While silver nanowires (Ag NWs) have been demonstrated as a highly efficient transparent conducting material, they suffer from strong light scattering, which is quantified by a large haze factor (HF) in the optical spectrum. Here we investigate the influence of the dielectric environment on the light scattering of Ag NWs by comparing experimental measurements and simulations. In air, two peaks on the HF spectra are observed experimentally at the wavelength of= 350 nm and= 380 nm and are attributed by simulations to the influence of the Ag NWs pentagonal shape on the localized surface plasmon resonance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScanning transmission ion microscopy imaging was performed whilst using a delay-line detector to record the impact position and arrival time of transmitted ions or neutrals. The incident helium ion beam had an energy of 20 keV and the arrival time measurements were used to calculate the energy loss after transmission through the sample. The 5D dataset thus produced (2D position in the sample plane, 2D position in the detector plane, and energy) is analyzed by collection into energy spectra or images.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO) films were fabricated using RF magnetron sputtering and atomic layer deposition (ALD). The latter ones demonstrate higher electrical conductivities (up to 2700 S cm) and enhanced charge mobilities (18 cm V s). The morphological analysis reveals differences mostly due to the very different nature of the deposition processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComing up with sustainable sources of electricity is one of the grand challenges of this century. The research field of materials for energy harvesting stems from this motivation, including thermoelectrics, photovoltaics and thermophotovoltaics. Pyroelectric materials, converting temperature periodic variations in electricity, have been considered as sensors and energy harvesters, although we lack materials and devices able to harvest in the joule range.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe structural, morphological, and chemical characterization of samples is of utmost importance for a large number of scientific fields. Furthermore, this characterization very often needs to be performed in three dimensions and at length scales down to the nanometer. Therefore, there is a stringent necessity to develop appropriate instrumentational solutions to fulfill these needs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF