Chemical synthesis of p-type nanocrystalline copper selenide thin films for heterojunction solar cells

Nanocrystalline thin films of copper selenide have been grown on glass and tin doped-indium oxide substrates using chemical method. At ambient temperature, golden films have been synthesized and annealed at 200 °C for 1 h and were examined for their structural, surface morphological and optical properties by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and UV-vis spectrophotometry techniques, respectively. Cu_2−xSe phase was confirmed by XRD pattern and spherical grains of 30 ± 4 - 40 ± 4 nm in size aggregated over about 130 ± 10 nm islands were seen by SEM images. Effect of annealing on crystallinity improvement, band edge shift and photoelectrochemical performance (under 80 mW/cm² light intensity and in lithium iodide electrolyte) has been studied and reported. Observed p-type electrical conductivity in copper selenide thin films make it a suitable candidate for heterojunction solar cells.     

Improved oxygen delivery in a continuous-roller-bottle reactor

Variations to the original aeration system in a continuous roller bottle reactor of novel design have been tested and compared for optimal oxygen (O) delivery. Reactor operating parameters that affect O transfer are rotation rate, liquid-volume level, fresh-feed rate, and supplementary-aeration rate. Design modifications to enhance gas-liquid O transfer include the addition of wall baffles and center baffles. The number and location of each of these baffles are compared for their effect on k_La values in the reaction chamber. The liquid feed into the system has been modified to improve the axial liquid mixing and O transfer.     

Kinetics of the acid catalyzed hydrolysis of hydroxamic acids

The acid catalyzed hydrolysis of some alkylhydroxamic acids has been studied spectrophotometrically in perchloric, hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. Plots of the first order rate constant, k_obs against H⁺ show maxima, which are caused by protonation of the substrate. The mechanism of hydrolysis is found to be similar to that of amides. The variation of reaction rate with acid concentration can be described by a two-parameter equation.

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, , , . k_obs [H⁺] , . . .

     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalyzed one-pot three component synthesis of 2,3-diaryl-4-thiazolidinones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) catalyzed one-pot three component cyclocondensation of aryl aldehydes, amines, and thioglycolic acid in organic medium leading to 2,3-diaryl 4-thiazolidinones has been carried out for the first time.     

A simple CdS nanoparticles cascading approach for boosting N3 dye/ZnO nanoplates DSSCs overall performance

Enhanced photosensitization in presence of CdS nanoparticles is achieved in electrochemically deposited ZnO nanoplates and N3 loaded dye-sensitized solar cells. Chemically embedded CdS nanoparticles act as a sandwiching layer between ZnO nanoplates and dye molecules by overcoming current limiting serious Zn²⁺/dye insulating complex formation and CdS photo-corrosion issues. The X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy confirm the ZnO with vertically aligned nanoplates, perpendicular to the substrate surface. Amorphous CdS is monitored using electron dispersive X-ray analysis. The low and high resolution transmission electron microscope images confirm the presence of CdS nanoparticles over ZnO nanoplates which later is supported by an increase in optical absorbance and shift in band edge. About 400% increase in solar conversion efficiency with this cascade arrangement is achieved when compared with without CdS which could be fascinating while designing solid state solar cells in presence of suitable p-type layer.     

A Facile Diversity‐Oriented Multicomponent One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐Amino‐6,7‐dihydrobenzo[c]thiophen‐4(5H)‐one Derivatives from α‐Oxo‐N,S‐ketene Acetal

A convenient one‐pot multicomponent method for the preparation of 3‐amino‐6,7‐dihydrobenzo[c]thiophen‐4(5H)‐one derivative has been developed. Reaction of 1,3‐cyclohexanedione and phenyl isothiocynate gave α‐oxo‐N,S‐ketene acetal that were reacted in situ with 2‐chloromethylquniazoline‐4‐one derivatives, in the presence of sodium hydride to afford the target compound in reasonable overall yields.     

Total synthesis of attenols A and B

A concise approach for the total synthesis of attenols A and B is described involving MacMillan’s α-aminooxylation, Evan’s asymmetric alkylation, Brown’s allylation, and spiro-ketalization as key steps. This approach has successfully demonstrated the α-aminooxylation protocol for the construction of the anti-1,3-diol unit.     

Acylation Studies with Meldrum's Acid

Meldrum's acid (1) on bisacylation with succinyl chloride afforded a neutral diketo product (2); however, the dimer enolic products (3) with acidic nature resulted in glutaryl and adipyl dichlorides. Monoacylation of (1) with acetyl chloride gave acidic 5‐acetyl Meldrum's acid (4) in enol form.