Multifunctional epoxy coatings combining a mixture of traps and inhibitor loaded nanocontainers for corrosion protection of AA2024-T3

This work aims at investigating the corrosion protection effectiveness of multifunctional epoxy coatings modified with pigments such as ceramic nanocontainers loaded with corrosion inhibitor, chloride and water traps, applied on AA2024-T3. Characterizations on the morphology, composition and structure of the coatings were conducted. The corrosion resistance was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, localized electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning vibrating electrode technique. The mechanical behaviour of the coatings was examined through nanoindentation and nanoscratching tests. Electrochemical and nanomechanical testing results, evidenced the improvement of the corrosion protective properties and mechanical behaviour of the coatings in the presence of the various pigments.     

Organic wrinkles embedded in high-index medium as planar internal scattering structures for organic light-emitting diodes

Organic wrinkle structures are investigated as an internal scattering layer for the fabrication of highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The solution-processed wrinkle structures are planarized with a high-index layer, resulting in a reduced surface roughness and optical haze simultaneously. The OLED device including the wrinkle structures achieved external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 24.2%, corresponding to a 1.24 time enhancement with respect to that of a control device having no internal scattering layer. By attaching a micro lens array (MLA) or a half ball lens (HBL) on the external surface of the substrate, the proposed device exhibits an EQE of 30.5% (1.56 time enhancement) and 41.8% (2.14 time enhancement), respectively. Randomness of the distributed wrinkle structures is shown to provide additional benefits of reduced angular spectral distortion and Lambertian-like emission properties. Trans-scale optical simulation combining wave-optics and the geometrical effect are used for the quantitative analysis of the emission characteristics of the device.     

Transition metal oxides on organic semiconductors

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) on organic semiconductors (OSs) structure has been widely used in inverted organic optoelectronic devices, including inverted organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and inverted organic solar cells (OSCs), which can improve the stability of such devices as a result of improved protection of air sensitive cathode. However, most of these reports are focused on the anode modification effect of TMO and the nature of TMO-on-OS is not fully understood. Here we show that the OS on TMO forms a two-layer structure, where the interface mixing is minimized, while for TMO-on-OS, due to the obvious diffusion of TMO into the OS, a doping-layer structure is formed. This is evidenced by a series of optical and electrical studies. By studying the TMO diffusion depth in different OS, we found that this process is governed by the thermal property of the OS. The TMO tends to diffuse deeper into the OS with a lower evaporation temperature. It is shown that the TMO can diffuse more than 20 nm into the OS, depending on the thermal property of the OS. We also show that the TMO-on-OS structure can replace the commonly used OS with TMO doping structure, which is a big step toward in simplifying the fabrication process of the organic optoelectronic devices.     

Energetic distribution of interface states extracted from photo-conductance of organic thin film transistors

In this paper, a new method is introduced to obtain the energetic distribution of the interface states (density of states; DOS) extracted from the photo-conductance of organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) which exhibit varied transfer characteristics under illumination with different photon energies. The method was applied to pentacene OTFTs, and the results were compared with existing data. The major findings were not only the existence of the well-known peaks of DOS at 1.82 eV (free exciton of pentacene), and at 1.49 eV (extrinsic exciton due to dihydropentacene) but also new peaks were found at 1.25 eV, 1.29 eV, 1.31 eV, and 1.35 eV in the mid-gap. The new peaks were strongly enhanced under exposure to oxygen, and thus seem to be related to the defects associated with the presence of oxygen.     

Size dependent ferromagnetism in dodecyl amine capped ZnO nanoparticles

We investigated the size dependent ferromagnetism in dodecyl amine capped zinc oxide nanoparticle. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that density of oxygen vacancies was enhanced due to an increase in compressive strain concomitant with the decrease in particle size. Magnetic measurements showed increased ferromagnetic ordering in ZnO nanoparticles with reduced particle size. It was also found that the increase in coercive field, saturation magnetization and magnetic hysteresis loop area were invariably associated with increased oxygen defect population. The observed ferromagnetism in organic capped zinc oxide nanocrystals has therefore been assigned to defect induced phenomena. Results of sample characterization using optical absorption spectroscopy, photo luminescence spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscope have also been presented.     

