Preparation of Se-based solar cell using spin-coating method in ambient condition

A new hybrid organic-inorganic structure of FTO/TiO2/Se/HTL/Au based selenium solar cell has been fabricated through a low-cost spin-coating process in air. In this process, selenium is completely dissolved in hydrazine, to fk）rm a homogeneous precursor solution. After spin-coating the precursor solution on the TiO2 substrates, following by sintering at 200 ℃ for 5rain, a uniform selenium film with crystalline grains is formed. The selenium based solar cell exhibits an efficiency of 1.23% under AM1.5 illumination （100 mW.cm-2）, short-circuit current density of 8 mA.cm 2, open-circuit voltage of 0.55 V, and fill factor of 0.37. Moreover, the device shows a stable ability with almost the same performance alter 60 days.

Structural, Optical and Luminescence Properties of ZnO Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Spin-Coating Method： Effect of Precursor Concentration

Transparent zinc oxide（ZnO） thin films are fabricated by a simple sol-gel spin-coating technique on glass substrates with different solution concentrations（0.3-1.2 M） using zinc acetate dehydrate [Zn（CH_3COO）_2·2H_2O] as precursor and isopropanol and monoethanolamine（MEA） as solvent and stabilizer, respectively. The molar ratio of zinc acetate dehydrate to MEA is 1.0. X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy are employed to investigate the effect of solution concentration on the structural and optical properties of the ZnO thin films. The obtained results of all thin films are discussed in detail and are compared with other experimental data.

Increasing Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Efficiency by ZnO Spin-Coating of the TiO₂Electrode: Effect of ZnO Amount

This paper is concerned with the improvement of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) efficiency upon ZnO-coating of the TiO2 electrode. Sol-gel ZnO of controlled amount by varying the number of sol drops during spin-coating is shown to increase the DSSC efficiency. The highest efficiency is obtained at a single sol drop with enhancement of 40%, while beyond this amount the efficiency falls down sharply to zero. Based on measured optical absorption spectra of the different dye-loaded electrodes, it is concluded that this amount of ZnO sol corresponds to the thinnest layer that can create the energy barrier to minimize the electron recombination rate without seriously affecting the dye adsorption efficiency of the TiO2 film.

ZnO Spin-Coating of TiO₂Photo-Electrodes to Enhance the Efficiency of Associated Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with ZnO spin-coated TiO2 photo-electrodes are compared to DSSC with a bare TiO2 photo-electrode. It is demonstrated that the deposited ZnO of controlled amount, by varying the precursor concentration in the coating sol, can indeed enhance the performance of the DSSC. The measured power conversion efficiency shows a maximum around the precursor concentration 0.1 M and falls down sharply to 0% beyond this point. The results are interpreted on the basis of two competing factors: At ZnO concentrations less than 0.1 M, the formation of an energy barrier increases the photocurrent by reducing the rate of interfacial back-recombination. At ZnO concentrations greater than 0.1 M, the screening of the TiO2 film by thicker ZnO layers decreases the photocurrent through the reduction of TiO2 dye-adsorption efficiency.

Recent Advances in Spin-coating Precursor Mediated Chemical Vapor Deposition of Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Two-dimensional(2D)transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs)have garnered widespread interest in the scientific community and industry for their exceptional physical and chemistry properties,and great potential for applications in diverse fields including(opto)electronics,electrocatalysis,and energy storage.Chemical vapor deposition(CVD)is one of the most compelling growth methods for the scalable growth of high-quality 2D TMDs.However,the conventional CVD process for synthesis of 2D TMDs still encounters significant challenges,primarily attributed to the high melting point of precursor powders,and achieving a uniform distribution of precursor atmosphere on the substrate to obtain controllable smaple domains is difficult.The spin-coating precursor mediated chemical vapor deposition(SCVD)strategy provides refinement over traditional methods by eliminating the use of solid precursors and ensuring a more clean and uniform distribution of the growth material on the substrate.Additionally,the SCVD process allows fine-tuning of material thickness and purity by manipulating solution composition,concentration,and the spin coating process.This Review presents a comprehensive summary of recent advances in controllable growth of 2D TMDs with a SCVD strategy.First,a series of various liquid precursors,additives,source supply methods,and substrate engineering strategies for preparing atomically thin TMDs by SCVD are introduced.Then,2D TMDs heterostructures and novel doped TMDs fabricated through the SCVD method are discussed.Finally,the current challenges and perspectives to synthesize 2D TMDs using SCVD are discussed.

