Agglomerate Size Research Articles

Parametric Study of the Influence of Support Type, Presence of Platinum on Support, and Ionomer Content on the Microstructure of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers

Ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) was employed to investigate the effects of carbon support type, the presence of platinum on carbon, and ionomer loading on the microstructure of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) catalyst layers (CLs). Particle size distributions (PSDs), obtained from fitting the measured scattering data were used to interpret the size of carbon aggregates (40–300 nm) and agglomerates (>400 nm) from two-component carbon/ionomer and three-component platinum/carbon/ionomer CLs. Two types of carbon supports were investigated: high surface area carbon (HSC) and Vulcan XC-72. CLs with a range of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer to carbon (I/C) ratios (0.2–1.2) and also with perfluoroimide acid (PFIA) ionomer were studied to evaluate the effect of ionomer on CL microstructure. The carbon type, the presence of platinum, and ionomer loading were all found to significantly impact carbon agglomeration. The extent of Pt/C agglomeration in the CL was found to increase with increasing ionomer and platinum concentration and to decrease with increasing carbon surface area. Platinum electrochemically-active surface area (ECSA) and local oxygen transport resistance (RnF) were correlated to the CL microstructure to yield relationships affecting electrode performance.

The impact of information and communication technology on carbon emissions in China: spatial effect and mechanism discussion.

Information and communication technology (ICT) has exerted a great impact on the socio-economic development; however, this development has come with some potential influence on climate change. The academics are divided over this issue; some argue that ICT has contributed to carbon reduction, while others consider that ICT has increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Undoubtedly, the existing literature abounds in the relationship between ICT and CO2 emissions, but little attention has been paid to the spillover effect of ICT and CO2 emissions, especially in developing countries. Hence, with the panel data of 285 China's prefecture-level cities from 2004 to 2018, this study innovatively discusses the spatial and mechanism effects of ICT on CO2 emissions, further exploring the heterogeneous impact of ICT on CO2 emissions from multiple perspectives. The empirical results confirm the positive relationship between ICT and CO2 emissions and identify the spatial spillover effect in the relationship. Furthermore, notably, the intermediary effect of energy consumption on the impact of ICT on CO2 emissions is identified. Finally, due to the differences in the geographical position, population size, and urban agglomeration of prefecture-level cities in China, the impact of ICT on CO2 emissions varies in different cities. The findings not only contribute to advancing the existing literature but also have a significant and targeted policy guiding significance for the cities to maximize the favorable influences of ICT and promote the low-carbon transformation of the whole society.

High-speed rail network and urban agglomeration economies: Research from the perspective of urban network externalities

High-speed rail (HSR) has greatly promoted cross-regional economic activities, but few studies have been conducted from the perspective of urban network externalities (UNEs). Based on data from China from 2008 to 2019, this paper constructs an HSR operation network model to study the impact of the network position (NP) on urban agglomeration economies (UAEs) by jointly employing network and econometric analysis methods. The findings suggest the following: (1) Improvements to NP significantly enhance UAEs. Improving the comprehensive NP by 1% will increase urban output per capita by 193.5–226.8 RMB. The findings hold under several robustness tests. (2) The NP's facilitation of growth in UAEs is reflected mainly in national core cities, while the impact of peripheral cities reflects a “∽-shaped” curve as their distance from each nearest neighboring core city changes. (3) From the temporal-dynamic perspective, the NP's impact on UAEs appeared one year before the HSR line was opened and was fully realized three years after the opening of the HSR. (4) Investment agglomeration and expansions in borrowed size are the main mediating mechanisms whereby NP facilitates UAEs.

Dispersant-assisted preparation of ultra-fine HfB2 powder

Hafnium boride (HfB2), as an ultra-high temperature ceramic, has been extensively employed in the aerospace field due to its high melting point and excellent ultrahigh-temperature oxidation resistance. Despite its outstanding performance, the development of the HfB2 for practical applications remained limited by its low-quality production including high oxygen content, large particle size and high agglomeration. In this work, a series of dispersants are adopted for reducing the particle size and suppressing the agglomeration of HfB2 powder during the liquid phase co-precipitation method combined with carbothermal reduction. Based on various characterizations, it is discovered that the presence of dispersants can greatly reduce the particle size and restrain the agglomeration of the HfB2. Specifically, the HfB2 prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG) demonstrates an ultra-fine particle size down to hundreds of nanometers. To better understand the function of the dispersant, the formation of the HfB2 is unveiled via a combination of multiple characterizations. In detail, the dispersants can cap on the formed HfB2 and restrict their further growth and agglomeration during the reaction through the electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance of high molecular polymer, thereby greatly improving the quality of HfB2 powder.

