Exfoliation methods for compositional and electronic characterization of interfacial Mo(Sex,Sy) in Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 solar cells by X-ray and UV photoelectron spectroscopy

Mo(Se_xS_y) is a transition metal dichalcogenide typically applied as a back contact interlayer in Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)₂ (CIGSSe) solar cells. Band alignment at the buried Mo/CIGSSe junction mediated by Mo(Se_xS_y) is important for current transport and enables quasi-ohmic behavior between the CIGSSe absorber and the Mo back electrode. Furthermore, the S/(Se + S) ratio is a crucial parameter that determines the height of the valence band offset at the CIGSSe/Mo(Se_xS_y) interface. Because the interlayer is formed during rapid thermal processing, an MoSe₂ or MoS₂ thin film grown on free substrate surfaces will not be representative for a realistic solar cell device. Thus, for fundamental thin-film material analysis, as well as functional characterization and modeling, appropriate preparation and analytical techniques are required in order to prevent artifacts. In principal, the weak van der Waals forces between two-dimensional stacked Mo(Se_xS_y) sheets allow the implementation of exfoliation procedures to generate free Mo(Se_xS_y) surfaces out of CIGSSe solar cell layer stacks. In this article, two different exfoliation-based Mo(Se_x,S_y) preparation methods are investigated and evaluated with respect to subsequent surface analytical characterization by X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. A special focus is laid on an artifact-free characterization of chemical and electronical properties of the exposed layers for a number of samples. In a first instance, the compositional Se/S and (Se + S)/Mo ratios at the surface are quantitatively analyzed on the basis of dedicated peak-fitting routines. Artifacts from carbonaceous contamination due to different exfoliation glues can be prevented through a detailed comparative analysis of carbon 1s and KLL Auger peaks. Furthermore, a significant surface band bending is observed that can be reduced by low-energy Ar ion in situ sputtering. A simple model for the sputter removal of a charged surface layer is presented, which allows to approximately calculate the absolute valence band maximum (VBM) positions required for band alignment and numerical device simulations. The presented exfoliation surface analysis methodology is important for the whole CIGS(Se) solar cell community and may be of general interest for emerging applications of further 2D transition metal dichalcogenides as well.     

Design of energy band alignment at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/Cu(In,Ga)Se2 interface for Cd-free Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells

The electronic band structure at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) interface was investigated for its potential application in Cd-free Cu(In,Ga)Se(2) thin film solar cells. Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O thin films with various Mg contents were grown by atomic layer deposition on Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) absorbers, which were deposited by the co-evaporation of Cu, In, Ga, and Se elemental sources. The electron emissions from the valence band and core levels were measured by a depth profile technique using X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The valence band maximum positions are around 3.17 eV for both Zn(0.9)Mg(0.1)O and Zn(0.8)Mg(0.2)O films, while the valence band maximum value for CIGS is 0.48 eV. As a result, the valence band offset value between the bulk Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O (x = 0.1 and x = 0.2) region and the bulk CIGS region was 2.69 eV. The valence band offset value at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/CIGS interface was found to be 2.55 eV after considering a small band bending in the interface region. The bandgap energy of Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films increased from 3.25 to 3.76 eV as the Mg content increased from 0% to 25%. The combination of the valence band offset values and the bandgap energy of Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films results in the flat (0 eV) and cliff (-0.23 eV) conduction band alignments at the Zn(0.8)Mg(0.2)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) and Zn(0.9)Mg(0.1)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) interfaces, respectively. The experimental results suggest that the bandgap energy of Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films is the main factor that determines the conduction band offset at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/Cu(In(0.7)Ga(0.3))Se(2) interface. Based on these results, we conclude that a Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O film with a relatively high bandgap energy is necessary to create a suitable conduction band offset at the Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O/CIGS interface to obtain a robust heterojunction. Also, ALD Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O films can be considered as a promising alternative buffer material to replace the toxic CdS for environmental safety.     

