We report first-principles density-functional theory calculations to investigate the role oxygen impurites play in determining the strength of TiN 111 /SixNy /TiN 111 interfaces, as may occur in the superhard and highly thermally stable “nc-TiN/a-Si3N4” nanocomposite. For nitrogen-rich conditions, our investigations predict that the interfacial region consists of a thin “ -like Si2N3” layer wit...

Cofacial bimetallic tin(ii) ([Sn2(mBDCA-5t)]2-, 1) and lead(ii) ([Pb2(mBDCA-5t)]2-, 2) complexes have been prepared by hexadeprotonation of hexacarboxamide cryptand mBDCA-5t-H6 together with double Sn(ii) or Pb(ii) insertion. Reaction of 1 with elemental sulfur or selenium generates di-tin polychalcogenide complexes containing μ-E and bridging μ-E5 ligands where E = S or Se, and the Sn(ii) cent...

Although silver nanowire meshes have already demonstrated sheet resistance and optical transmittance comparable to those of sputter-deposited indium tin oxide thin films, other critical issues including surface morphology, mechanical adhesion and flexibility have to be addressed before widely employing silver nanowire networks as transparent conductors in optoelectronic devices. Here, we demons...

In this work, carbon xerogels (CXGs) doped with nitrogen or sulfur have been investigated as DSSC counter electrodes. CXGs prepared by a sol–gel method from resorcinol and formaldehyde subsequent carbonization. Nitrogen doping has carried out introducing melamine into the synthesis process along formaldehyde, while incorporated direct reaction of material elemental sulfur. The electrodes for DS...

The synthesis feasibility of silicon-tin nanocrystals by discharges in liquid nitrogen is studied using a Si-10 at % Sn sintered electrode. Time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy shows that silicon and tin melt almost simultaneously. The presence of both vapours does not lead to the synthesis of alloyed nanocrystals but to the synthesis of separate nanocrystals of silicon and tin with aver...

In this paper, we describe relationships between the morphologies and the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of perovskite photovoltaics having a conventional p-i-n heterojunction structure, indium tin oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)/CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3-x)Cl(x)/PC(61)BM/Al. The PCE of such a device is highly dependent on the morphology of the perovskit...

Large area, fullerene-free organic solar cells with improved stability and efficiency of up to 1% are fabricated by the roll-coating process on indium tin oxide free and flexible substrates, under ambient conditions.

Controlling nanocomposite composition and morphology is a vital step toward designing new and advanced materials. The current work presents the results of an experimental investigation of the use of mixed-phase reactants for the synthesis of nanocomposite materials. Gas-phase tetramethyltin was used as a precursor for tin dioxide (SnO2). Metal additives were introduced to the SnO2 synthesis sys...

The focus of this paper is the development and investigation of properties of new nanostructured architecture for biosensors applications. Highly porous nanocomposite fibers were developed for use as active materials in biosensors. The nanocomposites comprised poly(lactic acid)(PLA)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) fibers obtained via solution-blow spinning onto indium tin oxide (ITO) elect...