Name: key factors affecting the performance of sb2s3-sensitized solar cells during an sb2s3 deposition via sbcl3-thiourea complex solution-processing
Uploaded: 2018-07-16T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Key Factors Affecting the Performance of Sb2S3-sensitized Solar Cells During an Sb2S3 Deposition via SbCl3-thiourea Complex Solution-processing at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) R&#38;D Programs of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea (Grants No. 18-ET-01 and 18-01-HRSS-04).

1. Synthesis of the TiO2-BL Solution
<ol>
	<li>Prepare 2 transparent vials with a 50 mL volume.</li>
	<li>Add 20 mL of ethanol to 1 vial (V1) and seal V1.</li>
	<li>Transfer V1 to an N2-filled glove box with a moisture-controlled system of an H2O level of &#60; 1 ppm.</li>
	<li>Add 1.225 mL of titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) to V1 using a syringe with a 0.45 &#181;m PVDF filter and gently stir the mixture for at least 30 min. 
	NOTE: This step must be performed in a glove box (or...

<ol>
	<li>Choi, Y. C., Lee, D. U., Noh, J. H., Kim, E. K., Seok, S. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Highly+Improved+Sb2S3+Sensitized-Inorganic-Organic+Heterojunction+Solar+Cells+and+Quantification+of+Traps+by+Deep-Level+Transient+Spectroscopy.">Highly Improved Sb2S3 Sensitized-Inorganic-Organic Heterojunction Solar Cells and Quantification of Traps by Deep-Level Transient Spectroscopy.</a> Advanced Functional Materials. 24 (23), 3587-3592 (2014).</li><li>Kim, D. -. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Highly+reproducible+planar+Sb2S3-sensitized+solar+cells+based+on+atomic+layer+deposition.">Highly reproducible planar Sb2S3-sensitized solar cells based on atomic layer deposition.</a> Nanoscale. 6 (23), 14549-14554 (2014).</li><li>Choi, Y. C., Seok, S. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+Sb2S3-Sensitized+Solar+Cells+Via+Single-Step+Deposition+of+Sb2S3+Using+S/Sb-Ratio-Controlled+SbCl3-Thiourea+Complex+Solution.">Efficient Sb2S3-Sensitized Solar Cells Via Single-Step Deposition of Sb2S3 Using S/Sb-Ratio-Controlled SbCl3-Thiourea Complex Solution.</a> Advanced Functional Materials. 25 (19), 2892-2898 (2015).</li><li>Godel, K. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+room+temperature+aqueous+Sb2S3+synthesis+for+inorganic-organic+sensitized+solar+cells+with+5.1%+efficiencies.">Efficient room temperature aqueous Sb2S3 synthesis for inorganic-organic sensitized solar cells with 5.1% efficiencies.</a> Chemical Communications. 51 (41), 8640-8643 (2015).</li><li>Choi, Y. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sb2Se3-Sensitized+Inorganic-Organic+Heterojunction+Solar+Cells+Fabricated+Using+a+Single-Source+Precursor.">Sb2Se3-Sensitized Inorganic-Organic Heterojunction Solar Cells Fabricated Using a Single-Source Precursor.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 53 (5), 1329-1333 (2014).</li><li>Chen, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=6.5%+Certified+Efficiency+Sb2Se3+Solar+Cells+Using+PbS+Colloidal+Quantum+Dot+Film+as+Hole-Transporting+Layer.">6.5% Certified Efficiency Sb2Se3 Solar Cells Using PbS Colloidal Quantum Dot Film as Hole-Transporting Layer.</a> ACS Energy Letters. 2 (9), 2125-2132 (2017).</li><li>Choi, Y. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Efficient+Inorganic-Organic+Heterojunction+Solar+Cells+Employing+Sb2(Sx/Se1-x)3+Graded-Composition+Sensitizers.">Efficient Inorganic-Organic Heterojunction Solar Cells Employing Sb2(Sx/Se1-x)3 Graded-Composition Sensitizers.</a> Advanced Energy Materials. 4 (7), 1301680 (2014).</li><li>Choi, Y. C., Yeom, E. J., Ahn, T. K., Seok, S. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CuSbS2-Sensitized+Inorganic-Organic+Heterojunction+Solar+Cells+Fabricated+Using+a+Metal-Thiourea+Complex+Solution.">CuSbS2-Sensitized Inorganic-Organic Heterojunction Solar Cells Fabricated Using a Metal-Thiourea Complex Solution.