Formamidinium Lead Iodide Perovskite Films with Polyvinylpyrrolidone Additive for Active Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells, Enhanced Stability and Electrical Conductivity.

In this paper, we studied the influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilization additive on optical and electrical properties of perovskite formamidinium lead iodide (FAPI) polycrystalline thin films on ZnO nanorods (ZNR). FAPI (as an active layer) was deposited from a single solution on ZNR (low temperature processed electron transport layer) using a one-step method with the inclusion of an anti-solvent. The role of PVP in the formation of the active layer was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements to observe the effect on morphology, while X-ray diffraction was used as a method to study the stability of the film in an ambient environment. The effect of the PVP additive on the optical and electrical properties of the perovskite thin films was studied via photoluminescence, UV-Vis measurements, and electrical impedance spectroscopy. We have demonstrated that PVP inclusion in solution-processed perovskite FAPI thin films prevents the degradation of the film in an ambient atmosphere after aging for 2 months. The inclusion of the PVP also improves the infiltration of FAPI perovskite into ZnO nanostructures, increases electrical conductivity and radiative recombination of the photo-generated charge carriers. These results show promising information for promoting PVP stabilized FAPI perovskites for the new generation of photovoltaic devices.

Mechanical properties of zirconia ceramics biomimetically coated with calcium deficient hydroxyapatite.

Mechanical properties and stability of porous tetragonal yttria-stabilised zirconia (Y-TZ) ceramics, biomimetically coated with calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CaDHA) to obtain a bioactive material, were investigated. The 5.7 mol% yttria-stabilised tetragonal zirconia was obtained by sol-gel process and sintered at different temperatures to obtain a homogeneous and porous structure whose strength would match that of human bone. Sufficient strength was achieved by sintering at 1400 °C. The CaDHA coating was obtained at room temperature by a simplified preparation method consisting of immersion of the Y-TZ ceramics into a calcifying solution, after a short surface pretreatment in HCl. Although HAP or ß-TCP are more frequently used, CaDHA was chosen due to its structural similarity to the bone mineral and ability to support bone ingrowth to a greater extent than biphasic calcium phosphates. To verify the applicability CaDHA coatings, we tested their adherence to Y-TZ ceramics for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Vickers hardness (3.8 ± 0.2 GPa) reflected the hardness of underlying ceramic. The tensile strength (269 ± 52 MPa) and Weibull modulus (5) of the obtained biomaterials matched or exceeded those of bone. There was no statistical difference in the tensile strength between the coated (269 ± 52 MPa) and the uncoated (239 ± 46 MPa) ceramics. The Y-TZ-CaDHA coating system presented adequate structural integrity under scratch test with critical load for coating cracking of 18 ± 2 N. These results indicate the potential of the prepared bioceramic to be used as bone implants.

3D Networks of Ge Quantum Wires in Amorphous Alumina Matrix.

Recently demonstrated 3D networks of Ge quantum wires in an alumina matrix, produced by a simple magnetron sputtering deposition enables the realization of nanodevices with tailored conductivity and opto-electrical properties. Their growth and ordering mechanisms as well as possibilities in the design of their structure have not been explored yet. Here, we investigate a broad range of deposition conditions leading to the formation of such quantum wire networks. The resulting structures show an extraordinary tenability of the networks' geometrical properties. These properties are easily controllable by deposition temperature and Ge concentration. The network's geometry is shown to retain the same basic structure, adjusting its parameters according to Ge concentration in the material. In addition, the networks' growth and ordering mechanisms are explained. Furthermore, optical measurements demonstrate that the presented networks show strong confinement effects controllable by their geometrical parameters. Interestingly, energy shift is the largest for the longest quantum wires, and quantum wire length is the main parameter for control of confinement. Presented results demonstrate a method to produce unique materials with designable properties by a simple self-assembled growth method and reveal a self-assembling growth mechanism of novel 3D ordered Ge nanostructures with highly designable optical properties.

Bacteria Exposed to Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Laser Ablation in Water: Modelling E. coli Growth and Inactivation.

This study is aimed to better understand the bactericidal mode of action of silver nanoparticles. Here we present the production and characterization of laser-synthesized silver nanoparticles along with growth curves of bacteria treated at sub-minimal and minimal inhibitory concentrations, obtained by optical density measurements. The main effect of the treatment is the increase of the bacterial apparent lag time, which is very well described by the novel growth model as well as the entire growth curves for different concentrations. The main assumption of the model is that the treated bacteria uptake the nanoparticles and inactivate, which results in the decrease of both the nanoparticles and the bacteria concentrations. The lag assumes infinitive value for the minimal inhibitory concentration treatment. This apparent lag phase is not postponed bacterial growth. It is a dynamic state in which the bacterial growth and death rates are close in value. Our results strongly suggest that the predominant mode of antibacterial action of silver nanoparticles is the penetration inside the membrane.

Preparation of non-oxidized Ge quantum dot lattices in amorphous Al2O3, Si3N4 and SiC matrices.

The preparation of non-oxidized Ge quantum dot (QD) lattices embedded in Al2O3, Si3N4, SiC matrices by self-assembled growth was studied. The materials were produced by magnetron sputtering deposition, using different substrate temperatures. The deposition regimes leading to the self-assembled growth type and the formation of three-dimensionally ordered Ge QD lattices in different matrices were investigated and determined. The oxidation of the Ge QDs in different matrices was monitored and the best conditions for the production of non-oxidized Ge QDs were found. The optical properties of the Ge QD lattices in different matrices show a strong dependence on the Ge oxidation and the matrix type.

Ta2N3 nanocrystals grown in Al2O3 thin layers.

Tantalum nitride nanoparticles (NPs) and cubic bixbyite-type Ta2N3 nanocrystals (NCs) were grown in (Ta-N+Al2O3)/Al2O3 periodic multilayers (MLs) after thermal treatment. The MLs were prepared by magnetron deposition at room temperature and characterized using grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), X-ray reflectivity (XRR), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We found amorphous tantalum nitride NPs at 600-800 °C, with a high degree of ordering along the surface normal and short-range ordering within the layers containing tantalum (metallic layers). At an even higher annealing temperature of 900 °C the NPs crystallize in the rare and relatively unexplored Ta2N3 phase. However, the environment, morphology and spatial ordering of the NCs depend on the thickness of the metallic layers. For 12 nm thick metallic layers, the Ta2N3 NCs have an average diameter of 6 nm and they are confined and short-range ordered within the metallic layers. When the metallic layers are thinner, the NCs grow over 20 nm in diameter, show no spatial ordering, while the periodic structure of the ML was completely destroyed. The results presented here demonstrate a self-assembly process of tantalum nitride NPs, the morphological properties of which depend on the preparation conditions. This can be used as a generic procedure to realize highly tunable and designable optical properties of thin films containing transition-metal nitride nanocrystals.