Activated iridium oxide films fabricated by asymmetric pulses for electrical neural microstimulation and recording

An efficient and reliable electrochemical method for preparation of activated iridium oxide films (AIROFs) microelectrodes by applying an asymmetric pulse train in Na₂HPO₄ solution was reported. The AIROFs microelectrodes exhibited a very high safe charge injection (Q_inj) limit (∼4.1 mC/cm²), as well as excellent mechanical and electrochemical stability. Electrode impedance at 1 kHz has been significantly reduced by ∼92%. All of these characteristics are greatly desired for electrical neural microstimulation and recording applications. In addition, the activation method can be easily incorporated into other fabrication processes such as micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS).     

Self-organized porous and tubular oxide layers on TiAl alloys

The present paper describes the electrochemical fabrication of nanostructured oxide films on a TiAl intermetallic compound. The alloy is investigated under conditions where the individual alloying elements show the growth of ordered oxide structures, i.e. anodization is carried out in fluoride containing and fluoride free H₂SO₄ electrolytes. In 1 M H₂SO₄ the alloy shows randomly ordered nanoporous oxide structures while in HF-containing electrolytes highly ordered films can be formed. The key factor that affects the morphology is the anodizing potential. At low potentials (∼10 V) self-organized nanopores are formed whereas at higher potentials (∼40 V) separation of the pore walls and therefore formation of nanotubes can be observed. The results clearly indicate that on TiAl a wide range of nanoscale morphologies can be achieved ranging from random porous to organized pores to organized tubes.     

Anodization of Au thin film on Al in oxalic acid

An Au thin film, which was sputter-deposited on an Al substrate, was potentiostatically anodized in oxalic acid. The Au film was first anodized and a spongelike nanoporous film grew down to the interface between Au and Al. Then, the Al was anodized and a very thin and fine nanoporous alumina film was formed underneath the nanoporous Au. Under the same anodization conditions, the current density for Al was ~ 40 μA cm^− 2, less than 1% of that for Au (~ 30 mA cm^− 2). The growth rates of the nanoporous films were ~ 0.7 nm/min for Al and 26 nm/min for Au, indicating that the growth rate of nanoporous alumina was less than 3% of that of nanoporous Au. Al is suitable as the substrate for preparing nanoporous Au films because the electrochemical reactions of both the electrolyte and the substrate are significantly suppressed when the nanopores penetrate Au and the electrolyte reaches the substrate.     

Synthesis of nickel selenide thin films for high performance all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors

As a significant semiconductor, nickel selenide shows enormous potential and extensive application prospects in the field of sensor, photocatalysis and supercapacitor. In this paper, nickel selenide (Ni₃Se₂, NiSe) thin films were successfully fabricated on stainless-steel sheet using a facile, effective electrodeposition technique. The morphologies, microstructures and chemical compositions of the thin films are characterized systematically. Electrochemical tests exhibit that the Ni₃Se₂ and NiSe possess high specific capacitance of 581.1 F/g and 1644.7 F/g, respectively. A flexible, all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor is assembled by utilizing NiSe film as positive electrode and activated carbon as negative electrode. The solid device delivers a high areal capacitance of 27.0 mF/cm² at the current density of 0.7 mA/cm². The maximum volumetric energy density and power density of the NiSe//AC asymmetric SCs can achieve 0.26 mWh/cm³ and 33.35 mW/cm³, respectively. The device shows robust cycling stability with 84.6% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles, outstanding flexibility and satisfactory mechanical stability. Moreover, two devices in series can light up a red light-emitting diode, which displayed great potential applications for energy storage.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Detection at Electrochemically and Sol‐Gel Derived Ir Oxide Films

Ir oxide (IrOx) films, formed electrochemically on bulk Ir metal (Ir/IrOx) and also on sol‐gel (SG) derived non‐silica based nanoparticulate Ir, have been studied as material useful for the detection of hydrogen peroxide, with possible application as a glucose biosensor. H₂O₂ reduction and oxidation on Ir/IrOx and SG‐derived IrOx films, deposited on various substrates such as Pt, Ir and GC, have been compared to the H₂O₂ behavior at the bare substrate. It was found that H₂O₂ reduction proceeds on the underlying electrode substrate, while H₂O₂ oxidation is independent of the nature of the substrate, therefore occurring via the IrOx film. The reactivity of IrOx towards H₂O₂ oxidation is similar to that seen at Pt, although IrOx has the additional advantages of excellent stability, insensitivity to common interfering substances, biocompatibility and a linear range of detection, up to at least 12 mM H₂O_2. At micromolar concentrations of H₂O₂, a second mode of detection, involving the catalyzed growth of IrOx films at Ir substrates, can be employed. These two methods of H₂O₂ analysis (oxidation/reduction and enhanced IrOx growth) can also be employed for glucose detection using IrOx‐based glucose biosensors.     

Polyol-mediated synthesis of ultrafine tin oxide nanoparticles for reversible Li-ion storage

A simple, cheap and versatile, polyol-mediated fabrication method has been extended to the synthesis of tin oxide nanoparticles on a large scale. Ultrafine SnO₂ nanoparticles with crystallite sizes of less than 5 nm were realized by refluxing SnCl₂ · 2H₂O in ethylene glycol at 195 °C for 4 h under vigorous stirring in air. The as-prepared SnO₂ nanoparticles exhibited enhanced Li-ion storage capability and cyclability, demonstrating a specific capacity of 400 mAh g⁻¹ beyond 100 cycles.     

Easily prepared,high activity Ir–Ni oxide catalysts for water oxidation

Ir–Ni oxide nanoparticles were simply prepared by stirring IrCl₃ and NiCl₂ precursors in aqueous base under air. The activities of a series of IrNi_yO_x nanoparticles with different Ir-to-Ni ratios were measured toward water oxidation in 0.1 M H₂SO₄. The Ir-to-Ni ratio was 1:0.125 in the most active catalyst (mass normalized > 140 A g^− 1 Ir, electrochemically active surface area normalized > 203 A mmol^− 1Ir). The stabilized potential for the galvanostatic oxidation (1 mA cm^− 2_geometric) was as low as 1.51 V_RHE, corresponding to 0.28 V in overpotential.     

In situ monitoring of the etching of thin silicon oxide films in diluted NH4F by IR ellipsometry

Infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (IRSE) was applied to monitor the etching process of electrochemically formed silicon oxides (11.5 and 3.8 nm thick films) in diluted NH₄F solution. The optical properties of the amorphous silicon oxide film and the time dependent thicknesses of the oxide films during the etching process were deduced from quantitative evaluations of IRSE spectra.     

Pseudocapacitive effect and Li+ diffusion coefficient in three-dimensionally ordered macroporous vanadium oxide for energy storage

In order to act as extrinsic pseudocapacitor materials, nanoscale vanadium oxides are required to simultaneously exhibit a capacitance-based high power density and an intercalation-based high energy density. We have fabricated a three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) structure with a wall thickness of 14 nm that fulfills the above requirements. The 3DOM vanadium oxide film exhibits high rate performance with 355 F g^− 1 at 0.5 A g^− 1 and 125 F g^− 1 at 15 A g^− 1. The enhanced pesudocapacitive effect and Li-ion diffusion coefficient based on the 3DOM nanostructure, also contributes to the high rate capability of vanadia, which can be confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry.     

Enhanced oxygen evolution at hydrous nickel oxide electrodes via electrochemical ageing in alkaline solution

The effect of electrochemically ageing hydrous nickel oxide films via slow repetitive potential multi-cycling across the main nickel (II/III) redox peak was investigated in an aqueous base environment using cyclic voltammetry and steady state polarisation curves in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) region. Similarities between hydrous nickel oxide films and electroprecipitated ‘battery type’ nickel oxide were shown due to their similar change in redox and oxygen evolving properties as a result of film ageing. This ageing method was found to significantly enhance the OER performance of the hydrous nickel oxide electrode with the OER overpotential decreasing by 60 ± 2 mV and experiencing a 10 fold increase in OER rate for a fixed overpotential over that of an un-aged electrode. The OER turnover frequency for an aged electrode was found to be 1.16 ± 0.07 s^− 1 in comparison to 0.05 ± 0.003 s^− 1 for a hydrous nickel oxide electrode not subjected to ageing.     