</a> Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 54 (13), 4005-4009 (2015).</li><li>Versavel, M. Y., Haber, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+and+optical+properties+of+amorphous+and+crystalline+antimony+sulfide+thin-films.">Structural and optical properties of amorphous and crystalline antimony sulfide thin-films.</a> Thin Solid Films. 515 (18), 7171-7176 (2007).</li><li>Yang, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hydrazine+solution+processed+Sb2S3,+Sb2Se3+and+Sb2(S1-xSex)3+film:+molecular+precursor+identification,+film+fabrication+and+band+gap+tuning.">Hydrazine solution processed Sb2S3, Sb2Se3 and Sb2(S1-xSex)3 film: molecular precursor identification, film fabrication and band gap tuning.</a> Scientific Reports. 5, 10978 (2015).</li><li>Peng, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Systematic+investigation+of+the+role+of+compact+TiO2+layer+in+solid+state+dye-sensitized+TiO2+solar+cells.">Systematic investigation of the role of compact TiO2 layer in solid state dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells.</a> Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 248 (13-14), 1479-1489 (2004).</li><li>Chen, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accelerated+Optimization+of+TiO2/Sb2Se3+Thin+Film+Solar+Cells+by+High-Throughput+Combinatorial+Approach.">Accelerated Optimization of TiO2/Sb2Se3 Thin Film Solar Cells by High-Throughput Combinatorial Approach.</a> Advanced Energy Materials. 7 (20), 1700866 (2017).</li><li>Sung, S. -. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Systematic+control+of+nanostructured+interfaces+of+planar+Sb2S3+solar+cells+by+simple+spin-coating+process+and+its+effect+on+photovoltaic+properties.">Systematic control of nanostructured interfaces of planar Sb2S3 solar cells by simple spin-coating process and its effect on photovoltaic properties.</a> Journals of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 56, 196-202 (2017).</li><li>Gong, J., Liang, J., Sumathy, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Review+on+dye-sensitized+solar+cells+(DSSCs):+Fundamental+concepts+and+novel+materials.">Review on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs): Fundamental concepts and novel materials.</a> Renewable &amp; Sustainable Energery Reviews. 16 (8), 5848-5860 (2012).</li><li>Jeon, N. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Solvent+engineering+for+high-performance+inorganic-organic+hybrid+perovskite+solar+cells.">Solvent engineering for high-performance inorganic-organic hybrid perovskite solar cells.</a> Nature Materials. 13 (9), 897-903 (2014).</li><li>Choi, Y. C., Lee, S. W., Jo, H. J., Kim, D. -. H., Sung, S. -. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controlled+growth+of+organic-inorganic+hybrid+CH3NH3PbI3+perovskite+thin+films+from+phase-controlled+crystalline+powders.">Controlled growth of organic-inorganic hybrid CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite thin films from phase-controlled crystalline powders.</a> RSC Advances. 6 (106), 104359-104365 (2016).</li><li>Choi, Y. C., Lee, S. W., Kim, D. -. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antisolvent-assisted+powder+engineering+for+controlled+growth+of+hybrid+CH3NH3PbI3+perovskite+thin+films.">Antisolvent-assisted powder engineering for controlled growth of hybrid CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite thin films.</a> APL Materials. 5 (2), 026101 (2017).</li></ol>

TiO2-BL is widely used as a hole-blocking layer in solar cells. As shown in Figure 2, a large difference was observed in the device performance depending on the TiO2-BL thickness. Therefore, its thickness should be optimized to obtain the best overall device performance, because it critically acts as a hole-blocking layer to prevent any direct contact between FTO and hole-transporting materials11. It should be noted that the optimum thickness var...

