A. M. Raduta^a,b, A. M. Panaitescu^a, A. Radu^a, L. Ion^a, V. A. Antohe^a,c, O. Toma^a, S. Iftimie^a, S. Antohe^a,d,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.20, No.12, pp. 871-882, 2023, DOI:10.15251/CL.2023.2012.871

Abstract This paper proposes a comparative study between two sub-micrometric multi-layered photovoltaic cells, based on A_II–B_VI compounds, using different structures for the holes transport and collection electrode. Using the modified form of the Shockley equation, the diode factor, n, the reverse saturation current, I₀, and the series R_s and shunt R_sh resistances were evaluated and their effect on the photovoltaic cells performances were discussed. The photovoltaic performances were analysed by current-voltage characteristics at illumination in standard AM 1.5 conditions, and the specific parameters were determined. More >

G. Amirbekova^a, Zh. Tolepov^a,*, N. Guseinov^a, R. Nemkaeva^a, T. Kuanyshbekov^b, A. Ramazanova^a, D. Tlaubergenova^a

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.20, No.12, pp. 857-861, 2023, DOI:10.15251/CL.2023.2012.857

Abstract Microcrystalline lead sulfide (PbS) films were synthesized using the chemical deposition method. The films were deposited on pre-cleaned glass substrates and polished silicon wafers. Chemicals of high purity were utilized in the process. The morphology, composition, and structure of the films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The films exhibited a galena phase with a face-centered cubic structure belonging to the Fm-3m space group. The average grain size was determined using the WilliamsonHall method, revealing a homogenous structure. Raman spectroscopy further confirmed the structural integrity of More >

A. Thamer^a, S. Mohamed^b,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.20, No.12, pp. 847-856, 2023, DOI:10.15251/CL.2023.2012.847

Abstract Using Sol-gel technology, nanocomposite CdS: ZnO thin films with an equal molar ratio of 0.5 M on a glass substrate for water decontamination purposes. The ZnO doping ratios were (0, 1, 3, 5) vol. The ultrastructural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared thin films were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-vis spectra. The results indicated that the prepared nanostructured CdS: ZnO thin films contain uniformly spaced crystalline grains of both CdS and ZnO. The ZnO-doped selection ratio and uniform grain distribution produced outstanding photocatalytic and photocatalytic performance. With a More >

SOBHA KOTA^*, RATNAKUMARI ANANTHA, VAYUNANDANA RAO GOVADA, PRADEEP DUMPALA

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.40, No.3-4, pp. 285-303, 2023, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2023.40.3-4.10

Abstract The exoskeleton of marine shrimp contains a natural, biocompatible polymer chitin, which is dumped as a waste. The study proposes the sustainable single-pot-extraction of chitosan from the waste and its use in the fabrication of wound-dressings, and thus leverage its piezoelectric, antioxidant, hypoglycaemic and medicinal properties in wound-healing. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum revealed that marine chitosan contains functional groups with N-O, O-H, and CO stretching. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated the spherical and mesoporous structures of the extracted chitosan. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a semi-crystalline phase of chitosan particles with a mean size of 28.9… More >

Zhaohe Dai^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.26, No.2, pp. 1-1, 2023, DOI:10.32604/icces.2023.09223

Abstract The flexible and clinging nature of ultra-thin films require the understanding of their elastic and adhesive properties in a wide range of circumstances from fabrications to applications. Simultaneously measuring both properties, however, is extremely difficult as the film thickness diminishes to nanoscales. In this talk, I will show our recent work that addresses such difficulties through peeling by vertically pulling thin films off from the substrates (we thus refer to it as “pull-to-peel”). Particularly, we perform in-situ pull-to-peel of graphene and MoS2 films in a scanning electron microscope and achieve simultaneous determination of their Young’s More >

Hongxing Shang^1,*, Xu Liang¹, Shengping Shen¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.25, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2023, DOI:10.32604/icces.2023.09816

