Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xing Chen, Zhou Zhang, Chaowei Zhao, Jie Fang, Dongdong Xia, Yuefeng Zhang, Chengyi Xiao, Yonggang Wu, Shengyong You, Weiwei Li
Summary: This study stabilized ZnO nanocrystals using dimethylglycine, leading to improved efficiency in organic solar cells.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sabrina Aufar Salma, Rahmatia Fitri Binti Nasrun, Qurrotun Ayuni Khoirun Nisa, Dong Hwan Son, Joo Hyun Kim
Summary: In this study, small molecules based on PDI with amino N-oxide, dimethyldipropylenetriamino, and ethyl tosylate were used as the cathode buffer layer (CBL) in inverted type organic solar cells (OSCs). The thermal instability of PDIN-O, when used as the CBL, was addressed by introducing the side groups dimethyldipropylenetriamino and tosylate. The devices with PDIN-O, PDIN-N, and PDIN-OTs exhibited power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 12.5%, 13.3%, and 14.2%, respectively. The ability to modulate the CBL in nonfullerene organic solar cells by introducing side groups to tune the work function at the cathode interface was demonstrated in this study. PDIN-OTs showed promise as a CBL material in inverted type devices and can be further explored by changing the counterion or side group.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yun-Ming Sung, Abdul Khalik Akbar, Sajal Biring, Chia-Feng Li, Yu-Ching Huang, Shun-Wei Liu
Summary: In this study, the effect of introducing a ZnO layer between ITO and the active layer in polymer solar cells was investigated. It was found that using ZnO nanoparticles significantly improved the efficiency of the devices, and the preparation method of ZnO influenced the open-circuit voltage and overall performance of the devices.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jean Maria Fernandes, M. Kovendhan, R. Muniramaiah, Nandarapu Purushothamreddy, E. Viswanathan, D. Paul Joseph
Summary: The study demonstrates that by depositing Ta2O5 films as cathode buffer layer at different temperatures, the charge extraction ability and power conversion efficiency of inverted polymer solar cells can be improved.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ping Cai, Ling Ding, Ziming Chen, Dianhui Wang, Hongliang Peng, Changlai Yuan, Chaohao Hu, Lixian Sun, Yuriy N. Luponosov, Fei Huang, Qifan Xue
Summary: In this study, a tetrabutylammonium bromide functionalized MXene material is developed as a cathode buffer layer for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The functionalized MXene layer exhibits high electrical conductivity and reduced work function, leading to improved energy level alignment and enhanced charge extraction. Additionally, it effectively inhibits the migration of iodine ions and reduces charge recombination. As a result, the PVSC device with the functionalized MXene layer achieves a significantly improved power conversion efficiency of 21.65% and enhanced operational stability.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhijun Zou, Fen Li, Jing Fang, Mingxin Chen, Xiaoxiang Sun, Chang Li, Jiayou Tao, Gaohua Liao, Jianjun Zhang
Summary: The bilayer structure of ZnO/SnO2 CBL, prepared by the low-temperature UV-ozone sintering process, exhibits exceptional performance in organic solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 10.56% and improved stability. This process has great application potential due to its low temperature and excellent transmittance.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Swati Bishnoi, Ram Datt, Sandeep Arya, Sonal Gupta, Ramashanker Gupta, Wing Chung Tsoi, Shailesh N. Sharma, Shashikant P. Patole, Vinay Gupta
Summary: This article provides a detailed insight into the efficient cathode buffer layers (CBLs) in conventional and inverted organic solar cells (OSCs). The CBL can improve the performance of the devices by reducing contact resistance and charge recombination, leading to efficient charge extraction and enhanced power conversion efficiency. The chemical composition, morphology, thickness, dopants, and deposition conditions of CBL and their effects on device performance are discussed. The best performing CBLs are summarized and their chemical structures are examined.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Anjusree Sreedharan, Bikas C. Das
Summary: The effect of using different treatments of e-ZnO thin films as the electron transport layer on the device performance of inverted organic solar cells was studied. Various experimental techniques were used to identify the surface and semiconducting properties of the e-ZnO films. It was found that a deeper valence band top and a higher n-type nature of e-ZnO were desirable for achieving light-soaking free solar cell efficiency.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Quanzhen Sun, Jianlong Tang, Caixia Zhang, Yaling Li, Weihao Xie, Hui Deng, Qiao Zheng, Jionghua Wu, Shuying Cheng
