Records |
Author |
Gasparotto, A.; Maccato, C.; Carraro, G.; Sada, C.; Štangar, U.L.; Alessi, B.; Rocks, C.; Mariotti, D.; La Porta, A.; Altantzis, T.; Barreca, D. |
Title ![sorted by Title field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
Surface Functionalization of Grown-on-Tip ZnO Nanopyramids: From Fabrication to Light-Triggered Applications |
Type |
A1 Journal Article |
Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Acs Appl Mater Inter |
Volume |
11 |
Issue |
17 |
Pages |
15881-15890 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ; |
Abstract |
We report on a combined chemical vapor deposition (CVD)/radio frequency (RF) sputtering synthetic strategy for the controlled surface modification of ZnO nanostructures by Ti-containing species. Specifically, the proposed approach consists in the CVD of grown-on-tip ZnO nanopyramids, followed by titanium RF sputtering under mild conditions. The results obtained by a thorough characterization demonstrate the successful ZnO surface functionalization with dispersed Ti-containing species in low amounts. This phenomenon, in turn, yields a remarkable enhancement of photoactivated superhydrophilic behavior, self-cleaning ability, and photocatalytic performances in comparison to bare ZnO. The reasons accounting for such an improvement are unravelled by a multitechnique analysis, elucidating the interplay between material chemico-physical properties and the corresponding functional behavior. Overall, the proposed strategy stands as an amenable tool for the mastering of semiconductor-based functional nanoarchitectures through ad hoc engineering of the system surface. |
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Wos |
000466988800078 |
Publication Date |
2019-04-18 |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
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Impact Factor |
7.504 |
Times cited |
1 |
Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
Notes |
The research leading to these results has received financial support from Padova University ACTION postdoc fellowship, DOR 2016-2018, P-DiSC #03BIRD2016-UNIPD projects, and HERALD COST Action MP1402-37831. The support from EPSRC (awards EP/R008841/1 and EP/M024938/1) as well as from the Slovenian Research Agency (research core funding No. P1-0134) is also recognized. T.A. acknowledges a postdoctoral grant from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium). The authors are grateful to Dr. Sebastiano Pianta (Department of Chemical Sciences, Padova University, Italy) for experimental assistance. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 7.504 |
Call Number |
EMAT @ emat @ |
Serial |
5185 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Guerrero, R.M.; Lemir, I.D.; Carrasco, S.; Fernández-Ruiz, C.; Kavak, S.; Pizarro, P.; Serrano, D.P.; Bals, S.; Horcajada, P.; Pérez, Y. |
Title ![sorted by Title field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
Scaling-Up Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Highly Defective Pd@UiO-66-NH2Catalysts for Selective Olefin Hydrogenation under Ambient Conditions |
Type |
A1 Journal Article |
Year |
2024 |
Publication |
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ; |
Abstract |
The need to develop green and cost-effective industrial catalytic processes has led to growing interest in preparing more robust, efficient, and selective heterogeneous catalysts at a large scale. In this regard, microwave-assisted synthesis is a fast method for fabricating heterogeneous catalysts (including metal oxides, zeolites, metal–organic frameworks, and supported metal nanoparticles) with enhanced catalytic properties, enabling synthesis scale-up. Herein, the synthesis of nanosized UiO-66-NH2 was optimized via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method to obtain defective matrices essential for the stabilization of metal nanoparticles, promoting catalytically active sites for hydrogenation reactions (760 kg·m–3·day–1 space time yield, STY). Then, this protocol was scaled up in a multimodal microwave reactor, reaching 86% yield (ca. 1 g, 1450 kg·m–3·day–1 STY) in only 30 min. Afterward, Pd nanoparticles were formed in situ decorating the nanoMOF by an effective and fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, resulting in the formation of Pd@UiO-66-NH2 composites. Both the localization and oxidation states of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) in the MOF were achieved using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The optimal composite, loaded with 1.7 wt % Pd, exhibited an extraordinary catalytic activity (>95% yield, 100% selectivity) under mild conditions (1 bar H2, 25 °C, 1 h reaction time), not only in the selective hydrogenation of a variety of single alkenes (1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-tridecene, cyclohexene, and tetraphenyl ethylene) but also in the conversion of a complex mixture of alkenes (i.e., 1-hexene, 1-tridecene, and anethole). The results showed a powerful interaction and synergy between the active phase (Pd NPs) and the catalytic porous scaffold (UiO-66-NH2), which are essential for the selectivity and recyclability. |
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Place of Publication |
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Wos |
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Publication Date |
2024-04-26 |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
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Impact Factor |
9.5 |
Times cited |
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Open Access |
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Notes |
