Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qimu Yuan, Kilian B. Lohmann, Robert D. J. Oliver, Alexandra J. Ramadan, Siyu Yan, James M. Ball, M. Greyson Christoforo, Nakita K. Noel, Henry J. Snaith, Laura M. Herz, Michael B. Johnston
Summary: This study investigates the use of CuPc and ZnPc as alternative hole transport layers (HTLs) in all-vacuum-deposited metal halide perovskite (MHP) solar cells. The CuPc HTL achieves a solar-to-electrical power conversion efficiency of up to 13.9% and demonstrates excellent long-term stability, with no observable degradation even after 5000 hours in storage and 3700 hours under thermal stress.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lidon Gil-Escrig, Isidora Susic, Ilker Dogan, Valerio Zardetto, Mehrdad Najafi, Dong Zhang, Sjoerd Veenstra, Salar Sedani, Bulent Arikan, Selcuk Yerci, Henk J. Bolink, Michele Sessolo
Summary: Wide bandgap perovskites are being extensively studied for their applications in tandem devices and semitransparent photovoltaics. Vacuum deposition allows the fabrication of multilayer devices with control over thickness and purity. A simplified dual-source vacuum deposition method is shown to produce wide bandgap perovskite films, achieving high efficiency and thermal stability.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Cheng, Ke Meng, Zhi Qiao, Yufeng Zhai, Runze Yu, Li Pan, Bin Chen, Mingyue Xiao, Gang Chen
Summary: By introducing a secondary interlayer spacer, the film quality of formamidinium-based low-dimensional perovskite is substantially improved, leading to enhanced device performance.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Juhwan Lee, Kyungmin Lee, Kyungkon Kim, Nam-Gyu Park
Summary: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), based on inexpensive organic-inorganic hybrid semiconductors, are regarded as a promising next-generation solar cell technology. Efficient and scalable fabrication methods are crucial for the commercialization of PSCs. While solution-based methods have been widely studied for their simplicity and cost-effectiveness, vacuum-based methods are still necessary for achieving reproducibility and uniformity in large-area production. In this review, the precursor and charge transporting materials, as well as various preparation methods for vacuum-processed PSCs, are introduced to provide insights for the commercialization of PSCs.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hui Li, Abdulaziz S. R. Bati, Ronan Chu, Guanran Zhang, Yanyan Li, Qianqian Lin, Paul L. Burn, Paul E. Shaw, Ian R. Gentle
Summary: This study demonstrates that the electronic properties of inorganic nickel oxide films can be modified by fluorination, resulting in reduced surface defects and improved performance and stability of perovskite solar cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junhao Zhu, Ranjith Kottokkaran, Saba Sharikadze, Harshavardhan Gaonkar, Laila-Parvin Poly, Arkadi Akopian, Vikram L. Dalai
Summary: This work presents an all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cell with excellent stability under both thermal and environmental stress. The perovskite layer was fabricated using a well-controlled layer-by-layer vapor deposition technique and exhibited high open-circuit voltage and photo-conversion efficiency. The solar cells showed outstanding performance and stability under various conditions.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qu Yang, Xiu Gong, Xiaosi Qi, Xuncheng Liu, Cheng Liu, Quanfeng Zhou, Qiang Sun, Yan Shen, Mingkui Wang
Summary: So far, SpiroOMeTAD has been extensively used in high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as the most studied hole transport layer (HTL) material. However, its long-term stability is limited by sensitivity to moisture and ion diffusion. In this study, we introduce a highly hydrophobic tetrathiophene polymer (PAQM-DPP) as a chemically tailored modifier for SpiroOMeTAD HTL, which forms a robust bilayer structure and significantly improves stability and tolerance to moisture. Under constant illumination conditions in a N2 atmosphere, the PSCs with the polymer/SpiroOMeTAD bilayer maintained over 92% PCE for 500 hours and exhibited higher tolerance to relative humidity compared to the SpiroOMeTAD HTL counterpart.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ning Yang, Fengtao Pei, Jie Dou, Yizhou Zhao, Zijian Huang, Yue Ma, Sai Ma, Chenyue Wang, Xiao Zhang, Hao Wang, Cheng Zhu, Yang Bai, Huanping Zhou, Tinglu Song, Yihua Chen, Qi Chen