Crystallization management of CsPbI_(2)Br perovskites by PbAc_(2)-incorporated twice spin-coating process for efficient and stable CsPbI_(2)Br perovskite solar cells

CsPbI_(2)Br perovskite solar cell has been extensively studied due to its exceptional thermal stability and relatively stable perovskite phase structure.However,the presence of bromine leads to a rapid crystallization rate of CsPbI_(2)Br films,resulting in small grain size and high defect density.Additionally,CsPbI_(2)Br demonstrates poor light absorption due to its wide bandgap.Therefore,it is crucial to control the crystallization rate and increase the film thickness to reduce defect density,enhance light absorption,and improve photovoltaic performance.In this study,we utilized a PbAc_(2)-incorporated twice spincoating(PTS) process to address these issues.Initially,PbAc_(2) was added to the CsPbI_(2)Br precursor solution to form a CsPbI_(2)Br film,which was then coated with the CsPbI_(2)Br precursor solution to produce the PTS film,Ac^(-)can delay the perovskite crystallization,leading to the formation of thicker and denser CsPbI_(2)Br films.Moreover,lone-pair electrons of the oxygen atom provided by Ac^(-)formed coordination bonds with under-coordinated Pb~(2+) ions to fill halogen ion vacancies,thereby reducing the defect density.Ultimately,the PTS CsPbI_(2)Br device achieved a peak power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 16.19% and maintained 96.7% of its initial PCE over 1500 h at room temperature under 25% relative humidity without any encapsulation.

Polymer solar cells based on a PEDOT:PSS layer spin-coated under the action of an electric field

In the process of fabrication of polymer photovoltaic （PV） devices, poly （3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene）： poly（styrenesulfonate） （PEDOT：PSS） thin film, acting as an anode buffer layer, is spin-coated under the action of an electric field. The PV devices with a PEDOT：PSS layer spin-coated under the action of a static electric field exhibit improved short-circuit current density （Jsc） and power conversion efficiency （PCE）. The investigation of morphology shows that the appropriate intensity of the electric field can increase the roughness of the surface of the PEDOT：PSS layer, which results in improved contact between the anode and hole transport layer and thus enhances the Jsc of the devices. Chemical analysis is also provided by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） spectra.

Low-Atomic-Number Nanometric Film Production Method for keV Electron Scattering Measurements

Attenuating mediums, targets and barriers made of submicronic layers with low average atomic number （low Z） and minimal electronic density that reduces the elastic scattering and absorption of radiation are required for many applications. This work describes the development and characterization of submicronic Lexan （Polycarbonate） polymer foils with low Z for two new electron inelastic mean free path assessment methods. Lexan layers with thicknesses of 120 nm to 240 nm were developed and fabricated using spin coating. The submicronic layers were characterized by AFM and CSI for thickness, roughness and levelness. Roughness was found to be 1.0-2.4 nrn rms, and the change in total thickness was within ＋ 7.5%. The results of total current measurements using 177 nm Lexan foil irradiated under an SEM electron beam were compared to those for a similar polymer foil. The first step of a wide spectrum method experiment was performed at the ESRF using Lexan submicronic layers on a silicon substrate. The signal peak and the multiple inelastic scattering peak of the Lexan spectrum was similar to those previously measured on carbon films. This study supported the suitability of the developed Lexan films for electron scattering measurements.

Highly efficient solution-processed CZTSSe solar cells based on a convenient sodium-incorporated post-treatment method

In CZTSSe solar cells,a simple sodium-incorporation post-treatment method toward solution-processed Cu2Zn Sn S4precursor films is presented in this work.An ultrathin NaCl film is deposited on Cu2Zn Sn S4precursor films by spin-coating NaCl solution.In subsequent selenization process,the introduction of Na Cl is found to be benefacial for the formation of Cu2-xSe,which can further facilitate the element transportation,leading to dense and smooth CZTSSe films with large grains and less impurity Cu2Sn(S,Se)3phase.SIMS depth profiles confirm the gradient distribution of the sodium element in Na-doped absorbers.Photoluminescence spectra show that the introduction of appropriate sodium into the absorber can inhibit the band tail states.As high as 11.18% of power conversion efficiency(PCE)is achieved for the device treated with 5 mg mL^-1 NaCl solution,and an average efficiency of Na-doped devices is 10.71%,13%higher than that of the control groups(9.45%).Besides,the depletion width and the charge recombination lifetime can also have regular variation with sodium treatment.This work offers an easy modification method for high-quality Na-doped CZTSSe films and high-performance devices,in the meantime,it can also help to further understand the effects of sodium in CZTSSe solar cells.

A novel method to prepare metal oxide electrode:Spin-coating with thermal decomposition

In this work,we propose a new spin-coating method coupling with high thermal decomposition,to prepare the tin-antimony（Sn-Sb） oxide electrode.The character of the spin-coating electrode was compared with the dip-coating electrode through X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,accelerated life test,cyclic voltammetry,and electrolytic degradability. The results showed that the spin-coating electrode had a better defined crystal form,a smoother and more compact surface than that of the dip-coating electrode.Service time of the spin-coating electrode was determined to be longer than 15 h,and it was less than 2 min for the dip-coating electrode.Electrochemical characterization analysis showed that the electrolytic degradability of the spin-coating electrode is better than that of the dip-coating electrode.

