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Sustainability in electronics has a growing importance due to, e.g. increasing electronic waste, and global and European sustainability goals. Printing technologies and use of paper as a substrate enable manufacturing of sustainable electronic devices for emerging applications, such as the multi-layer anti-counterfeit label presented in this paper. This device consisted of electrochromic display (ECD) element, NFC (near field communication) tag and circuitry, all fully roll-to-roll (R2R) printed and assembled on plastic-free paper substrate, thus leading to a sustainable and recyclable device. Our setup uses harvested energy from HF field of a smartphone or reader, to switch an electrochromic display after rectification to prove authenticity of a product. Our novelty is in upscaling the manufacturing process to be fully printable and R2R processable in high-throughput conditions simulating industrial environment, i.e. in pilot scale. The printing workflow consisted of 11 R2R printed layers, all done in sufficient quality and registration. The printed antennas showed sheet resistance values of 32.9±1.9 mΩ/sq. The final yield was almost 1500 fully printed devices, and in R2R assembly over 1400 labels were integrated with 96.5% yield. All the assembled tags were readable with mobile phone NFC reader. The optical contrast (ΔE*) measured for the ECDs was over 15 for all the printed displays, a progressive switching time with a colour change visible in less than 5 s. The smart tag is ITO-free, plastic-free, fully printed in R2R and has a good stability over 50 cycles and reversible colour change from light to dark blue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of the study was to evaluate the physical and microstructural characteristics of crackers baked in four different industrial baking ovens (indirect radiation‐cyclotherm, indirect convection, hybrid and industrial tunnel‐ITO). Indirect convection and cyclotherm ovens provide the highest (5685.43 ± 51 W m−2) and the lowest (4860 ± 38.87 W m−2) amount of heat flux, respectively. Despite the amount of heat flux, indirect convection led to crackers with the highest moisture (7.86% vs. 4.82% in clyclotherm) and specific volume, but the lowest hardness. Cyclotherm resulted in crackers with lower specific volume, surface area, porosity, smooth and regular surface. Conversely, the hybrid and ITO ovens showed closer heat flux, leading to crackers with similar moisture content, texture parameters, specific volume, browning and inner porosity. Overall results show the potential of baking using different ovens for modifying the quality parameters of the crackers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation between electrical properties and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) wavelength was discussed using ITO grating coupler. ITO films were prepared on SiO 2 /Si substrate by RF sputtering with thermal annealing, and the grating was directly fabricated on the sample surface by focused ion beam. Electron density and mobility were evaluated by fitting optical reflection spectra according to Drude model, and then SPR wavelength was estimated from the dispersion relation of surface plasmon. Characteristic SPR dip was observed in polarized reflection spectrum, however, measured wavelength was different from theoretically estimated value. The discrepancy was explained by introducing the assumption based on effective medium theory, in which the grating is assumed as a thin film with effective refractive index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, vertically aligned Al:WO 3 nanoplate arrays were directly grown on ITO glass by a facile electrodeposition method and annealed in an argon atmosphere at 450 °C for 2h. Besides, this study reports the influence of Al doping on the electrochromic properties of WO 3 film in detail. Electrochromic properties such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and optical transmittance were analyzed by protonic insertion/extraction in the 1 M LiClO 4 /propylene carbonate as an electrolyte. The noticeable reversible color changing from transparent to the blue can be realized under the potential bias of ±1.0 V. XRD studies show that the produces films have highly crystalline structure. The EDS results clearly confirm the incorporation of Al element into the WO 3 network. From the optical absorption measurement, direct band gap energies are calculated as 3.62 and 3.34 eV for the WO 3 and the Al:WO 3 , respectively. Compared to the as-prepared WO 3 , the Al:WO 3 film exhibits outstanding electrochromic performance, including wide optical modulation (55.9%), high coloration efficiency (148.1 cm2C-1), quick reaction kinetics (1.23 s and 1.01 s for colored and bleaching times, respectively), good rate capability and cycle durability at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. EIS measurements based on a charge-transfer resistance reveal that the dramatic improvement in the electrochemically active surface is achieved in the Al:WO 3 film. The increase of active surface facilitates transport kinetics for electron and ion intercalation/deintercalation within the porous metal oxide to enhance coloration efficiency. Comparatively energy levels of the WO 3 and the Al:WO 3 electrochromic films are also represented. From the Mott-Schottky studies, it is estimated that the donor concentration of the films is of the order of 1020 cm−3. Taken together, these results not only provide important insight into a promising electrode for electrochromic displays applications, but also offer