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

• depositing caesium lead halide perovskite nanosheets (NSs) on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrate. Lead halide perovskites have emerged recently as materials with unique optical and electronic properties, such as high absorption coefficients, high defect tolerance, and charge mobility. Due

Spatial mapping of photovoltage and light-induced displacement of on-chip coupled piezo/photodiodes by Kelvin probe force microscopy under modulated illumination

• Zeinab Eftekhari,
• Nasim Rezaei,
• Hidde Stokkel,
• Jian-Yao Zheng,
• Andrea Cerreta,
• Ilka Hermes,
• Minh Nguyen,
• Guus Rijnders and
• Rebecca Saive

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1059–1067, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.87

• with atomic vertical resolution. In several studies, AFM has been used to determine photo-induced height/topography variation in organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites [15], nanosheets [16], and photosensitive polymers [17]. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), an electrostatic variant of AFM, can

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

• semiconducting nanomaterials, perovskites, or Bi-based nanomaterials are presented to incentivize fine-tuning of current studies and research works on photocatalytic efficiency of nanomaterials [27]. In addition, this Thematic Issue will undoubtedly provide the reader with novel ideas for developing

ZnO and MXenes as electrode materials for supercapacitor devices

• Ameen Uddin Ammar,
• Ipek Deniz Yildirim,
• Feray Bakan and
• Emre Erdem

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 49–57, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.4

• capacity and high energy density so that in the near future supercapacitors might work together with batteries as an integrated energy storage system. Metal oxides, MXenes, and perovskites are the most promising electrode materials for this end. However, the specific capacitance values of those electrodes

A self-powered, flexible ultra-thin Si/ZnO nanowire photodetector as full-spectrum optical sensor and pyroelectric nanogenerator

• Liang Chen,
• Jianqi Dong,
• Miao He and
• Xingfu Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1623–1630, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.145

• applied in flexible wearable electronic devices have been extensively researched [5]. The majority of the reported full-spectrum PDs, which are based on perovskites, quantum dots, or organic materials are costly, complicated to prepare, and difficult to integrate into flexible electronic devices. This

Detecting stable adsorbates of (1S)-camphor on Cu(111) with Bayesian optimization

• Jari Järvi,
• Patrick Rinke and
• Milica Todorović

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1577–1589, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.140

• technologies are increasingly based on advanced functional materials, which are often blends of organic and inorganic components. For example, in search for renewable energy solutions, hybrid perovskites are currently the best candidate to replace silicon in our solar cells [1]. In medicine, hybrid materials

Observation of unexpected uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in La_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃ films by a BaTiO₃ overlayer in an artificial multiferroic bilayer

• John E. Ordóñez,
• Lorena Marín,
• Luis A. Rodríguez,
• Pedro A. Algarabel,
• José A. Pardo,
• Roger Guzmán,
• Luis Morellón,
• César Magén,
• Etienne Snoeck,
• María E. Gómez and
• Manuel R. Ibarra

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 651–661, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.51

• (Sr2TaAlO6)0.7 and LaAlO3 substrates. In this configuration, the combination of both functional perovskites constitutes an artificial multiferroic system with potential applications in spintronic devices based on the magnetoelectric effect. La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 single layers and BaTiO3/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 bilayers

• read/write hard disks, actuators, etc. [9][10]. In multilayered films, both electrical and magnetic properties of these ferroic perovskites are strongly affected by crystal distortions originated by lattice-misfit strain at the film/substrate interface [11][12][13][14]. For LSMO and other manganites

Interfacial charge transfer processes in 2D and 3D semiconducting hybrid perovskites: azobenzene as photoswitchable ligand

• Nicole Fillafer,
• Tobias Seewald,
• Lukas Schmidt-Mende and
• Sebastian Polarz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 466–479, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.38

• ligands are influenced by the presence of a semiconductor and vice versa. Here ammonium-modified azobenzene compounds were selected as prototypes for molecular switches and organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites as semiconductor materials. The class of ammonium–lead–halide phases as prototypes is peculiar

• from perovskite to azobenzene, which is strongly distance-dependent. This study provides evidence for the photoswitching of azobenzenes as ligands of hybrid perovskites, which depends on the spacing between the chromophore and the perovskite phase. Keywords: interface design; molecular switches

• ; organic–inorganic hybrid materials; particle synthesis; semiconductors; transport across interfaces; Introduction Recently the class of hybrid perovskites attracted great attention in materials chemistry and physics [1][2][3]. In addition to an outstanding performance in photovoltaics, a peculiar feature

Recent progress in perovskite solar cells: the perovskite layer

• Xianfeng Dai,
• Ke Xu and
• Fanan Wei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 51–60, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.5

• manufacturing large-scale perovskite solar modules at high speed. Moreover, it is shown that the development of low-dimensional perovskites plays an important role in improving the long-term ambient stability of PSCs. Finally, these latest advancements can enhance the competitiveness of PSCs in photovoltaics

• technology; scalability; Review Introduction During the past decade, organic–inorganic halide perovskites (OIHP) have attracted great interest due to their special merits, including exciting optical properties, outstanding optical tunability and low-temperature solution processability. Recently, OIHPs have

