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General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Biophysique moleculaire, Molecular biophysics, Chimie physique en biologie, Physical chemistry in biology, Electrochimie, Electrochemistry, Agent surface cationique, Cationic surfactant, Agente superficie catiónico, Anode, Anodo, Biofilm, Bioélectrochimie, Bioelectrochemistry, Bioelectroquímica, Carbone, Carbon, Carbono, Catalyse enzymatique, Enzymatic catalysis, Catálisis enzimática, Electrocatalyse, Electrocatalysis, Electrocatálisis, Electrode microorganisme, Microbial electrode, Electrodo microorganismo, Formation, Formación, Matériau modifié, Modified material, Material modificado, Matériau électrode, Electrode material, Material electrodo, Microorganisme immobilisé, Entrapped microorganism, Microorganismo inmovilizado, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Ammonium(hexadécyl triméthyl) bromure, Bioelectrochemical systems, Biofilm formation, Carbon felt, Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, Surface modification, and Surfactant

This study reports a simple and effective method to make carbon felt surface hydrophilic and positively-charged by means of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) soaking. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry indicated that CTAB could form a surfactant layer on carbon felt surface with the polar heads exposing outwardly. In an acetate-fed bioanode, the start-up time of current production and the time to reach stable current output at the CTAB-treated felt anodes were 36.1% and 49.4% shorter than the untreated anodes, respectively. Moreover, the maximum current output with these treated electrodes was 23.8% higher than the untreated counterparts. These results indicate that the CTAB treatment of carbon felt accelerates the anodic biofilm formation and enhances current output of BESs.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Absorption optique, Optical absorption, Absorción óptica, Bande interdite, Energy gap, Banda prohibida, Confinement quantique, Quantum confinement, Confinamiento cuántico, Constante diélectrique, Permittivity, Constante dieléctrica, Dispositif optoélectronique, Optoelectronic device, Dispositivo optoelectrónico, Effet dimensionnel, Size effect, Efecto dimensional, Effet quantique, Quantum effect, Efecto cuántico, Effet surface, Surface effect, Efecto superficie, Hydrogène, Hydrogen, Hidrógeno, Hydrogénation, Hydrogenation, Hidrogenación, Liaison disponible, Dangling bond, Enlace disponible, Miniaturisation, Miniaturization, Miniaturización, Optoélectronique, Optoelectronics, Optoelectrónica, Orbitale moléculaire, Molecular orbital, Orbital molecular, Passivation, Pasivación, Point quantique, Quantum dot, Punto cuántico, Propriété optique, Optical properties, Propiedad óptica, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Propiedad superficie, Propriété électronique, Electronic properties, Propiedad electrónica, Répartition spatiale, Spatial distribution, Distribución espacial, Silicium, Silicon, Silicio, Structure électronique, Electronic structure, Estructura electrónica, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Optoelectronic, Photovoltaic, Si quantum dots, and Surface passivation

First principles calculations are carried out for investigating effect of dot-size and hydrogen passivation in silicon (Si) quantum dots. In this work, the electronic and optical properties of pure and hydrogen passivated Si quantum dots are explored. However, the importance of quantum confinements and hydrogen terminated surface on the energy gaps and optical absorption are discussed. Our results exhibit that the hydrogenated surface can cause modification in the electronic structure of Si quantum dot. It is found that the band gap increases as a function of size reduction in both passivated and unsaturated Si quantum dots because of quantum size effects. For the passivation of surface dangling bonds with hydrogen atoms, the energy gap is larger than that of pure Si quantum dots. Passivation with hydrogen atoms has a significant effect on the spatial distribution of the highest-occupied and lowest-unoccupied molecular orbitals. The impact of hydrogenation and dot-size on the optical absorption spectra and static dielectric constant is also inspected. Precisely, the dependence of dot-size and hydrogen passivation on the absorption threshold is elucidated. We surmise that this theoretical contribution can be valuable in discerning the microscopic processes for the future realization of nano-optoelectronic devices.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Energie, Energy, Combustibles, Fuels, Combustibles de remplacement. Production et utilisation, Alternative fuels. Production and utilization, Hydrogène, Hydrogen, Electrocatalyse, Electrocatalysis, Electrocatálisis, Hydrogène, Hydrogen, Hidrógeno, Noir carbone, Carbon black, Carbón negro, Pile combustible, Fuel cell, Pila combustión, Plasma, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Allylamine, Fuel cells, Nitrogen, Plasma treatment, and RF plasma

Carbon black used for fuel cell catalyst support system is modified using nitrogen and allylamine plasma and its effect on the carbon surface and fuel cell performance are reported. Custom designed radio frequency tumbling plasma reactor is used to surface modify the carbon black. Boehms Titration method, XRD and TEM are performed to confirm and analyze the effects of plasma treatment on the carbon surface. In the fuel cell electrochemical study both the nitrogen and allylamine modified catalyst support system exhibited better discharge performance than the control system. Nitrogen moieties on the carbon surface helped to decrease the particle size of catalytically active sites and provided good anchoring of Pt to the surface thereby resulted in increased electrochemical performance in the fuel cell evaluation.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Caractéristique électrique, Electrical characteristic, Característica eléctrica, Coordinat organique, Organic ligand, Ligando orgánico, Couche mince, Thin film, Capa fina, Coût, Costs, Coste, Diminution coût, Cost lowering, Reducción costes, Démarrage, Starting, Arranque, Echelle grande, Large scale, Escala grande, Etat solide, Solid state, Estado sólido, Etude comparative, Comparative study, Estudio comparativo, Mobilité porteur charge, Charge carrier mobility, Movilidad portador carga, Méthode fonctionnelle densité, Density functional method, Nanocristal, Nanocrystal, Nanoparticule, Nanoparticle, Nanopartícula, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Propiedad superficie, Technique basse température, Low-temperature techniques, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, CZTS, and Ligand

