Heat-induced morphological changes in silver nanowires deposited on a patterned silicon substrate

• Elyad Damerchi,
• Sven Oras,
• Edgars Butanovs,
• Allar Liivlaid,
• Mikk Antsov,
• Boris Polyakov,
• Annamarija Trausa,
• Veronika Zadin,
• Andreas Kyritsakis,
• Loïc Vidal,
• Karine Mougin,
• Siim Pikker and
• Sergei Vlassov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 435–446, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.39

• ; silver nanowires; Introduction Metal nanowires (NWs) are promising key elements in a wide range of applications, including solar cells [1], smart windows [2], flexible sensors [3], touch screens [4], biocompatible polymer binders [5], temperature sensing [6], medical materials [7], and key elements of

Controllable physicochemical properties of WO_x thin films grown under glancing angle

• Rupam Mandal,
• Aparajita Mandal,
• Alapan Dutta,
• Rengasamy Sivakumar,
• Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava and
• Tapobrata Som

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 350–359, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.31

• , heterostructures having an n-type WOx layer on various p-type substrates such as p-Si [12][13], Cu2O [14], NiO [15], p-ZnO nanowires (NWs) [16], diamond [17], and BiVO4 [18], have a great technological importance in the field of heterojunction solar cells, LEDs, and resistance random access memory (RRAM) devices

• contacts for solar cells. Conclusion A series of glancing angle-deposited NS-WOx thin films (6–60 nm) on p-Si substrates are investigated to achieve insights into their tuneable structural, optical, and electrical properties, such as crystallinity, bandgap, work function, and diode characteristics. As

CdSe/ZnS quantum dots as a booster in the active layer of distributed ternary organic photovoltaics

• Gabriela Lewińska,
• Piotr Jeleń,
• Zofia Kucia,
• Maciej Sitarz,
• Łukasz Walczak,
• Bartłomiej Szafraniak,
• Jerzy Sanetra and
• Konstanty W. Marszalek

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 144–156, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.14

• .15.14 Abstract Organic solar cells are a promising candidate for practical use because of their low material cost and simple production procedures. The challenge is selecting materials with the right properties and how they interrelate in the context of manufacturing the device. This paper presents

• studies on CdSe/ZnS nanodots as dopants in a polymer–fullerene matrix for application in organic solar cells. An assembly of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and 6,6-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester was used as the active reference layer. Absorption and luminescence spectra as well as the dispersion

• ; organic solar cells; quantum dots; Introduction Organic solar cells have been intensively developed in recent years as the third generation [1][2] of photovoltaic cells, next to dye-synthesized solar cells and perovskite cells. One of the relatively novel concepts of organic solar cells that yield higher

Properties of tin oxide films grown by atomic layer deposition from tin tetraiodide and ozone

• Kristjan Kalam,
• Peeter Ritslaid,
• Tanel Käämbre,
• Aile Tamm and
• Kaupo Kukli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1085–1092, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.89

• have been studied from many perspectives. For example, one can mention anodes for Li-ion batteries [1], gas sensors [2], catalytic activities [3], and stable buffer [4] or base [5] layers in solar cells. More applications can be found, when SnO2 is considered as constituent of a nanostructure or a

Dual-heterodyne Kelvin probe force microscopy

• Benjamin Grévin,
• Fatima Husainy,
• Dmitry Aldakov and
• Cyril Aumaître

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1068–1084, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.88

• to this, they are very promising for the use in many applications, such as LEDs, solar cells, and photodetectors. Reducing their size down to the nanoscale by synthesizing colloidal nanocrystals in solution can allow high control over the perovskite crystallinity and access to various morphologies

A visible-light photodetector based on heterojunctions between CuO nanoparticles and ZnO nanorods

• Doan Nhat Giang,
• Nhat Minh Nguyen,
• Duc Anh Ngo,
• Thanh Trang Tran,
• Le Thai Duy,
• Cong Khanh Tran,
• Thi Thanh Van Tran,
• Phan Phuong Ha La and
• Vinh Quang Dang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1018–1027, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.84

• development of many technologies in the future, such as solar cells [1][2], light-emitting diodes (LEDs) [3][4], laser diodes [5], and optical fibers [6]. Optoelectronics devices contribute to meeting requirements in telecommunications, medical equipment, sensors, and military services. Among those

Cross-sectional Kelvin probe force microscopy on III–V epitaxial multilayer stacks: challenges and perspectives

