Transparent Conductive Glass Research Articles

Dual-Functional Cs3Bi2Br9 for stable all-solid-state photo-rechargeable batteries

In light of the immense potential solid-state photo-rechargeable batteries hold in the efficient utilization of renewable solar energy, there is a rapidly growing demand for materials that possess both energy harvesting and storage capabilities. In this study, a solid-state photo-rechargeable battery has been designed based on the FTO(Fluorine-doped SnO2 transparent conductive glass)/TiO2/Cs3Bi2Br9/Pt/FTO system, which achieves dual functions of photoelectric conversion and energy storage. The inorganic bismuth-based material employed in these batteries exhibits commendable cyclic stability. Under photo-rechargeable conditions, a single cell can maintain an open-circuit voltage as high as 0.45 V in the absence of illumination. By connecting multiple cells in series, we succeed in powering an LED (Light-emitting diode) continuously for 1 min without light exposure. The findings of this research open new avenues for the design and development of novel materials that could enable highly efficient solid-state photo-rechargeable batteries.

Structure and electrochromic properties of polypyrrole films synthesized by AC electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under different amplitude

Alternating current (AC) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to synthesize polypyrrole (PPy) electrochromic films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) transparent conductive glasses. When depositing the PPy films, a fixed initial voltage was 700 mV and AC of different amplitudes was applied. The influence of AC voltage amplitude on the structure and electrochromic performance of PPy films was investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation reveals that the PPy films prepared under AC are composed of uniform-distributed nanospheres when the AC amplitude is below 400 mV, which is different from the submicron structure displayed by PPy films prepared under direct current (DC). This kind of nanospherical structure is helpful to ion transport, resulting in improved electrochromic properties of the PPy films prepared under AC compared with the PPy film prepared under DC. In particular, the PPy film prepared under 100 mV amplitude AC shows ideal electrochromic properties, with an ion diffusion coefficient of 8.13 × 10−10 cm2·s−1, a coloring efficiency of 137.4 cm2·C−1, quick coloration and bleaching switching times of 5.0 s and 6.5 s, respectively, and retains 65.7% of its optical modulation after 100 cycles.

Iodide-based glass with combination of high transparency and conductivity: A novel promising candidate for transparent microwave absorption and radar stealth

The rapid development of the electronics industry has sparked widespread interest in transparent microwave-absorbing materials. Herein, iodide-based transparent conductive glass was used as a candidate material for transparent microwave absorption. AgI-AgPO3-WO3 glasses with varying AgI content were synthesized employing a quench-melting method. Their structures, optical and electrical properties, microwave absorption performance, and radar cross section (RCS) reduction were thoroughly investigated. The 45AgI-45AgPO3-10WO3 sample exhibited satisfactory microwave absorption, achieving a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of − 47.18 dB, effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 1.97 GHz, and RCS reduction of 31.46 dB m2 in the X band. This was attributed to the synergistic effects of dielectric and magnetic losses, and impedance matching and electromagnetic attenuation. It also manifested acceptable performance in the Ku band (RLmin = − 14.58 dB, EAB = 1.38 GHz, and RCS reduction = 13.37 dB m2), which was primarily attributed to dielectric loss and electromagnetic attenuation. The conductive glass exhibited an optical transmittance of ∼80 % in the range of 500–2000 nm. In summary, this study highlights the potential use of transparent conductive glasses as transparent microwave-absorbing media for electromagnetic interference shielding applications in optical windows and domes, and stealth applications in high-performance optical cameras and optical detection device systems.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Crystallization Kinetics in an Electric Field

To study the effect of applied electric field on polymer crystallization, the crystallization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was observed under modified polarized optical microscopy. The PVDF melts were crystallized based on programmed temperature, changes between two transparent conductive glass electrodes, on which a DC electric field was applied. The observations revealed that without the electric field, crystallizations below 160 °C resulted in only α-form crystals, while, at elevated temperatures, the formation of γ-form crystals also occurred. By applying the electric field at 1.7 kV/cm, γ-form crystals started emerging at the slightly lower temperature of 158 °C. Further examinations showed that both crystals, α-form and γ-form, grew at a greater rate with increasing field strength. A careful calculation of the Avrami parameters supported the data that the electric field enhanced the crystallization kinetics. Careful calculation based on the Laurientz–Hoffmann approach revealed that applying the electric field decreased the required energy for PVDF crystallization. The folding surface free energy of the PVDF crystallization, 1.76 × 10−2 Jm−2, was reduced to 1.57 × 10−2 Jm−2 and 1.43 × 10−2 Jm−2 after applying electric fields of 0.8 and 1.7 kVcm−1, respectively. We suggest that the electric field promoted the polymer chain alignment during the crystallization; as a result, it accelerated the polymer crystallization and lowered the energy requirement for crystallization.

