Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cheong-Ha Kim, Yu-Sung Kim, Jin-Young Choi, In-Sik Lee, Byung-Chul Cha, Dae-Wook Kim, Jewon Lee
Summary: Electrochromic technologies have gained attention for their energy-saving performance. This study electrodeposited nanostructured tungsten trioxide films to enhance their electrochromic properties by controlling the pH of electrolytes. Electron microscopy and spectroelectrochemical analysis showed that smaller grain sizes resulted in larger electrochemical reactive surface areas and shorter ion diffusion lengths, achieving efficient ion intercalation and deintercalation.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wenzhi Zhang, Xiao Wang, Sumin Wang, Shengbo Zhu, Qiguan Wang
Summary: A simple, efficient, and low-cost strategy for constructing three-dimensional reticular macroporous nanostructured electrochromic polymer films without using templates is presented in this study. The films fabricated using potentiostatic deposition and pulsed electrodeposition show significantly enhanced electrochromic properties, suggesting great potential for applications in high-performance electrochromic devices.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bo Zhang, Guoyue Xu, Shengli Liu, Fengfeng Chi, Yuanyuan Tian
Summary: The study investigated the influence of ethanol content on the microstructure and electrochromic performance of TiO2 films. Results showed that the film synthesized with 20% ethanol had the highest transmittance modulation, fastest switching times, largest coloration efficiency, and high cyclic stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anling Li, Qianrui Kang, Shuaiyang Ren, Yong Zhang, Fengwei Zhang, Qiang He
Summary: The study examined the effects of different concentrations of ZnO/SiO2 composite coatings on the hydrophobic properties and mechanical stability of paper mulch film. The results showed that the paper mulch film with 4% coating material exhibited excellent hydrophobicity, mechanical stability, reduced surface roughness, and resistance to acid, alkali, salt, and self-cleaning.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guilin Wei, Wenhong Han, Xiaoyan Shu, Fen Luo, Hexi Tang, Shunzhang Chen, Lan Wang, Yi Xie, Xirui Lu
Summary: This study focused on investigating the irradiation stability of uranium-contaminated soil samples irradiated by 1.5 MeV Xe20+ ions. The results showed that although irradiation caused crystallization and a slight decrease in Vickers hardness of the samples, the overall performance remained stable with good radiation resistance.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Siyuan Huang, Renfu Zhang, Peipei Shao, Yiwen Zhang, Rui-Tao Wen
Summary: In this study, the underlying cause of performance degradation in electrochromic devices is uncovered, and a method to restore the initial performance in TiO2 thin films is explored. It is found that by releasing the ions trapped in different sites, the performance can be restored and the reversible sites and traps can convert between each other. These results provide valuable insights into the understanding and improvement of electrochromic devices.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ming-Yue Tan, Kah-Yoong Chan, Cheikh Zakaria Eldjilali, Abdelrahman Hamed Ebrahem Abdelhamed, Gregory Soon How Thien, Benedict Wen-Cheun Au, Boon Tong Goh, H. C. Ananda Murthy
Summary: This study presents a cost-effective and time-saving method for producing high-quality TiO2 electrochromic thin films using a sol-gel spin coating technique and rapid post-annealing. The successful deployment of TiO2 in electrochromic applications provides opportunities for integrating EC and photovoltaic technologies in energy-saving window glass applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sachin Rahi, Gargi Konwar, Shree Prakash Tiwari
Summary: This study demonstrates high-performance flexible organic transistors on a paper substrate, achieved by using a simple bilayer gate dielectric of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylic acid (PAA), which showed strong hydrogen bonding as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. These transistors exhibited high field-effect mobility, near-zero threshold voltage, high on/off ratio, and stability even under bending. The paper devices also showed environmental stability and the capability of biodegradation in soil.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rongxin Liu, Yang Ren, Huimin Cai, Cheng Zhang, Jinmei Wang, Gaoyang Zhao, Shengguo Zhang
Summary: In this study, Nb-doped TiO2 (NTO) films were fabricated on ITO glass substrates using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) method. The effects of deposition temperature and film thickness on the microstructure and electrochromic property of NTO films were investigated. The results showed that increasing the deposition temperature improved the crystallinity and electrochromic properties of the films, while the growth direction and surface morphology of the NTO grains were strongly influenced by the film thickness. The NTO films with a thickness of 300 nm and sheet-structured grains exhibited optimal properties, allowing precise independent spectral control over material transmittance in the visible and near-infrared regions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Miao Wang, Byeong-ju Kim, Dong Suk Han, Hyunwoong Park
Summary: The study compares the electrocatalytic activity of electrodes with different thicknesses of TiO2 overlayers, showing that TEC-1 has better interfacial charge transfer efficiency than TEC-2. However, after prolonged use of 300 hours, TEC-2 exhibits better durability compared to TEC-1.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wenzhi Zhang, Chen Zhang, Jianchang Liu, Xiao Wang, Shengbo Zhu
Summary: In this study, a facile and efficient method was proposed for the preparation of large-size electrochromic polymer films using in situ chemical oxidative polymerization. The obtained films exhibited excellent electrochromic performance, indicating their great potential applications in electrochromic devices.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Xi Su, Zexin Tu, Liwei Ji, Hao Wu, Hongxing Xu, Chang Liu
Summary: Nickel oxide (NiO) films were prepared using atomic layer deposition at different temperatures, and they showed good anodic electrochromic properties, making them potentially useful for applications.