Photocatalytic Activities for Water Splitting of RuO_2-loaded MGa_2O_4（M=Zn,Ni） with d~（10） Configuration

MGa2O4(M=Zn,Ni) rods with similar crystallinity and BET surface area were prepared via a facile template-engaged reaction.The photocatalytic activities for water splitting of RuO2-loaded MGa2O4(M=Zn,Ni) were investigated under high-pressure Hg lamp.RuO2-loaded ZnGa2O4 catalyst exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than RuO2-loaded NiGa2O4.Factors affecting the photocatalytic activities of RuO2-loaded MGa2O4(M=Zn,Ni) were discussed.It was suggested that the electronic structure of oxide semiconductor was a predominant factor of the photocatalytic behavior for RuO2-loaded MGa2O4(M=Zn,Ni).     

Ni(II), Pd(II), Cu(II) And Zn(II) complexes with N-(2-Pyridyl)Carbonylaniline (L), Syntheses and X-Ray Crystal structures of [Cu(L)2(H2O)2](No3)2, [Cu(L)2(H2O)2](Clo4)2 and [Zn(L)2(H2O)2](Clo4)2

Reaction of the N-(2-pyridyl)carbonylaniline ligand (L) with Cu(NO₃)₂, Cu(ClO₄)₂, Zn(ClO₄)₂, Ni(NO₃)₂ and PdCl₂ gives complexes with stoichiometry [Cu(L)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂, [Cu(L)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂, [Zn(L)₂(H₂O)₂] (ClO₄)_2, [Ni(L)₂(H₂O)Cl](NO₃) and PdLCl₂. The new complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and infrared spectra. The crystal structures of [Cu(L)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂, [Cu(L)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂, and [Zn(L)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ were determined by X-ray crystallography. The cation complexes [M(L)₂(H₂O)₂] contain copper(II) and zinc(II) with distorted octahedral geometry with two N-(2-pyridyl)carbonylaniline (L) ligands occupying the equatorial sites. The hexa-coordinated metal atoms are bonded to two pyridinic nitrogens, two carbonyl oxygens and two water molecules occupying the axial sites. Both the coordinated water molecules and uncoordinated amide NH groups of the N-(2-pyridyl)carbonylaniline (L) ligands are involved in hydrogen bonding, resulting in infinite hydrogen-bonded chains running in one and two-dimensions.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Thermal Behavior of Complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with S,S′-Methylenebis(Cysteine)

Synthesis and characterization, including data on thermal decomposition, are reported for the complexes of S,S'-methylenebis(cysteine) (djenkolic acid) with copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II): CuC₇H₁₂N₂O₄S₂ [I]; ZnC₇H₁₂N₂O₄S₂ [II] and CdC₇H₁₂N₂O₄S₂ [III]. X-ray diffraction showed that the compounds are isostructural and belong to a monoclinic system. According to IR spectra, COO, NH₂ groups and bridging sulfur atoms are the main coordination sites.     

In Situ Analysis of the Zn(S,O) Buffer Layer Preparation for Chalcopyrite Solar Cells by Zn L‐edge X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Bridging the gap between high‐vacuum soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and real systems under ambient conditions probes chemical reactions in situ during deposition and annealing processes. The origin of highly efficient buffer layers in Zn(S,O) is the complex formation between Zn²⁺ and the S?C group of thiourea (see schematic), which allows ligand‐to‐metal and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (LMCT and MLCT).

     

Synthesis,Structure Characteristic and Thermal Behavior of Two New Metal-organic Azo-triazole Compounds: [Zn(phen)3]·ZTO·6H2O and[Cu(phen)3]·ZTO·6H2O

[Zn(phen)₃]·ZTO·6H₂O(1) and[Cu(phen)₃]·ZTO·6H₂O(2) were synthesized by the reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O/Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O with 4,4-azo-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one(ZTO) and 1,10-phenanthroline(phen). The two compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectrum analysis, respectively. Compound 1 was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. For compound 1, the coordination geometry around the Zn²⁺ is a distorted octahedron, with the bite angles of 76.7(3)°-77.6(4)° for all three phen ligands. Moreover, the thermal behaviors and thermal decomposition kinetics were studied and analyzed. Besides, thermal stability and safety parameters(T_SADT, T_b) are 164.7 and 166.4℃ for compound 1, and 149.6 and 150.8℃ for compound 2, respectively.     