Summary: A solution for improving the thermal stability of hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is reported. By introducing hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) inside the device and a radiator fin outside, the dissipated heat within the absorber can be rapidly removed, effectively reducing the cell temperature. The study shows that this strategy significantly improves the thermal conductivity of perovskite and prolongs the lifetime of PSCs.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jing Zhou, Xueying Tian, Rui Chen, Weitao Chen, Xin Meng, Xinyu Guan, Jianan Wang, Sanwan Liu, Fumeng Ren, Shasha Zhang, Yiqiang Zhang, Zonghao Liu, Wei Chen
Summary: This study utilized an ultra-thin functional hydrophobic polymer, Parylene C, to enhance the operational lifetime of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The Parylene C film, which was applied as a surface finish using chemical vapor deposition, provided tunnel contact and protected the perovskite layer. The Parylene C film reduced surface defects and hindered hole migration, resulting in improved efficiency and long-term stability of PSCs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yahong Li, Yang Zhang, Jing Song, Tengfei Kong, Xufu Liu, Dongqin Bi
Summary: This paper modifies the inverted structure of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by using a polymerizable amine salt as an interlayer. The modified layer improves the crystallinity and reduces defects in the film, optimizes the interface energy level, and improves the efficiency and stability of the cells.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minhuan Wang, Shaun Tan, Yepin Zhao, Pengchen Zhu, Yanfeng Yin, Yulin Feng, Tianyi Huang, Jingjing Xue, Rui Wang, Gill Sang Han, Hyun Suk Jung, Jiming Bian, Jin-Wook Lee, Yang Yang
Summary: The majority of high-performance perovskite solar cells are based on multi-cation mixed-anion compositions that include methylammonium and bromide, but the thermal instability of methylammonium and phase segregation of mixed halide compositions limit their long-term stability. A new strategy has been presented to achieve highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells without cesium, methylammonium, and bromide. These developed solar cells are among the best-performing ones reported in such compositions and show superior stability under continuous exposure to both illumination and 85 degrees C heat.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Joo-Hong Lee, Byung Soon Kim, Jinkyun Park, Jin-Wook Lee, Kyungkon Kim
Summary: Developing a scalable fabrication process for perovskite solar cells is crucial for the market readiness of perovskite photovoltaic technology. While solution-based scalable processes have received most research efforts, vacuum thermal evaporation processes, despite their advantages, have not been extensively studied. This article discusses the possible opportunities and challenges in utilizing vacuum thermal evaporation for mass production of large-area perovskite solar modules, highlighting the need for further research.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoqiang Shi, Ye Tao, Zhuoxin Li, Huirong Peng, Molang Cai, Xuepeng Liu, Zhongyan Zhang, Songyuan Dai
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of a CeOx interlayer to modify the perovskite/TiO2 interface, resulting in improved electron extraction and reduced nonradiative recombination in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The bilayer-structured TiO2/CeOx electron transport layer (ETL) leads to enhanced open-circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency, as well as improved stability of PSCs.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiang Deng, Fengzhu Li, Quan Wang, Danjun Liu, Francis Lin, Dong Shen, Dangyuan Lei, Yung-Kang Peng, Zonglong Zhu, Alex K. -Y. Jen
