Nanocomposite Thin Films Research Articles

Synthesis and investigation of structural and high temperature conduction mechanism of TiO2/N-GQDs nanocomposite thin films as a transparent conducting material

Synthesis and investigation of structural and high temperature conduction mechanism of TiO2/N-GQDs nanocomposite thin films as a transparent conducting material

Integration of CeO2-Based Memristor with Vertically Aligned Nanocomposite Thin Film: Enabling Selective Conductive Filament Formation for High-Performance Electronic Synapses.

The CeO2-based memristor has attracted significant attention due to its intrinsic resistive switching (RS) properties, large on/off ratio, and great plasticity, making it a promising candidate for artificial synapses. However, significant challenges such as high power consumption and poor device reliability hinder its broad application in neuromorphic microchips. To tackle these issues, in this work, we design a novel bilayer (BL) memristor by integrating a CeO2-based memristor with a Co-CeO2 vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) layer and compare it with the single layer (SL) memristor. Preliminary electrical testing reveals that the BL memristor offers a reduced set/reset voltage (∼67% lower), a higher on/off ratio (∼5 × 102), enhanced device reliability, and improved device-to-device variation compared to the SL memristor. Insight from COMSOL simulation, coupled with microstructural analysis, provides a comprehensive elucidation on how the VAN layer facilitates the selective conductive filament (CF) formation. Subsequently, the plasticity of the BL memristor is evaluated through long-term potentiation/depression (LTP/LTD), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), and spike-time-dependent plasticity (STDP). The spiking neural network (SNN) built upon the BL memristor achieves remarkable accuracy (∼94%) after only 12 iterations, underscoring its potential for high-performance neural networks.

Introducing the SNW-1 Covalent Organic Framework to the Polyamide Layer of the TFC-RO Membrane with Enhanced Permeability and Desalination Performance.

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of Schiff base network-1 (SNW-1) covalent organic framework (COF) nanomaterials and their application in the fabrication of thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. The embedding of SNW-1 COF in reverse osmosis (RO) membranes with a polysulfone (PSf) substrate was done using the interfacial polymerization method. The result of the study demonstrated that the porous and hydrophilic structure of the COF increased the hydrophilic properties of the produced RO membranes. When the COF was embedded with a concentration of 0.02 wt %, the hydrophilicity of the RO membrane was higher than that of the other membranes, with a contact angle value of 45.2°. Pure water flux, saline solution flux, and humic acid (HA)/sodium chloride (NaCl) foulant solution flux were measured to determine the membrane performance, and it was found that as the COF ratio increased, the fluxes increased up to a certain concentration rate. The RO membrane with a SNW-1 concentration of 0.005 wt % had the highest values of pure water flux and saline solution flux with high salt rejection (34.2 and 32.2 LMH, 97.1%, respectively) and was the most resistant membrane against fouling. This study presents the potential of the SNW-1 COF with precise design capabilities and controlled unique properties as an additive for desalination applications.

Ellagic acid/Fe nanocomposite thin film with high power conversion efficiency for photovoltaic devices

This study synthesizes and characterizes an ellagic acid/Fe nanocomposite thin film ([Ellag-A/Fe.6H2O]NCTF) to enhance photovoltaic device efficiency, achieving a notable power conversion efficiency of 14.5%. Using FT-IR, TGA, XRD, SEM, and optical analyses, the nanocomposite's structural, thermal, and optical properties were investigated, revealing a polycrystalline structure with improved thermal stability over pure ellagic acid. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations show a large energy gap of 1.08 eV, indicating stability and high excitation energies. The combination of organic ellagic acid with iron nanoparticles makes ([Ellag-A/Fe.6H2O]NCTF a promising material for photovoltaic applications.

Creating smart chlorine-resistant polyamide reverse osmosis membranes via self-healing temperature-responsive nanocontainer functionalization