Crystallization of the anodic oxide on titanium in sulphuric acids solution at a very low potential

Anodic oxide films were formed on the deposited pure titanium in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ solution at 30 °C by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) anodization technique. Clear atomic images and step-terrace structure were observed on it by using STM, which gave a direct evidence for the local crystallinity of the anodic oxide films, even though the maximum anodization potential (E_max) was −50 mV, which was much lower than the lowest potential for crystallization in literatures. Moreover, the crystalline degree of the whole anodic oxide film was estimated from the refractive index (n), and the results showed that the crystalline degree increased with potentials. The analysis of XPS spectra revealed that high potentials were also beneficial for the formation of TiO₂, which was the primary substance for the formation of stable crystals in the oxide films.     

Electrodeposited PbO2 thin film on Ti electrode for application in hybrid supercapacitor

PbO₂ thin films were prepared by pulse current technique on Ti substrate from Pb(NO₃)₂ plating solution. The hybrid supercapacitor was designed with PbO₂ thin film as positive electrode and activated carbon (AC) as negative electrode in the 5.3 M H₂SO₄ solution. Its electrochemical properties were determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge–discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results revealed that the PbO₂/AC hybrid supercapacitor exhibited large specific capacitance, high-power and stable cycle performance. In the potential range of 0.8–1.8 V, the hybrid supercapacitor can deliver a specific capacitance of 71.5 F g^?1 at a discharge current density of 200 mA g^?1(4 mA cm^?2) when the mass ratio of AC to PbO₂ was three, and after 4500 deep cycles, the specific capacitance remains at 64.4 F g^?1, or 32.2 Wh Kg^?1 in specific energy, and the capacity only fades 10% from its initial value.     

Spray deposited amorphous RuO2 for an effective use in electrochemical supercapacitor

The structural, surface morphological and optical properties of sprayed ruthenium oxide thin film were investigated using XRD, SEM and optical absorption measurements. The structural analysis from XRD pattern showed the formation of RuO₂ in amorphous phase. The scanning electron micrographs revealed network-like morphology of ruthenium oxide. The optical studies showed a direct band gap of 2.4 eV for ruthenium oxide films. Ruthenium oxide thin film exhibited a cyclic voltammogram indicative high reversibility of a typical capacitive behavior in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte. A specific capacitance of 551 F/g was obtained with ruthenium oxide thin film (electrode) prepared by spray pyrolysis method. The specific capacitances of 551 and 450 F/g at the scan rate of 5 and 125 mV/s, respectively, indicate that the capacitance value varies inversely with scan rate.     

Improving the cycleability of Si anodes by covalently grafting with 4-carboxyphenyl groups

In this study, the lithium storage capacity of Si nanoparticles is significantly enhanced by grafting with 4-carboxyphenyl groups via diazonium salts. The modified Si anodes exhibit reversible capacities of 1173 and 527 mA h g^?1 at the 1st and 50th cycle, while those of the bare Si electrodes are only 56 and 62 mA h g^?1, respectively. The improved electrochemical performance is supposed to arise from the formation of a robust and flexible solid electrolyte interface on the surfaces of the modified Si nanoparticles.     

Thermodynamic properties of 4-tert-butyl-diphenyl oxide

The main thermodynamic functions (changes of the entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy) and functions of formation at T = 298.15 K of 4-tert-butyl-diphenyl oxide in condensed and ideal gas states were computed on the basis of experimental results obtained. The heat capacities of 4-tert-butyl-diphenyl oxide was measured by vacuum adiabatic calorimetry over the temperature range (8 to 371) K. The temperature, the enthalpy and the entropy of fusion were determined. The energy of combustion of the sample was determined by static-bomb combustion calorimetry. The saturation vapor pressures of the substance were measured by dynamic transpiration method over the temperature and pressure intervals (298 to 325) K and (0.05 to 1.2) Pa. The enthalpy of sublimation at T = 298.15 K was derived. The contribution of O-(2C_b) group (where C_b is the carbon atom in a benzene ring) into the absolute entropies of diphenyl oxide derivatives was assessed.     

