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Keywords = tin dioxide

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11 pages, 3115 KiB  
Article
Low Resistivity and High Carrier Concentration in SnO2 Thin Films: The Impact of Nitrogen–Hydrogen Annealing Treatments
by Qi-Zhen Chen, Zhi-Xuan Zhang, Wan-Qiang Fu, Jing-Ru Duan, Yu-Xin Yang, Chao-Nan Chen and Shui-Yang Lien
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(13), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15130986 - 25 Jun 2025
Viewed by 417
Abstract
The tin dioxide (SnO2) thin films in this work were prepared by using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and a systematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of post-deposition annealing at various temperatures in a nitrogen–hydrogen mixed atmosphere on their [...] Read more.
The tin dioxide (SnO2) thin films in this work were prepared by using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), and a systematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of post-deposition annealing at various temperatures in a nitrogen–hydrogen mixed atmosphere on their surface morphology, optical behavior, and electrical performance. The SnO2 films were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Hall effect measurements. With increasing annealing temperatures, the SnO2 films exhibited enhanced crystallinity, a higher oxygen vacancy (OV) peak area ratio, and improved mobility and carrier concentration. These enhancements make the annealed SnO2 films highly suitable as electron transport layers (ETLs) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), providing practical guidance for the design of high-performance PSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thin Films for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells)
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12 pages, 1611 KiB  
Article
Influence of Deposition Time on Properties of Se-Doped CdTe Thin Films for Solar Cells
by Ibrahim M. Beker, Francis B. Dejene, Lehlohonolo F. Koao, Jacobus J. Terblans and Habtamu F. Etefa
Crystals 2025, 15(7), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15070589 - 22 Jun 2025
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Se-doped CdTe thin films were grown employing a simple two-electrode electrochemical deposition method using glass/tin-doped indium oxide (glass/ITO). Cadmium acetate dihydrate [Cd (CH3CO2)2. 2H2O], selenium dioxide (SeO2), and tellurium dioxide (TeO2) [...] Read more.
Se-doped CdTe thin films were grown employing a simple two-electrode electrochemical deposition method using glass/tin-doped indium oxide (glass/ITO). Cadmium acetate dihydrate [Cd (CH3CO2)2. 2H2O], selenium dioxide (SeO2), and tellurium dioxide (TeO2) were used as precursors. Instruments including X-ray diffraction for structural investigation, UV-Vis spectrophotometry for optical properties, and scanning probe microscopy for morphological properties were employed to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of the resulting Se-doped CdTe thin-film. The films are polycrystalline with a cubic phase, according to X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. More ions are deposited on the substrate, which makes the material more crystalline and intensifies the characteristic peaks that are seen. It is observed from the acquired optical characterization that the film’s bandgap is greatly influenced by the deposition time. The bandgap dropped from 1.92 to 1.62 as the deposition period increased from 25 to 45 min, making the film more transparent and absorbing less light at shorter deposition durations. Images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the surface morphology is homogenous with closely packed grains and that the grain forms become less noticeable as the deposition time increases. This work is novel in that it investigates the influence of the deposition time on the structural, optical, and morphological properties of Se-doped CdTe thin films deposited using a cost-effective, simplified two-electrode electrochemical method—a fabrication route that remains largely unexplored for this material system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials for Energy Applications)
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19 pages, 8053 KiB  
Article
Room-Temperature Environmental Gas Detection: Performance Comparison of Nanoparticle-Based Sensors Fabricated by Electrospray, Drop-Casting, and Dry Printing Based on Spark Ablation
by Carlos Sánchez-Vicente, José Pedro Santos, Isabel Sayago, Vincent Mazzola and Leandro Sacco
Chemosensors 2025, 13(6), 219; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13060219 - 17 Jun 2025
Viewed by 630
Abstract
Chemical nanosensors based on tin dioxide (SnO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were developed and characterized for the detection of low concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The sensing layers were [...] Read more.