Summary: Flexible CZTSSe solar cells, which have abundant earth elements, high stability, and wide application prospects, have gained significant attention. However, the high toxicity of the Cd in the buffer layers poses environmental problems. In this study, a Cd-free flexible CZTSSe/ZnO solar cell was developed, and the influence of ZnO films on device performances was investigated. The removal of the CdS layer enhanced the light absorption capacity of flexible CZTSSe solar cells. The optimized thickness of the ZnO buffer layers and the appropriate annealing temperature of the CZTSSe/ZnO were found to be 100 nm and 200 C-?. Ultimately, the optimized device achieved an efficiency of 5.0%, which is the highest for flexible CZTSSe/ZnO solar cells. Systematic characterizations showed that the optimized flexible CZTSSe/ZnO solar cells exhibited quality heterojunction, low defect density, and better charge transfer capability. This work provides a new strategy for the development of environmentally friendly and low-cost flexible CZTSSe solar cells.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lingling Zheng, Ming Li, Shijie Dai, Yinghao Wu, Yuhang Cai, Xinyu Zhu, Shaokun Ma, Daqin Yun, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: By embedding Ag nanowires into ZnO film, the ST-OSCs achieved high conductivity without sacrificing average visible transmittance, leading to improved overall light utilization efficiency and performance.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoya Hou, Kun Zhang, Dahua Chen, Yulei Zhang, Jie Zhang
Summary: The versatile nonfullerene perylene diimide-based electron acceptor showed good device performance in inverted organic solar cells and organic photodetectors. The ZnO films were modified with different materials to enhance electron transportation. The efficiency of the inverted device using ZnO/EG as the electron transporting layer was improved to 3.61%, with a higher Jsc of 10.06 mA/cm2. The interfacial modification also reduced the dark current of the organic photodetector and improved its external quantum efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lijun Chen, Zhipeng Yin, Sikai Mei, Xunwen Xiao, Hai-Qiao Wang
Summary: Zwitterionic molecules are utilized to modify the ZnO cathode interlayer in inverted CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells, passivating defects at the interface of CsPbI2Br/ZnO and improving electron extraction efficiency. This results in enhanced charge transfer, suppressed charge recombination, and desirable energy level alignment at the cathode contact, leading to superior optoelectronic device performance and stability. Additionally, the champion efficiency is significantly improved with V-OC up to 1.25 V and FF of 76.83%, while the optimized device maintains around 80% of its initial efficiency for 32 days under illumination and 18 days stored in ambient air.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Feiping Lu, Shaopeng Fu, Limin Wang, Sanshan Du, Zheng Dou, Xitao Yang, Jianfeng Li
Summary: Researchers developed an organic-inorganic hybrid electron transport layer (ETL) using benzyl viologen dichloride (BV-2Cl) as a dopant for the preparation of sol-gel ZnO precursor solution. Inverted polymer solar cells (I-PSCs) based on PTB7-Th:PC71BM with hybrid ZnO:BV-2Cl as ETL showed significantly improved photovoltaic performance. The use of BV-2Cl as a dopant for ZnO ETL represents a facile and efficient method for the fabrication of high-performance I-PSCs.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yiming Bai, Rongkang Shi, Yinglong Bai, Fuzhi Wang, Jun Wang, Tasawar Hayat, Ahmed Alsaedi, Zhan'ao Tan
Summary: A facile synthesis method was used to prepare indium oxide and gallium oxide cathode buffer layers, achieving high photovoltaic conversion efficiency in organic solar cells. The different work functions of indium oxide and gallium oxide led to distinct performance in the devices.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roziana Kamaludin, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Siti Hamimah Sheikh Abdul Kadir, Jesmine Khan, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Mukhlis A. Rahman, Juhana Jaafar
Summary: This study investigates the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) using a recently developed photocatalytic nitrogen-doping titanium dioxide dual-layer hollow fiber (DLHF) membrane. The results show that the DLHF membrane is capable of degrading 72.5% of BPA, with the potential to protect important components of the small intestinal barrier.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Targol Hashemi, Mohammad Reza Mehrnia, Aydin Marandi, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail
Summary: Novel mixed matrix membranes were prepared using magnetic casting and nanocomposite technology, resulting in increased water flux and improved anti-fouling properties.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Majid Arezoomand, Abdolkarim Afroozeh, Siamak Pilban Jahromi, Hongxia Zhang
Summary: This paper investigates the problem of perfect quantum state transfer (PST) on the generalized honeycomb nanotorus. It characterizes the periodicity of all generalized honeycomb nanotorus and also studies the existence of PST between distinct atoms.