As the essential building blocks of many electronic devices, solid state thin-films are attracting extensive interest. Soluble nanocrystals (NCs) make it possible to develop robust, low-cost, large-scale fabrication methods for thin-films. However, the organic surface ligands normally used to stabilize the NCs make those thin-films a NC―ligand complex which may possess varied electrical performance compared to a single component system. Previous models could only estimate the charge transportation characteristics in those films quantitatively by considering the capping ligands as a barrier of charges from inter-particle hopping. In this work, we demonstrated that starting from first principles density functional theory, the carrier mobility in a CZTS NC―ligand complex can be determined quantitatively, and guided by this model, we developed a low-cost, low-temperature technique to fabricate CZTS thin films which have a carrier mobility of up to 10.9 cm2/(VS).

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion photoélectrique, Photoelectric conversion, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Adhésif, Adhesive, Adhesivo, Assemblage collé, Adhesive joint, Ensambladura pegada, Cellule solaire, Solar cell, Célula solar, Durabilité, Durability, Durabilidad, Dégazage, Degassing, Desgaseado, Dégradation, Degradation, Degradación, Endommagement, Damaging, Deterioración, Epaisseur, Thickness, Espesor, Fixation pastille, Wafer bonding, Fijación pastilla, Interaction plasma, Plasma interactions, Matériau amorphe hydrogéné, Amorphous hydrogenated material, Material amorfo hidrogenado, Matériau amorphe, Amorphous material, Material amorfo, Passivation, Pasivación, Pastille électronique, Wafer, Pastilla electrónica, Recombinaison porteur charge, Charge carrier recombination, Recombinación portador carga, Recombinaison superficielle, Surface recombination, Recombinación superficial, Revêtement, Coatings, Revestimiento, Silicium, Silicon, Silicio, Siloxane polymère, Siloxane polymer, Siloxano polímero, Spectrométrie FTIR, Fourier-transformed infrared spectrometry, Espectrometría FTIR, Tension circuit ouvert, Open circuit voltage, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Verre, Glass, Vidrio, a-Si:H, Amorphous silicon, FTIR, Lifetime, Silicone, and Surface passivation

A scenario for future silicon photovoltaics is to use wafer-based solar cells with a thickness below 100 μm. A way to realize this scenario is the merging of cell and module processing, with thin wafers processed while attached to the superstrate glass. One of the challenges for this type of processing is the achievement of high performing surface passivation, i.e., with surface recombination velocities below 10 cm/s. In this paper, a detailed explanation for lifetime degradation on wafers bonded to glass by means of silicone is proposed. The degradation is due to cyclic silicone molecules outgassing during a-Si: H deposition from the adhesive used to bond the wafers. The cyclic molecules are incorporated in the a-Si:H layer and modify the amorphous silicon network. By the application of specific outgassing conditions before a-Si:H deposition, a significant amount of cyclic molecules is removed from the adhesive. Non-degraded a-Si:H layers and surface passivation comparable to standalone wafers are obtained, as shown with measures of lifetime and solar cell open circuit voltage.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Chimie, Chemistry, Chimie generale et chimie physique, General and physical chemistry, Electrochimie, Electrochemistry, Electrodes: préparations et propriétés, Electrodes: preparations and properties, Autres électrodes, Other electrodes, Chimie analytique, Analytical chemistry, Méthodes électrochimiques, Electrochemical methods, Acide carboxylique, Carboxylic acid, Acido carboxílico, Analyse chimique, Chemical analysis, Análisis químico, Analyse quantitative, Quantitative analysis, Análisis cuantitativo, Cadmium II Composé, Cadmium II Compounds, Cadmio II Compuesto, Carbone, Carbon, Carbono, Composé du diazonium, Diazonium compounds, Diazonio compuesto, Cuivre II Composé, Copper II Compounds, Cobre II Compuesto, Dérivé du benzène, Benzene derivatives, Benceno derivado, Détecteur électrochimique, Electrochemical detector, Detector electroquímico, Electrode, Electrodes, Electrodo, Elément trace, Trace element, Elemento traza, Métal lourd, Heavy metal, Metal pesado, Plomb II Composé, Lead II Compounds, Plomo II Compuesto, Préparation, Preparation, Preparación, Relation structure propriété, Property structure relationship, Relación estructura propiedad, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Voltammétrie redissolution anodique, Anodic stripping voltammetry, Voltametría redisolución anódica, Electrode sérigraphiée, Screen-printed electrode, Greffage électrochimique, Electrochemical grafting, Carbon-screen-printed electrode, Carboxylic diazonium salt, Environmental analysis, and Trace element detection

