Ngoc Duy Nguyen

Bio: Ngoc Duy Nguyen is an academic researcher from University of Liège. The author has contributed to research in topics: Doping & Dopant. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 80 publications receiving 1187 citations. Previous affiliations of Ngoc Duy Nguyen include IMEC & Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.

Metallic nanowire networks: effects of thermal annealing on electrical resistance.

Abstract: Metallic nanowire networks have huge potential in devices requiring transparent electrodes. This article describes how the electrical resistance of metal nanowire networks evolve under thermal annealing. Understanding the behavior of such films is crucial for the optimization of transparent electrodes which find many applications. An in-depth investigation of silver nanowire networks under different annealing conditions provides a case study demonstrating that several mechanisms, namely local sintering and desorption of organic residues, are responsible for the reduction of the systems electrical resistance. Optimization of the annealing led to specimens with transmittance of 90% (at 550 nm) and sheet resistance of 9.5 Ω sq−1. Quantized steps in resistance were observed and a model is proposed which provides good agreement with the experimental results. In terms of thermal behavior, we demonstrate that there is a maximum thermal budget that these electrodes can tolerate due to spheroidization of the nanowires. This budget is determined by two main factors: the thermal loading and the wire diameter. This result enables the fabrication and optimization of transparent metal nanowire electrodes for solar cells, organic electronics and flexible displays.

Determination of charge-carrier transport in organic devices by admittance spectroscopy : Application to hole mobility in α-NPD

Abstract: Hole mobility in $N,{N}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-diphenyl-$N,{N}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-bis(1-naphtylphenyl)-$1,{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-biphenyl-$4,{4}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-diamine ($\ensuremath{\alpha}$-NPD) is evaluated by electrical characterization in the ac regime. The frequency-dependent complex admittance and impedance of the structure consisting of the organic layer, grown by thermal evaporation, sandwiched by indium tin oxide and aluminum electrodes, are measured as functions of the applied dc voltage. The capacitance response shows negative values for frequencies below a characteristic value depending on the bias and ranging from $0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$ up to $20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. It increases with the modulation frequency and reaches a peak, the magnitude and position of which are functions of the applied voltage. For higher frequencies, a minimum can be observed before the capacitance increases again up to a constant value. A final decreasing occurs at frequency of $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. The analysis of the experimental data is performed by a detailed theoretical study of the steady-state and small-signal electrical characteristics of the device. Numerical calculations are based on the solution of the basic semiconductor equations for the system consisting of two electrodes connected by the semiconducting channel formed by the organic layer. The description explicitly includes a continuous distribution of trap density of states and a field-dependent carrier mobility. The spatially dependent charge carrier and occupied trap concentrations, as well as the various components to the total current density, are obtained for the dc and ac regimes and are analyzed for given bias and frequency. Based on a formalism used in the study of inorganic semiconductors, the results of the simulation show that the inductive contribution to the capacitance response originates from the modulation of the hole concentration in the organic material, leading to the corresponding carrier transit time. Moreover, the low-frequency behavior of the capacitance curves could be explained by the presence of a band of defect states which modifies the charge distribution within the organic layer and the injection of electrons from the cathode. We show that the latter contribution is also responsible for the negative values of the capacitance measured below $10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. Good agreement is observed between the experimental and theoretical electrical characteristics, in particular for the differential susceptance results and the subsequent hole mobility values. Our approach can be a useful contribution for the methodology of obtaining mobilities from admittance measurements as it allows one to clarify the physical origin of the measured frequency-dependent capacitance and to check for the experimental procedure. This work finally leads to the formulation of the conditions under which small-signal ac measurements can be used to determine carrier mobility in organic devices.

Stability Enhancement of Silver Nanowire Networks with Conformal ZnO Coatings Deposited by Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition.

Abstract: Silver nanowire (AgNW) networks offer excellent electrical and optical properties and have emerged as one of the most attractive alternatives to transparent conductive oxides to be used in flexible optoelectronic applications. However, AgNW networks still suffer from chemical, thermal, and electrical instabilities, which in some cases can hinder their efficient integration as transparent electrodes in devices such as solar cells, transparent heaters, touch screens, and organic light emitting diodes. We have used atmospheric pressure spatial atomic layer deposition (AP-SALD) to fabricate hybrid transparent electrode materials in which the AgNW network is protected by a conformal thin layer of zinc oxide. The choice of AP-SALD allows us to maintain the low-cost and scalable processing of AgNW-based transparent electrodes. The effects of the ZnO coating thickness on the physical properties of AgNW networks are presented. The composite electrodes show a drastic enhancement of both thermal and electrical stabilities. We found that bare AgNWs were stable only up to 300 °C when subjected to thermal ramps, whereas the ZnO coating improved the stability up to 500 °C. Similarly, ZnO-coated AgNWs exhibited an increase of 100% in electrical stability with respect to bare networks, withstanding up to 18 V. A simple physical model shows that the origin of the stability improvement is the result of hindered silver atomic diffusion thanks to the presence of the thin oxide layer and the quality of the interfaces of hybrid electrodes. The effects of ZnO coating on both the network adhesion and optical transparency are also discussed. Finally, we show that the AP-SALD ZnO-coated AgNW networks can be effectively used as very stable transparent heaters.