• achieved a certificated PCE of 23.7%, the instability of traditional three-dimensional (3D) perovskites under ambient operational conditions, including weather, light, temperature and humidity changes, remains a critical hurdle for commercialization. The results of many efforts of several research groups

Optimization and performance of nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a color conversion layer for white-LED applications

• Tugrul Guner,
• Hurriyet Yuce,
• Didem Tascioglu,
• Eren Simsek,
• Umut Savaci,
• Aziz Genc,
• Servet Turan and
• Mustafa M. Demir

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 2004–2013, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.197

• perovskites [39][40][41], organic dyes [42][43], quantum dots [44] and CDots [15][45]. Among these, CDots are a promising alternative since they are cost effective and optically feasible, making them commercially viable. Employing CDots as color conversion layers in a WLED configuration is a relatively new

Direct observation of oxygen-vacancy formation and structural changes in Bi₂WO₆ nanoflakes induced by electron irradiation

• Hong-long Shi,
• Bin Zou,
• Zi-an Li,
• Min-ting Luo and
• Wen-zhong Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1434–1442, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.141

• of the Aurivillius phases, perovskites with the general formula of (Bi2O2)(Am−1BmO3m+1) and a crystal structure of tilted WO6 octahedra layers sandwiched between Bi–O layers. The W–O layers in the Bi2WO6 crystal transfer electrons to the surface of catalysts, and Bi–O layers act as insulating layers

Green fabrication of lanthanide-doped hydroxide-based phosphors: Y(OH)₃:Eu³⁺ nanoparticles for white light generation

• Tugrul Guner,
• Anilcan Kus,
• Mehmet Ozcan,
• Aziz Genc,
• Hasan Sahin and
• Mustafa M. Demir

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 1200–1210, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.119

• as quantum dots [22], perovskites [23], organic dyes [24], etc. In the case of phosphors, combining a red phosphor with YAG:Ce3+ over a blue LED is the simplest way of increasing the CRI while reducing the CCT. Phosphors mostly consist of thermally and chemically stable inorganic hosts such as YAG

Ultrasonication-assisted synthesis of CsPbBr₃ and Cs₄PbBr₆ perovskite nanocrystals and their reversible transformation

• Longshi Rao,
• Xinrui Ding,
• Xuewei Du,
• Guanwei Liang,
• Yong Tang,
• Kairui Tang and
• Jin Z. Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 666–676, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.66

• successful control over the phase transformation of PNCs, which can find widespread application in photoelectronic devices. We anticipate that this work can be extended to prepare other halide perovskites. Experimental Chemicals Cesium carbonate (Cs2CO3, 99%), lead bromide (PbBr2, 98%), liquid paraffin (90

Integration of LaMnO_3+δ films on platinized silicon substrates for resistive switching applications by PI-MOCVD

• Raquel Rodriguez-Lamas,
• Dolors Pla,
• Odette Chaix-Pluchery,
• Benjamin Meunier,
• Fabrice Wilhelm,
• Andrei Rogalev,
• Laetitia Rapenne,
• Xavier Mescot,
• Quentin Rafhay,
• Hervé Roussel,
• Michel Boudard,
• Carmen Jiménez and
• Mónica Burriel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 389–398, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.38

• incident beam. The relative variation in the Mn formal valence was carried out from the experimental recorded inflection point after XANES spectra normalization, and using references found in the literature for other manganite perovskites [28]. The device fabrication for electrical measurements was

Uniform Sb₂S₃ optical coatings by chemical spray method

• Jako S. Eensalu,
• Atanas Katerski,
• Erki Kärber,
• Ilona Oja Acik,
• Arvo Mere and
• Malle Krunks

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 198–210, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.18

• in size. These agglomerates, consisting of smaller grains separated by ridges, resemble the surface morphology of 300 nm thick polycrystalline Sb2S3 films grown via thermal evaporation and annealed for 10 min at 300 °C in N2 [35], and that of metal halide perovskites obtained by Volmer–Weber growth

Pinning of a ferroelectric Bloch wall at a paraelectric layer

• Vilgelmina Stepkova and
• Jiří Hlinka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2356–2360, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.220

• fluctuations typical for relaxor ferroelectric perovskites, for example. Similarly, we are not aware of any device geometries that can define or alter the helicity of Bloch walls. In order to assess the interaction of Bloch walls with material inhomogeneities, we have explored the limiting case of

Lead-free hybrid perovskites for photovoltaics

• Oleksandr Stroyuk

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2209–2235, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.207

• perovskites (HPs) and applications of these exciting materials as light harvesters in photovoltaic systems. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of the spatial organization of HP materials both on the micro- and nanometer scale on the performance and stability of perovskite-based solar light converters

• with an outlook highlighting the most promising strategies for future progress of photovoltaic systems based on lead-free perovskite compounds. Keywords: light harvesting; low-toxic materials; organo-inorganic perovskites; solar cells; Review Introduction The field of photovoltaics and photochemical