On the fluidization of cohesive powders: Differences and similarities between micro‐ and nano‐sized particle gas–solid fluidization

AbstractThe fluidization of cohesive powders has been extensively researched over the years. When looking at literature on the fluidization of cohesive particles, one will often find papers concerned with only micro‐ or only nano‐sized powders. It is, however, unclear whether they should be treated differently at all. In this paper, we look at differences and similarities between cohesive powders across the size range of several nanometres to 10s of micrometres. Classification of fluidization behaviour based on particle size was found to be troublesome since cohesive powders form agglomerates and using the properties of these agglomerates introduces new problems. When looking at inter‐particle forces, it is found that van der Waals forces dominate across the entire size range that is considered. Furthermore, when looking into agglomeration and modelling thereof, it was found that there is a fundamental difference between the size ranges in the way they agglomerate. Where the transition between the types of agglomeration is located is, however, unknown. Finally, how models are made and agglomerate sizes are measured is currently insufficient to accurately predict or measure their sizes consistently.

Lead-Free Copper-Based Perovskite Nanonets for Deep Ultraviolet Photodetectors with High Stability and Better Performance.

Considering practical application and commercialization, the research of non-toxic and stable halide perovskite and its application in the field of photoelectric detection have received great attention. However, there are relatively few studies on deep ultraviolet photodetectors, and the perovskite films prepared by traditional spin-coating method have disadvantages such as uneven grain size and irregular agglomeration, which limit their device performance. Herein, uniform and ordered Cs3Cu2I5 nanonet arrays are fabricated based on monolayer colloidal crystal (MCC) templates prepared with 1 μm polystyrene (PS) spheres, which enhance light-harvesting ability. Furthermore, the performance of the lateral photodetector (PD) is significantly enhanced when using Cs3Cu2I5 nanonet compared to the pure Cs3Cu2I5 film. Under deep ultraviolet light, the Cs3Cu2I5 nanonet PD exhibits a high light responsivity of 1.66 AW−1 and a high detection up to 2.48 × 1012 Jones. Meanwhile, the unencapsulated PD has almost no response to light above 330 nm and shows remarkable stability. The above results prove that Cs3Cu2I5 nanonet can be a great potential light-absorbing layer for solar-blind deep ultraviolet PD, which can be used as light absorption layer of UV solar cell.

Functionally graded porous plate reinforced by carbon nanotubes subjected to low-velocity impact: an analytical and numerical analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is a numerical simulation and an analytical analysis about the low-velocity impact on a functionally graded porous plate with porosity distribution in the thickness direction. In this article, polymethyl methacrylate is used for matrix, and single-walled carbon nanotube (CNTs) (10,10) with consideration agglomeration sizes and lumping of CNT inside the agglomerations is applied for reinforcement.Design/methodology/approachIn analytical formulation, the non-linear Hertz contact law is applied for interaction between projectile and plate surface. High-order shear deformation plate theory is developed, and energy of the system for impactor and plate is written. The governing equations are derived using Ritz method and Lagrange equations and are solved using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. Also, ABAQUS finite element model of functionally graded porous plate with all edges simply supported and reinforced by CNT under low-velocity impact is simulated and is compared with those is achieved in the present analytical approach.FindingsIn parametric studies, the influence of porosity distribution patterns include uniform, non-uniform symmetric and non-uniform asymmetric on the histories of contact force and impactor displacement of simply supported plate reinforced by CNT are presented. Eventually, the effects of porosity coefficient, impactor initial velocity, impactor radius and CNTs lumping inside agglomerations for non-uniform symmetric distribution patterns are discussed in impact event in detail.Originality/valueIn this paper, the effect of combination of polymethyl methacrylate and CNTs with consideration agglomeration sizes and lumping of CNTs inside the agglomerations in the form of a functionally graded porous plate is studied in the problem of low-velocity impact analysis.

