitor such interactions between AMPs and a dipalmitoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) bilayer are presented. Different modes of actions are observed for melittin, tachyplesin I, d-magainin 2, MSI-843, and a synthetic antibacterial oligomer, demonstrating that SFG is very effective in the study of AMPs and AMP-lipid bilayer interactions.

Alpha-tocopherol inhibits pore formation in oxidized bilayers

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Boonnoy, P.; Karttunen, M.; Wong-Ekkabut, J.

2017-01-01

In biological membranes, alpha-tocopherols (α-toc; vitamin E) protect polyunsaturated lipids from free radicals. Although the interactions of α-toc with non-oxidized lipid bilayers have been studied, their effects on oxidized bilayers remain unknown. In this study, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD)

Temperature dependence of the work function of ruthenium-based gate electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alshareef, H.N.; Wen, H.C.; Luan, H.F.; Choi, K.; Harris, H.R.; Senzaki, Y.; Majhi, P.; Lee, B.H.; Foran, B.; Lian, G.

2006-01-01

The effect of device fabrication temperature on the work function of ruthenium (Ru) metal gate and its bilayers was investigated. The work function shows strong temperature dependence when Ru electrodes are deposited on silicon oxide, SiO 2 , but not on hafnium silicates (HfSiO x ). Specifically, the work function of Ru on SiO 2 increased from 4.5 eV at 500 deg. C to 5.0 eV at 700 deg. C. On further annealing to 900 deg. C or higher, the work function dropped to about 4.4 eV. In the case of HfSiO x , the work function of Ru changed by less than 100 mV over the same temperature range. Identical temperature dependence was observed using hafnium (Hf)/Ru and tantalum (Ta)/Ru bilayers. However, the peak values of the work function decreased with increasing Hf/Ru and Ta/Ru thickness ratios. Materials analysis suggests that these trends are driven by interactions at the Ru metal gate-dielectric interface

Slaved diffusion in phospholipid bilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Liangfang; Granick, Steve

2005-01-01

The translational diffusion of phospholipids in supported fluid bilayers splits into two populations when polyelectrolytes adsorb at incomplete surface coverage. Spatially resolved measurements using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy show that a slow mode, whose magnitude scales inversely with the degree of polymerization of the adsorbate, coexists with a fast mode characteristic of naked lipid diffusion. Inner and outer leaflets of the bilayer are affected nearly equally. Mobility may vary from spot to spot on the membrane surface, despite the lipid composition being the same. This work offers a mechanism to explain how nanosized domains with reduced mobility arise in lipid membranes. PMID:15967988

A paper-based electrode using a graphene dot/PEDOT:PSS composite for flexible solar cells

KAUST Repository

Lee, Chuan-Pei

2017-04-22

We have synthesized a metal-free composite ink that contains graphene dots (GDs) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) that can be used on paper to serve as the counter electrode in a flexible dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). This paper-based GD/PEDOT:PSS electrode is low-cost, light-weight, flexible, environmentally friendly, and easy to cut and process for device fabrication. We determined the GD/PEDOT:PSS composite effectively fills the dense micro-pores in the paper substrate, which leads to improved carrier transport in the electrode and a 3-fold enhanced cell efficiency as compared to the paper electrode made with sputtered Pt. Moreover, the DSSC with the paper electrode featuring the GD/PEDOT:PSS composite did not fail in photovoltaic tests even after bending the electrode 150 times, whereas the device made with the Pt-based paper electrode decreased in efficiency by 45% after such manipulation. These exceptional properties make the metal-free GD/PEDOT:PSS composite ink a promising electrode material for a wide variety of flexible electronic applications.

Chiral Tunnelling in Twisted Graphene Bilayer

OpenAIRE

He, Wen-Yu; Chu, Zhao-Dong; He, Lin

2013-01-01

The perfect transmission in graphene monolayer and the perfect reflection in Bernal graphene bilayer for electrons incident in the normal direction of a potential barrier are viewed as two incarnations of the Klein paradox. Here we show a new and unique incarnation of the Klein paradox. Owing to the different chiralities of the quasiparticles involved, the chiral fermions in twisted graphene bilayer shows adjustable probability of chiral tunnelling for normal incidence: they can be changed fr...

Power losses in bilayer inverted small molecule organic solar cells

KAUST Repository

Trinh, Cong

2012-01-01

Inverted bilayer organic solar cells using copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as a donor and C60 as an acceptor with the structure: glass/indium tin oxide (ITO)/ZnO/C60/CuPc/MoO3/Al, in which the zinc oxide (ZnO) was deposited by atomic layer deposition, are compared with a conventional device: glass/ITO/CuPc/C60/bathocuproine/Al. These inverted and conventional devices give short circuit currents of 3.7 and 4.8 mA/cm 2, respectively. However, the inverted device gives a reduced photoresponse from the CuPc donor compared to that of the conventional device. Optical field models show that the arrangement of organic layers in the inverted devices leads to lower absorption of long wavelengths by the CuPc donor; the low energy portion of the spectrum is concentrated near the metal oxide electrode in both devices. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.

GABA_A receptor function is regulated by lipid bilayer elasticity

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Søgaard, Rikke; Werge, Thomas; Berthelsen, Camilla

2006-01-01

( s) underlying these effects are poorly understood. DHA and Triton X-100, at concentrations that affect GABAA receptor function, increase the elasticity of lipid bilayers measured as decreased bilayer stiffness using gramicidin channels as molecular force transducers. We have previously shown...... reduced the peak amplitude of the GABA-induced currents and increased the rate of receptor desensitization. The effects of the amphiphiles did not correlate with the expected changes in monolayer spontaneous curvature. We conclude that GABAA receptor function is regulated by lipid bilayer elasticity....... PUFAs may generally regulate membrane protein function by affecting the elasticity of the host lipid bilayer....

Lipid peroxidation and water penetration in lipid bilayers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Conte, Elena; Megli, Francesco Maria; Khandelia, Himanshu

2012-01-01

to the hydroperoxide groups to interact with the nitroxide at the methyl-terminal, confirming that the H-bonds experimentally observed are due to increased water penetration in the bilayer. The EPR and MD data on model membranes demonstrate that cell membrane damage by oxidative stress cause alteration of water......(zz) parameters revealed that OHPLPC, but mostly HpPLPC, induced a measurable increase in polarity and H-bonding propensity in the central region of the bilayer. Molecular dynamics simulation performed on 16-DSA in the PLPC-HpPLPC bilayer revealed that water molecules are statistically favored with respect...

All-solid-state reference electrodes based on conducting polymers.

Science.gov (United States)

Kisiel, Anna; Marcisz, Honorata; Michalska, Agata; Maksymiuk, Krzysztof

2005-12-01

A novel construction of solution free (pseudo)reference electrodes, compatible with all-solid-state potentiometric indicator electrodes, has been proposed. These electrodes use conducting polymers (CP): polypyrrole (PPy) or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Two different arrangements have been tested: solely based on CP and those where the CP phase is covered with a poly(vinyl chloride) based outer membrane of tailored composition. The former arrangement was designed to suppress or compensate cation- and anion-exchange, using mobile perchlorate ions and poly(4-styrenesulfonate) or dodecylbenzenesulfonate anions as immobilized dopants. The following systems were used: (i) polypyrrole layers doped simultaneously by two kinds of anions, both mobile and immobilized in the polymer layer; (ii) bilayers of polypyrrole with anion exchanging inner layer and cation-exchanging outer layer; (iii) polypyrrole doped by surfactant dodecylbenzenesulfonate ions, which inhibit ion exchange on the polymer/solution interface. For the above systems, recorded potentials have been found to be practically independent of electrolyte concentration. The best results, profound stability of potentials, have been obtained for poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) or polypyrrole doped by poly(4-styrenesulfonate) anions covered by a poly(vinyl chloride) based membrane, containing both anion- and cation-exchangers as well as solid potassium chloride and silver chloride with metallic silver. Differently to the cases (i)-(iii) these electrodes are much less sensitive to the influence of redox and pH interferences. This arrangement has been also characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and chronopotentiometry.

Strain, stabilities and electronic properties of hexagonal BN bilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Fujimoto, Yoshitaka; Saito, Susumu

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) atomic layers have been regarded as fascinating materials both scientifically and technologically due to the sizable band gap. This sizable band-gap nature of the h-BN atomic layers would provide not only new physical properties but also novel nano- and/or opto-electronics applications. Here, we study the first-principles density-functional study that clarifies the biaxial strain effects on the energetics and the electronic properties of h-BN bilayers. We show that the band gaps of the h-BN bilayers are tunable by applying strains. Furthermore, we show that the biaxial strains can produce a transition from indirect to direct band gaps of the h-BN bilayer. We also discuss that both AA and AB stacking patterns of h-BN bilayer become feasible structures because h-BN bilayers possess two different directions in the stacking patterns. Supported by MEXT Elements Strategy Initiative to Form Core Research Center through Tokodai Institute for Element Strategy, JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP26390062 and JP25107005.

Improved performance of CdSe/CdS co-sensitized solar cells adopting efficient CuS counter electrode modified by PbS film using SILAR method

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Xiaolong; Lin, Yu; Wu, Jihuai; Fang, Biaopeng; Zeng, Jiali

2018-04-01

In this paper, CuS film was deposited onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate using a facile chemical bath deposition method, and then modified by PbS using simple successive ionic layer absorption and reaction (SILAR) method with different cycles. These CuS/PbS films were utilized as counter electrodes (CEs) for CdSe/CdS co-sensitized solar cells. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer was used to characterize the CuS/PbS films. The results show that CuS/PbS (10 cycles) CE exhibits an improved power conversion efficiency of 5.54% under the illumination of one sun (100 mW cm-2), which is higher than the CuS/PbS (0 cycles), CuS/PbS (5 cycles), and CuS/PbS (15 cycles) CEs. This enhancement is mainly attributed to good catalytic activity and lower charge-transfer and series resistances, which have been proved by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization measurements.

Electronic properties of a biased graphene bilayer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Castro, Eduardo V; Lopes dos Santos, J M B; Novoselov, K S; Morozov, S V; Geim, A K; Peres, N M R; Nilsson, Johan; Castro Neto, A H; Guinea, F

2010-01-01

We study, within the tight-binding approximation, the electronic properties of a graphene bilayer in the presence of an external electric field applied perpendicular to the system-a biased bilayer. The effect of the perpendicular electric field is included through a parallel plate capacitor model, with screening correction at the Hartree level. The full tight-binding description is compared with its four-band and two-band continuum approximations, and the four-band model is shown to always be a suitable approximation for the conditions realized in experiments. The model is applied to real biased bilayer devices, made out of either SiC or exfoliated graphene, and good agreement with experimental results is found, indicating that the model is capturing the key ingredients, and that a finite gap is effectively being controlled externally. Analysis of experimental results regarding the electrical noise and cyclotron resonance further suggests that the model can be seen as a good starting point for understanding the electronic properties of graphene bilayer. Also, we study the effect of electron-hole asymmetry terms, such as the second-nearest-neighbour hopping energies t' (in-plane) and γ 4 (inter-layer), and the on-site energy Δ.

Layer by layer assembly of catalase and amine-terminated ionic liquid onto titanium nitride nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode: Study of direct voltammetry and bioelectrocatalytic activity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saadati, Shagayegh; Salimi, Abdollah; Hallaj, Rahman; Rostami, Amin

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Catalase and amine-terminated ionic liquid were immobilized to GC/TiNnp with LBL assembly method. ► First a thin layer of NH 2 -IL is covalently attached to GC/TiNnp electrode using electro-oxidation. ► With alternative assemble of IL and catalase with positive and negative charged, multilayer was formed. ► Immobilized catalase shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward H 2 O 2 reduction. ► Biosensor response is directly correlated to the number of bilayers. - Abstract: A novel, simple and facile layer by layer (LBL) approach is used for modification of glassy carbon (GC) electrode with multilayer of catalase and nanocomposite containing 1-(3-Aminopropyl)-3-methylimidazolium bromide (amine terminated ionic liquid (NH 2 -IL)) and titanium nitride nanoparticles (TiNnp). First a thin layer of NH 2 -IL is covalently attached to GC/TiNnp electrode using electro-oxidation method. Then, with alternative self assemble positively charged NH 2 -IL and negatively charged catalase a sensitive H 2 O 2 biosensor is constructed, whose response is directly correlated to the number of bilayers. The surface coverage of active catalase per bilayer, heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k s ) and Michaelis–Menten constant (K M ) of immobilized catalase were 3.32 × 10 −12 mol cm −2 , 5.28 s −1 and 1.1 mM, respectively. The biosensor shows good stability, high reproducibility, long life-time, and fast amperometric response with the high sensitivity of 380 μA mM −1 cm −2 and low detection limit of 100 nM at concentration range up to 2.1 mM.

Ion beam mixing isotopic metal bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fell, C.J. [Newcastle Univ., NSW (Australia). Dept. of Physics; Kenny, M.J. [CSIRO, Lindfield, NSW (Australia). Div. of Applied Physics

1993-12-31

In order to obtain an insight into the mechanisms of ion-solid interactions, bilayer targets can be prepared from two different isotopes. A mixing study SIMS is to be carried out using specially grown monocrystalline bilayers of {sup 58}Ni / {sup 60}Ni. An important aspect of the work is the preparation of high quality single-crystal thin films. The Ni layers will be grown on the (110) surface of pure Ni and verified for crystallinity using Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction and Rutherford Backscattering channelling analysis. The Pd bilayers will be grown on a Pd (100) surface. RHEED will be used to confirm the two-dimensional crystallinity of the surface before and after deposition of each layer, and channelling used to confirm bulk film crystallinity. Single crystal substrates are currently being prepared. Analysis of the Ni (110) surface using RHEED at 9 kV shows a streak spacing which corresponds to a lattice spacing of 2.47 {+-} 0.09 Angstroms. 9 refs., 1 fig.

Ion beam mixing isotopic metal bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fell, C J [Newcastle Univ., NSW (Australia). Dept. of Physics; Kenny, M J [CSIRO, Lindfield, NSW (Australia). Div. of Applied Physics

1994-12-31

In order to obtain an insight into the mechanisms of ion-solid interactions, bilayer targets can be prepared from two different isotopes. A mixing study SIMS is to be carried out using specially grown monocrystalline bilayers of {sup 58}Ni / {sup 60}Ni. An important aspect of the work is the preparation of high quality single-crystal thin films. The Ni layers will be grown on the (110) surface of pure Ni and verified for crystallinity using Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction and Rutherford Backscattering channelling analysis. The Pd bilayers will be grown on a Pd (100) surface. RHEED will be used to confirm the two-dimensional crystallinity of the surface before and after deposition of each layer, and channelling used to confirm bulk film crystallinity. Single crystal substrates are currently being prepared. Analysis of the Ni (110) surface using RHEED at 9 kV shows a streak spacing which corresponds to a lattice spacing of 2.47 {+-} 0.09 Angstroms. 9 refs., 1 fig.

Intercalation of small hydrophobic molecules in lipid bilayers containing cholesterol

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Worcester, D.L.; Hamacher, K.; Kaiser, H.; Kulasekere, R.; Torbet, J. [Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)

1994-12-31

Partitioning of small hydrophobic molecules into lipid bilayers containing cholesterol has been studied using the 2XC diffractometer at the University of Missouri Research Reactor. Locations of the compounds were determined by Fourier difference methods with data from both deuterated and undeuterated compounds introduced into the bilayers from the vapor phase. Data fitting procedures were developed for determining how well the compounds were localized. The compounds were found to be localized in a narrow region at the center of the hydrophobic layer, between the two halves of the bilayer. The structures are therefore intercalated structures with the long axis of the molecules in the plane of the bilayer.

Intercalation of small hydrophobic molecules in lipid bilayers containing cholesterol

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Worcester, D.L.; Hamacher, K.; Kaiser, H.; Kulasekere, R.; Torbet, J.

1994-01-01

Partitioning of small hydrophobic molecules into lipid bilayers containing cholesterol has been studied using the 2XC diffractometer at the University of Missouri Research Reactor. Locations of the compounds were determined by Fourier difference methods with data from both deuterated and undeuterated compounds introduced into the bilayers from the vapor phase. Data fitting procedures were developed for determining how well the compounds were localized. The compounds were found to be localized in a narrow region at the center of the hydrophobic layer, between the two halves of the bilayer. The structures are therefore intercalated structures with the long axis of the molecules in the plane of the bilayer

Ionic motion in PEDOT and PPy conducting polymer bilayers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zainudeen, Umer L.; Careem, M.A.; Skaarup, Steen

2006-01-01

Conducting polymer bilayers with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polypyrrole (PPy), each containing dodecyl benzenesulfonate (DBS) as immobile dopant species, were synthesized galvanostatically. The electrochemical behaviour of the bilayers was investigated using cyclic voltammetry...

Qualitative and quantative analysis of some physical processes encountered in measurements of low level radon activity by means of proportional counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bluszcz, A.; Moscicki, W.

1980-01-01

Physical model for absorption of radon and its decay products on the electrodes of the proportional counter filled with Rn-CO 2 mixture is presented. The results of calculations based on developed model are compared with observed changes of counting rate of radon and its decay products. (author)

Biomimetic Cationic Nanoparticles Based on Silica: Optimizing Bilayer Deposition from Lipid Films

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rodrigo T. Ribeiro

2017-10-01

Full Text Available The optimization of bilayer coverage on particles is important for a variety of biomedical applications, such as drug, vaccine, and genetic material delivery. This work aims at optimizing the deposition of cationic bilayers on silica over a range of experimental conditions for the intervening medium and two different assemblies for the cationic lipid, namely, lipid films or pre-formed lipid bilayer fragments. The lipid adsorption on silica in situ over a range of added lipid concentrations was determined from elemental analysis of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen and related to the colloidal stability, sizing, zeta potential, and polydispersity of the silica/lipid nanoparticles. Superior bilayer deposition took place from lipid films, whereas adsorption from pre-formed bilayer fragments yielded limiting adsorption below the levels expected for bilayer adsorption.

Interface properties of bilayer structure Alq{sub 3}/Fe{sub 65}Co{sub 35}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Zhen, E-mail: wangzhen@chd.edu.cn [Department of Applied Physics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064 (China); Xu, Chunlong; Wang, Jinguo; Chang, Qiaoli [Department of Applied Physics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064 (China); Zuo, Yalu; Xi, Li [Key Laboratory for Magnetism and Magnetic Materials of Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000 (China)

2015-04-01

Highlights: • Bilayer structure of Alq{sub 3}/FeCo was fabricated in a dual ultra high vacuum chamber. • Organic layer reacts partially with the FeCo film. • Electronic injection barrier is 0.76 eV in the interface. • The induced uniaxial anisotropy appears in Alq{sub 3}/FeCo. - Abstract: The interface between the organic and magnetic electrodes is a fundamental problem in organic spintronics devices. Therefore, bilayer structure of Alq{sub 3}/FeCo was fabricated in a dual ultra high vacuum chamber. The electronic structure of Alq{sub 3}–FeCo interface has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy with Argon ion etching technique. It was found that organic layer reacts partially with the FeCo film, forming complex binding of metallic carbide and/or oxidation state in the interfacial region. Electronic injection barrier is 0.76 eV in the interface. The structural variation of the contact region is proposed to be one of the possible factors resulting in spin-injection failure. The magnetic properties of FeCo film with different thicknesses on glass substrate and Alq{sub 3} layer are also investigated. The induced uniaxial anisotropy only presents in 3 nm FeCo thickness for glass/FeCo, while it appears in 3–5 nm FeCo for Alq{sub 3}/FeCo.