an economic and effective strategy for manufacturing of other doped metal oxide films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles were synthesized by green combustion method using indium (In) and tin (Sn) as precursors, and Carica papaya seed extract as novel fuel. This paper highlights the effect of tin concentration (5%, 10%, and 50%) on the microstructural, optical, and electrical properties of ITO nanoparticles (NPs). The indium nitrate and tin nitrate solution along with the fuel were heated at 600°C for 1 h in a muffle furnace and obtained powder was calcinated at 650°C for 3 h to produce ITO NPs. The above properties were investigated usingXRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and computer-controlled impedance analyzer. The XRD, SEM, and TEM investigations reveal the synthesized NPs were spherical in shape with an increase in average grain size (17.66 to 35 nm) as Sn concentration increases. FTIR investigations confirm the In-O bonding. The optical properties results revealed that the ITO NPs band gap decreased from 3.21 to 2.98 eV with an increase in Sn concentration. The ac conductivity of ITO NPs was found to increase with an increase in Sn concentration. These synthesized ITO NPs showed excellent properties for emerging sensor and optical device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we have presented the crystal structure, supramolecular structure and band structure along with dielectric, electrical transport and optoelectronic properties of a [Mg(H2O)6]2+ templated 3D hydrogen bonded supramolecular framework (HSF) {[Co(2,5-Pdc)2,(H2O)2]2−·[Mg(H2O)6]2+·4(H2O)} (where 2,5-pdc = 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylate) synthesized by reflux method. The complex crystallizes in the P1¯ space group. The 3D network of the complex has been built up by hydrogen bonding interactions between 2D supramolecular sheets of the complex. The proton conductivity and activation energy of the complex are ∼10−4 S cm−1 at 40 °C and ∼0.3 eV, respectively, under vacuum. It exhibits anomalous dielectric behavior due to the gradual release of guest water molecules above 40 °C. The complex is a semiconductor with a band gap of 1.626 eV and is capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation in the range of 355–730 nm. The ITO/complex/Al sandwiched device exhibits Schottky barrier diode (SBD)-like behaviour with a rectification ratio of 13 in the dark and 34 under visible light at 1 V. When exposed to visible light (AM 1.5G) the value of its conductivity enhances 1.35 times, compared to that in the dark. It has been shown that the complex is a semiconducting proton conducting photoresponsive HSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of the seed layer electroplating time (tseed layer) on the structural properties, optical energy bandgap, diameter, growth orientation and surface roughness of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) electrochemically deposited from an oxygenated aqueous zinc chloride electrolyte solution was studied. Prior to actual electrochemical fabrication of subsequent ZnO NRs, the ZnO seed layers were first electroplated on the indium tin oxide (ITO) covered glass substrates at different tseed layer values of 25 s, 50 s and 100 s under a constant current density. The subsequent ZnO NRs were electrochemically deposited on the prepared ZnO seed layers at a constant cathode potential. For comparison, the ZnO NRs was also deposited on the ITO-covered glass substrates without a seed layer (tseed layer = 0 s). The surface morphologies of the ZnO NRs were characterized using an atomic force microscopy and a scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the shape of the ZnO NRs is affected by the tseed layer value and the diameter and surface roughness of the ZnO NRs can be reduced considerably by controlling the tseed layer. The ZnO sample grown at the tseed layer of 50 s consisted of completely hexagonal-shaped NRs with the smallest mean diameter and exhibited the smoothest top surface. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the creation of the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure for all samples. The ZnO NRs fabricated at the tseed layer of 50 s displayed the best preferential growth orientation along c-axis. Structural analysis also showed that the samples have nano-sized crystallites ranging from 50 to 56 nm. The ZnO NRs without the seed layer had an energy bandgap of 3.318 eV while the ZnO NRs prepared on the seed layers exhibited an energy bandgap value in the range of 3.370 ± 0.006 eV, which was inversely proportional to the mean crystallite size of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow prism-like NiCo2S4 materials (NiCo2S4 HNPs) were successfully fabricated by a two-step method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the morphology and structure of the as-prepared NiCo2S4 nanoprisms. A non-enzymatic sensor based on NiCo2S4 HNPs was constructed with outstanding electrochemical activity towards glucose oxidation in alkaline medium. The sensor showed a rapid response time (∼0.1 s), a high sensitivity of 82.9 μA mM−1 cm−2, a wide linear range (0.005–20.2 mM) and a detection limit of 0.8 μM (S/N = 3) with a good selectivity and reproducibility. Additionally, the proposed electrode also confirmed the feasibility in practical blood serum. These results indicate that NiCo2S4/ITO has great potential in the development of non-enzymatic glucose sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Performance of ITO-free InP NW studied using FDTD method. • Optimization of nanostructures is performed