Tiny Grains Research Articles

In-situ synthesis, microstructure and mechanism of SiC/Al–Mg–Si composites: Effects of Mg addition

The SiC/Al–Mg–Si composite was obtained by in-situ synthesis, and the effects of Mg addition were investigated in this process. Mechanism of in situ SiC growth in the Resin–Al–Mg–Si system was investigated by fabricating and characterizing a SiC/Al–Mg–Si composite under moderate conditions. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze the phase and its microstructure, with the aim of investigating the evolvement of grains in the alloy matrix. Mg2Si formed under higher Mg added conditions, which decreased the molten liquid and Si solute concentrations. Tiny amounts of MgO and MgAl2O4 proved that the pyrolysis gas of resin reacts slightly with the matrix. The key conditions of in-situ synthesis SiC were found that the Mg addition and the Si concentration in the molten alloy were 3%–5% and over 17. 27 % respectively. Ostwald ripening was used to explain the decrease in tiny SiC grains at elevated temperatures. In situ SiC growth is controlled by the interfacial reaction-diffusion mixed model through two different routes in the molten alloy. Two modes of in-situ synthesis were suggested. The intermediate product and template for in situ SiC growth are Al4C3, and Si was shown to diffuse into its particles gradually. Flowing Si in molten alloy reacted with pyrolysis C directly. Specimens validated the peak bending strength with a rise in temperature. The maximal bending strength was 251.89 MPa.

Authigenic titanite in weathered basalts: Implications for paleoatmospheric reconstructions

The stability of titanite is sensitive to temperature and partial pressure of CO2. The finding of authigenic titanite grains in weathering regolith formed on Paraná basalts, Brazil, under tropical climatic conditions, reveals the thermodynamically-driven conversion from calcite to titanite at elevated ambient temperatures. Being unusual nowadays, this phase transition provides important implications for the understanding of silicate weathering in earlier geological epochs.Two types of secondary titanites were identified in the weathering profile of the study area. The tiny grains of 10 ​μm are forming in the microscopic voids in the rock. Also, large fractures filled with Fe-rich clay minerals contain bigger specimens of up to 170 ​μm. The titanites of second type often coexist with chalcedony and barite. No carbonate minerals were found in the weathering profile. Weathering sphene can be discriminated from other titanite types by its strong positive Eu anomaly, increased Al2O3 content and low content of trace elements. Its specific chemical composition and reactive transport modeling link this secondary mineral with dissolution of plagioclase. The titanite precipitation is controlled by slow diffusion in poorly-aerated, highly-alkaline pore fluids.The subaerial weathering of basaltic rocks provides a significant reservoir for atmospheric CO2. However, the deposition of carbonate minerals is thermodynamically avoided at the stability field of titanite. We demonstrate a complex feedback between CO2 and soil carbonates. The rise in pCO2 triggers the precipitation of calcite in the weathering regolith, but the greenhouse effect increasing the temperature can cease carbonate deposition. Secondary titanites were found in several paleosols and at least a part of them can be of weathering origin.

Understanding room-temperature magnetic properties of anthropogenic ashes from municipal solid waste incineration to assess potential impacts and resources

Environmental magnetic studies are widely used to trace sources of anthropogenic pollution and have revealed promising applications to the urban waste management system. Here, a collection of solid samples from Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators (MSWI) were studied to probe the capability of geochemical and magnetic data integration as a tool for assessing mineralogy, grain-size, and metal enrichment. A data set of room-temperature magnetic parameters was compared with chemical data by X-ray fluorescence and electron microscopy observations. The aim was to validate or reject methods for urban mining purposes, testing and exploiting the correlations that magnetic properties typically experience with iron and heavy metals, as well as their relation to magnetic grain-sizes (from mm-scale down below 30 nm). We noted that the room-temperature magnetic data of MSWI ashes, used to assess grain-size according to the magnetic domain states, is complicated by the clumping of tiny and large grains displaying similar magnetic properties, so it needs to be supported by optical methods or more advanced magnetic techniques. On the other hand, the integration between magnetic and geochemical data, constrained by the analyses of the magnetic/diamagnetic extracts, helped in assessing magnetic mineral assemblages and potential metal enrichment.

