Electrochemically prepared polymer solar cell by three-layer deposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(2,2′-bithiophene)/fullerene (PEDOT/PBT/C60)

A new electrochemical approach to fabricate polymer solar cell has been developed. Electropolymerization of 2,2′-bithiophene was done on top of the electrodeposited p-doped PEDOT layer. Fullerene was deposited as a third layer after initiating n-doping of the polymers. Composition and oxidation states of the polymers were monitored by UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Morphological changes were followed with Atomic Force Microscopy (ATM) revealing rough nanostructures of the layers. The composition and performance of the solar cells were compared to the cells fabricated by using conventional spin-coating technique. Photoresponse with the maximum V_oc of 0.47 V and the highest J_sc of 0.55 mA/cm² was measured.     

Contact formation during the liquid-phase sintering of Fe-Cu and Cu-P alloy powders

Conclusions During the liquid-phase sintering of Fe-Cu and Cu-P alloy powders a dominant role in the formation of particle contact structure is played by capillary forces, which ensure migration of the liquid phase along the grain boundaries of the solid phase. In the course of prior heat treatment of these alloy powders emergence of the liquid phase to their surfaces under the influence of excess intergranular pressure is favored energetically.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 12(276), pp. 33–37, December, 1985.     

Dendrimer‐Encapsulated Ruthenium Oxide Nanoparticles as Catalysts in Lithium‐Oxygen Batteries

Dendrimer‐encapsulated ruthenium oxide nanoparticles (DEN‐RuO₂) have been used as catalysts in lithium‐oxygen (Li‐O₂) batteries for the first time. The results obtained from ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that the nanoparticles synthesized by the dendrimer template method are ruthenium oxide, not metallic ruthenium as reported by other groups. The DEN‐RuO₂ significantly improves the cycling stability of Li‐O₂ batteries with carbon electrodes and decreases the charging potential even at ten times less catalyst loading than those reported previously. The monodispersity, porosity, and large number of surface functionalities of the dendrimer template prevent the aggregation of the RuO₂ nanoparticles, making their entire surface area available for catalysis. The potential of using DEN‐RuO₂ as a standalone cathode material for Li‐O₂ batteries is also explored.     

The effect of a substrate on fabric combustibility

Moscow. Translated from Fizika Goreniya i Vzryva, No. 2, pp. 63–66, March–April, 1991.     

Preparation of conductive polyaniline/nylon‐6 composite films by polymerization of aniline in nylon‐6 matrix

Polyaniline (PANI)/Nylon‐6 composite films were prepared by oxidative polymerization of aniline (ANI) inside host Nylon‐6 film. Such a composite has the desired electro‐active and mechanical properties to serve as a self‐standing functional unit. Comparative studies on sorption of ANI by Nylon‐6 matrix from various ANI containing media were conducted revealing superior ANI uptake from neutral ANI solution in water. ANI content was measured to be as high as 12%. Spectroscopic measurements showed that hydrogen bonding seemed to play important role in ANI sorption by Nylon‐6 matrix. Polymerization was monitored using atomic force microscopy and conductivity measurements. The morphology studies showed the appearance of PANI nanodomains on Nylon‐6 surface in the early stages of the polymerization. Eventually the domains coalesced during polymerization forming a continuous PANI layer. The conductivity measurements confirmed the change of the morphology from isolated islands to continuous conducting surface by drastic increase in conductivity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009