Pub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107757
Jiachun Wu, Huixia Li, Yanjuan Cui
The use of semiconductor photocatalytic technology for water splitting to produce H2 and degrade pollutants is a mild approach for clean energy conversion and environmental water purification. However, the rational design of photocatalysts with high carrier mobility remains a challenge. Herein, high-crystalline 3D core-shell hollow porous hexagonal tubular sulfur-doped carbon nitride (S-TCN) was synthesized through a simple and environmentally friendly supramolecular self-assembly strategy combined with a “salt-sealing” technique. This unique 3D structure facilitates the utilization of incident light, increases the active reaction sites, and improves interfacial mass transfer. The “salt-sealing” technique effectively enhances its crystallinity, while sulfur doping modification reduces the band gap and promotes separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. Depend on the synergistic effect of morphology modulation, elemental doping, and high crystallinity, S-TCN exhibits significantly enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency. It not only shows excellent performance for photocatalytic H2 production in pure water, but also rapidly degrades pollutants while maintaining H2 production activity in wastewater. The development of this dual-functional photocatalytic material holds important guiding significance for expanding the efficient application of polymer semiconductors.
{"title":"Dual-functional high-crystalline 3D core-shell hexagonal tubular sulfur-doped carbon nitride for enhanced photocatalytic H2 production and simultaneously pollutants degradation","authors":"Jiachun Wu, Huixia Li, Yanjuan Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107757","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of semiconductor photocatalytic technology for water splitting to produce H<sub>2</sub> and degrade pollutants is a mild approach for clean energy conversion and environmental water purification. However, the rational design of photocatalysts with high carrier mobility remains a challenge. Herein, high-crystalline 3D core-shell hollow porous hexagonal tubular sulfur-doped carbon nitride (S-TCN) was synthesized through a simple and environmentally friendly supramolecular self-assembly strategy combined with a “salt-sealing” technique. This unique 3D structure facilitates the utilization of incident light, increases the active reaction sites, and improves interfacial mass transfer. The “salt-sealing” technique effectively enhances its crystallinity, while sulfur doping modification reduces the band gap and promotes separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers. Depend on the synergistic effect of morphology modulation, elemental doping, and high crystallinity, S-TCN exhibits significantly enhanced photoelectric conversion efficiency. It not only shows excellent performance for photocatalytic H<sub>2</sub> production in pure water, but also rapidly degrades pollutants while maintaining H<sub>2</sub> production activity in wastewater. The development of this dual-functional photocatalytic material holds important guiding significance for expanding the efficient application of polymer semiconductors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107757"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Using the modified Bridgman method, a single-crystalline sample of iron selenide Fe3Se4 was grown and its magnetization and thermal expansion behavior was studied along different crystallographic directions. In a ferrimagnetically ordered state below TN = 345 K, the magnetization curves show that the magnetic moments do not lie strictly in the plane perpendicular to the c axis. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants, determined from the M(H) dependences along and across to the c axis, are K1 = −3.9⋅107 erg/cm3, K2 = 5.0⋅106 erg/cm3 at 4 K. Magnetic ordering in Fe3Se4 upon cooling below TN is accompanied by anisotropic deformations of the crystal lattice: expansion along the c axis and compression across the c axis. Spontaneous volume magnetostriction is positive and reaches a giant value of about 1.2⋅10−2 at 80 K. The pressure derivative of the Néel temperature is estimated using the Ehrenfest ratio as of dTN/dp ≈ − 2.1 K/kbar. The results obtained show that the properties of Fe3Se4 are strongly influenced by magnetoelastic interactions.