Chemical nanosensors based on tin dioxide (SnO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were developed and characterized for the detection of low concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The sensing layers were prepared using three fabrication methods: drop-casting, electrospray, and spark ablation coupled with an inertial impaction printer, to compare their performance. Multiple surface characterization techniques were carried out to investigate the surface morphology and elemental composition of the deposited layers such as SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analyses. UV light photoactivation enabled the sensors to detect ultra-low concentrations of the target gases at room temperature (100 ppb NO2 and 1 ppm CO). The measurements were conducted at 50% relative humidity to simulate real environmental conditions. All sensors were capable of detecting the target gases. Drop-casting is the simplest and most cost-effective technique, but it is also the least reproducible. In contrast, sensors based on the spark ablation technique achieved more homogeneous sensing layers, with practically no nanoparticle agglomeration, resulting in devices with lower noise and drift in their electrical response. Full article
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27 pages, 7536 KiB  
Article
Laser-Patterned and Photodeposition Ag-Functionalized TiO2 Grids on ITO Glass for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation
by Bozhidar I. Stefanov
Coatings 2025, 15(6), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15060709 - 12 Jun 2025
Viewed by 639
Abstract
Laser patterning of sol–gel-derived TiO2 coatings offers a promising route for fabricating TiO2-based devices. Conventional approaches require high-power CO2 lasers, whereas herein is demonstrated an alternative method using a low-cost, blue laser (λ = 445 nm, 1250 mW) to [...] Read more.
Laser patterning of sol–gel-derived TiO2 coatings offers a promising route for fabricating TiO2-based devices. Conventional approaches require high-power CO2 lasers, whereas herein is demonstrated an alternative method using a low-cost, blue laser (λ = 445 nm, 1250 mW) to pattern TiO2 layers derived from a visible-light-absorbing titanium salicylate sol. Grid-shaped TiO2 patterns (~250 μm line, 500 μm pitch) were fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates via dip-coating, laser patterning, selective solvent removal, and annealing at 450 °C. Photocatalytic performance was enhanced through Ag photodeposition from a 5 mM Ag+ aqueous electrolyte under UV doses of 5, 10, and 20 J cm−2. Structural and compositional analysis (XRD, SEM-EDS, AFM, UV–Vis, Raman) confirmed the formation of crystalline anatase TiO2 and Ag incorporation proportional to the dose. Methylene blue (MB) photooxidation experiments revealed that Ag-functionalized samples showed up to 20% higher degradation efficiency and improved photocatalytic stability across eight consecutive MB oxidation cycles. Additional photoelectrochemical measurements confirmed the formation of a TiO2/Ag Schottky junction, while surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals observed on Ag/TiO2 grids enabled the detection of MB adsorbates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electrochemical Properties and Applications of Thin Films)
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15 pages, 3014 KiB  
Article
Development of Cu3P/SnS2 Composite and Its High Efficiency Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide
by Haohong Wei, Zhangwei Wang, Huancong Shi, Yuanhui Zuo and Jing Jin
Catalysts 2025, 15(6), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15060552 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 446
Abstract
With the increase of CO2 emissions caused by human activities, the development of efficient CO2 reduction technology is crucial to help address the energy crisis and mitigate climate change. In this study, a series of Cu3P/SnS2 composites with [...] Read more.
With the increase of CO2 emissions caused by human activities, the development of efficient CO2 reduction technology is crucial to help address the energy crisis and mitigate climate change. In this study, a series of Cu3P/SnS2 composites with varying Cu/Sn molar ratios were synthesized using a hydrothermal method to improve the activity and selectivity of the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 (CO2RR). The successful synthesis and structural advantages of the composite were verified via XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and BET. Cu3P/SnS2-3 (Cu/Sn = 2:1) had the largest specific surface area (78.01 m2 g−1) and abundant active sites. The electrochemical performance test showed that in 0.1 M KHCO3 electrolyte saturated with CO2, the Faraday efficiency of Cu3P/SnS2-3 to CO reached 87% at −1.0 V potential, which was 29 times and 1.78 times higher than that of Cu3P (3%) and SnS2 (48.88%). In addition, the catalyst maintained a CO Faraday efficiency of more than 75% in a 5 h stability test. The mechanism study shows that the low Tafel slope, low charge transfer resistance, and high electrochemically active area of the composite significantly promote the CO2RR kinetics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue CO2 Catalytic Valorization and Utilization)
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15 pages, 3612 KiB  
Article
The Effect of pH Solution in the Sol–Gel Process on the Process of Formation of Fractal Structures in Thin SnO2 Films
by Ekaterina Bondar, Igor Lebedev, Anastasia Fedosimova, Elena Dmitriyeva, Sayora Ibraimova, Anton Nikolaev, Aigul Shongalova, Ainagul Kemelbekova and Mikhail Begunov
Fractal Fract. 2025, 9(6), 353; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract9060353 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 450
Abstract
In this paper, we investigated fractal cluster structures of colloidal particles in tin dioxide films obtained from lyophilic film-forming systems SnCl4/EtOH/NH4OH with different pH levels. It was revealed that at the ratio Sn > Cl2 > O2 [...] Read more.