We present an innovative solution for improving the chlorine resistance of polyamide RO membranes. Our method involves the design of temperature-specific (70 ℃) responsive nanocontainers (T-RNC) through layer-by-layer self-assembly on a monodisperse SiO2 nanoparticle core. These nanocontainers, measuring 25 nm in size, are embedded within a thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane, resulting in a homogeneous surface structure with increased roughness and strong hydrophilicity. The precise temperature-responsive properties of T-RNC enable the dissolution of the encapsulated shell material, releasing SS molecules containing amino and carboxyl groups. These molecules effectively bind to broken amid bonds within the PA layer, repairing structural damage caused by chlorination and significantly enhancing the membrane’s chlorine resistance. Extensive testing revealed that the temperature-responsive TFN membrane maintained over 90 % NaCl rejection, even after exposure to 18,000 ppm.h of chlorination. In contrast, the control group lacking temperature-responsive TFN and TFC membranes exhibited reduced rejection rates of 62.15 % and 71.24 %, respectively. Additionally, the TFN membranes exhibited excellent water permeability and resistance to contamination. Our findings offer promising avenues for researchers to explore the development of intelligent and chlorine-resistant polyamide RO membranes, with a particular focus on chlorination-remediation techniques.

Robust carbon nitride nanosheet interlayered thin-film nanocomposite membrane for enhanced organic solvent nanofiltration

The integration of a nanomaterial interlayer within a thin-film composite membrane can markedly enhance its performance in organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN). However, this enhancement often comes at the expense of membrane integrity due to differential swelling behaviors in diverse solvents. In this study, we present an interlayered thin film nanocomposite (TFNi) membrane that demonstrates both high permeance and robust stability, utilizing green, porous, and reactive crystalline carbon nitride (CCN) nanosheets as the functional interlayer. The results revealed that ascribed to the presence of the CCN interlayer, the membranes retained their rejection towards organic dyes even after 10 h of DMF exposure, while the organic solvent permeance was significantly improved by the DMF treatment. The methanol permeance of the CCN-TFNi-DMF membrane reached an impressive 8.77 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, sustaining stable performance throughout a 72 h test period under a pressure of 10 bar. We attributed this performance enhancement to the extra nanochannels introduced by the CCN nanosheets that bolstered the permeance of the TFNi membrane, as well as the formation of a stable polyamide film resulting from the reaction between the amino groups on the CCN nanosheet surface and trimesoyl chloride during the interfacial polymerization process. This work provides valuable insights into the development of structurally reinforced TFNi membranes with exceptional performance for OSN separation applications.

Boosted performance of thin-film nanocomposite membranes based on phytic acid functionalized Zr-MOF for nanofiltration

Endowed with designable pore structure and intrinsically interconnected channels, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer immense potential as functional nanofillers to boost the performance of nanocomposite membranes. However, achieving optimal pore size matching between MOFs and the polymer matrix while maintaining robust interfacial affinity remains a significant challenge in fabricating high-performance nanocomposite membranes. Herein, natural organic polyphosphate phytic acid was utilized to functionalize PCN-224 to narrow its pore size and enhance the polymer affinity. Thin-film nanocomposites containing mPCN-224 were afterward synthesized on the polysulfone support through a combined approach of anodic electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and vacuum filtration-assisted interfacial polymerization (VF-IP). The incorporation of mPCN-224 nanoparticles not only enhanced the hydrophilicity and electronegativity of the polyamide film but also led to a substantial reduction in film thickness. This is likely attributed to lessened piperazine supply at the interface, related to its limited diffusion at the presence of negatively charged mPCN-224. The additional nanochannels provided by mPCN-224, coupled with the loose PA layer, resulted in a substantial 56.3 % increase in the water permeance of the TFN-mPCN-224 membrane, reaching 20.0 L m−2 h−1 bar−1. Additionally, the post-synthesis modification with phytic acid led to an improved Cl−/SO42− selectivity coefficient of 44, substantially higher than that of the TFN-PCN-224 membrane. This improvement was primarily attributed to the narrowed pore size of mPCN-224 and the enhanced surface electronegativity. This study introduces a pathway for developing high-performance TFN membranes based on post-synthetic modification of MOF nanofillers with phytic acid molecules.

Highly crystalline poly o-chloroaniline-AgCl spherical nanocomposite thin film as an efficient light-capturing material for optoelectronic devices

Highly crystalline poly o-chloroaniline-AgCl spherical nanocomposite thin film as an efficient light-capturing material for optoelectronic devices

Investigation of electrochemical properties of Pt-WO3 nanocomposite thin films for supercapacitor applications

Investigation of electrochemical properties of Pt-WO3 nanocomposite thin films for supercapacitor applications

Solar Selectivity of Silver Nanoparticles Modified Copper Oxide Nanocomposite Thin Films Prepared by Facile Chemical Oxidation Method

