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Metal-halide perovskites have revolutionised photovoltaics in a short space of time due to their large power-conversion efficiencies and flexibility in device processing. However, questions loom over the deployment of these materials in photovoltaic modules including those of long-term stability and reproducibility in performance. In this review we provide an update to this rapidly developing field.

Four different polymorphs of nanostructured iron oxyhydroxides, namely; goethite (α-FeOOH), akaganeite (β-FeOOH), lepidocrocite (ɣ-FeOOH), and feroxyhyte (δ-FeOOH) were synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, UV-Visible spectrophotometry, BET measurements and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The relationship between these iron oxyhydroxide polymorphs and their photocatalytic properties was explored by examining the extent of methylene blue (MB) degradation by each polymorph under visible light irradiation. Feroxyhyte exhibited the best photocatalytic properties and degraded 85% of the MB dye in five hours. In comparison, goethite, akaganeite and lepidocrocite degraded only 40%, 35% and 30% of the MB in five hours, respectively. In order to understand this trend, the surface area, particle size and shape, and electronic band properties were systematically studied and discussed. It was found that the rate of MB degradation relates mainly to the surface area of the FeOOH polymorphs more than any other factor. This is the first report of a comparative study of the physical, electronic and photocatalytic properties of all four polymorphs of nanostructured iron oxyhydroxides.

The green synthetic route for the synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles has received special attention recently due to its features, such as low cost and environmental friendliness. The (Z)-2-(pyrrolidin-2-ylidene)thiourea was used as a ligand and allowed to react with zinc acetate to form the ZnS nanoparticles through the homogeneous precipitation method. The polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol were employed as capping agents, whereas the ammonium solution was used as an activator for the stabilizers. The effects of the concentration of the capping agents on ZnS nanoparticles were investigated. The poly ethylene glycol (PEG)- or (polyvinylpyrollidone) PVP-capped zinc sulfide nanoparticles were then incorporated with polydadmac to form the polymer nanocomposites. The results from various sophisticated instruments, such as spectrophotometer (UV-Vis), photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), reveal that the concentrations of capping agents and ammonium solution has great effects on nanomaterials.

More than 10% of fathers experience depression and anxiety during the perinatal period, but paternal perinatal depression (PPND) and anxiety have received less attention than maternal perinatal mental health problems. Few mainstream treatment options are available for men with PPND and anxiety. The aim of this literature review was to summarize the current understanding of PPND and the treatment programs specifically designed for fathers with perinatal depression. Eight electronic databases were searched using a predefined strategy, and reference lists were also hand searched. PPND and anxiety were identified to have a negative impact on family relationships, as well as the health of mothers and children. Evidence suggests a lack of support and tailored treatment options for men having trouble adjusting to the transition to fatherhood. Of the limited options available, cognitive behavioral therapy, group work, and blended delivery programs, including e-support approaches appear to be most effective in helping fathers with perinatal depression and anxiety. The review findings have important implications for the understanding of PPND and anxiety. Future research is needed to address the adoption of father-inclusive and father-specific models of care to encourage fathers’ help-seeking behavior. Inclusion of male-specific requirements into support and treatment options can improve the ability of services to engage new fathers. Psychotherapeutic intervention could assist to address the cognitive differences and dissonance for men adjusting to the role of father, including male identity and role expectations.