In this paper, we investigated fractal cluster structures of colloidal particles in tin dioxide films obtained from lyophilic film-forming systems SnCl4/EtOH/NH4OH with different pH levels. It was revealed that at the ratio Sn > Cl2 > O2, N2 = 0, and pH = 1.42, the growth of cross-shaped and flower-shaped structures of various sizes from several μm to tens of μm is observed. At the ratio Cl2 > Sn > O2 > N2 and pH = 1.44, triangular and hexagonal structures are observed, the sizes of which are on the order of several tens of micrometers. The growth of hexagonal structures is probably affected by the presence of nitrogen in the film, according to the elemental analysis data. At the ratio Sn > Cl2 > O2 > N2 and solution pH of 1.49, the growth of hexagonal and cross-shaped structures is observed, whereas flower-shaped structures are not observed. Hierarchical flower-like and cross-shaped structures are fractal. The shape of microstructures is directly related to the shape of the elementary cells of SnO2 and NH4Cl. A direct dependence of the formation of hierarchical structures on the volume of ammonium hydroxide additive was found. This allows for controlling the shape and size of the synthesized structures when changing the ratio of the initial precursors and influencing the final physicochemical characteristics of the obtained samples. Full article
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11 pages, 3555 KiB  
Article
Atmospheric Flame Vapor Deposition of 1D and 2D Nanostructured Vanadium Pentoxide on Diverse Substrates
by Kai Zhou and Lili Cai
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(10), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15100709 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 482
Abstract
Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) has attracted considerable interest owing to its unique chemical and physical properties. However, traditional synthesis methods are often time-consuming, complex, and difficult to scale, limiting the broader applications of V2O5. Herein, we [...] Read more.
Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) has attracted considerable interest owing to its unique chemical and physical properties. However, traditional synthesis methods are often time-consuming, complex, and difficult to scale, limiting the broader applications of V2O5. Herein, we present a flame vapor deposition (FVD) method to enable rapid, scalable, and one-step synthesis of various V2O5 nanostructures under ambient pressure conditions. By optimizing critical synthesis parameters, specifically, source temperature (840 °C) and substrate temperature (610 °C), we achieved highly crystalline, one-dimensional (1D) V2O5 nanorods on a variety of substrates, including silicon (Si), fluorine tin doped (FTO) glass, stainless steel, and silicon dioxide (SiO2). Moreover, we demonstrate the rapid growth of ultrathin, two-dimensional (2D) V2O5 nanoflakes with nanometer-scale thickness, as well as enhanced uniformity and coverage density with an externally applied electric field. This FVD method provides a simple, efficient, and scalable approach for synthesizing advanced V2O5 nanostructures, significantly expanding opportunities for their integration into various technological applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Chemical Engineering (3rd Edition))
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16 pages, 13256 KiB  
Article
Novel Stable Co3O4-SnO2 Heterojunction Electrocatalysts with Low Oxygen Evolution Potential
by Bingfeng Yan, Wen Liu, Youchen Sun, Meng Gao, Aqing Chen and Jun Zhang
Materials 2025, 18(8), 1869; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081869 - 19 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 424
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis offers a sustainable route for hydrogen production, yet the reliance on costly noble metal-based anodes hinders scalability. Tin dioxide (SnO2) emerges as a promising alternative due to its acid stability, but its high oxygen evolution [...] Read more.
