Life time measurements of charge carriers in layer MoSexTe2−x (0 ≦ x ≦ 2) PEC solar cells

Layer type MoSe_xTe_2−x (0 ≦ x ≦ 2) are grown by chemical vapour transport technique. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cells are fabricated using the grown single crystals as photoelectrodes and platinum grid as counter electrode. The life time measurement of charge carries were carried out using pulse light from a stroboscopic source. The variation of life time with temperature and composition have been studied. The results thus obtained have been concluded.     

Magnetic properties of the CrSxTe1−x (x = 0−0.2) solid solutions

On the basis of X-ray, magnetic and neutron diffraction measurements the range of solubility in the CrS_xTe_1−x (x = 0−0.2) system has been established and the magnetic phase diagram of the system has been plotted. The decrease of magnetization at low temperature and the additional reflections in the neutron diffraction patterns are associated with the formation of noncollinear magnetic structure which is characterized by the antiferromagnetic component of the magnetic moments. This component has the orthorhombic unit cell with \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ a_M = \sqrt {3a_0 } $\end{document}, b_M = a₀, c_M = c₀. The character of the exchange interactions giving rise to this magnetic structure is discussed.     

Magnetic phase transitions in LaMnO3+λ

Magnetic properties of nonstoichinometric lanthanum manganite LaMnO_3+λ as a function of the Mn⁴⁺ concentration (from 0 to 27%) and temperature (from 77 to 300 K) are investigated. The Mn⁴⁺ ions concentration depends on the degree of oxidation λ. It is shown that at 0–10% Mn⁴⁺ there exists an antiferromagnetic ordering and at 10–14% — mixed ferro-antiferromagnetic ordering, while at Mn⁴⁺ concentration exceeding 14% the ferromagnetic ordering takes place. The concentrational antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic transition at 14% Mn⁴⁺ is due to the crystal structural O' — O orthorhombic transition. In ferromagnetic O-orthorhombic lanthanum manganite the phase ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition occurs via intermediate magnetic state where in the paramagnetic matrix there are noninteracting ferromagnetic impurity clusters. The presence of such magnetic state gives rise to anomalous behaviour of magnetic and galvanomagnetic properties of LaMnO_3+λ near Curie temperature.     

Heterophase states and a bridging phase in (1‐x)BiScO3 − xPbTiO3

Heterophase ferroelectric solid solutions of (1‐x)BiScO₃ − xPbTiO₃ are studied near the morphotrpic phase boundary (0.60 ≤ x ≤ 0.64). The role of non‐180° domain types of the P4mm and R3m phases in heterophase structures is studied in the context of the phase content. It is shown that the bridging Cm phase coexists with the adjacent phase (either P4mm or R3m), and different variants of an elastic matching ‘single‐domain Cm phase–polydomain P4mm phase’, ‘single‐domain Cm phase–polydomain R3m phase’ and ‘single‐domain Cm phase–near single‐domain R3m phase’ promote the complete stress relief. Based on these concepts and considering a minimum number of the domain types in the coexisting phases, we find a molar‐concentration dependence of the volume fraction of the Cm phase in the heterophase states. A correlation between the predicted volume fraction of the Cm phase and ratios of its unit‐cell parameters is first revealed. The role of the intermediate R3m phase in the phase sequence R3c − R3m − Pm$\overline 3$m and in the stress relief at x = 0.60 is discussed. Good agreement between the predicted and experimental data on the phase content is reached near the morphotrpic phase boundary.     

Preparation and investigation of (CuInSe2)x(2ZnSe)1‐x and (CuInTe2)x(2ZnTe)1‐x solid solution crystals

The (CuInSe₂)_x(2ZnSe)_1‐x and (CuInTe₂)_x(2ZnTe)_1‐x solid solution crystals prepared by Bridgman method and chemical vapor transport have been studied. The nature of the crystalline phases, the local structure homogeneity and composition of these materials have been investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) methods. The analysis revealed the presence of chalcopyrite‐sphalerite phase transition between 0.6 ≤ X ≤ 0.7. Lattice constants, value of σ position parameter and bond length between atoms were also calculated. It was found that the lattice parameters exhibit a linear dependence versus composition. The transmission spectra of solid solution crystals in the region of the main absorption edge were studied. It was established that the optical band gap of these materials changes non‐linearly with the X composition. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural phase transitions in the LaMnO3+λ system

Structural phase transitions in the LaMnO_3+λ system are studied at various temperatures and with different Mn⁴⁺ ion concentrations. Two structural phase transitions are established. The O′-orthorhombic – O-orthorhombic transition (O′ O transition) is due to removing the cooperative Jahn-Teller distortions and occurs in the Mn⁴⁺ concentration range from 10 to 14% at room temperature. The temperature of this transition varies from 710 K for the stoichiometric LaMnO₃ to room temperature for LaMnO_3.07. The O-orthorhombic – rhombohedral transition (O R transition) is due to the change of the rotation axis of the undistorted MnO₆ octahedra from [100] and [110] to [11 1]. The temperature of this transition varies from 1010 K for LaMnO₃ to 230 K for LaMnO_3.135. The structural phase diagram of temperature vs composition is plotted, indicating the existence of regions of the phase with different structures.     

