Photovoltaic properties of Cu_2O-based heterojunction solar cells using n-type oxide semiconductor nano thin films prepared by low damage magnetron sputtering method

We improved the photovoltaic properties of Cu_2O-based heterojunction solar cells using n-type oxide semiconductor thin films prepared by a sputtering apparatus with our newly developed multi-chamber system. We also obtained the highest efficiency(3.21%) in an AZO/p-Cu_2O heterojunction solar cell prepared with optimized pre-sputtering conditions using our newly developed multi-chamber sputtering system. This value achieves the same or higher characteristics than AZO/Cu_2O solar cells with a similar structure prepared by the pulse laser deposition method.

Enhancing superconductivity of ultrathin YBa2Cu3O7-δ films by capping non-superconducting oxides

In this study, we have explored the ways to fabricate and optimize high-quality ultrathin YBa2 Cu3 O7-δ(YBCO) films grown on single-crystal(001) SrTiO3 substrates. Nearly atomic-flat YBCO films are obtained by pulsed laser deposition.Our result shows that the termination of SrTiO3 has only a negligible effect on the properties of YBCO. In contrast, we found that capping a non-superconducting oxide layer can generally enhance the superconductivity of YBCO. PrBa2 Cu3 O7,La2 CuO4, LaMnO3, SrTiO3, and LaAlO3 have been examined as capping layers, and the minimum thickness of superconducting YBCO with capping is ~ 2 unit cells–3 unit cells. This result might be useful in constructing good-performance YBCO-based field effect devices.

pn型Cu_2O/CdS纳米线的制备及性能

采用电沉积法,在AAO模板中成功制备出pn型Cu_2O/CdS纳米线阵列。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和X射线衍射分析(XRD)对样品的形貌和结构进行表征,利用光照开路电位测试和光吸收光谱测试对Cu_2O/CdS纳米线的性能进行了研究。纳米线的直径约100 nm,与AAO模板孔径相同,XRD结果表明Cu_2O/CdS纳米线由立方晶系的Cu_2O和立方晶系与六方晶系混合晶系的CdS组成。Cu_2O/CdS纳米线的光响应性能增强。在Xe灯照射下Cu_2O/CdS纳米线表现出良好的光催化性能,光照7 h后,Cu_2O/CdS纳米线对罗丹明B的降解效率达到66.02%。

Strongly enhanced flux pinning in the YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-X) films with the co-doping of Ba TiO_3 nanorod and Y_2O_3 nanoparticles at 65 K

YBa2Cu3O7-x（YBCO） films with co-doping BaTiO3（BTO） and Y2O3 nanostructures were prepared by metal organic deposition using trifluoroacetates（TFA-MOD）. The properties of the BTO/Y2O3co-doped YBCO films with different excess yttrium have been systematically studied by x-ray diffraction（XRD）, Raman spectra, and scanning electron microscope（SEM）. The optimized content of yttrium excess in the BTO/Y2O3co-doped YBCO films is 10 mol.%, and the critical current density is as high as - 17 mA/cm^2（self-field, 65 K） by the magnetic signal. In addition, the Y2Cu2O5 was formed when the content of yttrium excess increases to 24 mol.%, which may result in the deterioration of the superconducting properties and the microstructure. The unique combination of the different types of nanostructures of BTO and Y2O3 in the doped YBCO films, compared with the pure YBCO films and BTO doped YBCO films, enhances the critical current density（JC） not only at the self-magnetic field, but also in the applied magnetic field.

