Influence of deposition parameters on surface morphology and application of CuInS2 thin films in solar cell and photocatalysis

Copper indium disulfide (CuInS₂) thin films as an absorption layer for solar cell and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, were successfully electrodeposited on the FTO coated glass substrate using the simple and inexpensive electrodeposition method and a sulfurization process. The effects of the Cu/In molar ratio, annealing temperature and kind of Cu²⁺ precursor (Cu(salen) and Cu(acac)₂ as novel Cu²⁺ precursors) on the structural and morphological properties of samples were examined. The XRD diffraction patterns and energy dispersive spectroscopy measurements exhibit that high-quality film with superior crystalline structure was formed in the presence of Cu(salen) as Cu²⁺ precursor. Also, we found that a suitable heat treatment temperature could suppress the CuS phases and form well-crystallized CIS. As we know, this is the first reported efficiency for any CuInS₂ superstrate solar cell to date that fabricated using Cu(salen) as Cu²⁺ precursor. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation of organic dye in the presence of as-synthesized CuInS₂ thin films was studied. The as-prepared semiconductor photocatalysts have a good reusability; it can be successfully reused for 5 times recycling photoactivity tests.     

A new insight into promotion action of Co2+ in Ni-diamond composite electrodeposition

A new insight into the promotion action of Co²⁺ on both particle and metal deposition in Ni-diamond composite electrodeposition system was analyzed according to electrochemical measurements. The results showed that the addition of Co²⁺ made particles content in deposits increased remarkably. The change of particles content in deposits was related inversely to the change of cathodic zero potential with the increase of the concentration of cobalt sulfate. Zero charge potential of cathode was shifted to much more negative region. The negative shift of the zero potential, combining with positive shift of the zeta potential, increased the electrostatic force between the particle-adsorbed metallic cations and the cathode. It not only benefits to the transportation of particles in solution towards cathode, but also shortens their residence time on cathodic surface. Meanwhile, entry of particles is also promoted. For metals deposition, reduction resistance of metallic cations rises greatly and deposition current at cathodic potentiodynamic polarization decreases after cobalt sulfate has been added into electrolyte. These factors are favorable for increasing particles content in deposits. In addition, physical model of diamond particles deposition state before and after the addition of Co²⁺ has been discussed.     

Recent progress in high efficiency polymer solar cells by rational design and energy level tuning of low bandgap copolymers with various electron-withdrawing units

AbstractThis review collects recent five-year publications on low bandgap semiconducting polymers, which are composed of electron donor (D) and electron acceptor (A) units, exhibiting the power conversion efficiency (PCE) higher than 6%. When the photovoltaic performances of different types of D−A semiconducting copolymers are compared after the copolymers are classified into several categories according to the type of A-units, it is realized that diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based copolymers exhibit high J_SCs owing to low bandgaps and low V_OCs due to high-lying HOMO levels, while thienopyrroledione (TPD)-based copolymers exhibit high V_OCs due to their deep HOMO levels and low J_SCs because of wide bandgaps. Benzothiadiazole- and thienothiophene-based copolymers show intermediate values of V_OC and J_SC between DPP- and TPD-based ones. For further enhancement of photovoltaic performance, DPP-based copolymers may be designed to have deeper HOMO level with the minimum widening of bandgap while TPD-based polymers may be designed to have lower bandgap with the minimum rise of HOMO level. Hence, the energy level tuning must be considered so as to minimize the adverse effect.     

Chemical vapour infiltration and mechanical properties of carbon open-cell foams

In order to improve their mechanical properties, carbon open-cell foams of two different pore sizes were infiltrated with pyrocarbon by chemical vapour deposition at reduced pressure and using pure propane as precursor. The optimal conditions in terms of deposition rate and uniformity in coating thickness, structure and anisotropy were first investigated. Foam specimens were infiltrated at various stages, with two pyrocarbons of distinct microtextures and their morphology, relative density and geometrical features were evaluated.Compressive crushing tests were conducted to determine the influence of the pore size, the pyrocarbon type and the relative density on the mechanical properties of the pyrocarbon-infiltrated foams. They retain their non-brittle and dissipating behaviour up to relative densities of 0.15. The stiffness, crushing strength and dissipated energy increase significantly with the relative density. The crushing behaviour of the pyrocarbon-foam specimens can be essentially explained using simple structural models and failure mechanisms, according to the Gibson & Ashby’s approach for brittle cellular solids.     

Q235钢/导电混凝土在3种典型土壤环境中腐蚀的灰色关联度分析

采用动电位扫描和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)技术,研究了Q235钢/导电混凝土在盐碱土、黄棕壤、红壤中的腐蚀行为,分析了土壤环境因素对腐蚀过程的影响规律,并基于灰色关联度理论计算了土壤中各离子对导电混凝土中Q235钢腐蚀过程的影响权重。结果表明,加速腐蚀45 d后,Q235钢/导电混凝土表面出现孔洞、边缘出现细微裂纹。Q235钢/导电混凝土在3种典型土壤环境中腐蚀速率按土壤类型由小到大排序为:盐碱土<黄棕壤<红壤。灰色关联度计算结果表明,Q235钢/导电混凝土在土壤中腐蚀时,土壤中各离子影响权重排序为:pH>[SO₄^2-]>[Ca²⁺]>[Cl^-]>[HCO₃^-]>[Mg²⁺]>[Fe3+]。随着土壤环境pH的降低,导电混凝土劣化程度增大,腐蚀速率上升。土壤中的H⁺、SO₄^2-会直接与导电混凝土组分发生反应,导致混凝土劣化,其影响权重最大。而Ca²⁺需通过扩散的方式进入导电混凝土孔隙液,以析出相应的氧化物或者碳酸盐沉积的方式提供物理防护作用,其影响权重略低。其中,由于Cl^-对Q235钢腐蚀的促进过程受到混凝土层及双电层隔绝作用的抑制,其影响权重较低。     