Van der Waals epitaxial growth and optoelectronics of large-scale WSe2/SnS2 vertical bilayer p-n junctions.

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Tiefeng; Zheng, Biyuan; Wang, Zhen; Xu, Tao; Pan, Chen; Zou, Juan; Zhang, Xuehong; Qi, Zhaoyang; Liu, Hongjun; Feng, Yexin; Hu, Weida; Miao, Feng; Sun, Litao; Duan, Xiangfeng; Pan, Anlian

2017-12-04

High-quality two-dimensional atomic layered p-n heterostructures are essential for high-performance integrated optoelectronics. The studies to date have been largely limited to exfoliated and restacked flakes, and the controlled growth of such heterostructures remains a significant challenge. Here we report the direct van der Waals epitaxial growth of large-scale WSe 2 /SnS 2 vertical bilayer p-n junctions on SiO 2 /Si substrates, with the lateral sizes reaching up to millimeter scale. Multi-electrode field-effect transistors have been integrated on a single heterostructure bilayer. Electrical transport measurements indicate that the field-effect transistors of the junction show an ultra-low off-state leakage current of 10 -14 A and a highest on-off ratio of up to 10 7 . Optoelectronic characterizations show prominent photoresponse, with a fast response time of 500 μs, faster than all the directly grown vertical 2D heterostructures. The direct growth of high-quality van der Waals junctions marks an important step toward high-performance integrated optoelectronic devices and systems.

Multi-Stacked Supported Lipid Bilayer Micropatterning through Polymer Stencil Lift-Off

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yujie Zhu

2015-08-01

Full Text Available Complex multi-lamellar structures play a critical role in biological systems, where they are present as lamellar bodies, and as part of biological assemblies that control energy transduction processes. Multi-lamellar lipid layers not only provide interesting systems for fundamental research on membrane structure and bilayer-associated polypeptides, but can also serve as components in bioinspired materials or devices. Although the ability to pattern stacked lipid bilayers at the micron scale is of importance for these purposes, limited work has been done in developing such patterning techniques. Here, we present a simple and direct approach to pattern stacked supported lipid bilayers (SLBs using polymer stencil lift-off and the electrostatic interactions between cationic and anionic lipids. Both homogeneous and phase-segregated stacked SLB patterns were produced, demonstrating that the stacked lipid bilayers retain lateral diffusivity. We demonstrate patterned SLB stacks of up to four bilayers, where fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET and quenching was used to probe the interactions between lipid bilayers. Furthermore, the study of lipid phase behaviour showed that gel phase domains align between adjacent layers. The proposed stacked SLB pattern platform provides a robust model for studying lipid behaviour with a controlled number of bilayers, and an attractive means towards building functional bioinspired materials or devices.

Phospholipid monolayer coated microfabricated electrodes to model the interaction of molecules with biomembranes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Coldrick, Zachary; Steenson, Paul; Millner, Paul; Davies, Matthew; Nelson, Andrew

2009-01-01

The hanging mercury (Hg) drop electrode (HMDE) has a classical application as a tool to study adsorption and desorption processes of surface organic films due to its: (a) atomically smooth surface and, (b) hydrophobicity at its potential of zero charge. In this study we report on a replacement of the HMDE for studying supported organic layers in the form of platinum (Pt) working electrodes fabricated using lithography techniques on which a thin film of Hg is electrodeposited. These wafer-based Pt/Hg electrodes are characterised and compared to the HMDE using rapid cyclic voltammetry (RCV) and show similar capacitance-potential profiles while being far more mechanically stable and consuming considerably less Hg over their lifetime of several months. The electrodes have been used to support self-assembled phospholipid monolayers which are dynamic surface coatings with unique dielectric properties. The issue of surface contamination has been solved by regenerating the electrode surface prior to phospholipid coating by application of extreme cathodic potentials more negative than -2.6 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The phospholipid coated electrodes presented in this paper mimic one half of a phospholipid bilayer and exhibit interactions with the biomembrane active drug molecules chlorpromazine, and quinidine. The magnitudes of these interactions have been assessed by recording changes in the capacitance-potential profiles in real time using RCV at 40 V s -1 over potential ranges >1 V. A method for electrode coating with phospholipids with the electrodes fitted in a flow cell device has been developed. This has enabled sequential rapid cleaning/coating/interaction cycles for the purposes of drug screening and/or on-line monitoring for molecules of interest.

Phospholipid monolayer coated microfabricated electrodes to model the interaction of molecules with biomembranes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Coldrick, Zachary [Centre for Self-Organising Molecular Systems (SOMS), School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT (United Kingdom)], E-mail: eenzc@leeds.ac.uk; Steenson, Paul [School of Electronic Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT (United Kingdom); Millner, Paul [Institute of Membrane and Systems Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT (United Kingdom); Davies, Matthew [Health and Safety Laboratories, Buxton, SK17 9JN (United Kingdom); Nelson, Andrew [Centre for Self-Organising Molecular Systems (SOMS), School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT (United Kingdom)

2009-09-01

The hanging mercury (Hg) drop electrode (HMDE) has a classical application as a tool to study adsorption and desorption processes of surface organic films due to its: (a) atomically smooth surface and, (b) hydrophobicity at its potential of zero charge. In this study we report on a replacement of the HMDE for studying supported organic layers in the form of platinum (Pt) working electrodes fabricated using lithography techniques on which a thin film of Hg is electrodeposited. These wafer-based Pt/Hg electrodes are characterised and compared to the HMDE using rapid cyclic voltammetry (RCV) and show similar capacitance-potential profiles while being far more mechanically stable and consuming considerably less Hg over their lifetime of several months. The electrodes have been used to support self-assembled phospholipid monolayers which are dynamic surface coatings with unique dielectric properties. The issue of surface contamination has been solved by regenerating the electrode surface prior to phospholipid coating by application of extreme cathodic potentials more negative than -2.6 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The phospholipid coated electrodes presented in this paper mimic one half of a phospholipid bilayer and exhibit interactions with the biomembrane active drug molecules chlorpromazine, and quinidine. The magnitudes of these interactions have been assessed by recording changes in the capacitance-potential profiles in real time using RCV at 40 V s{sup -1} over potential ranges >1 V. A method for electrode coating with phospholipids with the electrodes fitted in a flow cell device has been developed. This has enabled sequential rapid cleaning/coating/interaction cycles for the purposes of drug screening and/or on-line monitoring for molecules of interest.

Robustly Engineering Thermal Conductivity of Bilayer Graphene by Interlayer Bonding

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Xiaoliang; Gao, Yufei; Chen, Yuli; Hu, Ming

2016-01-01

Graphene and its bilayer structure are the two-dimensional crystalline form of carbon, whose extraordinary electron mobility and other unique features hold great promise for nanoscale electronics and photonics. Their realistic applications in emerging nanoelectronics usually call for thermal transport manipulation in a controllable and precise manner. In this paper we systematically studied the effect of interlayer covalent bonding, in particular different interlay bonding arrangement, on the thermal conductivity of bilayer graphene using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. It is revealed that, the thermal conductivity of randomly bonded bilayer graphene decreases monotonically with the increase of interlayer bonding density, however, for the regularly bonded bilayer graphene structure the thermal conductivity possesses unexpectedly non-monotonic dependence on the interlayer bonding density. The results suggest that the thermal conductivity of bilayer graphene depends not only on the interlayer bonding density, but also on the detailed topological configuration of the interlayer bonding. The underlying mechanism for this abnormal phenomenon is identified by means of phonon spectral energy density, participation ratio and mode weight factor analysis. The large tunability of thermal conductivity of bilayer graphene through rational interlayer bonding arrangement paves the way to achieve other desired properties for potential nanoelectronics applications involving graphene layers. PMID:26911859

An electrochemical investigation on the dissolution of bilayered porous anodic alumina

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liao, Jinfu; Ling, Zhiyuan; Li, Yi; Hu, Xing

2015-01-01

Highlights: • Pulse polarization was introduced to investigate the dissolution of PAA. • Electric field within the bilayers was estimated. • The formation of the barrier layer involves mainly solid-state processes. • The structure should be the determining factor in the dissolution of the bilayers. - Abstract: Anodic alumina attracts much research interest in many disciplines for its versatility. Meanwhile, some aspects regarding its growth are still not well-understood, such as the formation and properties of its bilayer structure. In this paper, along with capacitance measurement, pulse polarization is introduced to study the dissolution of bilayered porous anodic alumina (PAA). Combined with electron microscope observation, the electric field in the outer layer is estimated to be slightly higher than that in the inner layer. By comparing with (oxy-)hydroxide layers, the electric field distribution within barrier layer of PAA confirms that the bilayers are compact and are formed mainly by solid-state ionic migration. The changes of dissolution rates after annealing and application of electric pulses suggest that structure may be a determining factor for the dissolution behaviors of the bilayers.

Proton permeation of lipid bilayers.

Science.gov (United States)

Deamer, D W

1987-10-01

Proton permeation of the lipid bilayer barrier has two unique features. First, permeability coefficients measured at neutral pH ranges are six to seven orders of magnitude greater than expected from knowledge of other monovalent cations. Second, proton conductance across planar lipid bilayers varies at most by a factor of 10 when pH is varied from near 1 to near 11. Two mechanisms have been proposed to account for this anomalous behavior: proton conductance related to contaminants of lipid bilayers, and proton translocation along transient hydrogen-bonded chains (tHBC) of associated water molecules in the membrane. The weight of evidence suggests that trace contaminants may contribute to proton conductance across planar lipid membranes at certain pH ranges, but cannot account for the anomalous proton flux in liposome systems. Two new results will be reported here which were designed to test the tHBC model. These include measurements of relative proton/potassium permeability in the gramicidin channel, and plots of proton flux against the magnitude of pH gradients. (1) The relative permeabilities of protons and potassium through the gramicidin channel, which contains a single strand of hydrogen-bonded water molecules, were found to differ by at least four orders of magnitude when measured at neutral pH ranges. This result demonstrates that a hydrogen-bonded chain of water molecules can provide substantial discrimination between protons and other cations. It was also possible to calculate that if approximately 7% of bilayer water was present in a transient configuration similar to that of the gramicidin channel, it could account for the measured proton flux. (2) The plot of proton conductance against pH gradient across liposome membranes was superlinear, a result that is consistent with one of three alternative tHBC models for proton conductance described by Nagle elsewhere in this volume.

Laterally configured resistive switching device based on transition-metal nano-gap electrode on Gd oxide

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kawakita, Masatoshi; Okabe, Kyota [Department of Physics, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Fukuoka 812-8581 (Japan); Kimura, Takashi [Department of Physics, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Fukuoka 812-8581 (Japan); Research Center for Quantum Nano-Spin Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Fukuoka 812-8581 (Japan)

2016-01-11

We have developed a fabrication process for a laterally configured resistive switching device based on a Gd oxide. A nano-gap electrode connected by a Gd oxide with the ideal interfaces has been created by adapting the electro-migration method in a metal/GdO{sub x} bilayer system. Bipolar set and reset operations have been clearly observed in the Pt/GdO{sub x} system similarly in the vertical device based on GdO{sub x}. Interestingly, we were able to observe a clear bipolar switching also in a ferromagnetic CoFeB nano-gap electrode with better stability compared to the Pt/GdO{sub x} device. The superior performance of the CoFeB/GdO{sub x} device implies the importance of the spin on the resistive switching.

The Integrin Receptor in Biologically Relevant Bilayers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kalli, Antreas C.; Róg, Tomasz; Vattulainen, Ilpo

2017-01-01

/talin complex was inserted in biologically relevant bilayers that resemble the cell plasma membrane containing zwitterionic and charged phospholipids, cholesterol and sphingolipids to study the dynamics of the integrin receptor and its effect on bilayer structure and dynamics. The results of this study...... demonstrate the dynamic nature of the integrin receptor and suggest that the presence of the integrin receptor alters the lipid organization between the two leaflets of the bilayer. In particular, our results suggest elevated density of cholesterol and of phosphatidylserine lipids around the integrin....../talin complex and a slowing down of lipids in an annulus of ~30 Å around the protein due to interactions between the lipids and the integrin/talin F2–F3 complex. This may in part regulate the interactions of integrins with other related proteins or integrin clustering thus facilitating signal transduction...

Chiral tunneling in a twisted graphene bilayer.

Science.gov (United States)

He, Wen-Yu; Chu, Zhao-Dong; He, Lin

2013-08-09

The perfect transmission in a graphene monolayer and the perfect reflection in a Bernal graphene bilayer for electrons incident in the normal direction of a potential barrier are viewed as two incarnations of the Klein paradox. Here we show a new and unique incarnation of the Klein paradox. Owing to the different chiralities of the quasiparticles involved, the chiral fermions in a twisted graphene bilayer show an adjustable probability of chiral tunneling for normal incidence: they can be changed from perfect tunneling to partial or perfect reflection, or vice versa, by controlling either the height of the barrier or the incident energy. As well as addressing basic physics about how the chiral fermions with different chiralities tunnel through a barrier, our results provide a facile route to tune the electronic properties of the twisted graphene bilayer.

Structure and dynamics of water and lipid molecules in charged anionic DMPG lipid bilayer membranes

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Rønnest, A. K.; Peters, Günther H.J.; Hansen, Flemming Yssing

2016-01-01

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the influence of the valency of counter-ions on the structure of freestanding bilayer membranes of the anionic 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DMPG) lipid at 310 K and 1 atm. At this temperature, the membrane is in the fluid...... compared to experimental results and used to determine an average diffusion constant for all water molecules in the system. On extrapolating the diffusion constants inferred experimentally to a temperature of 310 K, reasonable agreement with the simulations is obtained. However, the experiments do not have...... the sensitivity to confirm the diffusion of a small component of water bound to the lipids as found in the simulations. In addition, the orientation of the dipole moment of the water molecules has been determined as a function of their depth in the membrane. Previous indirect estimates of the electrostatic...

Growth of TiO2-ZrO2 Binary Oxide Electrode for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Application

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Than Than Win; Aye Myint Myat Kywe; Shwe Yee Win; Honey Thaw; Yin Maung Maung; Ko Ko Kyaw Soe

2011-12-01

TiO2-ZrO2 fine binary oxide was prepared by mechanochemical milling process to be homogeneous binary oxide powder. TiO2-ZrO2 paste was deposited on microscopic glass slide by rolling. It was immersed in the henna solution and annealed at 100C for 2h. It was deposited onto another glass slide and used as counter electrode (second electrode). Two glass slides were offset and two binder clips were used to hold the electrodes together. Photovoltaic properties of TiO2-ZrO2 cell were measured and it was expected to utilize the dye sensitized solar cells application.

Cyclotron resonance in bilayer graphene.

Science.gov (United States)

Henriksen, E A; Jiang, Z; Tung, L-C; Schwartz, M E; Takita, M; Wang, Y-J; Kim, P; Stormer, H L

2008-02-29

We present the first measurements of cyclotron resonance of electrons and holes in bilayer graphene. In magnetic fields up to B=18 T, we observe four distinct intraband transitions in both the conduction and valence bands. The transition energies are roughly linear in B between the lowest Landau levels, whereas they follow square root[B] for the higher transitions. This highly unusual behavior represents a change from a parabolic to a linear energy dispersion. The density of states derived from our data generally agrees with the existing lowest order tight binding calculation for bilayer graphene. However, in comparing data to theory, a single set of fitting parameters fails to describe the experimental results.

Layer by layer assembly of glucose oxidase and thiourea onto glassy carbon electrode: Fabrication of glucose biosensor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Salimi, Abdollah, E-mail: absalimi@yahoo.com [Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistsn, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Research Center for Nanotechnology, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Noorbakhsh, Abdollah [Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistsn, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Department of Nanotechnology Engenering, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, 81746-73441 (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2011-07-01

Highlights: > Although various enzymes immobilization have been approve for the construction of glucose biosensor, a layer by layer (LBL) technique has attracted more attention due to simplicity of the procedure, wide choice of materials that can be used, controllability of film thickness and unique mechanical properties. > In this paper, we described a novel and simple strategy for developing an amperometric glucose biosensor based on layer-by-layer self assembly of glucose oxidase on the glassy carbon electrode modified by thiourea. > Thiourea has two amino groups that the one can be immobilized on the activated glassy carbon electrode and the other can be used for the coupling of glucose oxidase enzyme. > The biosensor exhibited good performance for electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose, such as high sensitivity, low detection limit, short response time and wide concentration range. > Finally, the new method is strongly recommended for immobilization of many other enzymes or proteins containing carbaldehyde or carboxylic groups for fabricating third generation biosensors and bioelectronics devices. - Abstract: For the first time a novel, simple and facile approach is described to construct highly stable glucose oxidase (GOx) multilayer onto glassy carbon (GC) electrode using thiourea (TU) as a covalent attachment cross-linker. The layer by layer (LBL) attachment process was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR-RS) techniques. Immobilized GOx shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation using ferrocenemethanol as artificial electron transfer mediator and biosensor response was directly correlated to the number of bilayers. The surface coverage of active GOx per bilayer, heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k{sub s}) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K{sub M}), of immobilized GOx were 1.50 x 10{sup -12} mol cm{sup -2}, 9.2 {+-} 0.5 s{sup -1

Layer by layer assembly of glucose oxidase and thiourea onto glassy carbon electrode: Fabrication of glucose biosensor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Salimi, Abdollah; Noorbakhsh, Abdollah

2011-01-01

Highlights: → Although various enzymes immobilization have been approve for the construction of glucose biosensor, a layer by layer (LBL) technique has attracted more attention due to simplicity of the procedure, wide choice of materials that can be used, controllability of film thickness and unique mechanical properties. → In this paper, we described a novel and simple strategy for developing an amperometric glucose biosensor based on layer-by-layer self assembly of glucose oxidase on the glassy carbon electrode modified by thiourea. → Thiourea has two amino groups that the one can be immobilized on the activated glassy carbon electrode and the other can be used for the coupling of glucose oxidase enzyme. → The biosensor exhibited good performance for electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose, such as high sensitivity, low detection limit, short response time and wide concentration range. → Finally, the new method is strongly recommended for immobilization of many other enzymes or proteins containing carbaldehyde or carboxylic groups for fabricating third generation biosensors and bioelectronics devices. - Abstract: For the first time a novel, simple and facile approach is described to construct highly stable glucose oxidase (GOx) multilayer onto glassy carbon (GC) electrode using thiourea (TU) as a covalent attachment cross-linker. The layer by layer (LBL) attachment process was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR-RS) techniques. Immobilized GOx shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation using ferrocenemethanol as artificial electron transfer mediator and biosensor response was directly correlated to the number of bilayers. The surface coverage of active GOx per bilayer, heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k s ) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K M ), of immobilized GOx were 1.50 x 10 -12 mol cm -2 , 9.2 ± 0.5 s -1 and 3.42(±0

Electronic and Optical Properties of Twisted Bilayer Graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Huang, Shengqiang

The ability to isolate single atomic layers of van der Waals materials has led to renewed interest in the electronic and optical properties of these materials as they can be fundamentally different at the monolayer limit. Moreover, these 2D crystals can be assembled together layer by layer, with controllable sequence and orientation, to form artificial materials that exhibit new features that are not found in monolayers nor bulk. Twisted bilayer graphene is one such prototype system formed by two monolayer graphene layers placed on top of each other with a twist angle between their lattices, whose electronic band structure depends on the twist angle. This thesis presents the efforts to explore the electronic and optical properties of twisted bilayer graphene by Raman spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy measurements. We first synthesize twisted bilayer graphene with various twist angles via chemical vapor deposition. Using a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, the twist angles are determined. The strength of the Raman G peak is sensitive to the electronic band structure of twisted bilayer graphene and therefore we use this peak to monitor changes upon doping. Our results demonstrate the ability to modify the electronic and optical properties of twisted bilayer graphene with doping. We also fabricate twisted bilayer graphene by controllable stacking of two graphene monolayers with a dry transfer technique. For twist angles smaller than one degree, many body interactions play an important role. It requires eight electrons per moire unit cell to fill up each band instead of four electrons in the case of a larger twist angle. For twist angles smaller than 0.4 degree, a network of domain walls separating AB and BA stacking regions forms, which are predicted to host topologically protected helical states. Using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, these states are confirmed to appear on the domain walls when inversion

ZnO Nanoparticles/Reduced Graphene Oxide Bilayer Thin Films for Improved NH3-Sensing Performances at Room Temperature

Science.gov (United States)

Tai, Huiling; Yuan, Zhen; Zheng, Weijian; Ye, Zongbiao; Liu, Chunhua; Du, Xiaosong

2016-03-01

ZnO nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO) thin film were deposited on gold interdigital electrodes (IDEs) in sequence via simple spraying process, which was further restored to ZnO/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) bilayer thin film by the thermal reduction treatment and employed for ammonia (NH3) detection at room temperature. rGO was identified by UV-vis absorption spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) analyses, and the adhesion between ZnO nanoparticles and rGO nanosheets might also be formed. The NH3-sensing performances of pure rGO film and ZnO/rGO bilayer films with different sprayed GO amounts were compared. The results showed that ZnO/rGO film sensors exhibited enhanced response properties, and the optimal GO amount of 1.5 ml was achieved. Furthermore, the optimal ZnO/rGO film sensor showed an excellent reversibility and fast response/recovery rate within the detection range of 10-50 ppm. Meanwhile, the sensor also displayed good repeatability and selectivity to NH3. However, the interference of water molecules on the prepared sensor is non-ignorable; some techniques should be researched to eliminate the effect of moisture in the further work. The remarkably enhanced NH3-sensing characteristics were speculated to be attributed to both the supporting role of ZnO nanoparticles film and accumulation heterojunction at the interface between ZnO and rGO. Thus, the proposed ZnO/rGO bilayer thin film sensor might give a promise for high-performance NH3-sensing applications.