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis offers a sustainable route for hydrogen production, yet the reliance on costly noble metal-based anodes hinders scalability. Tin dioxide (SnO2) emerges as a promising alternative due to its acid stability, but its high oxygen evolution potential (OEP) limits practical application in hydrogen production via water electrolysis. Here, we address this challenge by incorporating cobalt (Co) into SnO2 to create a heterojunction electrocatalyst. The optimized Co3O4-SnO2 heterojunction catalyst with a tin-to-cobalt mass ratio of 3:1 exhibits a significantly reduced OEP (1.6 V vs. RHE) and an overpotential of 186 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in acidic media, outperforming undoped SnO2. Stability tests reveal a lifespan exceeding 24 h at 100 mA cm−2, a threefold improvement over pure SnO2. This work underscores the potential of the Co3O4-SnO2 heterojunction electrocatalyst as a cost-effective, durable anode catalyst for PEM electrolyzers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Catalytic Materials)
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19 pages, 6273 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Efficiency of CZTS Solar Cells with Reduced Graphene Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Layers: A SCAPS Simulation Study
by Dounia Fatihi, Giorgio Tseberlidis, Vanira Trifiletti, Simona Binetti, Eleonora Isotta, Paolo Scardi, Abderrafi Kamal, R’hma Adhiri and Narges Ataollahi
ChemEngineering 2025, 9(2), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemengineering9020038 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1135
Abstract
Copper zinc tin sulfide (commonly known as CZTS) solar cells (SCs) are gaining attention as a promising technology for sustainable electricity generation owing to their cost-effectiveness, availability of materials, and environmental advantages. The goal of this study is to enhance CZTS SC performance [...] Read more.
Copper zinc tin sulfide (commonly known as CZTS) solar cells (SCs) are gaining attention as a promising technology for sustainable electricity generation owing to their cost-effectiveness, availability of materials, and environmental advantages. The goal of this study is to enhance CZTS SC performance by adding a back surface field (BSF) layer. SC capacitance simulator software (SCAPS) was used to examine three different configurations. Another option is to replace the cadmium sulfide (CdS) buffer layer with a titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer. The results demonstrate that the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) BSF layer increases the conversion efficiency by 25.68% and significantly improves the fill factor, attributed to lowering carrier recombination and creating a quasi-ohmic contact at the interface between the metal and semiconductor. Furthermore, replacing the CdS buffer layer with TiO2 offers potential efficiency gains and mitigates environmental concerns associated with the toxicity of CdS. The results of this investigation could enhance the efficiency and viability of CZTS SCs for future energy applications. However, it is observed that BSF layers may become less effective at elevated temperatures due to increased recombination, leading to reduced carrier lifetime. This study underlines valuable insights into optimizing CZTS SC performance through advanced material choices, highlighting the dual benefits of improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Chemical Engineering)
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14 pages, 2629 KiB  
Article
Analytical Solutions for Current–Voltage Properties of PSCs and Equivalent Circuit Approximation
by Marc Al Atem, Yahia Makableh and Mohamad Arnaout
Eng 2025, 6(4), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng6040062 - 23 Mar 2025
Viewed by 352
Abstract
Perovksite solar cells have emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology due to their high increasing power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, challenges related to thermal instability and material toxicity, especially in lead-based perovskites, bring the need to investigate alternative materials and structural designs. This [...] Read more.
Perovksite solar cells have emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology due to their high increasing power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, challenges related to thermal instability and material toxicity, especially in lead-based perovskites, bring the need to investigate alternative materials and structural designs. This study investigated the current–voltage and power–voltage characteristics of lead-free PSCs based on tin- and germanium using a two-diode equivalent circuit model. The novelty of this work was based on the intensive evaluation of three different electron transport layers (ETLs)—titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and tungsten trioxide (WO3)—under different ambient temperature conditions (5 °C, 25 °C, and 55 °C) to study their impacts on device performance and the thermal stability. SCAPS-1D simulations were used to model the electrical and optical behaviors of the proposed perovskite structures, and the results were validated by using the two-diode model. The main performance parameters that were considered were open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, maximum power point, and fill factor. The results showed that TiO2 was better than ZnO and WO3 as an ETL, achieving a PCE of 24.83% for Sn-based perovskites, and ZnO was the better choice for Ge-based perovskites at 25 °C, with an efficiency reaching ~15.39%. The three ETL materials showed high thermal stability when analyzing them at high ambient temperatures reaching 55 °C. Full article
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19 pages, 6309 KiB  
Article
Coupled Resonance Fiber-Optic SPR Sensor Based on TRIZ
by Cuilan Zhu, Haodi Zhai, Yonghao Wang, Xiangru Suo, Tianyu Zhu and Shuowei Jin
Photonics 2025, 12(3), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12030244 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 737
Abstract
This paper aims to enhance the sensitivity of fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors by innovatively applying TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). To identify the key challenges faced by current SPR sensors, methods such as functional analysis, causal analysis, and the Nine-Window [...] Read more.
