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Semi-embedded periodic Ag grids were combined with FTO/glass substrates based on laser direct writing to prepare transparent electrodes (TEs). The laser etching parameters (scanning velocity and energy density), grid shape, and unit-grid circumcircle radius were systematically optimized. The optimal scanning velocity and energy density for obtaining ideal laser-etched grooves were determined to be 10 mm/s and 1.6 J/cm2, respectively. The hexagonal Ag grid/FTO TE using the 1.00-mm unit-grid circumcircle radius prepared from the optimal laser etching parameters showed significantly decreased sheet resistance and slightly lowered light transmittance as compared to the FTO/glass substrate. This TE was employed for fabricating a transparent heater (TH), which could reach a steady-state temperature of 137.7 °C within 60 s at a voltage of 4.0 V and maintain good heating and cycling stability in 10 continuous switch heating/cooling cycles under different voltages (0.8–4.0 V). The application prospect of the TH was demonstrated by a de-icing experiment. Introducing semi-embedded periodic Ag grids with a suitable grid shape and unit-grid circumcircle radius can contribute to a great improvement in electrical conductivity of the substrate and, thus, its comprehensive performance, providing a great inspiration for optimized preparation of high-performance TEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the design of the Cu/Ag bimetallic layer, Cu/Ag/AZO multilayer films were firstly prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of Ag and Cu layers successively on AZO/glass substrates. The influences of Cu/Ag layer thickness ratio, deposition sequence, and annealing temperature on optical and electrical properties of the resulting films were investigated. The results revealed that the average transmittance and sheet resistance of the Cu/Ag/AZO multilayer films were decreased with decreasing Cu/Ag layer thickness ratio, and were unaffected by the Cu/Ag layer deposition sequence. Among these films, the Cu4/Ag2/AZO multilayer film with a 4 nm-thick Cu layer and a 2 nm-thick Ag layer possessed the highest figure of merit of 1.92 × 10−2 Ω−1. The optimal annealing temperature for this film was determined to be 400 °C, and the as-obtained film achieved a higher figure of merit of 3.22 × 10−2 Ω−1. Finally, an AZO/Cu4/Ag2/AZO multilayer film was prepared by sputtering a 150 nm-thick AZO layer and annealing under 400 °C, and exhibited the best comprehensive property with the highest figure of merit of 4.05 × 10−2 Ω−1. This work may have a certain inspiration and reference significance with regard to the preparation of transparent conductive thin films with high comprehensive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver (Ag) grid transparent conducting films (TCFs) were firstly fabricated by selective laser ablation of Ag thin films prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering under the conventional scanning method (i.e., line-typed cyclic scanning, LTCS). The effects of grid parameters (i.e., Ag grid height, pitch, and line-width) on TCF morphology, optical transmittance, electrical conductivity, and comprehensive performance were studied. The optimal Ag grid height, pitch, and line-width were determined to be 800 nm, 1.0 mm, and 90 μm, respectively, and the resulting TCF showed a figure of merit of 11.38 × 10–2 Ω–1. Subsequently, two new scanning methods, i.e., frame-typed serial scanning (FTSS) and frame-line combined scanning (FLCS), were adopted to further optimize the fabrication process, and thus the TCF comprehensive performance. The results showed that as compared to the LTCS method, the FTSS and FLCS methods could effectively eliminate semicircular-shaped Ag grid line edges, and thus obtain relatively smooth and flat ones without obvious Ag material residues. The Ag grid TCF fabricated by using the FLCS method had the highest figure of merit of 13.02 × 10–2 Ω–1, indicating a further improvement in comprehensive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparation and property optimization of silver (Ag)-embedded fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) films were achieved based on laser etching, sputtering Ag layers, furnace annealing, sputtering aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) layers and laser annealing. Specifically, a nanosecond pulsed laser (λ = 532 nm) was used to etch grooves on FTO films before sputtering 5-nm-thick Ag layers, with an aim for enabling the Ag nanoparticles from the furnace-annealed Ag layers to be intensively embedded in the grooves under the thermal-induced dewetting effect. The optimal laser fluence for laser etching and temperature for furnace annealing were found to be 0.4 J/cm2 and 300 °C, respectively. The as-obtained Ag-embedded FTO film exhibited significantly improved optical and electrical properties, being attributed mainly to the decreased coverage area of the Ag nanoparticles on the FTO film surface and the furnace annealing effect. The subsequently sputtered 10-nm-thick AZO layer suppressed the internal light reflection from the Ag nanoparticles, and laser annealing further facilitated grain growth in the film. Therefore, the resulting film had the best comprehensive property with the highest figure of merit of 20.94 × 10–3 Ω–1, which was much higher than that of the original FTO film (7.65 × 10–3 Ω–1). This work may provide a new combined processing method for high-performance transparent conductive