in terms of optical J sc. • Use of PEDOT:PSS instead of ITO reduces the cost of device. • Influence of doping, and SRV on photovoltaic performance is investigated. • PCE of ∼ 24 % is achieved with conformal coating of PEDOT:PSS over InP NW. InP nanostructure based solar cells (SCs) offer high efficiency with reduced material requirement when compared to their planar/thin-film SCs. In order to further reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of nanostructured SCs, a new approach by combining the organic and inorganic materials in the active layer has been developed. In this study, we have replaced the indium tin oxide (ITO) with PEDOT:PSS as the transparent conducting oxide since its sheet resistance is virtually comparable to that of ITO and exhibits almost similar performance as an electrode. Geometrical parameters such as diameter (D) of InP nanowire (NW) and coating thickness (T) of PEDOT:PSS are optimized by FDTD technique to achieve best absorption and optical current density (J sc). It is observed that for PEDOT:PSS/InP NWSCs with 160 nm of InP NW diameter and coating thickness of 80 nm for PEDOT:PSS, optical current density of 34.2 mA/cm2 is achieved, which is better than the ITO/InP NWSCs. Electrical analysis of PEDOT:PSS/p-InP/n-InP NW homojunction SCs using Charge Solver Module revealed that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ∼ 24% can be attained with the proposed nanostructures through a carrier lifetime of 1 ns, surface recombination velocity (SRV) of 103 cm/s of InP NW (at n-InP and p-InP interface) and core doping of 5 × 1018 cm−3. We also found out that conformally coated NWs outperform fully infiltrated NW structures in terms of optical and electrical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermally evaporated MoO x /Cu/Ag/MoO x multilayer films were utilized as the rear electrode of bifacial semitransparent PSCs. • The percolation threshold thickness of Ag interlayer was effectively reduced by inserting Cu seed layer. • Bifacial semitransparent PSCs achieved bifacial PCE of 13.44% (ITO side) and 10.25% (MoO x /Cu/Ag/MoO x side). Bifacial semitransparent perovskite solar cells (BS-PSCs) have broad application prospects in the field of building-integrated photovoltaics, tandem solar cells as well as transparent chargeable devices. To fabricate high-performance BS-PSCs, the rear transparent electrode is one of the major obstacles should be overcome. Here, we develop a MoO x /Cu/Ag/MoO x multi-stacked electrode by thermal evaporation, and utilize it as a rear transparent electrode in the fabrication of high-performance n-i-p structure BS-PSCs. It is demonstrated that the minimum thickness required to obtain a continuous Ag film is reduced from 15 nm without the seed layer to 10 nm and the optical and electrical properties of multilayer transparent electrode are significantly enhanced. As a result, the BS-PSC device achieves the optimal power conversion efficiency of 13.44% at indium tin oxide side and 10.25% at MoO x /Cu/Ag/MoO x rear transparent electrode side, along with an average 8.67% optical transmittance for the visible light (400–800 nm) simultaneously. This work provides a promising approach to fabricate high-performance semitransparent and bifacial-operable optoelectronic devices in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analysis of CsFAPbX 3 -FASnI3 TSCs with various interlayers using TCAD. • TSC with ITO and Ti interlayers has shown maximum efficiency of 12.55% and 12.45%. • Average Energy Density has been calculated for each month of a year. • ITO is found to be the most suitable interlayer for the TSC studied. In this work, 2D-Sentaurus TCAD has been used to investigate two terminal all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) having the structure Glass | ITO | PEDOT:PSS | CsFAPbX 3 | PCBM | Interlayer | PEDOT:PSS | FASnI 3 | PCBM | Ag. The thicknesses of active perovskite layers for both the bottom (FASnI 3) and top (CsFAPbX 3) sub-cells have been optimized for maximizing the device efficiency. Various metals (Ag, Au, Ti, Al, etc.), transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) such as ITO, FTO, and ZnO, and a polymer (PFN-Br) have been investigated for the interlayer. The dependence of solar cell performance on the thicknesses and optical constants of these interlayers, and on the angle of light incidence (θ) have been analyzed using the integrated optical generation rates. The metal-interlayer TSCs show a monotonic decrease in efficiency with increasing interlayer thickness. A 1 nm Ti-interlayer, for example, gave an efficiency of 12.9% at normal incidence. On the other hand, ITO-interlayer TSC gave its highest efficiency at an optimum interlayer thickness of 5 nm. While some of the metal-interlayer TSCs have been found to generate power for θ values up to 80°, those with more commonly used interlayers such as Ag and Au showed poor angle dependence. TSCs with all the TCO- as well as the PFN-Br- interlayers gave their highest efficiencies at oblique angles of incidence rather than at normal incidence. A peak efficiency of 12.55% was obtained at an angle of 50° for the TSC with this interlayer. To estimate the maximum amount of energy that these TSCs can generate in an year, the energy densities generated per day (E day) were integrated and compared using the solar irradiation and temperature data from Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS-SARAH, European Commission) database. Among all the interlayers studied here, Ti and ITO have been found to be the best metal and TCO respectively. For example, despite generating the highest