利用改进的布里奇曼方法,制备了硒化铁 Fe3Se4 的单晶样品,并沿不同的晶体学方向研究了其磁化和热膨胀行为。在 TN = 345 K 以下的铁磁有序态中,磁化曲线显示磁矩并不严格位于垂直于 c 轴的平面内。根据沿 c 轴和横 c 轴的 M(H) 相关性确定的磁晶各向异性常数在 4 K 时为 K1 = -3.9⋅107 erg/cm3,K2 = 5.0⋅106 erg/cm3。Fe3Se4 中的磁有序性在冷却到 TN 以下时伴随着晶格的各向异性变形:沿 c 轴膨胀和跨 c 轴压缩。自发体积磁致伸缩为正值,在 80 K 时达到约 1.2⋅10-2 的巨值。内耳温度的压力导数是利用艾伦费斯特比率估算的,即 dTN/dp ≈ - 2.1 K/kbar。所得结果表明,Fe3Se4 的特性受到磁弹性相互作用的强烈影响。
{"title":"Magnetocrystalline anisotropy and giant spontaneous magnetostriction in iron selenide Fe3Se4 studied on single crystals","authors":"V.A. Komarova , V.A. Kazantsev , S.N. Mozgovykh , A.S. Volegov , N.V. Selezneva , N.V. Baranov","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107756","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107756","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using the modified Bridgman method, a single-crystalline sample of iron selenide Fe<sub>3</sub>Se<sub>4</sub> was grown and its magnetization and thermal expansion behavior was studied along different crystallographic directions. In a ferrimagnetically ordered state below <em>T</em><sub>N</sub> = 345 K, the magnetization curves show that the magnetic moments do not lie strictly in the plane perpendicular to the <em>c</em> axis. The magnetocrystalline anisotropy constants, determined from the <em>M</em>(<em>H</em>) dependences along and across to the <em>c</em> axis, are <em>K</em><sub>1</sub> = −3.9⋅10<sup>7</sup> erg/cm<sup>3</sup>, <em>K</em><sub>2</sub> = 5.0⋅10<sup>6</sup> erg/cm<sup>3</sup> at 4 K. Magnetic ordering in Fe<sub>3</sub>Se<sub>4</sub> upon cooling below <em>T</em><sub>N</sub> is accompanied by anisotropic deformations of the crystal lattice: expansion along the <em>c</em> axis and compression across the <em>c</em> axis. Spontaneous volume magnetostriction is positive and reaches a giant value of about 1.2⋅10<sup>−2</sup> at 80 K. The pressure derivative of the Néel temperature is estimated using the Ehrenfest ratio as of d<em>T</em><sub>N</sub>/d<em>p</em> ≈ − 2.1 K/kbar. The results obtained show that the properties of Fe<sub>3</sub>Se<sub>4</sub> are strongly influenced by magnetoelastic interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107756"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-09DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107755
Kailong Zhang , William Hutcherson , Neal D. Evans , Thomas Elder , Charles M. Garner , Mi Li
The intrinsic fragility and inferior processibility of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) particles often restrict their functional application despite their high surface area and porous structure. We investigated the feasibility of sulfonated cellulose nanofibrils (SCNF) as a biopolymer template to hybridize MOFs. SCNF was synthesized through periodate oxidation followed by bisulfite sulfonation. The sulfonate groups increased electronegativity and enhanced the dispersibility of the cellulose fibers. More importantly, the negatively charged sulfonates could serve as anchors for metal ions to initiate the in situ growth of MOFs along the surface of cellulose fibers. We have achieved the synthesis of three types of SCNF/MOF hybrids, namely, SCNF/ZIF-8, SCNF/ZIF-67, and SCNF/HKUST-1. These hybrids can be formed as free-standing aerogels, exhibiting remarkably high surface areas and flexibility for applications. The assessment of the adsorptive efficiency of the SCNF/ZIF-8 hybrid indicates that the hybrid material exhibited a notably higher adsorption capacity for methylene blue versus the SCNF control. DFT calculation provides further insights into the underlying adsorption mechanisms, revealing that the sulfonates on the SCNF and the nitrogen atoms in the ZIF-8 ligands primarily contributed to the affinity for methylene blue. SCNF offers a versatile and robust biopolymer substrate for templating a wide array of MOFs with promising applications as adsorbents and beyond.
