ITO Glass Plates Research Articles

Photovoltaic Cell Prepared from Nanoparticles of CdS/CdTe on ITO Substrate and its Characterization

CdS/CdTe based photovoltaic cell has shown the markable efficiency. The CdS/CdTe nanoparticles are being synthesized and deposited on the ITO glass plate. ITO glass has a large bandgap of about approximately 3.6 eV and is suitable to use in the fabrication of photovoltaic cell. As ITO behaves as negative terminal, it is used as front layer for capturing the light intensity. During fabrication of photovoltaic cell, the deposition of Cadmium sulphide and Cadmium telluride nanoparticles layer was done by brush painting technique. The CdS layer is used as window layer and CdTe acts as absorbing layer. The window layer’s primary function is to absorb light particularly in the visible region of the spectrum to generate electricity. The CdS layer forms p-n junction with the CdTe layer. The nanoparticles of CdS and CdTe have been synthesized first and optical characterization was carried out using UV-visible spectroscopy to obtain bandgap of CdTe and CdS. Structural characterization was being obtained by XRD. The size of the nanocrystallites of CdS and CdTe have been obtained by Debye Scherrer equation and the result was 1.64 nm and 4.09 nm respectively. The CdTe layer which was used as absorbing layer consists of high optical absorption coefficient with high mobility, good carrier lifetime and an enhanced properties of crystallographic. Silver paste was used as a back contact for good conduction.

Potentiometric sensing of ibuprofen over ferric oxide doped chitosan grafted polypyrrole-based electrode

The present work demonstrates the correlation between structure, properties, and self-sensing protocols of in situ prepared ferric oxide doped grafted copolymer composite, comprised of ferric oxide, chitosan, and polypyrrole (α-Fe2O3-en-CHIT-g-PPy) for residual ibuprofen present in natural and artificial samples. The chemical structure, morphology, functionality, and physio-mechanical properties of the composite were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Two probe method, and standard ASTM techniques to explore sensing nature. The results confirm the evolution of axially aligned structure against 110 planes of α-Fe2O3 and chemically functionalized expanded polymer matrix during in-situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole, with better porosity, interactivity, and improved electrical conductivity i.e. 7.32 × 10−3 S cm−1. Further, a thin film of prepared composite coated on an ITO glass plate was explored for potentiometric sensing of ibuprofen (IBU) present in artificial and natural samples without the use of any additional energy sources. The observed sensing parameters are the sensing ranging 0.5 μM to 100.0 μM, sensitivity 2.5081 mV μM−1 cm−2, response time 50 s, recovery time 10 s, and stability for 60 days. The sensing mechanism of the IBU sensor and effective charge transfer in the electrode was also discussed based on changes in IR spectra of the electrode recorded before and after sensing due to surface oxidation of IBU due to the presence of iron and doping effect of iron oxide in the composite.

Stable, self-biased Cs2AgBiBr6 thin-film based photodetector by three-step vapor-deposition

A lead-free, pure phase double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 thin film (TF) is fabricated on an ITO glass plate through a three-step sequential vacuum thermal evaporation method followed by annealing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the synthesized material revealed a cubic phase with a lattice constant of α = 11.26 Å. The TF exhibits UV and visible absorption with a bandgap estimated at 2.31 eV (303 K) and a red shift of 0.04 eV (363 K). The optical absorption spectrum is simulated using the modified band anti-crossing (BAC) model, determining the Cs2AgBiBr6 TF's theoretical relative refractive index (r.i.) as 2.10 (303 K) and 1.90 (363 K). Furthermore, a photodetector based on Ag/Cs2AgBiBr6/ITO/glass architecture was fabricated, showcasing excellent stability and self-powered photodetection properties under continuous illumination across a wide temperature range of 303–373 K. The device demonstrates a fast temporal response (13/9 ms), a responsivity of ∼1.0 × 10−4 A/W, and a detectivity of ∼2.5 × 107 Jones. Light sensitivity measurements reveal that the device is twice as sensitive at 373 K compared to room temperature, with negligible (1%) degradation in light sensitivity after 60 days of storage under normal ambient conditions.