The electrochemically induced functionalization of carbon-based screen-printed-electrodes (SPEs) by phenyl groups, having one or two carboxylic functions, was achieved by reduction of in situ generated diazonium salts in aqueous media. The corresponding diazonium cations of 4-aminobenzoic acid, 4-aminophthalic acid, 3-(4-aminophenyl) propionic acid, 3-(4-aminophenyl)-2-propenoic acid and 5-aminoisophthalic acid were generated in situ with sodium nitrite in aqueous H2SO4. The electrochemical detection of Pb(II) with the grafted SPEs was investigated using Pb(II) 5 × 10-8 M solutions. The performances of the grafted SPEs were found to be dependent on the number of carboxylic groups, on their position on the phenyl ring, on the olefinic or the aliphatic character of the chain bearing the carboxylic group. The performances of mono-4-carboxyphenyl and 3,5-dicarboxyphenyl grafted SPEs for Cd(II) and Cu(II) trace detection were tested and compared.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Energie, Energy, Combustibles, Fuels, Combustibles de remplacement. Production et utilisation, Alternative fuels. Production and utilization, Hydrogène, Hydrogen, Hydrogène, Hydrogen, Hidrógeno, Hydrure, Hydrides, Hidruro, Nanocomposite, Nanocompuesto, Nanomatériau, Nanostructured materials, Stockage hydrogène, Hydrogen storage, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Carbon, Complex metal hydrides, Porous matrix, Reversibility, and Surface modification

For practical solid-state hydrogen storage, reversibility under mild conditions is crucial. Complex metal hydrides such as NaAlH4 and LiBH4 have attractive hydrogen contents. However, hydrogen release and especially uptake after desorption are sluggish and require high temperatures and pressures. Kinetics can be greatly enhanced by nanostructuring, for instance by confining metal hydrides in a porous carbon scaffold. We present for a detailed study of the impact of the nature of the carbon―metal hydride interface on the hydrogen storage properties. Nanostructures were prepared by melt infiltration of either NaAlH4 or LiBH4 into a carbon scaffold, of which the surface had been modified, varying from H-terminated to oxidized (up to 4.4 O/nm2). It has been suggested that the chemical and electronic properties of the carbon/metal hydride interface can have a large influence on hydrogen storage properties. However, no significant impact on the first H2 release temperatures was found. In contrast, the surface properties of the carbon played a major role in determining the reversible hydrogen storage capacity. Only a part of the oxygen-containing groups reacted with hydrides during melt infiltration, but further reaction during cycling led to significant losses, with reversible hydrogen storage capacity loss up to 40% for surface oxidized carbon. However, if the carbon surface had been hydrogen terminated, ~6 wt% with respect to the NaAlH4 weight was released in the second cycle, corresponding to 95% reversibility. This clearly shows that control over the nature and amount of surface groups offers a strategy to achieve fully reversible hydrogen storage in complex metal hydride-carbon nanocomposites.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion photoélectrique, Photoelectric conversion, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Absorption lumière, Light absorption, Absorción luz, Addition aluminium, Aluminium addition, Adicion aluminio, Alumine, Alumina, Alúmina, Cellule solaire silicium, Silicon solar cells, Cellule solaire, Solar cell, Célula solar, Couche mince, Thin film, Capa fina, Couche ultramince, Ultrathin films, Dépôt plasma, Plasma deposition, Depósito plasma, Epaisseur, Thickness, Espesor, Etude comparative, Comparative study, Estudio comparativo, Evaluation performance, Performance evaluation, Evaluación prestación, Jonction silicium, Si junctions, Matériau amorphe, Amorphous material, Material amorfo, Microstructure, Microestructura, Nanocristal, Nanocrystal, Nanofil, Nanowires, Oxyde de zinc, Zinc oxide, Zinc óxido, Passivation, Pasivación, Pastille électronique, Wafer, Pastilla electrónica, Piégeage optique, Optical trapping, Recuit, Annealing, Recocido, Semiconducteur type n, n type semiconductor, Semiconductor tipo n, Semiconducteur type p, p type semiconductor, Semiconductor tipo p, Silicium, Silicon, Silicio, Technologie planaire, Planar technology, Tecnología planar, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Traitement thermique, Heat treatment, Tratamiento térmico, Al2O3, ZnO, Nanocrystalline, Silicon nanowire solar cells n-type Si:H, and Ultrathin A12O3 layer

