Pressure Effects on the Charge Carrier Transportation of BaF_2 Nanocrystals

The charge transport behavior of barium fluoride nanocrystals is investigated by in situ impedance measurement up to 35 GPa. It is found that the parameters change discontinuously at about 6.9 GPa, corresponding to the phase transition of BaF2 nanocrystals under high pressure. The charge carriers in BaF_2 nanocrystals include both F~-ions and electrons. Pressure makes the electronic transport more difficult. The defects at grains dominate the electronic transport process. Pressure could make the charge-discharge processes in the Fm3m phase more difficult.     

Photo-induced charge transport in SiO2films containing Si nanocrystals

Photo-induced charge transport is reported in metal–insulator–semiconductor structures containing Si nanocrystals produced by ion implantion and annealing. Successive shifts in current–voltage (I–V) and capacitance–voltage (C–V) curves are shown to be induced by ultra-violet (UV) light exposure under no bias. These shifts are shown to be enhanced by the application of a negative bias voltage during illumination. The application of a positive bias voltage during illumination is shown to reverse the direction of the shifts in both the I–V and C–V curves. This behaviour can be explained by charging of the nanocrystals induced by photoionization of electrons and charge movements in the insulator layer.     

High pressure impedance spectroscopy of SrF2 nanocrystals

The charge transport behavior of strontium fluoride nanocrystals has been investigated by in situ impedance measurement up to 41?GPa. It was found that the parameters changed discontinuously at each phase transition. The charge carriers in SrF₂ nanocrystals include both F^? ions and electrons. Pressure makes the electronic transport more difficult. The defects at grains dominate the electronic transport process. Pressure could make the charge–discharge processes in the Fm3m and Pnma phases more difficult.     

Charge carrier transport in conducting polymers on the metal side of the metal-insulator transition: A review

The advances achieved in the field of the synthesis of conducting polymer films and the results of experimental investigations of the mechanism of charge carrier transport in heavily doped conducting polymer films on the metal side of the metal-insulator transition have been considered. The samples studied belong to the last generation of conducting polymers with a low degree of structural disorder, which makes it possible to dope samples to a highly conducting state characterized by an increased stability. Apart from the study of the morphology, structure, and doping conditions, the mechanism of low-temperature transport in these polymers has been investigated in detail. The results of investigations of the transport at low temperatures (T < 1 K) have been described, and a phenomenological model of charge carrier transfer in these systems has been proposed. The polymers under investigation have been widely used as injecting and accumulating layers in light-emitting organic diodes and solar cells.     

High pressure electrical transport behavior in SrF_2 nanoplates

The charge transport behavior of strontium fluoride nanocrystals has been investigated by in situ impedance measurement up to 35 GPa.It was found that the parameters changed discontinuously at each phase transition.The charge carriers in SrF_2 nanocrystals include both F~-ions and electrons.In the Fm3 m phase,pressure makes the electronic transport easier,while makes it more difficult in the Pnma phase.The defects at grain boundaries dominate the electronic transport process.Pressure could make the charge-discharge processes in the Fm3 m phase much easier,but make it more difficult in the Pnma phase.     

Observation of size-dependent thermalization in CdSe nanocrystals using time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy

We report heat dissipation times in semiconductor nanocrystals of CdSe. Specifically, a previously unresolved, subnanosecond decay component in the low-temperature photoluminescence decay dynamics exhibits longer decay lifetimes (tens to hundreds of picoseconds) for larger nanocrystals as well as a size-independent, ~25-meV spectral shift. We attribute the fast relaxation to transient phonon-mediated relaxation arising from nonequilibrium acoustic phonons. Following acoustic phonon dissipation, the dark exciton state recombines more slowly via LO-phonon assistance resulting in the observed spectral shift. The measured relaxation time scales agree with classical calculations of thermal diffusion, indicating that interfacial thermal conductivity does not limit thermal transport in these semiconductor nanocrystal dispersions.     

Electrical behavior of size-controlled Si nanocrystals arranged as single layers

A metal–oxide–semiconductor structure containing a single layer of size-controlled silicon nanocrystals embedded into gate oxide was fabricated. Size control for the silicon nanocrystals was realized by using a SiO₂/SiO/SiO₂ layer structure with the embedded SiO layer having the thickness of the desired Si nanocrystals and using a high-temperature annealing for forming the silicon nanocrystals. Current–voltage, capacitance–voltage, and conductance–voltage characteristics were measured for a sample containing 4-nm-sized crystals. From the Fowler–Nordheim plot an effective barrier height of 1.6 eV is estimated for our silicon nanocrystals. Electron trapping, storing, and de-trapping in silicon nanocrystals were observed by capacitance–voltage and conductance–voltage measurements. The charge density was measured to be 1.6×10¹² /cm², which is nearly identical to the silicon-nanocrystal density measured approximately via a transmission electron microscopy image. Conductance measurements reveal a very low interface charge of our structure. PACS 72.80.Sk; 73.63.Bd; 73.40.Qv     

