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Estime B, Ren D, Sureshkumar R. Tailored Fabrication of Plasmonic Film Light Filters for Enhanced Microalgal Growth and Biomass Composition. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 14:44. [PMID: 38202499 PMCID: PMC10780999 DOI: 10.3390/nano14010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Through plasmon resonance, silver and gold nanoparticles can selectively backscatter light within different regions of the visible electromagnetic spectrum. We engineered a plasmonic film technology that utilizes gold and silver nanoparticles to enhance light at the necessary wavelengths for microalgal photosynthetic activities. Nanoparticles were embedded in a polymeric matrix to fabricate millimeter-thin plasmonic films that can be used as light filters in microalgal photobioreactors. Experiments conducted with microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii proved that microalgal growth and photosynthetic pigment production can be increased by up to 50% and 78%, respectively, by using these plasmonic film light filters. This work provides a scalable strategy for the efficient production of specialty chemicals and biofuels from microalgae through irradiation control with plasmonic nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bendy Estime
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (B.E.); (D.R.)
- Merck & Co., Inc., 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Dacheng Ren
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (B.E.); (D.R.)
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Radhakrishna Sureshkumar
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (B.E.); (D.R.)
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Department of Physics, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
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2
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Bist A, Pant B, Ojha GP, Acharya J, Park M, Saud PS. Novel Materials in Perovskite Solar Cells: Efficiency, Stability, and Future Perspectives. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13111724. [PMID: 37299626 DOI: 10.3390/nano13111724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Solar energy is regarded as the finest clean and green energy generation method to replace fossil fuel-based energy and repair environmental harm. The more expensive manufacturing processes and procedures required to extract the silicon utilized in silicon solar cells may limit their production and general use. To overcome the barriers of silicon, a new energy-harvesting solar cell called perovskite has been gaining widespread attention around the world. The perovskites are scalable, flexible, cost-efficient, environmentally benign, and easy to fabricate. Through this review, readers may obtain an idea about the different generations of solar cells and their comparative advantages and disadvantages, working mechanisms, energy alignment of the various materials, and stability achieved by applying variable temperature, passivation, and deposition methods. Furthermore, it also provides information on novel materials such as carbonaceous, polymeric, and nanomaterials that have been employed in perovskite solar in terms of the different ratios of doping and composite and their optical, electrical, plasmonic, morphological, and crystallinity properties in terms of comparative solar parameters. In addition, information on current trends and future commercialization possibilities of perovskite solar have been briefly discussed based on reported data by other researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup Bist
- Department of Chemistry, Kailali Multiple Campus, Farwestern University, Mahendranagar 10400, Nepal
| | - Bishweshwar Pant
- Carbon Composite Energy Nanomaterials Research Center, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Woosuk Institute of Smart Convergence Life Care (WSCLC), Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Department of Automotive Engineering, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
| | - Gunendra Prasad Ojha
- Carbon Composite Energy Nanomaterials Research Center, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Woosuk Institute of Smart Convergence Life Care (WSCLC), Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Department of Automotive Engineering, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwan Acharya
- Carbon Composite Energy Nanomaterials Research Center, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Woosuk Institute of Smart Convergence Life Care (WSCLC), Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Department of Automotive Engineering, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
| | - Mira Park
- Carbon Composite Energy Nanomaterials Research Center, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Woosuk Institute of Smart Convergence Life Care (WSCLC), Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
- Department of Automotive Engineering, Woosuk University, Wanju 55338, Republic of Korea
| | - Prem Singh Saud
- Department of Chemistry, Kailali Multiple Campus, Farwestern University, Mahendranagar 10400, Nepal
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3