Negevite, the pyrite-type NiP2, a new terrestrial phosphide

Abstract Negevite, ideally NiP2, is a new phosphide mineral from pyrometamorphic complex of the Hatrurim Formation (the Mottled Zone), Southern Levant. It is found in phosphide assemblages of the Hatrurim Basin, south Negev Desert, Israel, and Daba-Siwaqa complex, Jordan. The mineral occurs as tiny isometric grains reaching 15 μm in size and forms intimate intergrowths with other phosphides related to the Fe-Ni-P system. In reflected light, negevite is white with yellowish tint and isotropic. Reflectance values for COM recommended wavelengths [R (%), λ (nm)] are as follows: 54.6 (470), 55.0 (546), 55.3 (589), 55.6 (650). Chemical composition of the holotype specimen (electron micro-probe, wt%): Ni 42.57, Co 3.40, Fe 2.87, P 42.93, S 8.33, total 100.10, corresponding to the empirical formula (Ni0.88Co0.07Fe0.06)Σ1.01(P1.68S0.31)Σ1.99. The crystal structure of negevite was solved and refined to R1 = 1.73% based on 52 independent observed [I >2σ(I)] reflections. The mineral is cubic, space group Pa3, a = 5.4816(5) Å, V = 164.71(3) Å3, and Z = 4. Dx = 4.881(1) g/cm3 calculated on the basis of the empirical formula. Negevite is a first natural phosphide belonging to the pyrite structure type. It is a chemical and structural analog of vaesite, NiS2, krutovite, NiAs2, and penroseite, NiSe2. The well-explored catalytic and photocatalytic properties of a synthetic counterpart of negevite could provide new insights into the possible role of higher phosphides as a source of low-valent phosphorus in prebiotic phosphorylation processes.

Thermodynamics analysis and rapid solidification of laser polished Inconel 718 by selective laser melting

This paper presents thermodynamics analysis and rapid solidification of laser polishing technology for selective laser melting (SLM) Inconel 718 superalloy. Significant porosity reduction has been examined in the laser polished layer, where the surface porosity is reduced by 65.7% compared with that of the as-fabricated SLM surface. The results show that the temperature in the polished zone is over 1683 K, and the cooling rate is approximately up to 2.46 × 106 K/s. Besides, the polished layer consists of equiaxed grain and columnar grain with average grain size of 10 ± 2.4 μm and 5 ± 1.2 μm, respectively, and tiny cell grains with average size of 3.5 μm in the heat-affected zone (HAZ). Moreover, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) results show that the orientation relationship (OR) between the γ matrix and Laves phase is found to be Burgers OR [011]γ‖[011¯2]Laves on the as-received layer and [1¯11]γ‖[12¯13¯]Laves on the polished layer.

Ionic liquid-assisted sol-gel synthesis of Fe2O3-TiO2 for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol a under UV illumination: Modeling and optimization using response surface methodology

This study was undertaken to synthesize Fe2O3-doped TiO2 nanoparticles using a long tail ionic liquid-assisted sol-gel method (IL-Fe2O3/TiO2) in order to photodegrade bisphenol A (BPA). Physicochemical properties of the synthesized photocatalysis were characterized through FTIR, FESEM-EDX, XRD, and DRS. The modeling and optimization of the photodegradation of BPA by IL/ Fe2O3-TiO2 were conducted with response surface methodology (RSM) by considering the central composite design (CCD). The results revealed that the 1-octadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([OMD]Br) ionic liquid, in combination with ferric oxide dopant, created low aggregated nanocomposites with a uniform and tiny grain size. 2.4 eV. bandgap energy was computed for IL-Fe2O3/TiO2. The quadratic model obtained from the ANOVA results of photodegradation processes. A BPA removal efficiency of 90.33 % was acquired under optimal conditions (IL-Fe2O3/TiO2 loading dose = 0.75 g/L, pH = 9, initial BPA concentration = 10 mg/L, and UV irradiation time = 97.5 min). The results indicated that the photodegradation of BPA was mostly affected by the variables of time, pH, and initial BPA concentration, respectively. Only the second term of the IL-Fe2O3/TiO2 loading dose as a variable had a significant effect on the efficiency of the process. The Langmuir–Hinshelwood model was selected to investigate photodegradation kinetics.