Nano-hetero-structured thin films, ZnO/Ag-(α)Fe2O3, with n/n junction, as efficient photoanode for renewable hydrogen generation via photoelectrochemical water splitting

Significant gains in PEC water splitting photocurrent were recorded using n/n junction bi-layered nano-hetero-structured (BNHS) thin films, ZnO/Ag-(α)Fe2O3, as photoanode. Films, synthesized over ITO (In:SnO2) glass plates, were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. PEC cell, fabricated through electrical contacting of BNHS films (3% Ag incorporation)/electrolyte (0.1 M NaOH, pH 13, temperature 32 ± 3.6 °C) junction working electrode with platinum counter electrode and saturated calomel reference electrode, yielded nearly 2 and 20 fold increment in photocurrent, against monolayered pristine ZnO and (α)Fe2O3 thin films, respectively. Marked gain in PEC cell-response towards water splitting was attributed to high active surface area and n/n hetero-junction that favored the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.

A back illuminated solar cell using PbS quantum dots as sensitisers

Quantum dot sensitised solar cells (QDSSC) is generally fabricated using transparent conducting (TCO) glass plates and platinum or gold as electrodes. The article reports a modified back side illuminated QDSSC structure utilising aluminium foil as electrodes. PbS quantum dots have been synthesised using simple chemical method and are utilised as sensitisers in a ZnO-based solar cell structure. Two types of QDSSCs are fabricated using the same quantum dots, i.e., one using ITO glass plate and the other using aluminium. The solar cell parameters are obtained for both the structures and their comparative analysis is reported in the paper.

Subwavelength coupling strengthened optical amplification in nematic liquid crystal cells

We observed strikingly different first reflection dynamics of two counter-propagating laser beams passing through a wedge-shaped C60-doped liquid crystal cell sandwiched between two ZnSe-coated ITO glass plates without applied electric field, suggesting a strong subwavelength energy coupling between light beams. Exponential gain coefficient as high as 10 574 cm−1 was obtained from the 1.1 μm-thick portion of the cell under applied voltage U0 = 3.0 V, consisting with the subwavelength coupling picture. Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) supporting layer is identified by considering dipolar properties of liquid crystal molecules that are well aligned. The specific features in energy coupling dynamics and 2D diffraction patterns perceived suggest that SPP mediated coupling is responsible for all the findings.

先端技術の仕組みに触れるLCDデバイス作製の教材化

Procedure of preparing polarizing film from iodine doped-Vinylon® film was developed, and was applied to the scratch building of TN type-LCD device. The polarizing film was prepared as following:Vinylon® film strip was immersed to Lugol’s solution ca. 15min, and then was manually stretched on the surface of a glass bottle. The film was dried and attached on a 35mm slide mount, to use as polarizing filter. By using present procedure, assembling of TN type-LCD device was designed as an experimental teaching material for laboratory class program. The LCD device consisted from a pair of ITO glass electrodes, liquid crystal (4-cyano-4’ (-pentylbiphenyl) ), and a pair of the polarizing filters. To appropriately orient the liquid crystal molecule in the device, both of the ITO glass plate were coated with PVA, and the coated surface of each plate was rubbed with nylon cloth to give horizontal or vertical ridge to the respectively. The present program was applied to a laboratory class (90 min, 14 students). 86% of the students successfully confirmed operation of the device.

Superhydrophobic-electrochromic PEDOT/PFHP bilayer surfaces

Firstly, highly soluble perfluorohexyl substituted pyrrole polymer (PFHP) was synthesized by one-step reaction and characterized using spectral characterization techniques. Monolayer PFHP films were deposited on ITO-glass plates by dip and spin-coating techniques using the THF and DCM solutions. Bilayer PEDOT/PFHP films were prepared in two steps: 1) Electrochemical deposition of PEDOT layer on ITO-glass surface, 2) PFHP top layer coating on PEDOT layer by dip and spin-coating techniques. Experimental conditions in coatings were varied to optimize the surface properties like hydrophobicity. SEM-EDX analyses were carried out to determine the surface characteristics. Water and oil contact angles (WCA and OCA) were measured by Attention Theta contact angle meter. Deposition of PFHP solutions on ITO-glasses formed relatively flat surfaces having low WCA and OCA. Bilayer PEDOT/PFHP had highly porous surfaces and increased WCA values up to >170°. The films prepared from DCM solutions had higher WCA values due to the formation of surface morphology. Electrochromic properties of superhydrophobic bilayer PEDOT/PFHP were also examined by spectroelectrochemical analysis. 20–25% of transmittance changes were obtained at two different absorption bands between the neutral and doped states.