Effective Improvement of the Photovoltaic Performance of Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells by Additional Solvents

A solvent-assisted methodology has been developed to synthesize CH_3NH_3 PbI_3perovskite absorber layers.It involved the use of a mixed solvent of CH_3NH_3 I,PbI_2,c-butyrolactone,and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) followed by the addition of chlorobenzene(CB).The method produced ultra-flat and dense perovskite capping layers atop mesoporous TiO_2 films,enabling a remarkable improvement in the performance of free hole transport material(HTM) carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells(PSCs).Toluene(TO) was also studied as an additional solvent for comparison.At the annealing temperature of 100 °C,the fabricated HTM-free PSCs based on drop-casting CB demonstrated power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 9.73 %,which is 36 and 71 % higher than those fabricated from the perovskite films using TO or without adding an extra solvent,respectively.The interaction between the PbI_2–DMSO–CH_3NH_3I intermediate phase and the additional solvent was discussed.Furthermore,the influence of the annealing temperature on the absorber film formation,morphology,and crystalline structure was investigated and correlated with the photovoltaic performance.Highly efficient,simple,and stable HTM-free solar cells with a PCE of 11.44 % were prepared utilizing the optimum perovskite absorbers annealed at 120 °C.

Density-controllable nonvolatile memory devices having metal nanocrystals through chemical synthesis and assembled by spin-coating technique

A novel two-step method is employed, for the first time, to fabricatc nonvolatile memory devices that have metal nanoerystals. First, size-averaged Au nanocrystals are synthesized chemically; second, they are assembled into memory devices by a spin-coating technique at room temperature. This attractive approach makes it possible to tailor the diameter and control the density of nanocrystals individually. In addition, processes at room temperature prevent Au diffusion, which is a main concem for the application of metal nanocrystal-based memory. The experimental results, both the morphology characterization and the electrical measurements, reveal that there is an optimum density of nanocrystal monolayer to balance between long data retention and a large hysteresis memory window. At the same time, density-controllable devices could also feed the preferential emphasis on either memory window or retention time. All these facts confirm the advantages and novelty of our two-step method.

Effects of spin-coating speed on the morphology and photovoltaic performance of the diketopyrrolopyrrole-based terpolymer

Polymer solar cells(PSCs) were fabricated by combining a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based terpolymer(PTBT-HTID-DPP) as the electron donor, and [6,6]-phenyl C_(61) butyric acid methyl ester(PC_(61)BM) as the electron acceptor, and the power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 4.31% has been achieved under AM 1.5 G(100 m W cm^(-2)) illumination condition via optimizing the polymer/PC_(61)BM ratio, the variety of solvent and the spin-coating speed. The impact of the spin-coating speed on the photovoltaic performance of the PSCs has been investigated by revealing the effects of the spin-coating speed on the morphology and the absorption spectra of the polymer/PC_(61)BM blend films. When the thickness of the blend films are adjusted by spin-coating a fixed concentration with different spin-coating speeds, the blend film prepared at a lower spin-coating speed shows a stronger absorption per unit thickness, and the correspond device shows higher IPCE value in the longer-wavelength region. Under the conditions of similar thickness, the blend film prepared at a lower spin-coating speed forms a more uniform microphase separation and smaller domain size which leads to a higher absorption intensity per unit thickness of the blend film in long wavenumber band, a larger short-circuit current density(J_(sc)) and a higher power conversion efficiency(PCE) of the PSC device. Noteworthily, it was found that spin-coating speed is not only a way to control the thickness of active layer but also an influencing factor on morphology and photovoltaic performance for the diketopyrrolopyrrole-based terpolymer.

Surface and interface analysis of HAP/TiO2 composite films on Ti6Al4V

The composite films constituted of hydroxyapatite (HAP) submicron particles embedded in the gel composed of the titania nanoparticles were prepared on commercial Ti6Al4V plates with titania buffer layer obtained by a spin-coating technique. The films were annealed in air at 450 ℃, 550 ℃ and 650 ℃, respectively. The phase formation, surface morphology, andinterfacial microstructure of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission-scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis. The results show that the as-prepared films are all well-crystallized, dense,homogeneous, and there was a close interfacial bond between the film and the substrate. The results of adhesion test indicate that there is a good bonding strength between the film and the substrate. The bone-like apatite formation on the surface of the films after immersion in acellular simulatedbody fluid(SBF) validated their bioactivities.