Bits and Pieces: A History of Chiptunes, by Kenneth B. McAlpine

<i>Bits and Pieces: A History of Chiptunes</i>, by Kenneth B. McAlpine

Amber- and plant-bearing deposits from the Cenomanian of Neau (Mayenne, France)

A new Cenomanian amber- and plant-bearing deposit has been discovered at Neau, in the Mayenne department (France). The Cenomanian fossiliferous lignites are located in karst filling in a substratum of Cambrian limestones. The amber corresponds mainly to tiny millimetric grains, devoid of arthropod inclusions, but rich in microorganisms, especially the sheated bacteriaLeptotrichites resinatus, and containing pollen grains (Classopollis) and wood fibers (Araucariacae or Cheirolepidiaceae). The lignites provide abundant conifer and ginkgoale cuticle fragments (Frenelopsis,Eretmophyllum) and a lot of palynomorphs (e.g. Gleicheniidites senonicus,Cyathidites,Deltoidospora,AppendicisporitesandCicatricosisporites). The chemical signature of the amber suggests it was produced by conifers of the extinct family Cheirolepidiaceae. According to the palynological assemblage, the age of the lignites is upper lower Cenomanian or lower mid Cenomanian. The deposit environment corresponded to the upstream portion of a mangrove or the most inner part of a lagoon.

A facile microwave synthesis of PbS:Sr nanoparticles and their key structural, morphological, optical, photoluminescence, dielectric and electrical studies for optoelectronics

Herein, various Strontium (Sr) concentrations doped Lead Sulfide (PbS) (PbS:Sr) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and subjected to key parameters analysis. EDX/SEM mapping analysis confirms the presence of Sr and its harmonized allocation in the final product. Spherical NPs morphology was approved by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis with tiny dimension grains formation. The grain size was observed to be approximately 55 nm; crystallite sizes calculated was found to be in the range of 18–21 nm. Slight shift in vibrational modes was noticed owing to low dimension NPs and approved a single phase. Diffused reflectance spectra were recorded, and direct energy gap was found in the range of 0.70–0.78 eV, which was much larger compared to the bulk (0.41 eV) one. PL emission spectra contained three emission peaks at 519 nm (major), 556 nm and 702 nm (broad) when excited at 450 nm. Also, the quenching in PL intensity was observed with Sr doping. The value of dielectric constant was noticed in the range of 25 to 57. The enhancement in total electrical conductivity was observed from −11.67 to −7.83 S cm−1 at 10 kHz; and from −4.30 to 3.42 S cm−1 at 10 MHz. The enrichment of physical properties of Sr doped PbS signify its suitability in optoelectronics.

Microstructure, hardness, and shear behavior of Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu–Sn58Bi composite solder joint

In this study, Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu-Sn58Bi (SAC-SnBi) composite solder joint was obtained by two-step soldering process. The microstructure, hardness, and shear performance of the composite solder joint were investigated in comparison with the eutectic Sn58Bi (SnBi) and SnAgCu (SAC) solder joints. Experimental results showed that the SAC-SnBi had similar intermetallic compound (IMC) morphology and thickness with the SAC solder joints. Compared with the eutectic SnBi solder, the large Bi-rich matrix transforms into tiny Bi-rich grains in the SAC-SnBi solder bulk. Tiny Bi-rich grains, Cu6Sn5, and Ag3Sn distribute uniformly in the composite solder bulk. As the SnBi bulk melts into the SAC solder during the second soldering process, the formation and growth of large β-Sn dendritic in SAC solder is suppressed in the composite solder. Therefore, the SAC-SnBi composite joint shows higher hardness and shear strength than the other two.

Probing the regoliths of the classical Uranian satellites: Are their surfaces mantled by a layer of tiny H2O ice grains?

