Search
Filters
total: 70
Search results for: heterojunction
-
Pulsed Laser Deposition of Bismuth Vanadate Thin Films—The Effect of Oxygen Pressure on the Morphology, Composition, and Photoelectrochemical Performance
PublicationThin layers of bismuth vanadate were deposited using the pulsed laser deposition technique on commercially available FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide) substrates. Films were sputtered from a sintered, monoclinic BiVO4 pellet, acting as the target, under various oxygen pressures (from 0.1 to 2 mbar), while the laser beam was perpendicular to the target surface and parallel to the FTO substrate. The oxygen pressure strongly affects...
-
Ti-Fe2O3/In2O3 as photoactive material: The role of the substrate in photoelectrochemical water oxidation
PublicationThe layers of Ti-Fe2O3/In2O3 were prepared on the different substrates using hydrothermal method: Ti/TiO2 nanotubes, Ti foil, FTO and FTO/TiO2. Materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, XRD, Raman, UV-Vis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and tested as photoanodes for water oxidation under illumination. The formation of heterojunction on the TiO2 nanotubes increases photocurrent of water oxidation at...
-
Unraveling a novel microwave strategy to fabricate exposed {001}/{101} facets anatase nanocrystals: Potential for use to the elimination of environmentally toxic metronidazole waste
PublicationThis study present a novel microwave strategy to fabricate highly active anatase particles, exposing {101} and {001} facets. Microwave treatment time was shown to determine the growth of crystals in a certain direction. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report revealing that the contact time of TiO2 crystals with fluorine ions during the microwave process affects the formed morphology, in particular exposed facets ratio....
-
Efficiency limit of excitonic photovoltaic cells under phosphor-based white LED illumination
PublicationThe limit of energy conversion of excitonic photovoltaic cells working under white light illumination generated by phosphor-based LED is analysed using the modified Giebink approach. Particularly, the impact of the optical energy gap and energy loss associated with the excitons dissociation at the heterojunction interface on power conversion efficiency of the device are discussed. From the results of our study it follows that the...
-
Effect of ionic liquids on surface and photocatalytic properties of selected semiconducttors
PublicationThe main aim of this doctoral dissertation was to explain the role of ionic liquids in shaping the morphology of selected semiconductors, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic activity. In order to achieve this goal, the following research steps were taken: (i) developing synthesis methods of selected semiconductors, with particular emphasis on the electrochemical oxidation method; (ii) understanding the influence of the selected...
-
Electrodes consisting of PEDOT modified by Prussian Blue analogues deposited onto titania nanotubes – Their highly improved capacitance
PublicationIn this work we present the outstanding energy storage of prepared inorganic-organic heterojunction where hydrogenated ordered titania nanotubes (H-TiO2NT) were modified by the hybrid made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (pEDOT) and iron hexacyanoferrate centres (Fehcf, Prussian Blue). The material TiO2NT/pEDOT:Fechf was obtained electrochemically by means of: anodization, hydrogenation and finally, electropolymerization of...
-
Experimental and DFT insights into an eco-friendly photocatalytic system toward environmental remediation and hydrogen generation based on AgInS2 quantum dots embedded on Bi2WO6
PublicationBismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) can work as a photocatalyst but suffers from rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) simulations revealed that the formation of a thermodynamically stable AgInS2(112)/Bi2WO6(010) heterojunction could promote charge separation and enhance the photoactivity of Bi2WO6. To confirm these theoretical predictions, a new type of photocatalysts in the form...
-
Anodic titania nanotubes decorated with gold nanoparticles produced by laser-induced dewetting of thin metallic films
PublicationHerein, we combine titania layers with gold species in a laser-supported process and report a substantial change of properties of the resulting heterostructures depending on the major processing parameters. Electrodes were fabricated via an anodisation process complemented with calcination to ensure a crystalline phase, and followed by magnetron sputtering of metallic films. The obtained TiO2 nanotubes with deposited thin (5, 10...
-
Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytical Performance of Inorganic-Inorganic Hybrid Consisting BiVO4, V2O5, and Cobalt Hexacyanocobaltate as a Perspective Photoanode for Water Splitting
PublicationThin layers of BiVO4/V2O5 were prepared on FTO substrates using pulsed laser deposition technique. The method of cobalt hexacyanocobaltate (Cohcc) synthesis on the BiVO4/V2O5 photoanodes consists of cobalt deposition followed by electrochemical oxidation of metallic Co in K3[Co(CN)6] aqueous electrolyte. The modified electrodes were tested as photoanodes for water oxidation under simulated sunlight irradiation. Deposited films...
-
Magnetic field effects in dye-sensitized and organic solar cells
PublicationThe charge recombination and exciton dissociation are generally recognized as the basic electronic processes limiting the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. The aim of this thesis is to understand the electronic processes limiting the operation of efficient solar cells with particular emphasis on the role of electronic states endowed with magnetic dipole moment. The research work is divided into two parts. The first part deals...
