Coated Glass Substrates Research Articles

Microfluidic Nanobioplatform-Based Immunosensor for Monitoring of 25-Hydroxy Vitamin-D3

Abstract Measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 (25-VitD3) is crucial because its deficiency is linked to a variety of disorders, including osteoporosis, diabetes, depression, some autoimmune conditions, and even Covid-19. Hence, it is important to find new methods for efficient rapid testing for clinical diagnosis and public health prevention. Here, a new nanomaterial-based microfluidic electrochemical immunosensor towards the determination of 25-VitD3 using microwave synthesized gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (GdNPs) is presented. Mask-less lithography was used to create a micro-fluidic nano-bioplatform (MNBP) and three-electrode immunosensor on a transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate. To fabricate MNBP (BSA/AB-25VitD3/CS@GdNPs/ITO), the working electrodes were functionalized with GdNPs, AB-25VitD3, and BSA (bovine serum albumin) in that order. The electrochemical response induced by the immunocomplex was measured in individual 25-VitD3 concentrations (1-100 ng mL-1). This immunosensor exhibited a higher sensitivity of 5.99 ng mL-1, limits of detection of 4.5 ng mL-1, and an analysis time of 30 minutes. In addition, clinical serum samples from three healthy people were used to validate the MNBP-based immunosensor, which showed a strong correlation with traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The use of proposed immunosensor to serum samples would allow early detection of 25-VitD3 deficiency, particularly in rural and resource-constrained settings.

Enhancing Indoor Photovoltaic Performance of Inverted Type Organic Solar Cell by Controlling Photoactive Layer Solution Concentration

With the development of various low-power indoor electronic devices, indoor photovoltaics, particularly organic solar cells (OSCs) have attracted a lot of interest in recent years. Increasing the light absorption and suppressing the leakage current are pivotal to improve the indoor photovoltaic performance of OSCs. In this study, the carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-incorporated photoactive layer solution concentration was varied to improve the photovoltaic performance under 1-sun and indoor white LED illumination. The photoactive layer was composed of (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) (PCBM) as the acceptor and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the donor. The ZnO electron transport layer was deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrates using a spin coating technique. The photoactive layers with different solution concentrations were spin coated on top of the ZnO layer. For device completion, silver anode was thermally evaporated. It is interesting to find that the optimum solution concentration obtained under white LED illumination is larger than that under 1-sun illumination. The maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.95% was obtained under 1-sun illumination for device with the solution concentration of 36 mg/mL, whereas, under white LED illumination, the highest PCE of 3.59% was obtained for the device with solution concentration of 48 mg/mL.The discrepancy is ascribed to the higher light absorption of thicker photoactive layer and less significant charge recombination loss under weak light intensity. This study highlights the importance of using different optimization strategies to improve the photovoltaic performance of OSCs for outdoor and indoor applications.

Mechanically Flexible, Large-Area Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Dendritic Au Films for Reproducible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Nanoplastics.

The escalating crisis of nanoplastic pollution in water and food products demands the development of novel methodologies for detection and recycling. Despite various techniques available, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is emerging as a highly efficient technique for the trace detection of micro/nanoplastics. However, the development of highly reproducible and stable, flexible SERS substrates that can be used for sensitive detection in environmental medium remains a challenge. Here, we report a fabrication of large-area, three-dimensional (3D), and highly flexible SERS substrate based on porous dendritic Au films onto a flexible indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate via facile, thermal evaporation of Au over the vacuum-compatible deep eutectic solvent (DES)-coated glass substrate and subsequent direct transfer process. The as-fabricated 3D dendritic Au/ITO flexible substrates can be used for ultrasensitive SERS detection of crystal violet (CV) as probe analyte molecules with the limit of detection (LOD) as low as 6.4 × 10-15 M, with good signal reproducibility (RSD of 11.3%). In addition, the substrate showed excellent sensitivity in detecting nanoplastics such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (200 nm) and polystyrene (100 nm) with LODs reaching up to 0.051 and 8.2 μg/mL, respectively. This work provides a facile approach for the preparation of highly flexible plasmonic substrates, showing great potential for the SERS detection of a variety of environmental pollutants.