In this work, p-type solar-grade Si (100) wafers with a thickness of 180 μm were used to fabricate Al-doped ZnO(AZO)/n-type Si:H/i-Si:H/c-Si(p) nanowire (NW) array solar cells in which the Si:H and Al2O3 layers were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical deposition and atomic layer deposition, respectively. To realize a good coverage of Si:H layers on the Si NWs, excessively thin Si:H layers were avoided. Moreover, since the NW array gives rise to significant light trapping, the light absorption by the Si:H layers could not be neglected. It is known that compared to amorphous Si:H, the charge mobility and light absorption are improved in the two-phase Si:H with nanocrystalline grains dispersed in the amorphous matrix. Therefore, it is important to investigate the influence of the microstructures of n-type Si:H on the performance of solar cells. On the other hand, in contrast to the Al2O3 passivation of planar Si solar cells, in this study, ultrathin Al2O3 layers were deposited on Si NWs without post-deposition annealing. We also discuss the passivation behavior of these ultrathin Al2O3 layers on n-type Si:H and the balance between the surface passivation and the role of these layers as tunnel barriers.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion photoélectrique, Photoelectric conversion, Conversion électrochimique: piles et accumulateurs électrochimiques, piles à combustibles, Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Cellule solaire silicium, Silicon solar cells, Cellule solaire, Solar cell, Célula solar, Courant court circuit, Short circuit currents, Etude comparative, Comparative study, Estudio comparativo, Gravure ionique réactive, Reactive ion etching, Grabado iónico reactivo, Microscopie électronique balayage, Scanning electron microscopy, Microscopía electrónica barrido, Nanostructure, Nanoestructura, Nitrure de silicium, Silicon nitride, Silicio nitruro, Optimisation, Optimization, Optimización, Pastille électronique, Wafer, Pastilla electrónica, Phosphore, Phosphorus, Fósforo, Pile acide, Acidic cell, Pila ácida, Procédé voie sèche, Dry process, Procedimiento vía seca, Production masse, Mass production, Producción en masa, Revêtement antiréfléchissant, Antireflection coating, Revestimiento antirreflexión, Résistivité couche, Sheet resistivity, Resistividad capa, Silicium, Silicon, Silicio, Structure surface, Surface structure, Estructura superficie, Taux conversion, Conversion rate, Factor conversión, Texturation, Texturación, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, SiNx, Multicrystalline silicon, Sheet resistance, and Solar cells

The reactive ion etching in combination with acidic etching (acidic+RIE) is applied to form the front surface texturing of 156 × 156 mm2 multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) wafers in order to improve the cell efficiency. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses indicate that the RIE process produces dense nanoscale ridge-like structures based on the acidic textured surfaces, and these structures generate an excellent antireflection effect. The matching processes including the post-cleaning, the phosphorus diffusion, and the deposition of silicon nitride (SiNx) antireflection coating are optimized. The acidic+RIE textured surfaces in combination with high sheet resistance emitters result in a remarkable enhancement in short wavelength response and then improve the short circuit current density (Jsc) significantly. The absolute conversion efficiency of acidic + RIE textured solar cells is improved 0.51% on average compared to the acidic textured solar cells in mass production, and a maximum full-area cell efficiency of 18.49% is achieved on the mc-Si solar cell with a conventional cell structure.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion photoélectrique, Photoelectric conversion, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Caractéristique électrique, Electrical characteristic, Característica eléctrica, Cellule couche mince, Thin film cell, Célula capa delgada, Cellule solaire, Solar cell, Célula solar, Codépôt, Codeposition, Codeposición, Composé quaternaire, Quaternary compound, Compuesto cuaternario, Couche mince, Thin film, Capa fina, Courant court circuit, Short circuit currents, Diffraction RX, X ray diffraction, Difracción RX, Dispersion énergie, Energy dispersion, Dispersión energía, Evaluation performance, Performance evaluation, Evaluación prestación, Facteur remplissage, Fill factor, Matériau absorbant, Absorbent material, Material absorbente, Microscopie électronique balayage, Scanning electron microscopy, Microscopía electrónica barrido, Passivation, Pasivación, Photoluminescence, Fotoluminiscencia, Propriété optique, Optical properties, Propiedad óptica, Propriété électrique, Electrical properties, Propiedad eléctrica, Soufre, Sulfur, Azufre, Spectrométrie RX, X ray spectrometry, Espectrometría RX, Spectrométrie dispersive, Dispersive spectrometry, Espectrometría dispersiva, Sulfuration, Sulfurization, Sulfurización, Séléniure d'indium, Indium selenides, Séléniure de cuivre, Copper selenides, Séléniure de gallium, Gallium selenides, Tension circuit ouvert, Open circuit voltage, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Cu(In,Ga)Se2, Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS), Ditertiarybutylsulfide, Liquid sulfur source, and Thin film solar cells

Surface sulfurization of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films was carried out using liquid ditertiarybutylsulfide [(t-C4H9)2S: DTBS] to improve the performances of CIGS-based solar cells. The initial CIGS thin films were prepared by using the conventional three-stage co-evaporation process. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy line scan, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence showed that the electrical and optical properties of the absorber layers were improved after sulfurization. The performances of the solar cells incorporating the CIGS films were remarkably improved when films sulfurized with DTBS were used. The efficiency of the solar cells fabricated with CIGS films increased significantly from 12.4% to 13.6% with an open-circuit voltage of 642 mV, short-circuit current density of 30.95 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 68.2%. The improved cell performances can be attributed to the formation of a very thin sulfide layer on the CIGS layer and/or surface passivation by S atoms.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Absorption photon, Photon absorption, Absorción fotón, Acide butyrique, Butyric acid, Butírico ácido, Cellule solaire organique, Organic solar cells, Compatibilité, Compatibility, Compatibilidad, Composé conjugué, Conjugated compound, Compuesto conjugado, Composé du fullerène, Fullerene compounds, Conversion énergie, Energy conversion, Conversión energética, Ester, Evaluation performance, Performance evaluation, Evaluación prestación, Exciton, Excitón, Hétérojonction, Heterojunction, Heterounión, Mobilité porteur charge, Charge carrier mobility, Movilidad portador carga, Modulation, Modulación, Mélange polymère, Polymer blends, Nanobâtonnet, Nanorod, Nanopalito, Nanocristal, Nanocrystal, Oxyde de zinc, Zinc oxide, Zinc óxido, Phénomène transport, Transport process, Fenómeno transporte, Polymère, Polymer, Polímero, Propriété interface, Interface properties, Propiedad interfase, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Propiedad superficie, Résistance série, Series resistance, Resistencia en serie, Shunt, Système hybride, Hybrid system, Sistema híbrido, Taux conversion, Conversion rate, Factor conversión, Thiophène dérivé polymère, Thiophene derivative polymer, Tiofeno derivado polímero, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Transport charge, Charge transport, Couche de transport d'électrons, Electron transport layer, Matériau nanostructuré, Nanostructured material, ZnO, Admittance spectroscopy, Inverted polymer solar cell, and Surface modification

