Directed crystallization of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) film by an iron(III) dodecyl sulfate lamellar superstructure.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), a successfully commercialized polymeric semiconductor material, has potential as a transparent electrode in flexible electronic devices, yet has insufficient conductivity. We present the synthesis, properties, and directed crystallization of the PEDOT:dodecyl sulfate (PEDOT:DS) film. Iron(III) dodecyl sulfate (Fe(DS)) multi-lamellar vesicles (MLVs), a new growth template, are used to synthesize and direct the growth of the PEDOT:DS film via vapor-phase polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene to form huge PEDOT:DS co-crystal domains within the MLV superstructure.

Phase-Controlled Multi-Dimensional-Structure SnS/SnS/CdS Nanocomposite for Development of Solar-Driven Hydrogen Evolution Photocatalyst.

The quest for water-splitting photocatalysts to generate hydrogen as a clean energy source from two-dimensional (2D) materials has enormous implications for sustainable energy solutions. Photocatalytic water splitting, a major field of interest, is focused on the efficient production of hydrogen from renewable resources such as water using 2D materials. Tin sulfide and tin disulfide, collectively known as SnS and SnS, respectively, are metal sulfide compounds that have gained attention for their photocatalytic properties.

One-Step Synthesis of Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Quantum Dots Using Only Alcohol Solvents for Indoor-Light Photocatalytic Antibacterial Activity.

In this study, we report a one-step direct synthesis of molybdenum disulfide (MoS) and tungsten disulfide (WS) quantum dots (QDs) through a solvothermal reaction using only alcohol solvents and efficient () decompositions as photocatalytic antibacterial agents under visible light irradiation. The solvothermal reaction gives the scission of molybdenum-sulfur (Mo-S) and tungsten-sulfur (W-S) bonding during the synthesis of MoS and WS QDs. Using only alcohol solvent does not require a residue purification process necessary for metal intercalation.

P=O Functionalized Black Phosphorus/1T-WS Nanocomposite High Efficiency Hybrid Photocatalyst for Air/Water Pollutant Degradation.

Research on layered two-dimensional (2D) materials is at the forefront of material science. Because 2D materialshave variousplate shapes, there is a great deal of research on the layer-by-layer-type junction structure. In this study, we designed a composite catalyst with a dimension lower than two dimensions and with catalysts that canbe combined so that the band structures can be designed to suit various applications and cover for each other's disadvantages.

A high-efficiency and stable perovskite solar cell fabricated in ambient air using a polyaniline passivation layer.

Over the past number of years, the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells has remained at 25.5%, reflecting a respectable result for the general incorporation of organometallic trihalide perovskite solar cells. However, perovskite solar cells still suffer from long-term stability issues.

Nitrogen-Bearing Carbon Nanoparticles by Pyrolytic Decomposition of Piperazine Citrate Macromolecules for Cellular Imaging.

In this work, highly photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) are fabricated by pyrolytic decomposition of piperazine citrate at high pressure and high temperature. Piperazine serves as a hydrolytic, surface-passivating, and N-doping agent, facilitating the formation of a photopolymer. The as-synthesized CNPs, without any surface protection/passivation, exhibit excellent photolumi-nescence and a maximum quantum yield of 84%.

Black phosphorus @ molybdenum disulfide 2D nanocomposite with broad light absorption and high stability for methylene blue decomposition photocatalyst.

Recently, black phosphorus (BP) has become an increasingly popular two-dimensional material with application in many fields. In the field of photocatalyst, the substance is attracted by a wide spectrum and abundant constituents. BP is an attractive material with unique properties owing to its anisotropic structure, which is favorable for catalyst design as a result of bandgap change based on thickness.

Optical Sensing Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis.

We studied the optical sensing properties of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by spray pyrolysis. To investigate their optical sensing performance, we incubated peptides on ZnO nanoparticles. The photoluminescence (PL) peak intensity of peptides on the ZnO nanoparticles was higher than that of peptides on the ZnO film or on the glass plate.

Photocatalytic Degradation Effect of -Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Treated Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Environmental Contaminant.

This study focused on the photocatalytic degradation effect of the μ-dielectric barrier discharge (μ-DBD) plasma treated titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on environmental contaminant such as formaldehyde. TiO2 nanoparticles were treated by a μ-DBD plasma source with nitrogen gas. We analyzed the degradation of formaldehyde with the plasma treated TiO2 nanoparticles by UV-visible spectrophotometer (UV-VIS), and demonstrated that the photocatalytic activity of the μ-DBD plasma-treated TiO2 nanoparticles showed significantly high catalytic efficiency rather than without plasma treated TiO2 nanoparticles.

Improved Electrochromic Characteristics of a Honeycomb-Structured Film Composed of NiO.

Color changes controlled by electronic energies have been studied for many years in order to fabricate energy-efficient smart windows. Reduction and oxidization of nickel oxide under the appropriate voltage can change the color of a window. For a superior nickel oxide (NiO) electrochromic device (ECD), it is important to control the chemical and physical characteristics of the surface.

Patterned Well-Aligned ZnO Nanorods Assisted with Polystyrene Monolayer by Oxygen Plasma Treatment.