Tungsten Trioxide/Zinc Tungstate Bilayers: Electrochromic Behaviors, Energy Storage and Electron Transfer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wei, Huige; Ding, Daowei; Yan, Xingru; Guo, Jiang; Shao, Lu; Chen, Haoran; Sun, Luyi; Colorado, Henry A.; Wei, Suying; Guo, Zhanhu

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Tungsten oxide and zinc tungstate bilayers have been prepared via a facile sol-gel method for integrated applications of electrochromic behaviors and energy storage;. • Electron transfer behaviors between the semiconductor bilayer films have been found dependent on the bilayer assembly sequence;. • Methylene blue (MB) has been employed for the first time as an indicator to study the electron transfer phenomenon in the bilayer films. - Abstract: Pair-sequentially spin-coated tungsten trioxide (WO 3 ) and zinc tungstate (ZnWO 4 ) bilayer films onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass slides have been prepared via sol-gel methods followed by annealing. The bilayers (ZnWO 4 /WO 3 denoting the bilayer film with the inner layer of ZnWO 4 and the outer layer of WO 3 on the ITO while WO 3 /ZnWO 4 standing for the bilayer film with the inner layer of WO 3 and the outer layer of ZnWO 4 on the ITO) exhibit integrated functions of electrochromic and energy storage behaviors as indicated by the in situ spectroelectrochemistry and cyclic voltammetry (CV) results. Accordingly, blue color was observed for the bilayer films at -1 V in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution. An areal capacitance of 140 and 230 μF/cm 2 was obtained for the ZnWO 4 /WO 3 , and WO 3 /ZnWO 4 film, respectively, at a scan rate of 0.05 V/s in the CV measurements. The CV results also unveiled the electron transfer behavior between the semiconductor films in the oxidation process, suggesting a sequence-dependent electrochemical response in the bilayer films. Meanwhile, methylene blue (MB) was used as an indicator to study the electron transfer phenomenon during the reduction process at negative potentials of -0.4 and -0.8 V, in 0.5 M Na 2 SO 4 . The results indicated that the electrons transfer across the bilayers was enhanced at more negative potentials

Poly(3,3-dibenzyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine/Platinum Composite Films as Potential Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jung-Chuan Chou

2017-07-01

Full Text Available In this study, poly(3,3-dibenzyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine/platinum composite films (PProDOT-Bz2/Pt were used as counter electrodes (CEs in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs. The composite films were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO glass by radio frequency (RF sputtering to deposit platinum (Pt for 30 s. Afterwards, PProDOT-Bz2 was deposited on the Pt–FTO glass via electrochemical polymerization. The electron transfer process of DSSCs was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS and cyclic voltammetry (CV. The DSSCs with 0.05 C/cm2 PProDOT-Bz2-Pt composite films showed an open circuit voltage (Voc of 0.70 V, a short-circuit current density (Jsc of 7.27 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (F.F. of 68.74%. This corresponded to a photovoltaic conversion efficiency (η of 3.50% under a light intensity of 100 mW/cm2.

A simple method to tune graphene growth between monolayer and bilayer

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Xiaozhi Xu

2016-02-01

Full Text Available Selective growth of either monolayer or bilayer graphene is of great importance. We developed a method to readily tune large area graphene growth from complete monolayer to complete bilayer. In an ambient pressure chemical vapor deposition process, we used the sample temperature at which to start the H2 flow as the control parameter and realized the change from monolayer to bilayer growth of graphene on Cu foil. When the H2 starting temperature was above 700°C, continuous monolayer graphene films were obtained. When the H2 starting temperature was below 350°C, continuous bilayer films were obtained. Detailed characterization of the samples treated under various conditions revealed that heating without the H2 flow caused Cu oxidation. The more the Cu substrate oxidized, the less graphene bilayer could form.

Multiscale transparent electrode architecture for efficient light management and carrier collection in solar cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Boccard, Mathieu; Battaglia, Corsin; Hänni, Simon; Söderström, Karin; Escarré, Jordi; Nicolay, Sylvain; Meillaud, Fanny; Despeisse, Matthieu; Ballif, Christophe

2012-03-14

The challenge for all photovoltaic technologies is to maximize light absorption, to convert photons with minimal losses into electric charges, and to efficiently extract them to the electrical circuit. For thin-film solar cells, all these tasks rely heavily on the transparent front electrode. Here we present a multiscale electrode architecture that allows us to achieve efficiencies as high as 14.1% with a thin-film silicon tandem solar cell employing only 3 μm of silicon. Our approach combines the versatility of nanoimprint lithography, the unusually high carrier mobility of hydrogenated indium oxide (over 100 cm(2)/V/s), and the unequaled light-scattering properties of self-textured zinc oxide. A multiscale texture provides light trapping over a broad wavelength range while ensuring an optimum morphology for the growth of high-quality silicon layers. A conductive bilayer stack guarantees carrier extraction while minimizing parasitic absorption losses. The tunability accessible through such multiscale electrode architecture offers unprecedented possibilities to address the trade-off between cell optical and electrical performance. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Dye-sensitized solar cell with natural gel polymer electrolytes and f-MWCNT as counter-electrode

Science.gov (United States)

Nwanya, A. C.; Amaechi, C. I.; Ekwealor, A. B. C.; Osuji, R. U.; Maaza, M.; Ezema, F. I.

2015-05-01

Samples of DSSCs were made with gel polymer electrolytes using agar, gelatin and DNA as the polymer hosts. Anthocyanine dye from Hildegardia barteri flower is used to sensitize the TiO2 electrode, and the spectrum of the dye indicates strong absorptions in the blue region of the solar spectrum. The XRD pattern of the TiO2 shows that the adsorption of the dye did not affect the crystallinity of the electrode. The f-MWCNT indicates graphite structure of the MWCNTs were acid oxidized without significant damage. Efficiencies of 3.38 and 0.1% were obtained using gelatin and DNA gel polymer electrolytes, respectively, for the fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells.

Influence of ester-modified lipids on bilayer structure.

Science.gov (United States)

Villanueva, Diana Y; Lim, Joseph B; Klauda, Jeffery B

2013-11-19

Lipid membranes function as barriers for cells to prevent unwanted chemicals from entering the cell and wanted chemicals from leaving. Because of their hydrophobic interior, membranes do not allow water to penetrate beyond the headgroup region. We performed molecular simulations to examine the effects of ester-modified lipids, which contain ester groups along their hydrocarbon chains, on bilayer structure. We chose two lipids from those presented in Menger et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 14034] with ester groups in (1) the upper half of the lipid chain (MEPC) and (2) the middle and end of the lipid chain (MGPC). MGPC (30%)/POPC bilayers formed stable water pores of diameter 5-7 Å, but MGPC (22%)/POPC and MEPC (30%)/POPC bilayers did not form these defects. These pores were similar to those formed during electroporation; i.e., the head groups lined the pore and allowed water and ions to transport across the bilayer. However, we found that lateral organization of the MGPC lipids into clusters, instead of an electric field or charge disparity as in electroporation, was essential for pore formation. On the basis of this, we propose an overall mechanism for pore formation. The similarities between the ester-modified lipids and byproducts of lipid peroxidation with multiple hydrophilic groups in the middle of the chain suggest that free radical reactions with unsaturated lipids and sterols result in fundamental changes that may be similar to what is seen in bilayers with ester-modified lipids.

Tethered and Polymer Supported Bilayer Lipid Membranes: Structure and Function

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jakob Andersson

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Solid supported bilayer lipid membranes are model systems to mimic natural cell membranes in order to understand structural and functional properties of such systems. The use of a model system allows for the use of a wide variety of analytical tools including atomic force microscopy, impedance spectroscopy, neutron reflectometry, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Among the large number of different types of model membranes polymer-supported and tethered lipid bilayers have been shown to be versatile and useful systems. Both systems consist of a lipid bilayer, which is de-coupled from an underlying support by a spacer cushion. Both systems will be reviewed, with an emphasis on the effect that the spacer moiety has on the bilayer properties.

Evaluation of the performance characteristics of bilayer tablets: Part II. Impact of environmental conditions on the strength of bilayer tablets.

Science.gov (United States)

Kottala, Niranjan; Abebe, Admassu; Sprockel, Omar; Bergum, James; Nikfar, Faranak; Cuitiño, Alberto M

2012-12-01

Ambient air humidity and temperature are known to influence the mechanical strength of tablets. The objective of this work is to understand the influence of processing parameters and environmental conditions (humidity and temperature) on the strength of bilayer tablets. As part of this study, bilayer tablets were compressed with different layer ratios, dwell times, layer sequences, material properties (plastic and brittle), first and second layer forces, and lubricant concentrations. Compressed tablets were stored in stability chambers controlled at predetermined conditions (40C/45%RH, 40C/75%RH) for 1, 3, and 5 days. The axial strength of the stored tablets was measured and a statistical model was developed to determine the effects of the aforementioned factors on the strength of bilayer tablets. As part of this endeavor, a full 3 × 2(4) factorial design was executed. Responses of the experiments were analyzed using PROC GLM of SAS (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, North Carolina, USA). A model was fit using all the responses to determine the significant interactions (p < 0.05). Results of this study indicated that storage conditions and storage time have significant impact on the strength of bilayer tablets. For Avicel-lactose and lactose-Avicel tablets, tablet strength decreased with the increasing humidity and storage time. But for lactose-lactose tablets, due to the formation of solid bridges upon storage, an increase in tablet strength was observed. Significant interactions were observed between processing parameters and storage conditions on the strength of bilayer tablets.

Study on the chemical stability of catalyst counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells using a simple X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy-based method

Science.gov (United States)

Yun, Dong-Jin; Kim, Jungmin; Chung, Jongwon; Park, SungHoon; Baek, WoonJoong; Kim, Yongsu; Kim, Seongheon; Kwon, Young-Nam; Chung, JaeGwan; Kyoung, Yongkoo; Kim, Ki-Hong; Heo, Sung

2014-12-01

Since the chemical/electrical stability and catalytic activity are essential conditions for catalyst counter electrodes (CCEs) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), a simple dipping method is employed for evaluating the chemical stability of CCE candidates in an iodine-based liquid electrolyte (I-electrolyte). The chemical stabilities and transition mechanisms of the CCEs are successfully analyzed by studying the chemical transitions in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) core levels after dipping in the I-electrolyte. All films including the Pt film undergo degradation depending on the type of material. While dipping in the I-electrolyte, Cu and Au films scarcely dissolves as their respective metal sulfides, and the Al film gradually loss its metallic properties owing to Al2O3 growth. On the other hand, a previously unknown transition mechanism of organic conducting CCEs is determined based on the proposed method. Compared to the other metal films, the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/PEDOT:PSS films undergo an entirely unique transition mechanism, which results from the chemical adsorption of organic molecules onto PEDOT:PSS molecules in the I-electrolyte. Consequently, these chemical structure transitions correspond well to the degrees of alternation in the electrical properties of DSSCs with all the investigated CCEs.

Lipids, lipid bilayers and vesicles as seen by neutrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Seto, Hideki

2011-01-01

Lipid molecules self-assemble into bilayers in water with their hydrocarbon chains facing inward due to their amphiphilic nature. The structural and dynamical properties of lipids and lipid bilayers have been studied by neutron scattering intensively. In this article, 3 topics are shown as typical examples. 1) a time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering on uni-lamellar vesicles composed of deuterated and protonated lipids to determine lipid kinetics, 2) small-angle neutron scattering to investigate spontaneous formation of nanopores on uni-lamellar vesicles, and 3) neutron spin echo study to determine bending modulus of lipid bilayers. (author)

Bi-layer plate-type acoustic metamaterials with Willis coupling

Science.gov (United States)

Ma, Fuyin; Huang, Meng; Xu, Yicai; Wu, Jiu Hui

2018-01-01

Dynamic effective negative parameters are principal to the representation of the physical properties of metamaterials. In this paper, a bi-layer plate-type unit was proposed with both a negative mass density and a negative bulk modulus; moreover, through analysis of these bi-layer structures, some important problems about acoustic metamaterials were studied. First, dynamic effective mass densities and the bulk modulus of the bi-layer plate-type acoustic structure were clarified through both the direct and the retrieval methods, and, in addition, the intrinsic relationship between the sound transmission (absorption) characteristics and the effective parameters was analyzed. Furthermore, the properties of dynamic effective parameters for an asymmetric bi-layer acoustic structure were further considered through an analysis of experimental data, and the modified effective parameters were then obtained through consideration of the Willis coupling in the asymmetric passive system. In addition, by taking both the clamped and the periodic boundary conditions into consideration in the bi-layer plate-type acoustic system, new perspectives were presented for study on the effective parameters and sound insulation properties in the range below the cut-off frequency. The special acoustic properties established by these effective parameters could enrich our knowledge and provide guidance for the design and installation of acoustic metamaterial structures in future sound engineering practice.

Modification of glassy carbon electrode with a bilayer of multiwalled carbon nanotube/tiron-doped polypyrrole: Application to sensitive voltammetric determination of acyclovir

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shahrokhian, Saeed, E-mail: shahrokhian@sharif.edu [Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-3516 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Institute for Nanoscience and Technology, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Azimzadeh, Mahnaz [Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-3516 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Amini, Mohammad K. [Department of Chemistry, Isfahan University, Isfahan (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2015-08-01

A novel voltammetric sensor based on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a thin film of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with an electropolymerized layer of tiron-doped polypyrrole was developed and the resulting electrode was applied for the determination of acyclovir (ACV). The surface morphology and property of the modified electrode were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrode was investigated by means of linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The effect of several experimental variables, such as pH of the supporting electrolyte, drop size of the cast MWCNTssuspension, number of electropolymerization cycles and accumulation time was optimized by monitoring the LSV response of the modified electrode toward ACV. The best response was observed at pH 7.0 after accumulation at open circuit for 160 s. Under the optimized conditions, a significant electrochemical improvement was observed toward the electrooxidation of ACV on the modified electrode surface relative to the bare GCE, resulting in a wide linear dynamic range (0.03–10.0 μM) and a low detection limit (10.0 nM) for ACV. Besides high sensitivity, the sensor represented high stability and good reproducibility for ACV analysis, and provided satisfactory results for the determination of this compound in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations. - Highlights: • A simple method was employed to construct a thin film modified electrode. • Tiron-doped polypyrrole was electropolymerized on MWCNT precast glassy carbon electrode. • Electrode surface characterization was performed by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. • The modified electrode showed nano-molar detection limit for acyclovir. • The modified electrode was applied for the detection of ACV in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations.

Role of material properties and mechanical constraint on stress-assisted diffusion in plate electrodes of lithium ion batteries

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Song Yicheng; Zhang Junqian; Shao Xianjun; Guo Zhansheng

2013-01-01

This work investigates the stress-assisted diffusion of lithium ions in layered electrodes of Li-ion batteries. Decoupled diffusion governing equations are obtained. Material properties, which are characterized by a single dimensionless parameter, and mechanical constraint between a current collector and an active layer, which is characterized by the elastic modulus ratio and thickness ratio between the layers, are identified as key factors that govern the stress-assisted diffusion. For a symmetric plate electrode, stress is induced by the Li-ion concentration gradient, and stress-assisted diffusion therefore depends only on the material properties. For an asymmetric bilayer electrode, mechanical constraint plays a very important role in the diffusion via generation of bending stress. Diffusion may be facilitated, or inversely impeded, according to the constraint. By summarizing the coupling factors of common active materials and investigating the concentration variation induced by stress-assisted diffusion in various electrodes, this work provides insights on stress-assisted diffusion in a layered electrode, as well as suggestions for relevant modelling works on whether the stress-assisted diffusion should be taken into account according to the selection of material and structure. (paper)

Investigation of electro-optical properties for electrochemical luminescence device with a new electrode structure

Science.gov (United States)

Ok, Jung-Woo; Pooyodying, Pattarapon; Anuntahirunrat, Jirapat; Sung, Youl-Moon

2018-04-01

In this paper, we investigate electrochemical luminescent (ECL) device with a new structure and the ECL cell device with proposed electrode configuration works reliably at AC voltage. In particular, the conventional ECL cell has counter electrodes in which a cathode and an anode are opposed to each other, whereas the proposed structure has parallel electrodes in which a cathode and an anode are arranged on a single substrate. The proposed electrode configuration has a structural feature that electric short-circuiting is less likely to occur during bending than the conventional electrode configuration. The electro-optical characteristics of the new electrode configuration such as the current density, the light emission intensity, and the time evolution of the emission are investigated. The proposed ECL device exhibited higher light emitting efficiency than the conventional structure. Especially, at AC operation mode, the new structure showed the distinctive luminescence characteristic which is combined the first luminescence near the surface of electrode with the delayed second luminescence near the center of between electrodes. It was closely related to the behavior of luminescent particles. The proposed the ECL cell structure is expected to be utilized as a flexible display device by taking advantage of its characteristics and practicality.

Layer by layer assembly of catalase and amine-terminated ionic liquid onto titanium nitride nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode: Study of direct voltammetry and bioelectrocatalytic activity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saadati, Shagayegh [Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Salimi, Abdollah, E-mail: absalimi@uok.ac.ir [Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Research Center for Nanotechnology, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Hallaj, Rahman; Rostami, Amin [Department of Chemistry, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2012-11-13

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Catalase and amine-terminated ionic liquid were immobilized to GC/TiNnp with LBL assembly method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer First a thin layer of NH{sub 2}-IL is covalently attached to GC/TiNnp electrode using electro-oxidation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer With alternative assemble of IL and catalase with positive and negative charged, multilayer was formed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Immobilized catalase shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward H{sub 2}O{sub 2} reduction. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Biosensor response is directly correlated to the number of bilayers. - Abstract: A novel, simple and facile layer by layer (LBL) approach is used for modification of glassy carbon (GC) electrode with multilayer of catalase and nanocomposite containing 1-(3-Aminopropyl)-3-methylimidazolium bromide (amine terminated ionic liquid (NH{sub 2}-IL)) and titanium nitride nanoparticles (TiNnp). First a thin layer of NH{sub 2}-IL is covalently attached to GC/TiNnp electrode using electro-oxidation method. Then, with alternative self assemble positively charged NH{sub 2}-IL and negatively charged catalase a sensitive H{sub 2}O{sub 2} biosensor is constructed, whose response is directly correlated to the number of bilayers. The surface coverage of active catalase per bilayer, heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k{sub s}) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K{sub M}) of immobilized catalase were 3.32 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -12} mol cm{sup -2}, 5.28 s{sup -1} and 1.1 mM, respectively. The biosensor shows good stability, high reproducibility, long life-time, and fast amperometric response with the high sensitivity of 380 {mu}A mM{sup -1} cm{sup -2} and low detection limit of 100 nM at concentration range up to 2.1 mM.

Quantitative Raman microspectroscopy for water permeability parameters at a droplet interface bilayer.

Science.gov (United States)

Braziel, S; Sullivan, K; Lee, S

2018-01-29

Using confocal Raman microspectroscopy, we derive parameters for bilayer water transport across an isolated nanoliter aqueous droplet pair. For a bilayer formed with two osmotically imbalanced and adherent nanoliter aqueous droplets in a surrounding oil solvent, a droplet interface bilayer (DIB), the water permeability coefficient across the lipid bilayer was determined from monitoring the Raman scattering from the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N stretching mode of K 3 Fe(CN) 6 as a measure of water uptake into the swelling droplet of a DIB pair. We also derive passive diffusional permeability coefficient for D 2 O transport across a droplet bilayer using O-D Raman signal. This method provides a significant methodological advance in determining water permeability coefficients in a convenient and reliable way.

Pairing of cholesterol with oxidized phospholipid species in lipid bilayers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Khandelia, Himanshu; Loubet, Bastien; Olzynska, Agnieszka

2014-01-01

We claim that (1) cholesterol protects bilayers from disruption caused by lipid oxidation by sequestering conical shaped oxidized lipid species such as 1-palmitoyl-2-azelaoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PZPC) away from phospholipid, because cholesterol and the oxidized lipid have complementary...... shapes and (2) mixtures of cholesterol and oxidized lipids can self-assemble into bilayers much like lysolipid–cholesterol mixtures. The evidence for bilayer protection comes from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Unimodal size distributions of extruded...... vesicles (LUVETs) made up of a mixture of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and PZPC containing high amounts of PZPC are only obtained when cholesterol is present in high concentrations. In simulations, bilayers containing high amounts of PZPC become porous, unless cholesterol is also present...

Spray deposition of water-soluble multiwall carbon nanotube and Cu2ZnSnSe4 nanoparticle composites as highly efficient counter electrodes in a quantum dot-sensitized solar cell system

Science.gov (United States)

Zeng, Xianwei; Xiong, Dehua; Zhang, Wenjun; Ming, Liqun; Xu, Zhen; Huang, Zhanfeng; Wang, Mingkui; Chen, Wei; Cheng, Yi-Bing

2013-07-01

In this paper, low-cost counter electrodes (CEs) based on water-soluble multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and Cu2ZnSnSe4 nanoparticle (CZTSe NP) composites have been successfully introduced into a quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC) system. Suitable surface modification allows the MWCNTs and CZTSe NPs to be homogeneously dispersed in water, facilitating the subsequent low-temperature spray deposition of high quality composite films with different composite ratios. The electrochemical catalytic activity of the composite CEs has been critically compared by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel-polarization analysis. It is found that the composite CE at the MWCNT : CZTSe ratio of 0.1 offers the best performance, leading to an optimal solar cell efficiency of 4.60%, which is 50.8% higher than that of the Pt reference CE. The as-demonstrated higher catalytic activity of the composite CEs compared to their single components could be ascribed to the combination of the fast electron transport of the MWCNTs and the high catalytic activity of CZTSe NPs.In this paper, low-cost counter electrodes (CEs) based on water-soluble multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and Cu2ZnSnSe4 nanoparticle (CZTSe NP) composites have been successfully introduced into a quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC) system. Suitable surface modification allows the MWCNTs and CZTSe NPs to be homogeneously dispersed in water, facilitating the subsequent low-temperature spray deposition of high quality composite films with different composite ratios. The electrochemical catalytic activity of the composite CEs has been critically compared by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel-polarization analysis. It is found that the composite CE at the MWCNT : CZTSe ratio of 0.1 offers the best performance, leading to an optimal solar cell efficiency of 4.60%, which is 50.8% higher than that of the Pt reference CE. The as-demonstrated higher catalytic activity of the composite CEs compared to

Comparison study of transparent RF-sputtered ITO/AZO and ITO/ZnO bilayers for near UV-OLED applications

Science.gov (United States)

Rezaie, Mahdiyar Nouri; Manavizadeh, Negin; Abadi, Ehsan Mohammadi Nasr; Nadimi, Ebrahim; Boroumand, Farhad Akbari

2017-01-01

Hybrid inorganic/organic light-emitting diodes have attracted much attention in the field of luminescent electronics due to the desired incorporation of high optoelectronic features of inorganic materials with the processability and variety of organic polymers. To generate and emit a near ultraviolet (N-UV) ray, wide band gap semiconductors can be applied in the organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this paper, zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films are deposited by radio frequency (RF) sputtering above the ITO electrode and poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene] (MEH-PPV) conjugated polymer is utilized as a complementary p-type semiconductor in OLED structure. The impact of ZnO and AZO thickness on the structural, electrical, optical and morphological properties of ITO/AZO and ITO/ZnO bilayers are scrutinized and compared. Results show that with the enlargement of both ZnO and AZO film thickness, the physical properties are gradually improved resulting in the better quality of transparent conducting thin film. The average electrical resistivity of 8.4 × 10-4 and 1.1 × 10-3 Ω-cm, average sheet resistance of 32.9 and 42.3 Ω/sq, average transmittance of 88.3 and 87.3% and average FOM of 1.0 × 104 and 7.4 × 103 (Ω-cm)-1 are obtained for ITO/AZO and ITO/ZnO bilayers, respectively. Moreover, comparing the results indicates that the strain and the stress within the ITO/AZO bilayer are decreased nearly 19% with respect to ITO/ZnO bilayer which yield higher quality of crystal. Consequently, the physical properties of ITO/AZO bilayer is found to be superior regarding ITO/ZnO bilayer. For fabricated UV-OLEDs, the turn-on voltages, the characteristic energy (Et) and the total concentration of traps (Nt) for the devices with the structures of ITO/ZnO/MEH-PPV/Al and ITO/AZO/MEH-PPV/Al are obtained 12 and 14 V, 0.108 and 0.191 eV, 9.33 × 1016 and 5.22 × 1016 cm-3, respectively. Furthermore, according to the electroluminescence

Layer configurations comparison of bilayer-films for EGFET pH sensor application

Science.gov (United States)

Rahman, R. A.; Zulkefle, M. A.; Yusof, K. A.; Abdullah, W. F. H.; Rusop, M.; Herman, S. H.

2018-05-01

The comparison between bilayer configurations were presented in this paper. TiO2 and ZnO layer configurations were manipulated in order to investigate which configuration produce highest sensing performance to be applied as EGFET pH sensor. Both of the materials were deposited together as the bilayer film. The configurations were manipulated between TiO2/ZnO and ZnO/TiO2. ITO was used as the substrate in this study and both of the materials were deposited by using sol-gel spin coating technique. After deposition process, these bilayer film then undergone for EGFET pH sensor measurement and physical characterization. The EGFET pH sensor measurement was done by dipping the fabricated bilayer film into three different pH values, which is pH4, pH7 and pH10. Bilayer film act as the pH-sensitive membrane, which connected to the commercial metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET). This MOSFET was connected to the interfacing circuit. Voltage output obtained were recorded and the graph was plotted by using the data recorded. Based on the EGFET pH sensor measurement, TiO2/ZnO bilayer film exhibit higher sensing performance, compared with ZnO/TiO2. TiO2/ZnO bilayer film produced 53.10 mV/pH with the linearity value of 0.9913. Afterwards, fabricated bilayer films then were characterized with AFM to explore their surface roughness and surface topography behavior.

Bias induced modulation of electrical and thermal conductivity and heat capacity of BN and BN/graphene bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chegel, Raad, E-mail: Raad.chegel@gmail.com

2017-04-15

By using the tight binding approximation and Green function method, the electronic structure, density of state, electrical conductivity, heat capacity of BN and BN/graphene bilayers are investigated. The AA-, AB{sub 1}- and AB{sub 2}- BN/graphene bilayers have small gap unlike to BN bilayers which are wide band gap semiconductors. Unlike to BN bilayer, the energy gap of graphene/BN bilayers increases with external field. The magnitude of the change in the band gap of BN bilayers is much higher than the graphene/BN bilayers. Near absolute zero, the σ(T) is zero for BN bilayers and it increases with temperature until reaches maximum value then decreases. The BN/graphene bilayers have larger electrical conductivity larger than BN bilayers. For both bilayers, the specific heat capacity has a Schottky anomaly.

Bilayer graphene quantum dot defined by topgates

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Müller, André; Kaestner, Bernd; Hohls, Frank; Weimann, Thomas; Pierz, Klaus; Schumacher, Hans W., E-mail: hans.w.schumacher@ptb.de [Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig (Germany)

2014-06-21

We investigate the application of nanoscale topgates on exfoliated bilayer graphene to define quantum dot devices. At temperatures below 500 mK, the conductance underneath the grounded gates is suppressed, which we attribute to nearest neighbour hopping and strain-induced piezoelectric fields. The gate-layout can thus be used to define resistive regions by tuning into the corresponding temperature range. We use this method to define a quantum dot structure in bilayer graphene showing Coulomb blockade oscillations consistent with the gate layout.

Corrugation of Phase-Separated Lipid Bilayers Supported by Nanoporous Silica Xerogel Surfaces

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Goksu, E I; Nellis, B A; Lin, W; Satcher Jr., J H; Groves, J T; Risbud, S H; Longo, M L

2008-10-30

Lipid bilayers supported by substrates with nanometer-scale surface corrugations holds interest in understanding both nanoparticle-membrane interactions and the challenges of constructing models of cell membranes on surfaces with desirable properties, e.g. porosity. Here, we successfully form a two-phase (gel-fluid) lipid bilayer supported by nanoporous silica xerogel. Surface topology, diffusion, and lipid density in comparison to mica-supported lipid bilayers were characterized by AFM, FRAP, FCS, and quantitative fluorescence microscopy, respectively. We found that the two-phase lipid bilayer follows the xerogel surface contours. The corrugation imparted on the lipid bilayer results in a lipid density that is twice that on a flat mica surface. In direct agreement with the doubling of actual bilayer area in a projected area, we find that the lateral diffusion coefficient (D) of lipids on xerogel ({approx}1.7 {micro}m{sup 2}/s) is predictably lower than on mica ({approx}4.1 {micro}m{sup 2}/s) by both FRAP and FCS techniques. Furthermore, the gel-phase domains on xerogel compared to mica were larger and less numerous. Overall, our results suggest the presence of a relatively defect-free continuous two-phase bilayer that penetrates approximately midway into the first layer of {approx}50 nm xerogel beads.

Porous Materials to Support Bilayer Lipid Membranes for Ion Channel Biosensors

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Thai Phung

2011-01-01

Full Text Available To identify materials suitable as membrane supports for ion channel biosensors, six filter materials of varying hydrophobicity, tortuosity, and thickness were examined for their ability to support bilayer lipid membranes as determined by electrical impedance spectroscopy. Bilayers supported by hydrophobic materials (PTFE, polycarbonate, nylon, and silanised silver had optimal resistance (14–19 GΩ and capacitance (0.8–1.6 μF values whereas those with low hydrophobicity did not form BLMs (PVDF or were short-lived (unsilanised silver. The ability of ion channels to function in BLMs was assessed using a method recently reported to improve the efficiency of proteoliposome incorporation into PTFE-supported bilayers. Voltage-gated sodium channel activation by veratridine and inhibition by saxitoxin showed activity for PTFE, nylon, and silanised silver, but not polycarbonate. Bilayers on thicker, more tortuous, and hydrophobic materials produced higher current levels. Bilayers that self-assembled on PTFE filters were the longest lived and produced the most channel activity using this method.

Filament networks attached to membranes: cytoskeletal pressure and local bilayer deformation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Auth, Thorsten; Safran, S A; Gov, Nir S

2007-01-01

Several cell types, among them red blood cells, have a cortical, two-dimensional (2D) network of filaments sparsely attached to their lipid bilayer. In many mammalian cells, this 2D polymer network is connected to an underlying 3D, more rigid cytoskeleton. In this paper, we consider the pressure exerted by the thermally fluctuating, cortical network of filaments on the bilayer and predict the bilayer deformations that are induced by this pressure. We treat the filaments as flexible polymers and calculate the pressure that a network of such linear chains exerts on the bilayer; we then minimize the bilayer shape in order to predict the resulting local deformations. We compare our predictions with membrane deformations observed in electron micrographs of red blood cells. The polymer pressure along with the resulting membrane deformation can lead to compartmentalization, regulate in-plane diffusion and may influence protein sorting as well as transmit signals to the polymerization of the underlying 3D cytoskeleton

Assessment of bilayer silicene to probe as quantum spin and valley Hall effect

Science.gov (United States)

Rehman, Majeed Ur; Qiao, Zhenhua

2018-02-01

Silicene takes precedence over graphene due to its buckling type structure and strong spin orbit coupling. Motivated by these properties, we study the silicene bilayer in the presence of applied perpendicular electric field and intrinsic spin orbit coupling to probe as quantum spin/valley Hall effect. Using analytical approach, we calculate the spin Chern-number of bilayer silicene and then compare it with monolayer silicene. We reveal that bilayer silicene hosts double spin Chern-number as compared to single layer silicene and therefore accordingly has twice as many edge states in contrast to single layer silicene. In addition, we investigate the combined effect of intrinsic spin orbit coupling and the external electric field, we find that bilayer silicene, likewise single layer silicene, goes through a phase transitions from a quantum spin Hall state to a quantum valley Hall state when the strength of the applied electric field exceeds the intrinsic spin orbit coupling strength. We believe that the results and outcomes obtained for bilayer silicene are experimentally more accessible as compared to bilayer graphene, because of strong SO coupling in bilayer silicene.

Step-wise potential development across the lipid bilayer under external electric fields

Science.gov (United States)

Majhi, Amit Kumar

2018-04-01

Pore formation across the bilayers under external electric field is an important phenomenon, which has numerous applications in biology and bio-engineering fields. However, it is not a ubiquitous event under all field applications. To initiate a pore in the bilayer a particular threshold electric field is required. The electric field alters the intrinsic potential distribution across the bilayer as we as it enhances total potential drop across the bilayer, which causes the pore formation. The intrinsic potential profile has a maximum peak value, which is 0.8 V and it gets enhanced under application of external field, 0.43 V/nm. The peak value becomes 1.4 V when a pore appears in the bilayer and it continues to evolve as along as the external electric field remains switched on.

Non-bilayer structures in mitochondrial membranes regulate ATP synthase activity.

Science.gov (United States)

Gasanov, Sardar E; Kim, Aleksandr A; Yaguzhinsky, Lev S; Dagda, Ruben K

2018-02-01

Cardiolipin (CL) is an anionic phospholipid at the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) that facilitates the formation of transient non-bilayer (non-lamellar) structures to maintain mitochondrial integrity. CL modulates mitochondrial functions including ATP synthesis. However, the biophysical mechanisms by which CL generates non-lamellar structures and the extent to which these structures contribute to ATP synthesis remain unknown. We hypothesized that CL and ATP synthase facilitate the formation of non-bilayer structures at the IMM to stimulate ATP synthesis. By using 1 H NMR and 31 P NMR techniques, we observed that increasing the temperature (8°C to 37°C), lowering the pH (3.0), or incubating intact mitochondria with CTII - an IMM-targeted toxin that increases the formation of immobilized non-bilayer structures - elevated the formation of non-bilayer structures to stimulate ATP synthesis. The F 0 sector of the ATP synthase complex can facilitate the formation of non-bilayer structures as incubating model membranes enriched with IMM-specific phospholipids with exogenous DCCD-binding protein of the F 0 sector (DCCD-BPF) elevated the formation of immobilized non-bilayer structures to a similar manner as CTII. Native PAGE assays revealed that CL, but not other anionic phospholipids, specifically binds to DCCD-BPF to promote the formation of stable lipid-protein complexes. Mechanistically, molecular docking studies identified two lipid binding sites for CL in DCCD-BPF. We propose a new model of ATP synthase regulation in which CL mediates the formation of non-bilayer structures that serve to cluster protons and ATP synthase complexes as a mechanism to enhance proton translocation to the F 0 sector, and thereby increase ATP synthesis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory's Mark I Multiwire Proportional Counter positron camera

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bateman, J.E.; Connolly, J.F.; Stephenson, R.; Tappern, G.J.; Flesher, A.C.

