Metal-organic chemical vapor-deposited cobalt oxide films as negative electrodes for thin film Li-ion battery

In this study, thin films of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) have been grown by the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique on stainless steel substrate at two preferred temperatures (450 degrees C and 500 degrees C), using cobalt acetylacetonate dihydrate as precursor. Spherical as well as columnar microstructures of Co3O4 have been observed under controlled growth conditions. Further investigations reveal these films are phase-pure, well crystallized and carbon-free. High-resolution TEM analysis confirms that each columnar structure is a continuous stack of minute crystals. Comparative study between these Co3O4 films grown at 450 degrees C and 500 degrees C has been carried out for their application as negative electrodes in Li-ion batteries. Our method of electrode fabrication leads to a coating of active material directly on current collector without any use of external additives. A high specific capacity of 1168 micro Ah cm(-2) mu m(-1) has been measured reproducibly for the film deposited at 500 degrees C with columnar morphology. Further, high rate capability is observed when cycled at different current densities. The Co3O4 electrode with columnar structure has a specific capacity 38% higher than the electrode with spherical microstructure (grown at 450 degrees C). Impedance measurements on the Co3O4 electrode grown at 500 degrees C also carried out to study the kinetics of the electrode process. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of Micro-Structured Copper as Cathode Material for P3HT-Based Diode

Here, the effect of micro-structured cathode material on the device performance of indium tin oxide/poly(3hexylethiophene)/copper diode (ITO/P3HT/Cu) is investigated. Two different forms of copper namely bulk metal (Cu{B}) and nanoparticle (Cu{N}) were used as top electrode to probe its effect on device performance. Crystallographic structure and nanoscale morphology of top Cu electrodes were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electronmicroscopy. Electrode formed by evaporation of copper nanoparticle showed enhancement in current density. From capacitance based spectroscopy we observed that density of trap states in ITO/P3HT/copper larger size grain (Cu-LG) are one order greater than that in ITO/P3HT/copper smaller size grain (Cu-SG) device.

New single-source precursor for bismuth sulfide and its use as low-cost counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

One new homoleptic Bi(dtc)(3)] (1) (dtc = 4-hydroxypiperdine dithiocarbamate) has been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, IR, UV-Vis, H-1 and C-13 spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The photoluminescence spectrum for the compound in DMSO solution was recorded. The crystal structure of 1 displayed distorted octahedral geometry around the Bi(III) center bonded through sulfur atoms of the dithiocarbamate ligands. TGA indicates that the compound decomposes to a Bi and Bi-S phase system. The Bi and Bi-S obtained from decomposition of the compound have been characterized by pXRD, EDAX and SEM. Solvothermal decomposition of 1 in the absence and presence of two different capping agents yielded three morphologically different Bi2S3 systems which were deployed as counter-electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Extremely High Near Field Enhancement in a Novel Plasmonic Nano Material used for Photovoltage Generation

Enhancement of localized electric field near metal (plasmonic) nanostructures can have various interesting applications in sensing, imaging, photovoltage generation etc., for which significant efforts are aimed towards developing plasmonic systems with well designed and large electromagnetic response. In this paper, we discuss the wafer scale fabrication and optical characterization of a unique three dimensional plasmonic material. The near field enhancement in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum obtained in these structures (order of 106), is close to the fundamental limit that can be obtained in this and similar EM field enhancement schemes. The large near field enhancement has been reflected in a huge Raman signal of graphene layer in close proximity to the plasmonic system, which has been validated with FEM simulations. We have integrated graphene photodetectors with this material to obtain record photovoltage generation, with responsivity as high as A/W. As far as we know, this is the highest sensitivity obtained in any plasmonic-graphene hybrid photodetection system till date.

