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Mediavilla I, Pura JL, Hinojosa VG, Galiana B, Hrachowina L, Borgström MT, Jimenez J. Composition, Optical Resonances, and Doping of InP/InGaP Nanowires for Tandem Solar Cells: a Micro-Raman Analysis. ACS Nano 2024; 18:10113-10123. [PMID: 38536891 PMCID: PMC11008355 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
We present a micro-Raman study of InP/InGaP tandem junction photovoltaic nanowires. These nanowires render possible InGaP compositions that cannot be made in thin films due to strain. The micro-Raman spectra acquired along the nanowires reveal the existence of compositional changes in the InGaP alloy associated with the doping sequence. The heavily Zn-doped InxGa1-xP (x is the In molar fraction) side of the tunnel diode is Ga rich, x = 0.25, with respect to the n-type and intrinsic segments of the top cell, which are close to the nominal composition of the NWs (x = 0.35). The p-type end segment is still Ga-rich. Electromagnetic resonances are observed in the tunnel diode. The Raman signal arising from the InGaP side of the tunnel diode is significantly enhanced. This enhancement permits the observation of a Raman mode that can be associated with an LO phonon plasmon coupled mode (LOPCM). This mode has not been previously reported in the literature of InGaP, and it permits the Raman characterization of the tunnel diode. The analysis of this mode and its relation to the LO phonon modes of the alloy, InP-like and GaP-like, allows to establish an apparent one-mode behavior for the phonon plasmon coupling. It indicates that hole plasma couples to the GaP-like LO mode. The LOPCMs are modeled using the Lindhard Mermin formalism for the dielectric function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Mediavilla
- GdS
Optronlab, Ed. LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo de Belen 19, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Pura
- GdS
Optronlab, Ed. LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo de Belen 19, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Instituto
de Estructura de la Materia (IEM-CSIC), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas, Serrano
121, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz Galiana
- Universidad
Carlos III de Madrid, Physics Department, Av. Universidad 40, Leganes 28911, Spain
| | - Lukas Hrachowina
- Nano
Lund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Magnus T. Borgström
- Nano
Lund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Juan Jimenez
- GdS
Optronlab, Ed. LUCIA, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo de Belen 19, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
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2
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Mediavilla I, Anaya J, Galiana B, Hrachowina L, Borgström MT, Jimenez J. A cathodoluminescence study of InP/InGaP axially heterostructured NWs for tandem solar cells. Nanotechnology 2024; 35:195703. [PMID: 38316051 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad263d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Axially heterostructured nanowires (NWs) constitute a promising platform for advanced electronic and optoelectronic nanodevices. The presence of different materials in these NWs introduces a mismatch resulting in complex strain distributions susceptible of changing the band gap and carrier mobility. The growth of these NWs presents challenges related to the reservoir effect in the catalysts droplet that affect to the junction abruptness, and the occurrence of undesired lateral growth creating core-shell heterostructures that introduce additional strain. We present herein a cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis on axially heterostructured InP/InGaP NWs with tandem solar cell structure. The CL is complemented with micro Raman, micro photoluminescence (PL), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements. The results reveal the zinc blende structure of the NWs, the presence of a thin InGaP shell around the InP bottom cell, along with its associated strain, and the doping distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Mediavilla
- GdS Optronlab, Ed. LUCIA, Paseo de Belen 19, Universidad de Valladolid, E-47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - J Anaya
- GdS Optronlab, Ed. LUCIA, Paseo de Belen 19, Universidad de Valladolid, E-47011, Valladolid, Spain
| | - B Galiana
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Physics Department, Av. Universidad 40, Leganes, E-28911, Spain
| | - L Hrachowina
- Nano Lund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - M T Borgström
- Nano Lund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - J Jimenez
- GdS Optronlab, Ed. LUCIA, Paseo de Belen 19, Universidad de Valladolid, E-47011, Valladolid, Spain
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3
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Alcer D, Tirrito M, Hrachowina L, Borgström MT. Vertically Processed GaInP/InP Tandem-Junction Nanowire Solar Cells. ACS Appl Nano Mater 2024; 7:2352-2358. [PMID: 38298252 PMCID: PMC10825819 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.3c05909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