1983-01-01

A small model of a proposed large aperture positron camera has been developed at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Based on Multiwire Proportional Counter technology it uses lead foil cathodes which function simultaneously as converters for the 511 keV gamma rays and readout electrodes for a delay line readout system. The detectors have been built up into a portable imaging system complete with a dedicated computer for data taking, processing and display. A complete hardware system and sufficient software was provided to permit hospital based colleagues to generate useful images easily. A complete description of the system is given with performance figures and some of the images obtained are presented. (author)

Computational Design of Multi-component Bio-Inspired Bilayer Membranes

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Evan Koufos

2014-04-01

Full Text Available Our investigation is motivated by the need to design bilayer membranes with tunable interfacial and mechanical properties for use in a range of applications, such as targeted drug delivery, sensing and imaging. We draw inspiration from biological cell membranes and focus on their principal constituents. In this paper, we present our results on the role of molecular architecture on the interfacial, structural and dynamical properties of bio-inspired membranes. We focus on four lipid architectures with variations in the head group shape and the hydrocarbon tail length. Each lipid species is composed of a hydrophilic head group and two hydrophobic tails. In addition, we study a model of the Cholesterol molecule to understand the interfacial properties of a bilayer membrane composed of rigid, single-tail molecular species. We demonstrate the properties of the bilayer membranes to be determined by the molecular architecture and rigidity of the constituent species. Finally, we demonstrate the formation of a stable mixed bilayer membrane composed of Cholesterol and one of the phospholipid species. Our approach can be adopted to design multi-component bilayer membranes with tunable interfacial and mechanical properties. We use a Molecular Dynamics-based mesoscopic simulation technique called Dissipative Particle Dynamics that resolves the molecular details of the components through soft-sphere coarse-grained models and reproduces the hydrodynamic behavior of the system over extended time scales.

Prevention of intra-abdominal adhesion by bi-layer electrospun membrane.

Science.gov (United States)

Jiang, Shichao; Wang, Wei; Yan, Hede; Fan, Cunyi

2013-06-04

The aim of this study was to compare the anti-adhesion efficacy of a bi-layer electrospun fibrous membrane consisting of hyaluronic acid-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibrous membrane as the inner layer and PCL fibrous membrane as the outer layer with a single-layer PCL electrospun fibrous membrane in a rat cecum abrasion model. The rat model utilized a cecal abrasion and abdominal wall insult surgical protocol. The bi-layer and PCL membranes were applied between the cecum and the abdominal wall, respectively. Control animals did not receive any treatment. After postoperative day 14, a visual semiquantitative grading scale was used to grade the extent of adhesion. Histological analysis was performed to reveal the features of adhesion tissues. Bi-layer membrane treated animals showed significantly lower adhesion scores than control animals (p compared with the PCL membrane. Histological analysis of the bi-layer membrane treated rat rarely demonstrated tissue adhesion while that of the PCL membrane treated rat and control rat showed loose and dense adhesion tissues, respectively. Bi-layer membrane can efficiently prevent adhesion formation in abdominal cavity and showed a significantly decreased adhesion tissue formation compared with the control.

Tensile and shear methods for measuring strength of bilayer tablets.

Science.gov (United States)

Chang, Shao-Yu; Li, Jian-Xin; Sun, Changquan Calvin

2017-05-15

Both shear and tensile measurement methods have been used to quantify interfacial bonding strength of bilayer tablets. The shear method is more convenient to perform, but reproducible strength data requires careful control of the placement of tablet and contact point for shear force application. Moreover, data obtained from the shear method depend on the orientation of the bilayer tablet. Although more time-consuming to perform, the tensile method yields data that are straightforward to interpret. Thus, the tensile method is preferred in fundamental bilayer tableting research to minimize ambiguity in data interpretation. Using both shear and tensile methods, we measured the mechanical strength of bilayer tablets made of several different layer combinations of lactose and microcrystalline cellulose. We observed a good correlation between strength obtained by the tensile method and carefully conducted shear method. This suggests that the shear method may be used for routine quality test of bilayer tablets during manufacturing because of its speed and convenience, provided a protocol for careful control of the placement of the tablet interface, tablet orientation, and blade is implemented. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Buckling-dependent switching behaviours in shifted bilayer germanene nanoribbons: A computational study

Science.gov (United States)

Arjmand, T.; Tagani, M. Bagheri; Soleimani, H. Rahimpour

2018-01-01

Bilayer germanene nanoribbons are investigated in different stacks like buckled and flat armchair and buckled zigzag germanene nanoribbons by performing theoretical calculations using the nonequilibrium Greens function method combined with density functional theory. In these bilayer types, the current oscillates with change of interlayer distances or intra-layer overlaps and is dependent on the type of the bilayer. Band gap of AA-stacked of shifted flat bilayer armchair germanene nanoribbon oscillates by change of interlayer distance which is in contrast to buckled bilayer armchair germanene nanoribbon. So, results show the buckling makes system tend to be a semiconductor with wide band gap. Therefore, AA-stacked of shifted flat bilayer armchair germanene nanoribbon has properties between zigzag and armchair edges, the higher current under bias voltages similar to zigzag edge and also oscillations in current like buckled armchair edges. Also, it is found that HOMO-LUMO band gap strongly affects oscillation in currents and their I-V characteristic. This kind of junction improves the switching properties at low voltages around the band gap.

Effect of free cholesterol on incorporation of triolein in phospholipid bilayers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spooner, P.J.R.; Small, D.M.

1987-01-01

Triacylglycerols are the major substrates for lipolytic enzymes that act at the surface of emulsion-like particles such as triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, chylomicrons, and intracellular lipid droplets. This study examines the effect of cholesterol on the solubility of a triacylglycerol, triolein, in phospholipid surfaces. Solubilities of [carbonyl- 13 C] triolein in phospholipid bilayer vesicles containing between 0 and 50 mol % free cholesterol, prepared by cosonication, were measured by 13 C NMR. The carbonyl resonances from bilayer-incorporated triglyceride were shifted downfield in the 13 C NMR spectra from those corresponding to excess, nonincorporated material. This enabled solubilities to be determined directly from carbonyl peak intensities at most cholesterol concentration. The bilayer solubility of triolein was inversely proportional to the cholesterol/phospholipid mole ratio. In pure phospholipid vesicles the triolein solubility was 2.2 mol %. The triglyceride incorporation decreased to 1.1 mol % at a cholesterol/phospholipid mole ratio of 0.5, and at a mole ratio of 1.0 for the bilayer lipids, the triolein solubility was reduced to just 0.15 mol %. The effects of free cholesterol were more pronounced and progressive than observed previously on the bilayer solubility of cholestery oleate. As with cholesteryl oleate, they suggest that cholesterol also displaces solubilized triglyceride to deeper regions of the bilayer

Composition Dependence of Water Permeation Across Multicomponent Gel-Phase Bilayers

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Hartkamp, R.M.; Moore, Timothy C.; Iacovella, Christopher R.; Thompson, Michael A.; Bulsara, Pallav A.; Moore, David J.; McCabe, Clare

2018-01-01

The permeability of multicomponent phospholipid bilayers in the gel phase is investigated via molecular dynamics simulation. The physical role of the different molecules is probed by comparing multiple mixed-component bilayers containing distearylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) with varying amounts of

Modeling constrained sintering of bi-layered tubular structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Tadesse Molla, Tesfaye; Kothanda Ramachandran, Dhavanesan; Ni, De Wei

2015-01-01

Constrained sintering of tubular bi-layered structures is being used in the development of various technologies. Densification mismatch between the layers making the tubular bi-layer can generate stresses, which may create processing defects. An analytical model is presented to describe the densi...... and thermo-mechanical analysis. Results from the analytical model are found to agree well with finite element simulations as well as measurements from sintering experiment....

Space and power efficient hybrid counters array

Science.gov (United States)

Gara, Alan G [Mount Kisco, NY; Salapura, Valentina [Chappaqua, NY

2009-05-12

A hybrid counter array device for counting events. The hybrid counter array includes a first counter portion comprising N counter devices, each counter device for receiving signals representing occurrences of events from an event source and providing a first count value corresponding to a lower order bits of the hybrid counter array. The hybrid counter array includes a second counter portion comprising a memory array device having N addressable memory locations in correspondence with the N counter devices, each addressable memory location for storing a second count value representing higher order bits of the hybrid counter array. A control device monitors each of the N counter devices of the first counter portion and initiates updating a value of a corresponding second count value stored at the corresponding addressable memory location in the second counter portion. Thus, a combination of the first and second count values provide an instantaneous measure of number of events received.

Controlled release from bilayer-decorated magnetoliposomes via electromagnetic heating.

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Yanjing; Bose, Arijit; Bothun, Geoffrey D

2010-06-22

Nanoscale assemblies that can be activated and controlled through external stimuli represent a next stage in multifunctional therapeutics. We report the formation, characterization, and release properties of bilayer-decorated magnetoliposomes (dMLs) that were prepared by embedding small hydrophobic SPIO nanoparticles at different lipid molecule to nanoparticle ratios within dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers. The dML structure was examined by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, and release was examined by carboxyfluorescein leakage. Nanoparticle heating using alternating current electromagnetic fields (EMFs) operating at radio frequencies provided selective release of the encapsulated molecule at low nanoparticle concentrations and under physiologically acceptable EMF conditions. Without radio frequency heating, spontaneous leakage from the dMLs decreased with increasing nanoparticle loading, consistent with greater bilayer stability and a decrease in the effective dML surface area due to aggregation. With radio frequency heating, the initial rate and extent of leakage increased significantly as a function of nanoparticle loading and electromagnetic field strength. The mechanism of release is attributed to a combination of bilayer permeabilization and partial dML rupture.

Fabrication of oriented wrinkles on polydopamine/polystyrene bilayer films.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Rong; Long, Yuhua; Zhu, Tang; Guo, Jing; Cai, Chao; Zhao, Ning; Xu, Jian

2017-07-15

Wrinkles exist widely in nature and our life. In this paper, wrinkles on polydopamine (PDA)/polystyrene (PS) bilayer films were formed by thermal annealing due to the different thermal coefficients of expansion of each layer. The factors that influenced the dimensions of wrinkles were studied. We found that oriented wrinkles could be formed if the bilayer films were patterned with micro-grooves, and the degree of the orientation depended on the thickness of the PDA and the dimensions of the grooves. Combined with the strong adhesion, biocompatibility and reactivity of PDA, the oriented wrinkles on PDA/PS patterned bilayers may find potential application in diffraction gratings, optical sensors and microfluidic devices. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modulated phases of phospholipid bilayers induced by tocopherols.

Science.gov (United States)

Kamal, Md Arif; Raghunathan, V A

2012-11-01

The influence of α-, γ- and δ-tocopherols on the structure and phase behavior of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayers has been determined from X-ray diffraction studies on oriented multilayers. In all the three cases the main-transition temperature (T(m)) of DPPC was found to decrease with increasing tocopherol concentration up to around 25 mol%. Beyond this the main transition is suppressed in the case of γ-tocopherol, whereas T(m) becomes insensitive to composition in the other two cases. The pre-transition is found to be suppressed over a narrow tocopherol concentration range between 7.5 and 10 mol% in DPPC-γ-tocopherol and DPPC-δ-tocopherol bilayers, and the ripple phase occurs down to the lowest temperature studied. In all the three cases a modulated phase is observed above a tocopherol concentration of about 10 mol%, which is similar to the P(β) phase reported in DPPC-cholesterol bilayers. This phase is found to occur even in excess water conditions at lower tocopherol concentrations, and consists of bilayers with periodic height modulation. These results indicate the ability of tocopherols to induce local curvature in membranes, which could be important for some of their biological functions. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Twisted Bilayer Graphene. Interlayer configuration and magnetotransport signatures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rode, Johannes C.; Smirnov, Dmitri; Belke, Christopher; Schmidt, Hennrik; Haug, Rolf J. [Institut fuer Festkoerperphysik, Hannover (Germany)

2017-11-15

Twisted Bilayer Graphene may be viewed as very first representative of the now booming class of artificially layered 2D materials. Consisting of two sheets from the same structure and atomic composition, its decisive degree of freedom lies in the rotation between crystallographic axes in the individual graphene monolayers. Geometrical consideration finds angle-dependent Moire patterns as well as commensurate superlattices of opposite sublattice exchange symmetry. Beyond the approach of rigidly interposed lattices, this review takes focus on the evolving topic of lattice corrugation and distortion in response to spatially varying lattice registry. The experimental approach to twisted bilayers requires a basic control over preparation techniques; important methods are summarized and extended on in the case of bilayers folded from monolayer graphene via AFM nanomachining. Central morphological parameters to the twisted bilayer, rotational mismatch and interlayer separation are studied in a broader base of samples. Finally, experimental evidence for a number of theoretically predicted, controversial electronic scenarios are reviewed; magnetotransport signatures are discussed in terms of Fermi velocity, van Hove singularities and Berry phase and assessed with respect to the underlying experimental conditions, thereby referring back to the initially considered variations in relaxed lattice structure. (copyright 2017 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Examining the origins of the hydration force between lipid bilayers using all-atom simulations.

Science.gov (United States)

Gentilcore, Anastasia N; Michaud-Agrawal, Naveen; Crozier, Paul S; Stevens, Mark J; Woolf, Thomas B

2010-05-01

Using 237 all-atom double bilayer simulations, we examined the thermodynamic and structural changes that occur as a phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayer stack is dehydrated. The simulated system represents a micropatch of lipid multilayer systems that are studied experimentally using surface force apparatus, atomic force microscopy and osmotic pressure studies. In these experiments, the hydration level of the system is varied, changing the separation between the bilayers, in order to understand the forces that the bilayers feel as they are brought together. These studies have found a curious, strongly repulsive force when the bilayers are very close to each other, which has been termed the "hydration force," though the origins of this force are not clearly understood. We computationally reproduce this repulsive, relatively free energy change as bilayers come together and make qualitative conclusions as to the enthalpic and entropic origins of the free energy change. This analysis is supported by data showing structural changes in the waters, lipids and salts that have also been seen in experimental work. Increases in solvent ordering as the bilayers are dehydrated are found to be essential in causing the repulsion as the bilayers come together.

Utilizing Interlayer Excitons in Bilayer WS2 for Increased Photovoltaic Response in Ultrathin Graphene Vertical Cross-Bar Photodetecting Tunneling Transistors.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhou, Yingqiu; Tan, Haijie; Sheng, Yuewen; Fan, Ye; Xu, Wenshuo; Warner, Jamie H

2018-04-19

Here we study the layer-dependent photoconductivity in Gr/WS 2 /Gr vertical stacked tunneling (VST) cross-bar devices made using two-dimensional (2D) materials all grown by chemical vapor deposition. The larger number of devices (>100) enables a statistically robust analysis on the comparative differences in the photovoltaic response of monolayer and bilayer WS 2 , which cannot be achieved in small batch devices made using mechanically exfoliated materials. We show a dramatic increase in photovoltaic response for Gr/WS 2 (2L)/Gr compared to monolayers because of the long inter- and intralayer exciton lifetimes and the small exciton binding energy (both interlayer and intralayer excitons) of bilayer WS 2 compared with that of monolayer WS 2 . Different doping levels and dielectric environments of top and bottom graphene electrodes result in a potential difference across a ∼1 nm vertical device, which gives rise to large electric fields perpendicular to the WS 2 layers that cause band structure modification. Our results show how precise control over layer number in all 2D VST devices dictates the photophysics and performance for photosensing applications.

A low-level needle counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fujita, Y.; Taguchi, Y.; Imamura, M.; Inoue, T.; Tanaka, S.

1977-01-01

A small end-window type gas-flow counter which has a sharpened needle (anode) against the end-window plane (cathode) was developed for low-level counting of β particles to the amount of less than one count per hour in solid sources of relatively high specific activity. The advantage of the needle counter for low-level work is that being of a conical shape the active volume as against the window area is small. The background count rate of 0.0092+-0.0005 cpm was obtained for a 10 mm dia needle counter operating in GM mode and in anticoincidence with a well-type NaI(Tl) guard crystal with massive shields. The counter design and the counter characteristics are presented in detail. The needle counter is simple in design, low-cost and stable in long time operation. (author)

Wavepacket revivals in monolayer and bilayer graphene rings.

Science.gov (United States)

García, Trinidad; Rodríguez-Bolívar, Salvador; Cordero, Nicolás A; Romera, Elvira

2013-06-12

We have studied the existence of quantum revivals in graphene quantum rings within a simplified model. The time evolution of a Gaussian-populated wavepacket shows revivals in monolayer and bilayer graphene rings. We have also studied this behavior for quantum rings in a perpendicular magnetic field. We have found that revival time is an observable that shows different values for monolayer and bilayer graphene quantum rings. In addition, the revival time shows valley degeneracy breaking.

Magnetically Assisted Bilayer Composites for Soft Bending Actuators

OpenAIRE

Jang, Sung-Hwan; Na, Seon-Hong; Park, Yong-Lae

2017-01-01

This article presents a soft pneumatic bending actuator using a magnetically assisted bilayer composite composed of silicone polymer and ferromagnetic particles. Bilayer composites were fabricated by mixing ferromagnetic particles to a prepolymer state of silicone in a mold and asymmetrically distributed them by applying a strong non-uniform magnetic field to one side of the mold during the curing process. The biased magnetic field induces sedimentation of the ferromagnetic particles toward o...

Gas Separation through Bilayer Silica, the Thinnest Possible Silica Membrane.

Science.gov (United States)

Yao, Bowen; Mandrà, Salvatore; Curry, John O; Shaikhutdinov, Shamil; Freund, Hans-Joachim; Schrier, Joshua

2017-12-13

Membrane-based gas separation processes can address key challenges in energy and environment, but for many applications the permeance and selectivity of bulk membranes is insufficient for economical use. Theory and experiment indicate that permeance and selectivity can be increased by using two-dimensional materials with subnanometer pores as membranes. Motivated by experiments showing selective permeation of H 2 /CO mixtures through amorphous silica bilayers, here we perform a theoretical study of gas separation through silica bilayers. Using density functional theory calculations, we obtain geometries of crystalline free-standing silica bilayers (comprised of six-membered rings), as well as the seven-, eight-, and nine-membered rings that are observed in glassy silica bilayers, which arise due to Stone-Wales defects and vacancies. We then compute the potential energy barriers for gas passage through these various pore types for He, Ne, Ar, Kr, H 2 , N 2 , CO, and CO 2 gases, and use the data to assess their capability for selective gas separation. Our calculations indicate that crystalline bilayer silica, which is less than a nanometer thick, can be a high-selectivity and high-permeance membrane material for 3 He/ 4 He, He/natural gas, and H 2 /CO separations.

Calculations of the electrostatic potential adjacent to model phospholipid bilayers.

Science.gov (United States)

Peitzsch, R M; Eisenberg, M; Sharp, K A; McLaughlin, S

1995-03-01

We used the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equation to calculate electrostatic potentials in the aqueous phase adjacent to model phospholipid bilayers containing mixtures of zwitterionic lipids (phosphatidylcholine) and acidic lipids (phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylglycerol). The aqueous phase (relative permittivity, epsilon r = 80) contains 0.1 M monovalent salt. When the bilayers contain equipotential surfaces are discrete domes centered over the negatively charged lipids and are approximately twice the value calculated using Debye-Hückel theory. When the bilayers contain > 25% acidic lipid, the -25 mV equipotential profiles are essentially flat and agree well with the values calculated using Gouy-Chapman theory. When the bilayers contain 100% acidic lipid, all of the equipotential surfaces are flat and agree with Gouy-Chapman predictions (including the -100 mV surface, which is located only 1 A from the outermost atoms). Even our model bilayers are not simple systems: the charge on each lipid is distributed over several atoms, these partial charges are non-coplanar, there is a 2 A ion-exclusion region (epsilon r = 80) adjacent to the polar headgroups, and the molecular surface is rough. We investigated the effect of these four factors using smooth (or bumpy) epsilon r = 2 slabs with embedded point charges: these factors had only minor effects on the potential in the aqueous phase.