Abstract Flexoelectricity is the coupling effect of polarization and strain gradients, which tends to be more pronounced in thin films owing to size dependency. When subjected to in-plane compression, a filmsubstrate system will form complex wrinkle morphologies along with large-area and tunable strain gradients. The wrinkle-induced strain gradients can locally break the inversion symmetry of dielectrics and thus introduce flexoelectric polarization. Here, an electromechanical coupling model is developed to theoretically deal with flexoelectric polar patterns in wrinkled thin films. By analyzing the energy competition of elastic potential and electrostatic energy, the amplitude, wavelength, and critical strain… More >

Xiaoyan Liu^1,2, Zhao Qin^1,2,*, Yuxiang Ma^1,2, Huamin Liu^1,2,*, Xuede Wang^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.8, pp. 3203-3225, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027613 - 26 June 2023

Abstract Packaging is a food preservation technology widely used in the world. Naturally-sourced, biodegradable polymers are becoming increasingly popular in the food packaging sector. Packaging films prepared using cellulose as raw material would contribute to resource sustainability, but the difficulty of cellulose solubilization limits their further development. In view of this, a series of novel solvent systems (LiCl/DMAc, ILs, TBAH/DMSO, NMMO, alkali/urea solutions, metal-complex solutions) were used to prepare high-strength and high-performance cellulose-based films; their characteristics and the mechanisms involved were investigated. Composite films prepared by blending cellulose with various polymers (synthetic polymers, natural polymers, proteins More > Graphic Abstract

Shuang Zhao¹, Shenglan Chen², Shuan Ren¹, Gang Li³, Ke Song^1,4, Jie Guo^1,4, Shima Liu^1,4, Jian He^1,4, Xianwu Zhou^1,4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2531-2553, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026066 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Petroleum-based materials, such as plastic, are characterized by adverse environmental pollution; as a result, researchers have sought alternative degradable plastics that are environmentally friendly, such as polylactic acid (PLA). PLA has shown great potential to replace petroleum-based plastics. In this study, seven different samples of unmodified Pueraria lobata root powder (PRP) with different contents (i.e., 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) and three different modified PRPs (i.e., treated with NaOH, NaOH-KH-550, and Formic) were used to reinforce polylactic acid (PLA) via solution casting process. These prepared PRP/PLA composite films were characterized using SEM,… More > Graphic Abstract

Ruyu Yan^1,2,3,4, Jian Fang^1,*, Xiaohua Yang^2,3,4,5,6, Na Yao^2,3,4,5,6, Mei Li^2,3,4,5,6, Yuan Nie^2,3,4,5,6, Tianxiang Deng^2,3,4,5,6, Haiyang Ding^2,3,4,5,6, Lina Xu^2,3,4,5,6, Shouhai Li^2,3,4,5,6,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.4, pp. 1937-1950, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025126 - 01 December 2022

Abstract Ethyl cellulose (EC), an important biomass-based material, has excellent film-forming properties. Nevertheless, the high interchain hydrogen bond interaction leads to a high glass transition temperature of EC, which makes it too brittle to be used widely. The hydroxyl group on EC can form a supramolecular system in the form of a non-covalent bond with an effective plasticizer. In this study, an important vegetable-oil-based derivative named dimer fatty acid was used to prepare a novel special plasticizer for EC. Dimer-fatty-acid-based thioether polyol (DATP) was synthesized and used to modify ethyl cellulose films. The supramolecular composite films… More > Graphic Abstract

Shams B. Ali¹, Sarmad Fawzi Hamza Alhasan¹, Evan T. Salim^2,*, Forat H. Alsultany³, Omar S. Dahham^4,5

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.11, pp. 2819-2834, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021609 - 29 June 2022

Abstract The pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technology was used to effectively create conductive nano and micro hafnium oxide with great purity and transparency for (HfO₂) nanofilms. In many optoelectronics devices and their applications, the presence of a high dielectric substance like a nano HfO₂, between the metal contacts and the substrates was critical. We used the Pulsed Laser Deposition method to fabricate an Al/HfO₂/p-Si Schottky barrier diode where the nanostructured HfO₂ films as an intermediate layer and varied substrate temperatures. The optical result reveals a high degree of transparency (93%). The optical bandgap of deposited HfO₂ films was observed… More >