We investigate whether the surfaces of the classical moons of Uranus are compositionally stratified, with a thin veneer of mostly tiny H2O ice grains (≤2 μm diameters) mantling a lower layer composed of larger grains of H2O ice, dark material, and CO2 ice (~10–50 μm diameters). Near-infrared observations (~1–2.5 μm) have determined that the H2O ice-rich surfaces of these moons are overprinted by concentrated deposits of CO2 ice, found almost exclusively on their trailing hemispheres. However, best fit spectral models of longer wavelength datasets (~3–5 μm) indicate that the spectral signature of CO2 ice is largely absent, and instead, the exposed surfaces of these moons are composed primarily of tiny H2O ice grains. To investigate possible compositional layering of these moons, we have collected new data using the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) onboard the Spitzer Space Telescope (~3–5 μm). Spectral modeling of these new data is consistent with prior analyses, suggesting that the exposed surfaces of the Uranian moons are primarily composed of tiny H2O ice grains. Furthermore, analysis of these new data reveal that the trailing hemispheres of these moons are brighter than their leading hemispheres over the 3 to 5 μm wavelength range, except for Miranda, which displays no hemispherical asymmetries in its IRAC albedos. Our analyses also reveal that the surface of Ariel displays five distinct, regional-scale albedo zones, possibly consistent with the spatial distribution of CO2 ice on this moon. We discuss possible processes that could be enhancing the observed leading/trailing albedo asymmetries exhibited by these moons, as well as processes that could be driving the apparent compositional stratification of their near surfaces.

3D printing boehmite gel foams into lightweight porous ceramics with hierarchical pore structure

We herein report a novel hierarchically porous ceramic foams derived from boehmite gel foams, which possess both high porosity and superior strength. The gel foams show excellent printability due to its predominant stability, high yield stress and storage modulus, which endows such foam material ideal ink for 3D printing lightweight and complex-shape materials via direct ink writing approach. The 3D printed ceramic foams possess programmable architecture assembled by porous filaments, uniform macro-pores with tunable size in the range of 4∼70 μm, as well as nanoscale pores in cell wall, after sintering at relatively low temperature of 1200–1300 °C. In this way, ceramic foams with high strength were achieved, attributed to the tiny grains, large amount of grain boundaries, uniform pores and hierarchical pore structure. Notably, the foams sintered below 1200 °C have significant advantage on specific surface area, which could reach up to 300-400 m2/g.

Potential Fossilized Sulfide-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Upper Miocene Sulfur-Bearing Limestones From the Lorca Basin (SE Spain): Paleoenvironmental Implications.

The sulfur-bearing limestones interbedded in the upper Miocene diatomaceous sediments (Tripoli Formation) of the Lorca Basin (SE Spain) are typified, as other Mediterranean coeval carbonate and gypsum deposits, by filamentous, circular and rod-shaped microstructures of controversial origin. These features have been interpreted both as fecal pellets of brine shrimps and/or of copepods, remains of algae or cyanobacteria and fossilized sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. To shed light on their origin, a multidisciplinary study including optical, UV and scanning electron microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and geochemical (carbon and oxygen stable isotopes) analyses has been carried out on three carbonate beds exposed along the La Serrata ridge. The different composition of the filamentous and circular objects with respect to the rod-shaped microstructures suggest that the former represent remains of bacteria, while the latter fecal pellets of deposit- or suspension-feeder organisms. Size and shape of the filamentous and circular microfossils are consistent with their assignment to colorless sulfide-oxidizing bacteria like Beggiatoa (or Thioploca) and Thiomargarita, which is further supported by the presence, only within the microfossil body, of tiny pyrite grains. These grains possibly result from early diagenetic transformation of original sulfur globules stored by the bacteria, which are a diagnostic feature of this group of prokaryotes. The development of microbial communities dominated by putative sulfide-oxidizing bacteria at Lorca was favored by hydrogen sulfide flows generated through degradation of organic matter by sulfate-reducing bacteria thriving in underlying organic-rich sediments.

Tsikourasite, Mo3Ni2P1+x (x &lt; 0.25), a New Phosphide from the Chromitite of the Othrys Ophiolite, Greece