Porous Flower-like alpha-Fe2O3 Nanostructure: A High Performance Anode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries

Porous flower-like alpha-Fe2O3 nanostructures have been synthesized by ethylene glycol mediated iron alkoxide as an intermediate and studied as an anode material of Li-ion battery. The iron alkoxide precursor is heated at different temperatures from 300 to 700 degrees C. The alpha-Fe2O3 samples possess porosity and high surface area. There is a decrease in pore volume as well as surface area by increasing the preparation temperature. The reversible cycling properties of the alpha-Fe2O3 nanostructures have been evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge discharge cycling, and galvanostatic intermittent titration measurements at ambient temperature. The initial discharge capacity values of 1063, 1168,1183, 1152 and 968 mAh g(-1) at a specific current of 50 mA g(-1) are obtained for the samples prepared at 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 degrees C, respectively. The samples prepared at 500 and 600 degrees C exhibit good cycling performance with high rate capability. The high rate capacity is attributed to porous nature of the materials. As the iron oxides are inexpensive and environmental friendly, the alpha-Fe2O3 has potential application as anode material for rechargeable Li batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Controlled material transport and multidimensional patterning at small length scales using electromigration

Electromigration, mostly known for its damaging effects in microelectronic devices, is basically a material transport phenomenon driven by the electric field and kinetically controlled by diffusion. In this work, we show how controlled electromigration can be used to create scientifically interesting and technologically useful micro-/nano-scale patterns, which are otherwise extremely difficult to fabricate using conventional cleanroom practices, and present a few examples of such patterns. In a solid thin-film structure, electromigration is used to generate pores at preset locations for enhancing the sensitivity of a MEMS sensor. In addition to electromigration in solids, the flow instability associated with the electromigration-induced long-range flow of liquid metals is shown to form numerous structures with high surface area to volume ratio. In very thin solid films on non-conductive substrates, solidification of flow-affected region results in the formation of several features, such as nano-/micro-sized discrete metallic beads, 3D structures consisting of nano-stepped stairs, etc.

Experimentally validated Raman Monte Carlo simulation for a cuboid object to obtain Raman spectroscopic signatures for hidden material

In conventional Raman spectroscopic measurements of liquids or surfaces the preferred geometry for detection of the Raman signal is the backscattering (or reflection) mode. For non-transparent layered materials, sub-surface Raman signals have been retrieved using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), usually with light collection in the same plane as the point of excitation. However, as a result of multiple scattering in a turbid medium, Raman photons will be emitted in all directions. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations for a three-dimensional layered sample with finite geometry have been performed to confirm the detectability of Raman signals at all angles and at all sides of the object. We considered a non-transparent cuboid container (high density polyethylene) with explosive material (ammonium nitrate) inside. The simulation results were validated with experimental Raman intensities. Monte Carlo simulation results reveal that the ratio of sub-surface to surface signals improves at geometries other than backscattering. In addition, we demonstrate through simulations the effects of the absorption and scattering coefficients of the layers, and that of the diameter of the excitation beam. The advantage of collecting light from all possible 4 angles, over other collection modes, is that this technique is not geometry specific and molecular identification of layers underneath non-transparent surfaces can be obtained with minimal interference from the surface layer. To what extent all sides of the object will contribute to the total signal will depend on the absorption and scattering coefficients and the physical dimensions. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Graphene oxide as an optimal candidate material for methane storage

Methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, binds too weakly to nanostructured carbons to meet the targets set for on-board vehicular storage to be viable. We show, using density functional theory calculations, that replacing graphene by graphene oxide increases the adsorption energy of methane by 50%. This enhancement is sufficient to achieve the optimal binding strength. In order to gain insight into the sources of this increased binding, that could also be used to formulate design principles for novel storage materials, we consider a sequence of model systems that progressively take us from graphene to graphene oxide. A careful analysis of the various contributions to the weak binding between the methane molecule and the graphene oxide shows that the enhancement has important contributions from London dispersion interactions as well as electrostatic interactions such as Debye interactions, aided by geometric curvature induced primarily by the presence of epoxy groups. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