The Effect of Annealing Temperature and Reactive Gases on Optical Properties of Cu₂O Thin Films

The Cu2O thin films were synthesized by using RF sputtering technique. Comparisons were made with films created by deposition at room temperature followed by thermal annealing between 100°C and 400°C and using different gases, oxygen (O2) (oxidizing and reactive gas) and nitrogen (N2) (inert gas), besides air. The thickness of the thin films was kept constant, around 2000 Å (Angstrom). In addition, the RF power and pressure deposition were kept constant, as well. The thin films were evaluated for a range of wavelengths between 200 nm and 400 nm (Ultra Violet spectrum), 400 nm and 700 nm (Visible spectrum), 700 nm and 800 nm (Infrared spectrum) for both, optical transmittance and photoluminescence. From the experimental results, the higher annealing temperature and the introduction of nitrogen (N2) gas produced the following results: the optical bandgap for the Cu2O was found to be 2.23 eV and photoluminescence peaks were around 551 nm and 555 nm, which matched the theoretical analyses. Overall, there was a decrease in the optical bandgap of the Cu2O from 2.56 eV at room temperature to 2.23 eV for the film annealed in nitrogen gas at 400°C. This indicates that the Cu2O is a potential candidate in solar cell applications.

High Jc Epitaxial Superconducting YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-x) Thin Films

Excellent epitaxial growth of supercon-ducting YBaCuOthin films have beenrealized on(100)SrTiOand(100)ZrOsubstrates by a planar rf or DC-magnetronsputtering apparatus with UHV system.Thequality of growth and the epitaxial orientationof the film strongly depended on substratetemperature,the substrate orientation and ox-ygen partial pressure.The films exhibitedsuperconducting onset at 92K and zero resist-ance at 90K with critical current density of

Interfacial Electronic Structure of Thin Cu Films Grown on Ar^+-ion Sputter-cleaned α-Al_2O_3 Substrates

The bonding and electronic structure of Cu/(0001)Al2O3 and Cu/(1120)Al2O3 interfaces has been studied experimentally using spatially-resolved transmission electron energy loss spectroscopy. The specimen were prepared by depositing Cu on single-crystal α-AI2O3 substrates, which have been Ar+-ion sputter-cleaned prior to the growth of Cu. For both orientations of the α-Al2O3 substrate, atomically abrupt interfaces formed as determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The investigations of the interfacial Cu-L2,3, Al-L2,3 and 0-K energy loss near-edge structures, which are proportional to the site- and angular-momentum-projected unoccupied density of states above the Fermi level, indicate the existence of metallic Cu-AI bonds at the Cu/AI2O3 interface independent of the substrate orientation.

A Modified Lattice Model of the Reversible Effect of Axial Strain on the Critical Current of Polycrystalline REBa2Cu3O7-δ Films

The strain effect on the critical current is one of the most important properties for polycrystalline YBa2 Cu3O7-δ （REBCO, RE： rare earth） films, in which the reversible effect is intrinsic in the range of strain 0 and the irreversible strain εirr. By introducing the applied strain, a modified grain boundaries （GBs） in the REBCO film is developed. lattice model combining the strain and misorientation of A good agreement of the calculation on the lattice model with the experimental data shows that the lattice model is able to well describe the reversible effect of axial strain on the critical current of the REBCO film, and provides a good understanding of the mechanism of the reversible effect of the strain. Moreover, the effects of the crystallographic texture of the REBCO film and the residual strain εr on the variation of the critical current with the applied strain are extensively investigated. Furthermore by using the developed lattice model, the irreversible strain εirr of the REBCO film can be theoretically determined by comparing the calculation of the critical current-strain curve with the experimental data.

Room-temperature ferromagnetism induced by Cu vacancies in Cu_x(Cu_2O)_(1-x) granular films

Cux（Cu2O）1-x（0.09 x 1.00） granular films with thickness about 280 nm have been fabricated by direct current reactive magnetron sputtering. The atomic ratio x can be controlled by the oxygen flow rate during Cux（Cu2O）1-x deposition. Room-temperature ferromagnetism（FM） is found in all of the samples. The saturated magnetization increases at first and then decreases with the decrease of x. The photoluminescence spectra show that the magnetization is closely correlated with the Cu vacancies in the Cux（Cu2O）1-x granular films. Fundamentally, the FM could be understood by the Stoner model based on the charge transfer mechanism. These results may provide solid evidence and physical insights on the origin of FM in the Cu2O-based oxides diluted magnetic semiconductors, especially for systems without intentional magnetic atom doping.