Antimony-based chalcogenides (Sb-Chs), including Sb2S3, Sb2Se3, Sb2(S,Se)3, and CuSbS2, are considered to be emerging materials that can be used in next-generation solar cells1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. However, photovoltaic devices based on Sb-Chs light absorbers have not yet reached the 10% power conversion efficiency (PCE) required to demonstrate feasible commercialization.
To overcome these limitations, various methods and techniques have been applied, such as a thioacetamide-induced surface treatment1, a room temperature deposition method4, an atomic layer deposition technique2, and the use of colloid dot quantum dots6. Among these various methods, the solution-processing based on a chemical bath decomposition exhibited the highest performance1. However, a precise control of the chemical reaction and the post-treatment are required to achieve the best performance1,3.
Recently, we developed a simple solution-processing for high-performance Sb2S3-sensitized solar cells using a SbCl3-thiourea (TU) complex solution3. Using this method, we were able to fabricate a quality Sb2S3 with a controlled Sb/S ratio, which was applied to a solar cell to achieve a comparable device performance of 6.4% PCE. We were also able to effectively reduce the processing time since the Sb2S3 was fabricated by a single-step deposition.
In this work, we describe the detailed experimental procedure for an Sb2S3 deposition on the substrate consisting of mesoporous TiO2 (mp-TiO2)/TiO2 blocking layer (TiO2-BL)/F-doped SnO2 (FTO) glass for the fabrication of Sb2S3-sensitized solar cells via SbCl3-TU complex solution-processing3. In addition, three key factors affecting the photovoltaic performance in the course of an Sb2S3 deposition were identified and discussed. The concept of the method can be easily applied to other sensitizer-type solar cells based on metal sulfides.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="847">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:316px;">Ethyl alcohol, Pure, &#62;99.5%</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">459836</td>
			<td style="width:176px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Titanium(IV) isopropoxide 97%</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">205273</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Nitic acid, ACS reagent, 70%</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">438073</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Antimony(III) chloride</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">311375</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Thiourea</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">T7875</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:316px;">N,N-Dimethylformamide, anhydrous, 99.8%</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">227056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">TiO2 paste with 50 nm particles</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">ShareChem</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">SC-HT040</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Poly(3-hexylthiophene)</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">1-Material</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">PH0148</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Chlorobenzene</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">284513</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">FTO/glass (8 Ohmos/sq)</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">Pilkington</td>
			<td style="width:129px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Spin coater</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">DONG AH TRADE CORP</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">ACE-200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Hot plate</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">AS ONE Corporation</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">HHP-411</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Glove box</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">KIYON</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">KK-021AS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">UV OZONE Cleaner</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">AHTECH LTS</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">AC-6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">Furnace</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">WiseTherm</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">FP-14</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:316px;">UV/Vis Absorption spectroscopy</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">PerkinElmer</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Lambda 750</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:316px;">Multifunctional evaporator with glove box</td>
			<td style="width:227px;">DAEDONG HIGH TECHNOLOGIES</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">DDHT-SDP007</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

key factors affecting the performance of sb2s3-sensitized solar cells during an sb2s3 deposition via sbcl3-thiourea complex solution-processing

Sb2S3 is considered as one of the emerging light absorbers that can be applied to next-generation solar cells because of its unique optical and electrical properties. Recently, we demonstrated its potential as next-generation solar cells by achieving a high photovoltaic efficiency of &#62; 6% in Sb2S3-sensitized solar cells using a simple thiourea (TU)-based complex solution method. Here, we describe the key experimental procedures for the deposition of Sb2S3 on a mesoporous TiO2 (mp-TiO2) layer using a SbCl3-TU complex solution in the fabrication of solar cells. First, the SbCl3-TU solution is synthesized by dissolving SbCl3 and TU in N,N-dimethylformamide at different molar ratios of SbCl3:TU. Then, the solution is deposited on as-prepared substrates consisting of mp-TiO2/TiO2-blocking layer/F-doped SnO2 glass by spin coating. Finally, to form crystalline Sb2S3, the samples are annealed in an N2-filled glove box at 300 &#176;C. The effects of the experimental parameters on the photovoltaic device performance are also discussed.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the experimental procedure for the Sb2S3 deposition on the substrate of mp-TiO2/TiO2-BL/FTO glass. Figure 1d shows the basic properties and scheme of a typical product fabricated by the method described herein. The main X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern is well matched with that of a stibnite Sb2S3 structure<sup class="xre...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Key Factors Affecting the Performance of Sb2S3-sensitized Solar Cells During an Sb2S3 Deposition via SbCl3-thiourea Complex Solution-processing at JoVE.com

Key Factors Affecting the Performance of Sb2S3-sensitized Solar Cells During an Sb2S3 Deposition via SbCl3-thiourea Complex Solution-processing

This work provides a detailed experimental procedure for the deposition of Sb2S3 on a mesoporous TiO2 layer using a SbCl3-thiourea complex solution for applications in Sb2S3-sensitized solar cells. This article also determines key factors governing the deposition process.