ChemInform Abstract: Cu1.45Er0.85S2: A Copper(I) Erbium(III) Sulfide with Cation‐Deficient CaAl2Si2‐Type Structure.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

ChemInform Abstract: First‐Principles Investigation of R2O3(ZnO)3 (R: Al,Ga, and In) in Homologous Series of Compounds.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

Hemilability and regioselectivity in palladium and platinum complexes of dppm(E) [E = O, S, Se] ligands

Hemilability and nonrigidity in a series of mixed P^PE donor ligands where E = O, S, or Se have been studied in palladium and platinum complexes of the type [M{κ²-(dimethylamino)ethylnaphthyl-C,N)}(P^PE)][SbF₆] where P^PE = Ph₂PCH₂P(E)Ph₂.The role of the donor in hemilability, regioselectivity and the binding preferences of particular donors trans to the metallated carbon atom were also investigated. NMR parameters including couplings to ¹⁹⁵Pt and ⁷⁷Se were investigated for cis and trans isomers. The magnitude of ²J¹³C-⁷⁷Se couplings can readily distinguish the cis and trans isomers. A large through-space ¹³C-⁷⁷Se ³J coupling was observed in one of the amino methyl groups of the dppm(Se) complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of indenofluorene‐based copolymers containing 2,5‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐N‐arylpyrrole for bulk heterojunction solar cells and polymer light‐emitting diodes

Two novel alternating π‐conjugated copolymers, poly[2,8‐(6,6′,12,12′‐tetraoctyl‐6,12‐dihydroindeno‐[1,2b]fluorene‐ alt‐5(1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole) ( P1 ) and poly[2,8‐(6,6′,12,12′‐tetraoctyl‐6,12‐dihydroindeno‐[1,2b]fluorene‐ alt‐5(1‐(p‐octylphenyl)‐2,5‐di(2‐thienyl)pyrrole) ( P2 ), were synthesized via the Suzuki coupling method and their optoelectronic properties were investigated. The resulting polymers P1 and P2 were completely soluble in various common organic solvents and their weight‐average molecular weights (M_w) were 5.66 × 10⁴ (polydispersity: 1.97) and 2.13× 10⁴ (polydispersity: 1.54), respectively. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells were fabricated in ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer:PC₇₀BM(1:5)/TiO_x/Al configurations. The BHJ solar cell with P1 :PC₇₀BM (1:5) has a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.12% (J_sc= 3.39 mA/cm², V_oc= 0.67 V, FF = 49.31%), measured using AM 1.5 G solar simulator at 100 mW/cm² light illumination. We fabricated polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) in ITO/PEDOT:PSS/emitting polymer:polyethylene glycol (PEG)/Ba/Al configurations. The electroluminescence (EL) maxima of the fabricated PLEDs varied from 526 nm to 556 nm depending on the ratio of the polymer to PEG. The turn‐on voltages of the PLEDs were in the range of 3–8 V depending on the ratio of the polymer to PEG, and the maximum brightness and luminance efficiency were 2103 cd/m² and 0.37 cd/A at 12 V, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3169–3177, 2010     

ChemInform Abstract: (Cu2S2)(Sr3Se2O5) — A Layered,Direct Band Gap,p‐Type Transparent Conducting Oxychalcogenide: A Theoretical Analysis.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

Synthesis and characterization of some methylbismuth (III) O,O‐alkylenedithiophosphates: convenient transformation of and to pure Bi2S3