{"title":"In situ synthesis of metal-organic frameworks on sulfonated cellulose nanofibrils","authors":"Kailong Zhang , William Hutcherson , Neal D. Evans , Thomas Elder , Charles M. Garner , Mi Li","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107755","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107755","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The intrinsic fragility and inferior processibility of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) particles often restrict their functional application despite their high surface area and porous structure. We investigated the feasibility of sulfonated cellulose nanofibrils (SCNF) as a biopolymer template to hybridize MOFs. SCNF was synthesized through periodate oxidation followed by bisulfite sulfonation. The sulfonate groups increased electronegativity and enhanced the dispersibility of the cellulose fibers. More importantly, the negatively charged sulfonates could serve as anchors for metal ions to initiate the <em>in situ</em> growth of MOFs along the surface of cellulose fibers. We have achieved the synthesis of three types of SCNF/MOF hybrids, namely, SCNF/ZIF-8, SCNF/ZIF-67, and SCNF/HKUST-1. These hybrids can be formed as free-standing aerogels, exhibiting remarkably high surface areas and flexibility for applications. The assessment of the adsorptive efficiency of the SCNF/ZIF-8 hybrid indicates that the hybrid material exhibited a notably higher adsorption capacity for methylene blue versus the SCNF control. DFT calculation provides further insights into the underlying adsorption mechanisms, revealing that the sulfonates on the SCNF and the nitrogen atoms in the ZIF-8 ligands primarily contributed to the affinity for methylene blue. SCNF offers a versatile and robust biopolymer substrate for templating a wide array of MOFs with promising applications as adsorbents and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107755"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107754
Erhan İbrahimoğlu , Ahmet Demir , Fatih Çalışkan , Zafer Tatlı
The study focused on the effect of α-Si3N4 doping on the electrical/dielectric properties of ZnO thin films. Both α-Si3N4 doped and additive-free ZnO thin films were coated on p-Si substrates via a spray deposition method to achieve this. The electrical (current density (J)-voltage (V)) and dielectric properties (capacitance (C), conductance (G), dielectric loss (tanδ), reel/imaginary part of dielectric permittivity (ε′ and ε″) and electric modulus (M′ and M″)) were determined for all samples by using dielectric spectroscopy (DS) method. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis were performed to evaluate microstructure, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to define chemical composition and atomic-force microscopy (AFM) analysis was carried out to characterise the topology of the coating layers. The thickness/surface roughness was obtained as ∼82.5 nm/10.6 nm for undoped and ̴ 99.5 nm/10.4 nm for nitride-doped samples, respectively. The maximum capacitance value (C) was obtained as 275 pF at −3.0V and 200 Hz, and the optimal conductance (G) value was also found as 45 μS around 4.0V and 1 MHz in the nitride-doped sample. The average of α and τ values was calculated as 5.67 × 10−5 s, 0.146 and 4.49 × 10−5 s, 0.081 for nitride-doped and undoped ZnO, respectively. The increase in performance can be attributed to the homogeneous and almost equally-size distribution of the ZnO grain growth which is strongly controlled by α-Si3N4.
