Surface Passivation of Nanoporous TiO2 via Atomic Layer Deposition of ZrO2 for Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Applications

We report here the utilization of atomid layer deposition to passivate surface map states in mosoporous TiO2 nanoparticles for solid state dye sensitized solar cells based on 9,9'-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD). By depositing ZrO2 films with angstrom-level precision, coating the mesoporous TiO2 produces over a two-fold enhancement in short-circuit current density, as compared to a control device. Impedance spectroscopy measurements provide evidence that the ZrO2 coating reduces recombination lossed at the TiO2/spiro-OMeTAD interface and passivates localized surface states. Low-frequency negative capacitances, frequently observed in nanocomposite solar cells, have been associated with the surface-state mediated charge transfer from TiO2 to the spiro-OMeTAD.

NIR luminescent Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped SiO2-ZrO2 nanostructured planar and channel waveguides: Optical and structural properties

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Síntese e caracterização do sistema ZrO2-SiO2 com adição de cobalto para uso como pigmentos cerâmicos

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Photoluminescence in ZrO2 doped with Y and La

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a síntese e a caracterização óptica de uma solução sólida de óxido de zircônio contendo ítrio e lantânio. Foram misturados citrato de zircônio, nitrato de ítrio e nitrato de lantânio nas proporções 94 mol% ZrO2-6 mol% Y2O3 e 92 mol% ZrO2-6 mol % Y2O3-2 mol % La2O3. A análise de espectroscopia de absorção no infravermelho com tranformada de Fourier mostra material orgânico em decomposição e a análise térmica mostra a transformação de fases da zircônia tetragonal para monoclínica, a perda de água e a desidroxilação do zircônio. A análise por difração de raios X mostra formação de fases homogênea de ZrO2-Y2O3-La2O3 demonstrando que a adição de lantânio não provoca formação de fases, promovendo uma solução sólida baseada em zircônia cúbica. Os espectros de fotoluminescência mostram bandas de absorção em 562 nm e 572 nm (350 ºC) e bandas de absorção específicas em 543 nm, 561 nm, 614 nm e 641 nm (900 ºC). O efeito fotoluminescente a baixas temperaturas é causado por defeitos como (Y Zr,Y O)', (2Y Zr,V O)'' e V O. As emissões em 614 nm e 641 nm são causadas pela transição O-2p -> Zr-4d. Uma emissão em 543 nm pode ser atribuída a centros LaO8 com transição O-2p -> La-5d.

Compósitos de Al2O3/ZrO2 recobertos com hidroxiapatita dopada com íons Ag

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influência do uso do forno de microondas ou convencional na síntese de ZrO2

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Synthesis and sintering of ZrO2-CeO2 powder by use of polymeric precursor based on Pechini process

Nanocrystalline ZrO2-12 mol % CeO2 powders were synthesized using a polymeric precursor method based on the Pechini process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that the method was effective to synthesize tetragonal zirconia single-phase. The mean crystallite size attained ranges from 6 to 15 nm. The BET surface areas were relatively high reaching 97 m(2)/g. Studies by nitrogen adsorption/desorption on powders, dilatometry of the compacts, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the powders, were also developed to verify the particles agglomeration state. Both citric acid : ethylene glycol ratio and calcination temperature affected the powder morphology, which influenced the sinterability and microstructure of the sintered material, as showed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

The effect of ZnO on the sintering and stabilization of ZrO2 center dot MgO system

The sintering of ZrO2. MgO . ZnO powder has been investigated by TMA (Thermal Mechanical Analyser) and its phases analysed by XRD (X-ray diffraction pattern). The data obtained from sintering was studied by the Bannister equation and its dominant sintering mechanism was calculated. It was observed that the ZnO addition in the ZrO2. MgO solid solution lead to increased zirconia stabilization, According to the vacancies model, the ZnO addition did not lead to zirconia phases stabilization (PSZ). An analysis of the rate control in the initial stage of the sintering (region I) showed a mechanism of volume diffusion type. In other regions (regions II and III), the grain growth did lead to the Bannister equation deviation, which was observed by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). These results were different from those demonstrated by other authors who studied the ZrO2. Y2O3 solid solution and obtained a mechanism of grain boundary diffusion type. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier B.V. Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Sintering mechanisms of ZrO2 center dot MgO with addition of TiO2 and CuO