Conversion of CuS thin films to structured nanosheet CuyS (1 < y ≦ 2) by vacuum annealing

In this study, large‐area and uniform thickness novel nano‐sheet structured CuS thin films on ITO glass have been prepared by the one‐step electrodeposition method from a dimethyl sulfoxide solution. Thin films of completely preserved nano‐sheet like morphology of Cu_yS (y = 1.75, 1.8, 1.95, and 2.0) are grown by vacuum annealing CuS thin films at 500 °C for different lengths of time. The 500 °C sample heated for 10 hours was nearly converted to single phase of Cu₂S with y ∼ 2. The optical direct band gaps of nano‐sheet Cu_yS thin films annealed at 500 °C of 2, 6, and 10 hours in vacuum were found to be 1.94, 1.68, and 1.44 eV, respectively.     

A study on mixed conducting property of LixV2O5 (x = 0.4–1.4)

The mixed conducting nature of the lithium vanadate Li_xV₂O₅ (x = 0.4 – 1.4) prepared by solid state reaction has been analyzed by Wagner's polarization method. The increase of electronic conductivity with increase in lithium content has been observed. The low diffusion constant has been observed for lithium ionic motion in high lithium content samples. The conductivity spectra analysis shows the high columbic repulsive forces between mobile lithium ions in high lithium content samples. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

T(x) phase diagram of the CuSbS2–CuInS2 system and solubility limit of Sb in CuInS2

The starting ternary compounds CuInS₂ and CuSbS₂ and alloys of the CuSbS₂–CuInS₂ system with the molar fractions of CuInS₂ (x) equal to 0.05, 0.15, 0.25, 0.375, 0.50, 0.625, 0.75, 0.85, and 0.95 were prepared and the phase relations in this system were investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal analysis. It was shown that the T–x phase diagram of the CuInS₂–CuSbS₂ system has a eutectic character with the eutectic temperature of 807 K. The alloys of the CuSbS₂–CuInS₂ system with the molar fraction of CuInS₂ in the range from 0.038 to 0.941 at room temperature are two‐phased, and the limits of solubility are 0.059 molar fractions for CuSbS₂ in CuInS₂ and 0.038 molar fractions for CuInS₂ in CuSbS₂.     

Diffusion Phenomena during the heteroepitaxy of Ternary Compounds of the Type (AxB1–x)1–ΔC1+Δ

In heteroepitaxy of ternary compound systems of the type (A_xB_1–x)_1–ΔC_1+Δ has to be taken into account the occurrence of complex diffusion phenomena independent on the epitaxial method applied which cannot be considered within a quasi-binary system AC–BC. Based on the statements of thermodynamics of irreversible processes a model for the calculation of diffusion profiles, regarding the influence of the compound crystal composition x on the deviation from stoichiometry Δ, is presented. Concentration profiles calculated in accordance to this model show typical maxima and minima. – Tellurium distribution profiles determined on heterostructures of the type (Pb_1–xSn_x)_1–ΔTe_1+Δ /PbTe got by electron-probe microanalysis may be explained qualitatively within the presented model. With the EBIC-method additional p-n junctions at the position of the extrema in the tellurium distribution were found.     

Effect of isomorphic atom substitution on the refractive index and oscillator parameters of TlInS2xSe2(1‐x) (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) layered mixed crystals

The optical properties of TlInS_2xSe_2(1‐x)mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been studied at room temperature through the transmittance and reflectivity measurements in the wavelength range of 400–1100 nm. The spectral dependence of the refractive index for all compositions of studied crystals were obtained. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the Wemple–DiDomenico single‐effective‐oscillator model. The compositional dependencies of refractive index dispersion parameters: oscillator energy, dispersion energy and zero‐frequency refractive index were revealed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effect of temperature and isomorphic atom substitution on optical absorption edge of TlInS2xSe2(1‐x) mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1)

The optical properties of the TlInS_2xSe_2(1‐x)mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been investigated through the transmission and reflection measurements in the wavelength range of 400–1100 nm. The optical indirect band gap energies were determined by means of the analysis of the absorption data. It was found that the energy band gaps decrease with the increase of selenium atoms content in the TlInS_2xSe_2(1‐x)mixed crystals. The transmission measurements carried out in the temperature range of 10–300 K revealed that the rates of change of the indirect band gaps with temperature are γ = –9.2×10^–4 eV/K, –6.1×10^–4 eV/K, –4.7×10^–4 eV/K and –5.6×10^–4 eV/K for TlInS₂, TlInS_1.5Se_0.5, TlInSSe and TlInS_0.5Se_1.5 crystals, respectively. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Infrared optical properties of (CuGe2P3)1−x(6 Ge)x solid solutions

Infrared reflectivity spectra of (CuGe₂P₃)_1−x(6 Ge)_x mixed crystals with compositions in the range x = 0.07–0.33 are measured at room temperature in the wavenumber range from 180 to 4000 cm⁻¹. An analysis of the spectra reveals six vibrational modes. The composition dependence of the mode frequencies and of the free carrier concentration and mobility is given and compared with infrared optical data for CuGe₂P₃.     