OPTICAL AND QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yanuardi Raharjo, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Mochamad Zakki Fahmi, Saiful, Djoko Santoso, Mochamad Ifan Nugroho, Diana Merna, Maipha Deapati Arief, Risma Chikita Pratama
Summary: This study aimed to develop a novel imprinted zeolite (IZC) and incorporate it into a polyethersulfone (PES) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) mixed matrix membrane (HF-MMM) for hemodialysis treatment. The optimized parameters showed that this membrane has the potential to effectively remove uremic toxins.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pei Sean Goh, Zahra Samavati, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Be Cheer Ng, Mohd Sohaimi Abdullah, Nidal Hilal
Summary: Membrane technology has gained popularity in industries for separation processes, desalination, and wastewater treatment. The development of nanocomposite membranes that merge nanotechnology and membrane technology has become a rapidly growing research area, motivated by the need for high-performance liquid separation membranes. The unique morphology and topology of nanostructured materials, such as TiO2, have attracted attention due to their hydrophilicity, antibacterial, and photocatalytic properties. This review provides an overview of the modifications of liquid separation membranes using TiO2 as an example of multidimensional nanomaterials, discussing their performance and advantages.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Noresah Said, Woei Jye Lau, Muhammad Nidzhom Zainol Abidin, Amir Mansourizadeh, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail
Summary: In this study, poly(citric acid)-grafted graphene oxide (PGO) was incorporated into single-layer hollow fiber (SLHF) and dual-layer hollow fiber (DLHF) membranes to improve their antifouling properties during water treatment. The optimized PGO loading of 0.7 wt% in SLHF membrane resulted in higher water permeability and bovine serum albumin rejection compared to the neat membrane. Similarly, introducing 0.7 wt% PGO only to the outer layer of DLHF membrane improved its antifouling properties and increased the rejection rate of bovine serum albumin to 97.7%.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mohd. Shahrizan Moslan, Mohd. Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Hazirah Syahirah Zakria, Nurul Jannah Ismail, Suhaila Borhamdin, Mukhlis A. Rahman, Juhana Jaafar, Mohd. Hafiz Puteh, Norbaya Hashim, Nirmala Devi A. P. Kerisnan, Nasehir Khan E. M. Yahaya, Alias Idris
Summary: Discharging the endocrine-disrupting compound BPA into water bodies has negative impacts on public health and the ecosystem. A novel ternary photocatalyst, MoO3/ZnO/GO, consisting of molybdenum trioxide, zinc oxide, and graphene oxide, was synthesized to efficiently degrade BPA under visible light radiation. This photocatalyst showed significant degradation efficiency and energy storage capability, making it a potential material for EDC removal in wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
A. Sumisha, G. Arthanareeswaran, A. F. Ismail
Summary: This study mainly focuses on the analysis of casein protein transport characteristics through ultrafiltration membranes. Polysulfone-based polymer membranes modified with different materials are used. The experimental results show that the transport of casein is controlled by convection.
SEPARATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Komathi Kannathasan, Juhana Jaafar, Nuor Sariyan Suhaimin, Nurul Natasha Mohammad Jafri, Sadaki Samitsu, N. H. Alias, A. F. Ismail, T. Matsuura, M. H. D. Othman, Mukhlis A. Rahman, Farhana Aziz, Norhaniza Yusof, Mohammed Rasool Qtaishat, M. I. Ismail
Summary: A novel method of fabricating translucent photocatalytic membrane using a modified morphological structure as a photocatalyst has been developed. The study highlights the effect of translucency on the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Syed Awais Ali, Asmat Ullah Khan, Waqad Ul Mulk, Haris Khan, Syed Nasir Shah, Afrah Zahid, Khairul Habib, Mansoor Ul Hassan Shah, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Saidur Rahman
Summary: Carbon capture and storage technologies are crucial for reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing environmental damage. This review focuses on the progress and potential applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquids (ILs) in carbon capture, highlighting their high porosity and tunability. The integration of MOFs and ILs shows great potential in achieving efficient and cost-effective CO2 separation.
Review
Materials Science, Ceramics
Najib Meftah Almukhtar Omar, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Zhong Sheng Tai, Muhend Milad, Mohd Nazri Mohd Sokri, Mohd Hafiz Puteh
Summary: Ceramic membranes show great potential for industrial applications due to their excellent stability and resistance to harsh conditions. However, limitations such as brittleness, high costs, and fouling still hinder their commercial scale-up. This review focuses on recent progress and strategies to overcome these limitations, including the use of alternative materials, improving mechanical strength, and mitigating fouling. Despite technical advancements, these limitations persist, highlighting the need for future research directions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ojo Samuel, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Roziana Kamaludin, Hazlini Dzinun, Aniqa Imtiaz, Tao Li, Tijjani El-badawy, Asmat Ullah Khan, Mohd Hafiz Puteh, Erna Yuliwati, Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan
Summary: Oilfield-produced water (OPW) contains a complex mixture of toxic organic and inorganic compounds, including refractory polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons such as BTEX, which have become a global concern. The treatment of OPW is challenging due to the presence of harmful pollutants combined with oil and the generation of recalcitrant by-products. This article critically reviews the feasibility of heterogeneous photocatalysis for OPW treatment, presents the nature and health implications of these compounds, and evaluates pilot and commercial-scale applications of photocatalysis in water treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Wang, Tao Li, Zhigang Wang, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Shaomin Liu, Rui Xiao
Summary: Hydrogen is a carbon-free energy carrier and water is an environmentally-friendly source for its production. Coupling catalytic water splitting with a mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) membrane reactor has shown great potential in enhancing hydrogen production. This review comprehensively covers critical aspects of this process, including materials, structure, morphology, catalysts, and operating conditions. Furthermore, integrating methane-related oxidation reactions can further intensify the process and improve the hydrogen production rate. Future development trends are also summarized.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Nur Fajrina, Norhaniza Yusof, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Farhana Aziz, Muhammad Roil Bilad, Meshel Alkahtani
Summary: This article summarizes recent developments in membrane technology tailored for biogas upgrading, including the structure and classification of membrane materials as well as effective approaches to overcome the trade-off between permeability and selectivity. Additionally, other challenges are comprehensively discussed, and future research required to tackle biogas upgrading issues is projected.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Syed Awais Ali, Asmat Ullah Khan, Waqad Ul Mulk, Haris Khan, Syed Nasir Shah, Afrah Zahid, Khairul Habib, Mansoor Ul Hassan Shah, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Saidur Rahman
Summary: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquids (ILs), have the potential to minimize the damage from CO2 emissions by capturing and storing CO2 molecules. This review highlights the recent progress and ongoing research in utilizing MOFs and ILs for carbon capture technologies. The integration of MOFs and ILs as a composite system or membrane-based gas separation has the potential to capture CO2 efficiently while reducing operation costs. The study also emphasizes the importance of linking the chemistry of MOFs and ILs to process economics for CO2 capture.