Transparent electrodes based on silver nanowire networks: from physical considerations towards device integration

Abstract: The past few years have seen a considerable amount of research devoted to nanostructured transparent conducting materials (TCM), which play a pivotal role in many modern devices such as solar cells, flexible light-emitting devices, touch screens, electromagnetic devices, and flexible transparent thin film heaters Currently, the most commonly used TCM for such applications (ITO: Indium Tin oxide) suffers from two major drawbacks: brittleness and indium scarcity Among emerging transparent electrodes, silver nanowire (AgNW) networks appear to be a promising substitute to ITO since such electrically percolating networks exhibit excellent properties with sheet resistance lower than 10 Ω/sq and optical transparency of 90%, fulfilling the requirements of most applications In addition, AgNW networks also exhibit very good mechanical flexibility The fabrication of these electrodes involves low-temperature processing steps and scalable methods, thus making them appropriate for future use as low-cost transparent electrodes in flexible electronic devices This contribution aims to briefly present the main properties of AgNW based transparent electrodes as well as some considerations relating to their efficient integration in devices The influence of network density, nanowire sizes, and post treatments on the properties of AgNW networks will also be evaluated In addition to a general overview of AgNW networks, we focus on two important aspects: (i) network instabilities as well as an efficient Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coating which clearly enhances AgNW network stability and (ii) modelling to better understand the physical properties of these networks

Solar cells utilizing small molecular weight organic semiconductors

Abstract: In this review, we focus on the field of organic photovoltaic cells based on small molecular weight materials. In particular, we discuss the physical processes that lead to photocurrent generation in organic solar cells, as well as the various architectures employed to optimize device performance. These include the donor–acceptor heterojunction for efficient exciton dissociation, the exciton blocking layer, the mixed or bulk heterojunction, and the stacked or tandem cell. We show how the choice of materials with known energy levels and absorption spectra affect device performance, particularly the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density. We also discuss the typical materials and growth techniques used to fabricate devices, as well as the issue of device stability, all of which are critical for the commercialization of low-cost and high-performance organic solar cells. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Metallic Nanowire-Based Transparent Electrodes for Next Generation Flexible Devices: a Review

Abstract: Transparent electrodes attract intense attention in many technological fields, including optoelectronic devices, transparent film heaters and electromagnetic applications. New generation transparent electrodes are expected to have three main physical properties: high electrical conductivity, high transparency and mechanical flexibility. The most efficient and widely used transparent conducting material is currently indium tin oxide (ITO). However the scarcity of indium associated with ITO's lack of flexibility and the relatively high manufacturing costs have a prompted search into alternative materials. With their outstanding physical properties, metallic nanowire (MNW)-based percolating networks appear to be one of the most promising alternatives to ITO. They also have several other advantages, such as solution-based processing, and are compatible with large area deposition techniques. Estimations of cost of the technology are lower, in particular thanks to the small quantities of nanomaterials needed to reach industrial performance criteria. The present review investigates recent progress on the main applications reported for MNW networks of any sort (silver, copper, gold, core-shell nanowires) and points out some of the most impressive outcomes. Insights into processing MNW into high-performance transparent conducting thin films are also discussed according to each specific application. Finally, strategies for improving both their stability and integration into real devices are presented.

The 2019 materials by design roadmap

Abstract: Advances in renewable and sustainable energy technologies critically depend on our ability to design and realize materials with optimal properties. Materials discovery and design efforts ideally involve close coupling between materials prediction, synthesis and characterization. The increased use of computational tools, the generation of materials databases, and advances in experimental methods have substantially accelerated these activities. It is therefore an opportune time to consider future prospects for materials by design approaches. The purpose of this Roadmap is to present an overview of the current state of computational materials prediction, synthesis and characterization approaches, materials design needs for various technologies, and future challenges and opportunities that must be addressed. The various perspectives cover topics on computational techniques, validation, materials databases, materials informatics, high-throughput combinatorial methods, advanced characterization approaches, and materials design issues in thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, solid state lighting, catalysts, batteries, metal alloys, complex oxides and transparent conducting materials. It is our hope that this Roadmap will guide researchers and funding agencies in identifying new prospects for materials design.