Supercapacitor performance of pure and Ni-doped CuO electrodes prepared by USP

Abstract In this study, the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) technique was employed to fabricate pure and 3% Ni-doped copper oxide (CuO) thin films (TFs) on In2O3/SnO2 (ITO) coated glass substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that both pure and 3% Ni-doped CuO TFs exhibit a polycrystalline structure with the tenorite phase oriented preferentially along the (111) plane. The morphological properties of these TFs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed that the deposited TFs achieved the desired stoichiometry. The electrochemical properties of both pure and 3% Ni-doped CuO TFs were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). At a current density of 1 A g−1, the specific capacitance of pure CuO TFs was found to be 78 F g−1, decreasing to 2 F g−1 at 10 A g−1. In contrast, Ni-doped CuO TFs exhibited a specific capacitance of 722 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and 20 F g−1 at 10 A g−1. These results indicate that Ni-doping significantly enhances the specific capacitance values. The superior performance of Ni-doped CuO electrodes is attributed to their uniformly high porosity and improved electrical conductivity, demonstrating Ni-doped CuO as an optimal electrode material for pseudocapacitors.

Impact of surface-roughness and fractality on electrical conductivity of SnS thin films

Mono- and multi-fractal geometry have been used to explore the surface characteristics of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of the SnS films with thicknesses of 100 nm (SnS1) to 600 nm (SnS4), respectively. For this investigation, the SnS thin films have been grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrate through the thermal evaporation route, and surface morphologies are captured by SEM. Two-dimensional multi-fractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) based on the partition function is used to examine whether the surfaces have a multi-fractal nature or not. The partition function is applied to extract the generalized Hurst exponent from the segment size. It has been found that surfaces with higher surface roughness induce substantial nonlinearity and a wider width of the multi-fractal spectrum. The multi-fractal spectrum acquired from the analysis of the geometry and shape of the singularity spectrum is used to quantify the irregularity and complexity of surfaces. Minkowski functionals (MFs) parameters such as volume, boundary, and connectivity were measured for each thin film. Moreover, we tried to correlate the electrical conductivity with the mono- and multi-fractal parameters such as fractal dimension (Df), singularity strength function (Δα), singularity spectrum Δf(α), and it is observed that the conductivity of a thin film decreases with decreasing fractal dimension. The minimum (maximum) resistivity (conductivity) was observed for the surface having a larger fractal dimension. The present investigation suggests that such SnS surfaces, having minimal resistivity and maximum conductivity on the roughest surface, indicate enhanced light trapping capacity and can be utilized as active layers for advanced optoelectronics devices.

Structural, morphological, and optical properties of CuO nanoblade-decorated TiO2 nanotubular photoelectrodes

Titania (TiO2) nanotubular photoelectrodes are a competitive component of titania-based photoelectrochemical water splitting systems. However, TiO2 actively absorbs light in the UV region, which limits its usefulness in solar water splitting, a fast-growing clean energy alternative. In this study, the structural, morphological and optical properties of CuO/TiO2 nanostructures on conductive transparent F-doped SnO2 (FTO) coated glass substrates are engineered for potential application in solar water splitting. The efficacy of a three-step anodization synthesis process to develop free-standing high-fidelity nanotubular TiO2 thin films (∼8μm) is demonstrated. CuO nanoblades were deposited on TiO2/FTO by a successive ionic layer adsorption reaction (SILAR). An increase in the precursor concentration and number of immersion cycles influenced the adsorption of CuO and the resultant red shift in the absorption range. SEM and TEM analyses confirm the formation of a heterostructure, with evidence of CuO nanostructures within the TiO2 nanotubular arrays and on the top of the tubes.