The field of solar fuels seeks to harness abundant solar energy by driving useful molecular transformations. Of particular interest is the photodriven conversion of greenhouse gas CO2 into carbon-based fuels and chemical feedstocks, with the ultimate goal of providing a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Nonstoichiometric, hydroxylated indium oxide nanoparticles, denoted In2O3-x(OH)y, have been shown to function as active photocatalysts for CO2 reduction to CO via the reverse water gas shift reaction under simulated solar irradiation. However, the relatively wide band gap (2.9 eV) of indium oxide restricts the portion of the solar irradiance that can be utilized to ∼9%, and the elevated reaction temperatures required (150-190 °C) reduce the overall energy efficiency of the process. Herein we report a hybrid catalyst consisting of a vertically aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW) support evenly coated by In2O3-x(OH)y nanoparticles that utilizes the vast majority of the solar irradiance to simultaneously produce both the photogenerated charge carriers and heat required to reduce CO2 to CO at a rate of 22.0 μmol·gcat(-1)·h(-1). Further, improved light harvesting efficiency of the In2O3-x(OH)y/SiNW films due to minimized reflection losses and enhanced light trapping within the SiNW support results in a ∼6-fold increase in photocatalytic conversion rates over identical In2O3-x(OH)y films prepared on roughened glass substrates. The ability of this In2O3-x(OH)y/SiNW hybrid catalyst to perform the dual function of utilizing both light and heat energy provided by the broad-band solar irradiance to drive CO2 reduction reactions represents a general advance that is applicable to a wide range of catalysts in the field of solar fuels.

Several energetic particle sensors designed to make measurements in the current decade are described and their technology and capabilities discussed and demonstrated. Most of these instruments are already on orbit or approaching launch. These include the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometers (MagEIS) and the Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope (REPT) that are flying on the Van Allen Probes, the Fly's Eye Electron Proton Spectrometers (FEEPS) flying on the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, and Dosimeters flying on the AC6 Cubesat mission. We focus mostly on the electron measurement capability of these sensors while providing summary comments of their ion measurement capabilities if they have any.

Silicon constitutes 28% of the earth's mass. Its high abundance, lack of toxicity and low cost coupled with its electrical and optical properties, make silicon unique among the semiconductors for converting sunlight into electricity. In the quest for semiconductors that can make chemicals and fuels from sunlight and carbon dioxide, unfortunately the best performers are invariably made from rare and expensive elements. Here we report the observation that hydride-terminated silicon nanocrystals with average diameter 3.5 nm, denoted ncSi:H, can function as a single component heterogeneous reducing agent for converting gaseous carbon dioxide selectively to carbon monoxide, at a rate of hundreds of μmol h−1 g−1. The large surface area, broadband visible to near infrared light harvesting and reducing power of SiH surface sites of ncSi:H, together play key roles in this conversion. Making use of the reducing power of nanostructured hydrides towards gaseous carbon dioxide is a conceptually distinct and commercially interesting strategy for making fuels directly from sunlight., Elemental silicon is widely studied for photovoltaic applications. Here, the authors report that hydride-terminated silicon nanocrystals can also function as single component heterogeneous reducing agent for converting gaseous carbon dioxide selectively to carbon monoxide.

We present initial dual spacecraft observations that for the first time both constrain the spatial scale size and provide spectral properties at medium energies of electron microbursts. We explore individual microburst events that occurred on 2 February 2015 using simultaneous observations made by the twin CubeSats which comprise the National Science Foundation (NSF) Focused Investigations of Relativistic Electron Bursts: Intensity, Range, and Dynamics (FIREBIRD II). During these microburst events, the two identically instrumented FIREBIRD II CubeSats were separated by as little as 11 km while traversing electron precipitation regions in low-Earth orbit. These coincident microburst events map to size scales >120 km at the equator. Given the prevalence of coincident and noncoincident events we conclude that this is of the same order of magnitude as that of the spatial scale size of electron microburst, an unknown property that is critical for quantifying their overall role in radiation belt dynamics. Finally, we present measurements of electron microbursts showing that precipitation often occurs simultaneously across a broad energy range spanning 200 keV to 1 MeV, a new form of empirical evidence that provides additional insights into the physics of microburst generation mechanisms.

Tin(II)O-ethylxanthate [Sn(S2COEt)2] was prepared and used as a single-source precursor for the deposition of SnS thin films by a melt method. Polycrystalline, (111)-orientated, orthorhombic SnS films with controllable elemental stoichiometries (of between Sn1.3S and SnS) were reliably produced by selecting heating temperatures between 200 and 400 °C. The direct optical band gaps of the SnS films ranged from 1.26 to 1.88 eV and were strongly influenced by its Sn/S ratio. The precursor [Sn(S2COEt)2] was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The as-prepared SnS films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy.

