Stable Molybdenum Research Articles

Effect of Different Heat Treatment Procedures on the Corrosion Behavior of High-Manganese Austenitic Steels

Abstract This study investigates the effects of different heat treatment procedures on the corrosion behavior of high-manganese austenitic steel containing molybdenum. Five samples were prepared, including as-cast and heat-treated specimens, with varying processes such as tempering, single and double solution annealing, and aging. The study focuses on microstructural changes, carbide dissolution, and the formation of protective molybdenum-rich oxides. Microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction was conducted to understand phase distribution. At the same time, corrosion resistance was evaluated through potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results reveal that double solution annealing leads to the most homogeneous microstructure and significantly enhances corrosion resistance by forming stable molybdenum oxide layers, underscoring the crucial role of molybdenum oxides in surface protection. Among the samples, the corrosion resistance ranked from best to worst is as follows: double solution-annealed (Ht-5), solution-annealed (Ht-3), aged after solution annealing (Ht-4), tempered (Ht-2), and as-cast (Ht-1). This highlights the crucial role of molybdenum oxides in surface protection. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of advanced heat treatments in improving the corrosion resistance of high-manganese austenitic steels for industrial applications.

Sediment colour as a marker of syn-depositional and early diagenetic processes in glaciofluvial sediments

Sediment colour as a marker of syn-depositional and early diagenetic processes in glaciofluvial sediments

Growth of Atomic layer-deposited Monoclinic Molybdenum Dioxide Films Stabilized by Tin Oxide Doping for DRAM Capacitor Electrode Applications.

Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) capacitor electrodes, exemplified by TiN, face performance limitations owing to their relatively low work functions in addition to the formation of a low-k interfacial layer caused by their insufficient chemical stability. With recent advances in device scaling, these issues have become increasingly problematic, prompting the exploration of alternative electrode materials to replace TiN. Molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) has emerged as a promising candidate for this application, outperforming TiN due to its low resistivity, high work function (>5 eV), and excellent chemical stability. Moreover, monoclinic MoO2 exhibits a distorted rutile structure, enabling the in situ growth of high-k rutile TiO2 on MoO2 at low deposition temperatures. However, MoO2 deposition poses challenges because of its metastable nature compared to the more stable molybdenum oxide (MoOx) phases, such as MoO3 and Mo4O11. In this work, we successfully fabricated Sn-doped MoOx (TMO) films by atomic layer deposition (ALD) at 300 °C. A stabilized monoclinic MoO2 phase was achieved using ALD by incorporating SnOx into MoOx on both SiO2 and TiN substrates. The ALD TMO process comprised MoOx and SnOx subcycles, and the MoOx:SnOx subcycle ratio was varied from 100:1 to 20:1. High growth rates ranging from 0.19 to 0.34 nm/cycle were achieved for ALD TMO with varying the MoOx:SnOx subcycle ratio from 20:1 to 100:0. After post-deposition annealing at 500 °C, polycrystalline TMO films were obtained with smooth surface morphology. ALD TMO exhibited excellent interface quality with ALD TiO2, possessing a negligible low-k interfacial layer. Moreover, a rutile TiO2 film with a high dielectric constant of 136 was successfully grown on a 20% Sn-TMO electrode. Overall, this study provides a strategy to stabilize metastable MoO2 films using ALD, and it demonstrates the superiority of ALD TMO as a promising DRAM capacitor electrode material.

Physically and Chemically Stable Molybdenum-Based Composite Electrodes for p-i-n Perovskite Solar Cells.

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered much attention in recent years. Despite the remarkable advancements in PSCs utilizing traditional metal electrodes, challenges such as stability concerns and elevated costs have necessitated the exploration of innovative electrode designs to facilitate industrial commercialization. Herein, a physically and chemically stable molybdenum (Mo) electrode is developed to fundamentally tackle the instability factors introduced by electrodes. The combined spatially resolved element analyses and theoretical study demonstrate the high diffusion barrier of Mo ions within the device. Structural and morphology characterization also reveals the negligible plastic deformation and halide-metal reaction during aging when Mo is in contact with perovskite (PVSK). The electrode/underlayer junction is further stabilized by a thin seed layer of titanium (Ti) to improve Mo film's uniformity and adhesion. Based on a corresponding p-i-n PSCs (ITO/PTAA/PVSK/C60/SnO2/ITO/Ti/Mo), the champion sample could deliver an efficiency of 22.25%, which is among the highest value for PSCs based on Mo electrodes. Meanwhile, the device shows negligible performance decay after 2000 h operation, and retains 91% of the initial value after 1300 h at 50-60 °C. In summary, the multilayer Mo electrode opens an effective avenue to all-round stable electrode design in high-performance PSCs.

Stable Molybdenum(0) Carbonyl Complex for Upconversion and Photoredox Catalysis.

Photoactive complexes with earth-abundant metals have attracted increasing interest in the recent years fueled by the promise of sustainable photochemistry. However, sophisticated ligands with complicated syntheses are oftentimes required to enable photoactivity with nonprecious metals. Here, we combine a cheap metal with simple ligands to easily access a photoactive complex. Specifically, we synthesize the molybdenum(0) carbonyl complex Mo(CO)3(tpe) featuring the tripodal ligand 1,1,1-tris(pyrid-2-yl)ethane (tpe) in two steps with a high overall yield. The complex shows intense deep-red phosphorescence with excited state lifetimes of several hundred nanoseconds. Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and laser flash photolysis reveal a triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) state as the lowest excited state. Temperature-dependent luminescence complemented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest thermal deactivation of the 3MLCT state via higher lying metal-centered states in analogy to the well-known photophysics of [Ru(bpy)3]2+. Importantly, we found that the title compound is very photostable due to the lack of labilized Mo-CO bonds (as caused by trans-coordinated CO) in the facial configuration of the ligands. Finally, we show the versatility of the molybdenum(0) complex in two applications: (1) green-to-blue photon upconversion via a triplet-triplet annihilation mechanism and (2) photoredox catalysis for a green-light-driven dehalogenation reaction. Overall, our results establish tripodal carbonyl complexes as a promising design strategy to access stable photoactive complexes of nonprecious metals avoiding tedious multistep syntheses.

Catalytic Amide Activation with Thermally Stable Molybdenum(VI) Dioxide Complexes.

Oxazolines and thiazolines are important constituents of bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals. Here, we report the development of an effective and practical method of oxazoline and thiazoline formation, which can facilitate the synthesis of natural products, chiral ligands, and pharmaceutical intermediates. This method capitalized on a Mo(VI) dioxide catalyst stabilized by substituted picolinic acid ligands, which is tolerant to many functional groups that would otherwise be sensitive to highly electrophilic alternative reagents.

Process maps and regression models for the physio-thermo-mechanical properties of sintered Al7075-Molybdenum composite

• Models and process maps for the property responses of Al 7075-molybdenum composite were reported. • The developed regression models were validated to fit for the prediction of the property response. • The process maps show varying combination of the process parameters. The need for high strength and high-temperature performance Al 7075 is on the rise. Moreso, the process map and model for such a process is necessary. Present report involved the design of a process map for property optimization/minimization in the development of Al-7075 composite infused with thermally stable molybdenum (Mo) particles. Mo particles were varied at 5, 10, and 15 wt. % while sintering temperature was varied at 350, 450, and 550 °C. Properties evaluated are porosity, sintered density, hardness, yield strength, elongation, elastic modulus, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity. The obtained process maps showed varying proportions in minimizing/maximizing each response property. The developed models for each property response were validated to be fit in predicting the responses.

Constructing combinational and sequential logic devices through an intelligent electrocatalytic interface with immobilized MoS2 quantum dots and enzymes