Key Factors Affecting the Performance of Sb2S3-sensitized Solar Cells During an Sb2S3 Deposition via SbCl3-thiourea Complex Solution-processing

Sb2S3 is considered as one of the emerging light absorbers that can be applied to next-generation solar cells because of its unique optical and electrical ...

This method can help answer key questions in the next generation's research field.Such as, sensitize architectural base through our cells.The main advantage of this technique is that it is a simple solution process for fabrication of high pheromones carrying through our cells.Demonstrating the procedure will be Eunjeong Hwang, on our seasonal researcher from our laboratory.First, add 20 milometers of ethanol to a 15 milliliter vial containing a magnetic stir bar and seal the vial.Transfer the vial to a nitrogen-filled glove box with a moisture controlled system.Using a syringe with a 0.45 micron PVDF filter, add 1.225 milliliters of titanium isopropoxide to the vial and gently stir the mixture for at least 30 minutes.In a second 50 milliliter vial containing a magnetic stir bar, add 20 milliliters of ethanol, 18 microliters of 70%nitric acid, and 138 microliters of water.Gently stir the mixture for at least 30 minutes.After removing the first vial from the glove box, mix the two solutions by pouring the nitric acid solution into the titanium isopropoxide solution.Stir for more than two hours to obtain the transparent 0.1 molar titanium dioxide blocking layer solution.Inside the glove box, prepare an antimony trichloride stock solution by mixing one millimole of antimony trichloride with one millimeter of DMF.Add a proper amount of the stock solution to a vial containing a given amount of thiourea to achieve the desired molar ratio of antimony trichloride and thiourea.Wash a 25 x 25 millimeter FTO coated glass in an ultrasonic bath with acetone for 10 minutes.After washing with ethanol, instantly dry the FTO glass by blowing compressed air over the sample.Next, treat the FTO glass with a UV ozone cleaner for 20 minutes.After cleaning, spin coat ethanol on the FTO glass at 5, 000 RPM for 60 seconds.Immediately spin coat again with the prepared titanium dioxide blocking layer solution at 5, 000 RPM for 60 seconds.Try the FTO glass on a preheated hot plate at 200

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Preparation of Hydrophobic Metal-Organic Frameworks via Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Perfluoroalkanes for the Removal of Ammonia

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of perfluoroalkanes has long been studied for tuning the wetting properties of surfaces. For high surface area microporous materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), unique challenges present themselves for PECVD treatments. Herein the protocol for development of a MOF that was previously unstable to humid conditions is presented. The protocol describes the synthesis of Cu-BTC (also known as HKUST-1), the treatment of Cu-BTC with PECVD of perfluoroalkanes, the aging of materials under humid conditions, and the subsequent ammonia microbreakthrough experiments on milligram quantities of microporous materials. Cu-BTC has an extremely high surface area (~1,800 m2/g) when compared to most materials or surfaces that have been previously treated by PECVD methods. Parameters such as chamber pressure and treatment time are extremely important to ensure the perfluoroalkane plasma penetrates to and reacts with the inner MOF surfaces. Furthermore, the protocol for ammonia microbreakthrough experiments set forth here can be utilized for a variety of test gases and microporous materials.

Herein the procedures for plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of perfluoroalkanes on microporous materials such as metal-organic frameworks to enhance their stability and hydrophobicity are described. Furthermore, breakthrough testing of milligram quantities of samples is described in detail.

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of perfluoroalkanes has long been studied for tuning the wetting properties of surfaces. For high ...

Synthesis and Catalytic Performance of Gold Intercalated in the Walls of Mesoporous Silica

As a promising catalytically active nano reactor, gold nanoparticles intercalated in mesoporous silica (GMS) were successfully synthesized and properties of the materials were investigated. We used a one pot sol-gel approach to intercalate gold nano particles in the walls of mesoporous silica. To start with the synthesis, P123 was used as template to form micelles. Then TESPTS was used as a surface modification agent to intercalate gold nano particles. Following this process, TEOS was added in as a silica source which underwent a polymerization process in acid environment. After hydrothermal processing and calcination, the final product was acquired. Several techniques were utilized to characterize the porosity, morphology and structure of the gold intercalated mesoporous silica. The results showed a stable structure of mesoporous silica after gold intercalation. Through the oxidation of benzyl alcohol as a benchmark reaction, the GMS materials showed high selectivity and recyclability.