Cultivation of Pleurotus spp. on a combination of anaerobically digested plant material and various agro-residues

Two species of Pleurotus, Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus flabellatus were cultivated on two agro-residues (paddy straw; PS and coir pith; CP) singly as well as in combination with biogas digester residue (BDR, main feed leaf biomass). The biological efficiency, nutritional value, composition and nutrient balance (C, N and P) achieved with these substrates were studied. The most suitable substrate that produced higher yields and biological efficiency was PS mixed with BDR followed by coir pith with BDR. Addition of BDR with agro-residues could increase mushroom yield by 20-30%. The biological efficiency achieved was high for PS + BDR (231.93% for P. florida and 209.92% for P. flabellatus) and for CP + BDR (14831% for P. florida and 188.46% for P. flabellatus). The OC (organic carbon), TKN (nitrogen) and TP (phosphate) removal of the Pleurotus spp. under investigation suggests that PS with BDR is the best substrate for growing mushroom. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of International Energy Initiative.

Electrochemical behavior of Sn-graphene composite coating

The electrochemical properties of pure Sn and Sn-graphene composite coating have been determined and compared. Coatings were electrodeposited on mild steel substrates. Graphene was synthesized by the electrochemical exfoliation process using SO42- ion as the intercalating agent. Morphological and structural characterization results revealed a clear effect of graphene on altering the texture, grain size and morphology of the coating. Corrosion behavior was analyzed through potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic methods. A significant improvement in the corrosion resistance in terms of reduction in corrosion current and corrosion rate and increase in polarization resistance was noted in case of Sn coating containing graphene.

Energy-savvy solid-state and sonochemical synthesis of lithium sodium titanate as an anode active material for Li-ion batteries

Lithium sodium titanate insertion-type anode has been synthesized by classical solid-state (dry) and an alternate solution-assisted (wet) sonochemical synthesis routes. Successful synthesis of the target compound has been realized using simple Na- and Li-hydroxide salts along with titania. In contrast to the previous reports, these energy-savvy synthesis routes can yield the final product by calcination at 650 -750 degrees C for limited duration of 1-10 h. Owing to the restricted calcination duration (dry route for 1-2 h and wet route for 1-5 h), they yield homogeneous nanoscale lithium sodium titanate particles. Sono-chemical synthesis reduces the lithium sodium titanate particle size down to 80-100 nm vis-a-vis solid-state method delivering larger (200-500 nm) particles. Independent of the synthetic methods, the end products deliver reversible electrochemical performance with reversible capacity exceeding 80 mAh.g(-1) acting as a 1.3 V anode for Li-ion batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinematic flow patterns in slow deformation of a dense granular material

The kinematic flow pattern in slow deformation of a model dense granular medium is studied at high resolution using in situ imaging, coupled with particle tracking. The deformation configuration is indentation by a flat punch under macroscopic plane-strain conditions. Using a general analysis method, velocity gradients and deformation fields are obtained from the disordered grain arrangement, enabling flow characteristics to be quantified. The key observations are the formation of a stagnation zone, as in dilute granular flow past obstacles; occurrence of vortices in the flow immediately underneath the punch; and formation of distinct shear bands adjoining the stagnation zone. The transient and steady state stagnation zone geometry, as well as the strength of the vortices and strain rates in the shear bands, are obtained from the experimental data. All of these results are well-reproduced in exact-scale non-smooth contact dynamics simulations. Full 3D numerical particle positions from the simulations allow extraction of flow features that are extremely difficult to obtain from experiments. Three examples of these, namely material free surface evolution, deformation of a grain column below the punch and resolution of velocities inside the primary shear band, are highlighted. The variety of flow features observed in this model problem also illustrates the difficulty involved in formulating a complete micromechanical analytical description of the deformation.

