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Chen X, Li Y. Solution Processing Silicon Heterojunction Photocathode for Efficient and Stable Hydrogen Production. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2400782. [PMID: 38644229 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Efficient and stable photocathodes are crucial for the development of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting devices. Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cell is one of the most advanced photovoltaic cells. However, due to the instability of its outermost indium tin oxide (ITO) layers in the electrolyte, a protective layer needs to be introduced on its surface. Previously reported high-quality protective layers almost all involved the use of expensive thin film manufacturing techniques such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this work, for the first time, a new strategy is proposed of modifying SHJ-based photocathode with yttrium hydroxide (Y(OH)3) through two-step solution methods to simultaneously improve the stability and activity. The optimized SHJ photocathode exhibits a high applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of 8.4% under simulated 100 mW cm-2 (1 Sun) with an AM 1.5G filter in 0.5 m KOH. Furthermore, the obtained SHJ photocathode demonstrates excellent stability of at least 110 h at 0.3 V versus RHE. In this work, combining facile direct current magnetron sputtering with a solution treatment technique provides a novel design strategy, which lowers the threshold for preparing high-quality protective layer, and paves the way for developing economic, efficient, and stable SHJ-based PEC devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yuexiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Environment and Energy Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
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Satyarthy S, Hasan Ul Iqbal M, Abida F, Nahar R, Hauser AJ, Cheng MMC, Ghosh A. Stearic Acid as an Atomic Layer Deposition Inhibitor: Spectroscopic Insights from AFM-IR. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2713. [PMID: 37836354 PMCID: PMC10574727 DOI: 10.3390/nano13192713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Modern-day chip manufacturing requires precision in placing chip materials on complex and patterned structures. Area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) is a self-aligned manufacturing technique with high precision and control, which offers cost effectiveness compared to the traditional patterning techniques. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been explored as an avenue for realizing AS-ALD, wherein surface-active sites are modified in a specific pattern via SAMs that are inert to metal deposition, enabling ALD nucleation on the substrate selectively. However, key limitations have limited the potential of AS-ALD as a patterning method. The choice of molecules for ALD blocking SAMs is sparse; furthermore, deficiency in the proper understanding of the SAM chemistry and its changes upon metal layer deposition further adds to the challenges. In this work, we have addressed the above challenges by using nanoscale infrared spectroscopy to investigate the potential of stearic acid (SA) as an ALD inhibiting SAM. We show that SA monolayers on Co and Cu substrates can inhibit ZnO ALD growth on par with other commonly used SAMs, which demonstrates its viability towards AS-ALD. We complement these measurements with AFM-IR, which is a surface-sensitive spatially resolved technique, to obtain spectral insights into the ALD-treated SAMs. The significant insight obtained from AFM-IR is that SA SAMs do not desorb or degrade with ALD, but rather undergo a change in substrate coordination modes, which can affect ALD growth on substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Satyarthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (S.S.); (M.H.U.I.)
| | - Md Hasan Ul Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (S.S.); (M.H.U.I.)
| | - Fairoz Abida
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (F.A.); (M.M.-C.C.)
| | - Ridwan Nahar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (R.N.); (A.J.H.)
| | - Adam J. Hauser
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (R.N.); (A.J.H.)
| | - Mark Ming-Cheng Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (F.A.); (M.M.-C.C.)
| | - Ayanjeet Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; (S.S.); (M.H.U.I.)