The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from “Comunidad de Madrid” and European Regional Development Fund-FEDER through the project HUB MADRID+CIRCULAR; the State Research Agency (MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033) through the grant with reference number CEX2019-000931-M received in the 2019 call for “Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence” and “María de Maeztu Units of Excellence” of the State Programme for Knowledge Generation and Scientific and Technological Strengthening of the R&D&I System; and MICIU through the project “NAPOLION” (PID2022-139956OB-I00). S.K. acknowledges the Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO Vlaanderen) through a PhD research grant (1181124N). |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 9.5; 2024 IF: 7.504 |
Call Number |
EMAT @ emat @ |
Serial |
9126 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Agrawal, H.; Patra, B.K.; Altantzis, T.; De Backer, A.; Garnett, E.C. |
Title ![sorted by Title field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
Quantifying Strain and Dislocation Density at Nanocube Interfaces after Assembly and Epitaxy |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2020 |
Publication |
Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Acs Appl Mater Inter |
Volume |
12 |
Issue |
7 |
Pages |
8788-8794 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT) |
Abstract |
Nanoparticle self-assembly and epitaxy are utilized extensively to make 1D and 2D structures with complex shapes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) has shown that single-crystalline interfaces can form, but little is known about the strain and dislocations at these interfaces. Such information is critically important for applications: drastically reducing
dislocation density was the key breakthrough enabling widespread implementation of light-emitting diodes, while strain engineering has been fundamental to modern high-performance transistors, solar cells, and thermoelectrics. In this work, the interfacial defect and strain formation after selfassembly and room temperature epitaxy of 7 nm Pd nanocubes capped with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is examined. It is observed that, during ligand removal, the cubes move over large distances on the substrate, leading to both spontaneous self-assembly and epitaxy to form single crystals. Subsequently, atomically resolved images are used to quantify the strain and dislocation density at the epitaxial interfaces between cubes with different lateral and angular misorientations. It is shown that dislocation- and strain-free interfaces form when the nanocubes align parallel to each other. Angular misalignment between adjacent cubes does not necessarily lead to grain boundaries but does cause dislocations, with higher densities associated with larger rotations. |
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Wos |
000515214300101 |
Publication Date |
2020-02-19 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
9.5 |
Times cited |
|
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
Notes |
Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; H2020 Research Infrastructures, 731019 ; Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 14846 ; The work at AMOLF is part of the research program of the “Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek” (NWO). This work was supported by the NWO VIDI grant (project no. 14846). The authors would like to thank Reinout Jaarsma and Dr. Sven Askes for helping with the XPS measurements. A.D.B. acknowledges a postdoctoral grant from the research foundation Flanders (FWO). The authors acknowledge financial support from the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Programme by means of the grant agreement no. 731019 EUSMI. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 9.5; 2020 IF: 7.504 |
Call Number |
EMAT @ emat @c:irua:167770 |
Serial |
6398 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Tran, T.L.A.; Çakir, D.; Wong, P.K.J.; Preobrajenski, A.B.; Brocks, G.; van der Wiel, W.G.; de Jong, M.P. |
Title ![sorted by Title field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
Magnetic properties of bcc-Fe(001)/C-60 interfaces for organic spintronics |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2013 |
Publication |
Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Acs Appl Mater Inter |
Volume |
5 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
837-841 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT) |
Abstract |
The magnetic structure of the interfaces between organic semiconductors and ferromagnetic contacts plays a key role in the spin injection and extraction processes in organic spintronic devices. We present a combined computational (density functional theory) and experimental (X-ray magnetic circular dichroism) study on the magnetic properties of interfaces between bcc-Fe(001) and C-60 molecules. C-60 is an interesting candidate for application in organic spintronics due to the absence of hydrogen atoms and the associated hyperfine fields. Adsorption of C-60 on Fe(001) reduces the magnetic moments on the top Fe layers by similar to 6%, while inducing an antiparrallel magnetic moment of similar to-0.2 mu(B) on C-60. Adsorption of C-60 on a model ferromagnetic substrate consisting of three Fe monolayers on W(001) leads to a different structure but to very similar interface magnetic properties. |
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Place of Publication |
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Wos |
000315079700050 |
Publication Date |
2013-01-10 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
7.504 |
Times cited |
28 |
Open Access |
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Notes |
; The authors acknowledge support from the European project MINOTOR (Grant No. FP7-NMP-228424), the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant No. 280020), and the NWO VIDI program (Grant No. 10246). The use of supercomputer facilities was sponsored by the “Stichting Nationale Computerfaciliteiten (NCF)”, financially supported by the “Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO)”. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 7.504; 2013 IF: 5.900 |
Call Number |
