In order to minimize the environmental pollution and realize large-scale production, green chemicals are very necessary. In this work, we report the impact of ethyl acetate (EA) antisolvent treatment ...on the performance of fully air-fabricated planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The proposed spin-coating approach with the antisolvent treatment was compared with the sequential spin-coating deposition process. Our findings demonstrated that the antisolvent treatment with green EA enhances the optoelectronic features and morphology of the fabricated methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI
3
) film. Also, the charge transfer is enhanced, and hence, the interfacial recombination is significantly suppressed, resulting in boosted power conversion efficiency of 17.75% for the best PSC with enhanced thermal and ambient stability.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) are the most promising photovoltaic (PV) due to their low material and manufacturing cost and superior long-term stability. This work compares the ...performance between gold (Au) and multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) electrodes for hole transport material (HTM)-free PSCs. Based on the obtained results, C-PSCs showed remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) and negligible hysteresis. Indeed, under optimized conditions, MWCNTs demonstrated superior performance as a counter electrode (CE) for HTM-free PSCs, leading to a PCE of 15.56%, which is comparable to the current state-of-the-art materials. Also, the presence of MWCNTs in the cell architecture enhances the collection and injection of holes at the perovskite/MWCNT interface and as a result, improves the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and current density because the recombination process is quenched. This improvement is confirmed by impedance spectroscopy (EIS), photoluminescence (PL), current/voltage (
J
-
V
), and EQE measurements. Moreover, MWCNTs could act as a protective layer and enhance the PSC stability. C-PSC was more stable than that of traditional PSC based on Au, which could maintain 80% of its primary PCE for long-periods of storage in moist conditions.
Carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) are the most promising photovoltaic (PV) due to their low material and manufacturing cost and superior long-term stability.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
This study investigated for the first time a simple bio-synthesis approach for the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using
Annona muricata L
(
A. muricata
) plant extract to ...test their anti-cancer effects. The presence of CuONPs was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Transmission electron microscope (TEM). The antiproliferative properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated against (AMJ-13), (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines, and the human breast epithelial cell line (HBL-100) as healthy cells. This study indicates that CuONPs reduced cell proliferation for AMJ-13 and MCF-7. HBL-100 cells were not significantly inhibited for several concentration levels or test periods. The outcomes suggest that the prepared copper oxide nanoparticles acted against the growth of specific cell lines observed in breast cancer. It was observed that cancer cells had minor colony creation after 24 h sustained CuONPs exposure using (IC
50
) concentration for AMJ-13 was (17.04 µg mL
−1
). While for MCF-7 cells was (18.92 µg mL
−1
). It indicates the uptake of CuONPs by cancer cells, triggering apoptosis. Moreover, treatment with CuONPs enhanced Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production, probably caused by cell membrane damage, creating leaks comprising cellular substances like lactate dehydrogenase. Hence, research results suggested that the synthesized CuONPs precipitated anti-proliferative effects by triggering cell death through apoptosis.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
This research uses the SCAPS-1D simulation program to methodically enhance and numerically analyze perovskite solar cells that utilize a gallium oxide (Ga2O3) hole-blocking layer. To corroborate our ...calculations, we initially compared the current density–voltage properties (J–V) obtained from our SCAPS model to experimental results. Remarkably, the curve exhibited almost excellent alignment, exhibiting the precision and reliability of our analytical approach. We simulated a typical (n-i-p) architecture and carefully investigated the performance of various parameters for the electron transport layer and perovskite. We optimized the thicknesses of the perovskite and Ga2O3, doping concentration of Ga2O3, perovskite defect density, interface-trapped defects, series resistance, and shunt resistance. Through calculation, we successfully developed an efficient perovskite photovoltaic with the structure of FTO/Ga2O3/MAPbI3/spiro-OMeTAD/Au, yielding a champion performance of 28.19%. This modeling is beneficial for understanding the operational principles of MAPbI3 photovoltaics. It also plays a crucial role in directing the fabrication of high-performance devices under laboratory conditions.