Stable molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS2 QDs) were synthesized using a simple method and embedded into chitosan (Chit) films with glucose oxidase (GOD) on the surface of a polyaniline (PANI) pre-electrodeposited ITO electrode, designated as Chit-MoS2-GOD/PANI. At the prepared film electrode, the fluorescence property of MoS2 QDs as well as the catalytic properties of MoS2 QDs and GOD were well maintained and could be reversibly regulated by external stimuli, such as pH, potential, and the concentrations of glucose and ascorbic acid (AA) in the solution. By controlling the redox state of PANI with an externally applied voltage, the color of the film electrode switched between violet blue and nearly transparent, simultaneously quenching/dequenching the fluorescence signals from MoS2 QDs through Fӧster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The electrocatalytic signals toward hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a product formed by biocatalysis between glucose and GOD, could be tuned through the catalytic capacity of MoS2 QDs in the films. Thus, an intelligent platform was built based on the film electrode with pH, potential, glucose and AA as inputs and UV-vis extinction (E), photoluminescent intensity (PL), and amperometric current (I) as outputs. Combinational logic operations such as a 4-input/5-output logic network and sequential logic operations such as a keypad lock and a reprogrammable delay/data (D) flip flop was first simulated in a biocomputing system with the film-modified electrode. This work demonstrated the construction of a multiple stimulus-responsive system with dual-functional nanomaterials and provided a new approach for sequential logic operations for further applications in the information storage.

Palaeoredox reconstruction in the eastern Arabian Sea since the late Miocene: Insights from trace elements and stable isotopes of molybdenum (δ98/95Mo) and tungsten (δ186/184W) at IODP Site U1457 of Laxmi Basin

The present study investigates the oxygenation history of the northeastern Arabian Sea since the late Miocene using redox sensitive elemental and metal stable isotopic signatures in the deep-sea sediments. To achieve this, the sediment core samples collected at Site U1457 (67°55.80′E, 17°9.95′N, water depth 3534 m) of Laxmi Basin in the northeastern Arabian Sea during the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 355 were analysed for a suite of elemental (Mo, W, U, V, Ba, Cd and P) and stable molybdenum (Mo) isotope (δ 98/95 Mo relative to NIST SRM 3134 lot No. 130418) as well as stable tungsten (W) isotope (δ 186/184 W relative to NIST SRM 3163 lot No. 080331) composition. Sedimentary δ 98/95 Mo values (−0.70‰ to +1.18‰) at IODP Site U1457 in the northeastern Arabian Sea indicated partial authigenic Mo component. In contrast, the sedimentary δ 186/184 W values (−0.02‰ to +0.21‰) were in the range similar to that of lithogenous material suggesting dominance of detrital composition. The study reveals that the water column in the eastern Arabian Sea was oxic during the late Miocene and Pliocene while oxic to suboxic condition prevailed during the Pleistocene. The study also explores that under oxic to suboxic condition with limited particle shuttling, the W isotopes do not undergo significant fractionation, and their isotope ratios reflect the detrital source signature. This study reports the first results on isotopic compositions of Mo and W in sediments of the northeastern Arabian Sea since the late Miocene to investigate the palaeoredox conditions on a million-year time scale. • First results of δ 98/95 Mo and δ 186/184 W in the late Miocene Arabian Sea sediments. • Oxic condition during late Miocene & Pliocene, and suboxic during Pleistocene. • δ 98/95 Mo values (−0.70 to +1.18‰) exhibits partial authigenic component. • δ 186/184 W values (−0.02 to +0.21‰) exhibit dominant detrital control. • Under oxic setting with limited particle shuttling, tungsten isotopes do not fractionate.

Tris(Butadiene) Compounds versus Butadiene Oligomerization in Second-Row Transition Metal Chemistry: Effects of Increased Ligand Fields.

The geometries, energetics, and preferred spin states of the second-row transition metal tris(butadiene) complexes (C4H6)3M (M = Zr–Pd) and their isomers, including the experimentally known very stable molybdenum derivative (C4H6)3Mo, have been examined by density functional theory. Such low-energy structures are found to have low-spin singlet and doublet spin states in contrast to the corresponding derivatives of the first-row transition metals. The three butadiene ligands in the lowest-energy (C4H6)3M structures of the late second-row transition metals couple to form a C12H18 ligand that binds to the central metal atom as a hexahapto ligand for M = Pd but as an octahapto ligand for M = Rh and Ru. However, the lowest-energy (C4H6)3M structures of the early transition metals have three separate tetrahapto butadiene ligands for M = Zr, Nb, and Mo or two tetrahapto butadiene ligands and one dihapto butadiene ligand for M = Tc. The low energy of the experimentally known singlet (C4H6)3Mo structure contrasts with the very high energy of its experimentally unknown singlet chromium (C4H6)3Cr analog relative to quintet (C12H18)Cr isomers with an open-chain C12H18 ligand.

