Sureyya Aydin Yuksel

Vacuum-free processed bulk heterojunction solar cells with E-GaIn cathode as an alternative to Al electrode

In this paper, the photovoltaic characteristics of bulk heterojunction solar cells employing an eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) alloy as a top metal contact which was coated by a simple and inexpensive brush-painting was investigated. The overall solar cell fabrication procedure was vacuum-free. As references, regular organic bulk heterojunction solar cells employing thermally evaporated Aluminum as a top metal contact were also fabricated. Inserting the ZnO layer between the active layer and the cathode electrodes (Al and EGaIn) improved the photovoltaic performance of the herein investigated devices. The power conversion efficiencies with and without EGaIn top electrodes were rather comparable. Hence, we have shown that the EGaIn, which is liquid at room temperature, can be used as a cathode. It allows an easy and rapid device fabrication that can be implemented through a vacuum free process.

The Synthesis and Physical Properties of Magnesium Borate Mineral of Admontite Synthesized from Sodium Borates

Magnesium borates are significant compounds due to their advanced mechanical and thermal durability properties. This group of minerals can be used in ceramic industry, in detergent industry, and as neutron shielding material, phosphor of thermoluminescence by dint of their extraordinary specialties. In the present study, the synthesis of magnesium borate via hydrothermal method from sodium borates and physical properties of synthesized magnesium borate minerals were investigated. The characterization of the products was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies, and differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetry (DTA/TG). The surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). B2O3 content was determined through titration. The electrical resistivity/conductivity properties of products were measured by Picoammeter Voltage Source. UV-vis spectrometer was used to investigate optical absorption characteristics of synthesized minerals in the range 200–1000 nm at room temperature. XRD results identified the synthesized borate minerals as admontite [MgO(B2O3)3·7(H2O)] with code number “01-076-0540” and mcallisterite [Mg2(B6O7(OH)6)2·9(H2O)] with code number “01-070-1902.” The FT-IR and Raman spectra of the obtained samples were similar with characteristic magnesium borate bands. The investigation of the SEM images remarked that both nano- and microscale minerals were produced. The reaction yields were between 75.1 and 98.7%.

Porous Silicon-Based Gas Sensors and Miniature Hydrogen Cells

The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of Au/porous silicon (PS)/Si Schottky-type structures in humid, CO, and H2S gas atmospheres were investigated. It was found that the gas atmosphere influences the I–V characteristics, particularly the reverse current in Au/PS/Si and Au/PS structures. The reverse current in the H2S atmosphere was 103 times larger than that in room-temperature (300 K) air [45% relative humidity (RH)]. The generation of an open-circuit voltage (up to 480 mV) at the Au/PS interface in humid, CO, and H2S atmospheres was detected. The humidity- and gas-stimulated effect of voltage generation in the Au/PS/Si structures was reversible with a response time of 60 s. The quite high sensitivities to humidity, CO, and H2S (about 9 mV/RH, 4 mV/ppm, and 2 mV/ppm, respectively) indicate the possibility of using the obtained Au/PS/Si structures as both gas sensors and miniature hydrogen fuel cells. The mechanism for the gas-stimulated generation of electricity in the Au/PS structures is discussed and is considered to be similar to that of the proton exchange membrane in hydrogen fuel cells.

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-{[5-(2-cyano-2-phenylethenyl)]furan-2-yl}acrylonitrile molecule as a potential acceptor in organic solar cells.

A novel soluble asymmetric acrylonitrile derivative, 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-{[5-(2-cyano-2-phenylethenyl)]furan-2-yl}acrylonitrile (CPCPFA, 3) was synthesized in three steps by Knoevenagel condensation. The structure of the CPCPFA was characterized using UV-vis, FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and LC-MS. CPCPFA was evaluated as an electron acceptor in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Its optical and electronic properties as well as photovoltaic performance were investigated.

Characterization and physical properties of hydrated zinc borates synthesized from sodium borates

Abstract In this study, Zn3B6O12·3.5H2O, a type of a zinc borate hydrate, was synthesized from the sodium borate mineral Na2B4O7·5H2O. Two different zinc sources, i.e. ZnSO4·7H2O and ZnCl2, were used in the hydrothermal synthesis. Products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. Product morphologies were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then optical absorption characteristics and electrical properties were investigated. Based on these results, Zn3B6O12·3.5H2O was obtained under many synthetic conditions as a single phase with high reaction efficiencies and sub-micrometer (100 nm to 1 μm) particle sizes. The electrical resistivity and optical energy gap were found as 8.8×1010 Ω cm and 4.13 eV, respectively. The novelty obtained in this study is the synthesis of zinc borate hydrate compound with high crystallinity without using any modification agent or organic solvent.