{"title":"The dielectric characteristics of spray deposited α-Si3N4:ZnO thin films: The nitride effect on frequency-dependent capacitance and conductance profiles","authors":"Erhan İbrahimoğlu , Ahmet Demir , Fatih Çalışkan , Zafer Tatlı","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107754","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107754","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The study focused on the effect of α-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> doping on the electrical/dielectric properties of ZnO thin films. Both α-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> doped and additive-free ZnO thin films were coated on p-Si substrates via a spray deposition method to achieve this. The electrical (current density (<em>J</em>)-voltage (<em>V</em>)) and dielectric properties (capacitance (<em>C</em>), conductance (<em>G</em>), dielectric loss (<em>tanδ</em>), reel/imaginary part of dielectric permittivity (<em>ε′</em> and <em>ε″</em>) and electric modulus (M′ and M″)) were determined for all samples by using dielectric spectroscopy (DS) method. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis were performed to evaluate microstructure, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to define chemical composition and atomic-force microscopy (AFM) analysis was carried out to characterise the topology of the coating layers. The thickness/surface roughness was obtained as ∼82.5 nm/10.6 nm for undoped and ̴ 99.5 nm/10.4 nm for nitride-doped samples, respectively. The maximum capacitance value <em>(C)</em> was obtained as 275 pF at −3.0V and 200 Hz, and the optimal conductance (<em>G</em>) value was also found as 45 μS around 4.0V and 1 MHz in the nitride-doped sample. The average of α and τ values was calculated as 5.67 × 10<sup>−5</sup> s, 0.146 and 4.49 × 10<sup>−5</sup> s, 0.081 for nitride-doped and undoped ZnO, respectively. The increase in performance can be attributed to the homogeneous and almost equally-size distribution of the ZnO grain growth which is strongly controlled by α-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4.</sub></div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107754"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107749
Svitlana Pukas, Kateryna Kravets, Pavlo Demchenko, Nataliya Semuso, Roman Gladyshevskii
Eight new R2CoAl4Si2 silicides (R = Y, Gd-Yb) were synthesized by arc melting, and their crystal structures were studied by X-ray powder diffraction. The compounds were found to adopt the same tetragonal structure type Tb2NiAl4Ge2 (Pearson symbol tI18, space group I4/mmm) and the cell parameters refined to: a = 4.09319 (6), c = 19.3431 (4) Å (R = Y), a = 4.1109 (3), c = 19.425 (2) Å (R = Gd), a = 4.09788 (8), c = 19.3616 (5) Å (R = Tb), a = 4.0850 (1), c = 19.2967 (8) Å (R = Dy), a = 4.07802 (2), c = 19.2575 (2) Å (R = Ho), a = 4.06871 (8), c = 19.2082 (5) Å (R = Er), a = 4.05836 (4), c = 19.1599 (4) Å (R = Tm), and a = 4.06627 (6), c = 4.06627 (6) Å (R = Yb). Isotypic compounds with R = Sm, Lu were not observed under the experimental conditions.
The structure type Tb2NiAl4Ge2 is a quaternary variant of the prototype Yb3S2F4 ≡ (NiGe2)Tb2Al4. The structure of the R2CoAl4Si2 compounds can be described as a packing of monocapped square antiprisms [SiAl4R5] and cubes [CoAl8]. It can also be considered as formed by two types of layer containing cubes, stacked along the crystallographic direction [001]. One kind of layer is built of cubes of composition Al8, with every second cube centered by a Co atom, while the other kind of layer consists of slightly deformed empty cubes of composition R4Si4.