A series of methylbismuth(III)O,O‐alkylenedithiophosphates of the type [where G = CH₂CH(CH₃) ( 1 ), (CH₂)₄ ( 2 ), CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃) ( 3 ), CH(CH₃)CH(CH₃) ( 4 ), CH₂CHCH₂CH₃ ( 5 ), CH(CH₃)CH₂C(CH₃)₂ ( 6 ) and C(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂ ( 7 )] have been isolated by the reaction of methylbismuth(III) dichloride with potassium salt of O,O‐alkylenedithiophosphoric acids in 1:2 molar ratio in anhydrous benzene. These newly synthesized derivatives were characterized by elemental analyses, FT IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectral studies. Thermogravimetric analysis of 6 has shown a single‐step decomposition of complex to Bi₂S₃ at 154.3 °C. Transformation of 2 and 6 to pure Bi₂S₃ was carried out successfully at refluxing xylene temperature (142 °C) as revealed by XRD and SEM analyses. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ChemInform Abstract: CuYS2: A Ternary Copper(I) Yttrium(III) Sulfide with Chains 1∞{ [Cu(S1)3/3(S2)1/1]3‐} of cis‐Edge Connected [CuS4]7‐ Tetrahedra.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.     

Synthesis, Structure and Biological Activity of Zn（Ⅱ） Complex with Tris（benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl）amine Ligand

A new Zn(II) mononuclear complex with tris(benzimidazol‐2‐yl‐methyl)amine (NTB) was synthesized with stoichiometry of [Zn(NTB)NO₃]NO₃ · DIPY · DMF (DIPY : 4,4′‐dipyridyl). The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, UV and IR spectra. The crystal structure was determined by using X‐ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure indicates that four N atoms and one O atom coordinate to zinc ion to construct a distorted trigonal‐dipyramid configuration. Three nonprotonated N atoms from imidazole groups are in the equatorial plane, one alkylamino N atom and one O atom from NO₃^?_‐ in the axial directions. The biological activity assay shows that this complex presents certain biological activity by means of pyrogallol autoxidation and it can be called a model compound of superoxide dismutase (SOD).     

Synthesis,spectral and antibacterial activity of Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 2‐hydroxy‐benzoic acid(3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐naphthalen‐1‐ylidene)‐hydrazide

A bioactive Schiff base HL i.e. 2‐hydroxy‐benzoic acid(3,4‐dihydro‐2H ‐naphthalen‐1‐ylidene)‐hydrazide was synthesized by reacting equimolar amount of salicylic acid hydrazide and 1‐tetralone. Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of ligand HL was synthesized in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratio of metal to ligand. The structure of the synthesized ligand and metal complexes was established by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic, IR and EPR spectral techniques. For determining the thermal stability the TGA has been done. In DFT studies the geometries of Schiff bases and metal complexes were fully optimized with respect to the energy using the 6–31 + g(d,p) basis set. Spectral data reveal that ligand behave uninegative tridentate in ML complexes and uninegative bidentate in ML₂ complexes. On the basis of characterization octahedral geometry has been assigned for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes, while tetrahedral for Zn(II) complexes. Antibacterial activity of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli , Xanthomonas campestris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the results revealed that metal complexes show enhanced activity in comparison to free ligand.     

Bis[(L)prolinato‐N,O]Zn in acetic acid–water: a novel catalytic system for the synthesis of β‐amino carbonyls via Mannich reaction at room temperature

Zn[(L)proline]₂ was used as an efficient catalyst for the one‐pot multicomponent reactions (MCR) of different aromatic amines, aromatic aldehyde and ketones in aqueous media. This method provides a novel and improved method for obtaining stereoselective β‐amino carbonyl compounds in terms of good yield. Little catalyst loading, recyclability, easy accessibility of the catalyst and aqueous media are the main features of this protocol. Moreover column chromatography and recrystallization of product are not required as the crude product itself is very pure. Powder XRD and TEM images of the catalyst were taken for the first time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.