Tsikourasite, Mo3Ni2P1+x (x &lt; 0.25), is a new phosphide discovered in a mantle-hosted podiform chromitite collected in the abandoned mine of Agios Stefanos (Othrys ophiolite), Central Greece. It forms tiny grains (from a few μm up to about 80 μm) and occurs as isolated grains or associated with other known minerals such as nickelphosphide and awaruite, and with undetermined minerals such as Ni-allabogdanite or Ni-barringerite and a V-sulphide. Tsikourasite is brittle and has a metallic luster. In plane-polarized light, tsikourasite is white yellow and it shows no bireflectance, anisotropism or pleochroism. Internal reflections were not observed, Reflectance values of tsikourasite in air (R in %) are: 55.7 at 470 nm, 56.8 at 546 nm, 57.5 at 589 nm and 58.5 at 650 nm. Five spot analyses of tsikourasite give the average composition: P 7.97, S 0.67, V 14.13, Fe 14.37, Co 7.59, Ni 23.9, and Mo 44.16, total 99.60 wt%, corresponding to the empirical formula (Mo1.778V1.071Fe0.082Co0.069)Σ3.000(Ni1.572Co0.428)Σ2.000(P0.981S0.079)Σ1.060, on the basis of Σ(Mo +V + Fe + Co + Ni) = 5 apfu and taking into account the structural results. The simplified formula is Mo3Ni2P1+x (x &lt; 0.25). The density, which was calculated based on the empirical formula and single-crystal data, is 9.182 g/cm3. The mineral is cubic, space group F-43m, with a = 10.8215(5) Å and Z = 16. Although tsikourasite is similar in composition to those of monipite (MoNiP), polekhovskyite (MoNiP2), and the synthetic compound MoNiP2, all these phases are hexagonal and not cubic like tsikourasite. It exhibits the same structure as the cubic Mo3Ni2P1.18 compound [space group F-43m, a = 10.846(2) Å] synthesized at 1350 °C. The mineral and its name have been approved by the Commission of New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (No. 2018-156). The mineral honors Professor Basilios Tsikouras of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Tiny grains shining bright in the gaps of Herbig Ae transitional discs

ABSTRACT This work presents a study of two Herbig Ae transitional discs, Oph IRS 48 and HD 169142; which both have reported rings in their dust density distributions. We use Keck-II/NIRC2 adaptive optics imaging observations in the L′ filter (3.8 $\mu$m) to probe the regions of these discs inwards of ${\sim }20\, \mathrm{au}$ from the star. We introduce our method for investigating these transitional discs, which takes a forward modelling approach: making a model of the disc (using the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code radmc3d), convolving it with point spread functions of calibrator stars, and comparing the convolved models with the observational data. The disc surface density parameters are explored with a Monte Carlo Markov Chain technique. Our analysis recovers emission from both of the discs interior to the well-known optically thick walls, modelled as a ring of emission at ${\sim }15\, \mathrm{au}$ in Oph IRS 48, and ${\sim }7\, \mathrm{au}$ for HD 169142, and identifies asymmetries in both discs. Given the brightness of the near-symmetric rings compared to the reported companion candidates, we suggest that the reported companion candidates can be interpreted as slightly asymmetric disc emission or illumination.

The microstructure and energy storage properties of Ba0.3Sr0.7TiO3 crystallite thin films

Energy storage capacitors have gained much attention for their potential energy storage applications in pulse power system. In this paper, Ba0.3Sr0.7TiO3 (BST) crystallite thin films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates using a sol-gel method at different annealing temperatures from 650 to 850 °C. The films have a crystallite structure, in which amorphous phase forms a three-dimensional network structure and BST tiny grains are wrapped in it. The effects of annealing temperature on the phase structure, morphology, energy storage and dielectric properties of BST microcrystalline films were investigated. The grain size and the crystallinity increased with the increase of annealing temperature, and both pores and defects were produced on the surface when temperature reaches up to 750 °C. When annealing temperature increases, the breakdown strength and energy storage density increased initially, followed by an decrease. The optimal energy storage performance was achieved in the sample with the energy storage density of 31.6 J/cm3 at 3.0 M V/cm, while annealing at 700 °C. Moreover, the sample also exhibited a moderate dielectric constant (60) and a low dielectric loss (0.001).

Sol-gel-assisted preparation of SiO2@Co3O4 heterostructure from laboratory glass waste as a potential anode for lithium-ion battery

In this work, a simple sol–gel method was developed to incorporate Co3O4 into glass waste-derived SiO2 to generate a heterostructured SiO2@Co3O4 nanocomposite. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of tiny Co3O4 grains embedded on to the surface of the spherically shaped SiO2 particles. The SiO2@Co3O4 hetrostructure anode exhibited a reversible capacity as high as 684 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C. Even after 50 cycles, the anode material showed a remarkable Coulombic efficiency of 99% with capacity retention as high as 75% (507 mA h g−1). The synergistic contribution resulting from the alloying/conversion mechanisms associated with the SiO2@Co3O4 resulted in enhanced electrochemical performance.