Coagulation rate coefficients for fractal-like agglomerates in the diffusive and ballistic limits

Predicting agglomeration dynamics in aerosol or colloidal systems requires accurate models for the agglomerate collision rate. In the present work, numerical simulations cover the ballistic and the diffusive collision regimes as limiting cases and are used to derive coagulation rate coefficients for a large number of agglomerate sizes and morphologies. The simulations account for both the translational and rotational motion of agglomerates and allow for the monitoring of individual collision events. The results suggest that the power law suffices to characterize the clusters’ morphologies and that representative collision radii of agglomerates are mainly controlled by two parameters: (i) the radius of gyration, Rg, and (ii) the morphology characterized by the fractal dimension Df. Collision radii for the diffusive regime are up to 10% above the corresponding ballistic results and cluster rotation also increases the effective collision radius. The latter effect can lead to differences of up to 16% in the diffusive regime. In contrast, interpenetration effects, i.e. a small cluster passing through a larger cluster without collision, are less pronounced in the diffusive limit. The results provide strong correlations between collision radii and key parameters for both regimes such that improved analytical expressions for the coagulation rate coefficients can be suggested. Compared to existing models for the ballistic and diffusive regimes, the proposed correlations offer reduced complexity across an extended range of the relevant parameter space.

Influence of alternating magnetic field's frequency and exposure time on distribution of α‐Fe 2 O 3 / TiO 2 fillers for gas separation membranes: Quantitative approach

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) membrane with magnetic α-Fe2O3/TiO2 fillers was exposed to varying alternating magnetic field (AMF) duration and frequency. The AMF threshold time was 8 min as mixed-matrix membrane (MMM) exposed to 11 min experienced an abrupt increase in permeability of CO2 by 785% and CH4 by 1322%. Although quantitative measurements showed relatively excellent values at 11 min, prolonged exposure time reduces selectivity, possibly due to interruption in the polymer-filler interfacial area densification process. Filler distribution measured quantitatively via optical microscope and MATLAB also revealed that MMM exposed to 3.3 kHz presents the greatest dispersion metric with the least agglomeration. MMM exposed to the frequency of 30 Hz or 330 kHz suffered from either increased agglomeration size or worse dispersion. Consequently, their gas separation performances were lower than MMM exposed to 3.3 kHz. Above a critical frequency, repulsive hydrodynamic forces overcome the attractive forces between magnetic fillers.

Foliar-applied nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) induce differential responses in growth, physiology, antioxidative defense and biochemical indices in Leonurus cardiaca L

The impacts of nZVI and iron oxides on growth, physiology and elicitation of bioactive antioxidant metabolites in medicinal aromatic plants must be critically assessed to ensure their safe utilization within the food chain and achieve nutritional gains. The present study investigated and compared the morpho-physiological and biochemical changes of Leonurus cardiaca L. plants as affected by various concentrations (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg L−1) of nZVI and Fe3O4. The foliar uptake of nZVI was verified through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analytical spectra. Plants exposed to nZVI at low concentration showed comparatively monotonic deposition of NPs on the surface of leaves, however, the agglomerate size of nZVI was raised as their doses increased, leading to remarkable changes in anatomical and biochemical traits. 250 mg L−1 nZVI and 500 mg L−1 Fe3O4 significantly (P < 0.05) increased plant dry matter accumulation by 37.8 and 27% over the control, respectively. The treatments of nZVI and Fe3O4 at 250 mg L−1 significantly (P < 0.01) improved chlorophyll a content by 22.4% and 15.3% as compared to the control, and then a rapid decrease (by 14.8% and 4.1%) followed at 1000 mg L−1, respectively. Both nZVI and Fe3O4 at 250 mg L−1 had no significant impact on malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, however, at an exposure of 500–1000 mg L−1, the MDA levels and cellular electrolyte leakage were increased. Although nZVI particles could be utilized by plants and enhanced the synthesis of chlorophylls and secondary metabolites, they appeared to be more toxic than Fe3O4 at 1000 mg L−1. Exposure to nZVI levels showed positive, negative and or neutral impacts on leaf water content compared to control, while no significant difference was observed with Fe3O4 treatments. Soluble sugar, total phenolics and hyperoside content were significantly increased upon optimum concentrations of employed treatments-with 250 mg L−1 nZVI being most superior. Among the extracts, those obtained from plants treated with 250–500 mg L−1 nZVI revealed the strong antioxidant activity in terms of scavenging free radical (DPPH) and chelating ferrous ions. These results suggest that nZVI (at lower concentration) has alternative and additional benefits both as nano-fertilizer and nano-elicitor for biosynthesis of antioxidant metabolites in plants, but at high concentrations is more toxic than Fe3O4.