Intraband Electron Cooling Mediated Unprecedented Photocurrent Conversion Efficiency of CdSxSe1–x Alloy QDs: Direct Correlation between Electron Cooling and Efficiency

Composition and size dependent band gap engineering with longer excited state charge carrier lifetime assist CdSxSe1–x alloy semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) as a promising candidate for quantum dot solar cell (QDSC). Colloidal CdSxSe1–x alloy QDs were synthesized using the hot injection method where a stoichiometric mixture of S-TOP and Se-TOP were injected at 270 °C in a mixture of Cd-oleate. The electron decoupled from hole in the alloyed structure due to delocalization of electron in electronically quasi type-II graded CdSxSe1–x alloyed structure. As a result, intraband electron cooling time increases from 100s of fs to sub 10 ps time scale in the alloyed graded structure. Extremely slow electron cooling time (∼8 ps) and less charge recombination (∼50% in >2 ns) as compared to both CdS and CdSe QDs are found to be beneficial for charge carrier extraction in QD solar cells. Using polysulfide electrolyte and Cu2S-deposited ITO glass plates as photocathode, the efficiency of the QD solar cell was measure...

Characterization of spray-deposited ZnO thin films for dye-sensitized solar cell application

ZnO films have been prepared on glass plates with concentrations of 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 M each consisting of 50 ml of solution using the spray pyrolysis technique. A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was constructed by means of the obtained film for 0.1 M which was also coated above the ITO substrate. N-719, iodide and platinum-coated ITO glass plates were used as the dye, electrolyte and counter electrode, respectively. XRD confirms that the structure of the film was polycrystalline having wurtzite structure. The surface with pores was found from the FESEM studies. The DSSC shows an optical transmittance of approximately 70 % in the visible region. The photoluminescence study reveals the electronic structure of the material. The efficiency of the DSSC measured for a 0.1 M ZnO thin film by sensitizing every 2 h was η = 0.51, 0.80, 0.54, 1.12, 2.11, 2.71, 3.15 and 3.20 %, respectively.

Synthesis and Characterization of Conducting Copolymers PANi‐PTh for Photovoltaic Cell Applications

SummaryDuring the last decade the field of polymer photovoltaic has seen a tremendous improvement in both device efficiency and understanding of the underlying optical properties. A class of new conjugated copolymers containing a donor polythiophene (PTh) and polyaniline (PANi) was synthesized via Chemical polymerization by using TiCl4 as a oxidizing agent. The resulting copolymer was characterized by FTIR, XRD, FE‐SEM analysis. We fabricated organic photovoltaic cell device by using as‐prepared composite. Copolymer photovoltaic cell of a bulk heterojunction was fabricated on ITO glass plates with the structure of ITO/copolymer/ITO. The photovoltaic parameter such as open‐circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), short‐circuit current (Isc), were measured. The conversion efficiency for as fabricated photovoltaic cell was found to be 0.23%.

Effect of Sn doping on the structural, optical and electrical properties of TiO2 films prepared by spray pyrolysis

In this work, highly oriented pure and Tin-doped Titanium dioxide (Sn-doped TiO2) with porous nature photoelectrodes were deposited on ITO glass plates using spray pyrolysis technique. The XRD pattern revealed the formation of anatase TiO2 with the maximum intensity of (101) plane while doping 6at% of Sn. The morphological studies depicted the porous nature with the uniform arrangement of small-sized grains. The presence of tin confirmed with the EDX spectra. The size of particles of 13nm was observed from High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis. The average transmittance was about 85% for the doped photoelectrode and was observed for the photoelectrode deposited with 6at% of tin, with decreased energy band gap. The PL study showed the emission peak at 391 nm. The maximum carrier concentration and Hall mobility was observed for the photoelectrode deposited with 6at% of tin. With these studies, the DSSCs were prepared separately with the dye extracted from Hibiscus Rosasinesis and Hibiscus Surttasinesis and their efficiency was maximum for the DSSC prepared with 6at% of tin.

Effect of Sn doping on the structural, optical and electrical properties of TiO2 films prepared by spray pyrolysis

In this work, highly oriented pure and tin-doped titanium dioxide (Sn-doped TiO2) with porous nature photoelectrodes were deposited on ITO glass plates using spray pyrolysis technique. The XRD pattern revealed the formation of anatase TiO2 with the maximum intensity of (101) plane while doping 6 at.% of Sn. The morphological studies depicted the porous nature with the uniform arrangement of small-sized grains. The presence of tin confirmed with the EDX spectra. The size of particles of 13 nm was observed from high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis. The average transmittance was about 85 % for the doped photoelectrode and was observed for the photoelectrode deposited with 6 at.% of tin with decrease in the energy band gap. The PL study showed the emission peak at 391 nm. The maximum carrier concentration and Hall mobility was observed for the photoelectrode deposited with 6 at.% of tin. With these studies, the DSSCs were prepared separately with the dye extracted from Hibiscus rosasinesis and Hibiscus surattensis and their efficiency was maximum for the DSSC prepared with 6 at.% of tin.