Fabrication of patterned transparent conductive glass via laser metal transfer for efficient electrical heating and antibacteria

Fabrication of patterned transparent conductive glass via laser metal transfer for efficient electrical heating and antibacteria

Multiphysics model for assessing photoelectrochemical phenomena under concentrated irradiation

A multiphysics model was developed for a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell at the device level to simulate water splitting operating under concentrated irradiation (between 50 to 600 kW m−2). The 2D model couples charge, heat, mass, photon, and momentum transfer to predict local current densities, potential distributions, temperature profiles, volumetric gas fractions, pressure, and velocities profiles in the electrolyte. Electrode kinetics and electrolyte resistance were considered for the electrochemical processes, and two-phase bubbly-flow under laminar conditions for momentum transfer. The effects of bubbles on the incident photon flux and the thermal and electrical conductivities of the electrolyte were also considered. Photocurrent densities were estimated using a semiempirical correlations dependent on potential, charge transfer efficiencies, and temperature. The model was applied to a custom-made cell utilising a spray pyrolysed Sn-doped Fe2O3 photoanode, a material with well-known photoelectrochemical behaviour and stability. Transparent conductive glass and titanium foil were investigated as two possible photoanode substrates. Predictions indicate that commercial conductive glasses are not suitable substrates due to a significant ohmic drop caused by high current densities. The model illustrates that thermal and bubble management are critical to improving the overall performance of a PEC cell subjected to high photon flux. Furthermore, the model can be used to decouple the phenomena that occur under such conditions and could assist in the study of photoelectrode materials under high irradiance.

High-performance tungsten-niobium bimetallic oxide films with designable electrochromic properties

For a better environmental sustainable development, the construction and new energy vehicle industries have paid more attention to electrochromic (EC) materials that can regulate light and heat to reduce energy use. We report a series of high-performance tungsten-niobium (W–Nb) bimetallic oxide films composed of nanowire/cluster directly grown on transparent conductive glasses by a solvothermal process. Large optical modulations in visible (Vis) (77.0%) and near-infrared (NIR) (79.7%) light regions, and high average coloration efficiency (CE‾) of 107.8 cm2·C−1 are achieved for the W–Nb bimetallic oxide films. The solvothermal preparation creates conditions for exploring the rules of the EC properties of W–Nb bimetallic oxide films with the atomic ratios of W to Nb. The EC properties of bimetallic oxides are designable by verifying their atomic ratios of W to Nb, which provides a theoretical support for searching high-performance bimetallic oxide EC films. In addition, we introduce real-time CE and CE‾ besides the traditional maximum CE to evaluate the coloration performance of the EC films. This creates a foundation for the further research on the CE of EC materials and devices in the future.

Synthesis and multicolored electrochromism of polycarbazoles containing oxadiazole

A carbazole derivative (COP) containing (trifluoromethyl)pyridine and oxadiazole and a carbazole derivative (COI) containing isoxazole and oxadiazole are synthesized, and their corresponding polymers (P(COP) and P(COI)) are electrosynthesized on a transparent conductive indium tin oxide glass surface using potentiostatic techniques. The P(COP) and P(COI) films exhibit reversible electrochemical and spectrochemical behaviors from the neutral-to-oxidized and oxidized-to-neutral states. The P(COP) is yellow ocher, grayish-green, and khaki green at 0.0, 1.4, and 1.5 V, respectively, whereas P(COI) is light grayish-green, light greenish-yellow, and light green at 0.2, 1.2, and 1.4 V, respectively, in solutions. The P(COP) demonstrates a transmittance change (ΔT = 40.1% at 1100 nm) and an adequate coloration efficiency (η = 162.1 cm2 C−1 at 1100 nm). Dual-layer polymeric electrochromic devices (ECDs) are fabricated using polycarbazoles containing oxadiazole and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProD) as the anodic and cathodic layers, respectively. The P(COI)/PProDBz2 ECD displayed four color transitions (light bluish-gray, bluish-gray, xenon blue, and indigo) from the bleached to the colored state. Moreover, the P(COP)/PProDBz2 ECD displays a considerable ΔT (48.0% at 624 nm), and the P(COI)/PProDBz2 ECD displays a substantial coloration efficiency (η = 530.6 cm2 C−1 at 623 nm). In addition, polycarbazoles containing oxadiazole/PProD ECDs demonstrate high electrochemical redox stability and a short bleaching and coloring time. These findings indicate that polycarbazoles containing oxadiazole are promising electrochromic materials and can be used in multicolored and energy-saving ECDs.