Enhanced Sulfate Resistance: The Importance of Iron in Aluminate Hydrates

Sulfate erosion is one of the main durability issue of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) while used in a sulfate-rich environment. Two aluminate phases in OPC, tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C4AF), are primarily responsible for sulfate attack but with different sulfate resistant performance. This paper therefore focuses on the internal sulfate invasion to hydration products of these two aluminate minerals and attempts to explain the role of irons in hydrates. Chemical shrinkage coupled with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS) are employed to determine the overall development of internal sulfate erosion of these hydrates. The results suggested that the doped iron in hydrogarnet (C3(A,F)H6) dramatically changes crystal growth and leads to large size of polyhedral particle to tiny cubic grain of C3AH6, which contributes superior performance to sulfate erosion. As to another hydrate monosulfate, the introduction of Fe...

Heavy Minerals for Junior Woodchucks

In the last two centuries, since the dawn of modern geology, heavy minerals have been used to investigate sediment provenance and for many other scientific or practical applications. Not always, however, with the correct approach. Difficulties are diverse, not just technical and related to the identification of tiny grains, but also procedural and conceptual. Even the definition of “heavy minerals” is elusive, and possibly impossible. Sampling is critical. In many environments (e.g., beaches), both absolute and relative heavy mineral abundances invariably increase or decrease locally to different degrees owing to hydraulic-sorting processes, so that samples close to "neutral composition" are hard to obtain. Several widely shared opinions are misleading. Choosing a narrow size-window for analysis leads to increased bias, not to increased accuracy or precision. Only point-counting provides real volume percentages, whereas grain-counting distorts results in favor of smaller minerals. This paper also briefly reviews the heavy mineral associations typically found in diverse plate-tectonic settings. A mineralogical assemblage, however, only reproduces the mineralogy of source rocks, which does not correlate univocally with the geodynamic setting in which those source rocks were formed and assembled. Moreover, it is affected by environmental bias, and by diagenetic bias on top in the case of ancient sandstones. One fruitful way to extract information on both provenance and sedimentological processes is to look for anomalies in mineralogical–textural relationships (e.g., denser minerals bigger than lower-density minerals; harder minerals better rounded than softer minerals; less durable minerals increasing with stratal age and stratigraphic depth). To minimize mistakes, it is necessary to invariably combine heavy mineral investigations with the petrographic analysis of bulk sand. Analysis of thin sections allows us to see also those source rocks that do not shed significant amounts of heavy minerals, such as limestone or granite, and helps us to assess heavy mineral concentration, the “outer” message carrying the key to decipher the “inner message” contained in the heavy mineral suite. The task becomes thorny indeed when dealing with samples with strong diagenetic overprint, which is, unfortunately, the case of most ancient sandstones. Diagenesis is the Moloch that devours all grains that are not chemically resistant, leaving a meager residue difficult or even impossible to interpret when diagenetic effects accumulate through multiple sedimentary cycles. We have conceived this friendly little handbook to help the student facing these problems, hoping that it may serve the purpose.

Enhanced efficiency of CdS/P3HT hybrid solar cells via interfacial modification

The present paper examines the effects of surface modification of CdS with diverse dyes on fabricated CdSbased hybrid solar cells. The X-ray diffraction results showed that CdS thin films had a hexagonal phase with a preferred orientation along the (101) plane. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the CdS specimen was composed of a granular structure while a P3HT layer was formed from tiny grains. Band gaps of the CdS thin films and the P3HT layer were 2.45 eV and 1.98 eV, respectively. The absorption spectra showed that different dye loading caused an increase in the absorbance of CdS thin films in the wavelength range of 400-650 nm. The photoluminescence of the CdS/P3HT structure including various dyes was lower than that of the pristine one, implying that efficient charge separation was achieved upon surface modification. Current density-voltage curves showed that the ITO/CdS/N719/Ag hybrid solar cell exhibited the best overall efficiency of 0.082%, which can be attributed to improvements in both short circuit current density (Jsc) and open circuit voltage (Voc) . These enhancements can be attributed to the creation of better interfacial contact between CdS and P3HT layers after dye loading.