Efficiency improvement of CIGS solar cells using RF sputtered TCO/Ag/TCO thin-film as prospective buffer layer

In this paper, TCO (Transparent Conductive Oxide) incorporating ultrathin Ag intermediate film is proposed as a new buffer layer to enhance the efficiency of CIGS thin-film solar cells (TFSCs). In this regard, versatile multilayer thin-films based on ZnO/Ag/ZnO and ITO/Ag/ITO structures were deposited on glass using RF magnetron sputtering technique to determine the optoelectronic parameters of the multilayer structures. The elaborated samples were then characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD, and UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy techniques to investigate the structure morphological, optical, and electronic properties. The deposited multilayer thin-films showed amorphous-like structure and exhibited a broadband absorbance over the visible and even NIR spectrum ranges, indicating its potential application as alternative buffer layers for thin-film solar cells. In this context, TCO/Ag/TCO/CIGS solar cells have been numerically investigated using the deposited multilayer optoelectronic properties. It was revealed that the estimated efficiency of the ZnO/Ag/ZnO/CIGS-based solar cell could reach 18.5% with an open circuit voltage of 0.7 V and a short-circuit current density of 34.8 mA/cm². The performances exhibited by the investigated solar cell demonstrated that ZnO/Ag/ZnO multilayer can be used as an alternative to the conventional CdS buffer layer for developing high-performance non-toxic CIGS solar cells.     

Fabrication and thermo stability of the SnO2/Ag/SnO2 tri-layer transparent conductor deposited by magnetic sputtering

Using the magnetic sputtering technique, the SnO₂/Ag/SnO₂ tri-layer transparent films were fabricated on float glasses successfully. Compared with the commercial FTO (F-doped SnO₂) film, the SnO₂/Ag/SnO₂ tri-layer films have higher visible-light transmittance and better conductivity. The total thickness of the SnO₂/Ag/SnO₂ films is one third of the commercial FTO film leading to the high visible-light transmittance. The high carrier concentration of the SnO₂/Ag/SnO₂ films contributes to the tri-layer films’ low resistivity. In addition, to further improve the performance of the SnO₂/Ag/SnO₂ tri-layer films, samples were annealed under different temperatures. The results illustrate that the lowest sheet resistance (5.92 Ω/sq) and the highest visible-light transmittance (87.0%) were obtained after annealing at 200 °C. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the films could be enhanced by a multi-step annealing process due to the recrystallization effect.     

CrN和CrN/Ag涂层的真空高温摩擦磨损性能*

为改善涂层在真空、高温等苛刻条件下的摩擦学性能，利用中频直流磁控溅射技术在硅片和316L不锈钢上沉积了CrN和CrN/Ag涂层，利用扫描电镜、透射电镜和X射线衍射仪对涂层的成分及相结构进行了表征，通过划痕测试仪、纳米压痕仪和摩擦磨损试验机测试了涂层的力学及摩擦学性能。结果表明：添加Ag元素以后，CrN/Ag涂层硬度及承载能力有所减小，但结合强度增加；真空高温环境下CrN与CrN/Ag涂层摩擦因数随温度升高呈下降趋势，其中CrN涂层通过软化镀层减小剪切强度和阻力，从而减小摩擦因数，CrN/Ag涂层主要通过高温产生的热驱动力诱导表面Ag润滑膜的形成来减小摩擦因数；CrN涂层依靠自身剪切特性参与摩擦，而CrN/Ag涂层在真空高温下具有自润滑和持续润滑性能，作为自润滑零部件具有潜在的应用价值。     

A straightforward one-pot synthesis of Pd–Ag supported on activated carbon as a robust catalyst toward ethanol electrooxidation

Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells (DEFCs) have fascinated remarkable attention on account of their high current density and being environmentally friendly. Developing efficient and durable catalysts with a simple and fast method is a great challenge in the practical applications of DEFCs. To this end, the bimetallic Pd–Ag with adjustable Pd:Ag ratios were synthesized via a simple and one-pot strategy on activated carbon as a support in this study. The Pd–Ag/C catalysts with different molar ratios were synthesized by simultaneous reduction of Pd and Ag ions in the presence of the ethanolic sodium hydroxide as a green reducing agent for the first time. Several different methods, including FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XRD, XPS EDX, ICP-OES, and BET were used to confirm the structure and morphology of the catalysts. The performance of catalysts was also examined in ethanol oxidation. Obtained results of electrochemical experiments revealed that the Pd₃–Ag₁/C catalyst had superior catalytic activity (2911.98 mAmg^?1_Pd), durability, and long-stability compared to the other catalysts. The excellent catalytic characteristic can be attributed to the synergistic effect between Pd and Ag. We presume that our simple method have the chance to be utilized as a proper method for the synthesis of fuel cell catalysts.     

Silicon-silver dendritic nanostructures for the enhanced photoelectrochemical splitting of natural water

We report on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) splitting of natural water (pH 7) using silicon (Si) nanowires fitted with silver (Ag) dendrites (dendritic nanostructures) as working electrodes (photoanodes). A detailed study of the PEC water splitting process was carried out using linear sweep voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott-Schottky (M-S) measurements. The measured photocurrent density of 1.7 mA/cm² at an external voltage of ?0.6 V under white light illumination demonstrates the efficient decomposition of natural water using dendritic nanostructures as working electrodes. This decomposition is mainly attributed to a significant strengthening of the effective interface between working electrode surface/water and to a decline in the recombination of photoinduced carriers in the presence of Ag dendrites. We propose that the Schottky barrier between Si and Ag dendritic nanostructures favors enhanced photoinduced charge carrier separation. Photoinduced holes in Si are transferred to Ag dendrites (nano branches and leaves) that serve as a charge sink to effectively carry out the PEC oxidation of water. Photoinduced charge carrier separation enhancement was corroborated by the kinetics of our carrier recombination study. We obtained a reasonably long transient period of 80 s for the photoinduced carriers. EIS results show that the charge transfer resistance (150 Ω) of the dendritic nanostructure surface is low enough to promote interfacial charge transfer. This resistance generated a large carrier concentration of ～1.1 × 10²⁰ cm^?3 at the working electrode/water interface according to an M-S analysis. An applied bias-photon-to-current-conversion efficiency level of roughly 4% is reported, demonstrating the efficient PEC splitting of natural water.     