short circuit current density at normal incidence, the Ag-interlayer TSC generates 79% and 82% lower energy density than these TSCs on the longest day of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of interface defect density and band offset on properties of CsPbIBr 2 PSCs are investigated. • PCE of 15.05% with a V OC of 1.54 V is obtained for the with FTO/ZnOS/CsPbIBr 2 /CuAlO 2 /Au PSCs. • Two-terminal all-perovskite TSCs are constructed, and a maximum PCE of 27.4% is obtained. • Four-terminal triple-junction TSCs are constructed, and a maximum PCE of 35.35% is achieved. More and more attention has been paid to CsPbIBr 2 material for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), owing to the trade-off between bandgap and stability. However, the reported maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of CsPbIBr 2 PSCs is lag behind that of the congeners due to the serious interface recombination of charge carriers. In this work, the effects of interface defect density and interface band offset on the properties of CsPbIBr 2 PSCs are investigated. It is found that the characteristic of the front electron transfer layer (ETL)/perovskite interface has a significant influence on the performance of PSCs than that of the back perovskite/hole transfer layer (HTL) interface. Additionally, a PCE of 15.05% with a high open-circuit voltage (V OC) of 1.54 V is obtained for the PSCs with FTO/ZnOS/CsPbIBr 2 /CuAlO 2 /Au structure. Finally, two-terminal monolithic all-perovskite double-junction tandem solar cells (TSCs) with the architecture of FTO/ZnOS/CsPbIBr 2 /CuAlO 2 /ITO/TiO 2 /MAPbI 3 /Spiro-MeOTAD/Au are constructed, and a maximum PCE of 27.4% (V OC of 2.60 V, J SC of 12.21 mA/cm2, and FF of 86.42%) is obtained for the TSCs with top and bottom absorber thicknesses of 600 nm and 500 nm respectively. Furthermore, four-terminal triple-junction TSCs are designed with silicon solar cells as bottom sub-cell, and a maximum PCE of 35.35% is achieved. These results will provide theoretical guidance for the fabrication of high performance TSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Herein, ferroelectric Ti‐doped BiFeO3 (BFTO) heterojunction photovoltaic (PV) cells are realized for underwater PV applications. In the heterostructure, NiO functions as a transparent wide‐bandgap (3.2 eV) hole transport layer (HTL), whereas BFTO is the visible energy harvester and the highly conductive WS2 behaves as the electron transport layer (ETL). The multijunction PV device with a cell area of 1cm2 revealed a current density (JSC) and an open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.90 mA/cm2 and 1.20 V, respectively, under ambient conditions (before submerging into water). Subsequently, the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐encapsulated Ag/NiO/BFTO/WS2/ITO PV device was investigated for underwater solar energy harvesting in a shallow tank. For a comparative analysis, the mono‐junction NiO/BFTO and BFTO/WS2 PVs were also evaluated. The results indicated a steady decrease in the efficacy and power density of the cell with depth, and the heterojunction PV has outperformed the single‐junction PVs. As there are spectral variations with increase in depth, the heterostructure seem to have the potential to absorb the overall spectrum as NiO being transparent transmits high energy UV radiations into the device, while BFTO and WS2 layers absorb the visible and NIR spectrum. Therefore, the device though submerged can capture the solar energy efficiently with minimal losses in terms of spectrum and function efficiently. These results establish that the ferroelectric nano‐heterostructured PV devices can be utilized as a power generating source for various low‐power marine‐based sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UO22+ binds to the surface of a tripolyphosphate modified mesoporous indium tin-doped oxide electrode (nanoITO‖P3). Electrochemical studies reveal that nITO‖P3 electrodes catalyze the 2-electron interconversion between UO22+ and U4+ with the P3-ligand assisting in the rate-limiting proton-coupled reduction of U(V) to U(IV), based on the kinetic isotope effect (1.8). Product composition between nITO‖P3(U4+) and surface adsorbed UO2 can be controlled by adjusting the proton concentration and/or scan rate in voltammograms. These studies with uranium suggest that nITO‖P3 electrodes are good candidates for redox transformations with other actinides including neptunium, plutonium, and americium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimizing optical losses of the incident light at the window layers is one of the effective strategies for high photoresponse to achieve highly efficient perovskite/silicon tandem cells. The enhancement of the photoresponse of monolithic tandem cells via rationally controlling their window layers consisting of C60 and indium tin oxide (ITO) is reported. The optical simulation and experimental results are consistent that employing thinner C60 and ITO layers would reduce the optical losses caused by absorption/reflection of the incident, which should lead to the increased photocurrent density. However, it is found that the enhanced optical properties have to be balanced with the changes in the electrical and structural properties. The thickness of layers is optimized to function as charge collection and protection (during sputtering process) layers. As a result, the optimum design of the window layers maximizes the photoresponse without degrading the device performances, leading to a highly efficient two‐terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with a power conversion