Behavior of the Mo, Tl, and U isotope systems during differentiation in the Kilauea Iki lava lake

Abstract Stable molybdenum (Mo), thallium (Tl), and uranium (U) isotope ratios were determined in a suite of samples from the 1959 Kilauea eruption and from Kilauea Iki lava lake with the aim of understanding the effects of igneous differentiation on these isotope systems. The samples range from olivine cumulate with MgO up to 27% to internal differentiates with MgO less than 3%, representing a tholeiitic differentiation series. Molybdenum, Tl, and U behave incompatibly during differentiation, and Mo and U isotope ratios do not systematically vary amongst the different samples. δ98Mo values range from −0.17 to −0.31‰ and δ238U values range from −0.20 to −0.38‰. Most individual analyses for both isotope systems overlap within measurement uncertainty (± ~0.7 and ~ 0.6, respectively). Mean δ98Mo and δ238U values are −0.22 ± 0.08‰ (2σ) and − 0.29 ± 0.09‰ (2σ), respectively, which overlap with Pacific mid ocean ridge basalt (MORB). In contrast, Tl isotopes show small but resolvable variations, with e205Tl ranging from +1.20 to −1.38. The most negative e205Tl values are confined to some of the lowest [Tl] samples, but the e205Tl values do not otherwise vary smoothly with MgO or [Tl]. Possible mechanisms for thallium isotope fractionation are considered (e.g., degassing, water leaching, sulfide fractionation) but none are found to be satisfactory. Overall, the lack of resolvable variation in the Mo and U isotope systems and the small magnitude of heterogeneity in the Tl isotope system indicate that differentiation in tholeiitic systems is unlikely to be a major contributor to global variation in these isotope systems.

Oxygen Atom Transfer Reactivity of Molybdenum(VI) Complexes Employing Pyrimidine- and Pyridine-2-thiolate Ligands.

Four dioxidomolybdenum(VI) complexes of the general structure [MoO2L2] employing the S,N-bidentate ligands pyrimidine-2-thiolate (PymS, 1), pyridine-2-thiolate (PyS, 2), 4-methylpyridine-2-thiolate (4-MePyS, 3) and 6-methylpyridine-2-thiolate (6-MePyS, 4) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic means and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (2-4). Complexes 1-4 were reacted with PPh3 and PMe3, respectively, to investigate their oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactivity and catalytic applicability. Reduction with PPh3 leads to symmetric molybdenum(V) dimers of the general structure [Mo2O3L4] (6-9). Kinetic studies showed that the OAT from [MoO2L2] to PPh3 is 5 times faster for the PymS system than for the PyS and 4-MePyS systems. The reaction of complexes 1-3 with PMe3 gives stable molybdenum(IV) complexes of the structure [MoOL2(PMe3)2] (10-12), while reduction of [MoO2(6-MePyS)2] (4) yields [MoO(6-MePyS)2(PMe3)] (13) with only one PMe3 coordinated to the metal center. The activity of complexes 1-4 in catalytic OAT reactions involving Me2SO and Ph2SO as oxygen donors and PPh3 as an oxygen acceptor has been investigated to assess the influence of the varied ligand frameworks on the OAT reaction rates. It was found that [MoO2(PymS)2] (1) and [MoO2(6-MePyS)2] (4) are similarly efficient catalysts, while complexes 2 and 3 are only moderately active. In the catalytic oxidation of PMe3 with Me2SO, complex 4 is the only efficient catalyst. Complexes 1-4 were also found to catalytically reduce NO3- with PPh3, although their reactivity is inhibited by further reduced species such as NO, as exemplified by the formation of the nitrosyl complex [Mo(NO)(PymS)3] (14), which was identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Computed ΔG⧧ values for the very first step of the OAT were found to be lower for complexes 1 and 4 than for 2 and 3, explaining the difference in catalytic reactivity between the two pairs and revealing the requirement for an electron-deficient ligand system.