• Mattia da Lisca,
• José Alvarez,
• James P. Connolly,
• Nicolas Vaissiere,
• Karim Mekhazni,
• Jean Decobert and
• Jean-Paul Kleider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 725–737, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.59

• Electronique de Paris, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France Sorbonne Université CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Electronique de Paris, 75252, Paris, France III-V Lab, 1 Avenue Augustin Fresnel, 97167 Palaiseau, France 10.3762/bjnano.14.59 Abstract Multilayer III–V-based solar cells are complex devices

• ; surface photovoltage; Introduction The development of photovoltaic (PV) technologies has progressed significantly over the past twenty years as a result of considerable advancements in solar cell device engineering and material science. As a consequence, solar cells have turned into complex structures

Nanomaterials for photocatalysis and applications in environmental remediation and renewable energy

• Viet Van Pham and
• Wee-Jun Ong

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 722–724, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.58

• semiconductor materials for sustainable applications; for instance, dye solar cells, solar-driven water splitting, NOx removal, and contaminant degradation. The synthesis of semiconductor nanomaterials published on this thematic issue indicates a wide range of synthetic routes. The as-prepared nanomaterials

• with various morphologies demonstrated many preeminent features in the above applications. In detail, the MoS2 with a honeycomb-like structure was first synthesized by an electrochemical route and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells [19], which expressed a higher applicability than that of other

• nanomaterials for environmental remediation and sustainable applications; for instance, dye solar cells, solar-driven water splitting, NOx removal, and contaminant degradation. This Thematic Issue will make a good reference material and be of great use for scientists in nanomaterials fields. Viet Van Pham and

Titania nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ethanol under simulated solar light

• Evghenii Goncearenco,
• Iuliana P. Morjan,
• Claudiu Teodor Fleaca,
• Florian Dumitrache,
• Elena Dutu,
• Monica Scarisoreanu,
• Valentin Serban Teodorescu,
• Alexandra Sandulescu,
• Crina Anastasescu and
• Ioan Balint

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 616–630, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.51

• components to substances that catalyze decomposition processes. They have a bandgap that varies from one material to another. Titanium dioxide is a semiconductor material and has been investigated, at first, for solar cells [1][2][3][4] and as optoelectronic component [5][6][7]. In recent years, it has been

Plasmonic nanotechnology for photothermal applications – an evaluation

• A. R. Indhu,
• L. Keerthana and
• Gnanaprakash Dharmalingam

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 380–419, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.33

Electrical and optical enhancement of ITO/Mo bilayer thin films via laser annealing

• Abdelbaki Hacini,
• Ahmad Hadi Ali,
• Nurul Nadia Adnan and
• Nafarizal Nayan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1589–1595, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.133

• ; Introduction Transparent conducting (TC) materials have been used in many optoelectronic devices, including flat panel displays [1], light-emitting diodes [2], heat-reflecting mirrors [3], anti-reflective coatings [4], gas sensors [5], and solar cells [6]. For this purpose, many materials have been developed

• significantly improve the electrical properties without affecting the optical transmission [9]. Several metals have been used for such thin layers, including silver [10], aluminium [11], copper [12], and gold [13]. Molybdenum thin films are another choice for the application in solar cells because of good

• adherence to the substrate, very high thermal stability (up to 600 °C), and high electrical conductivity [14]. Over the last decades, the development of solar cells has grown dramatically. The cells have become larger, thinner, and lighter. This increases the electrical resistivity, which is undesirable

Structural studies and selected physical investigations of LiCoO₂ obtained by combustion synthesis

• Monika Michalska,
• Paweł Ławniczak,
• Tomasz Strachowski,
• Adam Ostrowski and
• Waldemar Bednarski

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1473–1482, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.121

• conversion devices, such as Li-ion batteries, solar cells, solid oxide fuel cells, and thermoelectrics. Unusual and unexpected properties and also unique microstructures (and shapes), such as high porosity, high surface area, short reaction pathways, and diffusion length for Li-ion transport, eventually

Near-infrared photoactive Ag-Zn-Ga-S-Se quantum dots for high-performance quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

• Roopakala Kottayi,
• Ilangovan Veerappan and
• Ramadasse Sittaramane

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1337–1344, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.110

• of solar cells. In this study, we synthesized Ag-Zn-Ga-S-Se-based alloyed QDs by colloidal hot injection and characterized them. The X-ray photoelectron spectrum analysis confirms the +1, +2, +3, −2, and −2 oxidation states of, respectively, Ag, Zn, Ga, S, and Se in the QDs, and the energy-dispersive