AbstractSilver nanoparticles modified copper oxide nanocomposite thin films (Ag‐CuO NC TFs) and pristine CuO TF were successfully synthesized on copper substrates using a chemical oxidation route. X‐ray diffractometry (XRD) characterization of Ag‐CuO NC TFs revealed the formation of monoclinic crystal structured CuO. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a star‐like grain morphology of the Ag‐CuO NC TFs. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis ascertained the presence of anticipated elements without impurities. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) investigation confirmed the presence of Ag NPs on CuO in the Ag‐CuO NC TFs. Raman spectroscopy examination indicated the presence of a spinel structure with vibrational and tetrahedral sites. UV‐Vis‐NIR reflectance analysis demonstrated that Ag‐CuO NC TFs with 2.0 wt.% Ag NPs exhibited solar absorptance of 72.39 %, thermal emittance of 4.3 %, and a highest solar selectivity of 16.83 among the prepared thin films. These results suggest that the Ag‐CuO NC TFs could be promising candidates for use as solar selective absorbers in solar thermal energy conversion devices.

Thin film nanocomposite membranes based on renewable polymer Pebax® and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for CO2/CH4 separation

This study investigates the impact of integrating Pebax® Rnew® 30R51, a sustainable elastomer-type copolymer material, with zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) to develop advanced membranes for CO2/CH4 gas separation. The fabrication process of ZIF/Pebax® Rnew® 30R51 thin films was optimized to achieve uniform and defect-free thin film composite (TFC) membranes. Crucial membrane properties, including permeability, selectivity and separation efficiency, were analyzed with variations in ZIF type, loading levels, film thickness and operating conditions. Additionally, the resulting TFC and ZIF/Pebax® Rnew® 30R51 thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were subjected to characterization via FTIR, XRD, TGA and SEM to evaluate their physicochemical properties. Nanoparticles of ZIF-8, NH2-ZIF-8 and ZIF-94 were individually added (at 5–15 wt% loadings) to the Pebax® Rnew® 30R51 matrix to develop the CO2 separation efficiency. The pristine TFC membrane showed a 66 GPU CO2 permeance and a 37.5 CO2/CH4 separation selectivity, primarily due to improved CO2 mass transport. Upon inclusion of ZIFs, the CO2 permeance with 5 wt% loadings of ZIF-8, NH2-ZIF-8 and ZIF-94 increased to 148, 99 and 125 GPU, respectively, despite this, the CO2/CH4 separation selectivity maintained at 29.4, 37.0 and 27.0, respectively.

One-pot fabrication of open-spherical shapes based on the decoration of copper sulfide/poly-O-amino benzenethiol on copper oxide as a promising photocathode for hydrogen generation from the natural source of Red Sea water

Abstract Harnessing green hydrogen production from natural Red Sea water offers an innovative solution to address energy challenges. A one-pot fabrication method is used to create novel nanocomposite thin films with open-spherical shapes, utilizing copper sulfide/poly-O-amino benzenethiol decorated on copper oxide as a promising photocathode. After thorough analysis, a unique morphology characterized by open spherical shapes is projected, which contributes to improved optical absorption. The bandgap of the nanocomposite is 1.17 eV, enabling efficient absorption of light across the entire optical spectrum, extending up to 950 nm. Utilizing Red Sea water as an electrolyte, the generated J ph serves as an indicator of H2 gas production. The substantial J ph value of −0.82 mA cm−2 is achieved at −0.85 V under light illumination. Furthermore, J ph values exhibit variability, starting at −0.58 mA cm−2 (at 730 nm) and increasing to −0.75 mA cm−2 at a wavelength of 340 nm. The estimated hydrogen gas production rate reaches 1.5 µmole h−1 cm−2, translating to an impressive 15 µmole h−1 for every 10 cm². This remarkable rate underscores the effectiveness of the photocathode, especially given its fabrication through a single-step process that is suitable for mass production. In addition, its cost-effectiveness further enhances its appeal as a viable solution for renewable energy production for hydrogen gas generation from seawater.