• sensitizers in liquid-junction solar cells [3][4]. These systems have shown remarkable progress, improving from 0.1% a decade ago to over 12% in 2018 [5]. Simultaneously, a new rising star in semiconductor photovoltaics – hybrid organo–inorganic lead-based perovskites (MPbX3, where M = methylammonium (MA

Spin-coated planar Sb₂S₃ hybrid solar cells approaching 5% efficiency

• Pascal Kaienburg,
• Benjamin Klingebiel and
• Thomas Kirchartz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 2114–2124, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.200

• ; hole transport material; solar cell; Introduction Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) is a promising high band gap light absorber for solar cells [1][2][3][4][5]. The record efficiency of 7.5% [6] is comparable to that of other less investigated materials, such as the best lead-free perovskites [7], Cu2O [8] and

• Sb2Se3 [9][10] and outperforms bismuth-halides [11][12], SnS [13] and Bi2S3 [14][15][16]. However, the efficiency of Sb2S3 trails behind the more thoroughly studied material systems such as lead-based perovskites [17], organic solar cells [18][19] or PbS [20], thus further technological investigation is

Direct AFM-based nanoscale mapping and tomography of open-circuit voltages for photovoltaics

• Katherine Atamanuk,
• Justin Luria and
• Bryan D. Huey

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1802–1808, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.171

• challenge for generally fragile materials systems such as molecular perovskites [7]. Traditional point-by-point measurements are far slower still. Consequently, for AFM-based mapping of solar cell performance parameters that are traditionally derived from I–V measurements, such as VOC, the spatial and

• measured properties, for example with work function differences of molecular perovskites observed at specific facets [24] or grain boundary interfaces [2]. Topography commonly couples with conductive or photoconductive AFM contrast as well. Routines to test for such associations are therefore increasingly

Multimodal noncontact atomic force microscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy investigations of organolead tribromide perovskite single crystals

• Yann Almadori,
• David Moerman,
• Jaume Llacer Martinez,
• Philippe Leclère and
• Benjamin Grévin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2018, 9, 1695–1704, doi:10.3762/bjnano.9.161

• photocarrier lifetime is quantified by performing KPFM measurements under frequency-modulated illumination. Our multimodal approach provides a unique way to investigate the interplay between the charges and ionic species, the photocarrier-lattice coupling and the photocarrier dynamics in hybrid perovskites

• . Keywords: carrier lifetime; ion migration; Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM); noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM); organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites; photostriction; single crystals; surface photovoltage (SPV); time-resolved surface photovoltage; Introduction Organic–inorganic hybrid

• perovskites (RMX3, where R = methylammonium or formamidinium, M = Pb or Sn, and X = halogen) have become a new platform for the development of next-generation light harvesting and optoelectronic devices in the past years [1]. Indeed, they exhibit an exceptional combination of optoelectronic properties

Synthesis and characterization of noble metal–titania core–shell nanostructures with tunable shell thickness

• Bartosz Bartosewicz,
• Marta Michalska-Domańska,
• Malwina Liszewska,
• Dariusz Zasada and
• Bartłomiej J. Jankiewicz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 2083–2093, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.208

• titania to be overcome: the limitation of photocatalytic capability to UV light (λ < 400 nm). In addition, they may serve as a precursor for plasmon-sensitized colloidal perovskites, which are materials of great interest for solar cell applications [20]. The limiting factor in the broader use of Ag@TiO2

• nanoparticles with diameter of less than 20 nm and to obtain thinner shells. In addition, studies will be dedicated to converting the titania shell of the synthesized CSNs to either crystalline titania (anatase, rutile or their mix) or perovskites and to testing the performance of such systems in various

The effect of dry shear aligning of nanotube thin films on the photovoltaic performance of carbon nanotube–silicon solar cells

• Benedikt W. Stolz,
• Daniel D. Tune and
• Benjamin S. Flavel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1486–1491, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.141

• explored from both a fundamental theory point of view [1][2], as well as experimentally in a host of different device architectures, including as additives in dye solar cells [3][4], organic photovoltaics [5][6], and perovskites [7][8] and as the active light absorbing component in conjunction with

Current–voltage characteristics of manganite–titanite perovskite junctions

• Benedikt Ifland,
• Patrick Peretzki,
• Birte Kressdorf,
• Philipp Saring,
• Andreas Kelling,
• Michael Seibt and
• Christian Jooss

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1467–1484, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.152

• electron–polaron hole–polaron pair generation and separation at the interface. Keywords: current–voltage characteristics; perovskites; photovoltaics; polarons; Introduction At present, photovoltaic devices are mainly based on high purity elemental or compound inorganic semiconducting materials with large

• semiconductors such as conjugated polymers [8] as well as some perovskite oxides [9][10][11]. Perovskites have the general formula ABX3, where the A cation in a cuboctahedral site coordinates with 12 anions, and the B cation in an octahedral site coordinates with 6 anions. New perovskite materials under

• evaluation for photovoltaic systems reveal vastly different properties ranging from narrow band gap manganite oxides perovskites with hopping transport to broad band gap lead halide perovskites [9][12][13][14]. For the lead halide perovskites the constituents are: A = CH3NH3+, B = Pb, and X = I, Br, Cl