This paper aims to enhance the sensitivity of fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors by innovatively applying TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). To identify the key challenges faced by current SPR sensors, methods such as functional analysis, causal analysis, and the Nine-Window method are employed. Utilizing TRIZ tools, including Technical Contradiction, Physical Contradiction, the Smart Little Man method, and object–field analysis, innovative solutions are proposed, involving transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films, an asymmetric photonic crystal fiber structure with elliptical pores, and titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films. Experimental results reveal a significant improvement in sensitivity, with an average of 9961.90 nm/RIU and a peak of 12,503.56 nm/RIU within the refractive index range of 1.33061 to 1.40008, representing a 456% increase compared to the original gold-film fiber-optic SPR sensor. These findings have potential applications in biosensing, environmental monitoring, and food safety. Full article
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16 pages, 36325 KiB  
Article
Effect of Annealing in Air on the Structural and Optical Properties and Efficiency Improvement of TiO2/CuxO Solar Cells Obtained via Direct-Current Reactive Magnetron Sputtering
by Grzegorz Wisz, Maciej Sibiński, Mirosław Łabuz, Piotr Potera, Dariusz Płoch, Mariusz Bester and Rostyslav Yavorskyi
Materials 2025, 18(4), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18040888 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 712
Abstract
In this study, four various titanium dioxide/cuprum oxide (TiO2/CuxO) photovoltaic structures deposited on glass/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates using the direct-current (DC) reactive magnetron sputtering technique were annealed in air. In our previous work, the deposition parameters for different [...] Read more.
In this study, four various titanium dioxide/cuprum oxide (TiO2/CuxO) photovoltaic structures deposited on glass/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates using the direct-current (DC) reactive magnetron sputtering technique were annealed in air. In our previous work, the deposition parameters for different buffer layer configurations were first optimized to enhance cell fabrication efficiency. In this paper, the effects of post-deposition annealing at 150 °C in air on the optical properties and I-V characteristics of the prepared structures were examined. As a result, significant changes in optical properties and a meaningful improvement in performance in comparison to unannealed cells were observed. Air annealing led to an increase in the reflection coefficient of the TiO2 layer for three out of four structures. A similar increase in the reflection of the CuxO layer occurred after heating for two out of four structures. Transmission of the TiO2/CuxO photovoltaic structures also increased after heating for three out of four samples. For two structures, changes in both transmission and reflection resulted in higher absorption. Moreover, annealing the as-deposited structures resulted in a maximum relative increase in open-circuit voltage (Voc) by 294% and an increase in short-circuit current (Isc) by 1200%. The presented article gives some in-depth analysis of these reported changes in character and origin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Solar Cell Materials and Structures—Second Edition)
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12 pages, 1742 KiB  
Article
Simulation of Lead-Free Perovskite Solar Cells with Improved Performance
by Saood Ali, Praveen Kumar, Khursheed Ahmad and Rais Ahmad Khan
Crystals 2025, 15(2), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15020171 - 10 Feb 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1104
Abstract
At present, lead halide PVSKSCs are promising photovoltaic cells but have some limitations, including their low stability in ambient conditions and the toxicity of lead. Thus, it will be of great significance to explore lead-free perovskite materials as an alternative absorber layer. In [...] Read more.