Interface control is an important issue in polymer based solar cells because the influence of interface property on bulk heterojunction transport can govern the device performance. We systematically select a series of thioaromatic molecules to tune the surface characters of the metal-oxide array in inverted ZnO-nanorod/poly(3-hexythiophene):(6,6)-phenyl C6, butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM)/ Ag devices. In addition to physically improving the compatibility between ZnO-nanorod and polymer blend contact junction, those conjugated thioaromatic molecules slightly modulate the nanostructured donor and acceptor percolated networks as revealed by the measured carrier mobility values whereas the modulations of photon absorption efficiency and the exciton dissociation rate are negligible. The balanced charge transport architecture can be obtained by using longer and linearly arranged aromatic rings. Additionally, both series resistance and shunt resistance are also improved. As high as ~80% enhancement in power conversion efficiency of the device has been achieved. The result decouples the contribution of the exciton dissociation rate from the bulk heterojunction charge transport process to device performance in inverted polymer solar cells and can be generalized to hybrid polymer-nanocrystal systems as well.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion photoélectrique, Photoelectric conversion, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Equipements, installations et utilisations, Equipments, installations and applications, Angle contact, Contact angle, Angulo contacto, Cellule solaire organique, Organic solar cells, Couche active, Active layer, Capa activa, Cyclohexane, Ciclohexano, Densité élevée, High density, Densidad elevada, Dépôt sous vide, Vacuum deposition, Depósito bajo vacío, Dérivé du cyclohexane, Cyclohexane derivatives, Ciclohexano derivado, Eclairement, Illumination, Alumbrado, Fullerènes, Fullerenes, Matériau dopé, Doped materials, Microstructure, Microestructura, Molécule petite, Small molecule, Molécula pequeña, Montage série, Series connection, Montaje serie, Panneau solaire, Photovoltaic array, Panel solar, Passivation, Pasivación, Procédé fabrication, Manufacturing process, Procedimiento fabricación, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Propiedad superficie, Rentabilité, Profitability, Rentabilidad, Système photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic system, Sistema fotovoltaico, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, C70, Mask-free fabrication, Oblique deposition, Organic photovoltaic module, and Printing

We propose a cost-effective, mask-free fabrication process for high-density organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules based on oblique vacuum-deposition of small molecules over nozzle-jet printed microstructures. The contact angle of these microstructures is varied through surface modification, enabling them to function selectively either for separation or for passivation. An area utilization ratio as high as 95.6% with respect to a designated illumination area is demonstrated with the proposed method in series-connected OPV modules based on active layers of C70 doped with di-[4-(N,N-ditolyl-amino)-phenyl] cyclohexane (TAPC) molecules.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Chimie, Chemistry, Chimie generale et chimie physique, General and physical chemistry, Electrochimie, Electrochemistry, Electrodes: préparations et propriétés, Electrodes: preparations and properties, Autres électrodes, Other electrodes, Métal transition, Transition metal, Metal transición, Antioxydant, Antioxidant, Antioxidante, Carbone, Carbon, Carbono, Cathode, Cátodo, DMF, N,N-Dimethylformamide, Dimetilformamida, Débromation, Debromination, Desbromación, Dérivé de l'anthraquinone, Anthraquinone derivatives, Antraquinona derivado, Electrode stationnaire, Stationary electrode, Electrodo estacionario, Graphène, Graphene, Intercepteur radical, Radical scavenger, Interceptor radical, Matériau modifié, Modified material, Material modificado, Matériau électrode, Electrode material, Material electrodo, Or, Gold, Oro, Quinone, Quinona, Réaction radicalaire, Free radical reaction, Reacción radicalar, Réaction électrochimique, Electrochemical reaction, Reacción electroquímica, Réduction chimique, Chemical reduction, Reducción química, Solvant organique, Organic solvent, Solvente orgánico, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Ammonium(tétrabutyl) tétrafluoroborate, Anthraquinone(2-bromométhyl), Greffage électrochimique, Electrochemical grafting, 2-Bromomethylanthraquinone, Anthraquinone electrodes, Gold redox surfaces, and Graphene-gold interface