JOURNAL OF VACUUM SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY A
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Rongxin Liu, Yang Ren, Yunwei Wang, Cheng Zhang, Jinmei Wang, Yaozhong Zhang, Yifan Wang, Ke Yun, Gaoyang Zhao
Summary: Nb-doped TiO2 array films were prepared on ITO glasses using laser interferometry combined with the photosensitive sol-gel technique. The electrochromic properties of the NTO film were compared between smooth surface and array structure. The NTO array film showed superior electrochromic performance and higher optical contrast, attributed to the enhancement of local surface plasmon resonance of the array.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bo Zhang, Xinyang Zhang, Jie Luo, Shengli Liu, Yuanyuan Tian
Summary: This paper synthesized amorphous Gd-doped TiO2 films using RF magnetron reactive sputtering and explored the effects of Gd doping on the electrochromic performance of TiO2 films. The low Gd-doped TiO2 film (0.61%) showed an improved coloration efficiency of approximately 60% due to the formation of monoclinic Gd2O3 island nanostructure, which enhanced the reaction kinetics and charge capacity. The moderately Gd-doped TiO2 film (0.83%) exhibited a wide optical modulation (73% at 650 nm), large coloration efficiency (59.7 cm(2) C-1 at 650 nm), and short response time (coloring time is 16.9 s, bleaching time is 9.1 s). However, the coloration efficiency reduced for high Gd-doped TiO2 films (>= 1.0%) due to excessive Gd2O3 hindering electrolyte penetration into the TiO2 active material.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Fang Xu
Summary: The study found that the molar ratio of TiO2 to SiO2 in nanocomposites significantly affects the UV photodegradation efficiency and rain erosion resistance, with a ratio of 2 exhibiting intermediate performance and ratios of 1 and 0.2 behaving essentially as pure silicates.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Diana Gaspar, Jorge Martins, Jose Tiago Carvalho, Paul Grey, Rogerio Simoes, Elvira Fortunato, Rodrigo Martins, Luis Pereira
Summary: The market for flexible, hybrid, and printed electronic systems is uncertain, but these systems are emerging daily, allowing for devices and systems that can be folded and stored in pockets. Cellulose-based modified nanopapers were developed as a physical support and gate dielectric layer for recyclable field-effect transistors (FETs). Impregnation of the nanopapers with sodium ions enabled low voltage FETs (<3 V), with high mobility (>10 cm2 V-1 s-1), current modulation (>105), and improved dynamic response. These transistors were successfully implemented into simple circuits such as inverters, showing clear discrimination between logic states. Besides improved electrical performance, these devices are a promising alternative for reliable, sustainable, and flexible electronics, even under stress conditions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Paulo Joaquim Nunes, Rui Francisco Pinto Pereira, Sonia Pereira, Maria Manuela Silva, Elvira Fortunato, Veronica de Zea Bermudez, Mariana Fernandes
Summary: Two di-ureasils with oxyethylene segments were prepared by the sol-gel method, doped with ionic liquid and lithium salt. The resulting films were translucent, flexible, hydrophobic, and had low surface roughness. The optimized sample exhibited good ionic conductivity and was used in prototype electrochromic devices with promising performance.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Maria Joao Meneses, Rita Susana Patarrao, Tomas Pinheiro, Ines Coelho, Nuno Carrico, Ana Carolina Marques, Artur Romao, Joao Nabais, Elvira Fortunato, Joao Filipe Raposo, Maria Paula Macedo
Summary: Diabetes is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disease, and besides glycemia and glycated hemoglobin, the evaluation of other biochemical parameters is necessary for better diagnosis and management. Indexes of insulin secretion, sensitivity/resistance, and metabolism have been developed to provide a more comprehensive view of individual metabolic states. New technologies, such as sensors and software applications, have the potential to improve diabetes diagnosis and management, empowering patients and simplifying disease management.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Pinheiro, Andreia Ruivo, Joao Rocha, Marta Ferro, Joana Vaz Pinto, Jonas Deuermeier, Tiago Mateus, Ana Santa, Manuel J. J. Mendes, Rodrigo Martins, Sandra Gago, Cesar A. T. Laia, Hugo Aguas
Summary: The present study aims to enhance the performance of solar cells by developing advanced luminescent down-shifting using encapsulated nanostructured perovskite materials. Thin films of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystal luminophores were synthesized and encapsulated with parylene type C to protect and stabilize the films. The results showed that this encapsulation technique significantly improved the current generation and spectral response of the photovoltaic cells.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Bo He, Gang He, Shanshan Jiang, Jiangwei Liu, Elvira Fortunato, Rodrigo Martins