We present vertically processed photovoltaic devices based on GaInP/InP tandem-junction III-V nanowires (NWs), contacting approximately 3 million NWs in parallel for each device. The GaInP and InP subcells as well as the connecting Esaki tunnel diode are all realized within the same NW. By processing GaInP/InP tandem-junction NW solar cells with varying compositions of the top junction GaInP material, we investigate the impact of the GaInP composition on the device performance. External quantum efficiency (EQE) measurements on devices with varying GaInP composition provide insights into the performance of the respective subcells, revealing that the GaInP subcell is current-limiting for all devices. I-V measurements under AM1.5G illumination confirm voltage addition of the subcells, resulting in an open-circuit voltage of up to 1.91 V. However, the short-circuit current density is low, ranging between 0.24 and 3.44 mA/cm2, which leads to a resulting solar conversion efficiency of up to 3.60%. Our work shows a path forward toward high-efficiency NW photovoltaics and identifies critical issues that need improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Alcer
- NanoLund and Division of
Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Matteo Tirrito
- NanoLund and Division of
Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Lukas Hrachowina
- NanoLund and Division of
Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Magnus T. Borgström
- NanoLund and Division of
Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, Lund 221 00, Sweden
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Alcer D, Hrachowina L, Hessman D, Borgström MT. Processing and characterization of large area InP nanowire photovoltaic devices. Nanotechnology 2023; 34. [PMID: 37044082 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/accc37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
III-V nanowire (NW) photovoltaic devices promise high efficiencies at reduced materials usage. However, research has so far focused on small devices, mostly ≤1 mm2. In this study, the upscaling potential of axial junction InP NW photovoltaic devices is investigated. Device processing was carried out on a full 2″ wafer, with device sizes up to 1 cm2, which is a significant increase from the mm-scale III-V NW photovoltaic devices published previously. The short-circuit current density of the largest 1 cm2devices, in which 460 million NWs are contacted in parallel, is on par with smaller devices. This enables a record power generation of 6.0 mW under AM1.5 G illumination, more than one order of magnitude higher than previous III-V NW photovoltaic devices. On the other hand, the fill factor of the larger devices is lower in comparison with smaller devices, which affects the device efficiency. By use of electroluminescence mapping, resistive losses in the indium tin oxide (ITO) front contact are found to limit the fill factor of the large devices. We use combined light-beam induced current (LBIC) and photoluminescence (PL) mapping as a powerful characterization tool for NW photovoltaic devices. From the LBIC and PL maps, local defects can be identified on the fully processed devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Alcer
- NanoLund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Lukas Hrachowina
- NanoLund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Dan Hessman
- NanoLund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Magnus T Borgström
- NanoLund and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
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Hrachowina L, Anttu N, Borgström MT. Wafer-Scale Synthesis and Optical Characterization of InP Nanowire Arrays for Solar Cells. Nano Lett 2021; 21:7347-7353. [PMID: 34449221 PMCID: PMC8431724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanowire solar cells have the potential to reach the same efficiencies as the world-record III-V solar cells while using a fraction of the material. For solar energy harvesting, large-area nanowire solar cells have to be processed. In this work, we demonstrate the synthesis of epitaxial InP nanowire arrays on a 2 inch wafer. We define five array areas with different nanowire diameters on the same wafer. We use a photoluminescence mapper to characterize the sample optically and compare it to a homogeneously exposed reference wafer. Both steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence maps are used to study the material's quality. From a mapping of reflectance spectra, we simultaneously extract the diameter and length of the nanowires over the full wafer. The extracted knowledge of large-scale nanowire synthesis will be crucial for the upscaling of nanowire-based solar cells, and the demonstrated wafer-scale characterization methods will be central for quality control during manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hrachowina
- NanoLund
and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund
University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nicklas Anttu
- Physics,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo
Akademi University, FI-20500 Turku, Finland
- Department
of Electronics and Nanoengineering, Aalto
University, P.O. Box 13500, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Magnus T. Borgström
- NanoLund
and Division of Solid State Physics, Lund
University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
