Antibacterial Surface Coatings from Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Embedded in Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel Surface Layers

Despite multiple research approaches to prevent bacterial colonization on surfaces, device‐associated infections are currently responsible for about 50% of nosocomial infections in Europe and significantly increase health care costs, which demands development of advanced antibacterial surface coatings. Here, novel antimicrobial composite materials incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) into biocompatible poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel layers are prepared by mixing the PNIPAAm prepolymer with ZnO NP, followed by spin‐coating and photocrosslinking. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of the composite film morphology reveals a homogeneous distribution of the ZnO NP throughout the film for every applied NP/polymer ratio. The optical properties of the embedded NP are not affected by the matrix as confirmed by UV‐vis spectroscopy. The nanocomposite films exhibit bactericidal behavior towards Escherichia coli (E. coli) for a ZnO concentration as low as ≈0.74 μg cm^?2 (1.33 mmol cm^?3), which is determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In contrast, the coatings are found to be non‐cytotoxic towards a mammalian cell line (NIH/3T3) at bactericidal loadings of ZnO over an extended period of seven days. The differential toxicity of the ZnO/hydrogel nanocomposite thin films between bacterial and cellular species qualifies them as promising candidates for novel biomedical device coatings.     

高强度锌合金冷压焊工艺及接头组织性能

采用冷压焊的方法完成高强度锌合金棒材的对接。用光学显微镜对冷压焊接头的组织形貌进行分析,并测试接头的抗拉强度和抗弯强度。结果表明,采用合适的冷压焊工艺可以实现锌铝合金的对接,焊缝组织致密。拉伸试验结果表明,断裂均发生在锌合金母材侧。     

A Dual-Mode Electrochromic Platform Integrating Zinc Anode-Based and Rocking-Chair Electrochromic Devices

The complementary electrochromic device, where the optical transmittance changes upon the flow of cations back and forth between anodic and cathodic electrodes, operates in a rocking-chair fashion if it can inherently self-discharge. Herein, the first demonstration of a dual-mode electrochromic platform having self-coloring and self-bleaching characteristics is reported, which is realized by sandwiching zinc metal within a newly-designed Prussian blue (PB)-WO₃ rocking-chair type electrochromic device. It is demonstrated that the redox potential differences between the zinc metal and the WO₃/PB electrodes endow the self-color-switching of these electrodes. By employing a hybrid electrolyte of Zn²⁺/K⁺, it is further shown that the colored PB-WO₃ rocking-chair device is capable of spontaneously bleaching when the anodic and cathodic electrodes are coupled. This dual-mode light-control strategy enables the electrochromic devices to exhibit four distinct optical states with the highest optical contrast of 72.6% and fast switching times (<5 s for the bleaching/coloration processes). Furthermore, the built-in voltage of the dual-mode electrochromic devices not only promotes energy efficiency, but also augments the bistability of the devices. It is envisioned that the broad implication of the present platform is in the development of self-powered smart windows, colorful displays, optoelectronic switches, and optical sensors.     

Progress of Phosphate-based Polyanion Cathodes for Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc Batteries

Aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries (ARZBs) are recently prevailing devices that utilize the abundant Zn resources and the merits of aqueous electrolytes to become a competitive alternative for large-scale energy storage. Benefiting from the unique inductive effect and flexible structure, the past five years have experienced a diversiform of phosphate-based polyanion materials that are used as cathodes in ARZBs. In this review, the most recent advances in the Zn²⁺ storage mechanisms and electrolyte optimization of the phosphate-based cathodes of ARZBs, which mainly focus on vanadium/iron-based phosphates and their derivatives are presented. Furthermore, in addition to significant progress on polyanion phosphate-based cathode materials, the design strategies both for electrode materials and compatible electrolytes are also elaborated to improve the energy density and extend the cycling life of aqueous Zn/polyanion batteries.     

薄膜太阳电池用改进型绒面结构MOCVD-ZnO:B透明导电薄膜研究

利用低压MOCVD技术在玻璃衬底上生长了改进型绒面结构ZnO:B薄膜。改进型ZnO:B薄膜包含两层薄膜,第一层采用传统工艺技术生长了类金字塔状晶粒,第二层借助相对低温生长技术获得了类球状晶粒。典型的双层生长技术获得的MOCVD-ZnO:B薄膜具有相对高的电子迁移率~27.6 cm2/Vs,主要归因于提高了晶界质量,减少了缺陷态。随着第二层修饰层厚度的增加,MOCVD-ZnO:B薄膜的绒度提高,而光学透过率有所下降。相比于传统工艺生长的ZnO薄膜,双层结构的MOCVD-ZnO:B薄膜应用于硅基薄膜太阳电池展现了较高的太阳电池转化效率。     

Optoelectronic properties of expanding thermal plasma deposited textured zinc oxide: Effect of aluminum doping

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide films exhibiting a rough surface morphology are deposited on glass substrates utilizing expanding thermal plasma. Spectroscopic ellipsometry is used to evaluate optical and electronic film properties. The presence of aluminum donors in doped films is confirmed by a shift in the zinc oxide bandgap energy from 3.32 to 3.65 eV. In combination with transmission reflection measurements in the visible and NIR ranges, charge carrier densities, optical mobilities, and film resistivities have been obtained from the free carrier absorption. Film resistivities are consistent with direct measurements, values as low as 6.0×10⁻⁴ ω cm have been obtained. The interdependence of electrical conductivity, film composition, and film morphology is addressed.     