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Querebillo CJ. A Review on Nano Ti-Based Oxides for Dark and Photocatalysis: From Photoinduced Processes to Bioimplant Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:982. [PMID: 36985872 PMCID: PMC10058723 DOI: 10.3390/nano13060982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Catalysis on TiO2 nanomaterials in the presence of H2O and oxygen plays a crucial role in the advancement of many different fields, such as clean energy technologies, catalysis, disinfection, and bioimplants. Photocatalysis on TiO2 nanomaterials is well-established and has advanced in the last decades in terms of the understanding of its underlying principles and improvement of its efficiency. Meanwhile, the increasing complexity of modern scientific challenges in disinfection and bioimplants requires a profound mechanistic understanding of both residual and dark catalysis. Here, an overview of the progress made in TiO2 catalysis is given both in the presence and absence of light. It begins with the mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TiO2 photocatalysis. This is followed by improvements in their photocatalytic efficiency due to their nanomorphology and states by enhancing charge separation and increasing light harvesting. A subsection on black TiO2 nanomaterials and their interesting properties and physics is also included. Progress in residual catalysis and dark catalysis on TiO2 are then presented. Safety, microbicidal effect, and studies on Ti-oxides for bioimplants are also presented. Finally, conclusions and future perspectives in light of disinfection and bioimplant application are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Joy Querebillo
- Leibniz-Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW) Dresden, Helmholtzstr. 20, 01069 Dresden, Germany
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4
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Room Temperature Synthesized TiO 2 Nanoparticles for Two-Folds Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15040934. [PMID: 36850218 PMCID: PMC9960066 DOI: 10.3390/polym15040934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Using of nano-inclusion to reinforce polymeric materials has emerged as a potential technique to achieve an upper extreme of specific strength. Despite the significant improvement of mechanical properties via nano-reinforcements, the commercial application of such nano-composites is still restricted, due to high cost and unwanted aggregation of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. To address these issues, here we proposed a scalable and economical synthesis of TiO2 at low temperatures, resulting in self-dispersed nanoparticles, without any surfactant. As lower energy is consumed in the synthesis and processing of such nanoparticles, so their facile gram-scale synthesis is possible. The defect-rich surface of such nanoparticles accommodates excessive dangling bonds, serving as a center for the functional groups on the surface. Functional surface enables high dispersion stability of room temperature synthesized TiO2 particles. With this motivation, we optimized the processing conditions and concentration of as-synthesized nano-particles for better mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester (UP) resin. The composite structure (UP-TiO2) showed nearly two folds higher tensile, flexural, and impact strength, with 4% content of nanoparticles. Characterization tools show that these better mechanical properties are attributed to a strong interface and superior dispersion of nanoparticles, which facilitate better stress distribution in the composite structure. In addition, the crack generation and propagation are restricted at a much smaller scale in nanocomposites, therefore significant improvement in mechanical properties was observed.
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Park YJ, Jeon YI, Yang IS, Choo H, Suh WS, Ju SY, Kim HS, Pan JH, Lee WI. Selective Control of Novel TiO 2 Nanorods: Excellent Building Blocks for the Electron Transport Layer of Mesoscopic Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:9447-9456. [PMID: 36752619 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c21731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Novel TiO2 nanorods (NRs) with various lengths of 70-200 nm and uniform widths of 46-48 nm are selectively synthesized by a solvothermal reaction under a basic environment. The length of TiO2 NRs is reproducibly tuned by varying the concentration of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), while the NRs in the pure anatase phase are grown in the [001] direction, caused by the preferential binding affinity of TMAH to the TiO2 (101) facet. TiO2 NRs of various lengths are then applied to form the electron transporting layer (ETL) of mesoscopic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). We found that PSC devices with NRs exhibit superior photovoltaic (PV) performance to those with conventional 46 nm-sized TiO2 nanoparticles (NP46). Particularly, the PSC with TiO2 NRs of 110 nm length (NR110) exhibits the optimum PV conversion efficiency (PCE): the average PCE is 22.64% with a VOC of 1.137 V, a JSC of 24.60 mA·cm-2, and a FF of 80.96%, while the champion PCE is 23.18%. In addition, the PSC with NR110 (PSC-NR110) reveals significantly improved long-term stability in air with a relative humidity of 40-50%. In 1000 h, its PCE is reduced by only 9% whereas that of PSC with NP46 decreases by 25%. The PSC properties analyzed by impedance spectroscopy and J-V curve measurements under dark conditions and at various light intensities provide evidence that PSC-NR110 has fewer defects and shows significantly reduced charge recombination. We discuss the advantages of NR structures in preparing the ETL of PSC devices and also explain why the charge recombination is suppressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Jin Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Young In Jeon
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - In Seok Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Hyunsue Choo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Woo Seok Suh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - So-Yeon Ju
