Formation of antireflection nanostructure for silicon solar cells using catalysis of single nano-sized silver particle

Antireflection nanostructure was formed by simple wet chemical etching using catalysis of silver (Ag) nanoparticle. Single nano-sized Ag particle dispersion solution was coated onto Si(1 0 0) substrate with polished surface. Then, the samples were soaked in an aqueous etching solution of hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The surface of 9-min-etched Si substrate appeared black, and the reflectivity was reduced to below 5% throughout the entire spectrum from 200 to 1000 nm owing to the formed nanostructure. The absorption was significantly increased after the formation of antireflection structure with 9 min etching, and the conversion efficiency of solar cell with antireflection structure increased from 8.25 to 10.0% owing to the increase of short-circuit current.     

Characterization of pulsed laser deposited chalcogenide thin layers

In this work we report on pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of chalcogenide thin films from the systems (AsSe)_100−xAgI_x and (AsSe)_100−xAg_x for sensing applications. A KrF* excimer laser (λ = 248 nm; τ_FWHM = 25 ns) was used to ablate the targets that had been prepared from the synthesised chalcogenide materials. The films were deposited in either vacuum (4 × 10⁻⁴ Pa) or argon (5 Pa) on silicon and glass substrates kept at room temperature. The basic properties of the films, including their morphology, topography, structure, and composition were characterised by complementary techniques. Investigations by X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the amorphous nature of the films, as no strong diffraction reflections were found. The film composition was studied by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The morphology of the films investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealed a particulate-covered homogeneous surface, typical of PLD. Topographical analyses by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the particulate size was slightly larger in Ar than in vacuum. The uniform surface areas were rather smooth, with root mean square (rms) roughness increasing up to several nanometers with the AgI or Ag doping. Based upon the results from the comprehensive investigation of the basic properties of the chalcogenide films prepared by PLD and their dependence on the process parameters, samples with appropriate sorption properties can be selected for possible applications in cantilever gas sensors.     

Subwavelength structures for broadband antireflection application

The subwavelength structures are designed and fabricated for broadband antireflection application. Under target of zero reflectivity, the parameters of periodic 2-D continuous conical structures are analyzed by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The corresponding conical structures are obtained with spatial period of 350 nm and structure height of 300 nm, respectively. The 2-D continuous conical structured surface is fabricated by micro-replication process combining with the originated structure fabrication realized by interference lithography, Ni mold electroplation and replication by using UV imprinting into plastics. The average reflectances of the simulation and replicated polymer prototype are about 0.50% and 0.54% within the spectral ranges of 400-650 nm, respectively. In a word, the subwavelength structured surface with low reflection is developed and proved to be highly consistent with the simulation results.     

Non-chromate deoxidation of AA2024-T3: Sodium bromate-nitric acid (20-60 °C)

The effect of a non-chromate deoxidiser (bromate-nitric acid) on AA2024-T3 has been examined by SEM, TEM/EELS and XPS. At low temperatures (20 °C) the deoxidiser removed all intermetallics but had little effect on the surface oxide. At 40 °C, attack on the intermetallics was again extensive but there was also evidence of attack on the surface oxide covering the matrix after 10 min of immersion, leaving a roughened porous oxide. At 60 °C, removal of intermetallics was complete and longer immersion times resulted in a characteristic scalloped structure across the surface which became more pronounced with increasing immersion time.     

Growth of aligned carbon nanotube arrays on metallic substrate and its application to supercapacitors

Aligned carbon nanotube arrays (ACNTAs) with lengths up to 150 μm were fabricated on metallic alloy (Inconel 600) substrates by pyrolysis of iron (II) phthalocyanine (FePc) in the presence of ethylene (C₂H₄). The as-grown ACNTAs, formed by aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes with high purity, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The ACNTAs were used directly as electrode materials in supercapacitors with (Et)₄NBF₄ + propylene carbonate (PC) as electrolyte, and their electrochemical properties were investigated. A rectangular-shaped cyclic voltammetry (CV) curve was observed even at a sweep rate of 1000 mV s⁻¹. The specific capacitance measured at 1000 mV s⁻¹ was about 57 % (47 F g⁻¹) of that obtained at 1 mV s⁻¹ (83 F g⁻¹), and an equivalent series resistance (ESR) of 0.55 Ω was measured for the ACNTA and activated carbon pair electrodes embedded in a coin cell. The results indicated that the ACNTAs could be a promising candidate as electrode materials in supercapacitors.     