The Effect of Addition of SnO2 Doping on The Electronic Structure of TiO2 Thin Film as Photo-Anode in DSSC Applications

Photoanode is a component of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCc) which is synthesized from metal oxide semiconductor material with nanoparticle size deposited on transparent conductive glass. TiO2 powder was synthesized by mixing 20 mL of Titanium (III) chloride (TiCl3) with 100 mL of the equator and stirred for 1 hour. TiO2-SnO2 thin films have been successfully synthesized using the coprecipitation method and coated on ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) substrate by doctor-blade technique. The structure and morphology of the films were investigated by XRD and SEM respectively. The analysis of optical characteristics shows that the absorbance of TiO2 photoanode is in the wavelength range of 300-600 nm while SnO2 is in the wavelength range of 300-870 nm. The results showed that the synthesized film with SnO2 had a stronger anatase formation than the film with pure TiO2. Finally, incorporating SnO2 into the TiO2 matrix is an effective strategy to improve the overall properties of solar cells in future applications

Preparation of high-efficiency anti-reflective oxide electrodes and their application in biomedical testing and thin-film lithium batteries

Nanomaterials hold great potential in the development of lithium-ion microbatteries and could assist in developing ever smaller and more reliable power sources to facilitate 21st Century life. Professor Kuan-Jiuh Lin is based in the Department of Chemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, and runs the Interfacial Optical-Electronic (IOE) Lab. He and his team leader Dr Wen-Yin Ko are working to address gaps in nanotechnology, including how to conquer the strong interfacial coupling between the porous semiconductor membrane and the electro-plasmon metal-surface film. Their research is expected to have broad applications across electronics and optoelectronics. In a recent project, the researchers are working to develop more efficient lithium-ion microbatteries (micro-LIBs) using active nanostructured anode materials such as carbon nanomaterials composed of porous carbon, graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The researchers have developed a lightweight and high-rate CNT-based anode system that holds great potential for fast-charging batteries. The team has also created metal-doped MnO2 nanowalls with inter-networked vertically-oriented three-dimensional (3D) porous frameworks directly onto a AgCNT modified current collector, resulting in a superior performance anode material for LIBs. The researchers also created a novel 3D porous scaffold anode material of silicon–porphyrin pearl-chain-like nanowires which was placed onto the surface of a bundled titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowire. In a world first, Lin and the team were able to achieve dial functionalities of antireflective and electrochemical properties-based anatase TiO2 nanowire devices with a high-porosity cross-linked geometry directly grown onto transparent conductive glass.

Control of mat thickness in electrospinning with transparent conductive glass collector

AbstractElectrospinning is a versatile technique for producing micro‐ and nanofibrous mats with great potential in many fields. However, reproducibility remains a key issue for product development. In particular, thickness is an important parameter for controlling electrospun fiber mats. In this study, we developed a method to control the polymer mat thickness during electrospinning. The mat thickness was controlled on the basis of the light transmittance and by using conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) glass connected to ground as a collector. Living cells were seeded on the fiber mat without detaching from the ITO glass, which enabled observation under a microscope and the evaluation of cell behavior. This study indicates that the thickness of the fiber mat can be consistently controlled by monitoring the light transmittance instead of the electrospinning duration and the mat can be easily observed under a microscope. This is expected to be particularly useful in the field of tissue engineering.

On the Effect of Thermal Processing on Sn Diffusion and Efficiency Enhancement in Hematite/FTO Photoanodes

The frequently underestimated effects of “in air” thermal treatment processing conditions such as temperature, duration, and heating and cooling rates in the design and efficiency of photoelectrodes fabricated for academic studies onto the most common commercial transparent conductive glass substrate i.e. fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) were investigated by XRD, XPS, SEM, conductive AFM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as well as direct current (DC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements. The PEC response of Hematite photoanode thin films consisting of short nanorods thermally treated at 400 °C and 800 °C upon fast or extended time conditions is inhibited by factors such as crystallinity, Sn diffusion, or substrate integrity. A “fast” thermal treatment in air at 750 °C provided the best synergy between charge transfer resistance, Sn-diffusion from the FTO substrate, nanorod dimensions, reduced recombination, improved charge separation and minimized substrate damage. This study does offer valuable fundamental and practical insights for a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of photoelectrode thermal processing, which is critical for the improvement of the PEC performance-reproducibility relationship for FTO-based solar water splitting systems and devices.