Recycling and reusing ITO substrates from perovskite solar cells: A sustainable perspective

In the present work we have carried out two benign routes to recycle ITO coated glass substrates of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using diluted potassium hydroxide (KOH) or citric acid solutions. After removal of the different layers of the cells structural, optical and electrical properties of ITO recycled substrates were characterized and compared with virgin ones. Sheet resistance and roughness measurements indicate that diluted KOH treatment is the preferred method as it leads to no detectable damage to the ITO coating. We also evaluate the factor of merit of ITO substrate taking into account transmittance and conductivity results obtaining similar values for KOH ITO recovered and original substrates. A new PSC device (with a wide bandgap perovskite absorber) using this recycled ITO was manufactured with identical power conversion efficiencies to the ones achieved with pristine substrates, in this case approx. 18 %.

Potential for multi-application advancements from doping zirconium (Zr) for improved optical, electrical, and resistive memory properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films

Transition metal-doped Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films with an optimal wide band gap and semiconducting nature find numerous applications in optoelectronic devices, gas sensors, spintronic devices, and electronics. In this study, Zirconium (Zr) doped ZnO thin films were deposited on ITO (Indium Tin oxide) coated glass substrate using RF-magnetron sputtering. Optical and electrical properties were examined for their potential use in resistive random-access memory (RRAM) applications. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate structural, optical, and compositional properties and roughness respectively. The results demonstrate that the films possess crystalline properties. Additionally, an augmentation in Zr concentration correlates with an elevation in the optical band gap, ascending from 3.226 eV to 3.26 eV, accompanied by an increase in Urbach energy from 0.0826 eV to 0.1234 eV. The film with the highest Zr content among all the films demonstrated the best electrical performance for resistive memory applications. Incorporating Zr as a dopant shows enhancement in the electrical performance and such ZnO films with optimum concertation of Zr can potentially be used in RRAM. ZnO being a versatile host material, its doping with Zr may extend its applications in catalysis, gas sensing, energy storage, and biomedical engineering. ZnO thin films employ zirconium (Zr) as a dopant, which is a novel way to improve the material’s characteristics. Although ZnO has been thoroughly researched, adding Zr presents a novel technique to enhance optical, electrical, and resistive memory characteristics all at once that has not been fully investigated.

Label-Free Electrochemical Dopamine Biosensor Based on Electrospun Nanofibers of Polyaniline/Carbon Nanotube Composites.

The development of conducting polymer incorporated with carbon materials-based electrochemical biosensors has been intensively studied due to their excellent electrical, optical, thermal, physical and chemical properties. In this work, a label-free electrochemical dopamine (DA) biosensor based on polyaniline (PANI) and its aminated derivative, i.e., poly(3-aminobenzylamine) (PABA), composited with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-CNTs), was developed to utilize a conducting polymer as a transducing material. The electrospun nanofibers of the composites were fabricated on the surface of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrate under the optimized condition. The PANI/f-CNTs and PABA/f-CNTs electrospun nanofibers were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which confirmed the existence of f-CNTs in the composites. The electroactivity of the electrospun nanofibers was investigated in phosphate buffer saline solution using cyclic voltammetry (CV) before being employed for label-free electrochemical detection of DA using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The sensing performances including sensitivity, selectivity, stability, repeatability and reproducibility of the fabricated electrospun nanofiber films were also electrochemically evaluated. The electrochemical DA biosensor based on PANI/f-CNTs and PABA/f-CNTs electrospun nanofibers exhibited a sensitivity of 6.88 µA·cm-2·µM-1 and 7.27 µA·cm-2·µM-1 in the linear range of 50-500 nM (R2 = 0.98) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0974 µM and 0.1554 µM, respectively. The obtained DA biosensor showed great stability, repeatability and reproducibility with precious selectivity under the common interferences, i.e., glucose, ascorbic acid and uric acid. Moreover, the developed electrochemical DA biosensor also showed the good reliability under detection of DA in artificial urine.