Gold (smooth or covered with a thin layer of graphene) is an efficient free-radical scavenger when used as cathode material. This first work points out the immobilization of anthraquinone (AQ) in organic polar solvents containing tetraalkylammonium salts. It appears that Au and graphene, when negatively polarized (E > — 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl), may react towards 2-bromomethylantraquinone (AQ―CH2―Br) in different ways: with Au, a fast adsorption followed by one-electron transfer leads to a robust radical modification of the interface, whereas the presence of graphene permits the formation of a benzyl-type radical readily trapped by the graphene layer. Two different redox stable electrodes are thus produced. Additionally, stability of gold―graphene―AQ electrodes could be successfully tested in aqueous buffered solutions.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion photoélectrique, Photoelectric conversion, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Basse température, Low temperature, Baja temperatura, Cellule solaire, Solar cell, Célula solar, Densité charge, Charge density, Densidad carga, Densité courant, Current density, Densidad corriente, Densité défaut, Defect density, Densidad defecto, Dépôt chimique phase vapeur, Chemical vapor deposition, Depósito químico fase vapor, Dépôt plasma, Plasma deposition, Depósito plasma, Empilement, Stacking, Apilamiento, Evaluation performance, Performance evaluation, Evaluación prestación, Matériau cristallin, Crystalline material, Material cristalino, Matériau dopé, Doped materials, Mesure sans contact, Non contact measurement, Medida sin contacto, Mesure tension électrique, Voltage measurement, Méthode PECVD, PECVD, Nitrure de silicium, Silicon nitride, Silicio nitruro, Optimisation, Optimization, Optimización, Oxyde de silicium, Silicon oxides, Passivation, Pasivación, Recombinaison porteur charge, Charge carrier recombination, Recombinación portador carga, Recombinaison superficielle, Surface recombination, Recombinación superficial, Saturation, Saturación, Semiconducteur type n, n type semiconductor, Semiconductor tipo n, Silicium, Silicon, Silicio, Simulation système, System simulation, Simulación sistema, Technologie planaire, Planar technology, Tecnología planar, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, SiO2, SiOx, Boron doped p+ emitters, Crystalline silicon, Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, Silicon oxide/Silicon nitride dielectric stacks, and Surface passivation

The passivation of p+ Si surfaces is challenging due to the fact that most passivation films have an intrinsically high positive fixed charge. In this work we show experimentally that low-temperature plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited SiOx/SiNy stacks with a low positive fixed charge density (+1011 cm-2) and very low interface defect density (~3 x 1010 eV-1 cm-2) as measured by contactless corona-voltage measurements can effectively passivate p+ surfaces resulting in emitter saturation current density (Joe) values of 25 and 45 fA/cm2 on planar and textured 75 Ω/sq p+ silicon after industrial firing with a set-temperature of ~800 °C, respectively. Based on contactless corona-voltage measurements and advanced device simulations, we explain the mechanism of surface passivation by PECVD SiOx/SiNy dielectric stack to be completely dominated by chemical passivation rather than field-effect passivation. Furthermore, from advanced device simulations we illustrate the role of fixed charge in surface passivation and in the extraction of fundamental surface recombination velocity parameter for p+ silicon surfaces. The fundamental surface recombination velocity parameter for electrons is determined to be about 400 cm/s at these c-Si/SiOx interfaces. With excellent optical and passivation properties, SiOx/SiNy dielectric stacks are suitable for high-efficiency and cost-effective industrial n-type silicon wafer solar cells.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion photoélectrique, Photoelectric conversion, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Cellule solaire, Solar cell, Célula solar, Conversion énergie, Energy conversion, Conversión energética, Courant photoélectrique, Photoelectric current, Corriente fotoeléctrica, Epaisseur couche, Layer thickness, Espesor capa, Evaluation performance, Performance evaluation, Evaluación prestación, Indice réfraction, Refraction index, Indice refracción, Oxyde de tantale, Tantalum oxide, Tantalio óxido, Point quantique, Quantum dot, Punto cuántico, Procédé sol gel, Sol gel process, Procedimiento sol gel, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Propiedad superficie, Rendement quantique, Quantum yield, Rendimiento quántico, Revêtement antiréfléchissant, Antireflection coating, Revestimiento antirreflexión, Tantale, Tantalum, Tantalio, Taux conversion, Conversion rate, Factor conversión, Tension circuit ouvert, Open circuit voltage, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Ta2O5, Efficiency enhancement, InAs quantum dot solar cells, Surface modification, and Ta2O5 sol―gel

The power conversion efficiency enhancement of InAs quantum dots solar cell is investigated by using sol―gel grown tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) single layer antireflection coatings. A sol―gel synthesis method is developed to grow Ta2O5 films with a refractive index of 1.9. A power conversion efficiency enhancement of 41% is obtained by using a single Ta2O5 layer, while the enhancement in the external quantum efficiency is nearly 60%. The substantial improvement in the device performance is attributed to the increase in the generated photocurrent without degrading the open circuit voltage. The enhancement in the device performance is due to the significant reduction in the reflection of the incident photons. Furthermore, the enhancement is found to depend on the Ta2O5 film thickness.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Chimie, Chemistry, Chimie generale et chimie physique, General and physical chemistry, Electrochimie, Electrochemistry, Electrodes: préparations et propriétés, Electrodes: preparations and properties, Autres électrodes, Other electrodes, Alkylation, Alquilación, Article synthèse, Review, Artículo síntesis, Carbone, Carbon, Carbono, Carboxylation, Carboxilación, Etat vitreux, Glassy state, Estado vitreo, Fonctionnalisation, Functionalization, Funciónalización, Matériau électrode, Electrode material, Material electrodo, Mécanisme SN2, SN2 mechanism, Mecanismo SN2, Mécanisme réaction, Reaction mechanism, Mecanismo reacción, Nucléophile, Nucleophile, Nucleófilo, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Glassy carbon, Poly-nucleophile, and Surface modification via SN2