Here, we present a protocol with a sol-gel process to synthesize gold intercalated in the walls of mesoporous materials (GMS), which is confirmed to possess a mesoporous matrix with gold intercalated in the walls imparting great stability and recyclability.

As a promising catalytically active nano reactor, gold nanoparticles intercalated in mesoporous silica (GMS) were successfully synthesized and properties ...

Chemical Vapor Deposition of an Organic Magnet, Vanadium Tetracyanoethylene

Recent progress in the field of organic materials has yielded devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) which have advantages not found in traditional materials, including low cost and mechanical flexibility. In a similar vein, it would be advantageous to expand the use of organics into high frequency electronics and spin-based electronics. This work presents a synthetic process for the growth of thin films of the room temperature organic ferrimagnet, vanadium tetracyanoethylene (V[TCNE]x, x~2) by low temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The thin film is grown at &#60;60 &#176;C, and can accommodate a wide variety of substrates including, but not limited to, silicon, glass, Teflon and flexible substrates. The conformal deposition is conducive to pre-patterned and three-dimensional structures as well. Additionally this technique can yield films with thicknesses ranging from 30 nm to several microns. Recent progress in optimization of film growth creates a film whose qualities, such as higher Curie temperature (600 K), improved magnetic homogeneity, and narrow ferromagnetic resonance line-width (1.5 G) show promise for a variety of applications in spintronics and microwave electronics.

We present the synthesis of the organic-based ferrimagnet vanadium tetracyanoethylene (V[TCNE]x, x~2) via low temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This optimized recipe yields an increase in Curie temperature from 400 K to over 600 K and a dramatic improvement in magnetic resonance properties.

Recent progress in the field of organic materials has yielded devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) which have advantages not found in ...

Improved Heterojunction Quality in Cu2O-based Solar Cells Through the Optimization of Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposited Zn1-xMgxO

Atmospheric pressure spatial atomic layer deposition (AP-SALD) was used to deposit n-type ZnO and Zn1-xMgxO thin films onto p-type thermally oxidized Cu2O substrates outside vacuum at low temperature. The performance of photovoltaic devices featuring atmospherically fabricated ZnO/Cu2O heterojunction was dependent on the conditions of AP-SALD film deposition, namely, the substrate temperature and deposition time, as well as on the Cu2O substrate exposure to oxidizing agents prior to and during the ZnO deposition. Superficial Cu2O to CuO oxidation was identified as a limiting factor to heterojunction quality due to recombination at the ZnO/Cu2O interface. Optimization of AP-SALD conditions as well as keeping Cu2O away from air and moisture in order to minimize Cu2O surface oxidation led to improved device performance. A three-fold increase in the open-circuit voltage (up to 0.65 V) and a two-fold increase in the short-circuit current density produced solar cells with a record 2.2% power conversion efficiency (PCE). This PCE is the highest reported for a Zn1-xMgxO/Cu2O heterojunction formed outside vacuum, which highlights atmospheric pressure spatial ALD as a promising technique for inexpensive and scalable fabrication of Cu2O-based photovoltaics.

Improved Heterojunction Quality in Cu2O-based Solar Cells Through the Optimization of Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposited Zn1-xMgxO

Here we present a protocol for synthesizing Zn1-xMgxO/Cu2O heterojunctions in open-air at low temperature via atmospheric pressure spatial atomic layer deposition (AP-SALD) of Zn1-xMgxO on cuprous oxide. Such high quality conformal metal oxides can be grown on a variety of substrates including plastics by this cheap and scalable method.

Atmospheric pressure spatial atomic layer deposition (AP-SALD) was used to deposit n-type ZnO and Zn1-xMgxO thin films onto p-type thermally oxidized Cu2O ...