UA @ lucian @ c:irua:128326 |
Serial |
4599 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Kertik, A.; Wee, L.H.; Şentosun, K.; Navarro, J.A.R.; Bals, S.; Martens, J.A.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. |
Title ![sorted by Title field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
High-performance CO2-selective hybrid membranes by exploiting MOF-breathing effects |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2020 |
Publication |
Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Acs Appl Mater Inter |
Volume |
12 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
2952-2961 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
Abstract |
Conventional CO2 separation in the petrochemical industry via cryogenic distillation or amine-based absorber-stripper units is energy-intensive and environmentally unfriendly. Membrane-based gas separation technology, in contrast, has contributed significantly to the development of energy-efficient systems for processes such as natural gas purification. The implementation of commercial polymeric membranes in gas separation processes is restricted by their permeability-selectivity trade-off and by their insufficient thermal and chemical stability. Herein, we present the fabrication of a Matrimid-based membrane loaded with a breathing metal-organic framework (MOF) (NH2-MIL-53(Al)) which is capable of separating binary CO2/CH4 gas mixtures with high selectivities without sacrificing much of its CO2 permeabilities. NH2-MIL-53(Al) crystals were embedded in a polyimide (PI) matrix, and the mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) were treated at elevated temperatures (up to 350 degrees C) in air to trigger PI cross-linking and to create PI-MOF bonds at the interface to effectively seal the grain boundary. Most importantly, the MOF transitions from its narrow-pore form to its large-pore form during this treatment, which allows the PI chains to partly penetrate the pores and cross-link with the amino functions at the pore mouth of the NH2-MIL-53(Al) and stabilizes the open-pore form of NH2-MIL-53(Al). This cross-linked MMM, with MOF pore entrances was made more selective by the anchored PI-chains and achieves outstanding CO2/CH4 selectivities. This approach provides significant advancement toward the design of selective MMMs with enhanced thermal and chemical stabilities which could also be applicable for other potential applications, such as separation of hydrocarbons (olefin/paraffin or isomers), pervaporation, and solvent-resistant nanofiltration. |
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Thesis |
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Place of Publication |
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Wos |
000508464500108 |
Publication Date |
2019-12-20 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
9.5 |
Times cited |
26 |
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
Notes |
; A.K. is grateful to the Erasmus Mundus Doctorate in Membrane Engineering (EUDIME) programme. L.H.W. thanks the FWO-Vlaanderen for a postdoctoral research fellowships under contract number 12M1418N. We thank Methusalem and IAP-PAI for research funding. S.B. acknowledges financial support from European Research Council (ERC) (ERC Starting Grant No. 335078-COLOURATOM). We are also grateful to Frank Mathijs (KU Leuven) for the mechanical tests, Bart Goderis and Olivier Verkinderen for the DSC measurements, and Huntsman (Switzerland) for providing the Matrimid polymer. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 9.5; 2020 IF: 7.504 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:166576 |
Serial |
6534 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Peng, X.; Peng, H.; Zhao, K.; Zhang, Y.; Xia, F.; Lyu, J.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Sun, C.; Wu, J. |
Title ![sorted by Title field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
Direct visualization of atomic-scale heterogeneous structure dynamics in MnO₂ nanowires |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Acs Appl Mater Inter |
Volume |
13 |
Issue |
28 |
Pages |
33644-33651 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
Abstract |
Manganese oxides are attracting great interest owing to their rich polymorphism and multiple valent states, which give rise to a wide range of applications in catalysis, capacitors, ion batteries, and so forth. Most of their functionalities are connected to transitions among the various polymorphisms and Mn valences. However, their atomic-scale dynamics is still a great challenge. Herein, we discovered a strong heterogeneity in the crystalline structure and defects, as well as in the Mn valence state. The transitions are studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and they involve a complex ordering of [MnO6] octahedra as the basic building tunnels. MnO2 nanowires synthesized using solution-based hydrothermal methods usually exhibit a large number of multiple polymorphism impurities with different tunnel sizes. Upon heating, MnO2 nanowires undergo a series of stoichiometric polymorphism changes, followed by oxygen release toward an oxygen-deficient spinel and rock-salt phase. The impurity polymorphism exhibits an abnormally high stability with interesting small-large-small tunnel size transition, which is attributed to a preferential stabilizer (K+) concentration, as well as a strong competition of kinetics and thermodynamics. Our results unveil the complicated intergrowth of polymorphism impurities in MnO2, which provide insights into the heterogeneous kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport properties of the tunnel-based building blocks. |
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Corporate Author |
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Wos |
000677540900101 |
Publication Date |
2021-07-08 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
7.504 |
Times cited |