• energy are required to maintain the current lifestyle of the world’s population [1]. Our primary source of clean abundant energy is the sun. The amount of energy received from the sun is about twice of that obtained from all non-renewable resources. Photovoltaic (PV) cells or solar cells are considered a

• [16]. Recently, Larsen et al. reported that, due to the appropriate bandgap (1.6–1.8 eV), AgGaSe2 is a wide-range light absorber in thin film solar cells [17]. Tianya Bai et al. [18] examined that ZnS-coated AgGaS2 nanocrystals (AgGaS2/ZnS core–shell nanocrystals) have a tunable bandgap and PL colors

Enhanced electronic transport properties of Te roll-like nanostructures

• E. R. Viana,
• N. Cifuentes and
• J. C. González

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1284–1291, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.106

• Earth’s crust and a well-known p-type and narrow-bandgap (≈0.35 eV at room temperature) semiconductor material. Tellurium is widely used in thermoelectric devices, piezoelectric devices, photoconductive devices, gas sensing, nonlinear optical devices, solar cells, photonic crystals, holographic recording

• ) = 881 cm2/V·s) in these nanostructures. Thermoelectric devices, piezoelectric devices, photoconductive devices, gas sensing, solar cells, and field-effect transistors would have better performance if the mobility of charge carriers in the active region of the devices was greater. In addition, the low

Application of nanoarchitectonics in moist-electric generation

• Jia-Cheng Feng and
• Hong Xia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 1185–1200, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.99

• traditional chemical batteries. Therefore, the application and development of MEGs in the future should focus on miniaturization and increased power output. Also, MEGs can be used in a similar way to solar cells but with fewer limitations. It is probably not too long before MEGs will be successfully applied

Comparing the performance of single and multifrequency Kelvin probe force microscopy techniques in air and water

• Jason I. Kilpatrick,
• Emrullah Kargin and
• Brian J. Rodriguez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 922–943, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.82

• of corrosion, sensing, solar cells, energy storage devices, and bioelectric interfaces [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Since its first application in 1991 [2], there have been significant developments in the field of KPFM [6][9][10] with significant advances in both temporal [11][12][13][14] and spatial

• the surface potential [53][76][86] and has enhanced our understanding of perovskite solar cells [10][87][88] and patch potentials in the Casimir force [89][90]. Implementations of Het-KPFM to date have primarily focused on the measurement of the first harmonic of the electrostatic force [57][58

Self-assembly of C₆₀ on a ZnTPP/Fe(001)–p(1 × 1)O substrate: observation of a quasi-freestanding C₆₀ monolayer

• Guglielmo Albani,
• Michele Capra,
• Alessandro Lodesani,
• Alberto Calloni,
• Gianlorenzo Bussetti,
• Marco Finazzi,
• Franco Ciccacci,
• Alberto Brambilla,
• Lamberto Duò and
• Andrea Picone

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 857–864, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.76

• surfaces for the investigation of their intrinsic properties, the minimization of the molecule–substrate interaction is desirable [20]. Furthermore, a weak molecule/metal electronic coupling is required in organic solar cells, because metallic states promote the relaxation of photo-excitations, lowering

Modeling a multiple-chain emeraldine gas sensor for NH₃ and NO₂ detection

• Hana Sustkova and
• Jan Voves

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 721–729, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.64

• antistatically equipped clothing, capacitors, solar cells, energy storage devices, and polymer light-emitting diodes [1]. One electrical property of PANI are the π-conjugated bonds in the benzene rings. The key to this is the NH group, which can be doped. These nitrogen units are the key element of the chain

Influence of thickness and morphology of MoS₂ on the performance of counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

• Lam Thuy Thi Mai,
• Hai Viet Le,
• Ngan Kim Thi Nguyen,
• Van La Tran Pham,
• Thu Anh Thi Nguyen,
• Nguyen Thanh Le Huynh and
• Hoang Thai Nguyen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 528–537, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.44

• disulfide (MoS2) was prepared on substrates coated with fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) to substitute the platinum counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Herein, we synthesized layered and honeycomb-like MoS2 thin films via the cyclic voltammetry (CV) route. Thickness and morphology

• : cyclic voltammetry (CV); dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs); electrocatalytic activity; honeycomb-like; molybdenum disulfide (MoS2); thin film; Introduction Since Grätzel’s first report in 1991, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been the subject of much research due to the easy fabrication process