-
Synergy between AgInS2 quantum dots and ZnO nanopyramids for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and phenol degradation
PublicationDespite the unique properties of single semiconductor nanomaterials and quantum dots, poor photocatalytic activity has characterized them and the fabrication of nanocomposites has become necessary to enhance their photocatalytic performance. Thus, AgInS2 quantum dots (AIS QDs, 4.0±1.6 nm), have been successfully prepared and loaded onto ZnO nanopyramids (ZnO NPy). The effect of the nominal amount of AIS QDs decorating ZnO NPy on...
-
The influence of polarization of titania nanotubes modified by a hybrid system made of a conducting polymer PEDOT and Prussian Blue redox network on the Raman spectroscopy response and photoelectrochemical properties
PublicationIn this work we show the impact of applied potential on network vibrations and photoelectrochemical properties of a composite material containing hydrogenated titania nanotubes and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) with iron hexacyanoferrate (H-TiO2/pEDOT:Fehcf) acting as a redox centre. For this purpose, Raman spectroscopy measurements under the working electrode (WE) polarization were carried out, allowing investigation of changes...
-
N-doped graphene quantum dot-decorated MOF-derived yolk-shell ZnO/NiO hybrids to boost lithium and sodium ion battery performance
PublicationSurface engineering at the nanoscale to obtain robust interface between metal oxides and quantum dots is essential for improving the performance and stability of battery materials. Herein, we designed and prepared novel N-doped graphene quantum dot-modified ZnO/NiO anode materials with a well-defined yolk-shell structure for lithium and sodium-ion batteries. NG QDs were assembled on the ZnO/NiO microspheres using three different...
-
Crystalline Silicon (c-Si)-Based Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) Solar Cells: A Review
PublicationContact selectivity is a key parameter for enhancing and improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of crystalline silicon (c-Si)-based solar cells. Carrier selective contacts (CSC) are the key technology which has the potential to achieve a higher PCE for c-Si-based solar cells closer to their theoretical efficiency limit. A recent and state-of-the-art approach in this domain is the tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon)...
-
Electrochemically Obtained TiO2/CuxOy Nanotube Arrays Presenting a Photocatalytic Response in Processes of Pollutants Degradation and Bacteria Inactivation in Aqueous Phase
PublicationTiO2/CuxOy nanotube (NT) arrays were synthesized using the anodization method in the presence of ethylene glycol and different parameters applied. The presence, morphology, and chemical character of the obtained structures was characterized using a variety of methods—SEM (scanning electron microscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray crystallography), PL (photoluminescence), and EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy)....
-
Enhanced photocatalytic activity of accordion-like layered Ti3C2 (MXene) coupled with Fe-modified decahedral anatase particles exposing {1 0 1} and {0 0 1} facets
PublicationNew composites consisting of decahedral anatase particles exposing {001} and {101} facets coupled with accordion-like layered Ti3C2 with boosted photocatalytic activity towards phenol and carbamazepine degradation were investigated. The photocatalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DR/UV–Vis), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron...
-
On the mechanism of photocatalytic reactions on CuxO@TiO2 core–shell photocatalysts
PublicationTitania (titanium(IV) oxide) is a highly active, stable, cheap and abundant photocatalyst, and is thus commonly applied in various environmental applications. However, two main shortcomings of titania, i.e., charge carrier recombination and inactivity under visible-light (vis) irradiation, should be overcome for widespread commercialization. Accordingly, titania has been doped, surface modified and coupled with various ions/compounds,...
-
The effect of boron concentration on the electrical, morphological and optical properties of boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond sheets: Tuning the diamond-on-graphene vertical junction
PublicationIn this paper, the effect of boron doping on the electrical, morphological and structural properties of free-standing nanocrystalline diamond sheets (thickness ~ 1 μm) was investigated. For this purpose, we used diamond films delaminated from a mirror-polished tantalum substrate following a microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition process, each grown with a different [B]/[C] ratio (up to 20,000 ppm) in the gas phase....
-
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CoFe2O4/TiO2-PANI HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITE WITH MAGNETIC AND PHOYOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY
PublicationHybrid nanocomposites consisting of inorganic component and organic conducting polymer are promising materials, which can be applied in heterogeneous photocatalysis. Titanium(IV) oxide is widely used photocatalysts due to its non-toxicity, low cost and chemical stability. The main disadvantage of TiO2 is low photocatalytic activity under visible light. Conducting polymers, also known as conjugated polymers are polymer materials...
-
Band engineering of BiOBr based materials for photocatalytic wastewater treatment via advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) – A review
PublicationSemiconductor based photocatalysts have been an efficient technology for water and wastewater remediation, addressing the concepts of green chemistry and sustainable development. Owing to narrow and suitable band structure, BiOBr is a promising candidate for efficient wastewater treatment via photocatalysis. Enhancement of photocatalytic properties can be obtained by various techniques like doping, element rich strategy, facet...