Profiling and Imaging Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Cholesterol and 7-Dehydrocholesterol in Cells Via Sputtered Silver MALDI.

Profiling and imaging of cholesterol and its precursors by mass spectrometry (MS) are important in a number of cholesterol biosynthesis disorders, such as in Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), where 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) is accumulated in affected individuals. SLOS is caused by defects in the enzyme that reduces 7-DHC to cholesterol. However, analysis of sterols is challenging because these hydrophobic olefins are difficult to ionize for MS detection. We report here sputtered silver matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-ion mobility-MS (IM-MS) analysis of cholesterol and 7-DHC. In comparison with liquid-based AgNO3 and colloidal Ag nanoparticle (AgNP), sputtered silver NP (10-25 nm) provided the lowest limits-of-detection based on the silver coordinated [cholesterol + Ag](+) and [7-DHC + Ag](+) signals while minimizing dehydrogenation products ([M + Ag-2H](+)). When analyzing human fibroblasts that were directly grown on poly-L-lysine-coated ITO glass plates with this technique, in situ, the 7-DHC/cholesterol ratios for both control and SLOS human fibroblasts are readily obtained. The m/z of 491 (specific for [7-DHC + (107)Ag](+)) and 495 (specific for [cholesterol + (109)Ag](+)) were subsequently imaged using MALDI-IM-MS. MS images were co-registered with optical images of the cells for metabolic ratio determination. From these comparisons, ratios of 7-DHC/cholesterol for SLOS human fibroblasts are distinctly higher than in control human fibroblasts. Thus, this strategy demonstrates the utility for diagnosing/assaying the severity of cholesterol biosynthesis disorders in vitro.

Impact of surface plasmon polaritons on photorefractive effect in dye doped liquid crystal cells with ZnSe interlayers.

Great impact of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on photorefractive effect in ZnSe/liquid crystal interface was observed and studied in dye pyrromethane 597 doped 4,4'-n-pentylcyanobiphenyl (5CB) liquid crystal (LC) cells sandwiched with ZnSe coated ITO glass plates. Locally electrostatic modification of ZnSe in charge carrier density makes possible visible light excitation of SPPs in the LC/ZnSe interfaces. A tentative physical picture of SPP mediation was proposed in elucidating associated findings, including photoinduced scattering enhancement at low electric field and then reduction at high field, stepwise up- and down-turns in exponential gain coefficient, and 2D diffraction patterns. This work may open a new way toward tunable low-loss visible excitation of SPPs for plasmonic applications, specifically for organic plasmonics.

Enhanced Performance of IrOx-Modified Copi Electrodes and the Characterization

The CoPi electrode films supported on ITO glass plates were modified with iridium oxide nano nanoparticles. This IrOx-modified CoPi electrodes showed Tafel slopes of ~30 mV per decade during OER at the pH between 4.5 and 13.9. The overpotentials were less than 0.2 V and the turnover frequency (TOF) was 68,631 h-1 (based on the Ir atom) at 1.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl at pH 7. The TOF is the highest value ever observed from IrO2 catalysts tested for electrochemical water oxidation. The mechanism during water oxidation was studied by an in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy to explain the unusually high catalytic activity. In the fully oxidized state the amounts of edge-sharing CoO6 octahedra bond and extended planes of CoO6 octahedra increased whereas those of IrO6 octahedra bond and extended planes of IrO6 octahedra decreased. These results demonstrate that the water oxidation occurred by transferring oxygen from Ir-O to Co-O generating O2 molecules. The details of the mechanism and the related research results obtained from our lab will be presented.

