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In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), materials classified as Transparent Conducting Oxides (TCOs) have the capacity to conduct electricity and transmit light at the same time. Their exceptional blend of optical transparency and electrical conductivity makes them popular choices for transparent electrodes in DSSCs. Fluorine Tin Oxide (FTO) was utilized in this experiment. The optical and electrical characteristics of TCOs may be negatively impacted by their frequent exposure to hostile environments and potential for deterioration. TCOs are coated with passivating layers to increase their performance, stability, and defense against environmental elements including oxygen, moisture, and chemical pollutants. Because of its superior dielectric qualities, strong chemical stability, and suitability with TCO materials, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) was utilized as a passivating layer for the FTO. In this research work, Al2O3 was deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form thin mesoporous layers as a passivator in the photoanode (working electrode). The work focuses on finding an appropriate thickness of Al2O3 for optimum performance of the dye-sensitized solar cells. The solar simulation and sheet resistance analysis clearly showed 200 cycles of Al2O3 to exhibit an efficiency of 4.31%, which was the most efficient performance. The surface morphology and topography of all samples were discussed and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium and its alloys are attractive temporary implants due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Moreover, Mg has good mechanical and osteoinductive properties. But magnesium and Mg alloys have one significant disadvantage: poor corrosion resistance in a physiological environment. Hence, a deposition of various layers on the surface of Mg alloys seems to be a good idea. The purpose of the article is to analyze the structure and morphology of two MgCa2Zn1 and MgCa2Zn1Gd3 alloys coated by SnO2 ALD (atomic layer deposition) films of various thickness. The studies were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and an X-ray diffractometer. The corrosion activity of the thin films and substrate alloys in a chloride-rich Ringer's solution at 37 °C was also observed. The corrosion tests that include electrochemical, immersion measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were evaluated. The results indicated that SnO2 had a heterogeneous crystal structure. The surfaces of the thin films were rough with visible pores. The corrosion resistance of SnO2 measured in all corrosion tests was higher for the thicker films. The observations of corrosion products after immersion tests indicated that they were lamellar-shaped and mainly contained Mg, O, Ca, and Cl in a lower concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The important research direction in surface engineering and photovoltaics is the development of new materials that can replace the previously used expensive films. A prospective compound is zinc oxide (ZnO), characterized by optical and electrical properties similar to ITO and a lower production cost. One of the key factors influencing the properties of the ZnO thin films is the technique and parameters of their production. The comprehensive investigation results of the influence of ZnO thin-films deposition process temperature on their structure, optical properties, and adhesion are presented in the paper. ZnO films were deposited by the magnetron sputtering method. The structural characteristics of the tested films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy, while the optical properties of the films were studied by the UV/VIS spectroscopy. Thickness and adhesion measurements of the obtained films were performed using the spectroscopic ellipsometry technique and the scratch test, respectively. The obtained research results showed the influence of the deposition process temperature on the morphology, crystallite size and adhesion of the thin films to the substrate. The effect of process temperature on optical properties, the value of the optical bandgap and crystal structures were analyzed and described. The results of this work have a meaning for the development of surface engineering and may serve as a clue in future studies in the field of modern photovoltaic structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes biomaterials and surgical instruments, in particular surgical cutting tools. In addition, the functions of coatings and the layer vapor deposition methods are described. In the experimental component of the study, zinc oxide thin film was deposited on the surgical knife blades by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method with a varying number of cycles. The structures of the deposited thin films were investigated using a Raman spectrometer and the surface topography of the samples was examined using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The adhesion of the thin films was tested using the micro-scratch method. The corrosion resistance was also tested. Surgical instruments coated with non-allergenic metal oxide coatings, containing metal structures that reduce the growth of bacteria, could significantly decrease the risk of undesirable reactions of the body during and after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important research directions in the field of photovoltaics is integration with construction. The integration of solar cell systems with a building can reduce installation costs and help optimize the used space. Among the few literature reports on photovoltaic roof tiles, solutions with silicon and thin film solar cells dominate. An interesting solution may be the application of dye-sensitized solar cells. In addition to their interesting properties, they also have aesthetic value. In the classic arrangement, they are constructed using glass with a transparent conductive layer (TCL). This article describes replacing a classic glass counter electrode with an electrode based on a ceramic tile and nickel foil. First, a continuous and homogeneous fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) thin film was developed so that the above-mentioned substrate could be applied. The atomization method was used for this purpose. Then, nanocolloidal platinum paste was deposited as a catalytic material using the screen printing method. The electrical parameters of the manufactured DSSCs with and without a counter electrode tile were characterized by measuring their current–voltage characteristics under standard AM 1.5 radiation. A dye-sensitized solar cell integrated with ceramic tiles and nickel foil was produced and displayed an efficiency of over 4%. This solution makes it possible to expand their construction applications. The advantage of this solution is full integration with construction, while simultaneously generating electricity. A dye-sensitized solar cell was built layer-by-layer on a ceramic tile and nickel foil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium alloys have been investigated as temporary biomaterials for orthopedic applications. Despite their high osseointegration and mechanical (bone-like) properties, Mg alloys quickly degrade in simulated physiological media. Surface coatings can be deposited onto Mg alloys to slow the corrosion rate of these biomaterials in chloride-rich environments. TiO2 films show high potential for improving the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys. This article presents the structural observations and corrosion behavior of TiO2 thin films deposited onto a MgCa2Zn1Gd3 alloy using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Surface morphologies were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman analysis of the deposited TiO2 films was also carried out. The corrosion behavior of the uncoated alloy and the alloy coated with TiO2 was measured in Ringer's solution at 37 °C using electrochemical and immersion tests. The microscopic observations of the TiO2 thin films with a thickness of about 52.5 and 70 nm showed that the surface morphology was homogeneous without visible defects on the TiO2 surface. The electrochemical and immersion test results showed that the thin films decreased the corrosion rate of the studied Mg-based alloy, and the corrosion resistance was higher in the thicker TiO2 film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the carried out tests was to analyze the influence of the surface modification of a substrate by depositing composite ZnO layers by the Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method. The samples were subjected to preliminary surface modification consisting of being sandblasted and electropolished. A ZnO layer was applied to the prepared substrates by the ALD method. As a precursor of ZnO, diethylzinc (DEZ) was used, which reacted with water, enabling the deposition of the thin films. The chamber temperature was as follows: T = 100–300 °C. The number of cycles was 500 and 1500. As part of the assessment of the physicochemical properties of the resulting surface layers, the tests of chemical composition of the layer, pitting corrosion, impedance corrosion, adhesion to the metal substrate, morphology surface, and wettability were carried out. On the basis of the obtained research, it was found that a composite ZnO layer deposited onto a substrate previously subjected to the electrochemical polishing process has more favorable physicochemical properties. Moreover, an influence of temperature and the number of cycles of the deposition process on the obtained properties was observed, where the ZnO layer was characterized by more favorable properties at a temperature of 200–300 °C at 1500 cycles of the deposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]