Thermal annealing induced cave in and formation of nanoscale pits in Ag–TiO2 plasmonic nanocomposite thin film

Ag–TiO₂ nanocomposite thin films on silica glass were prepared through thermal evaporation in combination with RF magnetron sputtering. Thermal annealing induced changes in the optical, morphological and structural properties of Ag–TiO₂ nanocomposites were examined using optical absorption, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, AFM and XRD. FESEM and AFM studies revealed cave in of the Ag–TiO₂ thin film at various places leading to the formation nanoscale pits upon thermal annealing at 600 °C. The computed average size of pits was found to be 54 nm. Raman studies indicated 600 °C annealing induced transformation of anatase phase of TiO₂ into anatase/rutile mixed phase TiO₂. Optical absorption spectra showed systematic changes due to the effects of mixed phase formation and variation in the plasmonic behavior upon annealing. PL results of the as deposited Ag–TiO₂ thin film showed peaks at 377, 402, 432 and 486 nm. PL studies of Ag–TiO₂ nanocomposites treated at different annealing temperatures revealed changes in defect concentration in TiO₂. The tentative mechanism for the creation of nanoscale pits in Ag–TiO₂ thin film through thermal annealing was proposed.     

Ag(0) nanocatalyst stabilized with networks of p(SPA-co-AMPS) for the hydrogen generation process from ethylenediamine bisborane hydrolysis

In this study, the hydrogen generation from the catalytic hydrolysis of the ethylenediamine bisborane (EDAB) was performed. For this purpose, the p(sulfopropyl acrylate potassium salt-co-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropansulfonic acid sodium salt)@Ag(0) (p(SPA-co-AMPS)@Ag) catalyst was prepared. Later the p(SPA-co-AMPS)@Ag containing Ag(0) particles with nanodimensions was used as catalyst in EDAB hydrolysis. Our study is the first in the literature from this aspect, and investigated in detail the effect of catalyst amount, reactive concentration, temperature and dry or swollen nature of the catalyst on the EDAB hydrolysis. At the end of the reaction series, the hydrolysis reaction of EDAB with p(SPA-co-AMPS)@Ag catalyst was determined to have activation energy (E_a) of 43.24 kJmol^-1. Additionally, the turn over frequency (TOF) was 0.560 mol H₂(mol Ag(0).min)⁻¹ at 30 °C. The p(SPA-co-AMPS)@Ag catalyst had perfect reusability with 95% of initial activity after the 5th use for the hydrogen generation from EDAB.     

Highly sensitive C2H2 gas sensor based on Ag modified ZnO nanorods

The sliver (Ag) modified zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were successfully obtained with a simplified and environmentally friendly solvothermal method. Materials characterization indicated that the metallic Ag was located on the outside of ZnO nanorods after annealing. In comparison with ZnO nanorods, Ag modified ZnO (Ag–ZnO) nanorods exhibited a considerably enhanced response to C₂H₂. The response of the 3 at% Ag–ZnO based sensor operating at 175 °C is 539 (R_a/R_g), which is the highest value among all the sensors in detecting 100 ppm C₂H₂. The Ag–ZnO based sensors exhibited fast response speed, lower operation temperature and higher selectivity.     

Intense-pulsed-light irradiation of Ag nanowire-based transparent electrodes for use in flexible organic light emitting diodes

Silver nanowire (AgNW) based transparent electrodes are inherently coarse and therefore typically are only ever weakly bonded to a substrate. A remarkable improvement in the characteristics of a AgNW network film has, however, been achieved through a simple and short process of irradiating it with intense pulsed light (IPL). This not only avoids any severe deterioration in the optical characteristics of the AgNW film, but also significantly improves its electrical conductivity, adhesion to a polymeric substrate, and ability to endure bending stress. Most important of all, however, is the finding that the surface roughness of AgNW networks can also be improved by radiation. In a series of measurements made of organic light emitting diodes fabricated using these treated electrodes, it was revealed that the leakage current can be notably reduced by IPL treatment.     

Influence of operation number on arc erosion behavior of Ag/Ni electrical contact materials

Arc erosion behavior of Ag/Ni materials with different operation numbers was investigated by OM, 3DOP and SEM. The results indicated that the arc erosion of Ag/10Ni electrical contact material fabricated by sintering? extrusion technology was more and more serious with the operation numbers increasing from 1000 to 40000. With the same operation numbers, the arc erosion on anode was more serious than that on cathode. Besides, the pores preferred to emerge around the arc effect spot during the first 10000 operations. And the morphology of the molten silver on cathode and anode was different due to the action of gravity and arc erosion. Furthermore, the relationships among arc energy, arc time, welding force, electric resistivity, temperature and mass change on contacts were discussed, which indicated that the mass loss on cathode was mainly caused by the fracture of molten bridge.