Tailoring the UV–visible reflectivity range of VO2 thin films

• Facile doping method of VO 2 films with TiO 2 nanoparticles. • Ultraviolet–visible spectral operating range of VO 2 sensitive to TiO 2 doping. • Gaussian and Lorentzian oscillators adequately describe the experimental data. • Doping level changes size and morphology of agglomerates in thin films. A simple chemical method for the tunability of the optical properties of TiO 2 nanoparticles-doped VO 2 thin films is reported. Although deposited thin films revealed granular morphology, an increase in dopant concentration showed increased homogeneity (smaller crystallite size). The insulator-to-metal transition, monitored by UV–vis-NIR reflectivity, is adjusted through a simple model based on a sum of Lorentzians and Gaussians to follow the changes in the optical spectra, which in turn allows us to extract the corresponding refractive index and extinction coefficient. In addition, the reflection spectrum in low frequency range ( < 700 nm), reveals new variations in the doped samples triggered by the changes in temperature, which allows an extended optical operating range, for instance, in smart windows applications.

Domestic total factor productivity with trade and heterogenous foreign direct investment in developing countries: a case of Vietnamese manufacturing

PurposeThis paper aims to examine spillover effects of heterogenous foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprises (domestic vs. export-oriented) through horizontal and vertical linkages and absorptive capacity effect on domestic firms' total factor productivity (TFP). It clarifies the spillover effect on domestic firms in accordance with industrial zones, business size, technology sector and geographical agglomeration, respectively.Design/methodology/approachThe dataset used is based on Vietnamese manufacturing firms during 2011–2014, input–output (I–O) Table 2012. This paper is conducted in two steps: (1) TFP is estimated by using a semi-parametric approach developed by Levinsohn and Petrin (2003); (2) Regression with panel data for domestic firms, applying the fixed effect method.FindingsIn terms of domestic-oriented FDI (DFDI) enterprise group: TFP spillover through horizontal linkages is found negative for domestic firms but positive for those participating in export. Additionally, backward linkages have a negative impact on TFP for most domestic enterprises, except for those operating in the high-tech sector. In terms of export-oriented FDI (EFDI) enterprise group, horizontal linkages have a negative impact on domestic firms' TFP including domestic ones participating in export whereas backward linkage is an important channel with positive effects. Absorptive capacity enables firms to improve productivity through linkages with EFDI and DFDI enterprises. Exporters located in industrial zones or regions with numerous exporters can receive better impacts through backward linkages EFDI.Originality/valueComprehensively, this is the first paper to detect FDI heterogeneity in their behavior when entering a developing country like Vietnam. The added value in this study comes from the export ability of local firms which is in line with Melitz (2003) theory that they can excel in absorping the TFP spillover from competing with DFDI competitors or from supplying to EFDI enterprises. Moreover, the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), low technology, high technology and learning by regions affecting the impact through both horizontal and vertical linkages are included for analysis.

NanoParticle Flow Reactor (NanoPFR): a tested model for simulating carbon nanoparticle formation in flow reactors

Abstract Flow reactors are widely used to study the formation of various nanoparticles, such as carbon black, soot, nickel, titania, and silica. Such reactors provide well-controlled conditions, making them a favored laboratory tool to investigate the details of particle formation. Here we present NanoParticle Flow Reactor (NanoPFR), a detailed model to simulate nanoparticle synthesis in flow reactors. The model predicts the agglomerate fractal-like morphology and size distribution with a 2-variable sectional population balance model coupled with gas-phase chemistry. The particle formation processes employed in the code are tested using detailed discrete element modeling simulations and then used to predict carbon black formation from ethylene pyrolysis experiments from the literature. The code is a robust flow reactor predictive tool with a strong foundation that can serve as a basis for further development, including the simulation of other nanoparticles formation.

