Journal of Electronic Materials最新文献

Unique nanostructures contribute to optimizing gas-sensitive properties, which has been widely acknowledged in the field of gas sensing. However, the construction of nanostructures by the in situ method is still challenging. In this work, nanorod-assembled SnWO₄ was fabricated directly on interdigital electrodes by a one-step aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The xylene gas sensor was developed, featuring low detection limits and fast response. Under the operating temperature of 350°C, the detection limit of the SnWO₄ sensor for xylene reaches a minimal level of 10 ppb. Meanwhile, the sensor exhibits excellent performance in response time, providing a rapid response of 2 s to 100 ppm xylene. Apart from this, the sensor also exhibits good selectivity. Among various volatile organic compound gases of the same 100 ppm at 350°C, the sensor’s response to xylene (484%) is 3.6 times that of toluene and 5.3 times that of benzene. The excellent gas-sensing performance is primarily due to the unique structural properties of nanorod-assembled SnWO₄. This paper holds significant research potential in the field of gas sensing, particularly for the development of high-performance xylene sensors.

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The issue of noise generated by filter capacitors in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission converter stations has become increasingly prevalent. In order to study the noise problem of filter capacitors, it is necessary to begin with an analysis of the vibration mechanism that causes the noise. The primary cause of capacitor vibration is the generation of an alternating electric field in the insulating medium by the application of an AC voltage to the plates. This electric field exerts a force on the conductor, resulting in irregular vibrations and the production of noise. Current research does not consider the influence of the residual charge of the dielectric film and the internal insulating material on its internal vibration. This article therefore first conducts a theoretical analysis of the internal force of the filter capacitor, and then uses COMSOL simulation software to establish the multilayer structure of the capacitor core. The stress calculation model for the dielectric and aluminum foil layers explores and summarizes the influence of uneven residual charges and internal insulating materials on the stress of the capacitor core when it is in the alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) mixed excitation state, by setting different residual charge distributions. The findings indicate that the residual charge of the dielectric film within the filter capacitor and the internal insulating material exerts a significant influence on its force under the influence of the electric field. These results provide valuable theoretical guidance for the development of capacitor vibration reduction and noise reduction measures.

In the current work, an electrochemical electrode was designed for the detection of tartrazine (TT) with good selectivity and sensitivity. A tyrosine (TY)-modified carbon paste electrode P(TY)MCPE was used for the detection of TT using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The surface characteristics of both the bare carbon paste electrode (BCPE) and P(TY)MCPE were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The optimum conditions for the study of TT were obtained by studying the scan rate, effect of pH, accumulation potential, time, and variation of concentration. The modified electrode exhibited a good response in comparison with the unmodified electrode under ideal conditions. The P(TY)MCPE displayed good electrochemical performance for concentration of TT in the linear range of 2.0–80.0 μM with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.676 μM and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.502 μM. The fabricated electrode exhibited good reproducibility, repeatability, and stability. In the presence of methyl orange (MO) and other interferents, the modified P(TY)MCPE exhibited good selectivity for TT. The P(TY)MCPE electrode was successfully applied for the determination of TT in a real sample with a satisfactory recovery rate.

Thermocouples are used in a variety of applications for temperature measurement and monitoring. Here, we demonstrate an HB/6B graphite paint-based thermocouple to design temperature sensors on commercially available Xerox paper using two different grades of graphite. The difference in Seebeck coefficients in different grades of graphite facilitates the successful fabrication of a thermocouple. These simple, cheap, environment friendly, biodegradable single-material thermocouples demonstrated a persistent and reliable sensitivity of ~ 27 μV/K after 300 bending cycles. In addition, the output voltage variation has also been recorded after 300 bending cycles as a function of time to demonstrate response with respect to temperature. The current study indicates that a piece of paper can be transformed into a thermal mapping device using only graphite paint patterns.

High porosity and large photoactive surface of photoelectrodes grown on nano-grained and conductive ceramics provide freestanding structures for applications in photoelectrolysis and flow-through water purification. This study presents unmodified hematite photoelectrodes grown on CuO-Sb₂O₅-SnO₂ ceramics, exhibiting photocurrent density of 0.63 mA cm⁻² at 1.23 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under AM1.5G radiation. The obtained photoelectrodes are tested for cleaning seawater contaminated with methylene blue. The photocatalytic structures are examined by photoelectrochemical measurements, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The influence of substrate temperature on photocurrents obtained with these photoelectrodes is studied and discussed.

Here, aluminum (Al)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures (AZO NSs) were synthesized via a chemical colloidal route with controlled structural, optical, photoluminescence (PL), and enhanced silicon (Si) surface passivation properties as a function of Al doping in the ZnO. Doping concentrations ranging from 2 at.% to 10 at.% Al were investigated. A dramatic change in the morphology of the AZO NSs was observed with varying Al doping concentrations. The undoped ZnO sample exhibited a particle-like morphology with a diameter of ~95 nm, which became flake-like structures and then hexagonal discs with an increase in the Al doping concentration. The band gap energy increased from 3.17 eV for undoped ZnO NSs to 3.28 eV corresponding to 2 at.% doped AZO NSs. In addition, defects consisting of zinc and oxygen vacancies/interstitials were minimized with Al doping, which was attributed to the replacement of Zn²⁺ ions by Al³⁺. Moreover, almost 15-fold enhancement in the passivation of the Si surface was exhibited by the optimized AZO NSs (4 at.%) as compared to the non-passivated Si surface and > 11-fold as compared to that of the undoped ZnO-coated Si surface. Effective surface passivation, thereby minimizing surface recombination, is one of the key requirements for efficient Si solar cells. Thus, the present study, reporting a simple synthesis route with improved structural, optical, PL, and surface passivation properties of AZO NSs as a function of Al doping, may pave the way for application in solar cells.

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For several decades, energy regeneration has been attempting to fulfill the growing demand for green and sustainable energy. Various devices have been designed and developed to capture energy and convert it into useful forms. Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) have been seen as a promising option for traditional rechargeable batteries because they directly scavenge a wide spectrum of unlimited mechanical energy. Piezoelectric materials exhibit extraordinary electrical properties, great adaptability, superior maneuverability, and durability. Among the various materials used for developing piezoelectric materials, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its derivatives have been known to be the best options for fabricating nano-piezoelectric producers. Nevertheless, the nanogenerator’s piezo response generation is too small and insufficient to run thermionic equipment. Extensive efforts have been made to improve and reinforce PVDF-derived nano-piezoelectric devices. Considering the key aspects of materials and production technologies, this review focuses on carbon-based nanocomposite materials, their manufacturing methods, and performance indicators. In addition, the corresponding cutting-edge methods, alternative models, and beneficial substances are highlighted to improve the piezoelectric structure, arrangement of electric doublets, charge carriers, etc. Consequently, productivity-based materials can transform mechanical energy into electricity, opening the door for PVDF-based nanogenerators to eventually become practical energy sources.

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