Magnetotransport measurements as a tool for searching 3D topological insulators

The paper covers some measurement aspects of transport of electrons through metals and semiconductors in magnetic field - magnetotransport - allowing for the determination of electrical parameters characteristic of three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators (TI) (i.e. those that behave like an insulator inside their volume and have a conductive layer on their surface). A characteristic feature of the 3D TI is also a lack of differences between the chemical composition of the conductive surface and the interior of the material tested and the fact that the electron states for its surface conductivity are topologically protected. In particular, the methods of generating strong magnetic fields, obtaining low temperatures, creating electrical contacts with appropriate geometry were presented, and the measurement methods were reviewed. In addition, the results of magnetotransport measurements obtained for two volumetric samples based on the HgCdTe compound grown with the molecular beam epitaxy method are presented

Biomaterial composed of chitosan, riboflavin, and hydroxyapatite for bone tissue regeneration

Abstract Biomaterial engineering approaches involve using a combination of miscellaneous bioactive molecules which may promote cell proliferation and, thus, form a scaffold with the environment that favors the regeneration process. Chitosan, a naturally occurring biodegradable polymer, possess some essential features, i.e., biodegradability, biocompatibility, and in the solid phase good porosity, which may contribute to promote cell adhesion. Moreover, doping of the materials with other biocompounds will create a unique and multifunctional scaffold that will be useful in regenerative medicine. This study is focused on the manufacturing and characterization of composite materials based on chitosan, hydroxyapatite, and riboflavin. The resulting films were fabricated by the casting/solvent evaporation method. Morphological and spectroscopy analyses of the films revealed a porous structure and an interconnection between chitosan and apatite. The composite material showed an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus and exhibited higher antioxidant activity compared to pure chitosan. In vitro studies on riboflavin showed increased cell proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and osteosarcoma cells, thus demonstrating their potential for bone tissue engineering applications

Formation and Characterization of Stable TiO₂/Cu_xO-Based Solar Cells

According to increasing demand for energy, PV cells seem to be one of the best answers for human needs. Considering features such as availability, low production costs, high stability, etc., metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) are a focus of attention for many scientists. Amongst MOS, TiO2 and CuxO seem to be promising materials for obtaining an effective photoconversion effect. In this paper, specific investigation, aimed at the manufacturing of the complete photovoltaic structure based on this concept is described in detail. A set of samples manufactured by DC magnetron sputtering, with various process parameters, is characterized by morphology comparison, layer structure and material composition investigation, and finally by the obtained photovoltaic parameters. Based on SEM studies, it was established that the films are deposited uniformly and complete their formation; without clearly defined faces, the conglomerates of the film grow individually. These are areas with a uniform structure and orientation of atoms. The sizes of conglomerates are in a normal direction range from 20 to 530 nm and increase with film thickness. The film thickness was in the range from 318 to 1654 nm, respectively. The I-V study confirms the photovoltaic behavior of thin film solar cells. The open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current density (Jsc) values of the photovoltaic devices ranged from 1.5 to 300 mV and from 0.45 to 7.26 µA/cm3, respectively, which corresponds to the maximum efficiency at the level of 0.01%. Specific analysis of the junction operation on the basis of characteristics flow, Rs, and Rsh values is delivered

TiO2/CuO/Cu2O Photovoltaic Nanostructures Prepared by DC Reactive Magnetron Sputtering

In this study, titanium dioxide/copper oxide thin-film solar cells were prepared using the reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering technique. The influence of the deposition time of the top Cu contact layer on the structural and electrical properties of photovoltaic devices was analyzed. The structural and morphological characterization of the TiO2/CuO/Cu2O solar cells was fully studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and current–voltage (I-V) characteristics. Additionally, using van der Pauw sample geometries, the electrical properties of the titanium dioxide and copper oxide layers were investigated. From the XRD study, solar cells were observed in cubic (Cu2O), monoclinic (CuO), and Ti3O5 phases. In addition, the crystallite size and dislocation density for copper oxide layers were calculated. Basic morphological parameters (thickness, mechanism of growth, and composition of elements) were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. The thicknesses of the titanium dioxide and copper oxide layers were in the range of 43–55 nm and 806–1223 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanism of growth and the basic composition of the elements of layers were analyzed. The I-V characteristic curve confirms the photovoltaic behavior of two titanium dioxide/copper oxide thin-film structures. The values of short-circuit current density (Jsc) and open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the solar cells were: 4.0 ± 0.8 µA/cm2, 16.0 ± 4.8 mV and 0.43 ± 0.61 µA/cm2, 0.54 ± 0.31 mV, respectively. In addition, the authors presented the values of Isc, Pmax, FF, and Rsh. Finally, the resistivity, carrier concentration, and mobility are reported for selected layers with values reflecting the current literature

Solar cells based on copper oxide and titanium dioxide prepared by reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering

In this study, solar cells based on copper oxide and titanium dioxide were successfully manufactured using the reactive direct-current magnetron sputtering (DC-MS) technique with similar process parameters. TiO₂/CuO, TiO₂/Cu₂O/CuO/Cu₂O, and TiO₂/Cu₂O solar cells were manufactured via this process. Values of short-circuit current efficiencies, short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, and maximum power of PV devices were investigated in the range of 0.02÷0.9%, 75÷350 µA, 75÷350 µA/cm², 16÷550 mV, and 0.6÷27 µW, respectively. The authors compare solar cells reaching the best and the worst conversion efficiency results. Thus, only the two selected solar cells were fully characterized using I-V characteristics, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, ellipsometry, Hall effect measurements, and quantum efficiency. The best conversion efficiency of a solar cell presented in this work is about three times higher in comparison with the authors’ previous PV devices