The Effect of Gradual Fluorination on the Properties of FnZnPc Thin Films and FnZnPc/C60 Bilayer Photovoltaic Cells

Motivated by the possibility of modifying energy levels of a molecule without substantially changing its band gap, the impact of gradual fluorination on the optical and structural properties of zinc phthalocyanine (F_nZnPc) thin films and the electronic characteristics of F_nZnPc/C₆₀ (n = 0, 4, 8, 16) bilayer cells is investigated. UV–vis measurements reveal similar Q‐ and B‐band absorption of F_nZnPc thin films with n = 0, 4, 8, whereas for F₁₆ZnPc a different absorption pattern is detected. A correlation between structure and electronic transport is deduced. For F₄ZnPc/C₆₀ cells, the enhanced long range order supports fill factors of 55% and an increase of the short circuit current density by 18%, compared to ZnPc/C₆₀. As a parameter being sensitive to the organic/organic interface energetics, the open circuit voltage is analyzed. An enhancement of this quantity by 27% and 50% is detected for F₄ZnPc‐ and F₈ZnPc‐based devices, respectively, and is attributed to an increase of the quasi‐Fermi level splitting at the donor/acceptor interface. In contrast, for F₁₆ZnPc/C₆₀ a decrease of the open circuit voltage is observed. Complementary photoelectron spectroscopy, external quantum efficiency, and photoluminescence measurements reveal a different working principle, which is ascribed to the particular energy level alignment at the interface of the photoactive materials.     

Electronic Granularity and the Work Function of Transparent Conducting ZnO:Al Thin Films

Controlling the efficiency of electron transport across oxide interfaces is essential for numerous emerging technologies including advanced photovoltaics and light emitting devices. This work illuminates the connections between granular structure, defect chemistry, and the work function of a technologically important transparent conductor, ZnO:Al. Visual evidence is provided for a model of grain boundary oxidation in the form of nanometer‐scale heterogeneity in the contact potential between grains and grain boundaries, a phenomenon referred to as electronic granularity. By correlating scanning probe data with photoemission spectroscopy we relate electronic granularity to defect chemistry and, importantly, account for the overall trends in work function. The resulting physical picture connects heterogeneity at the nanoscale to macroscopic properties, informs the design of transparent electrodes, and may be broadly relevant to granular oxide conductors.     

带电子聚焦的氧化锌场发射背光源

液晶显示需要低功耗、均匀度好的光源作为背光源。为了降低功耗,提高显示图像质量,未来的液晶显示需要实现对背光源进行时间与阵列调制。对比现有的液晶显示用背光源,研究制备了氧化锌场发射光源。该光源采用氧化锌纳米针作为场发射阴极,采用平面栅极作为门电极调制结构实现亮度的连续可调,通过带有氧化镁二次电子发射层的金属栅网对电子进行聚焦实现光源的均匀照度。实验结果表明,带电子聚焦的氧化锌场发射光源具有较低的开启场强(1.1V/μm),较小的电压调制区间(小于150V),较高的发光强度(大于1 000cd/m2),且基于电子聚焦结构的设计,实现了光源的均匀稳定照度,可以提高液晶显示的图像质量。带电子聚焦结构的氧化锌场发射光源,既可实现对发光的时间与阵列调制,同时能提高发光的均匀性,将可作为液晶显示的理想背光源。     

Thermo-optical characterization of CdZnS nanoparticle colloids

Thermo-optical properties of cadmium zinc sulfide (CdZnS) nanoparticle colloids are investigated by interferometry technique. The nanoparticle colloids are synthesized by an improved co-precipitation method. Transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis are used to characterize the CdZnS nanocrystals. The thermo-optic coefficient of the colloids has been determined using a Fizeau interferometer. For this purpose, the interference patterns are deformed by a photothermal phase shift which is locally induced in the sample by the focused pump laser beam. The change in the refractive index at this region imposes a shift on the phase of the fringe patterns. Fourier analysis performed on the interference patterns allows us to estimate the values of the thermo-optic coefficient and nonlinear refractive index of the sample. It is shown that the CdZnS nanoparticle colloids enhance the absorption of the laser light and induce high rise in the temperature of the sample, which leads to the nonlinear phase shift.