Exploring the Potential of Pure Germanium Kesterite for a 2T Kesterite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cell: A Simulation Study.

Recently, the development of tandem devices has become one of the main strategies for further improving the efficiency of photovoltaic modules. In this regard, combining well-established Si technology with thin film technology is one of the most promising approaches. However, this imposes several limitations on such thin film technology, such as low prices, the absence of scarce or toxic elements, the possibility to tune optical properties and long lifetime stability. Therefore, to show the potential of kesterite/silicon tandems, in this work, a 2 terminal (2T) structure using pure germanium kesterite was simulated with combined SCAPS and transfer matrix methods. To explore the impact of individual modifications, a stepwise approach was adopted to improve the kesterite. For the bottom sub cell, a state-of-the-art silicon PERC cell was used with an efficiency of 24%. As a final result, 19.56% efficiency was obtained for the standalone top kesterite solar cell and 28.6% for the tandem device, exceeding standalone silicon efficiency by 4.6% and justifying a new method for improvement. The improvement observed could be attributed primarily to the enhanced effective lifetime, optimized base doping, and mitigated recombination at both the back and top layers of the CZGSSe absorber. Finally, colorimetric analysis showed that color purity for such tandem structure was low, and hues were limited to the predominant colors, which were reddish, yellowish, and purple in an anti-reflective coating (ARC) thickness range of 20-300 nm. The sensitivity of color variation for the whole ARC thickness range to electrical parameters was minimal: efficiency was obtained ranging from 28.05% to 28.63%.

Intentionally Created Localized Bridges for Electron Transport Through Graphene Monolayer Between Two Metals.

Monolayer graphene (1LG) is frequently unpredictably modified by supporting material so that it limits development of devices. Van der Waals interaction is dominant in the models describing the in-plane processes, including the electrical charge transport. However, the current flow perpendicular to the plane of the graphene is still less understood. This report analysed specific aspect of the perpendicular current and disclosed an original way to create transport bridges perpendicular to the plane across the 1LG. The most extraordinary finding is that the electron transport between two parallel metal surfaces can be shut down and opened if the metals are separated by the 1LG. The electron transmission can be intentionally varied in this metal - 1LG - metal (M-G-M) system by pressure. In the experimental study the AFM force curve and tunnelling current measurements were combined when the external load force (0 - 1200 nN) and electrical potential (-1.5 V - +1.5 V) were used. It is proved that for low voltages (< ±9 mV) a bridge is opened perpendicular to the graphene across the M-G-M systems by the external force, if the compression dependent Fermi level crosses electronic states in the interfaces and graphene. The localised bridges with diameter about 10 - 40 nm can be opened and kept continuously by the stabilised force in separated points of the system. However, the predictable changes can be produced in the system if the voltage and the force exceeded critical magnitudes. A combined model was proposed acceptable to explain the bridging and predictably modify the characteristics.

Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Probing Riboflavin on Graphene.

Graphene research and technology development requires to reveal adsorption processes and understand how the defects change the physicochemical properties of the graphene-based systems. In this study, shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) and graphene-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (GERS) coupled with density functional theory (DFT) modeling were applied for probing the structure of riboflavin adsorbed on single-layer graphene substrate grown on copper. Intense and detailed vibrational signatures of the adsorbed riboflavin were revealed by SHINERS method. Based on DFT modeling and detected downshift of prominent riboflavin band at 1349 cm-1 comparing with the solution Raman spectrum, π-stacking interaction between the adsorbate and graphene was confirmed. Different spectral patterns from graphene-riboflavin surface were revealed by SHINERS and GERS techniques. Contrary to GERS method, SHINERS spectra revealed not only ring stretching bands but also vibrational features associated with ribityl group of riboflavin and D-band of graphene. Based on DFT modeling it was suggested that activation of D-band took place due to riboflavin induced tilt and distortion of graphene plane. The ability to explore local perturbations by the SHINERS method was highlighted. We demonstrated that SHINERS spectroscopy has a great potential to probe adsorbed molecules at graphene.

Single variable defined technology control of the optical properties in MoS2 films with controlled number of 2D-layers.

Fabrication of practical devices based on the transient metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) can be successively extended to various areas of the applications if the large area growth technology can be intentionally controlled and the characteristics of the layers can be easily predicted. In present work we presented the principles of the technology control based on the single key variable that can be directly related to the sequence of the technological processes. The atomically thin MoS2 layers were used as a model material and the layers were obtained by the CVD synthesis of the molybdenum precursor. Our thorough study demonstrated that the method allowed to deliberately choose the number of the MoS2 two-dimensional (2D)-layers between 1 and 10 by simply choosing the precursor deposition time. The optical properties of the layers were characterised by the optical transitions that corresponded to the known band structure of the MoS2 layers. Fused calibration diagram was proposed as the practical tool for the technology control and it was proved to be highly successive in relating the 2D-properties of the films with the initial stage of the fabrication technology. The method can be adapted to the wafer size TMDs growth on the diverse substrates.

Functionalization of α-synuclein fibrils.

The propensity of peptides and proteins to form self-assembled structures has very promising applications in the development of novel nanomaterials. Under certain conditions, amyloid protein α-synuclein forms well-ordered structures - fibrils, which have proven to be valuable building blocks for bionanotechnological approaches. Herein we demonstrate the functionalization of fibrils formed by a mutant α-synuclein that contains an additional cysteine residue. The fibrils have been biotinylated via thiol groups and subsequently joined with neutravidin-conjugated gold nanoparticles. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the expected structure - nanoladders. The ability of fibrils (and of the additional components) to assemble into such complex structures offers new opportunities for fabricating novel hybrid materials or devices.

Fine structure and related properties of the assembleable carbon nanotubes based electrode for new family of biosensors with chooseable selectivity.

Surfaces of constituent parts of biosensors based on single wall carbon nanotube layer were investigated and compare for properly functioning and faulty biosensors. Though the original technology is acceptable for changing of the selectivity, only glucose sensitive biosensors are investigated. Based on the results of the study, a correlation between the features of the nanoscale structures and parameters of amperiometric biosensors for assemblage of which an innovative approach is described. Original template of the electrodes has been prepared on a base of single wall carbon nanotube layer deposited on the supporting polycarbonate membrane. Original immobilisation of enzymes within special membrane allows functional modification of biosensors being accomplished by simple replacement of the enzymatic membrane. The original technology leads to a novel family of biosensors acceptable for detection of wide range of carbohydrates. The morphology and the local electric properties of the constituent parts of the biosensors are characterized by scanning probe microscopy. The sensitivity, selectivity and stability are described for typical types of the biosensors.

Expression and purification of active recombinant equine lysozyme in Escherichia coli.

Equine lysozyme (EL) is a calcium (Ca)-binding lysozyme and is an intermediary link between non-Ca-binding C-type lysozyme and alpha-lactalbumin. The feature of lysozymes to assemble into the fibrils has recently gained considerable attention for the investigation of the functional properties of these proteins. To study the structural and functional properties of EL, a synthetic gene was cloned and EL was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a fused protein. The His-tagged recombinant EL was accumulated as inclusion bodies. Up to 50 mg/l of the recombinant EL could be achieved after purification by Ni(2+) affinity chromatography, refolding in the presence of arginine, CM-Sepharose column purification following TEV protease cleavage. The purified protein was functionally active, as determined by the lysozyme activity, proving the proper folding of protein. The purified lysozyme was used for the oligomerisation studies. The protein formed amyloid fibrils during incubation in acidic pH and elevated temperature. The recombinant EL forms two types of fibrils: ring shaped and linear, similar to the native EL.