A Comparison of Optical Properties of CuO and Cu₂O Thin Films for Solar Cell Applications

Solar energy is becoming more popular and widespread, and consequently, the materials to manufacture solar cells are becoming more limited and costly. Therefore, in order to keep solar energy affordable and available, we must research alternative materials such as copper oxides. Some benefits of copper oxides include being available in abundance, affordable, low toxicity, low bandgap, and a high absorption coefficient—all of which contribute to it being a valuable interest for the manufacturing of solar cells. In this study, CuO thin films were synthesized utilizing RF sputtering technique with deposition occurring at room temperature followed by thermal annealing between 100°C and 400°C and using different gases, oxygen (O2) (oxidizing and reactive gas) and nitrogen (N2) (inert gas), besides air. Afterwards, these thin films were evaluated for a range of wavelengths: 200 - 400 nm (UV spectrum), 400 - 700 nm (Visible spectrum), and 700 - 800 nm (IR spectrum), for both, optical transmittance and photoluminescence. In addition, the CuO results were compared to our Cu2O results from a previous study to assess their differences. In the results of this study, the CuO thin film initially had a bandgap of 2.19 eV at room temperature, and by increasing the annealing temperature to different levels, the bandgap decreased respectively. The presence of air in the chamber allowed for the highest decrease, followed by the nitrogen (N2) and the lowest decrease was observed in the presence of oxygen (O2). This was reflected in the decrease in the bandgap values from 2.19 eV (room temperature) to 2.05 eV for the films annealed at 400°C.

Cu^(2+)在晶体K_2Cd(SO_4)_2·6H_2O中的电子顺磁共振参量及局部结构的理论研究

在晶体场理论的基础上,由重叠模型建立了杂质中心结构参数与电子顺磁共振(EPR)参量之间的定量关系;利用3d9离子正交(D2h)伸长八面体对称EPR参量的高阶微扰公式计算了K2Cd(SO4)2·6H2O∶Cu2+的g因子gi(i=x,y,z)和超精细结构常数Ai。研究表明,K2Cd(SO4)2·6H2O晶体中络离子[Cu(H2O)6]2+的Cu2+-H2O键长分别为Rx≈0.181 nm,Ry≈0.199 nm,Rz≈0.232 nm,局域结构为沿C4轴方向呈正交伸长八面体(D2h)结构。所得EPR参量理论计算与实验符合较好,并对上述结果进行了讨论。

Temperature Effects on Gas Sensing Properties of Electrodeposited Chlorine Doped and Undoped n-Type Cuprous Oxide Thin Films

As one of the most widely used domestic fuels, the detection of possible leakages of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas from production plants, from cylinders during their storage, transport and usage is of utmost importance. This article discusses a study of the response of undoped and chlorine doped electrodeposited n-type Cuprous Oxide (Cu2O) films to of LP gas. Undoped n-type Cu2O films were fabricated in an electrolyte bath containing a solution of sodium acetate and cupric acetate whereas n-type chlorine doped Cu2O thin films were prepared by adding a 0.02 M cuprous chloride (CuCl2) into an electrolyte solution containing lactic acid, cupric sulfate and sodium hydroxide. The n-type conductivity of the deposited films was determined using spectral response measurements. The structural and morphological properties of the fabricated films were monitored using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Due to doping, the overall conductivity of the chlorine doped n-type Cu2O films increased by several orders of magnitude. The temperature dependent gas responses of both the undoped and chlorine doped n-type Cu2O thin films to the LP gas was monitored by measuring the electrical resistance (R), and using the contact probe method at a constant gas flow rate of 0.005 ml/s. Upon exposure to gases, both doped and undoped films showed a good response to the gas by increasing/decreasing the electrical resistance by ΔR. The undoped n-type Cu2O thin films showed a negative response (ΔR 2O thin films initially showed a positive response (ΔR > 0) to the LP gas which then reversed its sign to give a negative response which peaked at 52°C. The positive response shown by the chlorine doped Cu2O films vanished completely at 42°C.

