Zinc-indium-oxide sol-gel thin film: surface patterning, morphology and photocatalytic activity
TL;DR: In this paper, the fabrication of surface patterned zinc indium oxide thin films by pressure assisted capillary force lithography from the precursor solutions of varying indium content 55 maximum was reported.
Abstract: We report the fabrication of surface patterned zinc indium oxide thin films by pressure assisted capillary force lithography from the precursor solutions of varying indium content 55 maximum. The presence of various morphologies spherical, hexagonal plate, cotton ball, flower and islandlike of hexagonal ZnO together with the formation of light surface patterns was observed from electron microscopes field emission scanning electron microscope, TEM for the films deposited from the precursors of 45 indium. However, at 55 indium ZI55, the development of high fidelity surface patterns average periodicity 15m peak height 15nm was observed from atomic force microscopy (AFM) study. A gradual increase in photocatalytic activity PA of the films towards decomposition of rhodamine 6G dye under UV 254nm was found on increasing indium content. Moreover, an improvement of the PA over 13 times was noticed by nanoAu coating on ZI55. This fabrication strategy could be used for PA improvement of metal oxide semicond...
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TL;DR: In this article, the influence of the graphene-based counter electrode on the structure, optical properties and electrocatalytic activity of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCC) was analyzed.
Abstract: The influence of the graphene-based counter electrode on the structure, optical properties and electrocatalytic activity of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSCC) was analysed. The graphene and reduced graphene oxide were deposited by CVD and spin-coating method on the FTO glass substrate, respectively. HRTEM investigation confirms the crystallographic structure of graphene. The investigated layers show flat transmittance spectra across the visible and near-infrared region. The charge transfer resistance of the graphene-based film was analysed by electrochemical impedance measurement. The obtained results show the possibility of replacing expensive platinum in DSCC by using graphene-based counter electrode.
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01 Jan 2009
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18 Nov 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the synthesis strategies of indium oxide based bulk nanomaterials with variable morphologies starting from spherical nanoparticles to nano-rods, nano-wires, nanoneedles, nanopencils, nanopushpins etc.
Abstract: Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) in the form of thin film or bulk attract significant interest of materials researchers in both basic and applied sciences. Among these important MOSs, indium oxide (IO) is a valuable one due to its novel properties and wide range of applications in diversified fields. IO based nanostructured thin films possess excellent visible transparency, metal-like electrical conductivity and infrared reflectance properties. This chapter mainly highlights the synthesis strategies of IO based bulk nanomaterials with variable morphologies starting from spherical nanoparticles to nano-rods, nano-wires, nano-needles, nanopencils, nanopushpins etc. In addition, thin film deposition and periodic 1-dimensional (1D)/2-dimensional (2D) surface texturing techniques of IO based nanostructured thin films vis-à-vis their functional properties and applications have been discussed. The chapter covers a state-of-the-art survey on the fabrication strategies and recent advancement in the properties of IO based nanomaterials with their different areas of applications. Finally, the challenges and future prospect of IO based nanomaterials have been discussed briefly.
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TL;DR: The current state of research on nanoscale-enhanced photoelectrodes and photocatalysts for the water splitting reaction with special emphasis of Fe(2)O(3) with an outlook on the challenges in solar fuel generation with nanoscales inorganic materials is reviewed.
Abstract: The increasing human need for clean and renewable energy has stimulated research in artificial photosynthesis, and in particular water photoelectrolysis as a pathway to hydrogen fuel. Nanostructured devices are widely regarded as an opportunity to improve efficiency and lower costs, but as a detailed analysis shows, they also have considerably disadvantages. This article reviews the current state of research on nanoscale-enhanced photoelectrodes and photocatalysts for the water splitting reaction. The focus is on transition metal oxides with special emphasis of Fe2O3, but nitrides and chalcogenides, and main group element compounds, including carbon nitride and silicon, are also covered. The effects of nanostructuring on carrier generation and collection, multiple exciton generation, and quantum confinement are also discussed, as well as implications of particle size on surface recombination, on the size of space charge layers and on the possibility of controlling nanostructure energetics via potential determining ions. After a summary of electrocatalytic and plasmonic nanostructures, the review concludes with an outlook on the challenges in solar fuel generation with nanoscale inorganic materials.
1,779 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a dye-sensitized solar cell with six different structures, with layers of nanoparticles, light-scattering particles, and mixture of nanoparticle and light scattering particles on the conducting glass at a desirable sequence and thickness, were designed and investigated.
1,044 citations
TL;DR: Porous silica, niobia, and titania with three-dimensional structures patterned over multiple length scales were prepared by combining micromolding, polystyrene sphere templating, and cooperative assembly of inorganic sol-gel species with amphiphilic triblock copolymers.
Abstract: Porous silica, niobia, and titania with three-dimensional structures patterned over multiple length scales were prepared by combining micromolding, polystyrene sphere templating, and cooperative assembly of inorganic sol-gel species with amphiphilic triblock copolymers. The resulting materials show hierarchical ordering over several discrete and tunable length scales ranging from 10 nanometers to several micrometers. The respective ordered structures can be independently modified by choosing different mold patterns, latex spheres, and block copolymers. The examples presented demonstrate the compositional and structural diversities that are possible with this simple approach.
934 citations
TL;DR: Because of their homogeneous composition and controlled morphology, the Au-ZnO hybrid nanopyramids demonstrate better photocatalytic efficiency than pure ZnO nanocrystals.
Abstract: We successfully synthesized Au−ZnO hybrid nanoparticles with a novel hexagonal pyramid-like structure. The growth process of the as-prepared hybrid nanopyramids is clearly discussed. Because of the...
584 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, zinc oxide (ZnO) has been explored as an alternative material in dye-sensitized solar cells with great potential, and the main reasons for this increase in research surrounding ZnO material include: 1) zinc oxide having a band gap similar to that for TiO2 at 3.2 eV, and 2) Znoxide having a much higher electron mobility ~ 115-155 cm2/Vs.
Abstract: The interest in dye-sensitized solar cells has increased due to reduced energy sources and higher energy production costs. For the most part, titania (TiO2) has been the material of choice for dye-sensitized solar cells and so far have shown to exhibit the highest overall light conversion efficiency ~ 11%.[1] However, zinc oxide (ZnO) has recently been explored as an alternative material in dye-sensitized solar cells with great potential.[2] The main reasons for this increase in research surrounding ZnO material include: 1) ZnO having a band gap similar to that for TiO2 at 3.2 eV,[3] and 2) ZnO having a much higher electron mobility ~ 115-155 cm2/Vs[4] than that for anatase titania (TiO2), which is reported to be ~ 10-5 cm2/Vs.[5] In addition, ZnO has a few advantages as the semiconductor electrode when compared to TiO2, including 1) simpler tailoring of the nanostructure as compared to TiO2, and 2) easier modification of the surface structure. These advantages[6] are thought to provide a promising means for improving the solar cell performance of the working electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells.
516 citations