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Hui-Seon Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Jia Hong Pan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wan In Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
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6
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Mohanty A, Parida A, Raut RK, Behera RK. Ferritin: A Promising Nanoreactor and Nanocarrier for Bionanotechnology. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2022; 2:258-281. [PMID: 37101573 PMCID: PMC10114856 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
The essence of bionanotechnology lies in the application of nanotechnology/nanomaterials to solve the biological problems. Quantum dots and nanoparticles hold potential biomedical applications, but their inherent problems such as low solubility and associated toxicity due to their interactions at nonspecific target sites is a major concern. The self-assembled, thermostable, ferritin protein nanocages possessing natural iron scavenging ability have emerged as a potential solution to all the above-mentioned problems by acting as nanoreactor and nanocarrier. Ferritins, the cellular iron repositories, are hollow, spherical, symmetric multimeric protein nanocages, which sequester the excess of free Fe(II) and synthesize iron biominerals (Fe2O3·H2O) inside their ∼5-8 nm central cavity. The electrostatics and dynamics of the pore residues not only drives the natural substrate Fe2+ inside ferritin nanocages but also uptakes a set of other metals ions/counterions during in vitro synthesis of nanomaterial. The current review aims to report the recent developments/understanding on ferritin structure (self-assembly, surface/pores electrostatics, metal ion binding sites) and chemistry occurring inside these supramolecular protein cages (protein mediated metal ion uptake and mineralization/nanoparticle formation) along with its surface modification to exploit them for various nanobiotechnological applications. Furthermore, a better understanding of ferritin self-assembly would be highly useful for optimizing the incorporation of nanomaterials via the disassembly/reassembly approach. Several studies have reported the successful engineering of these ferritin protein nanocages in order to utilize them as potential nanoreactor for synthesizing/incorporating nanoparticles and as nanocarrier for delivering imaging agents/drugs at cell specific target sites. Therefore, the combination of nanoscience (nanomaterials) and bioscience (ferritin protein) projects several benefits for various applications ranging from electronics to medicine.
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7
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In Silico Investigation of the Impact of Hole-Transport Layers on the Performance of CH3NH3SnI3 Perovskite Photovoltaic Cells. CRYSTALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst12050699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite solar cells represent one of the recent success stories in photovoltaics. The device efficiency has been steadily increasing over the past years, but further work is needed to enhance the performance, for example, through the reduction of defects to prevent carrier recombination. SCAPS-1D simulations were performed to assess efficiency limits and identify approaches to decrease the impact of defects, through the selection of an optimal hole-transport material and a hole-collecting electrode. Particular attention was given to evaluation of the influence of bulk defects within light-absorbing CH3NH3SnI3 layers. In addition, the study demonstrates the influence of interface defects at the TiO2/CH3NH3SnI3 (IL1) and CH3NH3SnI3/HTL (IL2) interfaces across the similar range of defect densities. Finally, the optimal device architecture TiO2/CH3NH3SnI3/Cu2O is proposed for the given absorber layer using the readily available Cu2O hole-transporting material with PCE = 27.95%, FF = 84.05%, VOC = 1.02 V and JSC = 32.60 mA/cm2, providing optimal performance and enhanced resistance to defects.
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8
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Optimizing the Aspect Ratio of Nanopatterned Mesoporous TiO 2 Thin-Film Layer to Improve Energy Conversion Efficiency of Perovskite Solar Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212235. [PMID: 34830119 PMCID: PMC8625117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The energy conversion efficiency (ECE) (η), current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and fill factor (ff) of perovskite solar cells were studied by using the transmittance of a nanopatterned mesoporous TiO2 (mp-TiO2) thin-film layer. To improve the ECE of perovskite solar cells, a mp-TiO2 thin-film layer was prepared to be used as an electron transport layer (ETL) via the nanoimprinting method for nanopatterning, which was controlled by the aspect ratio. The nanopatterned mp-TiO2 thin-film layer had a uniform and well-designed structure, and the diameter of nanopatterning was 280 nm. The aspect ratio was controlled at the depths of 75, 97, 127, and 167 nm, and the perovskite solar cell was fabricated with different depths. The ECE of the perovskite solar cells with the nanopatterned mp-TiO2 thin-film layer was 14.50%, 15.30%, 15.83%, or 14.24%, which is higher than that of a non-nanopatterned mp-TiO2 thin-film layer (14.07%). The enhancement of ECE was attributed to the transmittance of the nanopatterned mp-TiO2 thin-film layer that is due to the improvement of the electron generation. As a result, better electron generation affected the electron density, and Jsc increased the Voc, and ff of perovskite solar cells.
