Nanoporous delafossite CuAlO2 from inorganic/polymer double gels: a desirable high-surface-area p-type transparent electrode material

Effect of Sintering Temperature on the Properties of CuAlO2 Synthesized from Nanosized Precursors for Application in Smart Infrastructure Systems

The current study aimed to evaluate the influence of different sintering temperatures on the properties of copper aluminum oxide (CuAlO2) pellets synthesized from copper oxide (CuO) and aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) for application in smart infrastructure systems. The pellets were sintered at 400 K, 1000 K, and 1300 K, in the presence of nitrogen gas flow to reduce the amount of oxygen availability. The CuAlO2 sintered nanoparticles were chemically analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, and the nanostructure of the materials was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The transmittance of the sintered materials was examined by ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectrophotometry, and 88% transparency was observed for the pellets sintered at 1300 K. Electrical conductivity was measured at 0.905 mS/cm, indicating a semiconducting behavior.

Interfacial electronic features in methyl-ammonium lead iodide and p-type oxide heterostructures: new insights for inverted perovskite solar cells

First-principles simulations unveil the interface electronic structures of MAPI/NiO and MAPI/CuGaO₂ heterojunctions in inverted perovskite solar cells.

Ab initio Study of Anchoring Groups for CuGaO2 Delafossite-Based p-Type Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Here we report the first theoretical characterization of the interface between the CuGaO₂ delafossite oxide and the carboxylic (–COOH) and phosphonic acid (–PO₃H₂) anchoring groups. The promising use of delafossites as effective alternative to nickel oxide in p-type DSSC is still limited by practical difficulties in sensitizing the delafossite surface. Thus, this work provides atomistic insights on the structure and energetics of all the possible interactions between the anchoring functional groups and the CuGaO₂ surface species, including the effects of the Mg doping and of the solvent medium. Our results highlight the presence of a strong selectivity toward the monodentate binding mode on surface Ga atoms for both the carboxylic and phosphonic acid groups. Since the binding modes have a strong influence on the hole injection thermodynamics, these findings have direct implications for further development of delafossite based p-type DSSCs.

Transparent p-Type Semiconductors: Copper-Based Oxides and Oxychalcogenides

While p-type transparent conducting materials (TCMs) are crucial for many optoelectronic applications, their performance is still not satisfactory. This has impeded the development of many devices such as photovoltaics, sensors, and transparent electronics. Among the various p-type TCMs proposed so far, Cu-based oxides and oxychalcogenides have demonstrated promising results in terms of their optical and electrical properties. Hence, they are the focus of this current review. Their basic material properties, including their crystal structures, conduction mechanisms, and electronic structures will be covered, as well as their device applications. Also, the development of performance enhancement strategies including doping/co-doping, annealing, and other innovative ways to improve conductivity will be discussed in detail.

An ab initio study of Cu-based delafossites as an alternative to nickel oxide in photocathodes: effects of Mg-doping and surface electronic features

CuMO2 delafossites (M = Al, Ga, and Cr) are p-type semiconductor oxides that have been recently proposed as the electrode in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSC) which is an alternative to the standard, low-performing nickel oxide. To assess this potential application of delafossites, we report here a DFT-based investigation of the structural and electronic properties of CuAlO2, CuGaO2 and CuCrO2. In particular, we address the role of Mg doping to obtain the p-type semiconducting character: the substitution of an M3+ cation with Mg2+ is easier with Ga than with Al and Cr, and, in all cases, the hole introduced by Mg2+ leads to the formation of Cu2+ species. Moreover, we address surface electronic features in order to characterize the most exposed delafossite surface termination and, more importantly, to predict the valence band maximum energy value, which determines the p-DSSC open circuit potential. From analysis of all our results, CuGaO2 emerges as the most promising system that can boost the development of new photocathodes for p-DSSCs.

High performance anti-corrosive epoxy–titania hybrid nanocomposite coatings

Mechanical stability, surface hydrophobicity, and thermal stability of anticorrosive polymeric coatings play a significant role in technological and industrial fields.

Copper borate as a photocathode in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells

Copper borate as a photocathode in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells.