Applications of vertically oriented TiO2 micro-pillars array on the electrode of dye-sensitized solar cell

In this research, dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO₂ micro-pillars fabricated by inductive couple plasma etcher were investigated by analyses of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra (UV-vis), and current-voltage characteristics. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the TiO₂ anatase phase forms while sintering at 450 °C for 30 min. The SEM images reveal that the diameter and height of TiO₂ micro-pillars are about 3 and 0.8 μm, respectively. The measurements of contact angle between TiO₂ micro-pillars and deionized water (DI water) reveal that the TiO₂ micro-pillars is super-hydrophilic while annealed at 450 °C for 30 min.The absorption spectrum of TiO₂ micro-pillars is better than TiO₂ thin film and can be widely improved in visible region with N3 dye adsorbed. The results of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics analysis reveal that dye-sensitized solar cell with TiO₂ micro-pillars electrode has better I-V characteristics and efficiency than TiO₂ film electrodes. This result may be due to the annealed TiO₂ micro-pillars applied on the electrode of dye-sensitized solar cell can increase the contact area between TiO₂ and dye, resulting in the enhancement of I-V characteristics and efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cell.     

Novel Rearrangements of 2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanol Derivatives: Formation of Dialkyl Sulfide, Dialkyl Disulfide, and 1,2,3-Tris(alkylthio)propane

The base alkylation of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol with alkyl halides leads in good yield to 2,3-bis(alkylthio)-1-propanol and dialkyl sulfide. The reaction of 2,3-bis(alkylthio)-1-propanol with catalytic concentrated sulfuric acid proceeds with rearrangement to give 1,2,3-tris(alkylthio)propane and dialkyl disulfide. The rearrangement reaction takes place through a common intermediate thiaranium intermediate 8.     

Skeletal Reorganization of Mercaptoacetaldehyde Dialkyl Acetal in Acid: Formation of Disulphide, 1,2-Bis(mercapto)ethylene and 1,1,2-Tris(mercapto)ethane Derivatives

The reaction of mercaptoacetaldehyde dialkyl acetals 1 a-c in the presence of sulfuric acid, polyphosphoric acid and zinc chloride is described. Other than the disulfide reported previously, new compounds 1,2-bis-(mercapto)ethylene, 1,2,3-tris-(mercapto)ethane and 1,2-bis-(mercapto)methane have been isolated for the first time.     

Metal Ion Dependent Binding and Nuclease Activity of Hexaazacyclophane

The HAPP-Fe complex was more active than HAPP-Cu complex in cleavage of DNA in the presence of dithiothreitol and hydrogen peroxide. In contrast, the HAPP-Cu complex was found to bind more strongly with λ-DNA, whereas the HAPP-Fe binds weakly. It was shown that the metal ion complexed with HAPP ligand can influence the binding and cleaving activity due to the ability of the ligand to undergo geometrical tautomerization.     

ZnO thin film with nanorod arrays applied to fluid sensor

A ZnO guiding layer with nanorod arrays grown on a 90°-rotated ST-cut (42°45) quartz substrate was used to fabricate a Love wave fluid sensor. ZnO nanorod arrays synthesized on the guiding layer enhance the sensitivity of the flow rate. ZnO thin films were deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering and ZnO nanorod arrays were then synthesized on the thin films via the hydrothermal method. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of ZnO thin films and nanorod arrays were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of the thickness of ZnO thin film and the surface morphology of ZnO nanorod arrays on the sensitivity of flow rate were investigated. A linear response between flow rate and the return loss of the sensor with one-port resonator type can be obtained by adjusting the thickness of ZnO thin film and the length of nanorod arrays.     

Improving the color purity and efficiency of blue organic light-emitting diodes (BOLED) by adding hole-blocking layer

This work demonstrates the fabrication of a bright blue organic light-emitting diode (BOLED) with good color purity using 4,4′-bis(2,2-diphenylvinyl)-1,1′-biphenyl (DPVBi) and bathocuproine (BCP) as the emitting layer (EML) and the hole-blocking layer (HBL), respectively. Devices were prepared by vacuum deposition on indium tin oxide (ITO)-glass substrates. The thickness of DPVBi used in the OLED has an important effect on color and efficiency. The blue luminescence is maximal at 7670 cd/m² when 13 V is applied and the BCP thickness is 2 nm. The CIE coordinate at a luminance of 7670 cd/m² is (0.165, 0.173). Furthermore, the current efficiency is maximum at 4.25 cd/A when 9 V is applied.     