Summary: Interface engineering using robust fluoroterminated TiO2 nanosheets (F-TiO2 NSs) as interlayers between perovskite and electron-transporting layers greatly enhances the performance and stability of inverted perovskite solar cells. The flat morphology of F-TiO2 NSs allows for close contact with perovskite and abundant surface fluoro groups to interact with ions, preventing the formation of cation vacancies and alleviating surface defects, leading to a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 22.86%. Devices with F-TiO2 NSs interlayers also exhibit enhanced operational stability, maintaining over 90% of their initial efficiencies after 1,000 hours of monitoring at the maximum power point under day/night cycles.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zilong Zhang, Can Wang, Feng Li, Lusheng Liang, Liulian Huang, Lihui Chen, Yonghao Ni, Peng Gao, Hui Wu
Summary: In this study, a bifunctional cellulose derivative (C-Cz) is used as an interfacial material for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). With excellent energy level alignment, thermal stability, and strong interactions with the perovskite surface, C-Cz improves carrier transportation and passivates potential defects. As a result, PSCs modified with C-Cz achieve a significantly enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.02% and improved long-term stability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shahir Hussain, Md Mottahir Alam, Mohd Imran, Nasser Zouli, Abdul Aziz, Kashif Irshad, Mohammad Haider, Afzal Khan
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Afzal Khan, Mohammad Rezwan Habib, Cong Jingkun, Mingsheng Xu, Deren Yang, Xuegong Yu
Summary: This study investigates the direct chemical vapor deposition growth of graphene on Si(100) surfaces without a metal catalyst, emphasizing the formation of silicon carbide (SiC) buffer layers at high temperatures. The results suggest the need to reconsider the metal-catalyst-free direct growth of graphene on Si substrates using thermal CVD systems.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mohd Imran, Adnan Mohammed Affandi, Md Mottahir Alam, Afzal Khan, Asif Irshad Khan
Summary: Ferrofluids, as stable colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles in base fluids, exhibit high thermal conductivity, good stability, and magnetic properties. They are mainly based on iron oxide nanostructures due to their easy synthesis and low costs. In biomedical applications, ferrofluids can be used for hyperthermia, drug delivery, MRI, and cell separation.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Mohd Imran, Md Mottahir Alam, Shahir Hussain, Ahmed Abutaleb, Abdul Aziz, Mohammed Rehaan Chandan, Kashif Irshad, Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Hagri, Omer Yahya Bakather, Afzal Khan
Summary: A highly stable ferro-nanofluid was prepared by dispersing Fe3O4 NPs in a blend of sunflower oil and mineral oil, resulting in a significant enhancement of thermal conductivity. The Brownian motion of the dispersed NPs and the formation of a chain-like network contributed to the enhanced thermal conductivity of the oil blend-based ferro-nanofluid. This study offers an efficient method for preparing oil-based ferro-nanofluids with tunable thermal conductivity for heat transfer applications.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rishi Ranjan Kumar, Mohammad Rezwan Habib, Afzal Khan, Po-Cheng Chen, Thangapandian Murugesan, Shivam Gupta, Aswin Kumar Anbalagan, Nyan-Hwa Tai, Chih-Hao Lee, Heh-Nan Lin
Summary: The study investigates the role of sulfur vacancies in MoS2 nanosheets in gas sensing response, with experiments and simulations showing a correlation between sulfur vacancies and enhanced NO2 adsorption. The findings propose a detailed temperature-dependent sensing mechanism for p-type MoS2 nanosheets considering sulfur vacancies as single electron acceptors.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Afzal Khan, Rishi Ranjan Kumar, Jingkun Cong, Mohd Imran, Deren Yang, Xuegong Yu
Summary: The integration of CVD graphene with textured-Si substrates offers solutions to the poor light absorption capability and high reflectance of planar-Si substrate. This combination has been successfully demonstrated in high-performance solar cells and PDs, showing enhanced light harvesting and charge separation/transport efficiency.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shahzad Ahmed, Arshiya Ansari, Ahmed S. Haidyrah, Anis Ahmad Chaudhary, Mohd Imran, Afzal Khan
Summary: In this study, an electrochemical biosensor for histamine detection was fabricated using a molecularly imprinted polymer. The sensor exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity, with excellent performance in various aspects.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Shahzad Ahmed, Sehba Khatun, Sahar Sallam, Arshiya Ansari, Zeeshan Alam Ansari, Rishi Ranjan Kumar, Jabir Hakami, Afzal Khan