Many countries have identified a need for targeted men's health promotion within primary health care as part of broader men's health policy. Primary health care nurses are well placed to deliver such services but may lack the requisite skills. The aim of this study was to pilot the delivery phase of an education program and evaluate a train-the-trainer approach for delivering men's health education to primary health care nurses. The 8-h train-the-trainer workshop was designed to equip nurses to deliver men's health education workshops to peers. Surveys of facilitators (n = 18) and peer workshop participants (n = 98) evaluated their level of confidence in men's health and knowledge and skills in men's health promotion. After completing the train-the-trainer workshop, most facilitators expressed confidence (92%), and all indicated sufficient knowledge and access to resources to deliver a peer workshop. All agreed that the module was sufficiently flexible to suit their local setting. Following the peer education workshop, facilitators and workshop participants reported high levels of confidence and knowledge in men's health promotion. This pilot evaluation suggests train-the-trainer is an effective model to deliver men's health education across a range of settings, with a flexible approach to raising awareness and improving the skills of primary health care nurses in men's health promotion.

Summary Background Few studies have examined the perceptions of clinical teaching behaviors among both nurse preceptors and preceptees. Purposes To develop a Clinical Teaching Behavior Inventory (CTBI) for nurse preceptors' self-evaluation, and for new graduate nurse preceptee evaluation of preceptor clinical teaching behaviors and to test the validity and reliability of the CTBI. Methods This study used mixed research techniques in five phases. Phase I: based on a literature review, the researchers developed an instrument to measure clinical teaching behaviors. Phase II: 17 focus group interviews were conducted with 63 preceptors and 24 new graduate nurses from five hospitals across Taiwan. Clinical teaching behavior themes were extracted from the focus group data and integrated into the domains and items of the CTBI. Phase III: two rounds of an expert Delphi study were conducted to determine the content validity of the instrument. Phase IV: a total of 290 nurse preceptors and 260 new graduate nurses were recruited voluntarily in the same five hospitals in Taiwan. Of these, 521 completed questionnaires to test the construct validity of CTBI by using confirmatory factory analysis. Phase V: the internal consistency and reliability of the instrument were tested. Results CTBI consists of 23 items in six domains: (1) ‘Committing to Teaching'; (2) ‘Building a Learning Atmosphere'; (3) ‘Using Appropriate Teaching Strategies'; (4) ‘Guiding Inter-professional Communication'; (5) ‘Providing Feedback and Evaluation'; and (6) ‘Showing Concern and Support'. The confirmatory factor analysis yielded a good fit and reliable scores for the CTBI-23 model. Conclusions The CTBI-23 is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying the clinical teaching behaviors of a preceptor as perceived by preceptors and new graduate preceptees. The CTBI-23 depicts clinical teaching behaviors of nurse preceptors in Taiwan.

Castor oil contains a range of fatty acids of which a high proportion is ricinoleic acid. We report the syntheses of CdS and PbS nanoparticles by the thermal decomposition of ethyl xanthate complexes of cadmium and lead in castor oil using the heat-up synthesis technique. The castor-oil capped CdS nanoparticles showed cubic zinc blende and wurtzite crystal structures and displayed band gap range of 2.63–2.84 eV. The CdS formed near-spherical clusters of nanocrystals with average particle size of 6.78 ( ± 1.89) nm. The castor-oil capped PbS nanoparticles showed a rocksalt crystal structure and displayed an average band gap of 0.85 eV. The PbS showed variety of morphologies of nanostructured particles ranging from rods to belts. The average width and length of the PbS nanobelts observed were 22.2 ( ± 2.3) nm and 225.9 ( ± 23.3) nm respectively.

