Titania Nanotubes Arrays Based-Gas Sensor: NO2-Oxidizing Gas and H2-Reducing Gas

Gas sensor based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube was manufactured and its sensitivity to hydrogen (H2) and to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gasses was investigated using anodization method. The TiO2 NT structure was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface morphology of prepared Titania was analysed using field-emission electron-scanning microscopy (FE-SEM). Starting with (XRD) study it confirms the tetragonal phase structure of the prepared Titania (anatase and rutile). In addition, the TiO2 anatase averaged crystallite size was 25.9 nm. The FE-SEM images revealed that the nanotube's average diameters are within 70 ± 2 nm. Gas response measurements at room temperature (27 ℃) for hydrogen and nitrogen dioxide gases at various concentrations (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm) were investigated. Our study has shown that the higher resistance of NO2 gas was 30 Ω at 300 ppm while it was equal 18.29 Ω at 150 ppm for H2 gas at room temperature

The processing and treatment of other types of oil palm biomass.

This chapter discusses the problem constraint regarding the other oil palm biomass wastes generate after processing the crude oil palm. The palm oil mill affluent (POME) is the most significant water pollution source in oil palm mills. Many efforts have been made to treat the POME and clean the water and in the same time converts it to other valuable by products. The common way to treat POME are including biological, nonbiological, and integrated system methods. The byproduct generates from POME such as methane gas, biohydrogen, waste organic granule, and polyhydroxyalkanate (PHA) are also discussed in this chapter. It can be concluded the POME waste has a great potential to produce the PHA and biohydrogen as another source of income to the oil palm mills. The commercialization of these by products will have a return on investment and eliminate waste from the POME treatment plant

Enhancement in NO2 and H2-Sensing Performance of CuxO/TiO2 Nanotubes Arrays Sensors Prepared by Electrodeposition Synthesis

The CuxO/TiO2 nanotubes arrays are fabricated in two stages. Firstly, TiO2-NTs are grown by the Ti-foil anodization process and then annealed for 2h at 500 ℃. Subsequently, CuxO thin film was deposited with different deposition times on the nanotubes by electrochemical cathodic reaction, then heated twice, once at 200 ℃ in the air and then at 300 ℃ in the closed furnace for 2 h, respectively. Pure-TNT and CuxO/TNTs heterostructure are characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, Hall effect, and as a gas sensor. Results show that the gas sensor (CuOx=1/TiO2 for NO2 and H2 gases) prepared at the time (1 min) is higher than the pure TiO2-NTs and also higher than Cux=2O/TiO2 which were synthesized at various times 3, 5, 7, and 10 mins

Impact of the TiO2 Nanosolution Concentration on Heat Transfer Enhancement of the Twin Impingement Jet of a Heated Aluminum Plate

Here, the researchers carried out an experimental analysis of the effect of the TiO2 nanosolution concentration on the heat transfer of the twin jet impingement on an aluminum plate surface. We used three different heat transfer enhancement processes. We considered the TiO2 nanosolution coat, aluminum plate heat sink, and a twin jet impingement system. We also analyzed several other parameters like the nozzle spacing, nanosolution concentration, and the nozzle-to-plate distance and noted if these parameters could increase the heat transfer rate of the twin jet impingement system on a hot aluminum surface. The researchers prepared different nanosolutions, which consisted of varying concentrations, and coated them on the metal surface. Thereafter, we carried out an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis for determining the structure and the homogeneous surface coating of the nanosolutions. This article also studied the different positions of the twin jets for determining the maximal Nusselt number (Nu). The researchers analyzed all the results and noted that the flow structure of the twin impingement jets at the interference zone was the major issue affecting the increase in the heat transfer rate. The combined influence of the spacing and nanoparticle concentration affected the flow structure, and therefore the heat transfer properties, wherein the Reynolds number (1% by volume concentration) maximally affected the Nusselt number. This improved the performance of various industrial and engineering applications. Hypothesis: Nusselt number was affected by the ratio of the nanoparticle size to the surface roughness. Heat transfer characteristics could be improved if the researchers selected an appropriate impingement system and selected the optimal levels of other factors. The surface coating with the TiO2 nanosolution also positively affected the heat transfer rate

Numerical Insights into the Influence of Electrical Properties of n-CdS Buffer Layer on the Performance of SLG/Mo/p-Absorber/n-CdS/n-ZnO/Ag Configured Thin Film Photovoltaic Devices

