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Encapsulation is a very relevant process today, as it allows you to protect the encapsulated material (probiotic) from environmental influences: moisture, heat, etc., thereby increasing the chances of squeezability. To select the optimal percentage of sodium alginate 0.5%, 0.8%, 1%. The experiments were carried out at temperatures of the gel-forming mixture from 20 to 50 ℃. A nozzle with an outlet hole d= 1,2×10-3м was selected as the most optimal both in terms of performance and quality of the capsules obtained. When determining the viscosity in the Brookfield viscometer, the constant mode goes out after the rotor speed from 0,333 с-1 до 0,833 с-1. A suspension of a strain of propionic acid bacteria Propionibacterium freudenreichii was added to the resulting mixture. Eventually, rounded capsules containing the probiotic Propionibacterium freudenreichii were obtained, which can be used in further technological processes in the production of food products of therapeutic and preventive action or in the production of pharmacological preparations. The gellike raw material, when pressurized with a gear pump, experiences instantaneous elastic deformation and further, at a stress exceeding the yield strength, viscoplastic deformation. Under the influence of pressure and the deformations tested, the gellike raw material enters the nozzle, is sprayed, and then forms microcapsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have tried to study the compression behaviour of composites by a different technique of spraying nano – TiO2 on glass fibre fabrics with vinyl resin as binder and epoxy resin as matrix. It was found that the air spraying method was effective in loading the nanoparticles onto the fabrics and improving their wetting properties with the resins. The experimental results showed that the compressive strength of the modified specimens was lower than that of the untreated ones, while their compressive strength was increased. On this basis, the fracture process of the material was observed using microscopy, and electron microscopy observations revealed that the degree of interfacial bonding between the material and the substrate was improved, while the bond strength demonstrated the strong toughening effect of nano – TiO2 on the substrate. Electron microscopy tests also showed that the composites modified by nano- TiO2 showed significant improvement in matrix fracture, fibre breakage and delamination. This study provides a theoretical basis for the study of the mechanical properties of composite materials used as supports under uniaxial compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Fiber Inspection is the property of China Fiber Inspection and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cockroaches are globally distributed pests with high epidemic importance. Their role as spreaders of many infectious and parasitic diseases in animals and humans determines disinsection as the main anti-epidemic measure. The present study compared the effectiveness of spray application of different commercial insecticides against a field population of oriental cockroaches (B. orientalis) under laboratory conditions. A very high efficiency of fipronil (100% mortality) was found as early as 37-48 hours after treatment and a high efficiency of synthetic pyrethroids - 95-97% mortality at 49-60 hours. With the organophosphate derivatives (Dichlorvos) low mortality (37%) and unsatisfactory efficiency was achieved. The obtained results confirm the insecticides from the phenylpyrazole group and the synthetic pyrethroids, in spray-applied forms, as an effective method of fighting the oriental cockroach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is one of the world's most widely dispersed animals. Recently, wild boar meat consumption has been increasing each year. Therefore, in this work, the impact of lactic acid and ascorbic acid mixture treatments was evaluated with the spray method in wild boar meat surfaces on meat quality parameters such as pH and color. For the experiment, fresh wild boar meat from a local processing plant was used, and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 1 day. A mixture of 2% lactic acid with 2% ascorbic acid was sprayed onto meat samples. The samples were vacuum-packed and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 21 days. Quality parameters were measured on days: 0, 7, 14, and 21. The pH values were determined with a digital pH meter, and the color of the meat surface was measured using a colorimeter. L*, a*, and b* values were measured and delta E, hue angle, and chroma were calculated. The significance of differences between the treated and non-treated samples was determined by a two-way analysis of variance using the software IBM SPSS27. Color measurement data indicate that the L* values of treated and non-treated wild boar meat samples did not show a significant (P > 0.05) difference from