The synthesis of the complete range of (Bi

We report the synthesis and single-crystal X-ray characterization of diphenyltin bis(2-methoxyethylxanthate) and diphenyltin bis(iso-butylxanthate). These xanthates have been used as a single-source precursor to deposit tin chalcogenide thin films by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscope imaging coupled with elemental mapping show that films deposited from diphenyltin bis(iso-butylxanthate) contain orthorhombic SnS, while films deposited from diphenyltin bis(2-methoxyethylxanthate) between 400 and 575 °C form a SnS/SnO2 nanocomposite. In synthesizing the thin films, we have also demonstrated an ability to control the band gap of the materials based on composition and deposition temperature.

Aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) of Cd[(SPiPr2)(SePiPr2)N]2 yields hexagonal cadmium selenide and monoclinic cadmium phosphide films on glass substrates between 475 and 525 °C at different argon flow rates. The films were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All the results of XRD, EDAX and XPS are in agreement with our previous investigations on Cd[(SePiPr2)2N]2. A breakdown mechanism is proposed based on mass spectra and density functional theory calculations. A large peak at m/z 207 in the mass spectra, previously assigned by us as a new aromatic species, is also observed for this complex.

Tris(O-ethylxanthato)bismuth(III) [Bi(S2COEt)3], tris(O-ethylxanthato)antimony(III) [Sb(S2COEt)3] and tris(O-ethylxanthato)indium(III) [In(S2COEt)3] were synthesized and employed for the preparation of Bi–In–S and Sb–In–S solid solutions by solventless thermolysis. M2−2xIn2xS3 (where M = Bi or Sb) alloys were obtained using a mixture of In(S2COEt)3 and M(S2COEt)3 molecular precursors, with different mole fractions of indium x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) at 300 °C. The structural, compositional, optical and morphological properties of the synthesized M2−2xIn2xS3 samples were characterized using a range of techniques including powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The p-XRD data suggest that the incorporation of mole fractions of indium up to x ≤ 0.4 into M2S3 does not alter the orthorhombic crystal structure of M2S3. Higher quantities of indium (x ≥ 0.6) change the crystal structure to cubic M2S3. The elemental compositions from EDX data are in line with the stoichiometric ratios expected. SEM images reveal that the morphology of the M2−2xIn2xS3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) samples varies significantly with the changes in the indium mole fraction in the precursor mixture. Elemental mapping of the mixed samples M2−2xIn2xS3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) shows uniform elemental distributions of M, In and S in every sample investigated. The estimated band gap energies of Bi2−2xIn2xS3 films varies from 1.66 to 2.39 eV, while the band gap energies of Sb2−2xIn2xS3 films are in the range of 2.19–2.9 eV, and in both cases the energy can be tuned by variation of the indium content.

Selenium and sulfur derivatives of lead(ii) acylchalcogourato complexes have been used to deposit PbSxSe1-x thin films by AACVD. By variation of the mole ratio of sulfur and selenium precursors in the aerosol feed solution the full range of compositions of PbSxSe1-x was obtained, i.e. 0 ≥ x ≥ 1. The films showed no contaminant phases demonstrating the potential for acylchalcogourato metal complexes as precursors for metal chalcogenide thin films. The crystal structure for bis[N,N-diethyl-N'-2-naphthoylthioureato]lead(ii) was solved and displayed the expected decreases in Pb-E bond lengths from the previously reported selenium variant.

Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that causes fluctuations in consciousness and attention, impairments in cognitive functioning and information processing, and changes in how individuals perceive what is going on around them. Delirium is associated with increased mortality, ongoing impairment in cognitive functioning, and a high possibility of discharge to residential care. The experience of delirium may be distressing for the patient and their family. Despite the frequency of delirium in hospitalized elderly patients, there is a dearth of literature that examines their experience of this phenomenon, and how it affects individuals as they continue their lives. This study uses descriptive qualitative methodology to explore the question: 'What is the experience of delirium for older adults during hospitalisation?' Data were collected from older adults who had received hospital care in a tertiary general hospital setting. Seven participants were recruited between January and June 2017. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to gather data which was analysed using content analysis. Four themes were identified. These were sense of confusion, disrupted sense of autonomy, perceptual disturbances, and emotional response. Participants exercised agency in the way they responded to these experiences. The study highlighted the need for delirium prevention, and education to improve nurses' recognition, understanding, and management of delirium. In particular, there is a need for nurses to attend to the psychological and emotional experience of delirium.

