Influence of Cr Ion Implantation on Physical Properties of CuO Thin Films.

Cupric oxide is a semiconductor with applications in sensors, solar cells, and solar thermal absorbers. To improve its properties, the oxide was doped with a metallic element. No studies were previously performed on Cr-doping using the ion implantation technique. The research goal of these studies is to investigate how Cr ion implantation impacts the properties of the oxide thin films. CuO thin films were deposited using magnetron sputtering, and then chromium ions with different energies and doses were implanted. Structural, optical, and vibrational properties of the samples were studied using X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry. The surface morphology and topography were studied with ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A simulation of the range of ions in the materials was performed. Ion implantation had an impact on the properties of thin films that could be used to tailor the optical properties of the cupric oxide and possibly also its electrical properties. A study considering the influence of ion implantation on electrical properties is proposed as further research on ion-implanted CuO thin films.

Investigation of Dye Dopant Influence on Electrooptical and Morphology Properties of Polymeric Acceptor Matrix Dedicated for Ternary Organic Solar Cells.

The publication presents the results of investigations of the influence of dye dopant on the electrooptical and morphology properties of a polymeric donor:acceptor mixture. Ternary thin films (polymer:dye:fullerene) were investigated for potential application as an active layer in organic solar cells. The aim of the research is to determine the effect of selected dye materials (dye D131, dye D149, dye D205, dye D358) on the three-component layer and their potential usefulness as an additional donor in ternary cells, based on P3HT donor and PC71BM acceptor. UV-vis spectroscopy studies were performed, and absorption and luminescence spectra were determined. Ellipsometry parameters for single dye and ternary layers have been measured. The analyses were performed using the Raman spectroscopy method, and the Raman spectra of the mixtures and single components have been determined. Organic layers were prepared and studied using scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. For dyes, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies were carried out and the ternary system was presented and analyzed in terms of energy bands.