Molybdenum-promoted cobalt supported on SBA-15: Steam and sulfur dioxide stable catalyst for CO oxidation

Abstract It was studied a benign one-pot synthesis of a steam and SO2 stable molybdenum promoted cobalt catalyst supported on SBA-15 for CO oxidation runs at 730 C. The physicochemical properties of the catalyst were analyzed by XRD, SEM/HRTEM, UV–vis, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, H2-TPR, and NH3-TPD. Well-dispersed Co3O4 and, molybdenum species allowed to maintain CO conversion close to 90 % against 55 % over the non-Mo-promoted Co-catalyst. That promising behavior was attributed to the strong Co-Mo interaction that improved the acidic properties, which strongly decreased deactivation by SO2 and water steam. The impregnated catalyst presented formation of aggregated MoO3 species and Co3O4 mainly inside the SBA-15 mesopores, leading to lower CO oxidation activity and lower catalytic stability in the presence of the above interfering compounds. Thus, the one-pot prepared molybdenum promoted cobalt catalyst supported over mesoporous silica SBA-15 emerges as a potential alternative to substitute CO oxidation catalysts based on noble metals.

Synthesis of Molybdenum Blue Dispersions Using Ascorbic Acid as Reducing Agent

Stable molybdenum blue nanoparticles dispersions were synthesized using ammonium heptamolybdate and ascorbic acid. The effect of molar ratios of reducing agent/Mo and acid/Mo on the speed of formation and stability of the disperse system has been demonstrated. The particles were characterized by UV/vis, infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) method confirmed the presence of reduced MoV in the structure of molybdenum oxide nanoclusters, the proportion of which was 30%.

Greener assembling of MoO3 nanoparticles supported on gum arabic: cytotoxic effects and catalytic efficacy towards reduction of p-nitrophenol

An economical and easy one-step method for the biosynthesis of highly stable molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanoparticles was developed using gum arabic as a bio-template; ensuing nanoparticles (NP) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The crystallinity and purity of MoO3 nanoparticles in the orthorhombic phase were confirmed by XRD analysis, and their rod-shaped identity (average sizes ranging from 7.5 to 42 nm) were observed by TEM. Cytotoxic effects of the NP were monitored using Hep G2 (human liver cancer) and HEK 293 (human embryonic kidney) cell lines via 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide assays. The results of this study revealed that MoO3 nanoparticles are nontoxic towards Hep G2 cell lines and displayed negligible toxicity, even at very high concentrations (1000 ppm), although had moderate toxicity towards HEK 293 cells. Furthermore, their catalytic activity was evaluated for the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol. Synopsis: Green synthesis of MoO3 nanorods using gum arabic demonstrated as an eco-friendly catalyst for the conversion of p-nitrophenol with negligible toxicity towards Hep G2 cell lines.

NiCuMo-SiO2 catalyst for pyrolysis oil upgrading: Model acidic treatment study

Abstract The main reasons of catalysts deactivation in hydro-processing pyrolysis liquids are by coke deposition, poisoning by bio-oil impurities (S, N, K, Cl, etc.), leaching of catalyst components, structural degradation in the presence of H2O, and sintering. The deactivation of catalysts by the acidity of the pyrolysis liquid is a specific concern, and this deactivation mechanism was studied by treating newly developed NiCuMo-SiO2 catalysts in 1 M acetic acid water solution (pH = 2–3). The activity of the acid-treated catalysts was subsequently investigated in the hydrodeoxygenation of gaseous propionic acid, in a tubular reactor at 225 °C with n-hexane and n-octane serving as diluent and internal standard, respectively. The samples treated by acid at different times (15–360 min) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transition electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), CO chemisorption, N2 physical adsorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRF and HRTEM studies together with the residual mass of catalyst pointed out at gradual leaching of catalyst components. Among the catalyst components, dissolution of nickel was the most pronounced, while molybdenum content decreased to a lesser extent. This is due to the formation of more acid stable molybdenum blues. The amount of copper decreased only slightly, due its higher electrochemical potential. Oxidation of metalliс species Cu and Ni is shown to obtain Cu2O, NiO and Ni(OH)2-like phases. Interestingly, the acidic treatment resulted in increasing active surface of the catalyst, nevertheless, the catalyst activity in propionic acid conversion irreversibly decreased in time by the acetic acid treatment due to loss of the active components (substantially nickel).