Anti-hygroscopic effect of wheat gluten on freeze-dried apple powder

To solve the problem of apple powder strong hygroscopicity, wheat gluten was selected as a natural anticaking agent and added into apple powder in different proportions. The moisture absorption data of the samples was monitored in different relative humidity environments at 25 °C and 35 °C. The results showed that the addition of wheat gluten could reduce the equilibrium moisture content and the size and number of agglomerates of freeze-dried apple powder. The fitting parameters of the Guggenheim-Anderson-DeBoer and the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance results revealed that the existence of wheat gluten restricted the water migration, which was conducive to maintain a good particle state of powder. To sum up, the wheat gluten as an anticaking agent could not only have the effect of inhibiting moisture absorption during the storage of freeze-dried apple powder, but also possess the potential to be used in various fruit powder production.

Model of blood rheology including hemolysis based on population balance

This study aimed to develop a universal rheological blood model that reflects physiological processes related to blood in any blood vessel. Blood is a multicomponent fluid and its rheology depends on various factors, such as concentration of red blood cells and local shear stresses. However, existing rheology models cannot be used for all flows and geometries. The population balance blood rheology model proposed in this study mimics the natural mechanisms of red blood cell agglomeration and deagglomeration using the quadrature methods of moments implemented in computational fluid dynamics codes. In addition, it can model hemolysis flows observed in arteries with atherosclerotic changes in an in vivo environment. The new model is also useful in modeling local viscosity in arteries with stenosis and hemolysis, owing to only single red blood cells being hemolyzed. The geometries used for calculations were simplified models of the arteries observed during medical procedures. The results demonstrated that the model correctly predicted the uneven distribution of red blood cell agglomerates across arteries. Furthermore, the presented model predicted a smoother transition between high and low viscosity zones before and after stenosis, respectively, compared to the characteristic viscosity of the Carreau Yasuda model for viscosimetric conditions. Furthermore. the proposed model can predict the concentration of deagglomerated single red blood cells and the size of red blood cell agglomerates, which influences blood rheology and hemolysis.

Experimental study on agglomeration characteristics and suspension velocity of cohesive adsorbent powders in a conical airflow cylinder

Pneumatic conveying is widely used in the process of injecting adsorbents into furnace. Agglomeration characteristics and suspension velocity of cohesive adsorbent powders are useful for the design and optimization of pneumatic conveying systems. Meanwhile, the agglomerate size significantly affects the suspension velocity of powders. In the present work, a conical airflow cylinder was used to suspend the cohesive adsorbent powders, and some important characteristics during suspension, such as the agglomerate size, suspension velocity, and agglomerate density were systematically studied. The effects of moisture content and particle size on the agglomerate size and suspension velocity were investigated. The results showed that the agglomerate size and suspension velocity increased with increasing moisture content and decreasing particle size. In addition, agglomerate density was measured, and an improved correlation for predicting the suspension velocity of cohesive powders was obtained. The correlation performed well, and the relative errors were better than ±20%. • Effects of water content and particle size on agglomeration behaviors are studied. • The agglomerate size increases with increasing moisture content. • Suspension velocity increases due to the increasing of agglomerate size. • An improved correlation for predicting the suspension velocity is obtained.

Morphological investigation of maleic anhydride-grafted nitrile/nanoclay nanocomposites

The dispersion and orientation of three different montmorillonite clay nanoparticles embedded in nitrile-based nanocomposites were examined in the current study. Maleic anhydride was grafted onto a nitrile structure for the purpose of enhancing compatibility, and the resulting nanocomposites were investigated. The grafting of maleic anhydride seemed to have a pronounced effect, leading the structure to a near-exfoliation state. Using energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer, the state of distribution of layered silicate clusters in the nanocomposite was assessed, and it was observed that maleic anhydride provided a reduction in the size of agglomerations and enhanced the homogeneity of the system. The intercalation and delamination of the layered silicates over grafting were validated by transmission electron microscopy. Inter-lamellar spacing measurements were found to correlate perfectly with x-ray data. On the other hand, the alignment of the clay nanoparticles was examined by small angle x-ray scattering. A 3D-orientation approach was developed based on the scattering stereographs.