Substitutions of Ti and Cu in ZrO2.MgO (Z), cause transformation from monoclinic (m) to cubic (c) and tetragonal (t). According to the vacancy model and solid Solution formation models, neither CuO nor TiO2 cause zirconia stabilization, which derives front other phenomena. Data analysis by TMA using the CRH (constant rate of heating) method shows a solid state reaction of ZrO2.MgO.TiO2 (Z.TiO2) demonstrating a dominant mechanism of volume diffusion (n = 1). However, the sintering of ZrO2.MgO.CuO (Z.CuO) shows a viscous flow mechanism (n = 0), a similar phenomena to that of by sintering of glass. Transformations, such as: CuO to Cu2O at 1000 degreesC, ZrO2 (m) to ZrO2 (t) at 1100 degreesC and Cu2O (s) to Cu2O (l) at 1230 degreesC cause successive rearrangements of microstructure inside of region I (sintering process) and lead to interpretation errors when the Bannister equation is used. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Effect of ceria content on the sintering of ZrO2 based ceramics synthesized from a polymeric precursor

Zirconia-ceria powders with ceria concentration varying from 0 to 12 mol% were synthesized using a polymeric precursor route based on the Pechini process. Powder characteristics were evaluated with regard to the crystallite size, BET surface area, phase distribution, nitrogen adsorption/desorption behavior, and agglomeration state. Sintering was studied considering the shrinkage rate, densification, grain size, and phase evolution. It was demonstrated that the synthesis method is effective to prepare nanosized powders of tetragonal zirconia single-phase. Sinterability mainly depended on the agglomeration state of powders and the monoclinic phase content, fully tetragonal zirconia ceramic, with grain size of 2.4 mu m, was obtained after addition of at least 9 mol% ceria and sintering at 1500 degrees C for 4 h. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microstructure and corrosion resistance of inorganic-organic (ZrO2-PMMA) hybrid coating on stainless steel

Zirconia-polymethylmetacrylate hybrids prepared by a sol-gel method were deposited by dip-coating on stainless steel to improve the resistance against wet corrosion. The effect of the concentration of polymethylmetacrylate and the number of coating applications on the microstructure and corrosion performance of coated samples was investigated. The microstructural properties of samples was analyzed by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, adhesion tests and profilemeter measurements. The electrochemical corrosion was evaluated through potentiodynamic polarization curves at room temperature. Results show that the sample prepared with 17 vol.% of polymethylmethacrylate has a maximum corrosion resistance, smaller roughness, are hermetic and adherent to the substrate. This film increases the life time of the stainless steel by a factor 30. (C) 1999 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Reflux synthesis and hydrothermal processing of ZrO2 nanopowders at low temperature

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Active planar waveguides based on sol-gel Er3+-doped SiO2-ZrO2 for photonic applications: Morphological, structural and optical properties

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Preparation and characterization of glass-ceramic materials in the BaO-Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2 system and their dependence on treatment temperatures

The preparation and characterization of transparent glass-ceramics in the composition of 30Li2O:5ZrO2:xBaO:(100-x) SiO2 with x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mol% are described. Glasses were melted in a platinum crucible at 1100°C for 2 h and then heat-treated at 900°C for 3 h. The characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman and infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results indicate that there was a structural change in the glass-ceramics as the BaO concentration in the mixture increased. In the XRD patterns of samples without heat treatment, only the halo was observed. After heat treatment, the appearance of the materials was verified by X-ray diffraction peaks. The reorganization of the amorphous solid was confirmed by Raman and IR spectroscopy along with XPS and SEM, with a more homogeneous phase formation being observed.

Microstructure, crystalline phase, and dielectric property analyses of TiO2 composition with ZrO2 addition

For microwave applications, including mobile and satellite communications, ceramic resonators should have a high dielectric constant, low dielectric losses, and high frequency stability. In this sense, TiO2-ZrO 2 ceramics have been investigated as a function of sintering behavior, phase composition, and microstructure. The ceramics were densified reaching a value of about 86% of theoretical density at 1400°C sintering temperature. The ceramics are prepared by mixing raw materials with the following TiO2-ZrO2 weight % ratio: 100 to 0, 90 to 10, and 80 to 20, respectively. The measured dielectric constants are between 79 and 88 values, while the quality factor due to dielectric losses are between 2820 and 5170. These results point out the influence of Ti/Zr ratio on controlling the dielectric properties. © (2010) Trans Tech Publications.