Zinc oxide is known as a promising material for sensing devices due to its piezoelectric properties. In particular, the alignment of ZnO nanostructures into ordered nanoarrays is expected to improve the device sensitivity due to the large surface area which can be utilized to capture significant quantities of gas particles. However, ZnO nanorods are difficult to grow on the quartz substrate with well-ordered shape.

Enhanced Visible Transmittance of Thermochromic VO₂ Thin Films by SiO₂ Passivation Layer and Their Optical Characterization.

This paper presents the preparation of high-quality vanadium dioxide (VO₂) thermochromic thin films with enhanced visible transmittance (T) via radio frequency (RF) sputtering and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). VO₂ thin films with high T and excellent optical switching efficiency (E) were successfully prepared by employing SiO₂ as a passivation layer. After SiO₂ deposition, the roughness of the films was decreased 2-fold and a denser structure was formed.

Patterning ITO by Template-Assisted Colloidal-Lithography for Enhancing Power Conversion Efficiency in Organic Photovoltaic.

Highly structured interfaces are very desirable in organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs), in order to enhance power conversion efficiency (PCE) by decreasing of the transport path for excited charge carriers in the absorber and increasing the optical path length for photon absorption. Many complicated, high-cost lithographic methods have been attempted to modify the surface of the absorber or substrate. However, solution-based colloidal-lithography processes are scalable and cost-effective, but generally result in non-uniform structured surfaces.

Influence of Heat Treatment Conditions on the Properties of Vanadium Oxide Thin Films for Thermochromic Applications.

In present work, the effects of the heat treatment on the structural, optical, and thermochromic properties of vanadium oxide films were investigated. Vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films were deposited on glass substrate by reactive pulsed DC magnetron sputtering from a vanadium metal target in mixture atmosphere of argon and oxygen gas. Various heat treatment conditions were applied in order to evaluate their influence on the crystal phases formed, surface morphology, and optical properties.

Method for Fabricating Textured High-Haze ZnO:Al Transparent Conduction Oxide Films on Chemically Etched Glass Substrates.

We developed a technique for forming textured aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films on glass substrates, which were etched using a mixture of hydrofluoric (HF) and hydrochloric (HCl) acids. The etching depth and surface roughness increased with an increase in the HF content and the etching time. The HF-based residues produced insoluble hexafluorosilicate anion- and oxide impurity-based semipermeable films, which reduced the etching rate.

Improvement of Charge Transportation in Si Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Vanadium Doped TiO2.

The multiple exciton generation characteristics of quantum dots have been expected to enhance the performance of photochemical solar cells. In previous work, we first introduced Si quantum dot for sensitized solar cells. The Si quantum dots were fabricated by multi-hollow discharge plasma chemical vapor deposition, and were characterized optically and morphologically.

Synthesis and Application of ZnO Nanorods Using the Ultra-Thin Porous AAO Template Fabricated by New Method.

Electron transport in DSSCs with the TiO2 nanoparticles photoanode become more difficult by the tremendous grain boundaries and disordered pore structures. So, one-dimensional nanostructures have great attractions due to the increased carrier diffusion length by a structural property such as direct pathways for electron transport. In this study, we investigated DSSCs using ZnO nanorod arrays and ZnO nanoparticle/nanorod composite layer as a photoanode.

The Effect of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate on PEDOT:PSS and Its Application to Organic Photovoltaic Solar Cells.

Unlabelled: Recently, the use of

Pedot: PSS in flexible device electrodes has been reported.

Pedot: PSS treatment consists of a step in which a small amount of surfactant is added to enhance the adhesion between

Pedot: PSS and the substrate or TCO materials. However, basic research into the effect of the surfactant is lacking.

Magnetophoresis Effects on the Flow Characteristics of Oil-Based Ferrofluids in Rectangular Enclosures.

This study numerically investigated the flow characteristics in a rectangular enclosure filled with oil-based ferrofluid (EFH-1, Ferrotec.) under the influence of external magnetic fields. The rectangular enclosure contained obstacles with different shapes, such as a rectangle and a triangle mounted on the top and bottom wall surfaces.

Flow Manipulation in Thread-Based Microfluidics by Tuning the Wettability of Wool.

Recent progress in thread-based microfluidic devices has provided portable and inexpensive field-based technologies enabling medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety analysis. However, capillary-driven liquid flow in a single thread, a crucial aspect of thread-based microfluidics, is difficult to control. Among potential materials, hydrophobic wool thread is an appropriate candidate for liquid flow control in thread-based microfluidics because its wettability can be readily tuned by the introduction of a natural color pigment, thereby manipulating flow.

Structuring poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) towards enhancing hole collection efficiency.

Unlabelled: To date, organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) have obtained relatively low power conversion efficiency, mostly because of the low charge carrier mobility of the polymers to be used. This limits the optimal film thickness for efficient absorption of the solar spectrum. The capability of efficient charge carrier collections is a main factor for utilizing thick OPVs, consequently enhancing the power conversion efficiency.

Comparison of photovoltaic properties of TiO2 electrodes prepared with nanoparticles and nanorods.

In this report, single crystalline rutile TiO2 nanoparticles and nanorods were synthesized via the hydrothermal method using titanium tetra-isopropoxide as a precursor then, these were coated on top of a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by using a doctor blade and direct deposition, respectively. Consequently, TiO2 nanorods-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) exhibit a J(sc) of 3.37 mA/cm2, a V(oc) of 0.