Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Hua-Liang Yu, Li-Qin Liu, Ying-Wu Zhou, Xiao-Ling Xue, Xiao-Hong Yuan, Yao-Guo Shen, Zhi-Qun Liu, Hua-Min Chen, Chun-Lei Huang
Summary: Fabric-based nano semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted much attention recently. In this study, Ag2O/ZnO nanorod (NR)/Al-ZnO p-type/high resistivity/n-type (P-HR-N) heterojunction arrays were used to modify polyester fibers. The Al-ZnO seed layer was sputtered on the fibers and Al doping was employed to change the work function (WF) of the ZnO film. The resulting P-HR-N heterojunction sample showed enhanced photocatalytic performance due to the high and widened built-in electric field (BEF) in the multilayer film.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Youn Jeong Jang, Chohee Lee, Yong Hyun Moon, Seokwoo Choe
Summary: This study investigates photoelectrochemical syngas production using Al-doped ZnTe nanorod photocathodes prepared via an all-solution process. The product distribution can be switched by surface modification, achieving high CO or high H2 production rates. These strategies have significant implications for solar-driven fuel production.
Article
Optics
Ximing Rong, Youming Lu, Jiemin Yin, Hua Jiang, Shun Han, Yuxiang Zeng, Wangying Xu, Ming Fang, Peijiang Cao, Deliang Zhu, Wenjun Liu
Summary: ZnO nanorod arrays were fabricated using a solution method, with the use of a MgxZn1-xO seed layer, resulting in highly vertical-oriented ZnO nanorod arrays. The introduction of a MgZnO barrier layer effectively passivated the interface state on the ZnO side and significantly enhanced the recombination probability, leading to high efficiency electroluminescence.
JOURNAL OF LUMINESCENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Enas Moustafa, Jose G. Sanchez, Lluis F. Marsal, Josep Pallares
Summary: In this research work, stable high-performance inverted polymer solar cells were fabricated for the first time using intermittent spray pyrolysis technique to deposit ZnO films. It was found that the thickness and roughness of the ZnO film have significant effects on the device performance and stability. By adjusting the concentration of the ZnO precursor solution and the number of spray cycles, the optimal efficiency of the iPSCs was achieved.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jiang Zhu, Daqiang Hu, Ying Wang, Chunlei Tao, Hongbao Jia, Wenping Zhao
Summary: Nanorod-like single-textured Al-doped ZnO (AZO) transparent conducting films were prepared by hydrothermal growth on AZO seed layers, showing improved optoelectronic properties and light trapping abilities. The study revealed that AZO films grown at lower temperatures exhibited better performance, which could be utilized in silicon-based thin film solar cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lamia Al-Farsi, Tewfik M. Souier, Muna Al-Hinai, Myo T. Z. Myint, Htet H. Kyaw, Hisham M. Widatallah, Mohammed Al-Abri
Summary: The low-temperature microwave-assisted hydrothermal method was used to successfully grow pure and Al-doped ZnO nanorod arrays on glass substrates. The effects of doping and pH on the structural and optical properties of the samples were investigated, and a growth mechanism considering both the pH and Al-doping was proposed. Tuning the solution pH is crucial for growing well-aligned, high-quality nanorod arrays with enhanced optical absorption in the visible range. The production of these arrays would broaden the potential applications of ZnO and AZO nanorods.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuai Huang, Bonan Kang, Lian Duan, Dongdong Zhang
Summary: A highly efficient inverted polymer solar cell was demonstrated by utilizing a MgO/ZnO bilayer structure as an effective cathode interfacial layer. This structure combines the advantages of ZnO ETL and MgO film, resulting in enhanced electron collection efficiency and suppressed carrier recombination at the interface, leading to a superior power conversion efficiency compared to PSCs without MgO.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ikram Anefnaf, Safae Aazou, Guy Schmerber, Aziz Dinia, Zouheir Sekkat
Summary: The combination of ZnO and PEIE as a cathode buffer layer has been shown to improve the efficiency of inverted polymer solar cells, especially with low-temperature solution processing. Among different molar ratios of ZAD and MEA, the ZnO (1:1)/PEIE cathode buffer layer demonstrated the highest power conversion efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Yen -Lin Chu, Sheng-Joue Young, Hua-Chi Chang, Sandeep Arya, Yi-Hsing Liu, Tung -Te Chu