During the last decade, various carbon modifications were achieved via radical addition of substituted aryl radicals produced at the surface by chemical or/and electrochemical reduction of corresponding aryldiazonium salts. Very recently, surface reactivity of carbons toward electrophilic halo-derivatives with long alkyl chains had been developed. Surface nucleophilicity of carbons was induced by their specific cathodic charge (at E < — 1.7 V in nonaqueous electrolytes) affecting the nano-crystallites (mainly graphite) contained in glassy carbons due to the mode of its manufacturing (high temperature carbonization of phenolic resins). This new paradigm of surface decoration was successfully applied using alkyl halides, carbon dioxide, dioxygen, sulfonyl chlorides etc. and proved efficient with allotropic varieties of carbon (in particular graphites and graphene).

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Energie, Energy, Energie naturelle, Natural energy, Energie solaire, Solar energy, Conversion photovoltaïque, Photovoltaic conversion, Cellules solaires. Cellules photoélectrochimiques, Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells, Addition aluminium, Aluminium addition, Adicion aluminio, Adhérence, Adhesion, Adherencia, Cellule solaire organique, Organic solar cells, Conversion énergie, Energy conversion, Conversión energética, Couche active, Active layer, Capa activa, Couche mince, Thin film, Capa fina, Dépôt centrifugation, Spin-on coating, Evaluation performance, Performance evaluation, Evaluación prestación, Facteur accroissement, Enhancement factor, Factor incremento, Facteur remplissage, Fill factor, Mouillabilité, Wettability, Remojabilidad, Oxyde de zinc, Zinc oxide, Zinc óxido, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Propiedad superficie, Pyrrolidone(vinyl) polymère, Pyrrolidone(vinyl) polymer, Pirrolidona(vinil) polímero, Solubilité, Solubility, Solubilidad, Taux conversion, Conversion rate, Factor conversión, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Travail sortie, Work function, Función de trabajo, Couche de transport d'électrons, Electron transport layer, ZnO, Al-doped ZnO, Inverted polymer solar cells, PVP, and Surface modification

A polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) thin film (9 nm) prepared on the top of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) electron transport layer by spin-coating, was developed as an interface modifier in inverted polymer solar cells (IPSCs). The PVP with excellent alcohol solubility provided a strong adhesion and wettability, leading to an improved interface quality between the AZO and active layer. Combined with a reduced work function of the AZO layer, the resulting devices showed a significant increase in power conversion efficiency from 2.86% to 4.08%, benefiting from the dramatic enhancement in fill factor (35%). Due to the ease of use and remarkable boost in efficiency, our results indicated that PVP was a promising candidate for surface modification material in IPSCs.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Crystallography, Cristallographie cristallogenèse, Nanotechnologies, nanostructures, nanoobjects, Nanotechnologies, nanostructures, nanoobjets, Condensed state physics, Physique de l'état condensé, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Physique, Physics, Etat condense: structure, proprietes mecaniques et thermiques, Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties, Surfaces et interfaces; couches minces et trichites (structure et propriétés non électroniques), Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties), Structures de basse dimensionnalité (superréseaux, puits quantiques, multicouches): structure et propriétés non électroniques, Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties, Domaines interdisciplinaires: science des materiaux; rheologie, Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology, Science des matériaux, Materials science, Méthodes de nanofabrication, Methods of nanofabrication, Formation de nanomotifs, Nanoscale pattern formation, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electronique, Electronics, Electronique des semiconducteurs. Microélectronique. Optoélectronique. Dispositifs à l'état solide, Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices, Electronique moléculaire, nanoélectronique, Molecular electronics, nanoelectronics, Charge superficielle, Surface charge, Carga superficial, Confinement, Confinamiento, Courant ionique, Ionic current, Corriente iónica, Densité charge, Charge density, Densidad carga, Diode, Diodo, Dispositif nanofluidique, Nanofluidic device, Dispositivo nanofluidic, Dépendance du temps, Time dependence, Dependencia del tiempo, Dépôt phase vapeur, Vapor deposition, Depósito fase vapor, Effet pH, pH effect, Efecto pH, Force ionique, Ionic strength, Fuerza iónica, Formation motif, Patterning, Formacíon motivo, Macromolécule, Macromolecule, Macromolécula, Marqueur biologique, Biological marker, Marcador biológico, Nanopore, Nanoporo, Nanoporosité, Nanoporosity, Nanoporosidad, Protéine, Protein, Proteína, Réseau (arrangement), Array, Red, Réseau diode, Diode array, Red diodo, Silicium, Silicon, Silicio, Simulation numérique, Numerical simulation, Simulación numérica, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Transistor nanofluidique, Nanofluidic transistor, Transistor nanofluídico, Verre, Glass, Vidrio, pH, and 8116R