Fluorescence spectra of colloidal self-assembled CdSe nano-wire on substrate of porous Al2O3/Au nanoparticles

We present a self-assembly method to prepare array nano-wires of colloidal CdSe quantum dots on a substrate of porous Al2 O3 film modified by gold nanoparticles. The photoluminescence(PL) spectra of nanowires are in situ measured by using a scanning near-field optical microscopy(SNOM) probe tip with 100-nm aperture on the scanning near-field optical microscope. The results show that the binding sites from the edge of porous Al2 O3 nanopores are combined with the carboxyl of CdSe quantum dots’ surface to form an array of CdSe nanowires in the process of losing background solvent because of the gold nanoparticles filling the nano-holes of porous Al2 O3 film. Compared with the area of nonself-assembled nano-wire, the fluorescence on the Al2 O3/Au/CdSe interface is significantly enhanced in the self-assembly nano-wire regions due to the electron transfer conductor effect of the gold nanoparticles’ surface. In addition, its full width at half maximum(FWHM) is also obviously widened. The method of enhancing fluorescence and energy transfer can widely be applied to photodetector, photocatalysis, optical display, optical sensing, and biomedical imaging, and so on.

Effects of thickness on superconducting properties and structures of Y_2O_3/BZO-doped MOD-YBCO films

We report the thickness dependence of critical current density （Jc） in YBa2Cu3O7-x （YBCO） films with BaZrO3 （BZO） and Y2O3 additions grown on single crystal LaAlO3 substrates by metalorganic deposition using trifluoroacetates （TFA-MOD）. Comparing with pttre YBCO films, the Jc of BZO/Y2O3-doped YBCO films was significantly enhanced. It was also found that with the increase of the thickness of YBCO film from 0.25 μm to 1.5 μm, the Ic of BZO/Y2O3-doped YBCO film increased from 130 A/cm to 250 A/cm and yet Jc of YBCO film decreased from 6.5 MA/cm2 to 2.5 M A/cm2. The thick BZO/Y2O3-doped MOD-YBCO film showed lower Jc, which is mainly attributed to the formation of a-axis grains and pores.

Magnetic Properties of NiCuZn Ferrite Thin Films Prepared by the Sol-gel Method

Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4Fe2O4 thin films were fabricated on Si substrates by using the sol-gel method and rapid thermal annealing （RTA）, and their magnetic properties and crystalline structures were investigated. The samples calcined at and above 600 ℃ have a single-phase spinel structure and the average grain size of the sample calcined at 600 ℃ is about 20 nm. The initial permeability μi, saturation magnetization M and coercivity H of the samples increase with the increasing calcination temperature. The sample calcined at 600 ℃ exhibits an excellent soft magnetic performance, which has μi=33.97 （10 MHz）, Hc=15.62 Oe and Ms=228.877 emu/cm^3. Low-temperature annealing can enhance the magnetic properties of the samples. The work shows that using the sol-gel method in conjunction with RTA is a promising way to fabricate integrated thin-film devices.

ION BEAM STUDY ON EPITAXIAL GROWTH FEATURES OF YBaCuO FILMS

The epitaxial growth features of YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) films on (100) SrTiO3 substrates have been studied by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and axial channeling technique. A typical minimum yield value, Xmin, of Ba yielded in channeling spectrum is 4.6 % for the film of 166 nm. Only (00L) peaks appeared in X ray diffraction patterns of the films. The results indicate that the YBCO films have good epitaxial growth quality with c- axis orientation perpendicular to the substrate surface. Simulation of RB process in films and substrates have also been performed using RUMP program, and analysis shows that compositions of the films are uniform with near (123) stoichiometry. The higher interface yields in the aligned spectrum reveal that there are extra defects in the interface layer owing to lattice mismatch and interface interaction.

