Dependence of porosity, charge recombination kinetics and photovoltaic performance on annealing condition of TiO2 films

Effect of annealing temperature, time of nanocrystalline TiO2 film on porosity, electron transport/recombination and photovoltaic performance on dyesensitized solar cell (DSSC) had been investigated in this article. Photocurrent density was slightly higher as annealing at 550℃ compared to those of annealing at 450℃ and 500℃ under the given annealing time of 60 min, which was correlated with the amount of adsorbed dye. Thermogravimetric analysis showed there was a more weight loss between 500℃ and 550℃, which revealed there were more sites for dye adsorption. Given the annealing temperature of 550℃, as annealing time varied from 60 to 90 and 120 min, results showed that the average size of pore and surface area decreased with longer annealing time, which deteriorated photocurrent density due to less dye loading. Electron diffusion rate remained almost unchanged regardless of annealing condition.However, electron recombination was influenced by annealing condition, it became slower with the increase of the annealing temperature under the given annealing time. In the contray, the electron recombination developed faster for the longer annealing time at a given annealing temperature. These results suggested that heat treatment of TiO2 film at 550℃ for 60 min in air would be the optimal annealing condition to achieve high efficiency DSSC.     

Enhanced electron injection/transportation by surface states increment in mesoporous TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells

A strategy of surface modification to the mesoporous TiO2 photoanode with hydrochloric acid treatment was used in this study, and it was found that short circuit current and photovoltaic efficiency of dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were increased by 5.5% and 8.9% respectively. The improvement was attributed to the reduced impedances in the TiO2 film and at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface. It was showed that the increased surface electronic states could remarkably prolong electron lifetime, which was responsible for the reduction of impedances. Under these quasi-continuous states in mesoporous structure, the electron injection/transportation can be notably facilitated, which will be beneficial for the DSSC performance.     

Hierarchical Double‐Shell Nanostructures of TiO2 Nanosheets on SnO2 Hollow Spheres for High‐Efficiency,Solid‐State,Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A high‐energy conversion efficiency of 8.2% at 100 mW cm^?2 is reported, one of the highest values for N719‐based, solid‐state, dye‐sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs). The solar cells are based on hierarchical double‐shell nanostructures consisting of inner SnO₂ hollow spheres (SHS) surrounded by outer TiO₂ nanosheets (TNSs). Deposition of the TNS on the SHS outer surface is performed via solvothermal reactions in order to generate a double‐shell SHS@TNS nanostructure that provides a large surface area and suppresses recombination of photogenerated electrons. An organized mesoporous (OM)‐TiO₂ film with high porosity, large pores, and good interconnectivity is also prepared via a sol‐gel process using a poly(vinyl chloride)‐g‐poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PVC‐g‐POEM) graft copolymer template. This film is utilized as a matrix to disperse the double‐shell nanostructures. Such nanostructures provide good pore‐filling for solid polymer electrolytes, faster electron transfer, and enhanced light scattering, as confirmed by reflectance spectroscopy, incident photon‐to‐electron conversion efficiency (IPCE), and intensity‐modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS)/intensity‐modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS).     

The Effect of the Microstructure on Trap‐Assisted Recombination and Light Soaking Phenomenon in Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells

Despite the rich experience gained in controlling the microstructure of perovskite films over the past several years, little is known about how the microstructure affects the device properties of perovskite solar cells (HPSCs). In this work, the effects of the perovskite film microstructure on the charge recombination and light‐soaking phenomenon in mixed halide HPSCs are investigated. Devices with noncompact perovskite morphology show a severe light soaking effect, with the power conversion efficiency (PCE) improved from 3.7% to 11.6% after light soaking. Devices with compact perovskite morphology show a negligible light soaking effect, with PCE slightly increased from 11.4% to 11.9% after light soaking. From device investigations, photoluminescence, and impedance spectroscopy measurements, it is demonstrated that interface electron traps at the grain boundaries as well as at the crystal surface dominate the light soaking effect. Severe trap‐assisted recombination takes place in HPSCs using noncompact films, while it is effectively eliminated in devices with compact films. Moreover, how the grain size of the perovskite film affects the light soaking phenomenon is investigated. In the case of compact perovskite films, the size of the grains has a limited effect on the light soaking. In these compact films, grains are fused and trap states are effectively reduced.     

Au-TiO2纳米复合膜电极的光电化学性能及其表面形貌

应用绿色激光研究了Au-TiO2纳米复合膜电极的光电化学行为,发现Au-TiO2复合膜电极在Na2SO4溶液中对532 nm的可见光表现出良好的阳极光电流响应,光电流随电极电位的增加而增大.可见光激发下产生光电流的主要原因在于金粒子的表面等离子体共振吸收.SEM的观测实验表明电极表面存在纳米孔洞,这些纳米孔洞是金基底在煅烧过程中产生的.     