At present, lead halide PVSKSCs are promising photovoltaic cells but have some limitations, including their low stability in ambient conditions and the toxicity of lead. Thus, it will be of great significance to explore lead-free perovskite materials as an alternative absorber layer. In recent years, the numerical simulation of perovskite solar cells (PVSKSCs) via the solar cell capacitance simulation (SCAPS) method has attracted the attention of the scientific community. In this work, we adopted SCAPS for the theoretical study of lead (Pb)-free PVSKSCs. A cesium bismuth iodide (CsBi3I10; CBI) perovskite-like material was used as an absorber layer. The thickness of the CBI layer was optimized. In addition, different electron transport layers (ETLs), such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), tin oxide (SnO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), and zinc selenide (ZnSe), and different hole transport layers, such as spiro-OMeTAD (2,2,7,7-tetrakis(N,N-di(4-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9′-spirobifluorene), poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT), poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine (PTAA), and copper oxide (Cu2O), were explored for the simulation of CBI-based PVSKSCs. A device structure of FTO/ETL/CBI/HTL/Au was adopted for simulation studies. The simulation studies showed the improved photovoltaic performance of CBI-based PVSKSCs using spiro-OMeTAD and TiO2 as the HTL and ETL, respectively. An acceptable PCE of 11.98% with a photocurrent density (Jsc) of 17.360258 mA/cm2, a fill factor (FF) of 67.10%, and an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.0282 V were achieved under the optimized conditions. It is expected that the present study will be beneficial for researchers working towards the development of CBI-based PVSKSCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials for Energy Applications)
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14 pages, 10364 KiB  
Article
SnO2-Based CMOS-Integrated Gas Sensor Optimized by Mono-, Bi-, and Trimetallic Nanoparticles
by Larissa Egger, Florentyna Sosada-Ludwikowska, Stephan Steinhauer, Vidyadhar Singh, Panagiotis Grammatikopoulos and Anton Köck
Chemosensors 2025, 13(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors13020059 - 8 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1192
Abstract
Chemical sensors, relying on electrical conductance changes in a gas-sensitive material due to the surrounding gas, have the (dis-)advantage of reacting with multiple target gases and humidity. In this work, we report CMOS-integrated SnO2 thin film-based gas sensors, which are functionalized with [...] Read more.
Chemical sensors, relying on electrical conductance changes in a gas-sensitive material due to the surrounding gas, have the (dis-)advantage of reacting with multiple target gases and humidity. In this work, we report CMOS-integrated SnO2 thin film-based gas sensors, which are functionalized with mono-, bi-, and trimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) to optimize the sensor performance. The spray pyrolysis technology was used to deposit the metal oxide sensing layer on top of a CMOS-fabricated micro-hotplate (µhp), and magnetron sputtering inert-gas condensation was employed to functionalize the sensing layer with metallic NPs, Ag-, Pd-, and Ru-NPs, and all combinations thereof were used as catalysts to improve the sensor response to carbon monoxide and to suppress the cross-sensitivity toward humidity. The focus of this work is the detection of toxic carbon monoxide and a specific hydrocarbon mixture (HCmix) in a concentration range of 5–50 ppm at different temperatures and humidity levels. The use of CMOS chips ensures low-power, integrated sensors, ready to apply in cell phones, watches, etc., for air quality-monitoring purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Chemical Sensors for Gas Detection)
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25 pages, 2189 KiB  
Review
Advancements in Surface Modification of NiTi Alloys for Orthopedic Implants: Focus on Low-Temperature Glow Discharge Plasma Oxidation Techniques
by Justyna Witkowska, Jerzy Sobiecki and Tadeusz Wierzchoń
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031132 - 28 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1518
Abstract
Nickel–titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys are promising materials for orthopedic implants due to their unique mechanical properties, including superelasticity and shape memory effect. However, the high nickel content in NiTi alloys raises concerns about biocompatibility and potential cytotoxic effects. This review focuses on [...] Read more.
Nickel–titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys are promising materials for orthopedic implants due to their unique mechanical properties, including superelasticity and shape memory effect. However, the high nickel content in NiTi alloys raises concerns about biocompatibility and potential cytotoxic effects. This review focuses on the recent advancements in surface modification techniques aimed at enhancing the properties of NiTi alloys for biomedical applications, with particular emphasis on low-temperature glow discharge plasma oxidation methods. The review explores various surface engineering strategies, including oxidation, nitriding, ion implantation, laser treatments, and the deposition of protective coatings. Among these, low-temperature plasma oxidation stands out for its ability to produce uniform, nanocrystalline layers of titanium dioxide (TiO2), titanium nitride (TiN), and nitrogen-doped TiO2 layers, significantly enhancing corrosion resistance, reducing nickel ion release, and promoting osseointegration. Plasma-assisted oxynitriding processes enable the creation of multifunctional coatings with improved mechanical and biological properties. The applications of modified NiTi alloys in orthopedic implants, including spinal fixation devices, joint prostheses, and fracture fixation systems, are also discussed. Despite these promising advancements, challenges remain in achieving large-scale reproducibility, controlling process parameters, and reducing production costs. Future research directions include integrating bioactive and antibacterial coatings, enhancing surface structuring for controlled biological responses, and expanding clinical validation. Addressing these challenges can unlock the full potential of surface-modified NiTi alloys in advanced orthopedic applications for safer, longer-lasting, and more effective medical implants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials for Dental and Orthopedic Applications)
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