Thermal expansion and structural properties of (CuAlTe2)1–x(CuAlSe2)x solid solutions

Investigations of the thermal expansion of (CuAlTe₂)_1–x(CuAlSe₂)_x solid solutions in the temperature range from 100 to 800 K have been carried out for the first time. It has been demonstrated that the thermal expansion coefficient α_L grows considerably in the temperature range from 100 to 300 K, whereas the temperature dependence above 300 K is rather weak. The isotherms of composition dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient α_L for 100, 293, 500 and 800 K were constructed, and it was found that linear relations could express them. The Debye temperatures θ_D , the average mean‐square dynamic displacements , the average root‐mean‐square amplitudes of thermal vibration RMS , the anion position parameter u using S. C. Abrahams & J. L. Bernstein (u_AB ) and J. E. Jaffe & A. Zunger (u_JZ ) models were calculated. The composition dependence of microhardness H using the phenomenological theory was also calculated, and it was discovered that this dependence has a non‐linear character with a maximum of 383 kg/mm² at x=0.67. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and Characterisation of (CuInTe2)1‐x(2 ZnTe)x Solid Solution Single Crystals

The crystal structure as well as the optical properties in the band gap region of (CuInTe₂)_1‐x(2 ZnTe)_x solid solution single crystals grown by directional freezing have been studied. The lattice constants exhibit a linear dependence on crystal composition. The chalcopyrite‐sphalerite phase transition was observed between x = 0.3 and x = 0.4°. The variation of the band gap with respect to crystal composition can be described by a quadratic expression.     

Preparation and Characterization of (1 — x) Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3) O3 — x PbTiO3 Electrocaloric Ceramics

Lead magnesium niobate Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ — lead titanate PbTiO₃ [abbr. as (1 — x) PMN — x PT] ferroelectric ceramics with different excesses of MgO and PbO were systematically studied under different processing conditions for ferroelectric refrigeration application. It was found that the excess amount of MgO and PbO, and the sintering temperature have great effect on the crystallographic properties of the ceramics. In our experiments, (1 — x) PMN —x PT (x = 0.08, x = 0.10, and x = 0.25 respectively) with the excesses of 2 mol% MgO and 2 mol% PbO ceramics sintered at 1250 °C/1 hour possess the desired perovskite structures and large electrocaloric temperature change (ΔT = 1 K and more) in the vicinity of room temperature under a dc electric field of 1.5 kV/mm. It is expected that (1 — x) PMN — x PT electrocaloric ceramics could be applied for cascade refrigeration near room temperature.     

Structural phase transitions in Cu2–xFeyS crystals

Crystals with Cu_2−xFe_yS compositions (x = 0.30, 0.25, 0.20, 0.15; y = 0.05) have been synthetized and obtained by the method of slow cooling. X-ray diffractometric studies have shown that at room temperature the above crystals consist of an orthorhombic phase (anilite), a monoclinic phase (djurlite), and their metastable high-temperature facecentered cubic phases (FCC)₁ and (FCC)₂, respectively. A crystallographic relation has been found between the lattices of the orthorhombic, monoclinic and (FCC)₁ phase. It is shown that all these phases transform in the final analysis to a single high-temperature fcc phase. All the transitions are reversible, i.e. in the course of inverse cooling to room temperature, the diffraction patterns are restored completely in reverse order.     

X-ray determination of thermal expansion of Na(ClO3)x(BrO3)1−x mixed crystals

Lattice constants of sodium chlorate and sodium bromate and their mixed crystals were determined over the temperature range from room temperature to 320 °C. The observed lattice constants for the various compositions show strong deviations from those expected from Vegard's rule. The lattice constants at various temperatures were fitted to polynomials of type a = a₀ + a₁t + a₂t². The linear coefficients of expansion for the Na(ClO₃)_x · (BrO₃)_1−x series varies non-linearly with composition showing negative deviations from linearity.     

Interatomic Interaction in Zn3(PxAs1–x)2 Solid Solutions

Peculiarities of the interatomic interaction in the Zn₃(P_xAs_1–x)₂ (0 ≦ x ≦ 1) solid solutions are discussed in terms of the magnetic susceptibility data. It is shown that the dependence _χmol(x) has a break at x ≈︁ 0.15 which is, apparently, associated with the transition from the structures with indirect optical transitions to those with direct optical ones in the above mentioned system. In the framework of the MOLKAO model the magnetic susceptibility is divided into the Langevin diamagnetic and the Van Vleck paramagnetic components.