1,4-Bis((9H-Carbazol-9-yl)Methyl)Benzene-Containing Electrochromic Polymers as Potential Electrodes for High-Contrast Electrochromic Devices.

Four 1,4-bis((9H-carbazol-9-yl)methyl)benzene-containing polymers (PbCmB, P(bCmB-co-bTP), P(bCmB-co-dbBT), and P(bCmB-co-TF)) were electrosynthesized onto ITO transparent conductive glass and their spectral and electrochromic switching performances were characterized. The PbCmB film displayed four types of color variations (bright gray, dark gray, dark khaki, and dark olive green) from 0.0 to 1.2 V. P(bCmB-co-bTP) displayed a high transmittance variation (∆T = 39.56% at 685 nm) and a satisfactory coloration efficiency (η = 160.5 cm2∙C−1 at 685 nm). Dual-layer organic electrochromic devices (ECDs) were built using four bCmB-containing polycarbazoles and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as anodes and a cathode, respectively. PbCmB/PEDOT ECD displayed gainsboro, dark gray, and bright slate gray colors at −0.4 V, 1.0 V, and 2.0 V, respectively. The P(bCmB-co-bTP)/PEDOT ECD showed a high ∆T (40.7% at 635 nm) and a high coloration efficiency (η = 428.4 cm2∙C−1 at 635 nm). The polycarbazole/PEDOT ECDs exhibited moderate open circuit memories and electrochemical redox stability. The characterized electrochromic properties depicted that the as-prepared polycarbazoles had a satisfactory application prospect as an electrode for the ECDs.

A digital microfluidic system with integrated electrochemical impedance detection arrays

Electrochemical sensing provides a new way for miniaturization and low cost of equipment. Meanwhile, digital microfluidic (DMF) technology is making lab-on-chip a reality. The two technologies are essential in the point-of-care area. Electrochemical detection on electrodes and DMF-based droplet driving electrode realize their respective functions by means of electrical signals. In terms of working mode, it seems to have certain similarity, and electrochemical sensing seems to be more suitable for integrating digital microfluidic systems. We thus integrated electrochemical sensing on an active matrix (AM) DMF system. As a common transparent conductive glass, indium tin oxide (ITO) has been widely used as the top plate of the digital microfluidic chip. In this work, we used ITO glass with patterned interdigital electrodes as the top plate of the AM-DMF chip. We achieved on-chip droplet volume detection by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We also proposed a novel sample dilution method on the DMF chip. It takes only 30 seconds to dilute solutions into 4 different concentrations. We then analyzed droplet samples of different concentrations with EIS method. And the correlation coefficient of the fitted curve is as high as 0.9964. In conclusion, EIS is a powerful detection technology for fast, high-integration and low-cost detection on DMF system. The integration of EIS and DMF can be used in various biochemical analyses in the future.

Copper oxide nanoleaves covered with loose nickel oxide nanoparticles for sensitive and selective non-enzymatic nitrite sensors

In this work, we developed a new method for preparing copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures, designed and prepared a CuONiO modified fluorine-doped SnO2 transparent conductive glass (FTO) electrode for electrochemical sensor to effectively detect the nitrite. The leaf-shaped CuO nanostructures grow uniformly on the FTO electrode, resulting in the increased contact area and reduced transfer resistance. The NiO nanoparticles effectively dispersed in the gaps between the leaves can further improve the electron transfer and reduce the diffusion resistance. The electrochemical results demonstrated that the prepared electrode exhibited high sensitivity (7.2 mA mM−1 cm−2), broad linear range (0.001–1.8 mM) and low detection limit (0.013 μM). Moreover, the prepared sensor also reflected good reproducibility, stability and anti-interference in the detection of actual samples, which provides a good application prospect for metal oxides used in water quality and environmental monitoring.