Purpose To explore factors influencing treatment pathways to mental health services among consumers in Ghana. Design and methods Cross-sectional design using quantitative method. Findings Treatment pathways for mental illness were general hospitals/clinics, psychiatric hospitals, and faith-based practices. The predisposing (age, household size, primary occupation, ethnicity, marital status, religion, and geographic location, as well as attitudes and beliefs), enabling (affordability), and need factors (severity of mental illness) were significant predictors of treatment pathways. Practice implications Current advocacy and awareness for mental health services in Ghana should consider the predisposing, enabling, and need factors of consumers. Policy initiatives on mental health services should ensure adequate financing mechanisms and further establish collaboration between biomedical and faith-based services.

Iron(iii) xanthate single-source precursors [Fe(S

Castor oil (CO) is an inedible vegetable oil (VO) that has been employed extensively as a bioresource material for the synthesis of biodegradable polymers, cosmetics, lubricants, biofuels, coatings and adhesives. It is used in medicine, pharmaceuticals and biorefineries, due to its versatile chemistry. However, there has been less focus on CO as an alternative to toxic and expensive solvents, and capping/stabilizing agents routinely used in nanoparticle syntheses. It provides a richer chemistry than edible VOs as a solvent for green syntheses of nanoparticles. CO, being the only rich source of ricinoleic acid (RA), has been used as a solvent, co-solvent, stabilizing agent and polyol for the formation of polymer–nanoparticle composites. RA is a suitable alternative to oleic acid used as a capping and/or stabilizing agent. Unlike oleic acid, it provides a facile route to the functionalization of surfaces of nanoparticles and the coating of nanoparticles with polymers. For applications requiring more polar organic solvents, RA is more preferred than oleic acid. In this review, we discuss the production, chemical and physical properties, triglyceride and fatty acid (FA) compositions and applications of CO, focusing on the use of CO and RA as well as other VOs and FAs in syntheses of nanoparticles and surface functionalization.

The purpose of this article is to theoretically explore men’s preconception health as a mechanism to enhance fertility, as well as the health and well-being of the subject and his descendants. Premorbid risk factors and behaviors associated with stress, environmental toxins, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise/obesity, and the use of illicit drugs are all known to affect fecundity. While there are many health clinics available to women, where advice in areas such as postnatal care of the newborn, family planning, and couples fertility is provided, there are few, if any, equivalent health clinics available to men. Additionally, getting men to attend primary health-care services has also been continuously problematic, even in the context of there being a clearly discernible need for treatment. It is argued in this article that an impetus is required to encourage men to focus on and improve their preconception health and to utilize primary health-care services to take action. An assertive men’s preconception health outlook can positively influence the conjugal relationship, fathering, male self-esteem, and continued good health. Using the sometimes complex concept of preconception health as a motivating factor for healthy lifestyle adaptation has the potential to improve male fertility outcomes and general health and well-being, as well as the health of future generations.

Blends of semiconducting nanocrystals and conjugated polymers continue to attract major research interest because of their potential applications in optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, photodetectors and light-emitting diodes. In this study we investigate the surface structure, morphological and optoelectronic properties of multilayer films constructed from ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) and poly[2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV). The effects of layer number and ZnO concentration (C

In this paper we report the synthesis and single-crystal X-ray characterisation of six novel indium(iii) xanthate complexes. These xanthates have been used as an In-source for the synthesis of highly crystalline CuInS2 nanoparticles in conjunction with a Cu(i)-xanthate. In synthesising the nanoparticles we have also demonstrated an ability to control the phase of the material through choice of solvent.

Black phosphorus is a two-dimensional material that has potential applications in energy storage, high frequency electronics and sensing, yet it suffers from instability in oxygenated and/or aqueous systems. Here we present the use of a polymeric stabilizer which prevents the degradation of nearly 68% of the material in aqueous media over the course of ca. 1 month.