Landau levels in biased graphene structures with monolayer-bilayer interfaces

Science.gov (United States)

Mirzakhani, M.; Zarenia, M.; Vasilopoulos, P.; Ketabi, S. A.; Peeters, F. M.

2017-09-01

The electron energy spectrum in monolayer-bilayer-monolayer and in bilayer-monolayer-bilayer graphene structures is investigated and the effects of a perpendicular magnetic field and electric bias are studied. Different types of monolayer-bilayer interfaces are considered as zigzag (ZZ) or armchair (AC) junctions which modify considerably the bulk Landau levels (LLs) when the spectra are plotted as a function of the center coordinate of the cyclotron orbit. Far away from the two interfaces, one obtains the well-known LLs for extended monolayer or bilayer graphene. The LL structure changes significantly at the two interfaces or junctions where the valley degeneracy is lifted for both types of junctions, especially when the distance between them is approximately equal to the magnetic length. Varying the nonuniform bias and the width of this junction-to-junction region in either structure strongly influence the resulting spectra. Significant differences exist between ZZ and AC junctions in both structures. The densities of states (DOSs) for unbiased structures are symmetric in energy whereas those for biased structures are asymmetric. An external bias creates interface LLs in the gaps between the LLs of the unbiased system in which the DOS can be quite small. Such a pattern of LLs can be probed by scanning tunneling microscopy.

Electric and magnetic properties of a CoFe2O4/PZT bilayer grown on (100)SrTiO3 by using PLD

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, X. D.; Dho, J. H.

2010-01-01

We have investigated the electric and the magnetic properties of a ferrimagnetic and ferroelectric bilayer CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO)/PbZr 0.2 Ti 0.8 O 3 (PZT) grown on a (100)SrTiO 3 (STO) substrate by using pulsed laser deposition. PZT (100 nm) and CFO (70 nm) layers were sequentially deposited on the (100)STO substrate with a bottom electrode LaNiO 3 (50 nm) layer at 600 - 650 .deg. C. X-ray diffraction for the PZT layer exhibited both (200) and (002) peaks, which are due to the c- and the a-domains, and a decrease of tetragonality after CFO deposition. The electric properties of the CFO/PZT bilayer were characterized by using P-V loop, C-f, and C-V measurements. The remnant polarization and coercivity were slightly decreased after the top-layer CFO deposition while fatigue behavior was distinctively improved. The M-H loop measurement confirmed that the CFO layer possessed a typical ferrimagnetic property at room temperature.

Role of a non-ionic surfactant in direct electron transfer-type bioelectrocatalysis by fructose dehydrogenase

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kawai, Shota; Yakushi, Toshiharu; Matsushita, Kazunobu; Kitazumi, Yuki; Shirai, Osamu; Kano, Kenji

2015-01-01

Highlights: • Addition of Triton ® X-100 (1%) completely quenches the FDH-catalyzed current at hydrophobic electrode, but causes only small competitive effect at hydrophilic electrode. • Quartz crystal microbalance measurements support the adsorption of FDH and Triton ® X-100 on both of the electrodes. • The surfactant forms a monolayer on the hydrophobic electrode and FDH adsorbs on the surfactant monolayer. • The surfactant forms a bilayer on the hydrophilic electrode and FDH is embedded in the bilayer to communicate with the electrode. - ABSTRACT: A heterotrimeric membrane-bound fructose dehydrogenase (FDH) from Gluconobacter japonicus NBRC3260 contains FAD in subunit I and three heme C moieties in subunit II as the redox centers, and is one of the direct electron transfer (DET)-type redox enzymes. FDH-catalyzed current density of fructose oxidation at hydrophilic mercaptoethanol (MEtOH)-modified Au electrode is much larger than that at hydrophobic mercaptoethane (MEtn)-modified Au electrode. Addition of a non-ionic surfactant Triton ® X-100 (1%) completely quenches the catalytic current at the MEtn-modified Au electrode, while only small competitive effect is observed at the MEtOH-modified Au electrode. Quartz crystal microbalance measurements support the adsorption of FDH and Triton ® X-100 on both of the modified electrodes. We propose a model to explain the phenomenon as follows. The surfactant forms a monolayer on the hydrophobic MEtn-modified electrode with strong hydrophobic interaction, and FDH adsorbs on the surface of the surfactant monolayer. The monolayer inhibits the electron transfer from FDH to the electrode. On the other hand, the surfactant forms a bilayer on the hydrophilic MEtOH-modified electrode. The interaction between the surfactant bilayer and the hydrophilic electrode is relatively weak so that FDH replaces the surfactant and is embedded in the bilayer to communicate electrochemically with the hydrophilic electrode

Electrochemical lithiation of silicon electrodes. Neutron reflectometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry investigations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jerliu, Bujar; Doerrer, Lars; Hueger, Erwin [Technische Univ. Clausthal, Clausthal-Zellerfeld (Germany). AG Mikrokinetik; Seidlhofer, Beatrix-Kamelia; Steitz, Roland [Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin (Germany); Borchardt, Guenter; Schmidt, Harald [Technische Univ. Clausthal, Clausthal-Zellerfeld (Germany). AG Mikrokinetik; Clausthaler Zentrum fuer Materialtechnik (CZM), Clausthal-Zellerfeld (Germany)

2017-11-15

In-situ neutron reflectometry and ex-situ secondary ion mass spectrometry in combination with electrochemical methods were used to study the lithiation of amorphous silicon electrodes. For that purpose specially designed closed three-electrode electrochemical cells with thin silicon films as the working electrode and lithium as counter and reference electrodes were used. The neutron reflectometry results obtained in-situ during galvanostatic cycling show that the incorporation, redistribution and removal of Li in amorphous silicon during a lithiation cycle can be monitored. It was possible to measure the volume modification during lithiation, which is found to be rather independent of cycle number, current density and film thickness and in good agreement with first-principles calculations as given in literature. Indications for an inhomogeneous lithiation mechanism were found by secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements. Lithium tracer diffusion experiments indicate that the diffusivities inside the lithiated region (D > 10{sup -15} m{sup 2} s{sup -1}) are considerably higher than in pure amorphous silicon as known from literature. This suggests a kinetics based explanation for the occurrence of an inhomogeneous lithiation mechanism.

Proportional counter system for radiation measurement

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sugimoto, M; Okudera, S

1970-11-21

A gas such as Xe or Kr employed in counter tubes is charged into the counter tube of a gas-flow type proportional counter for radiation measurement and into a vessel having a volume larger than that of the counter tube. The vessel communicates with the counter tube to circulate the gas via a pump through both the vessel and tube during measurement. An organic film such as a polyester synthetic resin film is used for the window of the counter tube to measure X-rays in the long wavelength range. Accordingly, a wide range of X-rays can be measured including both long and short wavelengths ranges by utilizing only one counter tube, thus permitting the gases employed to be effectively used.

Numerical modeling of working of a multicellular proportional counter aimed to individual dosimetry of neutrons

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bordy, J.M.; Barthe, J.; Boutruche, B.

1993-01-01

The use of a personal dosimeter imposes severe constraints, particularly for tension of polarization and tolerable dimensions. That why a numerical modeling of this detector working is an appreciable help for conception. It allows to determine quickly the influence of modification of different parameters (nature and pressure of gas, dimension of electrodes, dimension of channels, tension of polarization,...) without having to make new prototypes. The aim of this report is to give some numerical results got with a multicellular counter with a cylindrical geometry. 6 figs

Phase separation in lipid bilayers triggered by low pH

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suresh, Swetha; Edwardson, J. Michael

2010-01-01

Research highlights: → Lipid bilayers have been imaged by atomic force microscopy (AFM). → At pH 5 phase separation occurs in lipid bilayers containing mixed acyl chains. → Phase separation does not occur when lipids have only unsaturated chains. → Phase separation might drive protein clustering during endocytosis. -- Abstract: Endocytosis involves the capture of membrane from the cell surface in the form of vesicles, which become rapidly acidified to about pH 5. Here we show using atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging that this degree of acidification triggers phase separation in lipid bilayers containing mixed acyl chains (e.g. palmitoyl/oleoyl) or complex mixtures (e.g. total brain extract) but not in bilayers containing only lipids with unsaturated chains (e.g. dioleoyl). Since mixed-chain lipids are major constituents of the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, the type of phase separation reported here might support protein clustering and signaling during endocytosis.

Tunneling Spectroscopy of Quantum Hall States in Bilayer Graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Ke; Harzheim, Achim; Watanabe, Kenji; Taniguchi, Takashi; Kim, Philip

In the quantum Hall (QH) regime, ballistic conducting paths along the physical edges of a sample appear, leading to quantized Hall conductance and vanishing longitudinal magnetoconductance. These QH edge states are often described as ballistic compressible strips separated by insulating incompressible strips, the spatial profiles of which can be crucial in understanding the stability and emergence of interaction driven QH states. In this work, we present tunneling transport between two QH edge states in bilayer graphene. Employing locally gated device structure, we guide and control the separation between the QH edge states in bilayer graphene. Using resonant Landau level tunneling as a spectroscopy tool, we measure the energy gap in bilayer graphene as a function of displacement field and probe the emergence and evolution of incompressible strips.

Flexural phonon limited phonon drag thermopower in bilayer graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Ansari, Mohd Meenhaz; Ashraf, SSZ

2018-05-01

We investigate the phonon drag thermopower from flexural phonons as a function of electron temperature and carrier concentration in the Bloch-Gruneisen regime in non-strained bilayer graphene using Boltzmann transport equation approach. The flexural phonons are expected to be the major source of intrinsic scattering mechanism in unstrained bilayer graphene due to their large density. The flexural phonon modes dispersion relation is quadratic so these low energy flexural phonons abound at room temperature and as a result deform the bilayer graphene sheet in the out of plane direction and affects the transport properties. We also produce analytical result for phonon-drag thermopower from flexural phonons and find that phonon-drag thermopower depicts T2 dependence on temperature and n-1 on carrier concentration.

Counter-discourse in Zimbabwean literature

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Mangena, Tendai

2015-01-01

Counter-Discourse in Zimbabwean Literature is a study of specific aspects of counter-discursive Zimbabwean narratives in English. In discussing the selected texts, my thesis is based on Terdiman’s (1989) the postcolonial concept of counter-discourse. In Zimbabwean literature challenges to a dominant

Dynamics, Surface Electrostatics and Phase Properties of Nanoscale Curved Lipid Bilayers

Science.gov (United States)

Koolivand, Amir

Surface electrostatic potential of a lipid bilayer governs many vital functions of living cells. Several classes of proteins are known of exhibiting strong binding preferences to curved lipid bilayer surfaces. In this project we employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of a recently introduced phospholipid (IMTSL-PTE) bearing a pH-sensitive nitroxide covalently attached to the lipid head group to measure the surface electrostatics of the lipid membrane and nanopore-confined lipid bilayers as a function of the bilayer curvature. The pKa of the ionizable group of this lipid-based spin probe is reporting on the bilayer surface electrostatics potential by changes in the EPR spectra. Specifically, both rotational dynamics and magnetic parameters of the nitroxide are affected by the probe protonation. Effect of curvature on the surface electrostatic potential and dynamics of lipid bilayer was studied for POPG and DMPG unilamellar vesicles (ULVs). It was found that the magnitude of the negative surface electrostatic potential increased upon decrease in the vesicle diameter for the bilayers in the fluid phase; however, no significant changes were observed for DMPG ULVs in a gel phase. We speculate that biologically relevant fluid bilayer phase allows for a larger variability in the lipid packing density in the lipid polar head group region than a more ordered gel phase and it is likely that the lipid flip-flop is responsible for pH equilibration of IMTSL-PTE. The kinetic EPR study of nitroxide reduction showed that the rate of flip-flop is in the order of 10-5 s-1. The flip-flop rate constant increases when vesicle size deceases. Oxygen permeability measured by X-ban EPR decreases in higher curved vesicles---an observation that is consistent with a tighter packing in smaller vesicles. Partitioning of a small nitroxide molecule TEMPO into ULVs was measured by X-band (9 GHz) and W-band (95 GHz) EPR spectroscopy. The partitioning coefficient of this probe in the lipid

Wavepacket revivals in monolayer and bilayer graphene rings

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

García, Trinidad; Rodríguez-Bolívar, Salvador; Cordero, Nicolás A; Romera, Elvira

2013-01-01

We have studied the existence of quantum revivals in graphene quantum rings within a simplified model. The time evolution of a Gaussian-populated wavepacket shows revivals in monolayer and bilayer graphene rings. We have also studied this behavior for quantum rings in a perpendicular magnetic field. We have found that revival time is an observable that shows different values for monolayer and bilayer graphene quantum rings. In addition, the revival time shows valley degeneracy breaking. (paper)

Model for the structure of the lipid bilayer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pastor, R.W.; Venable, R.M.; Karplus, M.

1991-01-01

A detailed model for the structure and dynamics of the interior of the lipid bilayer in the liquid crystal phase is presented. The model includes two classes of motion: (i) the internal dynamics of the chains, determined from Brownian dynamics simulations with a continuous version of the Marcelja mean-field potential, and (ii) noncollective reorientation (axial rotation and wobble) of the entire molecule, introduced by a cone model. The basic unit of the model is a single lipid chain with field parameters adjusted to fit the 2H order parameters and the frequency-dependent 13C NMR T1 relaxation times of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine bilayers. The chain configurations obtained from the trajectory are used to construct a representation of the bilayer. The resulting lipid assembly is consistent with NMR, neutron diffraction, surface area, and density data. It indicates that a high degree of chain disorder and entanglement exists in biological membranes

Extension of the Mott-Gurney Law for a Bilayer Gap

Science.gov (United States)

Dubinov, A. E.; Kitayev, I. N.

2018-04-01

Steady drift states of an electron flow in a planar gap filled with a bilayer dielectric have been considered. Exact mathematical formulas have been derived that describe the distributions of the electrostatic potential and space charge limited electron flow current (extended Mott-Gurney law for a bilayer diode).

Intrinsic magnetism and spontaneous band gap opening in bilayer silicene and germanene.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Xinquan; Wu, Zhigang

2017-01-18

It has been long sought to create magnetism out of simple non-magnetic materials, such as silicon and germanium. Here we show that intrinsic magnetism exists in bilayer silicene and germanene with no need to cut, etch, or dope. Unlike bilayer graphene, strong covalent interlayer bonding formed in bilayer silicene and germanene breaks the original π-bonding network of each layer, leaving the unbonded electrons unpaired and localized to carry magnetic moments. These magnetic moments then couple ferromagnetically within each layer while antiferromagnetically across two layers, giving rise to an infinite magnetic sheet with structural integrity and magnetic homogeneity. Furthermore, this unique magnetic ordering results in fundamental band gaps of 0.55 eV and 0.32 eV for bilayer silicene and germanene, respectively. The integration of intrinsic magnetism and spontaneous band gap opening makes bilayer silicene and germanene attractive for future nanoelectronics as well as spin-based computation and data storage.

A novel hierarchical ZnO disordered/ordered bilayer nanostructured film for dye sensitized solar cells

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Feng, Yamin, E-mail: yaminfengccnuphy@outlook.com; Wu, Fei; Jiang, Jian; Zhu, Jianhui; Fodjouong, Ghislain Joel; Meng, Gaoxiang; Xing, Yanmin; Wang, Wenwu; Huang, Xintang, E-mail: xthuang@phy.ccnu.edu.cn

2013-12-25

Graphical abstract: A novel hierarchical disordered/ordered bilayer ZnO nanostructured film in the length of 18 μm have been successfully synthesized on the FTO substrate; the hierarchical ZnO nanostructured film electrodes applied in DSSCs exhibit photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as 5.16%. Highlights: •A novel hierarchical ZnO structure film was fabricated on a FTO substrate. •Hierarchical ZnO film is applied as the electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells. •The film possess high specific surface area and fast electron transport effect. •The light-scattering effect of the hierarchical film is pronounced. •The energy conversion efficiency of hierarchical ZnO electrode reaches to 5.16%. -- Abstract: A novel hierarchical ZnO nanostructured film is synthesized via a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method followed by a treatment of thermal decomposition onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate. This hierarchical film is composed of disordered ZnO nanorods (NRs) (top layer) and ordered ZnO nanowires (NWs) (bottom layer). The products possess the following features such as high specific surface area, fast electron transport, and pronounced light-scattering effect, which are quite suitable for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) applications. A light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 5.16% is achieved when the hierarchical ZnO nanostructured film is used as the photoanode under 100 mW cm{sup −2} illumination. This efficiency is found to be much higher than that of the DSSCs with pure ordered ZnO NWs (1.45%) and disordered ZnO NRs (3.31%) photoanodes.

A novel hierarchical ZnO disordered/ordered bilayer nanostructured film for dye sensitized solar cells

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Feng, Yamin; Wu, Fei; Jiang, Jian; Zhu, Jianhui; Fodjouong, Ghislain Joel; Meng, Gaoxiang; Xing, Yanmin; Wang, Wenwu; Huang, Xintang

2013-01-01

Graphical abstract: A novel hierarchical disordered/ordered bilayer ZnO nanostructured film in the length of 18 μm have been successfully synthesized on the FTO substrate; the hierarchical ZnO nanostructured film electrodes applied in DSSCs exhibit photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as 5.16%. Highlights: •A novel hierarchical ZnO structure film was fabricated on a FTO substrate. •Hierarchical ZnO film is applied as the electrodes for dye sensitized solar cells. •The film possess high specific surface area and fast electron transport effect. •The light-scattering effect of the hierarchical film is pronounced. •The energy conversion efficiency of hierarchical ZnO electrode reaches to 5.16%. -- Abstract: A novel hierarchical ZnO nanostructured film is synthesized via a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method followed by a treatment of thermal decomposition onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate. This hierarchical film is composed of disordered ZnO nanorods (NRs) (top layer) and ordered ZnO nanowires (NWs) (bottom layer). The products possess the following features such as high specific surface area, fast electron transport, and pronounced light-scattering effect, which are quite suitable for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) applications. A light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 5.16% is achieved when the hierarchical ZnO nanostructured film is used as the photoanode under 100 mW cm −2 illumination. This efficiency is found to be much higher than that of the DSSCs with pure ordered ZnO NWs (1.45%) and disordered ZnO NRs (3.31%) photoanodes

Regulation of membrane protein function by lipid bilayer elasticity—a single molecule technology to measure the bilayer properties experienced by an embedded protein

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lundbæk, Jens August

2008-01-01

, regulate a number of structurally unrelated proteins in an apparently non-specific manner. It is well known that changes in the physical properties of a lipid bilayer (e.g., thickness or monolayer spontaneous curvature) can affect the function of an embedded protein. However, the role of such changes......-dependent sodium channels, N-type calcium channels and GABAA receptors, it has been shown that membrane protein function in living cells can be regulated by amphiphile induced changes in bilayer elasticity. Using the gramicidin channel as a molecular force transducer, a nanotechnology to measure the elastic...... properties experienced by an embedded protein has been developed. A theoretical and technological framework, to study the regulation of membrane protein function by lipid bilayer elasticity, has been established....