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Bohač M, Čižmar T, Kojić V, Marčec J, Juraić K, Grčić I, Gajović A. Novel, Simple and Low-Cost Preparation of Ba-Modified TiO 2 Nanotubes for Diclofenac Degradation under UV/Vis Radiation. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:2714. [PMID: 34685154 PMCID: PMC8538042 DOI: 10.3390/nano11102714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel low-cost synthesis of barium-modified TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays was used to obtain an immobilized photocatalyst for degradation of diclofenac. TNT arrays were prepared by electrochemical anodization of titanium thin films deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass by magnetron sputtering, ensuring transparency and immobilization of the nanotubes. The Ba-modifications were obtained by annealing solutions of Ba(OH)2 spin coated on top of TNT. Three different concentrations of Ba(OH)2 were used (12.5 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM). The crystalline structure, morphology and presence of Ba were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. Ba-modified TiO2 nanotubes (BTNT) were tested for photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac under UV/Vis radiation and it was proven that all of the Ba-modified samples showed an increase in photocatalytic activity with respect to the unmodified TNTs. The most efficient photocatalyst was the sample prepared with 25 mM Ba(OH)2 which showed 90% diclofenac degradation after 60 min. This result was in agreement with cyclic voltammetry measurements that showed the largest increase in photo-oxidation current densities for the same sample due to the increased generation of •OH radicals obtained by a more efficient photogenerated charge separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bohač
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tihana Čižmar
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedran Kojić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jan Marčec
- Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Hallerova aleja 7, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Krunoslav Juraić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Grčić
- Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Hallerova aleja 7, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Andreja Gajović
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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10
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Patel PK. Device simulation of highly efficient eco-friendly CH 3NH 3SnI 3 perovskite solar cell. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3082. [PMID: 33542464 PMCID: PMC7862250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82817-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoexcited lead-free perovskite CH3NH3SnI3 based solar cell device was simulated using a solar cell capacitance simulator. It was modeled to investigate its output characteristics under AM 1.5G illumination. Simulation efforts are focused on the thickness, acceptor concentration and defect density of absorber layer on photovoltaic properties of solar cell device. In addition, the impact of various metal contact work function was also investigated. The simulation results indicate that an absorber thickness of 500 nm is appropriate for a good photovoltaic cell. Oxidation of Sn2+ into Sn4+ was considered and it is found that the reduction of acceptor concentration of absorber layer significantly improves the device performance. Further, optimizing the defect density (1014 cm-3) of the perovskite absorber layer, encouraging results of the Jsc of 40.14 mA/cm2, Voc of 0.93 V, FF of 75.78% and PCE of 28.39% were achieved. Finally, an anode material with a high work function is necessary to get the device's better performance. The high-power conversion efficiency opens a new avenue for attaining clean energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush K Patel
- Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Physics, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, M. P., India.
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11
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Santos JS, Araújo PDS, Pissolitto YB, Lopes PP, Simon AP, Sikora MDS, Trivinho-Strixino F. The Use of Anodic Oxides in Practical and Sustainable Devices for Energy Conversion and Storage. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:E383. [PMID: 33466856 PMCID: PMC7830790 DOI: 10.3390/ma14020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This review addresses the main contributions of anodic oxide films synthesized and designed to overcome the current limitations of practical applications in energy conversion and storage devices. We present some strategies adopted to improve the efficiency, stability, and overall performance of these sustainable technologies operating via photo, photoelectrochemical, and electrochemical processes. The facile and scalable synthesis with strict control of the properties combined with the low-cost, high surface area, chemical stability, and unidirectional orientation of these nanostructures make the anodized oxides attractive for these applications. Assuming different functionalities, TiO2-NT is the widely explored anodic oxide in dye-sensitized solar cells, PEC water-splitting systems, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and batteries. However, other nanostructured anodic films based on WO3, CuxO, ZnO, NiO, SnO, Fe2O3, ZrO2, Nb2O5, and Ta2O5 are also explored and act as the respective active layers in several devices. The use of AAO as a structural material to guide the synthesis is also reported. Although in the development stage, the proof-of-concept of these devices demonstrates the feasibility of using the anodic oxide as a component and opens up new perspectives for the industrial and commercial utilization of these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Soares Santos
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Via João Leme dos Santos Km 110, Sorocaba 18052-780, Brazil; (J.S.S.); (P.d.S.A.); (Y.B.P.); (P.P.L.)