Transparent Superhydrophobic and Self-Cleaning Coating.

Surface roughness and low surface energy are key elements for the artificial preparation of biomimetic superhydrophobic materials. However, the presence of micro-/nanostructures and the corresponding increase in roughness can increase light scattering, thereby reducing the surface transparency. Therefore, designing and constructing superhydrophobic surfaces that combine superhydrophobicity with high transparency has been a continuous research focus for researchers and engineers. In this study, a transparent superhydrophobic coating was constructed on glass substrates using hydrophobic fumed silica (HF-SiO2) and waterborne polyurethane (WPU) as raw materials, combined with a simple spray-coating technique, resulting in a water contact angle (WCA) of 158.7 ± 1.5° and a sliding angle (SA) of 6.2 ± 1.8°. Characterization tests including SEM, EDS, LSCM, FTIR, and XPS revealed the presence of micron-scale protrusions and a nano-scale porous network composite structure on the surface. The presence of HF-SiO2 not only provided a certain roughness but also effectively reduced surface energy. More importantly, the coating exhibited excellent water-repellent properties, extremely low interfacial adhesion, self-cleaning ability, and high transparency, with the light transmittance of the coated glass substrate reaching 96.1% of that of the bare glass substrate. The series of functional characteristics demonstrated by the transparent superhydrophobic HF-SiO2@WPU coating designed and constructed in this study will play an important role in various applications such as underwater observation windows, building glass facades, automotive glass, and goggles.

Síntese e caracterização de filmes de Polipirrol dopados com Tetraquis(4-carboxifenil) porfirina para aplicações fotoelectroquímicas

Photoelectrochemistry is emerging as a promising technology for harvesting and utilizing solar energy in a wide range of applications. However, electrode materials still need to be improved to achieve optimal performance. Conductive polymers emerge as particularly promising organic compounds for this purpose due to their highly versatile properties. In this study, the galvanostatic synthesis of polypyrrole films co-doped with tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (PPy/TCPP) on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrates was performed for the first time. In addition, an evaluation of these films as photoelectrodes was performed, focusing on key properties. The incorporation of porphyrin into the polymer matrix was confirmed by UV-Vis and IR characterization. SEM micrographs showed the morphological changes induced by the codopant. Cyclovoltammetry was used to evaluate the conductivity of the film, its electroactivity, electroactive area and HOMO energy level. The chopped chronoamperometry confirmed the photoactivity of the material and its stability for 3000 s. The electrical and optical properties of the polymer were characterized by EIS and light absorption measurements to propose its energy level diagram. The PPy/TCPP coatings were obtained with high homogeneity on FTO, good conductivity, quasi-reversible electrochemical activity to ferrocene probe and stable photoactivity. Electrical characterization indicates high charge flow under illumination. An indirect bandgap of 2.51 eV and a HOMO level value of -4.59 eV were obtained for PPy/TCPP.

Relationship between crystal orientation and energy storage capacity in WO3 photoelectrodes for water splitting

For photoelectrochemical water splitting, tungsten trioxide (WO3) films with a monoclinic structure were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass substrates with a vacuum evaporation method. To control the WO3 film thickness from 0.42 to 5.6 μm, the crystal orientation was intergraded from the (200) crystal plane to the (002) one. In x-ray diffraction measurements, the intensity ratio of the (002) crystal plane to the (200) one was defined as rp. In the WO3 photoelectrode with higher (002)-preferred orientation, the photocurrent continued to flow even when the incident light against the photoelectrode was completely blocked after the irradiation for 60 s. This suggests that hydrogen continues to be produced owing to the electrons charged by the formation of a hydrogen tungsten bronze (HxWO3) phase. After 72 s, the photocurrent density of the WO3 photoelectrode with rp = 42 became one-tenth of the value before the incident light was blocked. This charge release time was remarkably long compared to those of the WO3 photoelectrodes with (200)-preferred orientation and non-orientation. Therefore, it was considered that the hydrogen ion diffusion through the defects in the WO3 crystals tends to occur in the [002] crystal direction. However, the improvement in the (002)-preferred orientation can facilitate the structural change from the WO3 phase to the HxWO3 one for the entire film.