Review on Tin (II) Sulfide (SnS) Material: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Tin (II) sulphide (SnS), a direct band gap semiconductor compound, has recently received great attention due to its unique properties. Because of low cost, absence of toxicity, and good abundance in nature, it is becoming a candidate for future multifunctional devices particularly for light conversion applications. Although the current efficiencies are low, the cost-per-Watt is becoming competitive. At room temperature, SnS exhibits stable low-symmetric, double-layered orthorhombic crystal structure, having a = 0.4329, b = 1.1192, and c = 0.3984nm as lattice parameters. These layer-structured materials are of interest in various device applications due to the arrangement of structural lattice with cations and anions. The layers of cations are separated only by van der Waals forces that provide intrinsically chemically inert surface without dangling bonds and surface density of states. As a result, there is no Fermi level pinning at the surface of the semiconductor. This fact leads to considerably high chemical and environmental stability. Further, the electrical and optical properties of SnS can be easily tailored by modifying the growth conditions or doping with suitable dopants without disturbing its crystal structure.In the last few decades, SnS has been synthesized and studied in the form of single-crystals and thin-films. Most of the SnS single-crystals have been synthesized by Bridgeman technique, whereas thin films have been developed using different physical as well as chemical deposition techniques. The synthesis or development of SnS structures in different forms including single-crystals and thin films, and their unique properties are reviewed here. The observed physical and chemical properties of SnS emphasize that this material could has novel applications in optoelectronics including solar cell devices, sensors, batteries, and also in biomedical sciences. These aspects are also discussed.

DLTS analysis of amphoteric interface defects in high-TiO2 MOS structures prepared by sol-gel spin-coating

High-kappa TiO2 thin films have been fabricated from a facile, combined sol-gel spin - coating technique on p and n type silicon substrate. XRD and Raman studies headed the existence of anatase phase of TiO2 with a small grain size of 18 nm. The refractive index `n' quantified from ellipsometry is 2.41. AFM studies suggest a high quality, pore free films with a fairly small surface roughness of 6 angstrom. The presence of Ti in its tetravalent state is confirmed by XPS analysis. The defect parameters observed at the interface of Si/TiO2 were studied by capacitance - voltage (C - V) and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The flat - band voltage (V-FB) and the density of slow interface states estimated are -0.9, -0.44 V and 5.24x10(10), 1.03x10(11) cm(-2); for the NMOS and PMOS capacitors, respectively. The activation energies, interface state densities and capture cross -sections measured by DLTS are E-V + 0.30, E-C - 0.21 eV; 8.73x10(11), 6.41x10(11) eV(-1) cm(-2) and 5.8x10(-23), 8.11x10(-23) cm(2) for the NMOS and PMOS structures, respectively. A low value of interface state density in both P-and N-MOS structures makes it a suitable alternate dielectric layer for CMOS applications. And also very low value of capture cross section for both the carriers due to the amphoteric nature of defect indicates that the traps are not aggressive recombination centers and possibly can not contribute to the device operation to a large extent. (C) 2015 Author(s).

High-kappa TiO2 Thin Film Prepared by Sol-Gel Spin-Coating Method

High-k TiO2 thin film on p-type silicon substrate was fabricated by a combined sol-gel and spin coating method. Thus deposited titania film had anatase phase with a small grain size of 16 nm and surface roughness of congruent to 0.6 nm. The oxide capacitance (C-ox), flat band capacitance (C-FB), flat band voltage (V-FB), oxide trapped charge (Q(ot)), calculated from the high frequency (1 MHz) C-V curve were 0.47 nF, 0.16 nF, -0.91 V, 4.7x10(-12) C, respectively. As compared to the previous reports, a high dielectric constant of 94 at 1 MHz frequency was observed in the devices investigated here and an equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) was 4.1 nm. Dispersion in accumulation capacitance shows a linear relationship with AC frequencies. Leakage current density was found in acceptable limits (2.1e-5 A/cm(2) for -1 V and 5.7e-7 A/cm(2) for +1 V) for CMOS applications.