| | - Patrícia dos Santos Araújo
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Via João Leme dos Santos Km 110, Sorocaba 18052-780, Brazil; (J.S.S.); (P.d.S.A.); (Y.B.P.); (P.P.L.)
| | - Yasmin Bastos Pissolitto
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Via João Leme dos Santos Km 110, Sorocaba 18052-780, Brazil; (J.S.S.); (P.d.S.A.); (Y.B.P.); (P.P.L.)
| | - Paula Prenholatto Lopes
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Via João Leme dos Santos Km 110, Sorocaba 18052-780, Brazil; (J.S.S.); (P.d.S.A.); (Y.B.P.); (P.P.L.)
| | - Anna Paulla Simon
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Via do Conhecimento Km 1, Pato Branco 85503-390, Brazil; (A.P.S.); (M.d.S.S.)
- Chemistry Graduate Program, Campus CEDETEG, Midwestern Parana State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, Guarapuava 85040-167, Brazil
| | - Mariana de Souza Sikora
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Via do Conhecimento Km 1, Pato Branco 85503-390, Brazil; (A.P.S.); (M.d.S.S.)
- Chemistry Graduate Program, Campus CEDETEG, Midwestern Parana State University (UNICENTRO), Alameda Élio Antonio Dalla Vecchia, Guarapuava 85040-167, Brazil
| | - Francisco Trivinho-Strixino
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Via João Leme dos Santos Km 110, Sorocaba 18052-780, Brazil; (J.S.S.); (P.d.S.A.); (Y.B.P.); (P.P.L.)
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12
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Elseman AM, Zaki AH, Shalan AE, Rashad MM, Song QL. TiO 2 Nanotubes: An Advanced Electron Transport Material for Enhancing the Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells. Ind Eng Chem Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.0c03415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Mourtada Elseman
- Institute for Clean Energy and Advanced Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
- Electronic & Magnetic Materials Department, Advanced Materials Division, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo 11422, Egypt
| | - Ayman H. Zaki
- Materials Science and Nanotechnology Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences (PSAS), Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 6251, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Esmail Shalan
- Electronic & Magnetic Materials Department, Advanced Materials Division, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo 11422, Egypt
- BCMaterials-Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, Martina Casiano, UPV/EHU Science Park, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Mohamed Mohamed Rashad
- Electronic & Magnetic Materials Department, Advanced Materials Division, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo 11422, Egypt
| | - Qun Liang Song
- Institute for Clean Energy and Advanced Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
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13
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Surface Wettability of ZnO-Loaded TiO 2 Nanotube Array Layers. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10101901. [PMID: 32977596 PMCID: PMC7598201 DOI: 10.3390/nano10101901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Herein we report on the synthesis and the effects of gradual loading of TiO2 nanotube array layers with ZnO upon surface wettability. Two-step preparation was chosen, where TiO2 nanotube layers, grown in a first instance by anodization of a Ti foil, were gradually loaded with controlled amounts of ZnO using the reactive RF magnetron sputtering. After crystallization annealing, the formerly amorphous TiO2 nanotubes were converted to predominantly anatase crystalline phase, as detected by XRD measurements. The as-prepared nanotubes exhibited a well-aligned columnar structure, 1.6 μm long and 88 nm in diameter, and a small concentration of oxygen vacancies. Ti2+ and Ti3+ occur along with the Ti4+ state upon sputter-cleaning the layer surfaces from contaminants. The Ti2+ and Ti3+ signals diminish with gradual ZnO loading. As demonstrated by the VB-XPS data, the ZnO loading is accompanied by a slight narrowing of the band gap of the materials. A combined effect of material modification and surface roughness was taken into consideration to explain the evolution of surface super-hydrophilicity of the materials under UV irradiation. The loading process resulted in increasing surface wettability with approx. 33%, and in a drastic extension of activation decay, which clearly points out to the effect of ZnO-TiO2 heterojunctions.