Electrochemically Grown Hole-Rich NiO(OH) Thin Films toward Hole-Mediated Very Fast and Selective Enzyme-Free Electrochemical Sensing of Dopamine under Simulated Environment.

This work aimed to develop an enzyme-free semiconductor-assisted electrochemical technique for the selective detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In this case, electrochemically grown nickel oxyhydroxide [NiO(OH)] thin films were chosen to fabricate the sensing platform, i.e., the electrodes. Chronoamperometry was used to deposit the films on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. The films were thoroughly characterized to establish their structure, composition, phase purity, and electrochemical attributes. Electrochemical sensing characteristics were investigated by means of cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, steady-state amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effects of several interfering agents like glucose, sodium chloride, methanol, hydrogen peroxide, and paracetamol were also studied on the detection attributes of dopamine. Significantly high value of sensitivity (11.87 μA μM-1 cm-2) was obtained for dopamine sensing that was associated with a limit of detection (LoD) of 0.22 μM of dopamine. However, the sensitivity (2.51 μA μM-1 cm-2) and LoD (1.20 μM) obtained for serotonin were inferior compared to those of dopamine. The performance of the electrode toward dopamine sensing was not compromised either in the presence of only serotonin or a series of other electroactive interfering agents, which makes the electrode very much dopamine selective. The dopamine response time was 200 ms, which is notably fast. Extensive studies on the effect of temperature, pH and scan rate on the detection of dopamine by the developed electrode material have also been carried out. The developed electrodes were also found to be notably stable for dopamine detection with a decay of only 6.6% in oxidation peak current density after the 50th cycle. Real-life application of the developed electrode material was checked with urine samples from adult male humans and yielded encouraging results.

Ultrafast and selective detection of dopamine by DC sputtered highly oriented CuO thin films: Effect of electroactive interfering agents and temperature

Dopamine and serotonin are two neurotransmitters that play critical role in human physiology. In this work, it has been aimed to synthesize a chip-based sensing platform that can detect dopamine precisely in a non-enzymatic way in presence of a series of electroactive interfering agents. Copper oxide (CuO), a p-type material with excellent surface and electrochemical properties, has been deposited through direct current (DC) sputtering technique on indium doped tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates as the sensing platform. The structure, phase purity and other essential properties of the modified electrode were established through x-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and ultraviolet – visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Detailed electrochemical investigations with the modified electrode have also been carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (i – t) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) that revealed ultrafast response (10 ms), excellent sensitivity (5.41 µAµM-1cm−2) and low limit of detection (LoD) of 0.46 µM for the electrode towards dopamine. The electrode exhibited sensitivity of 0.37 µAµM-1cm−2 with average LoD of 19.2 µM towards serotonin, which is inferior to dopamine. The threshold response potential was also quite different for dopamine and serotonin. The modified electrode was also found to be nonresponsive to a series of electroactive interfering agents, making it dopamine selective. The role of p-type conductivity of the electrode material towards such selective detection of dopamine was also explained. The electrode was notably reliable from the point of view of electrochemical performance and structural stability. Real sample analysis was also carried out by taking urine sample from adult male human.