High Yield Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth of High Quality Large-Area AB Stacked Bilayer Graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Lixin; Zhou, Hailong; Cheng, Rui; Yu, Woo Jong; Liu, Yuan; Chen, Yu; Shaw, Jonathan; Zhong, Xing; Huang, Yu; Duan, Xiangfeng

2012-01-01

Bernal stacked (AB stacked) bilayer graphene is of significant interest for functional electronic and photonic devices due to the feasibility to continuously tune its band gap with a vertical electrical field. Mechanical exfoliation can be used to produce AB stacked bilayer graphene flakes but typically with the sizes limited to a few micrometers. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been recently explored for the synthesis of bilayer graphene but usually with limited coverage and a mixture of AB and randomly stacked structures. Herein we report a rational approach to produce large-area high quality AB stacked bilayer graphene. We show that the self-limiting effect of graphene growth on Cu foil can be broken by using a high H2/CH4 ratio in a low pressure CVD process to enable the continued growth of bilayer graphene. A high temperature and low pressure nucleation step is found to be critical for the formation of bilayer graphene nuclei with high AB stacking ratio. A rational design of a two-step CVD process is developed for the growth of bilayer graphene with high AB stacking ratio (up to 90 %) and high coverage (up to 99 %). The electrical transport studies demonstrated that devices made of the as-grown bilayer graphene exhibit typical characteristics of AB stacked bilayer graphene with the highest carrier mobility exceeding 4,000 cm2/V·s at room temperature, comparable to that of the exfoliated bilayer graphene. PMID:22906199

Electronic transport of bilayer graphene with asymmetry line defects

Science.gov (United States)

Zhao, Xiao-Ming; Wu, Ya-Jie; Chen, Chan; Liang, Ying; Kou, Su-Peng

2016-11-01

In this paper, we study the quantum properties of a bilayer graphene with (asymmetry) line defects. The localized states are found around the line defects. Thus, the line defects on one certain layer of the bilayer graphene can lead to an electric transport channel. By adding a bias potential along the direction of the line defects, we calculate the electric conductivity of bilayer graphene with line defects using the Landauer-Büttiker theory, and show that the channel affects the electric conductivity remarkably by comparing the results with those in a perfect bilayer graphene. This one-dimensional line electric channel has the potential to be applied in nanotechnology engineering. Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant Nos. 2011CB921803 and 2012CB921704), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11174035, 11474025, 11504285, and 11404090), the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education, China, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China, the Scientific Research Program Fund of the Shaanxi Provincial Education Department, China (Grant No. 15JK1363), and the Young Talent Fund of University Association for Science and Technology in Shaanxi Province, China.

Integration of Microchip Electrophoresis with Electrochemical Detection Using an Epoxy-Based Molding Method to Embed Multiple Electrode Materials

Science.gov (United States)

Johnson, Alicia S.; Selimovic, Asmira; Martin, R. Scott

2012-01-01

This paper describes the use of epoxy-encapsulated electrodes to integrate microchip-based electrophoresis with electrochemical detection. Devices with various electrode combinations can easily be developed. This includes a palladium decoupler with a downstream working electrode material of either gold, mercury/gold, platinum, glassy carbon, or a carbon fiber bundle. Additional device components such as the platinum wires for the electrophoresis separation and the counter electrode for detection can also be integrated into the epoxy base. The effect of the decoupler configuration was studied in terms of the separation performance, detector noise, and the ability to analyze samples of a high ionic strength. The ability of both glassy carbon and carbon fiber bundle electrodes to analyze a complex mixture was demonstrated. It was also shown that a PDMS-based valving microchip can be used along with the epoxy embedded electrodes to integrate microdialysis sampling with microchip electrophoresis and electrochemical detection, with the microdialysis tubing also being embedded in the epoxy substrate. This approach enables one to vary the detection electrode material as desired in a manner where the electrodes can be polished and modified in a similar fashion to electrochemical flow cells used in liquid chromatography. PMID:22038707

Anomalous Hall effect in Fe/Gd bilayers

KAUST Repository

Xu, W. J.; Zhang, Bei; Liu, Z. X.; Wang, Z.; Li, W.; Wu, Z. B.; Yu, R. H.; Zhang, Xixiang

2010-01-01

Non-monotonic dependence of anomalous Hall resistivity on temperature and magnetization, including a sign change, was observed in Fe/Gd bilayers. To understand the intriguing observations, we fabricated the Fe/Gd bilayers and single layers of Fe and Gd simultaneously. The temperature and field dependences of longitudinal resistivity, Hall resistivity and magnetization in these films have also been carefully measured. The analysis of these data reveals that these intriguing features are due to the opposite signs of Hall resistivity/or spin polarization and different Curie temperatures of Fe and Gd single-layer films. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2010

Anomalous Hall effect in Fe/Gd bilayers

KAUST Repository

Xu, W. J.

2010-04-01

Non-monotonic dependence of anomalous Hall resistivity on temperature and magnetization, including a sign change, was observed in Fe/Gd bilayers. To understand the intriguing observations, we fabricated the Fe/Gd bilayers and single layers of Fe and Gd simultaneously. The temperature and field dependences of longitudinal resistivity, Hall resistivity and magnetization in these films have also been carefully measured. The analysis of these data reveals that these intriguing features are due to the opposite signs of Hall resistivity/or spin polarization and different Curie temperatures of Fe and Gd single-layer films. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2010

Unconventional fractional quantum Hall effect in monolayer and bilayer graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Jacak, Janusz; Jacak, Lucjan

2016-01-01

The commensurability condition is applied to determine the hierarchy of fractional fillings of Landau levels in monolayer and in bilayer graphene. The filling rates for fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) in graphene are found in the first three Landau levels in one-to-one agreement with the experimental data. The presence of even denominator filling fractions in the hierarchy for FQHE in bilayer graphene is explained. Experimentally observed hierarchy of FQHE in the first and second Landau levels in monolayer graphene and in the zeroth Landau level in bilayer graphene is beyond the conventional composite fermion interpretation but fits to the presented nonlocal topology commensurability condition. PMID:27877866

The electronic transport properties of defected bilayer sliding armchair graphene nanoribbons

Science.gov (United States)

Mohammadi, Amin; Haji-Nasiri, Saeed

2018-04-01

By applying non-equilibrium Green's functions (NEGF) in combination with tight-binding (TB) model, we investigate and compare the electronic transport properties of perfect and defected bilayer armchair graphene nanoribbons (BAGNRs) under finite bias. Two typical defects which are placed in the middle of top layer (i.e. single vacancy (SV) and stone wale (SW) defects) are examined. The results reveal that in both perfect and defected bilayers, the maximum current refers to β-AB, AA and α-AB stacking orders, respectively, since the intermolecular interactions are stronger in them. Moreover it is observed that a SV decreases the current in all stacking orders, but the effects of a SW defect is nearly unpredictable. Besides, we introduced a sequential switching behavior and the effects of defects on the switching performance is studied as well. We found that a SW defect can significantly improve the switching behavior of a bilayer system. Transmission spectrum, band structure, molecular energy spectrum and molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian (MPSH) are analyzed subsequently to understand the electronic transport properties of these bilayer devices which can be used in developing nano-scale bilayer systems.

What is Counter-Enlightenment?

OpenAIRE

Darrin M. McMahon

2017-01-01

This article counters recent suggestions that there was no such thing as a “Counter-Enlightenment” or “Counter-Enlightenments,” and that such terms ought thus to be abandoned.   While acknowledging inevitable difficulties with the terms, the article argues that there can be no doubting the reality.   European countries faced a variety of vehement and self-conscious movements that defined themselves precisely through their opposition to what they took to be the corrosive effects of the Enlight...

Preparation of Carbon Nanotube/TiO2 Mesoporous Hybrid Photoanode with Iron Pyrite (FeS2) Thin Films Counter Electrodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

Science.gov (United States)

Kilic, Bayram; Turkdogan, Sunay; Astam, Aykut; Ozer, Oguz Can; Asgin, Mansur; Cebeci, Hulya; Urk, Deniz; Mucur, Selin Pravadili

2016-05-01

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/TiO2 mesoporous networks can be employed as a new alternative photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By using the MWCNT/TiO2 mesoporous as photoanodes in DSSC, we demonstrate that the MWCNT/TiO2 mesoporous photoanode is promising alternative to standard FTO/TiO2 mesoporous based DSSC due to larger specific surface area and high electrochemical activity. We also show that iron pyrite (FeS2) thin films can be used as an efficient counter electrode (CE), an alternative to the conventional high cost Pt based CE. We are able to synthesis FeS2 nanostructures utilizing a very cheap and easy hydrothermal growth route. MWCNT/TiO2 mesoporous based DSSCs with FeS2 CE achieved a high solar conversion efficiency of 7.27% under 100 mW cm-2 (AM 1.5G 1-Sun) simulated solar irradiance which is considerably (slightly) higher than that of A-CNT/TiO2 mesoporous based DSSCs with Pt CE. Outstanding performance of the FeS2 CE makes it a very promising choice among the various CE materials used in the conventional DSSC and it is expected to be used more often to achieve higher photon-to-electron conversion efficiencies.

Cationic Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and Dioleoyloxytrimethylammonium Propane Lipid Bilayers: Atomistic Insight for Structure and Dynamics

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Zhao, W.; Gurtovenko, A. A.; Vattulainen, I.

2012-01-01

We performed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of lipid bilayers consisting of a mixture of cationic dioleoyloxytrimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) and zwitterionic dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) lipids at different DOTAP fractions. Our primary focus was the specific effects...... of unsaturated lipid chains on structural and dynamic properties of mixed cationic bilayers. The bilayer area, as well as the ordering of lipid tails, shows a pronounced nonmonotonic behavior when TAP lipid fraction increases. The minimum in area (maximum in ordering) was observed for a bilayer with TAP fraction...... lipids, which were found to form PC-PC and PC-TAP pairs, and the formation of lipid clusters....

A portable neutron coincidence counter

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Peurrung, A.J.; Bowyer, S.M.; Craig, R.A.; Dudder, G.B.; Knopf, M.A.; Panisko, M.E.; Reeder, P.L.; Stromswold, D.C.; Sunberg, D.S.

1996-11-01

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has designed and constructed a prototype portable neutron coincidence counter intended for use in a variety of applications, such as the verification and inspection of weapons components, safety measurements for novel and challenging situations, portable portal deployment to prevent the transportation of fissile materials, uranium enrichment measurements in hard-to-reach locations, waste assays for objects that cannot be measured by existing measurement systems, and decontamination and decommissioning. The counting system weighs less than 40 kg and is composed of parts each weighing no more than 5 kg. In addition, the counter`s design is sufficiently flexible to allow rapid, reliable assembly around containers of nearly arbitrary size and shape. The counter is able to discern the presence of 1 kg of weapons-grade plutonium within an ALR-8 (30-gal drum) in roughly 100 seconds and 10 g in roughly 1000 seconds. The counter`s electronics are also designed for maximum adaptability, allowing operation under a wide variety of circumstances, including exposure to gamma-ray fields of 1 R/h. This report provides a detailed review of the design and construction process. Finally, preliminary experimental measurements that confirm the performance capabilities of this counter are discussed. 6 refs., 18 figs., 3 tabs.

Electronic transport in bilayer graphene

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koshino, Mikito

2009-01-01

We present theoretical studies on the transport properties and localization effects of bilayer graphene. We calculate the conductivity by using the effective mass model with the self-consistent Born approximation, in the presence and absence of an energy gap opened by the interlayer asymmetry. We find that, in the absence of the gap, the minimum conductivity approaches the universal value by increasing the disorder potential, and the value is robust in the strong disorder regime where mixing with high-energy states is considerable. The gap-opening suppresses the conductivity over a wide energy range, even in the region away from the gap.We also study the localization effects in the vicinity of zero energy in bilayer graphene. We find that the states are all localized in the absence of the gap, while the gap-opening causes a phase transition analogous to the quantum Hall transition, which is accompanied by electron delocalization.

A Neutron View of Proteins in Lipid Bilayers

Science.gov (United States)

White, Stephen

2012-02-01

Despite the growing number of atomic-resolution membrane protein structures, direct structural information about proteins in their native membrane environment is scarce. This problem is particularly relevant in the case of the highly-charged S1-S4 voltage- sensing domains responsible for nerve impulses, where interactions with the lipid bilayer are critical for the function of voltage-activated potassium channels. We have used neutron diffraction, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structure and hydration of bilayer membranes containing S1-S4 voltage-sensing domains. Our results show that voltage sensors adopt transmembrane orientations, cause a modest reshaping of the surrounding lipid bilayer, and that water molecules intimately interact with the protein within the membrane. These structural findings reveal that voltage sensors have evolved to interact with the lipid membrane while keeping the energetic and structural perturbations to a minimum, and that water penetrates into the membrane to hydrate charged residues and shape the transmembrane electric field.

Magnetically Assisted Bilayer Composites for Soft Bending Actuators

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sung-Hwan Jang

2017-06-01

Full Text Available This article presents a soft pneumatic bending actuator using a magnetically assisted bilayer composite composed of silicone polymer and ferromagnetic particles. Bilayer composites were fabricated by mixing ferromagnetic particles to a prepolymer state of silicone in a mold and asymmetrically distributed them by applying a strong non-uniform magnetic field to one side of the mold during the curing process. The biased magnetic field induces sedimentation of the ferromagnetic particles toward one side of the structure. The nonhomogeneous distribution of the particles induces bending of the structure when inflated, as a result of asymmetric stiffness of the composite. The bilayer composites were then characterized with a scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The bending performance and the axial expansion of the actuator were discussed for manipulation applications in soft robotics and bioengineering. The magnetically assisted manufacturing process for the soft bending actuator is a promising technique for various applications in soft robotics.

Magnetically Assisted Bilayer Composites for Soft Bending Actuators.

Science.gov (United States)

Jang, Sung-Hwan; Na, Seon-Hong; Park, Yong-Lae

2017-06-12

This article presents a soft pneumatic bending actuator using a magnetically assisted bilayer composite composed of silicone polymer and ferromagnetic particles. Bilayer composites were fabricated by mixing ferromagnetic particles to a prepolymer state of silicone in a mold and asymmetrically distributed them by applying a strong non-uniform magnetic field to one side of the mold during the curing process. The biased magnetic field induces sedimentation of the ferromagnetic particles toward one side of the structure. The nonhomogeneous distribution of the particles induces bending of the structure when inflated, as a result of asymmetric stiffness of the composite. The bilayer composites were then characterized with a scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The bending performance and the axial expansion of the actuator were discussed for manipulation applications in soft robotics and bioengineering. The magnetically assisted manufacturing process for the soft bending actuator is a promising technique for various applications in soft robotics.

Enhanced supercapacitor performance using hierarchical TiO2 nanorod/Co(OH)2 nanowall array electrodes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ramadoss, Ananthakumar; Kim, Sang Jae

2014-01-01

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • TiO 2 /Co(OH) 2 hierarchical nanostructure was prepared by a combination of hydrothermal and cathodic electrodeposition method. • Hierarchical nanostructure electrode exhibited a maximum capacitance of 274.3 mF cm −2 at a scan rate of 5 mV s −1 . • Combination of Co(OH) 2 nanowall with TiO 2 NR into a single system enhanced the electrochemical behavior of supercapacitor electrode. - Abstract: We report novel hierarchical TiO 2 nanorod (NR)/porous Co(OH) 2 nanowall array electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors fabricated using a two-step process that involves hydrothermal and electrodeposition techniques. Field-emission scanning electron microscope images reveal a bilayer structure consisting of TiO 2 NR arrays with porous Co(OH) 2 nanowalls. Compared with the bare TiO 2 NRs, the hierarchical TiO 2 NRs/Co(OH) 2 electrodes showed improved pseudocapacitive performance in a 2-M KOH electrolyte solution, exhibiting an areal specific capacitance of 274.3 mF cm −2 at a scan rate of 5 mV s −1 . The electrodes exhibited good stability, retaining 82.5% of the initial capacitance after 4000 cycles. The good pseudocapacitive performance of the hierarchical nanostructures is mainly due to the porous structure, which provides fast ion and electron transfer, a large surface area, short ion diffusion paths, and a favourable volume change during the cycling process

CEDAR counter (internal part)

CERN Multimedia

CERN PhotoLab

1976-01-01

Here on the mounting bench. The counter is a differential Cerenkov, corrected for chromaticity, able to differentiate pions from kaons up to 350 GeV. Counters of this type were used in all SPS hadron beams.

Whole Body Counters (rev.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Woodburn, John H. [Walter Johnson High School, Rockville, MD; Lengemann, Frederick W. [Cornell University

1967-01-01

Whole body counters are radiation detecting and measuring instruments that provide information about the human body. This booklet describes different whole body counters, scientific principles that are applied to their design, and ways they are used.

Enhanced sensitivity of a microfabricated resonator using a graphene-polystyrene bilayer membrane

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yun, Minhyuk; Lee, Eunho; Cho, Kilwon; Jeon, Sangmin, E-mail: jeons@postech.ac.kr [Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang (Korea, Republic of)

2014-08-18

A graphene layer was synthesized using chemical vapor deposition methods and a polystyrene solution was spin-cast onto the graphene film. The graphene-polystyrene bilayer membrane was attached between the two tines of a microfabricated quartz tuning fork (QTF). The modulus of the graphene-polystyrene bilayer was measured to be twice that of a pristine polystyrene membrane. Exposure of the membrane-coated QTF to ethanol vapor decreased the resonance frequency of the microresonator. The bilayer membrane-coated QTF produced a frequency change that was three times the change obtained using a polystyrene membrane-coated QTF, with a lower degree of degradation in the Q factor. The limit of detection of the bilayer membrane-coated QTF to ethanol vapor was determined to be 20 ppm.