A CdS thin film buffer layer has been widely used as conventional n-type heterojunction partner both in established and emerging thin film photovoltaic devices. In this study, we perform numerical simulation to elucidate the influence of electrical properties of the CdS buffer layer, essentially in terms of carrier mobility and carrier concentration on the performance of SLG/Mo/p-Absorber/n-CdS/n-ZnO/Ag configured thin film photovoltaic devices, by using the Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS-1D). A wide range of p-type absorber layers with a band gap from 0.9 to 1.7 eV and electron affinity from 3.7 to 4.7 eV have been considered in this simulation study. For an ideal absorber layer (no defect), the carrier mobility and carrier concentration of CdS buffer layer do not significantly alter the maximum attainable efficiency. Generally, it was revealed that for an absorber layer with a conduction band offset (CBO) that is more than 0.3 eV, Jsc is strongly dependent on the carrier mobility and carrier concentration of the CdS buffer layer, whereas Voc is predominantly dependent on the back contact barrier height. However, as the bulk defect density of the absorber layer is increased from 1014 to 1018 cm−3, a CdS buffer layer with higher carrier mobility and carrier concentration is an imperative requirement to a yield device with higher conversion efficiency and a larger band gap-CBO window for realization of a functional device. Most tellingly, simulation outcomes from this study reveal that electrical properties of the CdS buffer layer play a decisive role in determining the progress of emerging p-type photo-absorber layer materials, particularly during the embryonic device development stage

Assessment of TiO₂ Nanoconcentration and Twin Impingement Jet of Heat Transfer Enhancement—A Statistical Approach Using Response Surface Methodology

Impinging jets are considered to be a well-known technique that offers high local heat transfer rates. No correlation could be established in the literature between the significant parameters and the Nusselt number, and investigation of the interactions between the correlated factors has not been conducted before. An experimental analysis based on the twin impingement jet mechanism was achieved to study the heat transfer rate pertaining to the surface plate. In the current paper, four influential parameters were studied: the spacing between nozzles, velocity, concentration of Nano solution coating and nozzle-plate distance, which are considered to be effective parameters for the thermal conductivity and the heat transfer coefficient of TiO2 nanoparticle, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis were done, which highlighted the structure and showed that the nanosolution coated the surface homogenously. Moreover, a comparison was done for the experimental results with that of the predicted responses generated by the Design Expert software, Version 7 User’s Guide, USA. A response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to improve a mathematical model by accounting for a D-optimal design. In addition, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for testing the significance of the models. The maximum Nu of 91.47, where H = S = 1 cm; Reynolds number of 17,000, and TiO2 nanoparticle concentration of 0.5% M. The highest improvement rate in Nusselt was about 26%, achieved with TiO2 Nanoparticle, when S = 3 cm, H = 6 cm and TiO2 nanoparticle = 0.5 M. Furthermore, based on the statistical analysis, the expected values were found to be in satisfactory agreement with that of the empirical data, which was conducted by accounting for the proposed models’ excellent predictability. Multivariate approaches are very useful for researchers, as well as for applications in industrial processes, as they lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs, so the presented results of this work could encourage the overall uses of multivariate methods in these fields. Hypotheses: A comparison was done for the predicted responses generated by the Design Expert software with the experimental results and then studied to verify the following hypotheses: ► Preparation of three concentrations of TiO2 nanosolution was done and studied. ► The heat transfer rate could be increased by surface coating with TiO2 nanoparticle. ► The heat transfer could be improved by the impingement jet technique with suitable adjustments

Assessment of TiO2 Nanoconcentration and Twin Impingement Jet of Heat Transfer Enhancement—A Statistical Approach Using Response Surface Methodology

