Search results for "FILM"

Surfactant-Mediated Morphology and Photocatalytic Activity of α‑Ag2WO4 Material

2018

In the present work, the morphology (hexagonal rod-like vs cuboid-like) of an α-Ag2WO4 solid-state material is manipulated by a simple controlled-precipitation method, with and without the presence of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), respectively, over short reaction times. Characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction analysis, Rietveld refinement analysis, Fourier-transform (FT) infrared spectroscopy, FT Raman spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, selected area electron diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and photoluminescence emission…

Thin Film CIGS Solar Cells, Photovoltaic Modules, and the Problems of Modeling

2013

Starting from the results regarding a nonvacuum technique to fabricate CIGS thin films for solar cells by means of single-step electrodeposition, we focus on the methodological problems of modeling at cell structure and photovoltaic module levels. As a matter of fact, electrodeposition is known as a practical alternative to costly vacuum-based technologies for semiconductor processing in the photovoltaic device sector, but it can lead to quite different structural and electrical properties. For this reason, a greater effort is required to ensure that the perspectives of the electrical engineer and the material scientist are given an opportunity for a closer comparison and a common language.…

CulnSe2/Zn(S,O,OH) junction on Mo foil by electrochemical and chemical route for photovoltaic applications

2014

Electrodeposition is a convenient technique for the development of low cost materials for photovoltaic (PV) device processing. Using a single step electrodeposition route, several groups have fabricated CIS (CuInSe) and CIGS (CuInGaSe) films [1]. One of the most important requirements for successful application of one-step electrodeposition film formation, is the ability to control composition of the deposited films and to develop polycrystalline microstructures with a low surface roughness and high sintered density. In this preliminary work, CIS films were produced by single bath electrodeposition finding the optimal conditions in order to achieve a dense film with high crystallinity and u…

Microscratch testing method for systematic evaluation of the adhesion of atomic layer deposited thin films on silicon

2016

The scratch test method is widely used for adhesion evaluation of thin films and coatings. Usual critical load criteria designed for scratch testing of coatings were not applicable to thin atomic layer deposition (ALD) films on silicon wafers. Thus, the bases for critical load evaluation were established and the critical loads suitable for ALD coating adhesion evaluation on silicon wafers were determined in this paper as LCSi1, LCSi2, LCALD1, and LCALD2, representing the failure points of the silicon substrate and the coating delamination points of the ALD coating. The adhesion performance of the ALD Al2O3, TiO2, TiN, and TaCN+Ru coatings with a thickness range between 20 and 600 nm and dep…

Effect of Molybdate on Corrosion Performance of Oxide Coating Produced on 7075 Al Alloy Using PEO

2022

In this research, plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings were prepared on 7075 Al alloy in a silicate-based solution with Na2MoO4 additive using a unipolar waveform at constant current density. The coatings displayed micro-pores, micro-cracks, pancake-like and crater-like features, and also solidified molten oxide particles on the surface. The coatings were majorly composed of Al2O3 (γ, δ, and α), SiO2 (amorphous), and MoO3 phases, which confirms the incorporation of molybdenum in the case of additive-containing coatings. Molybdenum species were transported through cracks, channels, and micropores, as the ready access pathways into the coating and partly sealed the c…

Aluminum tri-isopropoxide as an alternative precursor for atomic layer deposition of aluminum oxide thin films

2019

Due to the safety challenges associated with the use of trimethylaluminum as a metal precursor for the deposition of alumina, different chemicals have been investigated over the years to replace it. The authors have investigated the use of aluminum tri-isopropoxide (TIPA) as an alternative alkoxide precursor for the safe and cost-effective deposition of alumina. In this work, TIPA is used as a stable Al source for atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 when different oxidizing agents including water, oxygen plasma, water plasma, and ozone are employed. The authors have explored the deposition of Al2O3 using TIPA in ALD systems operating in vacuum and atmospheric pressure conditions. For the…

Solution processes for plastic thin film transistors

2009

Toward Sustainable PLA-Based Multilayer Complexes with Improved Barrier Properties

2019

Poly(lactic acid) or PLA is currently considered as one of the most promising substitutes of conventional plastics, with low environmental impact, especially for food packaging applications. Nevertheless, some drawbacks, such as high permeability to oxygen, are still limiting its industrial applications. The objective of this study was to highly increase the oxygen barrier performance of PLA without compromising its sustainable nature and following the principles of circular economy perspective. Coproducts coming from mill industries, such as wheat gluten proteins (WG), were used to produce PLA-WG-PLA multilayer complexes with improved barrier performance. Different technologies of industri…

Characterization of thin plastic foils for applications in X-ray optics technology

2007

Thin plastic foils are being investigated to build shell optics for X-ray telescopes. Compared to polished glass optics, the advantage is in terms of increased collecting area, light weight and lower cost. Plastic material is also desirable to allow deformation into a complete surface of revolution. We collected plastic materials of common use for industrial applications and also specialty materials developed for the electronic industry. A comparative study was then performed to evaluate the optical quality of the selected plastic films. Surface analysis was carried out with topographic instruments to investigate the microroughness of our samples at different scan lengths. Preliminary resul…

Polymorphic chiral squaraine crystallites in textured thin films

2020

Chirality 32(5), 619 - 631 (2020). doi:10.1002/chir.23213