Solution processable PEDOT:PSS based hybrid electrodes for organic field effect transistors

We report high performance solution processed conductive inks used as contact electrodes for printed organic field effect transistors (OFETs). Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes show highly improved very low sheet resistance of 65.8 ± 6.5 Ω/square (Ω/□) by addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and post treatment with methanol (MeOH) solvent. Sheet resistance was further improved to 33.8 ± 8.6 Ω/□ by blending silver nanowire (AgNW) with DMSO doped PEDOT:PSS. Printed OFETs with state of the art diketopyrrolopyrrole-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DPPT-TT) semiconducting polymer were demonstrated with various solution processable conductive inks, including bare, MeOH treated PEDOT:PSS, single wall carbon nanotubes, and hybrid PEDOT:PSS-AgNW, as the source and drain (S/D) electrode by spray printing using a metal shadow mask. The highest field effect mobility, 0.49 ± 0.03 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for DPPT-TT OFETs, was obtained using blended AgNW with DMSO doped PEDOT:PSS S/D electrode.     

Putting the organic label in context: Examining the interactions between the organic label,product type,and retail outlet

The organic label has been studied extensively in the literature; however, few studies take into consideration the context in which the organic purchase takes place. In this study, we examine the product type (virtue vs. vice) as well as the purchase context (retailer: Target vs. Walmart). Using an online experiment with U.S. consumers (N = 605), we determine how the organic label interacts with each of these contexts and how these interactions impact downstream evaluations such as expected taste, nutrition, safety, likelihood of purchase, and attitude and trust toward the product’s brand. Results of the study reveal both the organic label and retail context impact product evaluations. First, results showed organic products were perceived more favorably on a number of measures (including nutrition, safety, brand attitude, and brand trust) than their non-organic counterparts, providing evidence of an organic “halo” effect. Interestingly, though, the organic “halo” did not extend to two measures: expected taste and likelihood of purchase. Secondly, organic labeling benefits virtue and vice products in distinct aspects – the organic virtue product had better expected taste while the organic vice product had higher expected nutrition. Finally, we find that retailers are a crucial factor that moderates the evaluation of organic products. Our results suggest retailers like Target may be better outlets for promoting organic vice products whereas retailers like Walmart may only be good outlets for promoting organic virtue products. This study has important implications for the National Organic Program, the Organic Trade Association, producers, and food brand managers.     

Open-circuit voltage exceeding the outermost HOMO-LUMO offset in cascade organic solar cells

We demonstrate a planar organic solar cell with a four-layer cascade architecture that exhibits an open-circuit voltage (Voc) greater than the offset in energy between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the outermost donor and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the outermost acceptor. The device consists of a subphthalocyanine (SubPc)/fullerene (C60) heterojunction that is modified by inserting one or two additional donor layers between SubPc and the anode. We find that two-, three- and four-layer structures yield similar Voc (1.0 V, 0.91 V and 0.94 V, respectively), even though the outermost HOMO-LUMO offset decreases from 1.4 eV to 1.10 eV, and to 0.9 eV, respectively. Analysis of the turn-on voltage in dark provides further evidence that open-circuit voltage is not limited by the outermost HOMO-LUMO offset.     

Strawberries from integrated pest management and organic farming: Phenolic composition and antioxidant properties

Consumer awareness, pesticide and fertilizer contaminations and environmental concerns have resulted in significant demand for organically grown farm produce. Consumption of berries has become popular among health-conscious consumers due to the high levels of valuable antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and other phenolic compounds. The present study evaluated the influence that organic farming (OF) and integrated pest management (IPM) practise exert on the total phenolic content in 22 strawberry samples from four varieties. Postharvest performance of OF and IPM strawberries grown in the same area in the centre of Portugal and harvested at the same maturity stage were compared. Chemical profiles (phenolic compounds) were determined with the aid of HPLC-DAD/MS. Total phenolic content was higher for OF strawberry extracts. This study showed that the main differences in bioactive phytochemicals between organically and IPM grown strawberries concerned their anthocyanin levels. Organically grown strawberries were significantly higher in antioxidant activity than were the IPM strawberries, as measured by DPPH and FRAP assays.