Application of TiO2 nano-particles on the electrode of dye-sensitized solar cells

In this study, nano-TiO₂ thin film electrode and solar cell have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and current-voltage characteristics analyses. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the best sintering temperature of a nano-TiO₂ film is 600 °C, at which TiO₂ anatase phase forms best and the particle size of 8-10 nm can be obtained. The SEM images of a nano-TiO₂ thin film show that the surface of the film is smooth and porous, and the thickness of the nano-TiO₂ film is 4 μm. The measurements of contact angle between nano-TiO₂ film and deionized water (DI water) reveal that the nano-TiO₂ film is super-hydrophilic when solarized under ultraviolet. The electrode of dye-sensitized solar cell is used as a free-base porphyrin with carboxyl group, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) as the sensitizer to adsorb onto the TiO₂ thin film. From the results of ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra and XPS analyses of the electrode, the effects of nano-TiO₂ particles’ addition to the electrode of dye-sensitized solar cell can improve the absorption of visible light (400-700 nm) and increase electrons transferred from TCPP to the conduction band of TiO₂, resulting in the enhancement of efficiency for dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Superconductivity and calorimetric studies of Pr1.85Ce0.15CuO4+δ under different annealing conditions

Polycrystalline samples of electron-doped Pr_1.85Ce_0.15CuO_4+δ have been prepared under different annealing conditions and investigated by means of X-ray-diffraction, oxygen content analysis, electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and low temperature specific heat measurements. X-ray-diffraction patterns show that samples contain a single T′ phase. The superconducting transition temperatures T_cm taken with the onset of diamagnetism in magnetic-susceptibility measurements are 20 and 19.5 K for sample annealed in flowing Ar gas and in vacuum (∼10⁻³ torr), respectively. The data of the samples, which are annealed in flowing Ar gas, show clear evidence for an αT² term at zero magnetic field in superconducting electronic specific heat, and are consistent with d-wave superconductivity. However, this behavior is not observed in the other sample, which is annealed in vacuum. These results indicate that different heat treatments affect the oxygen content, homogeneity, superconducting transition temperature T_c, superconducting volume fraction, and the superconducting pairing symmetry of Pr_1.85Ce_0.15CuO_4+δ.     

The unusually high Tc in rare-earth-doped single crystalline CaFe2As2

In rare-earth-doped single crystalline CaFe₂As₂, the mysterious small volume fraction which superconducts up to 49?K, much higher than the bulk T_c?~?30?s?K, has prompted a long search for a hidden variable that could enhance the T_c by more than 30% in iron-based superconductors of the same structure. Here we report a chemical, structural and magnetic study of CaFe₂As₂ systematically doped with La, Ce, Pr and Nd. Coincident with the high T_c phase, we find extreme magnetic anisotropy, accompanied by an unexpected doping-independent T_c and equally unexpected superparamagnetic clusters associated with As vacancies. These observations lead us to conjecture that the tantalizing T_c enhancement may be associated with naturally occurring chemical interfaces and may thus provide a new paradigm in the search for superconductors with higher T_c.     

The mechanism of efficiency enhancement with proper thickness of DPVBi layer for blue organic light-emitting devices (BOLED)

We report on the fabrication of blue organic light-emitting devices (BOLEDs) with structure: ITO/NPB/DPVBi/Alq₃/LiF/Al. The hole-blocking effect in NPB/DPVBi interface was indirectly demonstrated and deduced by inserting DCJTB layer. In addition, the effect of the device with better J–V characteristics because of the extra DCJTB layer is discussed as well. However, the performance of devices was investigated with various thicknesses of DPVBi layer. The result shows that the device with proper thickness of DPVBi layer generating better electron injection enhances efficiency and luminance for BOLED.