efficiency of 25.63%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serious current crowing appears at the edge of the quasivertical GaN‐based PIN diode on sapphire substrate. Herein, to alleviate the current crowing and reduce Auger recombination for PIN diode, the ITO used widely in optoelectronic devices is proposed to be inserted on the edge of mesa of PIN diode. Then a reversed ITO‐pGaN junction is formed under forward voltage and deplete the carrier at the edge of mesa leading to alleviated current crowing and reduced Auger recombination. Moreover, the proposed PIN diode can improve the forward work voltage, without affecting the breakdown voltage for PIN diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new conductive terpolymer/graphene nanosheet hybrid composite has been synthesized by polymerizing pyrrole, chlorobenzaldehyde, and heptaldehyde (PPyCB&H), in the presence of graphene nanosheets (GNS), using p-toluene sulfonic acid as a catalyst. Fourier transform infrared spectra, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the formation of PPyCB&H/GNS hybrid nanocomposites. Further, the resultant nanocomposite material is coated on ITO to construct an electrochemical sensor for the reliable detection of single-strand DNA (tDNA) which is cleaved from the genomic DNA of Escherichia coli. Under optimized conditions, linear detection of genomic DNA (tDNA) with concentration ranging from 1.3 × 10−12 to 1.3 × 10−23 M is observed and it is repeatable with a 1.3 × 10−23 M lowest level detection limit. The present modified electrode of PPyCB&H/GNS may show utility for constructing highly sensitive electrochemical sensors for the detection of E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liquid crystal alignments in the liquid crystal cell composed of the bare glass and indium tin oxide (ITO) regions are investigated based on birefringence. The experimental results by the proposed methods of circularly and linearly polarized light agree with the observation through the polarized optical microscope. The results show that the liquid crystal in the region of the bare glass is optical anisotropic and the liquid crystal director is almost parallel to the long side of the liquid crystal cell, while the liquid crystal in the region of ITO is isotropic. No other chemical components were found on the bare glass and ITO surfaces by the x-ray energy dispersive spectrometer, and the numerous random scratches on the bare glass were observed through the atomic force microscope. The self-consistent explanations for the different approaches and characteristic results are obtained. It is concluded that the bulk stress on the bare glass, rather than the local stress accompanied with the scratches, resulted in the liquid crystal alignment. Compared with the anisotropy of the bulk stress on the full bare glass, which formed during the preparation, the local stress on the scribed bare glass of the liquid crystal cell is isotropic. The scratch orientations are random, which cause the averaged local stress isotropic. The bulk stress on the long side is more significant than that on the short side of the cell. As a result, the liquid crystal director is almost parallel to the long side of the liquid crystal cell. The direction of the liquid crystal in the region of ITO is random, and the liquid crystal in that region is not birefringent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) was used as support material to immobilize the urease enzyme. V2O5 was prepared from a sol–gel process, and the immobilization of urease was done onto the surface of the PET/ITO/V2O5 film. Different concentrations of urea were tested to study the sensitivity of the biosensor. Tests with pH variation were carried out, and it was noticed that the total charge in the cyclic voltammograms decreases due to the increase in pH that influences the catalytic activity of the enzyme. From cyclic voltammograms, with a different scan rate, for linear correlation testing, it was observed that the anodic currents varied as a function of the scan rate. Based on the variation in the urea concentration, the current increased with the increase in the urea concentration, indicating the sensitivity of the material. The use of V2O5/urease showed favorable electrochemical responses for application in biosensors as well as being sensitive to the variation in the urea concentration and easy to obtain and prepare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, indium tin oxide (ITO)/indium oxide (In2O3) thin film thermocouples (TFTCs) were prepared based on screen printing technology for high temperature measurement. With terpilenol as solvent, epoxy resin and polyether amine as binders and glass powders as additives, the ITO and In2O3 slurries were printed onto the Al2O3 substrate to form thermocouples. The effect on thermoelectric properties of the TFTCs with heat treatment and different contents of additives was investigated through microstructure observation and thermal cycle test. The static calibration experiment shows that the annealed TFTCs with 7.5 wt. % glass powders additives have the maximum Seebeck coefficient. The thermoelectric voltage output of the TFTCs can reach 126.5 mV at 1275 °C while the temperature difference is 1160 °C and the sensitivity of the TFTCs was 109.1 µV/°C. The drift rate of the TFTCs was 8.34 °C/h at a measuring time of 20 min at 1275 °C. The TFTCs prepared via screen printing technology with excellent thermoelectric properties and thermal stability are aimed to be a viable replacement for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface engineering has an important role on performance of optoelectronic devices. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been used between indium tin oxide (ITO) and organic layer to obtain high performance from organic lightemitting diodes (OLEDs). Herein, 4-Methoxyphenyl Boronic Acid and 3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl Boronic Acid have been used to ITO as an interface layer. The effect of SAMs on device performance was analyzed electrically and optically. Additionally, surfacre topography of modified ITO was characterized by atomic force microscope and surface wetability was analyzed by contact angle. According to results that has obtain, modified devices show better performance than unmodified devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, transparent conductive films of indium tin oxide (ITO) were deposited by solution processing sol–gel ink through spin coating on soda-lime glass and sheet glass substrates. The processing parameters evaluated include the deposition humidity, spin coating speed, and ink concentration. The optical transmittance of the ITO thin films was collected by UV–vis spectrophotometry, while the electrical properties were studied by sheet resistance measurements and impedance spectroscopy (IS) using an in-plane configuration. The lowest sheet resistance achieved for a single layer film is 104 Ω/□, with a corresponding low frequency impedance magnitude of 2 × 105. These values were obtained at medium humidity values while maintaining high optical transparency (>90%) in the visible light region. High humidity values were found to affect the substrate wetting property of the ITO ink and increased the possibility of hydrolysis during deposition, resulting in the formation of non-uniform surface patterns. A spin coating speed of 4000 rpm or more is required to obtain a uniform ITO film with desirable electrical and optical properties. Once the optimum combination of parameters is obtained, the sheet resistance and impedance magnitude can be reduced to ∼102 Ω/□ through multilayer deposition and annealing in a reducing atmosphere with minimal effect on the optical transmittance (>90%) and surface morphology, making these materials useful as electrodes for electro-optic applications. When the optimal values of the main deposition parameters are used, the ink concentration was found to have minimal effect on the quality and properties of the ITO films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The averaged power conversion efficiency of polyelectrolytes (P3CT-Na) based MAPbI3 solar cells can be increased from 14.94% to 17.46% with a wetting method before the spin-coating process of MAPbI3 precursor solutions. The effects of the wetting process on the surface, structural, optical and excitonic properties of MAPbI3 thin films are investigated by using the atomic-force microscopic images, x-ray diffraction patterns, transmittance spectra, photoluminescence spectra and Raman scattering spectra. The experimental results show that the wetting process of MAPbI3 precursor solution on top of the P3CT-Na/ITO/glass substrate can be used to manipulate the molecular packing structure of the P3CT-Na thin film, which determines the formation of MAPbI3 thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, indium tin oxide (ITO) nanofibers have been prepared by electrospinning of polymers and post-growth microwave plasma calcination (MPC). Interestingly, compared to traditional calcination in furnace, MPC can accelerate the degradation of high polar polymers and improve adhesion of ITO nanofibers to the sapphire substrate. Further characterizations reveal that the ITO nanofibers with diameters of 100–150 nm prepared by MPC at 600 °C can reach a low sheet resistance of 269 Ω/sq and a high transmittance of 90.7% at 550 nm simultaneously, which has not been previously reported by others. Our results show that the efficient MPC method has great potential in preparation of metal-oxide nanofibers for electrical and optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of graphene with semiconducting quantum dots (QDs) provides an elegant way to access the intrinsic properties of graphene and optical properties of QDs concurrently to realize the high-performance optoelectronic devices. In the current article, we have demonstrated the high-performance photodetector based on graphene: CdSe QDs/CdS nanorod heterostructures. The resulting heterojunction photodetector with device configuration ITO/graphene: CdSe/CdS nanorods/Ag show excellent operating characteristics including a maximum photoresponsivity of 15.95 AW−1 and specific detectivity of 6.85 × 1012 Jones under 530 nm light illumination. The device exhibits a photoresponse rise time of 545 ms and a decay time of 539 ms. Furthermore, the study of the effect of graphene nanosheets on the performance enhancement of heterojunction photodetector is carried out. The results indicate that, due to the enhanced energy transfer from photoexcited QDs to graphene layer, light absorption is increased and excitons are generated led to the enhancement of photocurrent density. In addition to that, the graphene: CdSe QDs/CdS nanorod interface can facilitate charge carrier transport effectively. This work provides a promising approach to develop high-performance visible-light photodetectors and utilizing advantageous features of graphene in optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photoactive р-Si/p-Cu2O/n-ITO heterostructure synthesized via the pyrolytic-extraction deposition of copper oxide and indium–tin oxide onto a silicon substrate is presented. This method