Effect of Polymeric p-Type Semiconductor on Photovoltaic Properties in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

A hole formed in photo-excited dye molecule under illumination is transferred to cathode with iodine ion in electrolyte solution in the dye-sensitized solar cell developed by M. Grätzel and the conductivity of the iodine ion affects conversion efficiency of the cell. In this work, effect of the polymeric p-type semiconductor on the hole transferability is investigated. PEDOT:PSS and P3HT were used as the p-type semiconductors. Dye-sensitized solar cells were composed of aluminium plate, Nb-doped TiO2 layer adsorbed with TCNQ, the electrolyte solution containing iodine ions, and ITO glass plate. In a solid-type cell substituted the electrolyte solution with the p-type semiconductor, photocurrent was not generated. The photocurrent was generated in the solar cell by introducing the electrolyte solution containing iodine ions between the ITO glass and the p-type semiconductor formed on the dye-adsorbed Nb-doped-TiO2 layer or between the dye-adsorbed Nb-doped-TiO2 layer and the p-type semiconductor formed on the ITO glass. The conversion efficiency increased with the introduction of the p-type semiconductor such as PEDOT:PSS, compared only with the electrolyte solution. The p-type semiconductor containing iodine ions promote the hole transfer of iodine ion, compared with that in the electrolyte solution.

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of myoglobin-antibody protein immobilized self-assembled gold nanoparticles on ITO-glass plate

We report a protein immobilized self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated glass plate. The protein-antibody, Mb-Ab, was covalently immobilized over the self-assembly of GNPs through a mixed SAM of 11-mercapto undecanoic acid (MUA) and 3-mercapto propionic acid (MPA) via carbodiimide coupling reaction using N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)- N′-ethyl carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS). The whole assembly was constructed on 0.25 cm 2 area of ITO-glass plate (Mb-Ab/MUA-MPA/GNPs/APTES/ITO-glass) and an impedimetric study was carried out for its application in myoglobin detection. This prototype assembly was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and electrochemical techniques. The modified electrode showed an increased electron-transfer resistance on coupling with protein antigen, Mb-Ag, in the presence of a redox probe [Fe(CN) 6] 3−/4−. Its exhibits an electrochemical impedance response to protein myoglobin-antigen, Mb-Ag, concentration in a linear range from 0.01 μg to 1.65 μg mL −1 with a lowest detection limit of 1.4 ng mL −1.

Immobilization of Uricase Enzyme on Self-Assembled Gold Nanoparticles for Application in Uric Acid Biosensor

An enzyme immobilization matrix is described by preparing a self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) over a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) on an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coated glass plate. The surface of the GNPs was modified with a mixed (1:9) SAM of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) and 3-mercapto-propionic acid (MPA). The enzyme, uricase was covalently immobilized to the carboxyl groups of the mixed SAM of MUA/MPA through carbodiimide coupling reaction. The whole assembly was constructed on 1 cm2 area of ITO-glass plate and was tested as an amperometric biosensor for the detection of uric acid in aqueous solution. The biosensor assembly was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrochemical techniques. The AFM of the enzyme biosensor assembly reveals an asymmetrical sharp regular island-like structure with an average roughness parameter value of 2.81 nm. Chronoamperometric response was measured as a function of uric acid concentration in aqueous solution (pH 7.4), which exhibits a linear response over a concentration range of 0.07 to 0.63 mM with a sensitivity of 19.27 microAmM(-1) and a response of 25 s with excellent reproducibility. These results are not influenced by the presence of interfering reagents such as ascorbic acid, urea and glucose. GNPs-biomolecule assemblies constructed using this method may facilitate development of new hybrid biosensing materials.

On-Chip Trapping and Characterization of Cryptosporidium Using Surface Coated ITO-PDMS Bonded Chips

Dielectrophoresis has been shown to have significant potential for the characterization of cells and could become an efficient tool for rapid identification and assessment of microorganisms. The present work is focused on the trapping and characterization of Cryptosporidium pathogen using a microfluidic chip fabricated through a simple, effective bonding of surface coated ITO glass and PDMS. Lithographically patterned ITO glass plates were coated with an alkoxysilane solution DMOAP (N, N – dimethyl -N- octadecyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilyl chloride) prior to bonding with PDMS microchannels. The silane coating was found to enhance the bonding between ITO and PDMS and reduce cell adhesion on the electrodes. Cryptosporidium oocysts, which are 2-4 microns in size and nearly spherical in shape represent the preliminary stage of cell development. The dielectrophoretic transport of cells is dependent on electrical properties such as permittivity and conductivity of the cells. Computational simulations were performed in order to study the effects of channel height, buffer conductivity and applied voltage on the flow and cell transport inside the DEP chip and facilitate effective cell trapping. Videomicroscopic experiments were performed using the fabricated device and the real part of Clausius-Mossotti factor of the cells was estimated from values of critical voltages of particle trapping (corresponding to various field frequencies) at the electrodes. The dielectric properties of the cell compartments (cytoplasm and membrane) were calculated based on a single shell model of the Cryptosporidium oocyst cell.