Marek Szindler

Bio: Marek Szindler is an academic researcher from Silesian University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thin film & Atomic layer deposition. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 59 publications receiving 375 citations.

Silicon solar cells with Al2O3 antireflection coating

Abstract: The paper presents the possibility of using Al2O3 antireflection coatings deposited by atomic layer deposition ALD. The ALD method is based on alternate pulsing of the precursor gases and vapors onto the substrate surface and then chemisorption or surface reaction of the precursors. The reactor is purged with an inert gas between the precursor pulses. The Al2O3 thin film in structure of the finished solar cells can play the role of both antireflection and passivation layer which will simplify the process. For this research 50×50 mm monocrystalline silicon solar cells with one bus bar have been used. The metallic contacts were prepared by screen printing method and Al2O3 antireflection coating by ALD method. Results and their analysis allow to conclude that the Al2O3 antireflection coating deposited by ALD has a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of the silicon solar cell. For about 80 nm of Al2O3 the best results were obtained in the wavelength range of 400 to 800 nm reducing the reflection to less than 1%. The difference in the solar cells efficiency between with and without antireflection coating was 5.28%. The LBIC scan measurements may indicate a positive influence of the thin film Al2O3 on the bulk passivation of the silicon.

Efficient generation of singlet oxygen by perylene diimide photosensitizers covalently bound to conjugate polymers

Abstract: New conjugated polymers with perylene diimides (PDI) as pendant groups were synthesized and deposited on glass substrates by the spin coating. The resulting thin films were characterized by UV–vis, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and profilometry. It was shown that PDI photosensitizers retain its photoactivity after covalent immobilization and the formed layers can be applied as efficient and environmentally stable source of singlet oxygen, 1O2, as tested with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) specific trap. Additionally, α-terpinene heterogeneous photooxidation was studied as the practical use of singlet oxygen generated by this novel PDI-based materials. The use of such heterogeneous source of singlet oxygen can be beneficial for the fine chemicals synthesis, due to simplified products isolation and purification step.

Logic Gates and Computation from Assembled Nanowire Building Blocks

Abstract: I-CYP binding sites) was determinedafter 24 hours of isoproterenol treatment and ex-pressed as the percentage of receptor number as-sessed in nonstimulated cells. Where necessary,MG132 (20 mM) or lactacystin (20 mM) mixed inserum-free media was added to cells 1 hour beforestimulation.16. P. van Kerkhof, R. Govers, C. M. Alves dos Santos, G. J.Strous,

Graphene Oxide and Derivatives: The Place in Graphene Family

Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) is useful and promising material for graphene based applications in electronic, optics, chemistry, energy storage and biology. At the beginning of graphene history GO was only a simple and cheap step for preparation of single and multilayer graphene films and bulk structures by reduction. The further studies revealed the substantial structure imperfection of graphene oxide derived materials due to the defects in initial graphite and incompletion of reducing process. However, the results of recent research demonstrated a great amount of unique chemical, optical and electronic properties of graphene oxide that allow regarding it as independent nanomaterial possessing a large area of applications. In general, it represents the ultra-large organic molecule containing 2D carbon mesh. Unlike conventional graphene it provides wide range of chemical methods for attachment of various functional groups to its surface for control optical transparency, electrical and thermal conductance. Recently developed methods for preparation of graphene oxide derivatives saturated by carboxyl groups open the new attractive application areas in green technologies including energy storage and utilizing nuclear wastes. The goal of the review is to summarize the results of recent studies of graphene oxide, derivatives and reveal the most promising directions to focus the efforts of researchers.

Materials for Photovoltaics: State of Art and Recent Developments

Abstract: In recent years, photovoltaic cell technology has grown extraordinarily as a sustainable source of energy, as a consequence of the increasing concern over the impact of fossil fuel-based energy on global warming and climate change. The different photovoltaic cells developed up to date can be classified into four main categories called generations (GEN), and the current market is mainly covered by the first two GEN. The 1GEN (mono or polycrystalline silicon cells and gallium arsenide) comprises well-known medium/low cost technologies that lead to moderate yields. The 2GEN (thin-film technologies) includes devices that have lower efficiency albeit are cheaper to manufacture. The 3GEN presents the use of novel materials, as well as a great variability of designs, and comprises expensive but very efficient cells. The 4GEN, also known as “inorganics-in-organics”, combines the low cost/flexibility of polymer thin films with the stability of novel inorganic nanostructures (i.e., metal nanoparticles and metal oxides) with organic-based nanomaterials (i.e., carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives), and are currently under investigation. The main goal of this review is to show the current state of art on photovoltaic cell technology in terms of the materials used for the manufacture, efficiency and production costs. A comprehensive comparative analysis of the four generations is performed, including the device architectures, their advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is placed on the 4GEN, where the diverse roles of the organic and nano-components are discussed. Finally, conclusions and future perspectives are summarized.