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Hu Z, García-Martín JM, Li Y, Billot L, Sun B, Fresno F, García-Martín A, González MU, Aigouy L, Chen Z. TiO 2 Nanocolumn Arrays for More Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:5979-5989. [PMID: 31927904 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b21628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have attracted much attention due to their high power conversion efficiency (>25%) and low-cost fabrication. Yet, improvements are still needed for more stable and higher-performing solar cells. In this work, a series of TiO2 nanocolumn photonic structures have been intentionally fabricated on half of the compact TiO2-coated fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by glancing angle deposition with magnetron sputtering, a method particularly suitable for industrial applications due to its high reliability and reduced cost when coating large areas. These vertically aligned nanocolumn arrays were then applied as the electron transport layer into triple-cation lead halide perovskite solar cells based on Cs0.05(FA0.83MA0.17)0.95Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3. By comparison to solar cells built onto the same substrate without nanocolumns, the use of TiO2 nanocolumns can significantly enhance the power conversion efficiency of the perovskite solar cells by 7% and prolong their shelf life. Here, detailed characterizations on the morphology and the spectroscopic aspects of the nanocolumns, their near-field and far-field optical properties, solar cells characteristics, as well as the charge transport properties provide mechanistic insights on how one-dimensional TiO2 nanocolumns affect the performance of perovskite halide solar cells in terms of charge transport, light harvesting, and stability, knowledge necessary for the future design of higher-performing and more stable perovskite solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhelu Hu
- LPEM, ESPCI Paris , PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS , 10 Rue Vauquelin , F-75005 Paris , France
| | - José Miguel García-Martín
- Instituto de Micro y Nanotecnología IMN-CNM, CSIC, CEI UAM+CSIC , Isaac Newton 8 , E-28760 Tres Cantos , Madrid , Spain
| | - Yajuan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) , Soochow University , 199 Ren'ai Road , 215123 Suzhou , Jiangsu , P. R. China
| | - Laurent Billot
- LPEM, ESPCI Paris , PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS , 10 Rue Vauquelin , F-75005 Paris , France
| | - Baoquan Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) , Soochow University , 199 Ren'ai Road , 215123 Suzhou , Jiangsu , P. R. China
| | - Fernando Fresno
- Photoactivated Processes Unit , IMDEA Energy Institute , Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3 , 28935 Móstoles , Madrid , Spain
| | - Antonio García-Martín
- Instituto de Micro y Nanotecnología IMN-CNM, CSIC, CEI UAM+CSIC , Isaac Newton 8 , E-28760 Tres Cantos , Madrid , Spain
| | - María Ujué González
- Instituto de Micro y Nanotecnología IMN-CNM, CSIC, CEI UAM+CSIC , Isaac Newton 8 , E-28760 Tres Cantos , Madrid , Spain
| | - Lionel Aigouy
- LPEM, ESPCI Paris , PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS , 10 Rue Vauquelin , F-75005 Paris , France
| | - Zhuoying Chen
- LPEM, ESPCI Paris , PSL Research University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS , 10 Rue Vauquelin , F-75005 Paris , France
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Guo Y, Xue Y, Li X, Li C, Song H, Niu Y, Liu H, Mai X, Zhang J, Guo Z. Effects of Transition Metal Substituents on Interfacial and Electronic Structure of CH 3NH 3PbI 3/TiO 2 Interface: A First-Principles Comparative Study. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 9:E966. [PMID: 31266249 PMCID: PMC6669479 DOI: 10.3390/nano9070966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the influence of transition metal substituents on the characteristics of CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2, we investigated the geometrical and electronic properties of transition metal-substituted CH3NH3PbI3/TiO2 by first-principles calculations. The results suggested that the substitution of Ti4+ at the five-fold coordinated (Ti5c) sites by transition metals is energetically favored. The substituted interface has enhanced visible light sensitivity and photoelectrocatalytic activity by reducing the transition energies. The transition metal substitution can effectively tune the band gap of the interface, which significantly improves the photo-reactivity. The substituted systems are expected to be more efficient in separating the photo-generated electrons-holes and active in the visible spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Guo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, China.
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, China.
| | - Yuanbin Xue
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, China
| | - Xianchang Li
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, China
| | - Chengbo Li
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, China
| | - Haixiang Song
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, China
| | - Yongsheng Niu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Anyang Institute of Technology, Anyang, Henan 455000, China.
| | - Hu Liu
- Integrated Composites Laboratory (ICL), Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Mold (Zhengzhou University), Ministry of Education;National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technology, ZhengzhouUniversity, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China
| | - Xianmin Mai
- School of Urban Planning and Architecture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jiaoxia Zhang
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212003, China
| | - Zhanhu Guo
- Integrated Composites Laboratory (ICL), Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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