Impinging jets are considered to be a well-known technique that offers high local heat transfer rates. No correlation could be established in the literature between the significant parameters and the Nusselt number, and investigation of the interactions between the correlated factors has not been conducted before. An experimental analysis based on the twin impingement jet mechanism was achieved to study the heat transfer rate pertaining to the surface plate. In the current paper, four influential parameters were studied: the spacing between nozzles, velocity, concentration of Nano solution coating and nozzle-plate distance, which are considered to be effective parameters for the thermal conductivity and the heat transfer coefficient of TiO2 nanoparticle, an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis were done, which highlighted the structure and showed that the nanosolution coated the surface homogenously. Moreover, a comparison was done for the experimental results with that of the predicted responses generated by the Design Expert software, Version 7 User’s Guide, USA. A response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to improve a mathematical model by accounting for a D-optimal design. In addition, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for testing the significance of the models. The maximum Nu of 91.47, where H = S = 1 cm; Reynolds number of 17,000, and TiO2 nanoparticle concentration of 0.5% M. The highest improvement rate in Nusselt was about 26%, achieved with TiO2 Nanoparticle, when S = 3 cm, H = 6 cm and TiO2 nanoparticle = 0.5 M. Furthermore, based on the statistical analysis, the expected values were found to be in satisfactory agreement with that of the empirical data, which was conducted by accounting for the proposed models’ excellent predictability. Multivariate approaches are very useful for researchers, as well as for applications in industrial processes, as they lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs, so the presented results of this work could encourage the overall uses of multivariate methods in these fields. Hypotheses: A comparison was done for the predicted responses generated by the Design Expert software with the experimental results and then studied to verify the following hypotheses: ► Preparation of three concentrations of TiO2 nanosolution was done and studied. ► The heat transfer rate could be increased by surface coating with TiO2 nanoparticle. ► The heat transfer could be improved by the impingement jet technique with suitable adjustments

Numerical Simulation of the Performance of Sb2Se3 Solar Cell via Optimizing the Optoelectronic Properties Based SCAPS-1D

Antimony trisulfide (Sb2Se3), a non-toxic and accessible substance, has possibilities as a material for use in solar cells. The current study numerically analyses Sb2Se3 solar cells through the program Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS). A detailed simulation and analysis of the influence of the Sb2Se3 layer’s thickness, defect density, band gap, energy level, and carrier concentration on the devices’ performance are carried out. The results indicate that a good device performance is guaranteed with the following values in the Sb2Se3 layer: an 800 optimal thickness for the Sb2Se3 absorber; less than 1015 cm−3 for the absorber defect density; a 1.2 eV optimum band gap; a 0.1 eV energy level (above the valence band); and a 1014 cm−3 carrier concentration. The highest efficiency of 30% can be attained following optimization of diverse parameters. The simulation outcomes offer beneficial insights and directions for designing and engineering Sb2Se3 solar cells

Effect of chenodeoxycholic acid on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells utilizing pinang palm (Areca catechu) dye

This study examined and described the optical and photovoltaic (PV) characterizations of the Fruit Areca catechu (pinang) as a new type of organic sensitizer. Recent reports stated that including chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) in the dye improves the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effectiveness of PV dye was investigated by applying it in a DSSC. The absorption spectra indicated that natural dyes with CDCA has an excellent stabilizing ability. The Fourier-transform infrared spectra indicated the existence of carboxylic and hydroxyl functional groups in the naturally extracted dye. These functional groups were responsible for the rapid electron transfer and strong electronic linkages of interactions within the TiO2 surface. In this study, photoluminescence spectra analysis showed that by narrowing the bandgap, incorporating CDCA as a co-adsorbent in natural dye could generate a significant photocurrent. The overall power conversion efficiency was enhanced by 4.6%. Moreover, the cell efficiency reached up to 0.076% after adding 1.5 mM of CDCA without optimizing the sensitization time. Results demonstrated that the present study contributes toward the improvement of DSSC through efficient electron injection

Mechanism of Chemical Bath Deposition of CdS Thin Films: Influence of Sulphur Precursor Concentration on Microstructural and Optoelectronic Characterizations

In this study, we aimed to improve our understanding of the response mechanisms associated with the formation of CdS thin films. CdS thin film remains the most valuable option for many researchers, since it has shown to be an effective buffer material for film-based polycrystalline solar cells (CdTe, CIGSe, CZTS). We performed experimental and numerical simulations to investigate the effect of different thiourea concentrations on the characteristics of the CdS buffer layer. The experimental results reveal that an increase in thiourea concentrations had a direct effect on the optical results, with bandgap values ranging from (2.32 to 2.43) eV. XRD analysis confirmed that all deposited films were polycrystalline, except for [1/0.75], where there is no CdS formation. Electrical studies indicated that CdS with a molar ratio of [Cd]/[S] of 1 had the maximum carrier concentration (3.21 × 1014 cm−3) and lowest resistivity (1843.9 Ω·cm). Based on the proposed mechanism, three kinds of mechanisms are involved in the formation of CdS layers. Among them, the ion-by-ion mechanism has a significant effect on the formation of CdS films. Besides, modelling studies reveal that the optic-electrical properties of the buffer layer play a crucial role in influencing the performance of a CIGS solar cell