亲水性TiO2的研究进展

TiO2其亲水特性的研究近年来有了新的进展,新制备的TiO2薄膜可以在无紫外照射的黑暗环境中持有亲水防雾特性,这些都归因于薄膜表面的物理特性。本文综述了影响二氧化钛亲水特性的物理原因,并且介绍了通过掺杂SiO2而加强TiO2亲水特性的方法。     

ZnO/TiO_2复合薄膜的表面形貌分析及光散射特性研究

采用离子源辅助电子束蒸发的方法,制备了以Si为基底,以TiO2为缓冲层的ZnO薄膜。通过进一步保温处理,在不同温度条件下进行退火处理得到了不同的样品薄膜,用于表面形貌分析和光散射特性实验研究。结果表明,退火温度对样品表面粗糙度、晶粒大小、分形维数等参数具有显著的影响,通过表面形貌分析有助于更好地理解薄膜晶粒生长机制和改进薄膜制备工艺;不同薄膜样品的反射光强度和偏振度对不同偏振光具有不同的角度响应特征,且与薄膜表面统计特性具有一定的关联性,薄膜的光散射特性研究对研究弱散射随机粗糙表面的退偏作用具有一定的参考价值。     

无机络合溶胶-凝胶法制备多孔ZnO薄膜

利用无机络合溶胶-凝胶法制备多孔ZnO薄膜,同时利用多种测试手段对薄膜的晶体结构、表面形貌、多孔和光学性能进行了研究.XRD和SEM的测试结果表明,ZnO薄膜的晶体结构为六方纤锌矿,薄膜表面呈多孔状.由孔径分布曲线得出薄膜的孔主要集中在介孔2.02nm和4.97nm;500℃煅烧得到的ZnO薄膜的比表面积是27.57m2/g;在不同温度下煅烧的薄膜在可见光区域透射率均高于85%,光学带宽为3.25eV.     

Formation and characterization of porous silicon films obtained by catalyzed vapor-chemical etching

Porous silicon films obtained by the metal-assisted vapor-chemical etching technique have been characterized. For the film formation, epitaxial (100) N/P⁺, 1–5 Ω cm monocrystalline silicon wafers were used. The vapors of an alcoholic solution of H₂O₂/HF were drawn towards the silicon surface, which was previously covered with a thin layer of gold (~8 nm) for the catalytic etching. For the optical and morphological characterization of porous films, Raman spectroscopy, Ellipsometry, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM images were used. The films thickness kept a linear relationship with etching time. A porosity gradient from the surface towards the interface (65% to 12%) was observed in the films. A large amount of Si–H bonds as related to O–Si–O bonds were observed and the pore size depends on the HF concentration. Irregular morphology was found in films formed with 50% HF.     

铜薄膜内微孔对其力学性能影响及开裂行为研究

研究了铜薄膜内微孔对其力学性能影响及开裂行为,采用磁控溅射工艺制备聚酰亚胺柔性基板上铜薄膜,通过扫描电镜(SEM)对铜薄膜表面形貌表征、EDS能谱分析及SEM原位拉伸观察实验,得出磁控溅射工艺制备出超薄铜薄膜多为柱状晶结构,且带有微米级孔洞.并测得不同孔隙率铜薄膜载荷与位移增量的变化,由相关公式求出应力-应变关系;分析了不同孔径微孔的上下边缘沿晶开裂,微裂纹萌生、扩展的行为.结果表明:磁控溅射工艺在聚酰亚胺柔性基板上制备的微米级铜薄膜受拉伸时微孔沿晶开裂形成初始微裂纹,孔径≤4μm微孔处局部应力偏低,未能使微裂纹沿晶界改变方向继续扩展,微裂纹受到抑制;在较高的局部应力下,孔径>10μm微孔裂纹继续沿新的晶界方向扩展,与其他微孔裂纹连通;孔隙率越高,多孔微裂纹连通几率越高,薄膜力学性能就越差,且铜薄膜开裂可能性也越高.     

掺W对染料敏化TiO2电极光电性质的研究

用双靶直流磁控共溅射方法在FTO透明导电玻璃上沉积掺W的TiO2薄膜.采用原子力显微镜、喇曼光谱仪和透射光谱仪对其表面形貌、晶体结构及光学性能进行了分析.研究发现适量的掺w有利于改善TiO2薄膜的表面结构,并有利于提高染料敏化电池的短路电流;但过量的掺w减弱了锐钛矿相,TiO2薄膜转变为金红石相结构;适量W掺杂TiO2薄膜经敏化组装的太阳能电池,有利于提高其短路电流及光电能量转换效率,不利于提高其开路电压.     

