Novel Physical Vapor Deposition Approach to Hybrid Perovskites: Growth of MAPbI3 Thin Films by RF-Magnetron Sputtering

Solution-based methods represent the most widespread approach used to deposit hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite films for low-cost but efficient solar cells. However, solution-process techniques offer limited control over film morphology and crystallinity, and most importantly do not allow sequential film deposition to produce perovskite-perovskite heterostructures. Here the successful deposition of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPI) thin films by RF-magnetron sputtering is reported, an industry-tested method to grow large area devices with precisely controlled stoichiometry. MAPI films are grown starting from a single-target made of CH3NH3I (MAI) and PbI2. Films are single-phase, with a barely detectable content of unreacted PbI2, full surface coverage and thickness ranging from less than 200 nm to more than 3 {\mu}m. Light absorption and emission properties of the deposited films are comparable to as-grown solution-processed MAPI films. The development of vapor-phase deposition methods is of interest to advance perovskite photovoltaic devices with the possibility of fabricating perovskite multijunction solar cells or multicolor bright light-emitting devices in the whole visible spectrum

Measurement of Glutathionylated Haemoglobin by MALDI-ToF Mass Spectrometry as a Biomarker of Oxidative Stress in Heavy Smokers and in Occupational Obese Subjects

Glutathionyl-haemoglobin (Hb-SSG) is a minor form of haemoglobin characterized by the presence of a disulfide bond between the β-93 cysteine residue and the thiol group of glutathione. Hb-SSG is naturally present in the erythrocytes at levels comparable to those of glycated haemoglobin and can be measured by MALDI mass spectrometry on very small samples of erythrocytes from peripheral blood. Since Hb-SSG has been recognized as a sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress in several degenerative diseases (diabetes, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease) and in healthy workers exposed to glutathione-depleting toxic agents such as butadiene, we have measured for the first time the levels of Hb-SSG in two groups: healthy heavy cigarette smokers and overweight-obese

Baker’s asthma with oculorhinitis: case report

Summary Introduction. Baker’s asthma is one of the most common causes of occupational asthma worldwide. Beside bread production, all occupations in contact with flour (confectioning, pastry making, milling, farming, cereal handling) can be affected. Objective. To illustrate, through the presentation of a clinical case, an updated interdisciplinary diagnostic approach for the evaluation of suspected occupational asthma, with the aim: to identify the possible causal link between the occupational exposure and the disease, and to formulate a correct judgment for job fitness. Materials and methods. Interdisciplinary (occupational medicine and allergology) specialist evaluation, blood and urine analysis, patch tests, total and specific IgE dosage, eosinophilic cationic protein assay, spirometry, non-specific metacholine bronchostimulation, specific inhalation challenge, with monitoring of airway resistance by FOT (forced oscillation technique), and of nasal and bronchial FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide). Results. Fifty-four year-old man, baker since 1993. In recent months, dyspnoea and dry cough, accompanied by ocular and nasal flogosis, as well as itchy skin rash, mainly during work shifts. High total and specific IgE values. Increased eosinophilic cationic protein. Negative metacholine test. Specific inhalation challenge with buckwheat stopped after 15 minutes due to the onset of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cough with shortness of breath and wheezing. Post-exposure FEV1 decrease (> 12%) and +76% FOT increase. Progressive and persistent nasal FeNO increase with normalization after 24 hours. These findings indicated bronchial and oculonasal allergic response to buckwheat and other cereals. Conclusion. The diagnostic protocol allowed demonstrating the causal link between occupational exposure and the disease, which was reported to the competent authorities. The patient was advised to refrain from further exposure. The evolution of processing techniques and the new substances used in bread production, require continuous updating of diagnostic and health surveillance protocols

Versatile vapor phase deposition approach to cesium tin bromide materials CsSnBr3, CsSn2Br5 and Cs2SnBr6

We report on the application of RF-magnetron sputtering to deposit, by using a single type of target, three different materials in the form of thin films within the Cs–Sn–Br compositional range, namely, CsSnBr3, CsSn2Br5 and Cs2SnBr6

FA0.8MA0.2SnxPb1-xI3 Hybrid Perovskite Solid Solution: Toward Environmentally Friendly, Stable, and Near-IR Absorbing Materials

We report the first investigation addressing the synthesis and characterization of the FA0.8MA0.2SnxPb1-xI3 solid solution showing a complete solubility of Sn on the Pb-site leading to cubic single-phase materials. The explored composition shows excellent phase stability and absorbance in the near-IR spectral region

CH3NH3SnxPb1-xBr3 Hybrid Perovskite Solid Solution: Synthesis, Structure, and Optical Properties

We report the synthesis and characterization of a MASnxPb1-xBr3 (MA = methylammonium; nominal x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1) solid solution. The original synthetic method developed allowed one to obtain single-phase materials with homogeneous Sn/Pb distribution. All of the samples prepared are cubic, and the unit cell linearly decreases with increasing x value. The optical response indicates a linear trend (Vegard's law) of the band gap with increasing Sn content from 2.20 eV (x = 0) to 1.33 eV (x = 1), thus extending light absorption into the near-IR

FA_0.8MA_0.2Sn_<i>x</i>Pb_1–<i>x</i>I₃ Hybrid Perovskite Solid Solution: Toward Environmentally Friendly, Stable, and Near-IR Absorbing Materials

We report the first investigation addressing the synthesis and characterization of the FA_0.8­MA_0.2­Sn_<i>x</i>Pb_1–<i>x</i>­I₃ solid solution showing a complete solubility of Sn on the Pb-site leading to cubic single-phase materials. The explored composition shows excellent phase stability and absorbance in the near-IR spectral region

Wide Band-gap Tuning in Sn-based Hybrid Perovskites through Cation Replacement: the FA1-xMAxSnBr3 Mixed System

In this paper we report the synthesis and characterization of the FA1-xMAxSnBr3 system (0≤x≤1), providing also the first study of the FASnBr3 phase. The results indicate the formation of a continuos solid solution between the two end members with a huge modulation of the band-gap induced by the cation replacement. These results suggest the key role of protonated amines on the electronic structure in tin-based systems

The FA1-​xMAxPbI3 System: Correlations among Stoichiometry Control, Crystal Structure, Optical Properties, and Phase Stability

The FA1-​xMAxPbI3 solid soln. has been carefully investigated in terms of the MA​/FA stoichiometry, crystal structure, and optical properties. This work allowed for the detn. of reliable correlations between the amt. of protonated amine and the physicochem. properties. The deleterious effect of aging on the mixed MA​/FA compn. was obsd. by diffraction and optical measurements, showing progressive phase sepn. within the samples