We demonstrate here for the first time the utility of an integrated nanofluidic diode for detecting and quantifying physiologically relevant macromolecules. Troponin T, a key human cardiac protein biomarker, was selectively and rapidly detected free of labels for concentrations down to 10 fg/mL (~0.3 M) in buffer as well as 10 pg/mL (~300 fM) in untreated human serum. This ultrasensitive detection arises from monolithic integration of a unique nanofluidic diode structure that is highly robust and amenable to site-specific surface modification. The structure features a planar nanoslit array where each nanoslit is defined at a nominal width of 70 nm over a micrometer-scale silicon trench without the use of high-resolution patterning techniques. Through vapor deposition, a glass layer is placed at a nonuniform thickness, tapering the trench profile upward and contributing to the triangular nanoslit structure. This asymmetric profile is essential for ionic current rectification noted here at various pH values, ionic strengths, and captured target species, which modulate the surface-charge density within the sensitive region of the nanoslit The nanoslit, unlike nanopores, offers only 1D confinement, which appears to be adequate for reasonable rectification. The measurements are found in quantitative agreement with the diode simulations for the first time based on a pH- and salt-dependent surface-charge model.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Matériel électrique divers, Various equipment and components, Condensateurs. Résistances. Filtres, Capacitors. Resistors. Filters, Acide sulfurique, Sulfuric acid, Sulfúrico ácido, Capacité électrique, Capacitance, Capacitancia, Chimie surface, Surface chemistry, Condensateur électrochimique, Electrolytic capacitor, Condensador electroquímico, Délaminage, Delamination, Delaminación, Insertion, Inserción, Matériau modifié, Modified material, Material modificado, Rayon X, X ray, Rayos X, Solution acide, Acidic solution, Solución ácida, Solution électrolyte, Electrolyte solution, Solución electrólito, Spectrométrie photoélectron, Photoelectron spectrometry, Espectrometría fotoelectrón, Structure 2 dimensions, Two dimensional structure, Estructura 2 dimensiones, Titane Carbure, Titanium Carbides, Titanio Carburo, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Electrochemical capacitors, Two-dimensional materials, and XPS

The electrochemical behavior of Ti3C2, a two-dimensional titanium carbide from the MXene family, in H2SO4 electrolyte is reported. To demonstrate the effect of surface chemistry on capacitive performance, Ti3C2 was modified by delamination or intercalation treatments. Electrochemical testing revealed an increase in capacitance, which was attributed to oxygen-containing functional groups. An extraordinary high intercalation capacitance of 415 F·cm―3 at 5 A·g―1 was obtained from electrodes with a specific surface area of just 98 m2·gv―1. Values up to 520 F·cm―3 were recorded for delaminated MXene films at 2 mV·s―1. This study highlights that the behavior of materials from the large family of two-dimensional MXene can be tuned by suitable modification of their surface chemistry.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Energy, Énergie, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Conversion directe et accumulation d'énergie, Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation, Conversion électrochimique: piles et accumulateurs électrochimiques, piles à combustibles, Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells, Accumulateur électrochimique, Secondary cell, Acumulador electroquímico, Caractérisation, Characterization, Caracterización, Caractéristique électrique, Electrical characteristic, Característica eléctrica, Cathode, Cátodo, Cycle charge décharge, Discharge charge cycle, Ciclo carga descarga, Diffraction RX, X ray diffraction, Difracción RX, Lithium Oxyde, Lithium Oxides, Litio Óxido, Manganèse Oxyde, Manganese Oxides, Manganeso Óxido, Matériau électrode, Electrode material, Material electrodo, Microscopie électronique transmission, Transmission electron microscopy, Microscopía electrónica transmisión, Morphologie, Morphology, Morfología, Pentaoxyde de phosphore, Phosphorus oxide, Fósforo pentaóxido, Phosphore Oxyde, Phosphorus Oxides, Fósforo Óxido, Rayon X, X ray, Rayos X, Rendement courant, Current efficiency, Rendimiento corriente, Réaction gaz solide, Gas solid reaction, Reacción gas sólido, Spectrométrie IR, Infrared spectrometry, Espectrometría IR, Spectrométrie photoélectron, Photoelectron spectrometry, Espectrometría fotoelectrón, Structure lamellaire, Lamellar structure, Estructura lamelar, Structure surface, Surface structure, Estructura superficie, Traitement surface, Surface treatment, Tratamiento superficie, Traitement thermique, Heat treatment, Tratamiento térmico, Transformation Fourier, Fourier transformation, Transformación Fourier, Batterie lithium ion, Lithium ion batteries, FT IR, Cathode materials, Li-rich layered oxides, Lithium-ion batteries, P2O5 heat-treatment, and Surface modification

Rate capability and charge/discharge coulombic efficiency of Li-rich layered oxides was greatly improved by surface modification with P2O5 through a gas-solid reaction. The P2O5 treatment results in forming a uniform nanoscale coating layer of ionically conductive Li3PO4 and spinel-like material on Li-rich layered oxide particles. The resulting material delivers a charge/discharge coulombic efficiency of 90% compared with 81% of the pristine sample during the first cycle. The treated electrode also exhibits improved rate capability with a reversible capacity of 148 mAh g-1 at 4 C-rate vs. 269 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C-rate between 2.0 and 4.8 V.