Characteristics of p-type ZnO:As thin films prepared by the ampoule-tube method and ZnO p–n homojunction

A p-type ZnO thin film was prepared using arsenic diffusion via the ampoule-tube method. This was followed by fabrication of a ZnO p–n homojunction using n-type ZnO and characterization of the device properties. The ZnO thin film exhibited p-type characteristics, with a resistivity of 2.19×10⁻³ Ω cm, a carrier concentration of 1.73×10²⁰/cm³, and a mobility of 26.7 cm²/V s. Secondary ion mass spectrometer analysis confirmed that in- and out-diffusion occurred simultaneously from the external As source and the GaAs substrate. The device exhibited the rectification characteristics of a typical p–n junction; the forward voltage at 20 mA was approximately 5.5 V. The reverse-bias leakage current was very low—0.1 mA for −10 V; the breakdown voltage was −11 V. The ampoule-tube method for fabricating p-type ZnO thin films may be useful in producing ultraviolet ZnO LEDs and other ZnO-based devices.     

Effects of aluminum doping and substrate temperature on zinc oxide thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films have been deposited on amorphous fused silica substrates by pulsed laser ablation of a Zn:Al metallic targets. We varied the film growth condition such as the substrate temperature and Al concentrations. The films were deposited at substrate temperatures ranging from 20 to 600°C with oxygen partial pressure of 1 torr. The characteristics of the deposited films were examined by analyzing their photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV–visible spectra. It is observed that the optical bandgap energy of the deposited films increased with the increase of Al concentration and substrate temperature. Besides, the PL peak energy shifted to blue and the Stokes shift became larger as the Al content increased.     

A new approach to the synthesis of functional thin films: Hierarchical synthesis of CaCO3 thin films and their transformation into patterned metal thin films

A patterned metal thin film was synthesized based on a new approach that allows the formation of thin films with complex shape, hierarchical organization, and controlled size under ambient conditions in an aqueous environment. By using a general coating system, a CaCO₃ thin film was transformed into a patterned metal thin film with functional properties, such as adhesion and hydrophobicity. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface-profiling experiments were carried out to measure the adhesion between the probe tip and the substrate and to determine the film thickness. Separation of the patterned ceramic thin film occurred very easily by means of sputtering and chemical treatment with an acidic solution.     

Effects of the disaccharide concentration and the extrusion speed on the size of unilamella vesicles

We investigated the effects of the concentration of disaccharides (trehalose, maltose, and sucrose) and the extrusion speed on the mean size of the unilamella vesicles (ULVs) by using the photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). We found that the mean diameters of ULVs prepared in the solution with the same disaccharide concentration and the same extrusion speed were quite different. In the case of trehalose, the mean diameter of ULVs decreased as the disaccharide concentration decreased and the extrusion speed increased. Based on those findings, we could fabricate the uniform sized ULVs in different disaccharide solutions with the same concentration by controlling the extrusion speed.     

Unexpected Carbon Dioxide Inclusion in Water‐Saturated Pores of Metal–Organic Frameworks with Potential for Highly Selective Capture of CO2

Unusual CO₂ storage in water‐saturated MOFs was investigated by combining experiment and simulation. It was found that the micropores of HKUST‐1 saturated with water provide an environment that is thermodynamically and kinetically favorable for CO₂ capture, but not for N₂ and H₂ capture. We expect that this phenomenon have potential to be used for successful separation of CO₂ from versatile flue streams and pre‐combustion gas.