is demonstrated to provide the formation of an electron-hole p-Cu2O/n-ITO junction, thus opening up opportunities for the creation of heterostructural solar cells on large surfaces at decreased expenditures on their production. The presence of transparent conductive oxide ITO creates the conditions for more active photovoltaic conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A consequence of global trade liberalization is that domestic regulatory policies have become a focal point for efforts to reduce the costs of engaging in cross-border production and exchange. This article discusses the general challenges of reducing trade frictions created by regulatory differences, focusing specifically on the role trade agreements might play in addressing regulatory spillovers. A case is made for a greater focus on plurilateral cooperation under the umbrella of the WTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the validity of the productivity bias hypothesis (PBH) in 18 Middle East countries.Design/methodology/approach The paper employs autoregressive-distributed lag approach to cointegration approach and stability tests.Findings The empirical results suggest the existence of the PBH only in the case of Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.Practical implications Conclusions drawn from this research could be useful for the policy-makers of governments and practitioners in international trade organizations.Originality/value This study extends the existing literature by providing initial empirical time series evidence of the PBH for the entire Middle East countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes to think counterfactually about international law: How could it have been otherwise? Asking that question has the benefit of, first, exposing contingencies in international law’s development that are otherwise glossed over in the rush towards making sense of what happened. Second, counterfactual thinking supports the understanding of what actually happened in a context-sensitive fashion. Third, it forms part of comparative moral assessments and exposes blind spots. Counterfactual thinking may thus contribute to the freedom from necessity, from grand theory, and from reality. The paper draws the contours of what writing counterfactual (hi)stories of international law is about, discusses its merits as well as drawbacks, offers guidance on how to do it, and then focuses on two probing examples: What if the International Trade Organization had been established around 1949? What if garment workers were seals and the European Commission prohibited the importation of certain textiles? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: basing on the study of multilateral trade negotiations of Doha Round in the integrity of their historical development, to reveal the contradictions, problems, and possible result of the negotiation process. Methods: analysis and synthesis, dialectic method, historical method, logical method, systemic analysis. Results: The main stages, condition and development of Doha Round of negotiations are viewed. The main problems are defined, as well as obstacles to economically beneficial outcome of the Doha Round, the positive and negative practice of international negotiations. The chronology and structure of Doha Round of international negotiations are presented. Scientific novelty: Economic conditions are revealed for the Russia's adaptation to development within World Trading System (WTS), as well as the problems of negotiation process in the structure of Doha Round,, which make up the theoretical basis for forming the program of the Russian economy adaptation for the integration into WTO. Practical significance: The research results can be used by the state authority bodies as a basis for elaborating and implementation of the strategy of the Russian economy adaptation for the integration into WTO.

Commerce had become a “reason of state” in the eighteenth century. With the publication of Smith’s Wealth of Nations, the idea that free international trade was economically beneficial however gradually gained prominence. The long nineteenth century indeed saw timid – bilateral – attempts to implement the new politico-economic philosophy. Yet the First World War and the Great Depression destroyed almost all trade liberalisation already achieved, and the neo-mercantilist policies of the 1920s and 1930s seemed to turn the wheels of commerce backwards. Nonetheless: after the Second World War the belief that a peaceful world order could only be founded on a stable international economic order emerged strengthened; and a number of institutional attempts to liberalise – and harness – the world economy were immediately made, culminating in the creation of the 1947 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through detailed archival analysis, this paper examines states' voting rights and representation in the International Trade Organization (ITO), which remains an under-analyzed aspect of the post-war multilateral trading system. The paper shows that the US designers of the ITO preferred and pursued formal voting equality because they reasoned it served the institution's intended functions and purposes better than weighted voting. But, as the negotiations undermined US priorities, particularly on balance of payment (BOP) questions, the designers presented a proposal for mirroring the IMF's weighted voting at the ITO. They, however, returned to their original proposal of voting equality when the ultimate draft of the ITO reflected their key preferences without resorting to weighted voting. By closely tracing