8 research outputs found
Nanostructured ZnO Thin Films for Optical, Electrical, and Photoelectrochemical Applications from a New Zn Complex
New hexanuclear zinc complex, Zn<sub>6</sub>(OAc)<sub>8</sub>(μ-O)<sub>2</sub>(dmae)<sub>4</sub> (<b>1</b>)
(OAc = acetato, dmae = <i>N,N</i>-dimethyl aminoethanolato)
has been synthesized and characterized
by its melting point, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy, atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization mass spectrometry,
thermal gravimetric analysis, and single crystal X-ray analysis. The
complex (<b>1</b>) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group <i>C</i>2/<i>c</i>. The high solubility of complex (<b>1</b>) in organic solvents such as alcohol, THF, and toluene and
low decomposition temperature as compared to ZnÂ(OAc)<sub>2</sub> make
it a promising single source candidate for the deposition of nanostructured
ZnO thin films by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Films
with various nanostructures, morphology, and crystallographic orientation
have been deposited by controlling the deposition temperature. The
deposited films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning
electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The optical
characterization of ZnO films deposited on the FTO substrate show
a direct band gap of 3.31 eV, and the photoelectrochemical study revealed
that the photocurrent onset is at about −0.32 V, whereas no
photocurrent saturation was observed. The <i>I</i>–<i>V</i> measurements designated the deposited films as ohmic semiconductors
Nanostructured ZnO Thin Films for Optical, Electrical, and Photoelectrochemical Applications from a New Zn Complex
New hexanuclear zinc complex, Zn<sub>6</sub>(OAc)<sub>8</sub>(μ-O)<sub>2</sub>(dmae)<sub>4</sub> (<b>1</b>)
(OAc = acetato, dmae = <i>N,N</i>-dimethyl aminoethanolato)
has been synthesized and characterized
by its melting point, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy, atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization mass spectrometry,
thermal gravimetric analysis, and single crystal X-ray analysis. The
complex (<b>1</b>) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group <i>C</i>2/<i>c</i>. The high solubility of complex (<b>1</b>) in organic solvents such as alcohol, THF, and toluene and
low decomposition temperature as compared to ZnÂ(OAc)<sub>2</sub> make
it a promising single source candidate for the deposition of nanostructured
ZnO thin films by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Films
with various nanostructures, morphology, and crystallographic orientation
have been deposited by controlling the deposition temperature. The
deposited films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning
electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The optical
characterization of ZnO films deposited on the FTO substrate show
a direct band gap of 3.31 eV, and the photoelectrochemical study revealed
that the photocurrent onset is at about −0.32 V, whereas no
photocurrent saturation was observed. The <i>I</i>–<i>V</i> measurements designated the deposited films as ohmic semiconductors
Core–Shell Vanadium Modified Titania@β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> Hybrid Nanorod Arrays for Superior Interface Stability and Photochemical Activity
Core–shell rutile TiO<sub>2</sub>@β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> and modified V-TiO<sub>2</sub>@β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> were synthesized to develop
bilayer systems to uphold charge transport via an effective and stable
interface. Morphological studies revealed that β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> was deposited homogeneously on V-TiO<sub>2</sub> as
compared to unmodified TiO<sub>2</sub> nanorod arrays. X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy (XPS) and electron energy loss spectrometry studies verified
the presence of various oxidation states of vanadium in rutile TiO<sub>2</sub> and the vanadium surface was utilized for broadening the
charge collection centers in host substrate layer and hole quencher
window. Subsequently, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission
electron microscopy, and Raman spectra confirmed the rutile phases
of TiO<sub>2</sub> and modified V-TiO<sub>2</sub> along with the phases
of crystalline β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>. XPS valence band
study explored the interaction of valence band quazi Fermi levels
of β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> with the conduction band quazi
Fermi levels of modified V-TiO<sub>2</sub> for enhanced charge collection
at the interface. Photoelectrochemical studies show that the photocurrent
density of V-TiO<sub>2</sub>@β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> is
1.42 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> (1.5AM illumination). Also, the frequency window
for TiO<sub>2</sub> was broadened by the vanadium modification in
rutile TiO<sub>2</sub> nanorod arrays, and the lifetime of the charge
carrier and stability of the interface in V-TiO<sub>2</sub>@β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> were enhanced compared to the unmodified TiO<sub>2</sub>@β-In<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>. These findings highlight
the significance of modifications in host substrates and interfaces,
which have profound implications on interphase stability, photocatalysis
and solar-fuel-based devices
Photoelectrochemical and photoresponsive properties of Bi2S3 nanotube and nanoparticle thin films