In situ preparation and fluorescence quenching properties of polythiophene/ZnO nanocrystals hybrids through atom-transfer radical polymerization and hydrolysis

In this paper, a new approach for in situ preparing nanocomposites of conjugated polymers (CPs) and semiconductor nanocrystals was developed. Polythiophene grafted poly(zinc methacrylate) (PTh-g-PZMA) copolymer was synthesized by atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of zinc methacrylate (ZMA) initiated from the macroinitiator poly(2,5-(3-(bromoisopropyl-carbonyl-oxymethylene) thiophene)) (PTh-Br) with pendant initiator groups. Subsequently, the polythiophene grafted poly(methacrylate)/ZnO (PTh-g-PMA/ZnO) hybrid heterojunction nanocomposites were successfully prepared by in situ hydrolysis of PTh-g-PZMA casting films in alkaline aqueous solution. The structures of PTh-Br, PTh-g-PZMA and PTh-g-PMA/ZnO were confirmed by the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphologies of PTh-g-PMA/ZnO films prepared for different hydrolysis time were observed in the cross-sections by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM images revealed that ZnO nanocrystals were uniformly dispersed in polymers without any aggregation and the appearances of ZnO nanocrystals changed from nanoparticles to nanorods with the hydrolysis treatment time increasing. The optical properties of these nanocomposites were studied by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy showed that the adsorption band of PTh-g-PMA/ZnO hybrids was broader than that of PTh-Br, implying that the existence of ZnO nanocrystals increased the optical absorption region of hybrids. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the hybrids showed that fluorescence quenching occurred in PTh-g-PMA/ZnO blends and a maximum of 85% of the fluorescence intensity quenched in the PTh-g-PMA/ZnO obtained from treatment in NaOH aqueous solution for 2 h, which revealed the existence of photo-induced charge transfer between the polythiophene chains and ZnO. These results indicated that the hybrid heterojunction nanocomposites could be promising candidates for photovoltaic applications.     

Effect of miscibility and percolation on electron transport in amorphous poly(3-hexylthiophene)/phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester blends

Recent evidence has demonstrated that amorphous mixed phases are ubiquitous within mesostructured polythiophene-fullerene mixtures. Nevertheless, the role of mixing within nanophases on charge transport of organic semiconductor mixtures is not fully understood. To this end, we have examined the electron mobility in amorphous blends of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester. Our studies reveal that the miscibility of the components strongly affects electron transport within blends. Immiscibility promotes efficient electron transport by promoting percolating pathways within organic semiconductor mixtures. As a consequence, partial miscibility may be important for efficient charge transport in polythiophene-fullerene mixtures and organic solar cell performance.     

Synthesis and charge storage properties of double-layered NiSi nanocrystals

Based on bidirectional diffusion of Ni atoms, double-layered nickel silicide (NiSi) nanocrystals (NCs) for multilevel charge storage were fabricated, and their charge storage properties were examined. The double layer was produced by long-term thermal annealing (for 4 h at 900 °C) of a sandwich structure comprised of a thin Ni film of 0.3 nm sandwiched between two silicon-rich oxide (SiO_1.36) layers. Transmission electron microscopic image clearly exhibits a distinct NiSi nanocrystal double layer with a gap of about 7 nm between the mean positions of particle distribution in each NC layer. Capacitance–voltage measurements on the metal/oxide/semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with the double-layered NiSi nanocrystals are shown to have the apparent two plateaus of charge storage, the large memory window of about 9 V and the improved charge retention stability.     

Space-charge limited photocurrent

In 1971 Goodman and Rose predicted the occurrence of a fundamental electrostatic limit for the photocurrent in semiconductors at high light intensities. Blends of conjugated polymers and fullerenes are an ideal model system to observe this space-charge limit experimentally, since they combine an unbalanced charge transport, long lifetimes, high charge carrier generation efficiencies, and low mobility of the slowest charge carrier. The experimental photocurrents reveal all the characteristics of a space-charge limited photocurrent: a one-half power dependence on voltage, a three-quarter power dependence on light intensity, and a one-half power scaling of the voltage at which the photocurrent switches into full saturation with light intensity.     

Ultrafast laser spectroscopy of semiconductor nanocrystals

A large amount of work has been worldwide directed to understand the properties of semiconductor nanostructures. Ultrafast lasers with pulsewidths of a few femtoseconds allowed the investigation of the dynamics of elementary excitations in semiconductor structures on ultrashort time scales. Recent progress in technology made it possible to fabricate semiconductor nanocrystals (i.e. crystals of nanometer dimensions) of well-defined properties. The purpose of this paper is to review the understanding of carrier relaxation and recombination processes in semiconductor nanocrystals as studied by ultrafast laser spectroscopy. The up-to-date techniques of ultrafast laser spectroscopy as well as the fabrication of semiconductor nanocrystals are discussed in some detail.     