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Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are unique one-dimensional structures that have been widely used for enhancing optoelectronic devices because of their fascinating properties. In this work, the impact of ...multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) on photovoltaic (PV) performance of mesoporous-titanium dioxide (m-TiO2) based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is investigated. First, the incorporation of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (BMImI) within the lead iodide (PbI2) precursor caused suppressing PbI2 residue from perovskite (PVK) film as proved via X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The loading of MWCNT in the m-TiO2 electron transfer layer (ETL) led to the formation of PVK with bigger grains and higher crystallinity with improved light absorbance. The power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSC was remarkably boosted to 21.4% for the device containing 0.2% MWCNT versus 12.5% for the control device without any additives. MWCNT loaded in TiO2 provides a fast charge transfer within the ETL, resulting in an improving in the short circuit current (Jsc) value. This can be assigned to an enhanced band level alignment of the m-TiO2 after the incorporation of MWCNT. Moreover, it is found that the loading of MWCNT into m-TiO2 ETL decreases the hysteresis phenomenon and enhances the heat and humidity stability of the PSCs.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Zinc oxide-silver (ZnO-Ag), and zinc oxide-gold (ZnO-Au) nano-composites were prepared through wet chemical process and laced into single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to yield ZnO-Ag-SWCNTs, and ...ZnO-Au-SWCNTs hybrids. These nano-composite-laced SWCNTs hybrids were characterized using Raman spectroscopic, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The hybrids were evaluated for their effects on phagocytic cells and bactericidal activity against the gram-negative bacteria E. coli. Their phagocytic cell activities and intracellular killing actions were found to be significantly increased, as the ZnO-Ag-SWCNTs and ZnO-Au-SWCNTs nano-hybrids induced widespread clearance of Escherichia coli. An increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) also led to upregulated phagocytosis, which was determined mechanistically to involve the phagocyte NADPH oxidase (NOX2) pathway. The findings emphasized the roles of ZnO-Ag- and ZnO-Au-decorated SWCNTs in the prevention of bacterial infection by inhibiting biofilm formation, showing the potential to be utilized as catheter coatings in the clinic.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this work, visible light photocatalyst was prepared by loading of silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) onto carbon nanotubes (CNT). The structural, optical, and morphological ...properties of CNT, pure ZnO, ZnO/Ag, and ZnO/Ag/CNT nanohybrid were analyzed via spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The photocatalytic performance of ZnO/Ag/CNT ternary nanohybrid was measured against methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light illumination. ZnO/Ag/CNT catalyst displays stronger photocatalytic efficiency than ZnO/Ag and higher than pure ZnO under visible light illumination. The increasing in the photocatalytic performance of ternary nanohybrid is related to the synergistic influence between Ag-NPs and CNT, which promote the charge splitting process by generation of Schottky barrier at ZnO/Ag surface and acting of CNT as an electron acceptor. Based on the optical analysis and photocatalytic observation, a suitable mechanism for degradation of MB dye by ZnO/Ag/CNT under visible light illumination were determined. In addition, the reuse assay was demonstrated that the ZnO/Ag/CNT nanohybrid exhibits high photocatalytic stability. This study emphasizes the significance of ternary nanohybrid as greatly effective and stable visible light catalyst for the degradation of various dyes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Efficient photocatalyst of TiO2/Au/SWCNT ternary nanohybrid has been prepared by the sol-gel method.•The photocatalytic properties of TiO2/Au/SWCNT nanohybrid have been investigated .•Highest ...photocatalytic efficiency has been determined for TiO2/Au/SWCNT ternary nanohybrid against MB dye.
The present article reports a novel visible light-driven photocatalyst of TiO2/Au/SWCNT nanohybrid prepared by sol-gel approach and successfully assessed for the photocatalytic degradation of the organic methylene blue. TiO2/Au/SWCNT nanohybrid was obtained by doping titanium dioxide (TiO2) lattice with gold (Au) and supporting with modified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). All the synthesized samples showed anatase-structure TiO2 as evaluated by XRD. Morphological analysis based on FESEM, HRTEM and EDS revealed that the SWCNTs were successfully decorated with TiO2/Au nanoparticles. UV–vis absorption spectra exhibited increased absorption and higher photo response to the visible light range after being doped with Au and SWCNTs. Based on the results of photoluminescence (PL), the TiO2/Au/SWCNT nanohybrid exhibited lower recombination rate in comparison to the TiO2 and TiO2/Au nanohybrid, thus facilitated the charge generation. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized samples was determined by decomposing MB dye under solar-simulated light. The pristine TiO2 and TiO2/Au binary nanohybrid suffered from low photodegradation efficiency and severe recombination problems. By supporting the TiO2/Au with SWCNTs scaffold, the photocatalytic efficiency of the TiO2/Au nanohybrid can be increased significantly. The improved photocatalytic performance of TiO2/Au/SWCNT can be associated to its high surface area, the excellent visible-light photosensitivity and the incorporation of Au and SWCNTs, which enhances the charge-carriers separation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In recent times, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been of wide interest in solar energy research, which has ushered in a new era for photovoltaic power sources through the incredible enhancement in ...their power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, several serious challenges still face their high efficiency: upscaling and commercialization of the fabricated devices, including long-term stability as well as the humid environment conditions of the functional cells. To overcome these obstacles, stable graphene (G) materials with tunable electronic features have been used to assist the crystallization as well as the charge extraction inside the device configuration. Nonetheless, the hole transport layer (HTL)-free PSCs based on graphene materials exhibit unpredictable results, including a high efficiency and long-term stability even in the conditions of an ambient air atmosphere. Herein, we combine graphene materials into a mesoporous TiO
2
electron transfer layer (ETL) to improve the coverage and crystallinity of the perovskite material and minimize charge recombination to augment both the stability and efficiency of the fabricated mixed cation PSCs in ambient air, even in the absence of a HTL. Our results demonstrate that an optimized PSC in the presence of different percentages of graphene materials displays a PCE of up to 17% in the case of a G:TiO
2
ETL doped with 1.5% graphene. With this coverage and crystallinity amendment approach, we show hysteresis-free and stable PSCs, with less decomposition after ∼3000 h of storage under a moist ambient atmosphere. This work focuses on the originalities of the materials, expenses, and the assembling of stable and effective perovskite solar cells.
In recent times, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been of wide interest in solar energy research, which has ushered in a new era for photovoltaic power sources through the incredible enhancement in their power conversion efficiency (PCE).
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