通过电弧熔融法合成了八种新的 R2CoAl4Si2 硅化物(R = Y,Gd-Yb),并利用 X 射线粉末衍射法研究了它们的晶体结构。发现这些化合物采用相同的四方结构类型 Tb2NiAl4Ge2(皮尔逊符号 tI18,空间群 I4/mmm),晶胞参数细化为:a = 4.09319 (6),c = 19.3431 (4) Å (R = Y);a = 4.1109 (3),c = 19.425 (2) Å (R = Gd);a = 4.09788 (8),c = 19.3616 (5) Å (R = Tb),a = 4.0850 (1),c = 19.2967 (8) Å (R = Dy),a = 4.07802 (2),c = 19.2575 (2) Å (R = Ho),a = 4.06871 (8),c = 19.2082 (5) Å (R = Er),a = 4.05836 (4),c = 19.1599 (4) Å (R = Tm),以及 a = 4.06627 (6),c = 4.06627 (6) Å (R = Yb)。Tb2NiAl4Ge2 结构类型是 Yb3S2F4 ≡ (NiGe2)Tb2Al4 原型的四元变体。R2CoAl4Si2 化合物的结构可以描述为单帽方形反棱柱[SiAl4R5]和立方体[CoAl8]的堆积。也可以认为它是由两种含有立方体的层沿晶体学方向堆叠而成[001]。一种晶层由成分为 Al8 的立方体构成,每第二个立方体都以一个 Co 原子为中心,而另一种晶层则由成分为 R4Si4 的轻微变形空立方体构成。
{"title":"New quaternary R2CoAl4Si2 compounds","authors":"Svitlana Pukas, Kateryna Kravets, Pavlo Demchenko, Nataliya Semuso, Roman Gladyshevskii","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107749","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107749","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eight new <em>R</em><sub>2</sub>CoAl<sub>4</sub>Si<sub>2</sub> silicides (<em>R</em> = Y, Gd-Yb) were synthesized by arc melting, and their crystal structures were studied by X-ray powder diffraction. The compounds were found to adopt the same tetragonal structure type Tb<sub>2</sub>NiAl<sub>4</sub>Ge<sub>2</sub> (Pearson symbol <em>tI</em>18, space group <em>I</em>4/<em>mmm</em>) and the cell parameters refined to: <em>a</em> = 4.09319 (6), <em>c</em> = 19.3431 (4) Å (<em>R</em> = Y), <em>a</em> = 4.1109 (3), <em>c</em> = 19.425 (2) Å (<em>R</em> = Gd), <em>a</em> = 4.09788 (8), <em>c</em> = 19.3616 (5) Å (<em>R</em> = Tb), <em>a</em> = 4.0850 (1), <em>c</em> = 19.2967 (8) Å (<em>R</em> = Dy), <em>a</em> = 4.07802 (2), <em>c</em> = 19.2575 (2) Å (<em>R</em> = Ho), <em>a</em> = 4.06871 (8), <em>c</em> = 19.2082 (5) Å (<em>R</em> = Er), <em>a</em> = 4.05836 (4), <em>c</em> = 19.1599 (4) Å (<em>R</em> = Tm), and <em>a</em> = 4.06627 (6), <em>c</em> = 4.06627 (6) Å (<em>R</em> = Yb). Isotypic compounds with <em>R</em> = Sm, Lu were not observed under the experimental conditions.</div><div>The structure type Tb<sub>2</sub>NiAl<sub>4</sub>Ge<sub>2</sub> is a quaternary variant of the prototype Yb<sub>3</sub>S<sub>2</sub>F<sub>4</sub> ≡ (NiGe<sub>2</sub>)Tb<sub>2</sub>Al<sub>4</sub>. The structure of the <em>R</em><sub>2</sub>CoAl<sub>4</sub>Si<sub>2</sub> compounds can be described as a packing of monocapped square antiprisms [<u>Si</u>Al<sub>4</sub><em>R</em><sub>5</sub>] and cubes [<u>Co</u>Al<sub>8</sub>]. It can also be considered as formed by two types of layer containing cubes, stacked along the crystallographic direction [001]. One kind of layer is built of cubes of composition Al<sub>8</sub>, with every second cube centered by a Co atom, while the other kind of layer consists of slightly deformed empty cubes of composition <em>R</em><sub>4</sub>Si<sub>4</sub>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107749"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-06DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107739
Kalyan B. Chavan , Sachin V. Desarada , Shweta Chaure , Nandu B. Chaure
Thin films of CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) were deposited using radiofrequency sputtering (RF) at varying sputtering powers on soda lime glass coated with molybdenum (Mo). Direct current (DC) sputtering was used to deposit Mo thin films at various sputtering powers. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) was employed to anneal the thin films that had been deposited at temperatures of 300, 400, and 500 °C. X ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used to probe thin films structurally. The microstructural characteristics, such as crystallite size and microstrain, were calculated. These properties, particularly crystallite size and microstrain, are critical in future applications as an absorber layer in a thin film solar cell. A comprehensive comparative study has been carried out using Scherrer method, Williamson-Hall method, Halder-Wagner method, Size-Strain plot method, and Wagner-Aqua method. Crystallite size and microstrain obtained in this work shows strong dependence on preferential orientation of DC sputtered Mo base layer. Crystallite size, microstrain measured shows similar trends. Microstrain obtained exhibits systematic relationship with variation in deposition parameters of DC sputtered Mo thin films and RF sputtered CZTS thin films. This dependency of CZTS microstructural features on base layer Mo growth conditions can be used in the future to apply CZTS as a solar cell absorber layer.