Summary: In this study, porous silicon structures were fabricated by anodizing n-type monocrystalline silicon in an ethanoic-HF solution. The photoresponse of the fabricated porous silicon-based device was studied, and it exhibited a blue-shifted widened photoluminescence spectrum, making it suitable for visible range photodetectors.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jingkun Cong, Afzal Khan, Pengjie Hang, Li Cheng, Deren Yang, Xuegong Yu
Summary: Hydrogenated graphene is used as an interfacial layer in graphene/Si heterostructure photodetectors to enhance detection performance and serve as a carrier tunneling layer. It shows great potential for high-performance photodetectors.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Mohd Imran, Shahzad Ahmed, Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah, Jabir Hakami, Anis Ahmad Chaudhary, Hassan Ahmad Rudayni, Salah-Ud-Din Khan, Afzal Khan, Nosiba Suliman Basher
Summary: This review article provides valuable and up-to-date information on nanostructured material-based optical and electrochemical sensors for detecting amoxicillin (AMX) in various biological and chemical samples. The role of different nanostructured materials in enhancing the performance of optical and electrochemical sensors has been discussed. The article also briefly discusses nanocomposite-based photo-electrochemical sensors and the market availability of biosensors for AMX detection.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohd Imran, Anis Ahmad Chaudhary, Shahzad Ahmed, Md Mottahir Alam, Afzal Khan, Nasser Zouli, Jabir Hakami, Hassan Ahmad Rudayni, Salah-Ud-Din Khan
Summary: This review article provides a comprehensive summary of the advanced technological applications of iron oxide nanoparticle-based ferro-nanofluids (FNs) in various engineering fields, including chemical engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, environmental engineering, as well as mechanical engineering or magneto-rheological applications. The article presents up-to-date information and future perspectives in this field.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Afzal Khan, Jingkun Gong, Rishi Ranjan Kumar, Shahzad Ahmed, Deren Yang, Xuegong Yu
Summary: This study investigates the conditions and mechanisms for the growth of graphene on cubic-silicon carbide surfaces and finds that graphene nanowalls can be successfully grown on Si and 3C-SiC/Si surfaces using the PECVD technique. Graphene/Si heterostructures grown via PECVD exhibit higher current conduction and are suitable for various electronic and optoelectronic applications.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jingkun Cong, Afzal Khan, Pengjie Hang, Deren Yang, Xuegong Yu
Summary: In this study, a high-performance graphene/Si heterostructure photodetector was fabricated by using spiro-OMeTAD as an interfacial layer. The detector exhibited high ON/OFF ratio, fast response, high detectivity, and improved responsivity.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jingkun Cong, Afzal Khan, Jiajun Li, Ying Wang, Mingsheng Xu, Deren Yang, Xuegong Yu
Summary: The study demonstrates a method to grow large-area graphene nanowalls (GNWs) on a Si substrate using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) technique and develop high-performance GNWs-Si heterostructure infrared photodetectors (PDs). The fabricated PD exhibits excellent light absorption and high responsivity, fast response speed, and high specific detectivity, showing great potential for Si-based optoelectronics.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohd Imran, Nasser Zouli, Tansir Ahamad, Saad M. Alshehri, Mohammed Rehaan Chandan, Shahir Hussain, Abdul Aziz, Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, Afzal Khan
Summary: The study investigated the electrical and thermal conductivity of Fe3O4 and Fe3O4@carbon core-shell nanoparticles in ferrofluids. Results showed significant enhancements in electrical and thermal conductivity compared to the base fluid, with Fe3O4@C core-shell nanoparticles exhibiting better thermal conductivity than bare Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The findings were validated against the Maxwell effective model and showed improved results compared to previous studies.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2021)