Self-assembled nanoflower-mediated interfacial polymerization through tunable intra- and inter-layer channels to boost total heat exchange performance

Total heat exchange membranes (THEMs) are vital for minimizing energy consumption and enhancing indoor air quality in energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems. Manipulating the surface morphology of polyamide (PA) membranes via nanofiller-mediated interfacial polymerization is key to advancing total heat recovery performance. This study presented the fabrication of PA thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes by integrating self-assembled poly(amic acid-imide) nanoflowers (P(AA-I)-NFs) with intertwined nanosheets into the organic phase. This facile approach effectively eliminated nonselective interphase voids and defects, owing to the superior polymer affinity of the organic nanoflowers. The finely tuned intra- and inter-layer channels within P(AA-I)-NFs significantly impacted monomer mass transfer, facilitated the shuttle effect, expanded the interfacial polymerization zone, and led to the formation of a rougher, thicker PA layer with enhanced surface area. The optimized P(AA-I)-NFs/PA TFN membranes exhibited outstanding performance, including CO₂ permeability of 0.51 GPU, water vapor permeability of 656.59 GPU, and an enthalpy exchange efficiency of 71.47 %, surpassing the trade-off limitations typically observed in commercial and other advanced THEMs. These findings underscored the potential of P(AA-I)-NFs-mediated TFN membranes as highly competitive candidates for next-generation ERV systems.

Deposition of nanocomposite carbon-based thin films doped with copper and fluorine

This paper is focused on plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of novel carbon-based thin films. Unique thin films were deposited from a mixture of methane, hydrogen, and a precursor containing fluorine and copper: (hfac)copperVTMS (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonato and VTMS = vinyltrimethylsilane). Using the (hfac)copperVTMS precursor in PECVD deposition results in the advantageous chemical composition of carbon-based thin films while maintaining sufficient mechanical properties. Furthermore, with optimized plasma parameters, the films deposited on the substrate exhibit a nanocomposite structure. This nanostructured surface can increase the surface area, which is beneficial for various applications, including antibacterial and antiviral properties. The radiofrequency glow discharge at low pressure (≈70Pa) and power P=25W and P=250W was used for deposition. Deposited thin films were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy, and nanoindentation techniques. Despite the doping of carbon-based thin films with soft copper, the prepared films exhibited sufficient mechanical properties, which are crucial for the future implementation of this deposition process.

Fabrication and Characterization of Graphene Oxide – Cadmium Sulphide Nanocomposite Coating for Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel Specimen

Abstract The oil and gas sector play a significant role in the Sultanate of Oman’s economic growth and contribute major revenue. Corrosion is a global concern and that strongly affects the industrial sectors. The corrosion problems in oil pipelines would be successfully resolved by means of novel control techniques. This research focused on the fabrication of Graphene oxide (GO) - Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanocomposite for controlling corrosion in mild steel specimen. Graphene oxide was synthesized from Alovera extract by carbonization process. GO - CdS nanocomposite was prepared and deposited on a mild steel pipe by self-assembly technique. The coated material was used for stability studies at varying pH conditions and exposure period followed by corrosion studies. The testing methods adopted are Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Wet/Dry test and Atmosphere tests were conducted to examine the performance of coating material towards corrosion. The atomic force microscope (AFM) operated in non-contact mode was used to study surface topology of the coated specimen. From the outcome of the corrosion studies, it was established that the GO- CdS Nano composites thin film acted as an ecofriendly corrosion inhibitor to enhance the lifespan of the mild steel pipe. This novel research is aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UNSD - 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure & UNSDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production) and Oman vision 2040. The results from the study validates that the GO - CdS thin films coated on mild steel pipe could be a viable solution to corrosion issues in oil pipelines owing to their good film stability, minimum film thickness, high durability, and ecofriendly approach.

Synthesis and characterization of spray deposited ZnO–CuO nano composite thin films for the detection of xylene

Synthesis and characterization of spray deposited ZnO–CuO nano composite thin films for the detection of xylene

Facile synthesis of PVDF/SnO2 nanocomposite thin films for optoelectronic applications

Thin films of pure polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and PVDF/SnO2 nanocomposites were fabricated by sol ̶gel spin coating method. The weight percentage of SnO2 in PVDF matrix was varied from 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%. X-ray diffraction graphs exhibited the rutile structure of SnO2. Scanning electron microscope confirmed densely packed morphology of pure PVDF and dispersion of SnO2 agglomerated spherical particles in PVDF matrix. The presence of all constituent elements in a specific ratio was confirmed from energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Furthermore, optical properties were taken by ellipsometry in terms of ψ (Psi) and Δ (Delta) values which were acquired through the specific fitting model, and these modeled values were fitted with the experimental values. The real part of the dielectric function showed a high refractive index at minimum energy for pure PVDF as compared to PVDF/SnO2 nanocomposite films whereas the imaginary part exhibited significantly high absorption spectra at minimum energy for pure PVDF and vice versa for PVDF/SnO2 films. Furthermore, pure PVDF film showed high absorption which increased with the increase of energy of interacting light but decreased with the incorporation of SnO2 nanoparticles. The entire observation exhibited that PVDF/SnO2 nanocomposite thin films can be utilized for optical devices like transpicuous conductors and chemical sensors etc.