{"title":"Study of substrate dependent microstructural properties of sputtered Mo/CZTS heterojunctions using X ray diffraction","authors":"Kalyan B. Chavan , Sachin V. Desarada , Shweta Chaure , Nandu B. Chaure","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107739","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107739","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thin films of CZTS (Cu<sub>2</sub>ZnSnS<sub>4</sub>) were deposited using radiofrequency sputtering (RF) at varying sputtering powers on soda lime glass coated with molybdenum (Mo). Direct current (DC) sputtering was used to deposit Mo thin films at various sputtering powers. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) was employed to anneal the thin films that had been deposited at temperatures of 300, 400, and 500 °C. X ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used to probe thin films structurally. The microstructural characteristics, such as crystallite size and microstrain, were calculated. These properties, particularly crystallite size and microstrain, are critical in future applications as an absorber layer in a thin film solar cell. A comprehensive comparative study has been carried out using Scherrer method, Williamson-Hall method, Halder-Wagner method, Size-Strain plot method, and Wagner-Aqua method. Crystallite size and microstrain obtained in this work shows strong dependence on preferential orientation of DC sputtered Mo base layer. Crystallite size, microstrain measured shows similar trends. Microstrain obtained exhibits systematic relationship with variation in deposition parameters of DC sputtered Mo thin films and RF sputtered CZTS thin films. This dependency of CZTS microstructural features on base layer Mo growth conditions can be used in the future to apply CZTS as a solar cell absorber layer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107739"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142593367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-05DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107733
Mourad Rougab, Ahmed Gueddouh
Based on first-principles calculations, this study explored the structural stability, elastic anisotropy, tensile strength, and the mechanical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of the newly synthesized MAX phases Nb2NiC and Nb2CoC. It has been found that these compounds are thermodynamically and mechanically stable, exhibit metallic conductivity, and possess ductile nature. The ultimate tensile strengths of Nb2NiC and Nb2CoC depend on their crystallographic directions, specifically [0001] and [112̄0]. In the [0001] direction, Nb2CoC has a tensile strength of about 36.63 GPa at a strain of 26%, compared to Nb2NiC, which has a tensile strength of 31.70 GPa at a strain of 24%. In the [112̄0] direction, Nb2CoC exhibits a tensile strength of around 23.29 GPa at a strain of 12%, while Nb2NiC has a tensile strength of approximately 18.51 GPa at an strain of 8%. Both Nb2CoC and Nb2NiC demonstrate significant elastic deformation before reaching their ultimate tensile strengths, indicating good ductility. It is noteworthy that Nb2NiC is less elastic than Nb2CoC in both the [0001] and [112̄0] directions, as the elastic constants of Nb2CoC are comparatively higher than those of Nb2NiC. Furthermore, the estimated thermal parameters show that these compounds exhibit a relatively low Debye temperature, a high melting point, low minimum thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient values that are similar to those of well-established thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials such as AlO, LaPO, and TiO. Consequently, the newly synthesized MAX phases Nb2NiC and Nb2CoC are promising candidates for TBC applications.