High power density thin film SOFCs with YSZ/GDC bilayer electrolyte

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cho, Sungmee; Kim, YoungNam; Kim, Jung-Hyun; Manthiram, Arumugam; Wang Haiyan

2011-01-01

Graphical abstract: . A: Cross-sectional TEM images show a GDC single layer and YSZ/GDC bilayer electrolyte structures. As clearly observed from TEM images, the YSZ interlayer thickness varies from ∼330 nm to ∼1 μm. B: The cell with the bilayer electrolyte (YSZ ∼330 nm) doubles the overall power output at 750 deg. C compared to that achieved in the GDC single layer cell. Display Omitted Highlights: → YSZ/ GDC bilayer thin film electrolytes were deposited by a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. → Thin YSZ film as a blocking layer effectively suppresses the cell voltage drop without reducing the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte layer. → The YSZ/ GDC bilayer structure presents a feasible architecture for enhancing the overall power density and enabling chemical, mechanical, and structural stability in the cells. - Abstract: Bilayer electrolytes composed of a gadolinium-doped CeO 2 (GDC) layer (∼6 μm thickness) and an yttria-stabilized ZrO 2 (YSZ) layer with various thicknesses (∼330 nm, ∼440 nm, and ∼1 μm) were deposited by a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique for thin film solid oxide fuel cells (TFSOFCs). The bilayer electrolytes were prepared between a NiO-YSZ (60:40 wt.% with 7.5 wt.% carbon) anode and La 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoO 3 -Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1 O 1.95 (50:50 wt.%) composite cathode for anode-supported single cells. Significantly enhanced maximum power density was achieved, i.e., a maximum power density of 188, 430, and 587 mW cm -2 was measured in a bilayer electrolyte single cell with ∼330 nm thin YSZ at 650, 700, and 750 deg. C, respectively. The cell with the bilayer electrolyte (YSZ ∼330 nm) doubles the overall power output at 750 deg. C compared to that achieved in the GDC single layer cell. This signifies that the YSZ thin film serves as a blocking layer for preventing electrical current leakage in the GDC layer and also provides chemical, mechanical, and structural integrity in the cell, which leads to the overall enhanced

A Molecular Dynamics Study of the Structural and Dynamical Properties of Putative Arsenic Substituted Lipid Bilayers

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ratna Juwita

2013-04-01

Full Text Available Cell membranes are composed mainly of phospholipids which are in turn, composed of five major chemical elements: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. Recent studies have suggested the possibility of sustaining life if the phosphorus is substituted by arsenic. Although this issue is still controversial, it is of interest to investigate the properties of arsenated-lipid bilayers to evaluate this possibility. In this study, we simulated arsenated-lipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-arsenocholine (POAC, lipid bilayers using all-atom molecular dynamics to understand basic structural and dynamical properties, in particular, the differences from analogous 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, (POPC lipid bilayers. Our simulations showed that POAC lipid bilayers have distinct structural and dynamical properties from those of native POPC lipid bilayers. Relative to POPC lipid bilayers, POAC lipid bilayers have a more compact structure with smaller lateral areas and greater order. The compact structure of POAC lipid bilayers is due to the fact that more inter-lipid salt bridges are formed with arsenate-choline compared to the phosphate-choline of POPC lipid bilayers. These inter-lipid salt bridges bind POAC lipids together and also slow down the head group rotation and lateral diffusion of POAC lipids. Thus, it would be anticipated that POAC and POPC lipid bilayers would have different biological implications.

The effect of calcium on the properties of charged phospholipid bilayers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Pedersen, U.R.; Leidy, Chad; Westh, P.

2006-01-01

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structure and dynamics of charged bilayers as well as the distribution of counterions at the bilayer interface. For this, we have considered the negatively charged di-myristoyl-phosphatidyl-glycerol (DMPG) and di-myristoyl-phosph...

Inducing morphological changes in lipid bilayer membranes with microfabricated substrates

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Fangjie; Collins, Liam F.; Ashkar, Rana; Heberle, Frederick A.; Srijanto, Bernadeta R.; Collier, C. Patrick

2016-11-01

Lateral organization of lipids and proteins into distinct domains and anchoring to a cytoskeleton are two important strategies employed by biological membranes to carry out many cellular functions. However, these interactions are difficult to emulate with model systems. Here we use the physical architecture of substrates consisting of arrays of micropillars to systematically control the behavior of supported lipid bilayers - an important step in engineering model lipid membrane systems with well-defined functionalities. Competition between attractive interactions of supported lipid bilayers with the underlying substrate versus the energy cost associated with membrane bending at pillar edges can be systematically investigated as functions of pillar height and pitch, chemical functionalization of the microstructured substrate, and the type of unilamellar vesicles used for assembling the supported bilayer. Confocal fluorescent imaging and AFM measurements highlight correlations that exist between topological and mechanical properties of lipid bilayers and lateral lipid mobility in these confined environments. This study provides a baseline for future investigations into lipid domain reorganization on structured solid surfaces and scaffolds for cell growth.

Energy spectrums of bilayer triangular phosphorene quantum dots and antidots

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Z. T. Jiang

2017-04-01

Full Text Available We theoretically investigate the confined states of the bilayer triangular phosphorene dots and antidots by means of the tight-binding approach. The dependence of the energy levels on the size, the type of the boundary edges, and the orientation of the dots and antidots, and the influences of the electric and magnetic fields on the energy levels, are all completely analyzed. It is found that the energy level numbers of the bilayer dots and antidots are determined by the energy levels in two layers. The external electric field can effectively tune the energy levels of the edge states in both layers to move in opposite directions. With the increase of the magnetic field, the magnetic energy levels can approach the Landau levels of the phosphorene monolayer, the phosphorene bilayer, or both, depending on the specific geometry of the monolayer-bilayer hybrid phosphorene quantum dots. This research should be helpful for the overall understanding of the electronic properties of the multilayer hybrid phosphorene nanostructures and designing the corresponding phosphorene devices.

Magnetic properties of epitaxial bismuth ferrite-garnet mono- and bilayers

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Semuk, E.Yu.; Berzhansky, V.N.; Prokopov, A.R.; Shaposhnikov, A.N.; Karavainikov, A.V.; Salyuk, O.Yu.; Golub, V.O.

2015-01-01

Magnetic properties of Bi 1.5 Gd 1.5 Fe 4.5 Al 0.5 O 12 (84 nm) and Bi 2.8 Y 0.2 Fe 5 O 12 (180 nm) films epitaxially grown on gallium-gadolinium garnet (GGG) single crystal (111) substrate as well as Bi 1.5 Gd 1.5 Fe 4.5 Al 0.5 O 12 /Bi 2.8 Y 0.2 Fe 5 O 12 bilayer were investigated using ferromagnetic resonance technique. The mismatch of the lattice parameters of substrate and magnetic layers leads to formation of adaptive layers which affect on the high order anisotropy constant of the films but practically do not affect on uniaxial perpendicular magnetic anisotropy The magnetic properties of the bilayer film were explained in supposition of strong exchange coupling between magnetic layers taking into account film-film and film-substrate elastic interaction. - Highlights: • Magnetic parameters of epitaxial Bi-YIG films and bilayers on GGG substrate. • Adaptive layers affect on high order magnetic anisotropy. • Magnetic properties of bilayers are result of strong exchange interaction

Bilayer lift-off process for aluminum metallization

Science.gov (United States)

Wilson, Thomas E.; Korolev, Konstantin A.; Crow, Nathaniel A.

2015-01-01

Recently published reports in the literature for bilayer lift-off processes have described recipes for the patterning of metals that have recommended metal-ion-free developers, which do etch aluminum. We report the first measurement of the dissolution rate of a commercial lift-off resist (LOR) in a sodium-based buffered commercial developer that does not etch aluminum. We describe a reliable lift-off recipe that is safe for multiple process steps in patterning thin (recipe consists of an acid cleaning of the substrate, the bilayer (positive photoresist/LOR) deposition and development, the sputtering of the aluminum film along with a palladium capping layer and finally, the lift-off of the metal film by immersion in the LOR solvent. The insertion into the recipe of postexposure and sequential develop-bake-develop process steps are necessary for an acceptable undercut. Our recipe also eliminates any need for accompanying sonication during lift-off that could lead to delamination of the metal pattern from the substrate. Fine patterns were achieved for both 100-nm-thick granular aluminum/palladium bilayer bolometers and 500-nm-thick aluminum gratings with 6-μm lines and 4-μm spaces.

Over-the-Counter Medicines

Science.gov (United States)

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs you can buy without a prescription. Some OTC medicines relieve aches, pains and itches. ... medicine is safe enough to sell over-the-counter. Taking OTC medicines still has risks. Some interact ...

Assembly of crosslinked oxo-cyanoruthenate and zirconium oxide bilayers: Application in electrocatalytic films based on organically modified silica with templated pores

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rutkowska, Iwona A.; Sek, Jakub P.; Mehdi, B. Layla; Kulesza, Pawel J.; Cox, James A.

2014-01-01

Electrochemical deposition of crosslinked oxo-cyanoruthenate, Ru-O/CN-O, from a mixture of RuCl 3 and K 4 Ru(CN) 6 is known to yield a film on glassy carbon that promotes oxidations by a combination of electron and oxygen transfer. Layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of this species at a film formed by cycling of the electrode potential in a ZrO 2 solution systematically increases the number of catalytically active sites of the Ru-O/CN-O on the electrode. The evaluation of the electrocatalytic activity was by cyclic voltammetric oxidation of cysteine at pH 2. Plots of the anodic peak current vs. the square root of scan rate were indicative of linear diffusion control of this oxidation, even in the absence of ZrO 2 , but the slopes of these linear plots increased with bilayer number, n, of (ZrO 2 | Ru-O/CN-O) n . The latter observation is hypothesized to be due to an increased number of active sites for a given geometric electrode area, but proof requires further study. To optimize utilization of the catalyst and to provide a size-exclusion characteristic to the electrode, the study was extended to LbL deposition of the composite in 50-nm pores of an organically modified silica film deposited by electrochemically assisted sol-gel processing using surface-bound poly(styrene sulfonate) nanospheres as a templating agent

Carbon nanotubes functionalized by salts containing stereogenic heteroatoms as electrodes in their battery cells

OpenAIRE

Zdanowska Sandra; Pyzalska Magdalena; Drabowicz Józef; Kulawik Damian; Pavlyuk Volodymyr; Girek Tomasz; Ciesielski Wojciech

2016-01-01

This paper concentrates on electrochemical properties of groups of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) functionalized with substituents containing a stereogenic heteroatom bonded covalently to the surface of the carbon nanotube. This system was tested in Swagelok-type cells. The cells comprised a system (functionalized CNT with salts containing S and P atoms) with a working electrode, microfiber separators soaked with electrolyte solution, and a lithium foil counter/reference (commercial Li...

In-vivo radiation counter

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pollard, D.E.

1983-01-01

This patent specification describes a radiation counter utilizing at least one detector for sensing radiation from a living body. The radiation counter also includes an aperture for forming a corridor between the body and the detector. A shield outside the corridor prevents passage of background radiation through the corridor and gaining access to the detector. The counter also includes a device for isolating a selected portion of the body from the corridor such that radiation counting is restricted to a region of the body through a separate detector. The corridor formation permits a user to stand in an upright position while the detector and detectors are able to separately monitor different sections of the body. The radiation counter overcomes the problem of obtaining accurate and quick measurements or radiation doses sustained by a large group of persons. (author)

Lipid bilayer regulation of membrane protein function: gramicidin channels as molecular force probes

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lundbæk, Jens August; Collingwood, S.A.; Ingolfsson, H.I.

2010-01-01

with collective physical properties (e.g. thickness, intrinsic monolayer curvature or elastic moduli). Studies in physico-chemical model systems have demonstrated that changes in bilayer physical properties can regulate membrane protein function by altering the energetic cost of the bilayer deformation associated...... with a protein conformational change. This type of regulation is well characterized, and its mechanistic elucidation is an interdisciplinary field bordering on physics, chemistry and biology. Changes in lipid composition that alter bilayer physical properties (including cholesterol, polyunsaturated fatty acids...... channels as molecular force probes for studying this mechanism, with a unique ability to discriminate between consequences of changes in monolayer curvature and bilayer elastic moduli....

Scattering Studies of Hydrophobic Monomers in Liposomal Bilayers: An Expanding Shell Model of Monomer Distribution

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Richter, Andrew; Dergunov, Sergey; Ganus, Bill; Thomas, Zachary; Pingali, Sai Venkatesh; Urban, Volker S.; Liu, Yun; Porcar, Lionel; Pinkhassik, Eugene

2011-01-01

Hydrophobic monomers partially phase separate from saturated lipids when loaded into lipid bilayers in amounts exceeding a 1:1 monomer/lipid molar ratio. This conclusion is based on the agreement between two independent methods of examining the structure of monomer-loaded bilayers. Complete phase separation of monomers from lipids would result in an increase in bilayer thickness and a slight increase in the diameter of liposomes. A homogeneous distribution of monomers within the bilayer would not change the bilayer thickness and would lead to an increase in the liposome diameter. The increase in bilayer thickness, measured by the combination of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), was approximately half of what was predicted for complete phase separation. The increase in liposome diameter, measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), was intermediate between values predicted for a homogeneous distribution and complete phase separation. Combined SANS, SAXS, and DLS data suggest that at a 1.2 monomer/lipid ratio approximately half of the monomers are located in an interstitial layer sandwiched between lipid sheets. These results expand our understanding of using self-assembled bilayers as scaffolds for the directed covalent assembly of organic nanomaterials. In particular, the partial phase separation of monomers from lipids corroborates the successful creation of nanothin polymer materials with uniform imprinted nanopores. Pore-forming templates do not need to span the lipid bilayer to create a pore in the bilayer-templated films.

Cholesterol enhances surface water diffusion of phospholipid bilayers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cheng, Chi-Yuan; Kausik, Ravinath; Han, Songi, E-mail: songi@chem.ucsb.edu [Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106 (United States); Olijve, Luuk L. C. [Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven (Netherlands)

2014-12-14

Elucidating the physical effect of cholesterol (Chol) on biological membranes is necessary towards rationalizing their structural and functional role in cell membranes. One of the debated questions is the role of hydration water in Chol-embedding lipid membranes, for which only little direct experimental data are available. Here, we study the hydration dynamics in a series of Chol-rich and depleted bilayer systems using an approach termed {sup 1}H Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) NMR relaxometry that enables the sensitive and selective determination of water diffusion within 5–10 Å of a nitroxide-based spin label, positioned off the surface of the polar headgroups or within the nonpolar core of lipid membranes. The Chol-rich membrane systems were prepared from mixtures of Chol, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and/or dioctadecyl phosphatidylcholine lipid that are known to form liquid-ordered, raft-like, domains. Our data reveal that the translational diffusion of local water on the surface and within the hydrocarbon volume of the bilayer is significantly altered, but in opposite directions: accelerated on the membrane surface and dramatically slowed in the bilayer interior with increasing Chol content. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) lineshape analysis shows looser packing of lipid headgroups and concurrently tighter packing in the bilayer core with increasing Chol content, with the effects peaking at lipid compositions reported to form lipid rafts. The complementary capability of ODNP and EPR to site-specifically probe the hydration dynamics and lipid ordering in lipid membrane systems extends the current understanding of how Chol may regulate biological processes. One possible role of Chol is the facilitation of interactions between biological constituents and the lipid membrane through the weakening or disruption of strong hydrogen-bond networks of the surface hydration layers that otherwise exert stronger repulsive forces, as reflected in

Structural and electro-optical properties of bilayer graphyne like BN sheet

Science.gov (United States)

Behzad, Somayeh

2016-12-01

The structural, electronic and optical properties of bilayer graphyne like BN sheet (BNyne) with different stacking manners have been explored by the first-principles calculations. The stabilities of α-BNyne bilayers with different stacking manners are compared. The α-BNyne Bilayers have wide band gaps. Compared to the single α-BNyne, the numbers of energy bands are doubled due to the interlayer interactions and the band gap is reduced. The AB-I configuration has a direct band gap while the band gap becomes indirect for AA-II. The calculated ε2 (ω) of bilayer α-BNyne for (Eǁx) is similar to that of the monolayer α-BNyne, except for the small changes of peak positions and increasing of peak intensities. For (Eǁz), the first absorption peak occures at 3.86 eV, and the prominant peak of monolayer at 9.17 eV becomes broadened. These changes are related to the new transitions resulting from the band splitting.

A Neutron Rem Counter

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Andersson, I Oe; Braun, J

1964-01-15

A neutron detector is described which measures the neutron dose rate in rem/h independently of the energy of the neutrons from thermal to 15 MeV. The detector consists of a BF{sub 3} proportional counter surrounded by a shield made of polyethylene and boron plastic that gives the appropriate amount of moderation and absorption to the impinging neutrons to obtain rem response. Two different versions have been developed. One model can utilize standard BF{sub 3} counters and is suitable for use in installed monitors around reactors and accelerators and the other model is specially designed for use in a portable survey instrument. The neutron rem counter for portable instruments has a sensitivity of 2.4 cps/mrem/h and is essentially nondirectional in response. With correct bias setting the counter is insensitive to gamma exposure up to 200 r/h from Co-60.

Temperature-controlled structure and kinetics of ripple phases in one- and two-component supported lipid bilayers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kaasgaard, Thomas; Leidy, Chad; Crowe, J.H.

2003-01-01

Temperature-controlled atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to visualize and study the structure and kinetics of ripple phases in one-component dipalmitoylphosphaticlylcholine (DPPC) and two-component dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine-distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC-DSPC) lipid bilayers....... The lipid bilayers are mica-supported double bilayers in which ripple-phase formation occurs in the top bilayer. In one-component DPPC lipid bilayers, the stable and metastable ripple phases were observed. In addition, a third ripple structure with approximately twice the wavelength of the metastable...... ripples was seen. From height profiles of the AFM images, estimates of the amplitudes of the different ripple phases are reported. To elucidate the processes of ripple formation and disappearance, a ripple-phase DPPC lipid bilayer was taken through the pretransition in the cooling and the heating...

Immunoassay of C-reactive protein by hot electron induced electrochemiluminescence using integrated electrodes with hydrophobic sample confinement

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ylinen-Hinkka, T., E-mail: tiina.ylinen-hinkka@aalto.fi [Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, P.O. Box 16100, FI-00076 Aalto (Finland); Niskanen, A.J.; Franssila, S. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, P.O. Box 16200, FI-00076 Aalto (Finland); Kulmala, S. [Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, P.O. Box 16100, FI-00076 Aalto (Finland)

2011-09-19

Highlights: {center_dot} C-reactive protein has been determined in the concentration range 0.01-10 mg L{sup -1} using an electrochemiluminescence microchip which employs integrated electrodes with hydrophobic sample confinement. {center_dot} This arrangement enables very simple and fast CRP analysis amenable to point-of-care applications. - Abstract: C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined in the concentration range 0.01-10 mg L{sup -1} using hot electron induced electrochemiluminescence (HECL) with devices combining both working and counter electrodes and sample confinement on a single chip. The sample area on the electrodes was defined by a hydrophobic ring, which enabled dispensing the reagents and the analyte directly on the electrode. Immunoassay of CRP by HECL using integrated electrodes is a good candidate for a high-sensitivity point-of-care CRP-test, because the concentration range is suitable, miniaturisation of the measurement system has been demonstrated and the assay method with integrated electrodes is easy to use. High-sensitivity CRP tests can be used to monitor the current state of cardiovascular disease and also to predict future cardiovascular problems in apparently healthy people.

Small-angle neutron scattering from multilamellar lipid bilayers: Theory, model, and experiment

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lemmich, Jesper; Mortensen, Kell; Ipsen, John Hjorth

1996-01-01

Small-angle neutron scattering data obtained from fully hydrated, multilamellar phospholipid bilayers with deuterated acyl chains of different length are presented and analyzed within a paracrystalline theory and a geometric model that permit the bilayer structure to be determined under conditions...... of temperature for the lamellar repeat distance, the hydrophobic bilayer thickness, as well as the thickness of the aqueous and polar head group region. In addition to these geometric parameters the analysis permits determination of molecular cross-sectional area, number of interlamellar water molecules, as well...

Use of a multilayer printed circuit board as the position sensing electrode in an MWPC

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barbosa, A.F.

1995-01-01

An X-ray gas position sensitive detector (PSD) is described. The detector makes use of a single electrode, the X and Y cathode, to sense the electric charge induced by the avalanches generated after the absorption of X-ray photons in a multiwire proportional counter (MWPC). Two-dimensional (2D) localization of photons is achieved by associating one delay line to each coordinate. The delay lines are directly coupled to the X and Y cathode, so that the propagation time of electric pulses can be related to the corresponding avalanche position. Since the position encoding does not involve wires, the anode is the only wire electrode present in the detector, used for collecting the avalanche electrons. (orig.)