用熔融织构靶制备的YBa_2Cu_3O_(7-δ)超导薄膜的微观组织结构

用脉冲激光蒸发熔融织构靶材在SrTiO3(001)单晶基片上制备了YBa2Cu3O7-δ超导薄膜。用X-射线衍射仪、透射电镜和原子力显微镜分别对薄膜的微观结构和表面形貌进行了分析。结果表明,薄膜呈c轴取向,薄膜中产生了一定数量的颗粒状Y2O3杂相,且具有择优取向,而靶材中所含的Y2BaCuO8相却没有在薄膜中形成,沉积温度升高,有利于犤001犦取向的Y2O3的形成,但不利于犤111犦取向Y2O3的形成,与传统的粉末烧结靶相比,用熔融织构靶制备YBa2Cu3O7-δ薄膜可以明显抑制薄膜表面颗粒的形成。

CdS/Cu_2O太阳能电池的制备及膜厚对光电性能的影响

采用水浴法和电沉积法制备CdS/Cu2O复合膜,组装成异质结薄膜太阳能电池。通过改变薄膜的厚度,测试了不同厚度的窗口层和吸收层对太阳能电池性能的影响。实验表明,在400 nm厚的CdS薄膜上沉积30次Cu2O薄膜,所获得的复合膜具有最大的填充因子FF(为0.42)和光电转换效率η(0.05%)。并通过实验发现,适当减少CdS窗口层的厚度,可以提高光的透射率,产生更多的光生载流子,提高了光电转换效率。适当增加Cu2O吸收层的厚度,可以提高光的吸收率,产生更多的光生载流子,提高了光电转换效率。

CdS纳米晶敏化ZnO/Cu_2O异质结太阳能电池的研究

为了研究CdS纳米晶对ZnO/Cu_2O异质结太阳能电池性能的影响,利用湿化学法在FTO玻璃基底上制备了高度规整的ZnO纳米棒阵列,并用CdS纳米晶对ZnO纳米棒阵列进行敏化;采用磁控溅射法在敏化后的ZnO纳米棒阵列表面沉积Cu_2O薄膜,组装成ZnO/Cu_2O异质结太阳能电池。分别用X射线衍射(XRD)仪、扫描电镜(SEM)、紫外可见分光(UV-vis)光度计和光电性能综合测试仪对物相、形貌、吸收光谱和光电性能进行了表征。研究结果表明:ZnO纳米棒为六方纤锌矿结构,其直径约80~100nm,长约2μm,棒间距约100~120nm;Cu_2O团簇颗粒直径约为100~300nm,形成致密膜层并紧密覆盖在ZnO纳米棒阵列表面上,构成ZnO/Cu_2O异质结结构;经CdS纳米晶敏化的ZnO/Cu_2O异质结在可见光范围内吸收强度明显增强,其中ZnO+9CdS+Cu_2O异质结性能最好,其对应的太阳能电池在模拟太阳光下,开路电压为0.524V,短路电流密度为7.18mA·cm^(-2),填充因子为41%,转化效率达1.57%。

High photocatalytic activity of Cu2O/TiO2/Pt composite films prepared by magnetron sputtering

Cu2O/TiOa/Pt three-layer films were deposited on glass substrates using magnetron sputtering method. The surface morphology and the optical properties of the composite film were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, ultraviolet- visible spectroscopy （UV-Vis） and photoluminescence spectroscopy （PL）. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange （MO） aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The results indicate that the Cu2O/TiO2/Pt composite films are made up of three layers which are Pt layer, anatase-TiO2 layer and Cu2O layer from bottom to top. The surface of the films is even and composed of regular-shaped spherical particles. The photocatalytic activity of the Cu2O/TiO2/Pt three-layer film is much higher than that of the Cu2O/TiO2 double-layer film. Such enhancement is ascribed to the presence of Pt layer, which further inhibits the photogenerated electron-hole recombination, prolongs the lifetime of the photogenerated carriers, increases the quantum efficiency and hence improves the photocatalytic activity of the film effectively.