Multi-layer Raman chemical mapping to investigate the effect of API particle size and blending shear rate on API domain sizes in pharmaceutical tablets

While macromixing (gross uniformity) has received a lot of attention in pharmaceutical powder blending, micromixing (particularly, particle-level aggregation) has been significantly less studied. This study investigated the impact of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particle size (D50: 11, 28, and 70 µm) and blending shear rate (low and high) that was caused by tumbling blending (specifically, a V-blender) on micro-mixing. The effect on micro-mixing (API domain sizes) was assessed in direct compression tablets using high-resolution Raman chemical mapping. Analyses of multiple layers within tablets enabled a more reliable understanding of the variability in API domain sizes with respect to the independent variables. The relationship between API domain sizes and the manufactured tablets' content uniformity (CU) was also investigated using near-infrared transmission spectroscopy. Generally, at low shear, as the API particle size decreased, the frequency and size of API agglomerates increased, resulting in poor CU. However, in all cases, API domain sizes drastically reduced at high shear, resulting in an acceptable CU. The results of this work clearly demonstrated the utility of a multi-layer, multi-tablet, and high-resolution Raman chemical mapping as an off-line process analytical technology (PAT) system, to enable quality-by-design driven formulation and process development.

Ferric ions release from iron-binding protein: Interaction between acrylamide and human serum transferrin and the underlying mechanisms of their binding

Acrylamide (ACR) is a surprisingly common chemical due to its widespread use in industry and various other applications. However, its toxicity is a matter of grave concern for public health. Even worse, ACR is frequently detected in numerous fried or baked carbohydrate-rich foods due to the Maillard browning reaction. Herein, this study intends to delineate the underlying molecular mechanisms of Fe ions released from iron-binding protein transferrin (TF) after acrylamide binding by combining multiple methods, including multiple complementary spectroscopic techniques (UV–Vis, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy), isothermal titration calorimetry, ICP-MS measurements, and modeling simulations. Results indicated that free Fe was released from TF only under high-dose ACR exposure (>100 μM). Acrylamide binding induced the loosening and unfolding of the backbone and polypeptide chain and destroyed the secondary structure of TF, thereby leading to protein misfolding and denaturation of TF and forming a larger size of TF agglomerates. Of which, H-binding and van der Waals force are the primary driving force during the binding interaction between ACR and TF. Further modeling simulations illustrated that ACR prefers to bind to the hinge region connecting the C-lobe and N-lobe, after that it attaches to the Fe binding sites of this protein, which is the cause of free Fe release from TF. Moreover, ACR interacted with the critical fluorophore residues (Tyr, Trp, and Phe) in the binding pocket, which might explain such a phenomenon of fluorescence sensitization. The two binding sites (Site 2 and Site 3) located around the Fe (III) ions with low-energy conformations are more suitable for ACR binding. Collectively, our study demonstrated that the loss of iron in TF caused by acrylamide-induced structural and conformational changes of transferrin.

The role of alcoholic solvents in PEDOT:PSS modification as hole transport layers for polymer solar cells

In this work, the effect of two types of alcohol, 2-propanol and ethanol, on PEDOT:PSS film formation was investigated. It was found that adding an alcohol solvent to an aqueous solution of PEDOT:PSS results in improved morphology of films obtained by spin-coating technique. We observe that the alcohol solvent hinders the formation of PSS agglomerates and leads to the formation of more homogeneous PEDOT:PSS films. Moreover, the reduction of PSS agglomerates improves the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films. The polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on PEDOT:PSS with improved morphology and conductivity were fabricated. Current-voltage characteristic of PSCs indicates that the PEDOT:PSS improvement results in boosted photovoltaic performance, which according to an impedance spectroscopy study is related to the enhanced hole transfer at PEDOT:PSS/ITO and PEDOT:PSS/Polymer interfaces due to the reduction of density and sizes of PSS agglomerates. In the case of 2-propanol, the observed improvements are more profound in comparison with ethanol. The advantage of 2-propanol in the formation of PEDOT:PSS is also discussed in this work.