Preparation of erbium ion-doped TiO2 films and the study of their photocatalytic activity under simulated solar light

A series of erbium ion-doped TiO₂ (Er³⁺-TiO₂) films were prepared by a sol-gel dip/spin coating method, and the effect of the dosage of erbium ion (0-2.0 mol%), the films coating layers (1-5 layers), and calcination temperature (400-700℃) on the film structure and photocatalytic activity were investigated in detail. The films were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TG-DTG) and UV-Vis diffusive reflectance spectra (DRS). The results showed that the films were composed of anatase, and no other TiO₂ phases (rutile and brookite). With the increase of the erbium ion dosage, the crystal size decreased. Erbium ion doping could enhance the thermal stability of TiO₂ and inhibit the increase of the crystallite size. Meanwhile doping of erbium ions gave rise to three typical absorption peaks within the range of visible light (400-700 nm), locating at 490, 523, and 654 nm, attributed to the transition of 4f electrons. The higher calcination temperature led to higher crystallinity and bigger crystal grains. The photocatalytic performance of the films was evaluated by degradation of methyl orange solution under simulated solar light. The highest quality film we prepared was with 4 layers, 1.0 mol% dosage of erbium ion, and the calcination temperature of 500℃. With this film, the degradation percentage of 7.8 mg/L methyl orange solution was up to 53.3% under simulated solar light after 6 h photoreaction.     

TFT-LCD阵列穿透率提升的研究

提高薄膜晶体管液晶显示器阵列基板的光利用效率的主要方法是提高开口率和穿透率。文章制作了低温多晶硅阵列穿透区多层膜,考察膜层以及结构对穿透率的影响,研究阵列光线穿透率提升的方法。结果表明,层间介质层（ILD）完成后不同折射率膜层接口对穿透率影响较大,平坦层（PL）的厚度对穿透率没有明显影响,导电膜氧化铟锡（ITO）厚度增加,穿透率下降。通过在阵列穿透区减少膜层数量和改变膜层组分,减少折射率差异较大的界面,可增加穿透率7%左右。     

Immobilization of Quantum Dots in Nanostructured Porous Silicon Films: Characterizations and Signal Amplification for Dual‐Mode Optical Biosensing

Highly sensitive dual‐mode labeled detection of biotin in well‐characterized porous silicon (PSi) films using colloidal quantum dots (QDs) as signal amplifiers are demonstrated. Optimization of the PSi platform for targeted QD infiltration and immobilization is carried out by characterizing and tuning the porosity, film depth, and pore size. Binding events of target QD‐biotin conjugates with streptavidin probes immobilized on the pore walls are monitored by reflective interferometric spectroscopy and fluorescence measurements. QD labeling of the target biotin molecules enables detection based on a distinct fluorescent signal as well as a greater than 5‐fold enhancement in the measured spectral reflectance fringe shift and a nearly three order of magnitude improvement in the detection limit for only 6% surface area coverage of QDs inside the porous matrix. Utilizing the QD signal amplifiers, an exceptional biotin detection limit of ≈6 fg mm^?2 is demonstrated with sub‐fg mm^?2 detection limits achievable.     

VO2/TiO2复合薄膜的结构和红外光学性质研究

采用溶胶凝胶法在白云母沿（001）方向的解理表面制备VO2/TiO2热致相变复合薄膜。利用X射线衍射仪（XRD）,X射线光电子能谱仪（XPS）,原子力显微镜（AFM）等手段分析了薄膜的微观结构和表面形貌,通过原位傅里叶变换红外光谱（in-situ FTIR）分析复合薄膜在不同温度下的红外透过率,研究其热致相变特性。结果表明,复合薄膜在云母解理面表面呈VO2（011）/TiO2（101）取向生长,表面致密平整。复合薄膜在金属-半导体相变前后表现出优异的光学开关效应,相变过程中的红外光（波长为4 m）透过率变化（Tr）为75.5%;相变过程陡然,透过率变化率（-dTr/dT）达15.7%/℃,滞回温宽减小到8 ℃。     