• and respectable efficiency [1]. This promising third generation of solar cells contains a dye-adsorbed TiO2 photoanode, an iodide/triiodide electrolyte, and a platinum-based cathode, also known as the counter electrode (CE). However, the high cost of platinum has prevented the real-world application of

Zinc oxide nanostructures for fluorescence and Raman signal enhancement: a review

• Ioana Marica,
• Fran Nekvapil,
• Maria Ștefan,
• Cosmin Farcău and
• Alexandra Falamaș

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 472–490, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.40

• -sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Au–ZnO plasmonic nanoparticles were studied for DSSCs application and their enhancement capabilities were assigned to the SPR effect [91]. Hence, the ZnO PL is of great interest and its enhancement is also important in order to develop efficient optoelectronic devices

Electrical, electrochemical and structural studies of a chlorine-derived ionic liquid-based polymer gel electrolyte

• Ashish Gupta,
• Amrita Jain,
• Manju Kumari and
• Santosh K. Tripathi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1252–1261, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.92

• , researchers have been developing polymer electrolytes (solid/gel) as an alternative to commercial liquid-based electrolytes which are suitable for electrochemical devices, such as Li-ion batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, and supercapacitors [1][2][3][4][5]. The main aim is to increase the amorphous content

First-principles study of the structural, optoelectronic and thermophysical properties of the π-SnSe for thermoelectric applications

• Muhammad Atif Sattar,
• Najwa Al Bouzieh,
• Maamar Benkraouda and
• Noureddine Amrane

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1101–1114, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.82

• infrared range. Alternatively, the π-SnSe is expected to be effective closer to the visible range, with technological implications in solar cells, thermoelectric applications, and photocatalysis [78]. The broader region along with the high values of the absorption coefficient for the π-SnSe indicates that

Revealing the formation mechanism and band gap tuning of Sb₂S₃ nanoparticles

• Maximilian Joschko,
• Franck Yvan Fotue Wafo,
• Christina Malsi,
• Danilo Kisić,
• Ivana Validžić and
• Christina Graf

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1021–1033, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.76

• the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 P.O. Box 522, Belgrade, Serbia 10.3762/bjnano.12.76 Abstract Sb2S3 is a promising nanomaterial for application in solar cells and in the fields of electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, Sb2S3 nanoparticles were

• syntheses for Sb2S3 particles can be developed, allowing tuning of the particle properties in a broad range. In this way, the selective use of this material in a wide range of applications will become possible. Keywords: band gap; kinetics; nanoparticles; Sb2S3; solar cells; Introduction The search for

• solar cells and other fields of electronics and optoelectronics will be enhanced. Experimental All experiments were carried out using standard glass equipment. The reaction vessels were cleaned before use with nitric acid (65 vol %, VWR Chemicals) and were subsequently repeatedly rinsed with deionized

9.1% efficient zinc oxide/silicon solar cells on a 50 μm thick Si absorber

• Rafal Pietruszka,
• Bartlomiej S. Witkowski,
• Monika Ozga,
• Katarzyna Gwozdz,
• Ewa Placzek-Popko and
• Marek Godlewski

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 766–774, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.60

• University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland 10.3762/bjnano.12.60 Abstract Today, silicon solar cells (amorphous films and wafer-based) are a main source of green energy. These cells and their components are produced by employing various technologies. Unfortunately

• using zinc oxide nanorods. The efficiency of a textured solar cell structure is compared with the one obtained for a planar zinc oxide/silicon structure. The present results show the possibility to produce efficient solar cells on a relatively thin 50 μm thick silicon substrate. Solar cells with

• prepared by the Fraunhofer Institute (Germany), the solar cells (SCs) market is dominated by silicon [2]. In 2019, monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous silicon accounted for about 95% of the PV market. The highest (laboratory device) efficiency for monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon

High-yield synthesis of silver nanowires for transparent conducting PET films

• Gul Naz,
• Hafsa Asghar,
• Muhammad Ramzan,
• Muhammad Arshad,
• Rashid Ahmed,
• Muhammad Bilal Tahir,
• Bakhtiar Ul Haq,
• Nadeem Baig and
• Junaid Jalil

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 624–632, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.51

• optoelectronics. Keywords: silver nanowires; high yield; visible luminescence; PET film; transmittance; sheet resistance; Introduction Several optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, touch screens, LC displays, organic EL panels, light-emitting diodes, and organic light emitting diodes, use transparent