All solution-processed organic photocathodes with increased efficiency and stability via the tuning of the hole-extracting layer †

International audiencePhotoelectrodes based on solution-processed organic semiconductors are emerging as low-cost alternatives to crystalline semiconductors and platinum. In this work, the performance and stability of P3HT:PCBM\MoS 3-based photocathodes are considerably improved by changing the hole-extracting layer (HEL). Oxides such as reduced graphene oxide, nickel oxide or molybdenum oxide are deposited via solution processes. With MoO x , a photocurrent density of 2 mA cm À2 during 1 h is obtained with the processing temperature lower than 150 C – thus compatible with flexible substrates. Furthermore, we show that the performances are directly correlated with the work function of the HEL material, and the comparison with solid-state solar cells shows that efficient HELs are not the same for the two types of devices

New insights in the electronic transport in reduced graphene oxide using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

International audienceGraphene and graphene analogues such as GO or reduced-GO (r-GO) are attracting increasing attention from the scientific community. These materials have outstanding properties, so that many potential applications in the fields of electronics, sensors, catalysis and energy storage are being considered. GO combines several advantages such as availability in large quantity, low cost and easy processability. However, contrary to graphene, GO is electronically insulating and has to be reduced into a conductive material, r-GO. In a recent work we introduced a new localized functionalization method of GO deposited on a silicon oxide surface based on its reduction at the local scale thanks to scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM): the reducer is generated at the microelectrode, that is moved close to the substrate. The recovery of electronic conductivity upon reduction enables the selective electrochemical functionalization of patterns. In the present work, we introduce a new method to evaluate at a local scale the conductivity of r-GO layers with SECM. In addition we show how images of individual and interconnected flakes directly reveal the signature of the contact resistance between flakes in a non-contact and substrate-independent way. Quantitative evaluation of the parameters is achieved with the support of numerical simulations to interpret the experimental results. Overall, these works illustrates the high potential and versatility of SECM to investigate and functionalize 2D materials

High-performance and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting cell with organic-photoactive-layer-based photoanode

Considering their superior charge-transfer characteristics, easy tenability of energy levels, and low production cost, organic semiconductors are ideal for photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production. However, organic-semiconductor-based photoelectrodes have not been extensively explored for PEC water-splitting because of their low stability in water. Herein, we report high-performance and stable organic-semiconductors photoanodes consisting of p-type polymers and n-type non-fullerene materials, which is passivated using nickel foils, GaIn eutectic, and layered double hydroxides as model materials. We achieve a photocurrent density of 15.1 mA cm???2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with an onset potential of 0.55 V vs. RHE and a record high half-cell solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 4.33% under AM 1.5 G solar simulated light. After conducting the stability test at 1.3 V vs. RHE for 10 h, 90% of the initial photocurrent density are retained, whereas the photoactive layer without passivation lost its activity within a few minutes

Optimization of an MEMS Magnetic Thin Film Vibrating Magnetometer

International audienceThis paper presents models developed through analytical or numerical computation and finite element analysis to improve the resolution of a new kind of vibrating magnetometers. This peculiar magnetometer uses the piezoelectric transduction to actuate a quartz resonator at its resonance frequency taking advantage of the high Q factor of a quartz resonator to achieve high resolution. The magnetic sensitive element is a thin ferromagnetic film of Nickel-Cobalt which is sputtered on the moving beams of the resonator. This magnetic thin film applies a periodic torque on the resonator, shifting its resonance frequency. This torque depends on the magnetic field applied; therefore the value of the magnetic field can be deduced from the frequency shift measurement. The aim of this paper is to develop and improve sensitivity models which will be useful tools in a future work to establish the optimal geometry for a resonator and the best position of the magnetic thin film on it in order to improve the sensitivity and resolution of the global sensor

New insights in the electronic transport in reduced graphene oxide using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

International audienceGraphene and graphene analogues such as GO or reduced-GO (r-GO) are attracting increasing attention from the scientific community. These materials have outstanding properties, so that many potential applications in the fields of electronics, sensors, catalysis and energy storage are being considered. GO combines several advantages such as availability in large quantity, low cost and easy processability. However, contrary to graphene, GO is electronically insulating and has to be reduced into a conductive material, r-GO. In a recent work we introduced a new localized functionalization method of GO deposited on a silicon oxide surface based on its reduction at the local scale thanks to scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM): the reducer is generated at the microelectrode, that is moved close to the substrate. The recovery of electronic conductivity upon reduction enables the selective electrochemical functionalization of patterns. In the present work, we introduce a new method to evaluate at a local scale the conductivity of r-GO layers with SECM. In addition we show how images of individual and interconnected flakes directly reveal the signature of the contact resistance between flakes in a non-contact and substrate-independent way. Quantitative evaluation of the parameters is achieved with the support of numerical simulations to interpret the experimental results. Overall, these works illustrates the high potential and versatility of SECM to investigate and functionalize 2D materials