Enhanced ethylene selectivity and stability of Mo/ZSM5 upon modification with phosphorus in ethane dehydrogenation

Abstract Nonoxidative conversion of ethane to ethylene and/or BTX (benzene, toluene , and xylene) suffers rapid deactivation due to coke deposition. We report here the effects of phosphorus modification on the stability and activity of Mo/ZSM5 for nonoxidative conversion of ethane. The results show that the ethylene and BTX yield and stability are significantly enhanced upon modification with 2.5 wt.% P. NH 3 TPD, pyridine FTIR, 1H MAS NMR, 27Al MAS NMR, 31P MAS NMR, 129 Xe NMR, XPS, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS), and nitrogen physisorption were carried out to understand the effects of P on the structure of Mo/ZSM5 and its correlation with catalytic performance. The presence of P reduces the acid strength and density, changes the channel system of ZSM5 by forming thermally stable SAPO-like interfaces with the framework Al, and improves the dispersion of molybdenum . Rapid deactivation still occurs on Mo/ZSM5 with 1 wt.% P due to the existence of denser silanol groups, more isolated Mo species, and reduced aperture size with little change in effective micropore volume. A higher P loading (2.5 wt.%) leads to less dense silanol groups and less reduced but stable molybdenum species, and simultaneously reduces channel diameter and internal volume. Consequently, the ethylene selectivity is enhanced and the formation of coke precursors is restricted, resulting in improved stability.

Highly stable molybdenum dioxide nanoparticles with strong plasmon resonance are promising in photothermal cancer therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is one of promising cancer therapy with high efficiency and minimal invasiveness. Exploiting of perfect PTT agent is vital to improve the therapy. In this study, a new type of bow tie-like molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) nanoparticles was successfully synthesized. These nanobow-ties had strong localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect from visible to near infrared regions, and exhibited ultrahigh chemical stability. They could not only withstand high temperature heating without oxidation, but also resist the corrosion of strong acid and alkali. Meanwhile, the MoO2 nanoparticles were highly stable in protein-containing biological medium, though they partly degraded in PBS solution. Both invivo and invitro experiments indicated that they exhibited inappreciable toxicity. Under illumination of near infrared laser, they showed excellent PTT effect, as revealed by significant inhibition of cancer cell viability invitro and efficient destruction in tumor tissue growth invivo. These MoO2 nanoparticles possessed highly chemical stability and low toxicity with high PTT efficiency, thus promising them high potential as nanoagent in cancer treatment.

Molybdenum oxide nanocolloids prepared by an external field-assisted laser ablation in water

he synthesis of extremely stable molybdenum oxide nanocolloids by pulsed laser ablation was studied. This green technique ensures the formation of contaminant-free nanostructures and the absence of by-products. A focused picosecond pulsed laser beam was used to ablate a solid molybdenum target immersed in deionized water. Molybdenum oxide nearly spherical nanoparticles with dimensions within few nanometers (20-100 nm) are synthesized when the ablation processes were carried out, in water, at room temperature and 80°C. The application of an external electric field during the ablation process induces a nanostructures reorganization, as indicated by Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscopy images analysis. The ablation products were also characterized by some spectroscopic techniques: conventional UV-vis optical absorption, atomic absorption, dynamic light scattering, micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Finally, NIH/3T3 mouse fibroblasts were used to evaluate cell viability by the sulforhodamine B assay

Experimental scheme for a stable molybdenum bilayer back contacts for photovoltaic applications

Molybdenum (Mo) back contacts have been widely used for thin film based solar cells, especially for CuIn1-xGaxSe2 (CIGS) and Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) based devices. Traditionally, a bilayer approach at two different sputtering pressures is used to produce highly conducting and adhesive films on glass substrates. Mo bilayers undergo a harsh heat treatment during the absorber layer (CIGS/CZTS) deposition or formation process, which in turn changes the residual stress and the morphological properties of the back contact layers and can cause poor adhesion of the absorber layers. This is a key layer for the photovoltaic industry because the entire device is deposited on top of this layer. Adhesion issues can degrade device performance and can affect the long-term stability of the solar cell. This work reports in-situ study of Mo stress variation during anneals ranging from 20 °C to 500 °C and compares the film’s morphological and electrical properties before and after heating to develop a thermally stable Mo bilayer. For bilayer films with a total thickness of 1 μm, this study revealed that the optimum pressure and thickness are 5 mTorr and 150 nm, and 1 mTorr and 850 nm for the bottom and top layers, respectively.