{"title":"A DFT exploration of the stabilities, physical properties, and tensile strength of new synthesized Nb2AC (A=Ni and Co) MAX phases","authors":"Mourad Rougab, Ahmed Gueddouh","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107733","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107733","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Based on first-principles calculations, this study explored the structural stability, elastic anisotropy, tensile strength, and the mechanical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of the newly synthesized MAX phases Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC and Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC. It has been found that these compounds are thermodynamically and mechanically stable, exhibit metallic conductivity, and possess ductile nature. The ultimate tensile strengths of Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC and Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC depend on their crystallographic directions, specifically [0001] and [112̄0]. In the [0001] direction, Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC has a tensile strength of about 36.63 GPa at a strain of 26%, compared to Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC, which has a tensile strength of 31.70 GPa at a strain of 24%. In the [112̄0] direction, Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC exhibits a tensile strength of around 23.29 GPa at a strain of 12%, while Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC has a tensile strength of approximately 18.51 GPa at an strain of 8%. Both Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC and Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC demonstrate significant elastic deformation before reaching their ultimate tensile strengths, indicating good ductility. It is noteworthy that Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC is less elastic than Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC in both the [0001] and [112̄0] directions, as the elastic constants of Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC are comparatively higher than those of Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC. Furthermore, the estimated thermal parameters show that these compounds exhibit a relatively low Debye temperature, a high melting point, low minimum thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient values that are similar to those of well-established thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials such as Al<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>O<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>3</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>, LaPO<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>4</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>, and TiO<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>. Consequently, the newly synthesized MAX phases Nb<sub>2</sub>NiC and Nb<sub>2</sub>CoC are promising candidates for TBC applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107733"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2 coatings doped with CeO2 particles for use in photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) were created by plasma electrolytic oxidation of zinc in a phosphate alkaline electrolyte (PAE) with CeO2 particle concentrations of up to 1.5 g/L. The CeO2 particle content in ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2 coatings was determined by the concentration of CeO2 particles in the PAE. Extensive research was conducted on coating morphology, chemical and phase compositions, and light-harvesting properties. The photocatalytic activity (PA) of ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 coatings was higher than ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2. The PA of ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 coatings strongly depends on the amount of CeO2 particles in PAE, and the highest PA was observed for ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 coating formed in PAE by adding 0.75 g/L of CeO2 particles. The higher PA of ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 compared to ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2 is due to a lower photogenerated electron/hole recombination. The photocatalytic degradation of MO followed a pseudo-first order kinetic model and the reaction constant of the most photoactive ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 coating was increased about twofold compared to the ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2 coating. After 6 h of irradiation, the PA for ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2 and the most photocatalytically active ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 was about 70 % and 98 %, respectively. A mechanism for the photodegradation of MO with the ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 photocatalyst was also proposed.
{"title":"ZnO/Zn3(PO4)2/CeO2 photocatalysts formed on zinc by plasma electrolytic oxidation","authors":"Stevan Stojadinović , Ziv Radisavljevic , Zoran Petrović , Nenad Radić","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> coatings doped with CeO<sub>2</sub> particles for use in photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) were created by plasma electrolytic oxidation of zinc in a phosphate alkaline electrolyte (PAE) with CeO<sub>2</sub> particle concentrations of up to 1.5 g/L. The CeO<sub>2</sub> particle content in ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> coatings was determined by the concentration of CeO<sub>2</sub> particles in the PAE. Extensive research was conducted on coating morphology, chemical and phase compositions, and light-harvesting properties. The photocatalytic activity (PA) of ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> coatings was higher than ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>. The PA of ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> coatings strongly depends on the amount of CeO<sub>2</sub> particles in PAE, and the highest PA was observed for ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> coating formed in PAE by adding 0.75 g/L of CeO<sub>2</sub> particles. The higher PA of ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> compared to ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> is due to a lower photogenerated electron/hole recombination. The photocatalytic degradation of MO followed a pseudo-first order kinetic model and the reaction constant of the most photoactive ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> coating was increased about twofold compared to the ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> coating. After 6 h of irradiation, the PA for ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> and the most photocatalytically active ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> was about 70 % and 98 %, respectively. A mechanism for the photodegradation of MO with the ZnO/Zn<sub>3</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>/CeO<sub>2</sub> photocatalyst was also proposed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107748"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142593368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-11-05DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107750
Danrui Ni , Xianghan Xu , Chen Yang , Robert J. Cava
Polycrystalline Sr2Cu3O4I2 powder was synthesized. Its crystal structure is based on Cu3O4 planes, which a previous structural study indicates consist of two kinds of copper. Its metastability on heating is uncovered. The magnetization and heat capacity of the material are characterized, and it undergoes several magnetic ordering transitions in an easily accessible temperature range. A band-gap-like absorption is observed in the IR region.