films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver (Ag) films were deposited on glass substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and then ablated by a 532 nm nanosecond pulsed laser. The effects of laser fluence and defocusing amount on the width and depth of laser-ablated grooves on 100- and 600-nm-thick Ag films were systematically investigated under single- and multi-scan ablation. The results suggested that the Ag films could be successfully removed from the substrate owing to laser-induced thermoelastic force or vaporization. It was confirmed that laser fluence and defocusing amount played very important roles in controlling the width and depth of the laser-ablated grooves. In the present work, grooves with widths ranging from 53 to 196 μm and depths ranging from 56 to 196 nm were obtained on 100-nm-thick Ag films by single-scan laser ablation, and laser ablation or removal with controllable depths was realized on 600-nm-thick Ag films by adopting single- or multi-scan (i.e., scanning numbers of 1–6). Furthermore, square spiral Ag patterns were successfully obtained by single- and multi-scan laser ablation and showed good electrical conductivity in a simple circuit. This work may have great potential applications in various fields that demand width and depth control of laser ablation/removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungstate based phosphors have efficient absorption in the UV region and can be used for UV-pumped light emitting. For novel and effective materials and synthesis methods in this system, a series of Eu3+ and Tb3+ co-doped NaY(WO4)2 phosphors have been synthesized via the molten salt method. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns, scanning electronic microscope (SEM), and photoluminescent spectra have been characterized for the prepared samples. The results show the flux (NaCl) not only decreases the reaction temperature (700–900 °C) than the normal solid state synthesis (∼1000 °C), but also controls the morphology of the products. The shape and size of products can be changed simply and effectively by the reaction conditions, such as temperature and heating time. It is also found that the emission colors of the samples can be tuned from red to green by simply adjusting the doping concentrations of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions under the same wave length excitation, which has potential applications for multi-color display and illumination as a single-component phosphor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we reported a direct fabrication of Al-doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanosheets on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-based substrates using thermal annealing method. Specifically, silver (Ag) and AZO layers were successively deposited on commercial FTO/glass by direct current magnetron sputtering, and then the as-deposited AZO/Ag/FTO films were thermally annealed in a tube furnace to prepare AZO nanosheets. The effects of annealing temperature on the AZO nanosheet morphology and the performance of AZO/Ag/FTO films were investigated by an X-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope, an energy dispersive spectrometer, optical transmittance spectra, reflectance spectra and a digital four-point probe instrument. It was found that a suitable temperature resulted in the formation of AZO nanosheets, which could effectively decrease the reflectance and thus improve the transmittance of the films. Smaller densely-distributed AZO nanosheets were observed on the film annealed at 450 °C, enabling it to have the highest average transmittance of 81.0% and the lowest reflectance of 6.3% in the waveband of 400-800 nm. The results also showed that the film annealed at 450 °C had the highest figure of merit of 2.59 × 10 Ω, which was more than four times that of the as-deposited film (0.57 × 10 Ω). This work demonstrates the availability of preparing AZO nanosheets by thermal annealing and provides a reference for improving overall photoelectric property of transparent conducting oxide films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transvenous embolization is the treatment of choice for cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (csDAVFs) despite occasional difficulty in transvenous catheterization. We reported our experience in the treatment of csDAVFs by transarterial Onyx embolization in patients who had failed transvenous catheterization. We reviewed the clinical and radiographic records of csDAVFs patients receiving transarterial Onyx embolization after failed transvenous Onyx embolization at our institution over a period of 31 months. Success was defined as complete or near complete occlusion upon angiographic examination. In seven cases, the microcatheter failed to reach the cavernous sinus; in the remaining case, the internal jugular vein was occlusive. Eight sessions of the embolization and catheterization procedures via the arterial routes were conducted. Among them, five cases via the middle meningeal artery and the other three via the accessory meningeal artery. Angiography, immediately after embolization, revealed complete occlusion in seven cases (87.5 %) and partial occlusion in the remaining case. Angiographic follow-up (range, 6-10 months) showed that all patients achieved complete embolization. In cases where transvenous embolization of the cavernous sinus is difficult, transarterial embolization of the fistulas offers a safe and effective alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]