The mobility of charge carriers in a size-quantized coated semiconductor wire

Within the framework of a staircase infinitely deep potential well model, the mobility of charge carriers is calculated for scattering on impurity centers located on the axis of a size-quantized semiconducting coated wire. Calculations are done for the dielectric constant mismatch of the wire, coating and surrounding environment, taking into account the difference of the effective masses in the wire and coating. The effect of a longitudinal magnetic field on mobility is also considered. Numerical results are presented for the GaAs–Ga_1−xAl_xAs system at different values of the wire and coating radii, the alloy concentration x, and magnetic field.     

Oscillation of nested fullerenes (carbon onions) in carbon nanotubes

Nested spherical fullerenes, which are sometimes referred to as carbon onions, of I _h symmetries which have N(n) carbon atoms in the nth shell given by N(n) = 60n ² are studied in this paper. The continuum approximation together with the Lennard-Jones potential is utilized to determine the resultant potential energy. High frequency nanoscale oscillators or gigahertz oscillators created from fullerenes and both single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes have attracted much attention for a number of proposed applications, such as ultra-fast optical filters and ultra-sensitive nano-antennae that might impact on the development of computing and signalling nano-devices. Further, it is only at the nanoscale where such gigahertz frequencies can be achieved. This paper focuses on the interaction of nested fullerenes and the mechanics of such molecules oscillating in carbon nanotubes. Here we investigate such issues as the acceptance condition for nested fullerenes into carbon nanotubes, the total force and energy of the nested fullerenes, and the velocity and gigahertz frequency of the oscillating molecule. In particular, optimum nanotube radii are determined for which nested fullerenes oscillate at maximum velocity and frequency, which will be of considerable benefit for the design of future nano-oscillating devices.     

五氧化二钽纳米柱的水热合成和光催化性能

以聚乙烯醇(PEG)为结构导向剂,利用水热法合成了形貌可控的Ta2O5纳米柱.采用X射线衍射、扫描电镜、透射电镜、漫反射紫外-可见光谱和光致发光光谱对所制备样品进行了表征.考察了结晶时间和Ta2O5/Sr(OH)2摩尔比等合成参数对样品形貌的影响,并在此基础上对Ta2O5纳米粒可能的生长机理进行了推测.结果表明,在PEG和Sr(OH)2存在条件下可以合成形貌可控的Ta2O5纳米柱.研究了紫外光下Ta2O5纳米柱降解罗丹明B的光催化性能,发现Ta2O5的形貌对光催化性能有很大影响, Ta2O5纳米柱的光催化性能与其长度和直径比成线性关系.催化降解反应的表观速率常数最高可达0.156 min–1,且经多次循环使用后,样品仍然保持较高的催化性能.     

Morphological control of ZnO nanostructures on silicon substrates

ZnO nanostructures are grown on Au-catalyzed Si substrates by vapour phase transport between 800 and 1150 C. Nanostructures grown at 800 C are mainly rod-like in structure with diameters of <200 nm. Increasing growth temperature yields combination growth modes with 2D structures (nanowalls/nanosheets) connecting 1D nanorods at intermediate temperatures and a 3D growth mode of foam-like appearance at the highest temperatures. The present work indicates that it may be possible to systematically control the morphology of ZnO nanostructures by varying the growth temperature.     

Fabrication of zinc oxide nano-structures in RF inductively-coupled thermal plasma and their photoluminescence effects

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and nano-structures were synthesized using RF inductively-coupled thermal plasma system. The ZnO nanoparticles synthesized in high enthalpy plasmas showed high purity and extremely small crystalline characteristics with the (30–50) nm size distribution applicable in various areas. The resultant morphology of the ZnO nanoparticles was influenced by process parameters such as chamber pressure, a cooling method and a reactor configuration. Thus, the effects of process conditions were discussed with perspective of the re-crystallization. In addition, by controlling the operational parameters, flower-like shaped ZnO nano-structures consisting of many hexagonal nano-rods with six facets were also obtained. The ZnO nano-structures showed a good optical property in photoluminescence analysis.