Synthesis of Protein Bioconjugates via Cysteine-maleimide Chemistry

The chemical linking or bioconjugation of proteins to fluorescent dyes, drugs, polymers and other proteins has a broad range of applications, such as the development of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and nanomedicine, fluorescent microscopy and systems chemistry. For many of these applications, specificity of the bioconjugation method used is of prime concern. The Michael addition of maleimides with cysteine(s) on the target proteins is highly selective and proceeds rapidly under mild conditions, making it one of the most popular methods for protein bioconjugation.
We demonstrate here the modification of the only surface-accessible cysteine residue on yeast cytochrome c with a ruthenium(II) bisterpyridine maleimide. The protein bioconjugation is verified by gel electrophoresis and purified by aqueous-based fast protein liquid chromatography in 27% yield of isolated protein material. Structural characterization with MALDI-TOF MS and UV-Vis is then used to verify that the bioconjugation is successful. The protocol shown here is easily applicable to other cysteine - maleimide coupling of proteins to other proteins, dyes, drugs or polymers.

Synthesis of Protein Bioconjugates via Cysteine-maleimide Chemistry

This protocol details the important steps required for the bioconjugation of a cysteine containing protein to a maleimide, including reagent purification, reaction conditions, bioconjugate purification and bioconjugate characterization.

The chemical linking or bioconjugation of proteins to fluorescent dyes, drugs, polymers and other proteins has a broad range of applications, such as the ...

Epitaxial Growth of Perovskite Strontium Titanate on Germanium via Atomic Layer Deposition

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a commercially utilized deposition method for electronic materials. ALD growth of thin films offers thickness control and conformality by taking advantage of self-limiting reactions between vapor-phase precursors and the growing film. Perovskite oxides present potential for next-generation electronic materials, but to-date have mostly been deposited by physical methods. This work outlines a method for depositing SrTiO3 (STO) on germanium using ALD. Germanium has higher carrier mobilities than silicon and therefore offers an alternative semiconductor material with faster device operation. This method takes advantage of the instability of germanium's native oxide by using thermal deoxidation to clean and reconstruct the Ge (001) surface to the 2&#215;1 structure. 2-nm thick, amorphous STO is then deposited by ALD. The STO film is annealed under ultra-high vacuum and crystallizes on the reconstructed Ge surface. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) is used during this annealing step to monitor the STO crystallization. The thin, crystalline layer of STO acts as a template for subsequent growth of STO that is crystalline as-grown, as confirmed by RHEED. In situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to verify film stoichiometry before and after the annealing step, as well as after subsequent STO growth. This procedure provides framework for additional perovskite oxides to be deposited on semiconductors via chemical methods in addition to the integration of more sophisticated heterostructures already achievable by physical methods.

This work details the procedures for the growth and characterization of crystalline SrTiO3 directly on germanium substrates by atomic layer deposition. The procedure illustrates the ability of an all-chemical growth method to integrate oxides monolithically onto semiconductors for metal-oxide semiconductor devices.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a commercially utilized deposition method for electronic materials. ALD growth of thin films offers thickness control and ...

Influence of Hybrid Perovskite Fabrication Methods on Film Formation, Electronic Structure, and Solar Cell Performance

Hybrid organic/inorganic halide perovskites have lately been a topic of great interest in the field of solar cell applications, with the potential to achieve device efficiencies exceeding other thin film device technologies. Yet, large variations in device efficiency and basic physical properties are reported. This is due to unintentional variations during film processing, which have not been sufficiently investigated so far. We therefore conducted an extensive study of the morphology and electronic structure of a large number of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite where we show how the preparation method as well as the mixing ratio of educts methylammonium iodide and lead(II) iodide impact properties like film formation, crystal structure, density of states, energy levels, and ultimately the solar cell performance.

We present an extensive study on the effects of different fabrication methods for organic/inorganic perovskite thin films by comparing crystal structures, density of states, energy levels, and ultimately the solar cell performance.

Hybrid organic/inorganic halide perovskites have lately been a topic of great interest in the field of solar cell applications, with the potential to ...

The Effect of Interfacial Chemical Bonding in TiO2-SiO2 Composites on Their Photocatalytic NOx Abatement Performance

The chemical bonding of particulate photocatalysts to supporting material surfaces is of great importance in engineering more efficient and practical photocatalytic structures. However, the influence of such chemical bonding on the optical and surface properties of the photocatalyst and thus its photocatalytic activity/reaction selectivity behavior has not been systematically studied. In this investigation, TiO2 has been supported on the surface of SiO2 by means of two different methods: (i) by the in situ formation of TiO2 in the presence of sand quartz via a sol-gel method employing tetrabutyl orthotitanium (TBOT); and (ii) by binding the commercial TiO2 powder to quartz on a surface silica gel layer formed from the reaction of quartz with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). For comparison, TiO2 nanoparticles were also deposited on the surfaces of a more reactive SiO2 prepared by a hydrolysis-controlled sol-gel technique as well as through a sol-gel route from TiO2 and SiO2 precursors. The combination of TiO2 and SiO2, through interfacial Ti-O-Si bonds, was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy and the photocatalytic activities of the obtained composites were tested for photocatalytic degradation of NO according to the ISO standard method (ISO 22197&#8722;1). The electron microscope images of the obtained materials showed that variable photocatalyst coverage of the support surface can successfully be achieved but the photocatalytic activity towards NO removal was found to be affected by the preparation method and the nitrate selectivity is adversely affected by Ti-O-Si bonding.