Summary: In this study, well-aligned one-dimensional zinc oxide nanorods with and without aluminum dopants were successfully grown on conductive indium-tin-oxide glass substrates. The optical properties of the nanostructures were investigated through photo-luminescence emission spectroscopy after annealing. Various techniques such as electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were utilized to analyze the surface nanostructures and crystalline properties. Additionally, nanogenerators based on these nanostructures were fabricated and compared, showing promising results for self-powered applications.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Laya Dejam, Slawomir Kulesza, Jamshid Sabbaghzadeh, Atefeh Ghaderi, Shahram Solaymani, Stefan Talu, Miroslaw Bramowicz, Mitra Amouamouha, Amir Hossein Salehi Shayegan, Amir Hossein Sari
Summary: In this study, thin films of undoped ZnO, ZnO doped with Al, ZnO doped with Cu, and co-doped ZnO with Al and Cu were deposited on quartz substrates using RF sputtering. The samples were investigated for their advanced fractal features, crystalline structure, and optical properties. The results showed that the films had different morphologies and transmission spectra, with the co-doped sample exhibiting the highest transparency in the visible region and a desirable band gap.
RESULTS IN PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Ibrar Ahmad, Khizar Hayat, Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Imran, Said Karim Shah
Summary: This article reports the simulation of ZnO-based polymer solar cell (PSC) device parameters using SCAPS-1D software. Two device configurations of PSCs were simulated with and without ZnO. The effects of key device processing parameters on cell performance were investigated. The results showed a good correlation between simulated and experimental devices, with well-matched efficiencies.
OPTICAL AND QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chunli Hou, Huangzhong Yu
Summary: MXenes, a novel family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, demonstrate a wide spectrum of applications due to their unique optical and electronic properties. The addition of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets into zinc oxide (ZnO) to fabricate novel ZnO/Ti3C2Tx nanohybrid composite film results in excellent photoelectric characteristics. The enhanced power conversion efficiency and stability of photovoltaic devices based on ZnO/Ti3C2Tx composite electron transport layers (ETLs) are mainly attributed to the improved charges transfer and collection in inverted polymer solar cells (IPSCs).
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Young-Hee Joo, Mi-Jin Jin, Sung Kyun Kim, Doo-Seung Um, Chang-Il Kim
Summary: In this study, the etching mechanism of Al-doped ZnO thin films in a BCl3/Ar-based plasma system was investigated. It was found that the etch rate was highest at a BCl3/Ar ratio of 25:75, and the surface properties of the thin films improved after etching. These findings may have potential applications in the development of high-performance optical and electronic devices.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
E. Salim
Summary: Recent studies have demonstrated that the addition of inorganic metal oxide nanoparticles can enhance the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells. Mixing ZnO and NiO nanoparticles in the photoactive layer significantly improves PCE, attributed to enhanced charge carrier transportation and reduced exciton annihilation. However, excessive addition of ZnO:NiO NPs can lead to a degradation in PCE due to deep-trap states.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Ruolin Yan, Tsunaki Takahashi, Hao Zeng, Takuro Hosomi, Masaki Kanai, Guozhu Zhang, Kazuki Nagashima, Takeshi Yanagida
Summary: This study demonstrates a strategy to enhance the pH tolerance of Al-doped ZnO nanofilms through sequential annealing technique, resulting in improved resistance to chemical etching in acidic and basic solutions. The enhanced pH tolerance is attributed to the compensation of anion/cation vacancies and surface polarity of the ZnO(0001) surface, shedding light on the importance of sequential annealing for robust electrode applications.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2021)