Multiple exciton generation in semiconductor nanocrystals: Toward efficient solar energy conversion

Within the range of photon energies illuminating the Earth's surface, absorption of a photon by a conventional photovoltaic semiconductor device results in the production of a single electron‐hole pair; energy of a photon in excess of the semiconductor's bandgap is efficiently converted to heat through interactions between the electron and hole with the crystal lattice. Recently, colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals and nanocrystal films have been shown to exhibit efficient multiple electron‐hole pair generation from a single photon with energy greater than twice the effective band gap. This multiple carrier pair process, referred to as multiple exciton generation (MEG), represents one route to reducing the thermal loss in semiconductor solar cells and may lead to the development of low cost, high efficiency solar energy devices. We review the current experimental and theoretical understanding of MEG, and provide views to the near‐term future for both fundamental research and the development of working devices which exploit MEG.     

有机半导体异质界面电荷传输解析模型研究

有机半导体多层薄膜器件的性质很大程度上由有机-有机界面的传输性质所决定，但是现有的关于有机-有机界面的分析模型很难适用于实际器件的模拟.以Miller-Abrahams跳跃传导理论为基础，充分考虑有机-有机界面和金属-有机界面性质的不同，建立了一个新的描述有机-有机异质界面电荷传输的解析模型.结果表明有机异质界面的载流子传输不仅取决于界面的肖特基势垒，而且还取决于界面附近两边的电场强度和载流子浓度.此模型可用于有机半导体多层薄膜器件的电流密度、电场分布和载流子浓度分布的自洽计算. 关键词： 有机半导体 界面 载流子传输     

金属氧化物基杂化型聚合物太阳电池研究

以有机共轭聚合物为电子给体和无机纳米结构为电子受体组成的杂化型聚合物太阳电池(HPSC), 是一类新型的光伏器件. HPSC将有机物和无机物的光学、电学和力学等性能集成在一起, 其最显著的优点体现在材料来源丰富、性能互补且可调控、易实现低成本组装及轻便等方面. 金属氧化物纳米结构具有环境友好、可见光区透明且易合成等特点, 是很有发展前景的电子受体材料. 本文首先简要介绍了HPSC电池的研究现状、工作原理、器件结构、和稳态及动态表征方法, 然后重点综述了在基于ZnO和TiO₂纳米结构的HPSC方面的研究进展, 包括载流子传输动力学理论模型、高效电池材料与器件的设计和制备、及纳米结构特性相关的器件性能等. 最后, 对我们的研究成果进行了总结, 并展望了电池的后续研究方向和发展前景.     

吐昔烯衍生物分子的电荷传输性质

根据爱因斯坦方程和Marcus电荷传输模型, 使用密度泛函理论B3lyp/6-31g^**理论水平计算6 个吐昔烯衍生物分子的结构和电荷传输性质. 结果显示: 6个吐昔烯的衍生物分子的空穴迁移速率为0.018–0.062 cm²·V^-1·s^-1, 电子迁移率为0.055–0.070 cm²·V^-1·s^-1, 其中3, 8, 13-辛烷氧基吐昔烯衍生物分子适合作为双极性传输材料. 三条烷氧基链的吐昔烯衍生物分子上引入三个甲氧基或羟基, 均使空穴和电子传输率降低. 引入给电子基团或共轭性基团可减小吐昔烯衍生物分子的能隙, 达到有机半导体的能隙要求. 关键词： 吐昔烯衍生物 空穴传输 电子传输 有机半导体     

Unconventional transport in the "hole" regime of a si double quantum dot

Studies of electronic charge transport through semiconductor double quantum dots rely on a conventional "hole" model of transport in the three-electron regime. We show that experimental measurements of charge transport through a Si double quantum dot in this regime cannot be fully explained using the conventional picture. Using a Hartree-Fock (HF) formalism and relevant HF energy parameters extracted from transport data in the multiple-electron regime, we identify a novel spin-flip cotunneling process that lifts a singlet blockade.     

High-temperature ferromagnetism in Ni2+-doped ZnO aggregates prepared from colloidal diluted magnetic semiconductor quantum dots

Ferromagnetism with T(c)>350 K is observed in the diluted magnetic semiconductor Ni(2+):ZnO synthesized from solution. Whereas colloidal Ni(2+):ZnO nanocrystals are paramagnetic, their aggregation gives rise to robust ferromagnetism. The appearance of ferromagnetism is attributed to the increase in domain volumes and the generation of lattice defects upon aggregation. The unusual temperature dependence of the magnetization coercivity is discussed in terms of a temperature-dependent exchange interaction involving paramagnetic Ni2+ ions.     

Band bending in conjugated polymer layers

We use the Kelvin probe method to study the energy-level alignment of four conjugated polymers deposited on various electrodes. Band bending is observed in all polymers when the substrate work function exceeds critical values. Through modeling, we show that the band bending is explained by charge transfer from the electrodes into a small density of states that extends several hundred meV into the band gap. The energetic spread of these states is correlated with charge-carrier mobilities, suggesting that the same states also govern charge transport in the bulk of these polymers.