the drafters' thinking throughout the evolution of the negotiations, the paper contributes to understanding the design of multilateral institutions as well as US behavior in the creation of the post-war multilateral system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To date, no country has taken longer to join the World Trade Organization than the Russian Federation despite the fact that the USSR (of which the Russian Federation is the legal successor) participated in the drafting conference of the Charter to the International Trade Organization, Le., the original source of the rules of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the later WTO. While the USSR never joined the ITO , Russia finally joined the WTOin 2012, eighteen years after its first application had been made. The reasons for the lengthy accession process were partially economic, as the WTOwas established to remove trade impediments; however, the context also was highly politicized. The economic aspects of the WTOaccession process are the concessions made to existing members. These entail removing the cover offered to domestic producers by opening up to international competition. This process also has political aspects, as domestic lobbies representing economic sectors likely to suffer from an increasingly competitive international environment seek compensation. The politicization is facilitated by a custom contra Legem in WTO decision-making procedures that gives a de facto veto to existing members. Georgia used this to reassert its position on South Osetiia and Abkhaziia. China brought a border dispute into the process, and the us entangled the process in a broad-ranging debate linked to human rights. In joining the WTO, a dual process of domestic and international negotiations results in the final package of commitments to which an acceding member needs to agree as it joins the WTO. Part of our focus in this article will be on key economic and political obligations that the Russian Federation took upon itself by becoming a member of the WTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the globalization and transnationaliation of commercial and financial law, and it mentions the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT), the International Trade Organization (ITO), and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The completion of the Single Market and Monetary Union in the European Union in the 1990s is mentioned, along with cross-borer trade involving nations such as the U.S. The Bank of International Settlement (BIS) is also examined.

We report on an electrochemical immunoassay for simultaneous detection of the tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and α-fetoprotein (AFP). Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized inside the internal pore walls of mesoporous silica (MPS). Then, Methylene blue (MB) and 6-ferrocenylhexanethiol (FeC), which act as electrochemical substrates, were incorporated into the channels via the formation of Au-S bonds. Finally, monoclonal antibodies against CEA (anti-CEA) and AFP (anti-AFP) were immobilized in the channels of MB-AuNPs-MPS and FeC-AuNPs-MPS, respectively. Suspensions of anti-CEA/MB-AuNPs-MPS and of anti-AFP/FeC-AuNPs-MPS were deposited on two different sites of the ITO electrode. When incubated with samples containing the two analytes, the formation of electrically nonconductive immunoconjugates blocks electron transfer. Simultaneous detection of CEA and AFP was accomplished by monitoring the current change before and after an immunoreaction has occurred. The AuNPs confined inside the channels are promoting the electron transport and thus improve detection limits. The immunoelectrode responds to CEA in the 0.5-50 ng mL concentration range, and to AFP in concentrations between 0.5 and 100 ng mL. The detection limits (at an S/N of 3) are 0.1 ng mL in both cases. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial reporting is a key outputs of Information Technology (IT). Thus to assure the reliability of financial reporting, the IT audit has to be evaluated. The evaluation of IT Audit is necessary also when the IT is outsourced. This paper aims to identify the determinants of the Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) decision in Italy and to test empirically the ITO framework developed theoretically by Lacity et al. (2011), using the variable construction based on Lacity et al. (2010). We use a questionnaire addressed to Italian companies which are today obliged to comply with Law 262/2005. The aim is to test the reliability of financial reporting through the evaluation of internal control, such as IT audit. We control for the non-response bias. We build a panel data for our regression model. We find that client firm characteristics, Task Complexity and ITO outcomes are significant for Italian listed companies in the ITO decision. The findings are original in that they concern a country which has specific characteristics and where very little empirical research exists on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses environmental governance, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and potential trade challenges to private environmental labels as of October 2012. Other topics include nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), compliance with environmental standards, and the United Nations (UN) Conference on Trade and Employment. The UN General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is examined, along with the International Trade Organization (ITO) and the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Mechanism.