The Effect of Interfacial Chemical Bonding in TiO2-SiO2 Composites on Their Photocatalytic NOx Abatement Performance

The focus of the present work is to establish means to generate and quantify levels of Ti-O-Si linkages and to correlate these with the photocatalytic properties of the supported TiO2.

The chemical bonding of particulate photocatalysts to supporting material surfaces is of great importance in engineering more efficient and practical ...

Deposition of Porous Sorbents on Fabric Supports

A microwave deposition technique for silanes, previously described for production of oleophobic fabrics, is adapted to provide a fabric support material that can be subsequently treated by dip coating. Dip coating with a sol preparation provides a supported porous layer on the fabric. In this case, the porous layer is a porphyrin functionalized sorbent system based on a powdered material that has been demonstrated previously for the capture and conversion of phosgene. A representative coating is applied to cotton fabric at a loading level of 10 mg/g. This coating has minimal impact on water vapor transport through the fabric (93% of the support fabric rate) while significantly reducing transport of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) through the material (7% of support fabric rate). The described approaches are suitable for use with other fabrics providing amine and hydroxyl groups for modification and can be used in combination with other sol preparations to produce varying functionality.

This report details a microwave-initiated approach for deposition of porphyrin functionalized porous organosilicate sorbents on a cotton fabric and demonstrates reduction in 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) transport through the fabric resulting from this treatment.

A microwave deposition technique for silanes, previously described for production of oleophobic fabrics, is adapted to provide a fabric support material ...

Constructing Thioether/Vinyl Sulfide-tethered Helical Peptides Via Photo-induced Thiol-ene/yne Hydrothiolation

Here, we describe a detailed protocol for the preparation of thioether-tethered peptides using on-resin intramolecular/intermolecular thiol-ene hydrothiolation. In addition, this protocol describes the preparation of vinyl-sulfide-tethered peptides using in-solution intramolecular thiol-yne hydrothiolation between amino acids that possess alkene/alkyne side chains and cysteine residues at i, i+4 positions. Linear peptides were synthesized using a standard Fmoc-based solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). Thiol-ene hydrothiolation is carried out using either an intramolecular thio-ene reaction or an intermolecular thio-ene reaction, depending on the peptide length. In this research, an intramolecular thio-ene reaction is carried out in the case of shorter peptides using on-resin deprotection of the trityl groups of cysteine residues following the complete synthesis of the linear peptide. The resin is then set to UV irradiation using photoinitiator 4-methoxyacetophenone (MAP) and 2-hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-phenyl]-2-methyl-1-propanone (MMP). The intermolecular thiol-ene reaction is carried out by dissolving Fmoc-Cys-OH in an N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. This is then reacted with the peptide using the alkene-bearing residue on resin. After that, the macrolactamization is carried out using benzotriazole-1-yl-oxytripyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBop), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HoBt), and 4-Methylmorpholine (NMM) as activation reagents on the resin. Following the macrolactamization, the peptide synthesis is continued using standard SPPS. In the case of the thio-yne hydrothiolation, the linear peptide is cleaved from the resin, dried, and subsequently dissolved in degassed DMF. This is then irradiated using UV light with photoinitiator 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA). Following the reaction, DMF is evaporated and the crude residue is precipitated and purified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These methods could function to simplify the generation of thioether-tethered cyclic peptides due to the use of the thio-ene/yne click chemistry that possesses superior functional group tolerance and good yield. The introduction of thioether bonds into peptides takes advantage of the nucleophilic nature of cysteine residues and is redox-inert relative to disulfide bonds.

We present a protocol for the construction of thioether/vinyl sulfide-tethered helical peptides using photo-induced thiol-ene/thiol-yne hydrothiolation.