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Jeddi H, Karimi M, Witzigmann B, Zeng X, Hrachowina L, Borgström MT, Pettersson H. Gain and bandwidth of InP nanowire array photodetectors with embedded photogated InAsP quantum discs. Nanoscale 2021; 13:6227-6233. [PMID: 33885608 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr00846c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Here we report on the experimental results and advanced self-consistent real device simulations revealing a fundamental insight into the non-linear optical response of n+-i-n+ InP nanowire array photoconductors to selective 980 nm excitation of 20 axially embedded InAsP quantum discs in each nanowire. The optical characteristics are interpreted in terms of a photogating mechanism that results from an electrostatic feedback from trapped charge on the electronic band structure of the nanowires, similar to the gate action in a field-effect transistor. From detailed analyses of the complex charge carrier dynamics in dark and under illumination was concluded that electrons are trapped in two acceptor states, located at 140 and 190 meV below the conduction band edge, at the interface between the nanowires and a radial insulating SiOx cap layer. The non-linear optical response was investigated at length by photocurrent measurements recorded over a wide power range. From these measurements were extracted responsivities of 250 A W-1 (gain 320)@20 nW and 0.20 A W-1 (gain 0.2)@20 mW with a detector bias of 3.5 V, in excellent agreement with the proposed two-trap model. Finally, a small signal optical AC analysis was made both experimentally and theoretically to investigate the influence of the interface traps on the detector bandwidth. While the traps limit the cut-off frequency to around 10 kHz, the maximum operating frequency of the detectors stretches into the MHz region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Jeddi
- School of Information Technology, Halmstad University, Box 823, SE-301 18 Halmstad, Sweden.
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Chayanun L, Hrachowina L, Björling A, Borgström MT, Wallentin J. Direct Three-Dimensional Imaging of an X-ray Nanofocus Using a Single 60 nm Diameter Nanowire Device. Nano Lett 2020; 20:8326-8331. [PMID: 33084341 PMCID: PMC7662902 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c03477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale X-ray detectors could allow higher resolution in imaging and diffraction experiments than established systems but are difficult to design due to the long absorption length of X-rays. Here, we demonstrate X-ray detection in a single nanowire in which the nanowire axis is parallel to the optical axis. In this geometry, X-ray absorption can occur along the nanowire length, while the spatial resolution is limited by the diameter. We use the device to make a high-resolution 3D image of the 88 nm diameter X-ray nanofocus at the Nanomax beamline, MAX IV synchrotron, by scanning the single pixel device in different planes along the optical axis. The images reveal fine details of the beam that are unattainable with established detectors and show good agreement with ptychography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lert Chayanun
- Synchrotron
Radiation Research and NanoLund, Lund University, Lund 22100, Sweden
| | - Lukas Hrachowina
- Solid
state physics and NanoLund, Lund University, Lund 22100, Sweden
| | | | | | - Jesper Wallentin
- Synchrotron
Radiation Research and NanoLund, Lund University, Lund 22100, Sweden
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Olsson TB, Abariute L, Hrachowina L, Barrigón E, Volpati D, Limpert S, Otnes G, Borgström MT, Prinz CN. Photovoltaic nanowires affect human lung cell proliferation under illumination conditions. Nanoscale 2020; 12:14237-14244. [PMID: 32608415 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr07678f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Using light to interact with cells is a promising way to steer cell behavior with minimal perturbation. Besides optogenetics, photovoltaic nanostructures such as nanowires can be used to interact with cells using light as a switch. Photovoltaic nanowires have, for instance, been used to stimulate neurons. However, the effects of the photovoltaic activity on cells are still poorly understood and characterized. Here, we investigate the effects of the photovoltaic activity of p-i-n nanowire arrays on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. We have cultured A549 cells on top of vertical arrays of indium phosphide p-i-n nanowires (photovoltaic nanowires), with and without illumination to assess the effects of the nanowire photovoltaic activity on cells. We show that there is a higher proportion of dormant cells when the p-i-n nanowire arrays are illuminated. However, there is no difference in the proportion of dormant cells when the p-i-n nanowires are coated with oxide, which suggests that carrier injection in the cell medium (in this case, the release of electrons from the tip of the nanowires) is an important factor for modulating cell proliferation on photovoltaic nanowires. The results open up for interesting applications of photovoltaic nanowires in biomedicine, such as using them as a dormancy switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therese B Olsson
- Division of Solid State Physics and NanoLund, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.
