The simple self-aligned photolithography technique and laser interference photolithography technique were proposed and utilized to fabricate multiple-gate ZnO metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Since the multiple-gate structure could improve the electrical field distribution along the ZnO channel, the performance of the ZnO MOSFETs could be enhanced. The performance o...

ZnO nanorods decorated with gold nanoparticles of ~20 nm average size were fabricated by microwave-assisted chemical synthesis. For the surface-attached growth of metal nanoparticles, the ZnO nanostructures were first functionalized by sodium citrate and then the metal ions were reduced under microwave heating. While the incorporation of gold nanoparticles at the surface seen to quench both the...

ZnO and TiOx are commonly used as electron extraction layers (EELs) in organic solar cells (OSCs). A general phenomenon of OSCs incorporating these metal-oxides is the requirement to illuminate the devices with UV light in order to improve device characteristics. This may cause severe problems if UV to VIS down-conversion is applied or if the UV spectral range (λ < 400 nm) is blocked to achieve...

Transition metal cobalt (Co) nanoparticle was designed as catalyst to promote the conversion reaction of Sn to SnO2 during the delithiation process which is deemed as an irreversible reaction. The designed nanocomposite, named as SnO2/Co3O4/reduced-graphene-oxide (rGO), was synthesized by a simple two-step method composed of hydrothermal (1(st) step) and solvothermal (2(nd) step) synthesis proc...

A new class of zirconia supported mixed metal oxides (ZnO-TiO(2)-Nd(2)O(3)/ZrO(2) and ZnO-SiO(2)-Yb(2)O(3)/ZrO(2)) has demonstrated the ability to convert low quality, high free fatty acid (FFA) bio-oils into biodiesel. Pelletized catalysts of ZrO(2) supported metal oxides were prepared via a sol-gel process and tested in continuous flow packed bed reactors for up to 6 months. In a single pass,...

The sensitivity of a metal oxide gas sensor is strongly dependent on the nature of the crystal surface exposed to the gas species. In this study, two types of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures: nanoplates and nanorods with exposed (0001) and (10̄10) crystal surfaces, respectively, were synthesized through facile solvothermal methods. The gas-sensing results show that sensitivity of the ZnO nanopla...

The integration of gas sensing elements into hand-held electronics will provide individuals the ability to detect harmful chemicals and pollutants in the environment in real time. Metal oxide gas sensors rely on changes in their electrical conductance due to the interaction of the oxide with a surrounding gas at an elevated temperature. The intrinsic stress in the metal oxide films during the l...

Recently, the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has caused a serious health problem. Scientists respond to the threat by developing new antimicrobial materials to prevent or control infections caused by these pathogens. Polymer-based nanocomposite hydrogels are versatile materials as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents. Cross-linking of polymeric materials by met...

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have emerged as an innovative solar energy conversion technology which provides a pathway for the development of cheap, renewable and environmentally acceptable energy production (Gledhill, Scott et al., 2005; O'Regan & Grätzel, 1991; Shaheen, Ginley et al., 2005). A typical DSSC consists of a sensitizing dye chemically anchored to a nanocrystalline wide band ...