Preparation and electrical properties of BaPbO_3 thin film

BaPbO3 thin films were deposited on Al2O3 substrates by sol-gel spin-coating and rapid thermal annealing. The microstructure and phase of BaPbO3 thin films were determined by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electrons microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The influence of annealing temperature and annealing time on sheet resistance of the thin films was investigated. The results show that heat treatment, including annealing temperature and time, causes notable change in molar ratio of Pb to Ba, resulting in the variations of sheet resistance. The variation of electrical properties demonstrates that the surface state of the film changes from two-dimensional behavior to three-dimensional behavior with the increase of film thickness. Crack-free BaPbO3 thin films with grain size of 90 nm can be obtained by a rapid thermal annealing at 700 ℃ for 10 min. And the BaPbO3 films with a thickness of 2.5 μm has a sheet resistance of 35 Ω·-1.

Preparation and Enhanced Daylight-Induced Photo-Catalytic Activity of Transparent C-Doped TiO_2 Thin Films

The transparent C-doped TiO2 nanostructure films were fabricated on the silicate glass substrates by sol-gel spin-coated method. The as-prepared films were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, UV-visible absorption spectra （UV-vis） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated via the photocatalytic oxidation of methylene blue in aqueous under daylight irradiation at room temperature. The results show that the daylight-induced photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared films are improved by the C-doping. The calcination temperatures significantly affect the morphology, microstructure and photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples. At 723 K, the C-doped TiO2 films exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity due to the synergetic effects of good crystallization, appropriate oxygen vacancies and strong absorption in the near UV and visible-light region.

Structure distortion, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films co-doped with Al and Sb by sol-gel spin coating

ZnO thin films co-doped with A1 and Sb with different concentrations and a fixed molar ratio of AlCl3 to SbCl3 at 1：2, are prepared by a sol-gel spin-coating method on glass annealed at 550 ℃ for 2 h in air. The x-ray diffraction results confirm that the ZnO thin films co-doped with Al distortion, and the biaxial stresses are 1.03× 10^8. 3.26× 10^8 and Sb are of wurtzite hexagonal ZnO with a very small 5.23 × 10^8, and 6.97× 10^8 Pa, corresponding to those of the ZnO thin films co-doped with Al and Sb in concentrations of 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 at% respectively. The optical properties reveal that the ZnO thin films co-doped with Al and Sb have obviously enhanced transmittance in the visible region. The electrical properties show that ZnO thin film co-doped with Al and Sb in a concentration of 1.5 at% has a lowest resistivity of 2.5 Ω·cm.

Spin coating of TPB film on acrylic substrate and measurement of its wavelength shifting efficiency

Scintillation light from a liquid noble gas during a neutrino or dark matter experiment lies typically within the vacuum ultraviolet region and might be strongly absorbed by surrounding materials such as light guides or photomultipliers.Tetraphenyl butadiene(TPB)is a fluorescent material,acts as a wavelength shifter,and can turn UV light into visible light at a peak wavelength of approximately 425 nm,enabling the light signals to be easily detected during physics studies.Compared with a traditional TPB coating method using vapor deposition,we propose an alternative technique applying a spin-coating procedure to facilitate the development of neutrino and dark matter detectors.This article introduces a method to fabricate a TPB film on an acrylic substrate by using a spincoating method,reports the measurements of the sample film thickness and roughness,demonstrates the reemission spectrum,and quantifies the wavelength shifting efficiency.

Optical property of an antireflection coating fabricated by an optimal spin-coating method with a pH-modified SiO2 nanoparticle solution

An antireflection （AR） coating is fabricated by applying an optimal spin-coating method and a pH-modified SiO2 nanoparticle solution on a cover glass. Because the pH value of the solution will affect the aggregation and dispersion of the SiO2 particles, the transmittance of the AR-treated cover glass will be enhanced under optimal fabricated conditions. The experimental results show that an AR coating fabricated by an SiO2 nano- particle solution of pH 11 enhances the transmittance approximately by 3% and 5% under normal and oblique incident conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the AR-treated cover glass exhibits hydrophobicity and shows a 65% enhancement at a contact angle to bare glass.

Disiloxane-Bridged Cyclopolymer as Polymer Dielectrics

We studied the dielectric properties of organosilicon-containing helical cyclopolymer PbMA which consists of PMMA main chains and tetramethyldisiloxane side rings. PbMA formed films with excellent uniformity through spin-coating onto highly n-doped silicon （n-Si） wafers for constructing devices of dielectric measurements, on which the dielectric properties and I-V characteristics of PbMA were studied. PbMA has a much lower dielectric constant （lower than 2.6） in the frequency range of 10-105 Hz, and better thermal stability than PMMA does. I-V data showed that the metal/PbMA/n-Si devices have different conducting directions, depending on whether Au or Al deposited over PbMA layers.