Influence of the concentration of KOH-based aqueous electrolyte on the electrochemical behavior of NiO thin film

In this research, we explored the influence of varying concentrations of KOH electrolyte (0.5, 1, and 2 M) on the electrochemical characteristics of Nickel Oxide (NiO) thin film. The deposition of NiO material onto glass and Fluor Tin Oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates was achieved through the chemical spray pyrolysis method. Subsequent examinations encompassed structural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical assessments, employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometry, and cyclic voltammetry (CV), respectively. XRD analysis unveiled a polycrystalline cubic structure of NiO with a preference for orientation along the (111) plane. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the NiO phase, whereas SEM images depicted the emergence of interconnected nanograins with occasional minor cracks. EDS examination and elemental mapping further substantiated a homogeneous dispersion of elements. Optical analysis disclosed a band gap energy of 3.54 eV and an average transmittance of 71 % in the visible range. Electrochemical analysis indicated that the specific capacitance reached its peak at [1 M] (70 F. g−1). The [2 M] electrolyte exhibited the highest optical modulation (29 %), the most substantial charge density (Qi = 9.5 mC/cm2), and the most favorable switching kinetics. However, the coloration efficiency slightly decreased from 30.94 cm2/C in [1 M] to 30.47 cm2/C in the [2 M] solution, despite these improvements.

Exploration of the optical characteristics in sol-gel synthesized europium-doped zinc oxide thin films for potential optoelectronic use: a comprehensive characterization approach

Abstract In this study, we present our findings on the spin coated pure Zinc-Oxide (ZnO) nanowire arrays and Europium doped ZnO (Eu3+: ZnO) nanostructure thin films. These arrays were grown on soda lime (silica) coated glass substrate. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the structural and optical properties of the as-synthesized nanostructures. The characterization techniques included x-ray Diffraction, FESEM Analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence and UV–vis Analysis. The XRD findings indicate the incorporation of Europium (Eu3+) into the ZnO crystalline lattice, potentially replacing Zn2+ ions. This doping with Europium (Eu3+) led to a reduction in crystalline size, as determined by Scherrer’s equation decreasing from 48 nm to 28 nm demonstrates a decrease in defects within the films. Raman Shift analysis revealed changes in the optical properties of films with inclusion of Europium in host matrix. Photoluminescence studies demonstrated a distinctive 5D0 to 7F2 transition arising from the Eu3+ ions, observed at approximately 612 nm. We have thoroughly examined the optical characteristics of both Europium-doped and pure ZnO thin films through a systematic study. The optical properties were assessed by analyzing the absorption spectra (220–600 nm) and transmission spectra within the wavelength range of 200 to 1200 nm. The film exhibited an impressive 80% transparency, particularly noteworthy for window layer application. The refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k) and all other associated parameters were found to be impacted by the doping of Europium. The refractive index dispersion relation has been explored using a single oscillator model. Furthermore, the non-linear optical susceptibility (χ 3) and non-linear refractive index were computed using semi-empirical relationships based on the linear optical parameters. The Europium (Eu3+) doping in ZnO led to an increase in the χ 3 value elevating it from 4.07 × 10–1° to 5.91 × 10–1° e.s.u. These findings suggest that Europium-doped ZnO nanostructures have the potential to be a promising platform for the development of efficient multispectral light-emitting diodes (LED’s) and optical devices.

Electrodeposition of Phase–Pure n–Type Cu2O: Role of Electrode Reactions and Local pH

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) thin films, antithetically exhibiting n-type conductivity, were electro–deposited on Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates. Linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and chronopotentiometry studies coupled with structural characterization of the deposit identify the occurrence of multiple reduction reactions, including “corrosion” of Cu2O to Cu. Interestingly, an underpotential conversion (negative of +0.039 V vs Ag/AgCl) of the Cu2O film to Cu islands is observed during potentiostatic deposition. The same process is also shown as a potential spike in chronopotentiometry curves, during galvanostatic deposition, at current densities that are cathodic of −0.2 mAcm−1. The reason for the formation of Cu is attributed to the decrease in local pH in the vicinity of the working electrode, whence thermodynamic conditions favor the formation of Cu. The proroguation of Cu formation is achieved by continuously stirring the solution, thereby stabilizing the pH at the electrode. Deferment of film corrosion to increasingly longer times is observed with increasing stirring rates. Mott-Schottky analysis of phase-pure films reveals the formation of degenerately doped n-type Cu2O films (n ∼1020 cm−3). The phase pure Cu2O films could be used as an electron transport layer in several photo-conversion devices and ultimately pave the way for an oxide homojunction device.