等离子喷涂热障陶瓷涂层冷却累计残余应力的有限元模拟与验证

目的 为有效预测等离子喷涂热障涂层冷却过程中累积的残余应力,降低残余应力对涂层稳定性的影响,需寻求可靠的热障涂层应力检测方法。方法 利用有限元分析软件,采用生死单元法建立了等离子喷涂ZrO₂涂层的有限元模型,高斯热源模拟等离子喷涂热源工况,研究涂层冷却至室温的残余应力及其分布。使用X射线衍射法、拉曼光谱法对等离子喷涂制备的ZrO₂涂层进行残余应力检测。结果 通过有限元模拟结果可以看出,喷涂涂层冷却到室温后其中心区域的残余应力与边缘位置相比较大,主要集中在热流中心区域;每层涂层结合界面处会产生较大应力,致使应力沿涂层厚度方向变化明显。涂层的等效应力为160～220 MPa。采用X射线衍射法检测涂层存在180～185MPa残余应力。标定ZrO₂涂层的拉曼-应力因子为8.33 (cm·GPa)^-1,计算得到涂层存在残余应力为174～180 MPa。对喷涂试样进行拉伸试验后,其残余应力有一定程度的释放。结论 使用有限元能有效模拟等离子喷涂至室温时涂层内部残余应力,与XRD、拉曼光谱检测结果具有良好的匹配性,...     

Influence of Nb content on martensitic transformation and mechanical properties of TiNiCuNb shape memory alloys

In present work, microstructure, martensitic transformation behavior and mechanical properties of (Ti₅₀Ni₄₀Cu₁₀)_100−xNb_x (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 at.%) alloys were investigated as a function of Nb content. The addition of Nb to TiNiCu alloy leads to the presence of β-Nb phase. During cooling and heating, the alloys show one-step B2 ↔ B19 transformation. As the Nb content increases, the transformation temperatures almost linearly decrease and the transformation hysteresis monotonously increases due to the decrease of middle eigenvalue of the phase transformation matrix. The addition of Nb is effective in improving the elongation because of the introduction of β-Nb phase. With the increase of Nb content, both the yield strength and the critical stress to induce martensitic transformation increase, resulting in the improved superelastic strain.     

Effect of Ti content and nitrogen on the high-temperature oxidation behavior of (Mo,Ti)5Si3

The binary intermetallic compounds Mo₅Si₃ (T1) and Ti₅Si₃ are prone to rapid oxidation below 1000 °C. Recent investigations on (Mo,Ti)₅Si₃, however, revealed that macro-alloying with 40 at.% Ti can result in a very good oxidation resistance in a wide temperature range (750–1300 °C) due to the formation of a duplex layer composed of a silica matrix with dispersed titania. Additionally, Ti decreases density making (Mo,Ti)₅Si₃ a promising key constituent of quaternary Mo-Si-B-Ti alloys considered for ultrahigh temperature structural applications. The aim of this study is to obtain an in-depth understanding of the influence of different Ti concentrations as well as of nitrogen on the oxidation behavior of (Mo,Ti)₅Si₃ at intermediate and elevated temperatures. The microstructure and oxidation mechanisms were analyzed using various experimental techniques. The experimental results were supported by ab initio and thermodynamic calculations.     

Q235钢-紫铜在不同温度酸性红壤中的电偶腐蚀行为

目的研究Q235钢-紫铜电偶对在不同温度红壤中,电偶腐蚀的加速效应和腐蚀机理。方法通过恒温恒湿箱模拟不同温度的酸性红壤环境。采用失重法测定Q235钢-紫铜电偶对的电偶腐蚀动力学曲线,采用ZRA零电阻电流计研究电偶电流和电偶电位随腐蚀时间的变化曲线。通过XRD、SEM/EDS检测腐蚀产物的成分和微观形貌。结果电偶腐蚀20 d后,土壤温度为20、40、60℃Q235钢的腐蚀质量损失分别为0.4276、0.9432、1.4622 g/dm~2,电偶腐蚀效应分别为4.51、2.90、2.56。Q235钢在酸性红壤中呈局部腐蚀形态,当土壤温度为20℃和40℃时,腐蚀产物主要由FeO、Fe_3O_4与土壤颗粒胶结形成,结构较疏松;当温度为60℃时,腐蚀产物主要由Fe_3O_4组成,结构较致密。随着腐蚀时间的增加,电偶电位呈现起伏波动,电偶电流减小。腐蚀20 d后,Q235-紫铜电偶对在60℃下的电偶电流(71.1μA)小于20℃下的电偶电流(336μA),电偶腐蚀作用较弱。结论土壤温度越高,Q235钢腐蚀越严重。腐蚀进行的后期,温度较高的红壤中,Q235钢形成的腐蚀产物结构致密,且土壤氧含量低,对电偶腐蚀产生抑制作用。