Depth-dependent electronic band structure at the Au/CH3NH3PbI3-xClx junction.

The electronic properties of the interface between Au and organometallic triiodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3-xClx) were investigated by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). CH3NH3PbI3-xClx films were prepared on Au surfaces by spin casting with various concentrations to control the film thickness. Their morphology was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). CH3NH3PbI3-xClx films exhibited a maximum valence band edge of 5.91 eV. The energy levels shifted downward by 0.26 eV with a perovskite coverage of 116.3 nm, indicating that band bending occurs at the interface. The observed energy level shift indicates an interface dipole at the Au/CH3NH3PbI3-xClx junction. These findings contribute to the understanding of how perovskite materials function in electronic devices and aid in the design of new perovskite materials.

Effect of counter-ions on the properties and performance of non-conjugated polyelectrolyte interlayers in solar cell and transistor devices.

We have investigated a series of non-conjugated polyelectrolytes (NPEs) which are based on a polyethylenimine (PEI) backbone with various counterions, such as Br- I- and BIm4 -, as interfacial layers at the electrodes of solar cells and transistor devices to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and device performance. This new series of NPEs with different counterions are capable of forming electric dipoles at NPE/metal electrode interfaces; as a consequence tuning of the energy levels, and work function (WF) of the electrodes is possible. Using this approach, the PCE of organic solar cells could be improved from 1.05% (without NPEs) to 6.77% (with NPEs) while the charge carrier mobility and on/off ratio of FET devices could be improved, showing the broad utility of this type of material. This study provides a novel approach towards investigating the influence of ions on interfacial dipoles and electrode WFs in solution-processed semiconducting devices.

Treating the Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) Surface with Hydroquinone Enhances the Performance of Polymer Solar Cells.

The introduction of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as a standard hole transport layer greatly increased the efficiency of early organic solar cells. However, because PEDOT:PSS has a metallic property, it can still form a barrier by means of metal-semiconductor contact at its interface with the photoactive layer. In this study, we modified the PEDOT:PSS surface with hydroquinone (HQ) to remove that barrier. HQ treatment of the PEDOT:PSS surface lowered the hole transport barrier at the interface between the PEDOT:PSS and the active layer. In addition, because of the secondary doping effect of HQ, the sheet resistance of the PEDOT:PSS surface decreased by almost 2 orders of magnitude. As a result, the device fabricated with the HQ-modified PEDOT:PSS showed a 28% increase in efficiency compared to the device without HQ treatment. Modifying the PEDOT:PSS surface with HQ solution is an easy way to effectively boost the performance of polymer solar cells.

Revisit to scapular dyskinesis: three-dimensional wing computed tomography in prone position.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) wing computed tomography (CT) showed a high inter-rater reliability in assessing scapular dyskinesis. METHODS: The 330 scapular movements of 165 patients were classified into 4 types by 7 blinded observers. Then, 3D wing CT was performed with patients prone, and 4 blinded observers measured 5 angles, consisting of upward rotation (UR) superior translation (ST), anterior tilting (AT), protraction (PRO), and internal rotation (IR). The inter-rater reliability (IRR) of 2 methods was calculated, and cutoff values were determined for the 5 angles on the 3D wing CT images. RESULTS: The IRR was 0.783 for the observational method of scapular dyskinesis and 0.981 for 3D wing CT in the prone position. UR and ST angles were significantly larger in type 3 more than in the other types (P < .001, P < .001), and the AT angle showed a similar pattern in type 1 (P < .001). The PRO angle was significantly larger in types 1, 2, and 3 more than in type 4 (P < .001, P < .001, P = .013), and the IR angle was significantly larger in type 2 more than in the other types (P < .001). The cutoff values of the 5 angles were UR, 117°; ST, 90°; AT, 8°; PRO, 99°; and IR, 51°. The UR angle showed a significant correlation with glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (odds ratio, 0.436; P = .029) and the IR angle with MDI (odds ratio, 8.947; P = .048). CONCLUSION: The patients with a high UR angle showed a low rate of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit and those with a high IR angle had a high rate of the MDI in affected shoulder by the determinant of the cutoff value of the 5 angles. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, development of diagnostic criteria with nonconsecutive patients, diagnostic study.