Low-temperature growth of vertically aligned In2O3 nanoblades with improved lithium storage properties

Vertically aligned Indium oxide (In₂O₃) nanoblades are successfully obtained through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) approach. By using plasma, the reaction between InCl₃ and O₂ was able to take place, yielding vertically aligned blade like nanostructure. The novel In₂O₃ nanostructures exhibit improved electrochemical properties when used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The In₂O₃ electrode reveals reversible capacity of 580 mAh g^?1 after 100 cycles, much higher than that of the In₂O₃ thin films. The result suggests that proper structural modification of In₂O₃ thin film may contribute to the improvement of electrochemical properties. The In₂O₃ electrodes with large reversible capacity and stable cycling performance may provide new insight of anode materials applied in thin film lithium-ion batteries.     

TiO2@CdS core–shell nanorods films: Fabrication and dramatically enhanced photoelectrochemical properties

In this paper, we prepared TiO₂@CdS core–shell nanorods films electrodes using a simple and low-cost chemical bath deposition method. The core–shell nanorods films electrodes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis spectrometry techniques. After applying these TiO₂@CdS core–shell nanorods electrodes in photovoltaic cells, we found that the photocurrent was dramatically enhanced, comparing with those of bare TiO₂ nanorods and CdS films electrodes. Moreover, TiO₂@CdS core–shell nanorods film electrode showed better cell performance than CdS nanoparticles deposited TiO₂ nanoparticles (P25) film electrode. A photocurrent of 1.31 mA/cm², a fill factor of 0.43, an open circuit photovoltage of 0.44 V, and a conversion efficiency of 0.8% were obtained under an illumination of 32 mW/cm², when the CdS nanoparticles deposited on TiO₂ nanorods film for about 20 min. The maximum quantum efficiency of 5.0% was obtained at an incident wavelength of 500 nm. We believe that TiO₂@CdS core–shell heterostructured nanorods are excellent candidates for studying some fundamental aspects on charge separation and transfer in the fields of photovoltaic cells and photocatalysis.     

Novel electrocatalysts for generating oxygen from alkaline water electrolysis

We have obtained spinel-type Co₃O₄ and La-doped Co₃O₄ in the form of thin film on Ni, using microwave-assisted synthesis, which dramatically exhibit very low overpotentials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Investigations have shown that at the apparent current density of 100 mA cm⁻² in 1 mol dm⁻³ KOH at 25 °C, the new electrodes, Co₃O₄ (oxide loading = 3.4 ± 0.3 mg cm⁻²) and La-doped Co₃O₄ (oxide loading = 2.8 ± 0.4 mg cm⁻²), produce overpotentials, 235 ± 7 and 224 ± 8 mV, respectively. Such low overpotentials for the OER, to our knowledge, have not been found on any mixed oxide electrode material reported in literature till today. Small La addition improved the BET surface area and porosity of the oxide catalyst powder and reduced the charge transfer resistance for the OER on the electrode made of oxide powder.     

Asymmetric electrochemical capacitor microdevice designed with vanadium nitride and nickel oxide thin film electrodes

Vanadium nitride thin film has been coupled with electrodeposited nickel oxide in order to design an electrochemical capacitor microdevice. VN has been used as negative electrode while NiO was used as the positive one in 1 M KOH electrolyte. VN exhibits a pseudo-capacitive behavior while NiO shows a faradaic behavior. This asymmetric microdevice has been operated between 0.5 and up to 1.8 V in aqueous based electrolyte (1 M KOH). Long term cycling ability (10,000 charge/discharge cycles) has been demonstrated with interesting energy (1.0 μW h cm^− 2) and power (40 mW cm^− 2) densities.     

Optical,structural and electrochromic studies of molybdenum oxide thin films with nanorod structure

The MoO₃ thin films were prepared via sol–gel dip coating method on glass and FTO glass substrate. The optical and other properties of multilayered MoO₃ films with 2–10 layers were investigated. The MoO₃ films were studied using UV–Visible transmission, XRD, SEM, FTIR and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) measurements. The band gap value for MoO₃ films was evaluated and in the range of 3.2 eV–3.72 eV. The XRD spectrum reveals that the crystallinity increases along the (020) and (040) planes with the increase in thickness. The SEM images showed the formation of nanorods upto six layers. The FTIR spectrum confirms the formation of MoO₃. The 6 layered films show the maximum anodic (spike)/cathodic (peak) diffusion coefficient of 18.84/1.701 × 10^?11 cm²/s. The same film exhibits the change in optical transmission of 49% with the bleached/coloured state transmission of 62/13%.