Fully printed humidity sensors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials are described. Monolayer graphene oxide (GO) and few-layered black phosphorus (BP) flakes were dispersed in low boiling point solvents suitable for inkjet printing. The humidity sensors were fabricated by printing GO and BP sensing layers on printed silver nanoparticle electrodes. The electrical response of the GO and BP sensors to humidity levels ranges from 11 to 97% relative humidity, which revealed a high capacitance sensitivity of 4.45 × 10 4 times for the GO sensor and 5.08 × 10 3 times for the BP sensor at 10 Hz operation frequency. Response/recovery times of the GO and BP sensor were found to be 2.7/4.6 s and 4.7/3.0 s respectively. These sensors also showed sensitive and fast response to a proximal human fingertip, showing potential applications in contactless switching.

Carotid artery free-floating thrombus (FFT) is a rare but clinically significant cause of embolic stroke. Treatment has historically been confined to carotid surgery or best medical therapy, with neither option proved to be superior. However, recent advancements in endovascular interventions have heralded a new age of innovative management strategies for vascular disease. We present three distinct cases of stroke secondary to carotid artery FFT, successfully treated with stent retriever endovascular thrombectomy.

New graduate nurses have reported negative experiences in mental health settings, particularly during the transitional period of practice. Previous research has focused on addressing the undergraduate preparation of nurses for practice instead of the experiences and outcomes of the transitional period. Recently, there has been growing interest in exploring the experiences of graduate nurses in transition and the implementation of promising interventions to facilitate new graduates' assimilation to practice. Despite these initiatives, the overall shortage of mental health nurses continues to rise, and graduates still report negative experiences in the mental health setting. The purpose of this study was to identify and explore the experiences of new graduate nurses in mental health services in their first year of clinical practice. An integrative review was conducted with 22 studies sourced from the CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and PsychINFO electronic databases, as well as through hand-searching the literature. Literature review findings have highlighted negative clinical experiences and increased attrition from mental health services for graduate nurses. These experiences were closely linked with the changes in the training of mental health nurses, role ambiguity, inadequate clinical preceptorship, encountering the reality of mental health services, and the role of health services in transitioning graduate nurses into clinical practice. Established research into organizational cultures demonstrates that negative organizational outcomes result from negative workplace experiences. Therefore, further research into new graduate nurses' experiences of mental health nursing and its culture might clarify the reasons why they might not be attracted to the discipline and/or are leaving early in their career.

A new wet chemistry approach, based on the hot-injection–thermolytic decomposition of the single-source precursor [Mo2O2S2(S2COEt)2] in oleylamine, is described for the production of nanodimensional 1H-MoS2@oleylamine. High quality freestanding MoS2 nanosheets capped with oleylamine have been prepared and subjected to detailed compositional analyses for the first time. The selection of the appropriate reaction temperatures (200–325 °C) in the simple yet robust procedure allows control of the lateral nanosheet dimensions which range from 4.5 to 11.5 nm, as 1H-MoS2@oleylamine entities which maintain a consistent chemical composition (MoS2·oleylamine0.28–0.33). This work provides the first example of atomic resolution STEM imaging of these fine-scale nanosheet materials, providing new insights into their morphology and demonstrating that those freestanding MoS2 nanosheets are pure, highly crystalline, randomly oriented monolayers. The 1H-MoS2@oleylamine samples were analyzed by attenuated total reflectance F...

A series of lead(II) alkylxanthates, [Pb(S2COR)2] (R = ethyl (1), n-propyl (2), n-butyl (3), n-hexyl (4) or n-octyl (5)) have been prepared and explored as single source precursors for use in melt reactions to form lead sulfide. X-ray single crystal structures of (2), (3) and (4) were used along with previously reported structures to investigate the influence of structure and chain length on the materials produced. The complexes were decomposed at 150, 175 or 200 °C forming PbS nanocrystals as confirmed by XRD and TEM. Analysis by SEM shows that the choice of precursor had an influence on nanocrystal size with longer alkyl chains resulting in smaller cubic nanocrystals. In addition to cubes, anisotropic growth was observed from decomposition of compound (5).