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Open Access |
Not_Open_Access |
Notes |
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Approved |
Most recent IF: 7.504 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:180450 |
Serial |
6861 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Ben Dkhil, S.; Perkhun, P.; Luo, C.; Mueller, D.; Alkarsifi, R.; Barulina, E.; Quiroz, Y.A.A.; Margeat, O.; Dubas, S.T.; Koganezawa, T.; Kuzuhara, D.; Yoshimoto, N.; Caddeo, C.; Mattoni, A.; Zimmermann, B.; Wuerfel, U.; Pfannmöller, M.; Bals, S.; Ackermann, J.; Videlot-Ackermann, C. |
Title ![sorted by Title field, descending order (down)](img/sort_desc.gif) |
Direct correlation of nanoscale morphology and device performance to study photocurrent generation in donor-enriched phases of polymer solar cells |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2020 |
Publication |
Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces |
Abbreviated Journal |
Acs Appl Mater Inter |
Volume |
12 |
Issue |
25 |
Pages |
28404-28415 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
Abstract |
The nanoscale morphology of polymer blends is a key parameter to reach high efficiency in bulk heterojunction solar cells. Thereby, research typically focusing on optimal blend morphologies while studying nonoptimized blends may give insight into blend designs that can prove more robust against morphology defects. Here, we focus on the direct correlation of morphology and device performance of thieno[3,4-b]-thiophene-alt-benzodithiophene (PTB7):[6,6]phenyl C-71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blends processed without additives in different donor/acceptor weight ratios. We show that while blends of a 1:1.5 ratio are composed of large donor-enriched and fullerene domains beyond the exciton diffusion length, reducing the ratio below 1:0.5 leads to blends composed purely of polymer-enriched domains. Importantly, the photocurrent density in such blends can reach values between 45 and 60% of those reached for fully optimized blends using additives. We provide here direct visual evidence that fullerenes in the donor-enriched domains are not distributed homogeneously but fluctuate locally. To this end, we performed compositional nanoscale morphology analysis of the blend using spectroscopic imaging of low-energy-loss electrons using a transmission electron microscope. Charge transport measurement in combination with molecular dynamics simulations shows that the fullerene substructures inside the polymer phase generate efficient electron transport in the polymer-enriched phase. Furthermore, we show that the formation of densely packed regions of fullerene inside the polymer phase is driven by the PTB7:PC71BM enthalpy of mixing. The occurrence of such a nanoscale network of fullerene clusters leads to a reduction of electron trap states and thus efficient extraction of photocurrent inside the polymer domain. Suitable tuning of the polymer-acceptor interaction can thus introduce acceptor subnetworks in polymer-enriched phases, improving the tolerance for high-efficiency BHJ toward morphological defects such as donor-enriched domains exceeding the exciton diffusion length. |
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Thesis |
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Place of Publication |
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Language |
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Wos |
000543780900058 |
Publication Date |
2020-06-01 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1944-8244 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
9.5 |
Times cited |
7 |
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
Notes |
; J.A., O.M., and C.V.-A. acknowledge financial support by the French Fond Unique Interministeriel (FUI) under the project “SFUMATO” (Grant Number: F1110019V/ 201308815) as well as by the European Commission under the Project “SUNFLOWER” (FP7-ICT-2011-7, Grant Number: 287594). J.A., C.V.-A., and E.B. acknowledge the Association Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie (ANRT) and the Ministere de l'Enseignement Superieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation, awarded through the company Dracula Technologies (Valence, France), for framework of a CIFRE Ph.D. grant 2017/0529. J.A. and P.P. received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant agreement no. 713750. They further acknowledge support of the Regional Council of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, A*MIDEX (no. ANR-11-IDEX-0001-02), and the Investissements d'Avenir project funded by the French Government, managed by the French National Research Agency (ANR). J.A. and Y.A.A.Q. acknowledge the French Research Agency for funding through the project NFA-15 (ANR-17-CE05-0020-01). N.Y. acknowledges that the synchrotron radiation experiments were performed at BL19B2 in SPring-8 with the approval of Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) (proposal nos. 2017B1629 and 2018B1791). S.B. acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Consolidator Grant 815128-REALNANO) and from FWO (G.0381.16N). M.P. gratefully acknowledges funding by the Ministerium fur Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Wurttemberg through the HEiKA materials research centre FunTECH-3D (MWK, 33-753-30-20/3/3) and the Large-Scale-Data-Facility (LSDF) sds@hd through grant INST 35/1314-1 FUGG. A.M. acknowledges Italian MIUR for funding through the project PON04a2 00490 M2M Netergit, PRACE, for awarding access to Marconi KNL at CINECA, Italy, through projects DECONVOLVES (2018184466) and PROVING-IL (2019204911). C.C. acknowledges the CINECA award under the ISCRA initiative for the availability of high-performance computing resources and support (project MITOMASC). ; sygma |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 9.5; 2020 IF: 7.504 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:170703 |
Serial |
6484 |
Permanent link to this record |