Bi2S3 nanotubes and nanoparticle in the form of thin films were deposited on fluorine doped SnO2 (FTO) coated conducting glass substrates by Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD) using tris-(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato)bismuth(III), [Bi(S2CN(C2H5)2)3]2 (1) as a precursor. Thin films were deposited from solutions of (1) in either chloroform, dichloromethane, or a 1:1 mixture of chloroform and toluene at temperature between 350 to 450 °C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV−vis spectroscopy, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. FEGSEM images of films deposited from chloroform or dichloromethane exhibit well-defined and evenly distributed nanotubes with an average internal diameter of 40 nm. Films deposited from chloroform/toluene, on the other hand, have compact nanostuctured morphology. Bandgaps of 1.85 and 1.8 eV were estimated for nanotubes and nanoparticles, respectively, by extrapolating the linear part of the Tauc plot recorded for the films. The n-type Bi2S3 thin films display a reasonable photoactivity under illumination and are thus promising candidates for photoelectrochemical applications. The photoelectrochemical characteristics recorded under AM 1.5 illumination indicated photocurrent density of 1.9 mA/cm2 and 1.0 mA/cm2 at 0.23 V versus Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl for the films deposited from chloroform and chloroform/toluene, respectively. The photocurrent is among the highest reported for any Bi2S3 photoelectrode to date. Repeated illumination cycles show that the Bi2S3 thin films display a reasonable photosensitivity and response indicating their potential to be used in photodetector and optoelectronic nanodevice applications
Nanostructured alpha-Fe2O3 thin films for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation
We acknowledge PMI2 connect program
of the British Council for partly funding the present
work
Data_Sheet_1_The balanced unsaturated fatty acid supplement constituted by woody edible oils improved lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat diet mice.PDF
The dietary intervention has demonstrated effectiveness in improving hyperlipidemia and obesity. Woody edible oils are rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) that could positively affect lipid metabolism. In this study, the blended oil (BLO), a balanced UFA supplement, constituted by Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Chinese Red Pepper) seed oil, walnut (Juglans regia) oil, camellia (Camema oleifera) seed oil and perilla (Perilla frutescens) seed oil was established referring to the Chinese dietary reference intakes, in which the ratios of monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acids and ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were 1:1 and 4:1, respectively. The BLO was administrated to KM mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) by gavage every day at a dose of 3.0 mL/kg·bw for 10 weeks to assess its effects on serum lipid levels, liver antioxidant activities and gut microbial composition. The results showed that the BLO improved hepatic steatosis, liver oxidative stress, and serum lipid levels. Additionally, there was an increased abundance of Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, and Blautia, along with a decreased abundance of Staphylococcus in cecal contents. These changes were found to be positively correlated with the metabolic improvements, as indicated by Spearman’s correlation analysis. These findings implied the practicality of the balanced unsaturated fatty acid consumption in preventing hyperlipidemia and obesity.</p
Perovskite-Structured PbTiO<sub>3</sub> Thin Films Grown from a Single-Source Precursor
Perovskite-structured
lead titanate thin films have been grown on FTO-coated glass substrates
from a single-source heterometallic molecular complex, [PbTiÂ(μ<sub>2</sub>-O<sub>2</sub>CCF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>4</sub>(THF)<sub>3</sub>(μ<sub>3</sub>-O)]<sub>2</sub> (<b>1</b>), which was
isolated in quantitative yield from the reaction of tetraacetatoleadÂ(IV),
tetrabutoxytitaniumÂ(IV), and trifluoroacetic acid from a tetrahydrofuran
solution. Complex <b>1</b> has been characterized by physicochemical
methods such as melting point, microanalysis, FTIR, <sup>1</sup>H
and <sup>19</sup>F NMR, thermal analysis, and single-crystal X-ray
diffraction (XRD) analysis. Thin films of lead titanate having spherical
particles of various sizes have been grown from <b>1</b> by
aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition at 550 °C. The thin
films have been characterized by powder XRD, scanning electron microscopy,
and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. An optical band gap of 3.69
eV has been estimated by UV–visible spectrophotometry
Perovskite-Structured PbTiO<sub>3</sub> Thin Films Grown from a Single-Source Precursor
Perovskite-structured
lead titanate thin films have been grown on FTO-coated glass substrates
from a single-source heterometallic molecular complex, [PbTiÂ(μ<sub>2</sub>-O<sub>2</sub>CCF<sub>3</sub>)<sub>4</sub>(THF)<sub>3</sub>(μ<sub>3</sub>-O)]<sub>2</sub> (<b>1</b>), which was
isolated in quantitative yield from the reaction of tetraacetatoleadÂ(IV),
tetrabutoxytitaniumÂ(IV), and trifluoroacetic acid from a tetrahydrofuran
solution. Complex <b>1</b> has been characterized by physicochemical
methods such as melting point, microanalysis, FTIR, <sup>1</sup>H
and <sup>19</sup>F NMR, thermal analysis, and single-crystal X-ray
diffraction (XRD) analysis. Thin films of lead titanate having spherical
particles of various sizes have been grown from <b>1</b> by
aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition at 550 °C. The thin
films have been characterized by powder XRD, scanning electron microscopy,
and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. An optical band gap of 3.69
eV has been estimated by UV–visible spectrophotometry