Durability enhancement of all-solid-state electrochromic devices by adjusting the charge density ratio between electrochromic and counter electrode layers

Owing to an increase in global warming, smart-window devices based on charge-balanced electrochromic devices (ECDs), which exhibit high potential to increase the thermal efficiency of buildings, have gained prominence. However, studies on the fabrication and cycling stability of charge-balanced ECDs are scarce. In this study, WO3 and NiOx films were deposited on indium–tin–oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates by reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering, and the deposition time was varied to control the thickness and charge density of the thin films. Subsequently, the NiOx/ITO/glass and WO3/ITO/glass substrates were laminated with a Li-based polymeric electrolyte to fabricate all-solid-state ECDs comprising electrochromic (EC) and counter-electrode (CE) layers in charge-density ratios of 12.6, 6.4, 2.3, and 1.1. Changes in the electrochromic properties, device-layer microstructure, crystal structure, and elemental composition of the as-constructed ECDs before and after degradation were investigated to understand the influence of the charge-density ratio of the EC and CE layers on the long-term durability of ECDs. Increasing the charge-density ratio decreased the cycling stability of the device owing to changes in the microstructure and crystal structure of the NiOx layer in the microstructural deep-trap sites. Among all the ECDs, those comprising EC and CE layers with similar charge densities showed the most stable optical modulation and highest long-term durability. Finally, based on the aforementioned results, a degradation mechanism for charge-imbalanced all-solid-state ECDs was proposed. This study is expected to open new frontiers in designing optimal-performance electrochemical devices with a wide variety of potential applications.

The Oxidase Mimicking Activity of MnOx NPs/Co3O4 NPs Hybrid Nanozyme for Glucose Oxidation

Herein, the hybrid nanozyme MnOx NPs/Co3O4 NPs on indium tin oxide coated glass substrate (ITO) was manufactured by imparting the porous morphology with its distinct merits: its surface valence states, oxygen vacancies, large surface area, and abundant active sites. The oxidase-like activity was investigated via the catalytic oxidation of chromogenic substrate in the presence of glucose visualized by the eyes. MnOx NPs containing Mn2+ and Mn3+ have a superior ability to oxidize glucose by reducing dissolved oxygen and producing H2O2. Co3O4 NPs, in turn, reduce H2O2 with concomitant 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidization. Thus, the nanozyme mimics the dual roles of glucose oxidase and peroxidase. The oxidase-like activity of hybrid nanozyme for glucose was found to be higher than those of single components. The nanozyme responded to glucose with a linear range from 60 µM to 1200 μM. The acceptable performance is probably due to the facilitated access of glucose to the proximity of the sensor surface. Good reproducibility was accomplished by virtue of the meticulous construction of NPs. Without functionalization and enzyme utilization, the fabricated nanozyme holds promise as a substitute for peroxidase and oxidase for detecting glucose.

Enhancement of electrochemical reversibility in Poly 3-hexylthiophene layers for flexible dynamic glass windows applications

Thin films of Poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) were deposited onto Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates using a spin coating method and the films were vacuum annealed at different temperatures to study the effect of annealing on the electrochemical reversibility. From the absorption spectra, the variation of the optical band gap with annealing temperature was studied for different annealing temperatures. The optical band gap obtained for P3HT film deposited at room temperature (RT) was around 1.94 eV and 1.92 eV for the sample annealed at 100 °C. A cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis showed that at certain applied redox potentials, P3HT thin films changed the colour from magenta to transparent and then back to magenta in the reverse potential. P3HT films annealed at 100 °C showed the best electrochemical reversibility among all the annealed samples. These electrically switchable electrochromic P3HT thin films can be used in flexible dynamic windows (FDWs) as smart windows for controlling the temperature and light in buildings, displays and mirror light modulators.