Preparation, characterization and biological activity of Co-doped ZnO nanostructured thin film: A comprehensive study on its photo-physical properties and antimicrobial efficacy against food-borne pathogen

The Co@ZnO thin film deposited on glass substrate with dopant contents of cobalt ranging from 0 to 10 % were fabricated using spray pyrolysis coating method. The prepared nanocomposite thin film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy. Some surfaces structural probing of the deposited samples confirmed nanolamination of hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO with no other impurity phases and high adherence on the soda lime glass substrate. Average grain sizes (56–43 nm) and lattice strain of the films were found to be tailored with the variation of Co-dopant content, signifying phonon confinement or defect/disorder caused by the Co-dopant impurity on the ZnO host particle owing to the impurity levels and oxygen vacancy states. The film demonstrated high optical transmittance with enhanced photoabsorbtion and narrow optical band gap (3.24–2.64 eV) with increasing Co-dopant content. In evaluating its antibacterial efficacy, the Co@ZnO thin film was tested at different dopant concentration against Bacillus cereus (foodborne pathogen). The result revealed that the films exhibits excellent inhibitory effect on the pathogen, with highest activity obtained at 10 % Co@ZnO. Furthermore, a more improved inhibitory activity was recorded when at 10 % Co@ZnO dopant was exposed to UV irradiation.

Optical and electric properties of tin oxide (SnO2) with reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite thin films

Due to their superior properties, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial materials have become increasingly popular for enhancing SnO2 thin films. In the paper, a thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) deposition system was used to produce a thin film of SnO2 with a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposite. SnO2 thin films have become widely used in sensor applications, and these sensors have been shown to work at relatively high temperatures compared to room-temperature semiconductors. As a result, working temperatures affect the material properties. The surface properties of the deposited and post-annealed samples were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy integrated with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The weight ratios of carbon and tin were calculated as 35 % and 65 %, respectively. The mean Z-height of the nanoparticles was determined to be 9 nm, and the distribution of the surface grains is nearly homogeneous. Following the post-annealing process, the thin film's band gap energy decreased from 3.78 eV to 3.25 eV. According to the photoluminescence spectra, emission peaks at 393 nm, 406 nm, and 443 nm were measured. The transmittance spectra of the various post-annealed samples at 150 °C were recorded, and they remained nearly the same. This consistency is a beneficial property of the thin film because SnO2:rGO nanocomposite thin films are designed to operate at relatively high temperatures. The present study investigates the advantages and properties of the post-annealed (repeating annealing) SnO2: rGO thin film.

Structure, morphology and magnetic performance of (Fe65Co35) x @(Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4)100–x nanocomposite thin films

A bi-magnetic phase (Fe65Co35)x@(Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4)100–x nanocomposite thin film was created by combining Fe65Co35 alloy nanoclusters produced through plasma gas condensation with Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 thin film prepared via RF magnetron sputtering. The study revealed that the Fe65Co35 alloy nanoclusters, with an average particle size of approximately 6 nm, are surrounded by the amorphous ferrite phase, forming a granular ‘core–shell’ structure. As the proportion of Fe65Co35 alloy nanoclusters increased from 5.9 wt% to 35.4 wt%, the grain size of the nanocomposite thin films decreased from 24 nm to 10.4 nm. Magnetic analysis demonstrated that the nanocomposite thin films displayed soft magnetic properties at room temperature. With an increase in Fe65Co35 content, the saturated magnetization of the nanocomposite thin films escalated from 68 emu cm−3 to 214 emu/cm3, significantly surpassing that of the corresponding NiZn ferrite films (∼17 emu/cm3). The fluctuation of coercivity is intricately linked to the grain size of the nanocomposite thin films, and at 24.5 wt% of Fe65Co35 alloy nanoclusters, the coercivity is minimized to 14 Oe. The ferromagnetic resonance spectra of the nanocomposite films exhibited some asymmetric broadening and shift. As the Fe65Co35 content increased, the resonance field initially decreased and then rose, while the resonance linewidth gradually decreased.