{"title":"Synthesis and characterization of Sr2Cu3O4I2","authors":"Danrui Ni , Xianghan Xu , Chen Yang , Robert J. Cava","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107750","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107750","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polycrystalline Sr<sub>2</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>I<sub>2</sub> powder was synthesized. Its crystal structure is based on Cu<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> planes, which a previous structural study indicates consist of two kinds of copper. Its metastability on heating is uncovered. The magnetization and heat capacity of the material are characterized, and it undergoes several magnetic ordering transitions in an easily accessible temperature range. A band-gap-like absorption is observed in the IR region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107750"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142662284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this study, a series of Nd2Sn2O7 pyrochlores with different lattice disorder degrees and oxygen vacancy contents were prepared via simple methods, including the sol–gel (SG) technique, glycine–nitrate combustion (GNC), coprecipitation (CP), and the hydrothermal (HT) method. Raman spectroscopy proved the most effective in identifying the lattice disorder degree and lattice defects of the pyrochlore-type composite oxides, followed by XRD, with FTIR spectroscopy as the least sensitive technique. For pure phase Nd2Sn2O7, the content of oxygen vacancies and adsorbed oxygen species follow the sequence CP > GNC > SG, which is well consistent with the lattice disorder degrees. This is because that the higher the lattice disorder of Nd2Sn2O7 pyrochlore, the weaker the Sn-O bond, making it easier to break and form oxygen vacancies. Although the HT sample exhibits the lowest disorder degree, its synergistic effect with residual SnO2 on the surface is beneficial for further enriching oxygen vacancies.
{"title":"Synthesis of Nd2Sn2O7 pyrochlore with different lattice disorder degrees and oxygen vacancy contents","authors":"Liang Guo , Junwei Xu , Rumeng Ouyang , Jieqi Zhou , Xiaomei Yu , Xiuzhong Fang , Chunhui Deng , Xiang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107740","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107740","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, a series of Nd<sub>2</sub>Sn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> pyrochlores with different lattice disorder degrees and oxygen vacancy contents were prepared via simple methods, including the sol–gel (SG) technique, glycine–nitrate combustion (GNC), coprecipitation (CP), and the hydrothermal (HT) method. Raman spectroscopy proved the most effective in identifying the lattice disorder degree and lattice defects of the pyrochlore-type composite oxides, followed by XRD, with FTIR spectroscopy as the least sensitive technique. For pure phase Nd<sub>2</sub>Sn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>, the content of oxygen vacancies and adsorbed oxygen species follow the sequence CP > GNC > SG, which is well consistent with the lattice disorder degrees. This is because that the higher the lattice disorder of Nd<sub>2</sub>Sn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub> pyrochlore, the weaker the Sn-O bond, making it easier to break and form oxygen vacancies. Although the HT sample exhibits the lowest disorder degree, its synergistic effect with residual SnO<sub>2</sub> on the surface is beneficial for further enriching oxygen vacancies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":432,"journal":{"name":"Solid State Sciences","volume":"158 ","pages":"Article 107740"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142593366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}