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Hrachowina L, Domènech-Gil G, Pardo A, Seifner MS, Gràcia I, Cané C, Romano-Rodríguez A, Barth S. Site-Specific Growth and in Situ Integration of Different Nanowire Material Networks on a Single Chip: Toward a Nanowire-Based Electronic Nose for Gas Detection. ACS Sens 2018; 3:727-734. [PMID: 29485272 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A new method for the site-selective synthesis of nanowires has been developed to enable material growth with defined morphology and, at the same time, different composition on the same chip surface. The chemical vapor deposition approach for the growth of these nanowire-based resistive devices using micromembranes can be easily modified and represents a simple, adjustable fabrication process for the direct integration of nanowire meshes in multifunctional devices. This proof-of-concept study includes the deposition of SnO2, WO3, and Ge nanowires on the same chip. The individual resistors exhibit adequate gas sensing responses toward changing gas concentrations of CO, NO2, and humidity diluted in synthetic air. The data have been processed by principal component analysis with cluster responses that can be easily separated, and thus, the devices described herein are in principle suitable for environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Isabel Gràcia
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, Centre Nacional de Microelectrònica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Carles Cané
- Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, Centre Nacional de Microelectrònica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | - Sven Barth
- Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien, 1060 Vienna, Austria
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P RKT, Weirich P, Hrachowina L, Hanefeld M, Bjornsson R, Hrodmarsson HR, Barth S, Fairbrother DH, Huth M, Ingólfsson O. Electron interactions with the heteronuclear carbonyl precursor H 2FeRu 3(CO) 13 and comparison with HFeCo 3(CO) 12: from fundamental gas phase and surface science studies to focused electron beam induced deposition. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2018; 9:555-579. [PMID: 29527432 PMCID: PMC5827713 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.9.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In the current contribution we present a comprehensive study on the heteronuclear carbonyl complex H2FeRu3(CO)13 covering its low energy electron induced fragmentation in the gas phase through dissociative electron attachment (DEA) and dissociative ionization (DI), its decomposition when adsorbed on a surface under controlled ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions and exposed to irradiation with 500 eV electrons, and its performance in focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) at room temperature under HV conditions. The performance of this precursor in FEBID is poor, resulting in maximum metal content of 26 atom % under optimized conditions. Furthermore, the Ru/Fe ratio in the FEBID deposit (≈3.5) is higher than the 3:1 ratio predicted. This is somewhat surprising as in recent FEBID studies on a structurally similar bimetallic precursor, HFeCo3(CO)12, metal contents of about 80 atom % is achievable on a routine basis and the deposits are found to maintain the initial Co/Fe ratio. Low temperature (≈213 K) surface science studies on thin films of H2FeRu3(CO)13 demonstrate that electron stimulated decomposition leads to significant CO desorption (average of 8-9 CO groups per molecule) to form partially decarbonylated intermediates. However, once formed these intermediates are largely unaffected by either further electron irradiation or annealing to room temperature, with a predicted metal content similar to what is observed in FEBID. Furthermore, gas phase experiments indicate formation of Fe(CO)4 from H2FeRu3(CO)13 upon low energy electron interaction. This fragment could desorb at room temperature under high vacuum conditions, which may explain the slight increase in the Ru/Fe ratio of deposits in FEBID. With the combination of gas phase experiments, surface science studies and actual FEBID experiments, we can offer new insights into the low energy electron induced decomposition of this precursor and how this is reflected in the relatively poor performance of H2FeRu3(CO)13 as compared to the structurally similar HFeCo3(CO)12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragesh Kumar T P
- Science Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Paul Weirich
- Physikalisches Institut, Max-von-Laue-Str. 1, Goethe-Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Marc Hanefeld
- Physikalisches Institut, Max-von-Laue-Str. 1, Goethe-Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ragnar Bjornsson
- Science Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Helgi Rafn Hrodmarsson
- Science Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Sven Barth
- Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien, 1060 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael Huth
- Physikalisches Institut, Max-von-Laue-Str. 1, Goethe-Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Oddur Ingólfsson
- Science Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
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