聚乙二醇共水热合成TiO2纳米晶多孔薄膜

以钛酸丁酯为原料,在水热过程中加入聚乙二醇(分子量2 000)合成TiO2纳米晶,并制备多孔薄膜用于染料敏化太阳能电池(DSSCs)。采用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、台阶仪、紫外-可见分光光度计(UV-vis)对纳米晶粒的晶体结构、薄膜的表面形貌、厚度和光学吸收性能以及电池的光电能量转换性能随聚乙二醇的加入量变化的规律进行了探索。结果表明,聚乙二醇的加入抑制了锐钛矿相TiO2晶粒的生长,诱导了金红石相的形成。当聚乙二醇的加入量为TiO2质量的5%时性能达到最佳,采用单层多孔薄膜以及不添加四-叔丁基吡啶的电解质组装的电池获得了2.86%的光电能量转换效率。     

In situ deposition of polythiophene nanoparticles on flexible transparent films: Effect of the process conditions

Polythiophene (PTh) was deposited as a thin film and nanoparticles on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) films via ultrasonication or via magnetic stirring with or without a cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) or non-ionic (Triton X-100) surfactant. The resulting conductive flexible films were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrometry, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurements, the four-point-probe technique, X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry. The highest conductivity was obtained for PTh-CTAB nanoparticles, which had the most compact surface morphology among nanoparticles on PEN films. In general, the surface morphology, electrical conductivity, and whether PTh nanoparticles had been precipitated or deposited depended on the surfactant used, the surfactant/monomer ratio, the oxidant/monomer ratio, and the monomer concentration.     

The effect of Mg and Al co-doping on the structural and photoelectric properties of ZnO thin film

Mg–Al co-doped ZnO thin films were prepared via radio-frequency reactive magnetron sputtering technique. X-ray diffraction investigation showed all the thin films with different Mg:Al ratio had hexagonal wurtzite structure. All the thin films showed (100) preferential orientation of ZnO. When Al concentration was kept constant but Mg concentration was increased, the grain size decreased at first and then increased. When Mg:Al ratio was 3:1, the grain size reached a maximum. Ultraviolet–visible spectra showed the thin films had a high average transmittance of 80% in the visible range. The optical band gaps of the thin films were obtained as follows: 3.31, 3.32, and 3.37 eV, corresponding to the Mg:Al ratio of 0:1, 1:1, and 3:1, respectively. Photoluminescence spectroscopy showed all the thin films had four main peaks located at 386, 410, 463, and 499 nm. The origin of blue peak is oxygen vacancy. When Mg concentration was kept constant but Al concentration was increased, I–V curve presented that for both of the heterojunctions the rectifying behavior was formed. The conductivity of Mg:Al=1:1 thin film is higher than that of Mg:Al=1:0 thin film. After illumination, light I–V curve deviated from rectifying character.     

Thickness Dependence Study of Electron Beam Evaporated LBMO Manganite Thin Films for Bolometer Applications

La_0.7Ba_0.3MnO₃ (LBMO) thin films with different thicknesses were deposited on Si substrates using an electron beam evaporation technique for bolometer applications. To evaluate the influence of the thickness on their structural, compositional, morphological, and electrical properties, the LBMO thin films were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and a four-probe method. XRD measurements showed that the crystal quality of the LBMO films improved with increasing thickness. The surface morphology revealed that the grain size and surface roughness of the films increased with increasing thickness. The resistivity increased with increasing thickness of the film. The temperature coefficient of resistance of the LBMO films decreased from 5.15%/K to 4.12%/K with increase of the film thickness from 20 nm to 100 nm.     

TiO2 Microspheres with Controllable Surface Area and Porosity for Enhanced Light Harvesting and Electrolyte Diffusion in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

An optimized configuration of TiO₂ microspheres in photoanodes is of great importance to prepare highly efficient dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, TiO₂ microspheres with tunable diameter, pore size, and porosity are synthesized by subtly adjusting the synthesizing conditions, including ratios of deionized water, ammonia, and ethanol, respectively. TiO₂ microspheres are obtained with large pore sizes and a high porosity without sacrificing specific surface areas. In addition, the effect of their porosity and pore size on the performance of DSSCs is investigated. As confirmed by the dye‐loading ability and electrolyte diffusion resistance, the large mesopores and the high porosity of the TiO₂ microspheres can improve dye adsorption and facilitate electrolyte diffusion, giving rise to a high light‐harvesting and electron collection efficiency. Consequently, the highest photocurrent of 19.21 mA cm^?2 and a power conversion efficiency of 9.98% are obtained by using the TiO₂ microspheres with the highest porosity, compared with a 9.29% efficiency demonstrated by the lowest porosity (an improvement of 7.4%). By modifying the interconnection and the external pores of the microspheres photoanode, a high efficiency of 11.67% is achieved for a DSSC based on the most potent TiO₂ microspheres.