Summary: Thin-film transistors based on metal oxide semiconductors are widely used in driving low-cost backplanes of active matrix liquid crystal displays. Solution-based 1D nanofiber networks have been proven to be a simpler and higher-throughput approach for transistor fabrication. Double channel heterojunction transistors composed of In2O3 and ZnO layers show high electron mobility and operational stability, which can be optimized by adjusting the stacking order and density of the layers.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ivan M. Santos, Miguel Alexandre, Valentin D. Mihailetchi, Jose A. Silva, Tiago Mateus, Ana Mouquinho, Jenny Boane, Antonio T. Vicente, Daniela Nunes, Ugur D. Menda, Hugo aguas, Elvira Fortunato, Rodrigo Martins, Manuel J. Mendes
Summary: Advanced light management with front-coated photonic nanostructures is a promising strategy to enhance photovoltaic efficiency through wave-optical light-trapping effects. In this study, engineered titanium dioxide honeycomb arrays with different geometry were tested on standard planar crystalline silicon solar cells. The nanostructured coatings achieved optical photocurrent of 36.6 mA/cm² and a significant increase in efficiency compared to uncoated cells. The high-performing LT scheme offers potential for technological improvement in the PV industry.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Leonor Matias, Ana S. Reis-Machado, Joana Rodrigues, Tomas Calmeiro, Jonas Deuermeier, Ana Pimentel, Elvira Fortunato, Rodrigo Martins, Daniela Nunes
Summary: A graphitic carbon nitride/titanium dioxide (g-C3N4/TiO2) heterostructure was synthesized through a fast and simple microwave-assisted method, and it showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of a recalcitrant azo dye under solar simulating light. The 30% g-C3N4/TiO2 heterostructure exhibited the best performance.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
J. Figueira, R. M. Bonito, J. T. Carvalho, E. M. F. Vieira, C. Gaspar, Joana Loureiro, J. H. Correia, E. Fortunato, R. Martins, L. Pereira
Summary: Flexible thermal touch sensors were produced by optimizing ethyl cellulose and graphite flakes inks for screen-printing. The best electrical-TE output combination was achieved by printing two layers of the ink with 20 wt% of graphite on an office paper substrate. The results showed that the screen-printed graphite-based inks are highly suitable for flexible TE sensing applications.
FLEXIBLE AND PRINTED ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
G. Ribeiro, G. Ferreira, U. D. Menda, M. Alexandre, M. J. Brites, M. A. Barreiros, S. Jana, H. Aguas, R. Martins, P. A. Fernandes, P. Salome, M. J. Mendes
Summary: By incorporating PbS quantum dots (QDs) with strong near-infrared absorption and electronic confinement into a MAPbI3 perovskite matrix, this study demonstrates the generation of sub-bandgap photocurrent, leading to solar cell efficiencies beyond classical limits. The introduction of QDs in different sizes and concentrations enhances the spectral window of photon absorption of the perovskite host film, resulting in pronounced sub-bandgap absorption and photocurrent generation below the bandgap. Despite the reduced crystallinity of the perovskite matrix, the nanostructured films exhibit significant enhancement in NIR absorption and photocurrent generation.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Carlos Silva, Jonas Deuermeier, Weidong Zhang, Emanuel Carlos, Pedro Barquinha, Rodrigo Martins, Asal Kiazadeh
Summary: With the growth of the Internet of Things (IOT) industry, there is an increasing need to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. Resistive random access memories (RRAM) such as memristors are being considered as a solution due to their in-memory computation capabilities. Amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs), specifically zinc-tin oxide (ZTO), show promise as a memristive active material due to their low fabrication temperature, amorphous structure, low-cost, and sustainable composition. This perspective article reviews the research progress on ZTO-based memristors and discusses their electrical performance, as well as their potential for neuromorphic and optoelectronic applications.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Maria Elias Pereira, Rodrigo Martins, Elvira Fortunato, Pedro Barquinha, Asal Kiazadeh
Summary: Neuromorphic computing is gaining popularity as a replacement for outdated technology in conventional computing systems. Artificial neural networks composed of memristor crossbars in hardware offer power, cost, and area-efficient in-memory computing and storage. Optoelectronic memristors (OEMs) can control resistive switching (RS) through both optical and electronic signals, solving crosstalk issues and providing a high-speed non-destructive method. This review summarizes recent advances in inorganic OEMs, analyzing the device structure and assessing their potential applications in logic gates, artificial neural networks, and artificial visual systems with consideration for their performance.
NEUROMORPHIC COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maria Joao Oliveira, Soraia Caetano, Ana Dalot, Filipe Sabino, Tomas R. Calmeiro, Elvira Fortunato, Rodrigo Martins, Eulalia Pereira, Miguel Prudencio, Hugh J. Byrne, Ricardo Franco, Hugo Aguas
Summary: Early and accurate detection of pathogenic microorganisms is crucial for diagnosis and patient outcomes. The combination of a polystyrene-based microfluidic device and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy shows excellent sensitivity and specificity in detecting malaria. The system can be easily adapted for other pathogens and has the potential for early diagnosis of infectious diseases.