The addition of oleylamine coated Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticles to solutions of an organic semiconductor used to fabricate organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) has been investigated. The oligothiophene-based small molecule 5T-TTF and the polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were each applied in the transistors with various concentrations of CZTS (5–20%). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was applied to characterise the surface morphology of the OFETs. The use of 5 and 10 wt% of the CZTS nanoparticles in 5T-TTF and P3HT solutions, respectively, appears to be a simple and effective way of improving OFET performance.

Aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) of Cd[(SePiPr2)2N]2 is shown to deposit cadmium selenide and/or cadmium phosphide on glass substrates, depending upon the growth conditions. The phase, structure, morphology and composition of the films were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The XRD indicated a hexagonal phase for cadmium selenide, whilst cadmium phosphide was monoclinic. Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and density functional theory were used to deduce a breakdown mechanism for the deposition that favoured the formation of a new aromatic iPr2N2P3+ ion.

Herein quantum efficiency enhancements are demonstrated in multi-junction solar cells with one-dimensional Selectively Transparent and Conducting Photonic Crystal (STCPC) intermediate Bragg reflectors. Specifically, the modelling, design and fabrication of series-connected multi-junction cells comprising a top amorphous-silicon cell and a bottom crystalline-silicon heterojunction cell with spectrally tunable STCPC intermediate reflectors (IR) is presented. Wave-optics modeling analysis shows current density gains of up to 17.4% and 10.4% compared to multi-junction cells without an IR and with an industry standard IR comprising a ZnO film, respectively. Fabricated multi-junction cells based on these modelled structures demonstrate that the STCPC IR enhances cell currents by 17.1% and 13.2% compared to the reference cases without an IR and with a ZnO film IR, respectively. From an efficiency standpoint, the STCPC IR improved cell performance by 7.9% over reference cells without an IR, but was 8.9% less efficient relative to the reference cells with a ZnO IR. The lower overall efficiency of the tandem cell with the STCPC IR with respect to that of the cell with the ZnO IR is primarily due to non-optimal electrical performance of the STCPC compared to the single ZnO layer. Methods for improving the electrical properties are discussed.

Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3, stibnite) is an important environmentally benign material which finds applications in solar cells, thermoelectric devices, switching devices, microwaves and television cameras. Orthorhombic (stibnite) Sb2S3 thin films have been deposited by Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD), spin coating, melt and the doctor's blade methods using tris(thiobenzoato)antimony(III) complex as a single source precursor. The p-XRD pattern of thin films deposited by all the methods show the deposition of Sb2S3 (stibnite). The morphology of the films is typically based on sheets, thick plates or bundles of sticks with varying sizes depending on the technique used and/or the deposition temperature. The EDX analysis showed that the films deposited at all temperatures by all methods are antimony rich. The band gaps of the films deposited by AACVD range from 1.81 to 1.90 eV.

The AE9/AP9/SPM radiation belt and space plasma specification model has been recently updated with Version 1.20. We review these updates of flux maps and features, discuss validation results, and summarize pending improvements.

The functionalization of two different alumina morphologies (thin film and nanoparticle) with carboxylic acids is reported. Advancing contact angle measurements show that isonicotinic acid functionalization of a native aluminium oxide surface result in an increase in hydrophilicity. Isonicotinic acid and nicotinic acid functionalised alumina nanoparticles (iNA- NP and NA-NP, respectively) have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), thermo gravimetric analysis-infrared spectroscopy (TGA-IR), electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface grafting density for iNA-NP and NA-NP is determined to be 5.4 and 15.6 molecules/nm 2 , respectively. The reaction of iNA-NP with copper(II) acetate has been studied and the stability of the resulting complex species (CuA-iNA-NP) have been determined as a function of pH. UV-visible-near IR absorption spectroscopy indicates uptake of copper acetate from solution, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows a small shift in the nanoparticle N 1 s binding energy after complex formation with copper(II) acetate.