Preparation of tree-structured ZnO films for solar cells application

In this work, we present the fabrication of tree-structured-based ZnO films by applying the hydrothermal method. For that reason, ZnO nanowires (NWs) with extended lengths were initially deposited on transparent conductive glass substrates, while ZnO branches were subsequently grown on the surface of the ZnO NWs. The morphology of the as-prepared tree-structured ZnO films was affected by several factors, such as the concentration of Zn(CH3COO)2 in the seed precursor solution and the hydrothermal reaction time. In addition, ZnO branches were vertically grown on the ZnO NWs when the concentration of the Zn(CH3COO)2 was 0.04 M. Quantum dots (QDs)-sensitized solar cells were assembled using the CdS/CdSe QDs co-sensitized ZnO films as the photoanodes. From our results, it is demonstrated that the value of the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) in the range of 550–650 nm was obviously enhanced with the growth of ZnO branches, rendering our approach attractive for the development of energy-efficient solar cells.

Research Progress of Transparent Electrode Materials with Sandwich Structure.

The nonrenewable nature of fossil energy has led to a gradual decrease in reserves. Meanwhile, as society becomes increasingly aware of the severe pollution caused by fossil energy, the demand for clean energy, such as solar energy, is rising. Moreover, in recent years, electronic devices with screens, such as mobile phones and computers, have had increasingly higher requirements for light transmittance. Whether in solar cells or in the display elements of electronic devices, transparent conductive films directly affect the performance of these devices as a cover layer. In this context, the development of transparent electrodes with low sheet resistance and high light transmittance has become one of the most urgent issues in related fields. At the same time, conventional electrodes can no longer meet the needs of some of the current flexible devices. Because of the high sheet resistance, poor light transmittance, and poor bending stability of the conventional tin-doped indium tin oxide conductive film and fluorine-doped tin oxide transparent conductive glass, there is a need to find alternatives with better performance. In this article, the progress of research on transparent electrode materials with sandwich structures and their advantages is reviewed according to the classification of conductive materials to provide reference for research in related fields.

Dye and activated carbon from Canarium ovatum Engl. as photosensitizer and counter electrode for Titania-based dye sensitized solar cell

Natural dye from exocarp and activated carbon from charred shells of Canarium ovatum Engl nut was used in the fabrication of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Anatase titania (titanium dioxide, TiO2) nanoparticles was used as semiconducting layer deposited on a transparent conductive indium tin oxide glass using doctor blade method. TiO2 film thickness and soaking time in dye were varied to show response in terms of fill factor (FF), short circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit photovoltage (Voc), and conversion efficiency (η). In a 2.0 cm2 active surface area tested under solar irradiance, assembled DSSC at optimum conditions garnered 0.768 desirability with FF, Jsc, Voc and n values of 0.601, 6.293 mA/cm2, 0.446 V, and 1.792, respectively.

Detailed study on effects of gate voltage, frequency and temperature on dielectric properties of Cu/PAr/n-CdS/SnO2 MIS Schottky diode

In this paper, CdS based metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) diode was fabricated by using the Polyarylate (PAr) film as insulator dielectric on transparent conductive glass substrate. The dielectric parameters such as dielectric constant (), loss (ϵ), loss tangent (tan δ), ac conduc-tivity (σ AC ) and complex modulus (, ) of the MIS Schottky diode were examined as a function of signal frequency, gate voltage and temperature. The detailed analysis revealed the interface states at the CdS/PAr junction and the characteristics of these interface states in the examined frequency range. The value of the angular frequency exponent (S) and the corres-ponding temperature dependence of σ ac indicate the hopping mechanism which agrees with the CBH model. The barrier height between the neighbouring states is determined as 47 meV for the temperature range studied. The temperature dependence of ΔV FB verifies the thermally active behaviour of interface states which decrease from 117 to 41 meV with increasing temperature.

Characterization of Bi2Se3 prepared by electrodeposition

Bi2Se3 compound was deposited catholically under potential control, from a mixture solution composed from equimolar SeO2 and BiCl3. The concentration of selenium and bismuth precursors was about 5 ∙ 10−3 M. The electrodeposited films were grown on FTO substrates (Transparent Conductive Glass Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide (FTO)–Coated Glass). Deposition potential was determined from cyclic voltammetry (CV) where the platinum mesh was taken as working electrode. The growth kinetics depends on the applied potential. It was found, using EDS technique, that suitable ratio of Se/Bi corresponding to Bi2Se3 was reached at − 250 mV vs. SCE (saturated calomel electrode). X-ray and grazing X-ray diffraction revealed that the obtained film at − 250 and − 200 mV/SCE consisted a rhombohedral Bi2Se3 structure. Raman shift was employed to corroborate the X-ray results with the possibility of formation of a rhombohedral Bi2Se3 when the applied potential was − 200 mV (vs. SCE). The Bi2Se3-obtained films were an n-type semiconductor with a carrier charge concentration which depends on the applied potential.