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Birkett M, Zia AW, Devarajan DK, Panayiotidis MI, Joyce TJ, Tambuwala MM, Serrano-Aroca A. Multi-functional bioactive silver- and copper-doped diamond-like carbon coatings for medical implants. Acta Biomater 2023:S1742-7061(23)00363-X. [PMID: 37392935 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings doped with bioactive elements of silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) have been receiving increasing attention in the last decade, particularly in the last 5 years, due to their potential to offer a combination of enhanced antimicrobial and mechanical performance. These multi-functional bioactive DLC coatings offer great potential to impart the next generation of load-bearing medical implants with improved wear resistance and strong potency against microbial infections. This review begins with an overview of the status and issues with current total joint implant materials and the state-of-the art in DLC coatings and their application to medical implants. A detailed discussion of recent advances in wear resistant bioactive DLC coatings is then presented with a focus on doping the DLC matrix with controlled quantities of Ag and Cu elements. It is shown that both Ag and Cu doping can impart strong antimicrobial potency against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but this is always accompanied so far by a reduction in mechanical performance of the DLC coating matrix. The article concludes with discussion of potential synthesis methods to accurately control bioactive element doping without jeopardising mechanical properties and gives an outlook to the potential long-term impact of developing a superior multifunctional bioactive DLC coating on implant device performance and patient health and wellbeing. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Multi-functional diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings doped with bioactive elements of silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) offer great potential to impart the next generation of load-bearing medical implants with improved wear resistance and strong potency against microbial infections. This article provides a critical review of the state-of-the-art in Ag and Cu doped DLC coatings, beginning with an overview of the current applications of DLC coatings in implant technology followed by a detailed discussion of Ag/Cu doped DLC coatings with particular focus on the relationship between their mechanical and antimicrobial performance. Finally, it ends with a discussion on the potential long-term impact of developing a truly multifunctional ultra-hard wearing bioactive DLC coating to extend the lifetime of total joint implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Birkett
- Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK.
| | - Abdul Wasy Zia
- Institute of Mechanical, Process, and Energy Engineering (IMPEE), School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Dinesh Kumar Devarajan
- Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119, India
| | - Mihalis I Panayiotidis
- Department of Cancer Genetics Therapeutics and Ultrastructural Pathology, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Thomas J Joyce
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | | | - Angel Serrano-Aroca
- Biomaterials and Bioengineering Lab, Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, c/Guillem de Castro 94, 46001 Valencia, Spain
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A moving porous media model for continuous spatial particle ALD. POWDER TECHNOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2023.118448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
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Faverani LP, Astaneh SH, da Costa MG, Delanora LA, Lima-Neto TJ, Barbosa S, Ariani MD, Takoudis C, Sukotjo C. Collagen Membranes Functionalized with 150 Cycles of Atomic Layer Deposited Titania Improve Osteopromotive Property in Critical-Size Defects Created on Rat Calvaria. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:jfb14030120. [PMID: 36976044 PMCID: PMC10057577 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14030120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The membranes used in bone reconstructions have been the object of investigation in the field of tissue engineering, seeking to improve their mechanical strength and add other properties, mainly the osteopromotive. This study aimed to evaluate the functionalization of collagen membranes, with atomic layer deposition of TiO2 on the bone repair of critical defects in rat calvaria and subcutaneous biocompatibility. A total of 39 male rats were randomized into four groups: blood clot (BC), collagen membrane (COL), COL 150—150 cycles of titania, and COL 600—600 cycles of titania. The defects were created in each calvaria (5 mm in diameter) and covered according to each group; the animals were euthanized at 7, 14, and 28 days. The collected samples were assessed by histometric (newly bone formed, soft tissue area, membrane area, and residual linear defect) and histologic (inflammatory cells and blood cells count) analysis. All data were subjected to statistical analysis (p < 0.05). The COL150 group showed statistically significant differences compared to the other groups, mainly in the analysis of residual linear defects (1.5 ± 0.5 × 106 pixels/µm2 for COL 150, and around 1 ± 0.5 × 106 pixels/µm2 for the other groups) and newly formed bone (1500 ± 1200 pixels/µm for COL 150, and around 4000 pixels/µm for the others) (p < 0.05), demonstrating a better biological behavior in the chronology of defects repair. It is concluded that the collagen membrane functionalized by TiO2 over 150 cycles showed better bioactive potential in treating critical size defects in the rats’ calvaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo P. Faverani
- Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Aracatuba 16015-050, Brazil
| | - Sarah Hashemi Astaneh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Monique Gonçalves da Costa
- Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Aracatuba 16015-050, Brazil
| | - Leonardo A. Delanora
- Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Aracatuba 16015-050, Brazil
| | - Tiburtino J. Lima-Neto
- Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Aracatuba 16015-050, Brazil
| | - Stéfany Barbosa
- Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Aracatuba 16015-050, Brazil
| | | | - Christos Takoudis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Cortino Sukotjo
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, Indonesia
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Correspondence:
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Chee LKM, Bishal AK, Bhatia HS, Wee AG, Takoudis C, Sukotjo C, Yuan JCC. Effect of Nano Ceramic Coating on Color Perceptibility and Acceptability of Polymethylmethacrylate: In Vitro and Clinical Study. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8748. [PMID: 36556554 PMCID: PMC9782542 DOI: 10.3390/ma15248748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The effect of a novel nano-ceramic coating (TiO2) using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique on the surface of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) material was investigated. The patients' and clinicians' perception and acceptance of the PMMA color with TiO2 coating were also examined. In vitro color measurement was performed on thirty specimens (light, original, and dark pink) before and after TiO2 coating. Patients' and clinicians' perception and acceptance of color changes on PMMA were measured and compared. Descriptive and analytic statistics were analyzed (a = 0.05). TiO2 films were successfully deposited on the PMMA specimen by the ALD technique. Color changes after TiO2 coating were observed on all three PMMA shades, significantly higher than the established 50:50% perceptibility threshold, but below the established 50:50% acceptability threshold. The percentage of patients that perceived a color difference after TiO2 coating were 83.3%, 63.9%, and 77.8% for light, original, and dark pink, respectively. The percentages of clinicians that were satisfied with the color difference were 96.4%, 80%, and 69.2% for light, original, and dark pink, respectively. Color changes after TiO2 coating were observed, but below the acceptable threshold. The clinical survey demonstrated that a color difference was perceived but was clinically acceptable. In general, laypeople have lower perception and higher acceptance of changes in PMMA color than clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Harshdeep Singh Bhatia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, 929 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60608, USA
| | - Alvin G. Wee
- Department of Restorative Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, 9-470 Moos Tower, 515 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Christos Takoudis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, 929 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60608, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, 851 S. Morgan, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Cortino Sukotjo
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, 801 S. Paulina, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Judy Chia-Chun Yuan
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, 801 S. Paulina, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Pico-Watt Scanning Thermal Microscopy for Thermal Energy Transport Investigation in Atomic Materials. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12091479. [PMID: 35564188 PMCID: PMC9100069 DOI: 10.3390/nano12091479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The thermophysical properties at the nanoscale are key characteristics that determine the operation of nanoscale devices. Additionally, it is important to measure and verify the thermal transfer characteristics with a few nanometer or atomic-scale resolutions, as the nanomaterial research field has expanded with respect to the development of molecular and atomic-scale devices. Scanning thermal microscopy (SThM) is a well-known method for measuring the thermal transfer phenomena with the highest spatial resolution. However, considering the rapid development of atomic materials, the development of an ultra-sensitive SThM for measuring pico-watt (pW) level heat transfer is essential. In this study, to measure molecular- and atomic-scale phenomena, a pico-watt scanning thermal microscopy (pW-SThM) equipped with a calorimeter capable of measuring heat at the pW level was developed. The heat resolution of the pW-SThM was verified through an evaluation experiment, and it was confirmed that the temperature of the metal line heater sample could be quantitatively measured by using the pW-SThM. Finally, we demonstrated that pW-SThM detects ultra-small differences of local heat transfer that may arise due to differences in van der Waals interactions between the graphene sheets in highly ordered pyrolytic graphite. The pW-SThM probe is expected to significantly contribute to the discovery of new heat and energy transfer phenomena in nanodevices and two-dimensional materials that have been inaccessible through experiments.
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