each other. However, treated samples had significantly (P < 0.05) higher a* values compared to non-treated samples on days 14 and 21. The a* values are important because a* values show redness and larger values that indicate a redder color. Therefore, spray treatment effected positively for color. For pH measurement, it was established that the lactic acid and ascorbic acid mixture are decreasing the pH of wild boar meat at the beginning of the display period. This initial decline could be caused by the acid treatment. Furthermore, pH values were slightly higher than non-treated samples at the end of the display period. Therefore, in the conclusion, a 2% lactic acid and 2% ascorbic acid mixture could be an alternative to extend wild boar meat shelf life. Key words: Wild boar meat, Lactic acid, Ascorbic acid, Spray method, Meat quality, Color. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is one of the world's most widely dispersed animals. Recently, wild boar meat consumption has been increasing each year. Therefore, in this work, the impact of lactic acid and ascorbic acid mixture treatments was evaluated with the spray method in wild boar meat surfaces on meat quality parameters such as pH and color. For the experiment, fresh wild boar meat from a local processing plant was used, and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 1 day. A mixture of 2% lactic acid with 2% ascorbic acid was sprayed onto meat samples. The samples were vacuum-packed and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 21 days. Quality parameters were measured on days: 0, 7, 14, and 21. The pH values were determined with a digital pH meter, and the color of the meat surface was measured using a colorimeter. L*, a*, and b* values were measured and delta E, hue angle, and chroma were calculated. The significance of differences between the treated and non-treated samples was determined by a two-way analysis of variance using the software IBM SPSS27. Color measurement data indicate that the L* values of treated and non-treated wild boar meat samples did not show a significant (P > 0.05) difference from each other. However, treated samples had significantly (P < 0.05) higher a* values compared to non-treated samples on days 14 and 21. The a* values are important because a* values show redness and larger values that indicate a redder color. Therefore, spray treatment effected positively for color. For pH measurement, it was established that the lactic acid and ascorbic acid mixture are decreasing the pH of wild boar meat at the beginning of the display period. This initial decline could be caused by the acid treatment. Furthermore, pH values were slightly higher than non-treated samples at the end of the display period. Therefore, in the conclusion, a 2% lactic acid and 2% ascorbic acid mixture could be an alternative to extend wild boar meat shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insecticidal activity of 38 commercialized pesticides against Atractomorpha lata nymphs in Korea was studied. Seven pesticides showed greater than 70% insecticidal activity against A. lata nymphs after 48 h of treatment, and similar results were observed for adult A. lata using the spray method. The insecticidal activity of the seven pesticides, except for thiacloprid, against Oxya sinuosa adults was similar to that against A. lata. Clothianidin, tetraniliprole, and thiacloprid showed higher toxicity when plants and insects were treated together than when insects were treated directly, indicating that pesticides have ingestion toxicity against A. lata. Clothianidin and thiacloprid have been observed to have knockdown effects on both A. lata nymphs and adults. Tetraniliprole showed 86.7% mortality until 7 days after treatment in the residual effect test of pesticide exposure under field conditions. Therefore, this study provides basic data for A. lata control; tetraniliprole was found to be an effective insecticide for the control of A. lata nymphs and adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cotton Textile Technology is the property of Cotton Textile Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years, the technology of storing and transporting natural gas in the form of hydrate has received a lot of attention. At present, the research on the synthesis of natural gas hydrate for the purpose of storage and transportation is still in the laboratory stage, and its synthesis process is in the design and conception stage. The influencing factors of natural gas hydrate synthesis under pilot-scale conditions are more complex. Moreover, pilot experiments are oriented to actual production, and its economic feasibility and operational convenience have higher requirements. This paper aimed to study the influencing factors of gas hydrate synthesis by spray method under pilot-scale conditions. Under specific conditions of surfactant and pressure, we carried out research on the effects of reaction temperature, different forms of atomizers, high-pressure pump flow, experimental water, and other factors. Experiments show that the optimal synthesis conditions were a temperature of −5 °C, a pressure of 5 MPa, a conical nozzle, a generated gas hydrate as the hydrate of type I structure, and a gas storage capacity of 1:123 (gas–water ratio). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the petrochemical industry, crude oil adhesion in storage tanks leads to volatilization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing environmental harm and economic losses. Superamphiphobic coatings show promise in addressing this issue, but current options face challenges like complexity, limited durability, and poor corrosion resistance. This work introduces a durable and corrosion-resistant superamphiphobic coating on Q235 carbon steel using the "paint + adhesives" two-step spray method. The first layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and epoxy resin (E-44), while the second layer consists of fluorine modified silica nanoparticles (F-SiO 2). The numerous and homogeneously dispersed fluorine on the coating imparts excellent liquid-repelling properties for both water and crude oil, with a water contact angle of 164.1 ± 2.4° and a sliding angle of 1.1 ± 0.1°, as well as a crude oil contact angle of 172.1 ± 0.9° and a sliding angle of 2.5 ± 0.5°. Systematic stability tests confirm the coating's mechanical and chemical stability, suggesting its potential in practical applications. Importantly, a crude oil tank with our superamphiphobic coating can reduce non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) volatilization by 77.4 % ± 7.8 % compared to an uncoated tank. This research provides a superamphiphobic coating to reduce crude oil loss and VOC volatilization in petrochemical enterprises, showing significant contribution to environmental sustainability. [Display omitted] • A superamphiphobic coating, combining fluorine-modified SiO 2 powder with E-44/PTFE adhesive, was produced using a two-step spray method. • The coating exhibits remarkable resistance to crude oil corrosion, remaining unchanged even after 120 days of immersion. • Applied to a simulated crude oil storage tank, the coating reduces non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) volatilization by 77.4 % compared to an uncoated tank. • The two-step spray method allows coating fabrication on diverse substrates such as carbon steel, ABS plastic, glass, and A4 printing paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolymer foams are excellent materials in terms of mechanical loads and fire resistance applications. This study investigated the foaming process of geopolymers and foam stability, with a focus on the fire resistance performance when using polystyrene as the base layer. The main purpose is to define the influence of porosity on the physical properties and consequently to find applications and effectiveness of geopolymers. In this study, lightweight materials are obtained through a process called geopolymerization. Foaming was done by adding aluminum powder at the end of the geopolymer mortar preparation. The interaction between the aluminum powder and the alkaline solution (used for the binder during the mixing process) at room temperature is reactive enough to develop hydrogen-rich bubbles that increase the viscosity and promote the consolidation of geopolymers. The basic principle of thermodynamic reactions responsible for the formation of foams is characterized by hydrogen-rich gas generation, which is then trapped in the molecular structure of geopolymers. The geopolymer foams in this study are highly porous and robust materials. Moreover, the porosity distribution is very homogeneous. Experimental assessments were performed on four specimens to determine the density, porosity, mechanical strength, and thermal conductivity. The results showed that our geopolymer foams layered on polystyrene boards (with optimal thickness) have the highest fire resistance performance among others. This combination could withstand temperatures of up to 800 °C for more than 15 min without the temperature rising on the insulated side. Results of the best-performing geopolymer foam underline the technical characteristics of the material, with an average apparent density of 1 g/cm3, a volume porosity of 55%, a thermal conductivity of 0.25 W/mK, and excellent fire resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] To establish a breeding system for pre-elite seed potatoes. [Methods] Shoot-tip seedlings were cultured with different medium, and then transplanted in different substrates. They were sprayed with nutrient solutions of different formulas. Potato minitubers were induced. [ Results] The medium of MS + 2.0 mg/L 6-BA,1.0 mg/L NAA + 3% sugar was preferable for potato shoot tip culture. After virus detection, the virus-free potato seedlings were propagated. The medium composed of vermiculite, peat and perlite (1=3=1) was recommended for transplanting potato tissue culture seedlings in greenhouse. The three-dimensional spray method was used to produce pre-elite seed potatoes. The full-amount MS nutrient solution could increase the tuber number per plant to 55. Induction of minitubers is a better breeding technology for pre-elite seed potatoes. The optimal medium screened for induction of potato minitubers was MS + (5 -7) mg/L 6-BA, with a dark culture duration of about 20 d. [Conclusions] The breeding technology established is suitable for the two-season cultivation areas in Zaozhuang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cerium – Manganese Catalytic Ceramic Paper very active for soot oxidation. • Spray method showed to be efficient for anchoring catalytic species on fibers. • Experiments at bench scale showed good soot filtration capacities. • Citric Acid addition during impregnation improved catalytic distribution on fibers. Diesel Particulate filters are considered one of the most efficient technologies to reduce particulate matter emitted by diesel engines. In this paper we study the development of catalytic ceramic papers based on Mn-Ce and their applications as soot particle filters in bench scale tests. Ceramic papers were prepared by a dual polyelectrolyte papermaking method and were impregnated with Mn and Ce precursors through a wet-spray procedure using a commercial fogger. Catalytic ceramic papers were tested as catalysts for the combustion of soot, which was obtained both from the burning of diesel fuel and directly from a bench test. In addition, the filtering capacity of catalytic ceramic papers was tested through opacity measurements by placing the ceramic papers in a suitable case at the end of the engine. Mn-Ce based catalysts were active in the soot combustion. The addition of citric acid considerably improved the catalytic performance of all the systems studied. This beneficial effect of citric acid is related to an improvement in the distribution of the catalytic material onto the ceramic fibers, being the mixed equimolar oxide Mn-Ce the most active catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a spray approach is applied to produce POM/graphene nanocomposite using a hot press mold and an automatic spray. The layer-by-layer spray method is used to fabricate these composites with different Wt. % of graphene particles, spray pressure, nozzle-to-mold distance at different temperatures. Taguchi approach as a popular method for Designing of Experiments (DOE) was used for statistical control of the parameters influenced by the synthesis process. The main idea in the present study was to determine the optimal characteristics by investigation of interaction effects in the manufacturing of POM/graphene nanocomposite. Thus, the optimal values obtained were 180oC for the mold temperature, 0.55m for the nozzle-to-mold distance and 3*105 Pa for the spray pressure. Finally, the experimental procedure done, showed that in samples fabricated by 1.8 Wt. % of graphene, the fracture strain decreased about 30% and the UTS and elastic modulus improved 40% and 60%, respectively.

Copyright of Chemistry & Industry of Forest Products is the property of Chemistry & Industry of Forest Products Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this work was to improve proton exchange membranes (PEMs) used in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). A membrane with a high proton conductivity and low methanol permeability was required. Zeolite filler in Nafion (NF matrix) composite membranes were prepared using two types of zeolite, mordenite (MOR) and analcime (ANA). Spray method was used to prepare the composite membranes, and properties of the membranes were investigated: mechanical properties, solubility, water and methanol uptake, ion-exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and DMFC performance. It was found that MOR filler showed higher performance than ANA. The MOR/Nafion composite membrane gave better properties than ANA/Nafion composite membrane, including a higher proton conductivity and a methanol permeability that was 2–3 times lower. The highest DMFC performance (10.75 mW cm −2 ) was obtained at 70 °C and with 2 M methanol, with a value 1.5 times higher than that of ANA/Nafion composite membrane and two times higher than that of commercial Nafion 117 (NF 117). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polyoxymethylene/graphene nanocomposites were fabricated by the spray layer-by-layer method. Mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio were measured. The addition of 2.4 wt.% graphene increased the ultimate tensile strength by 64% and the Young’s modulus by 103%. The tensile data are compared with those predicted according to the Halpin-Tsai equation. Dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer results showed an increase in storage modulus with increasing graphene weight percentage. Morphologies of the fracture surface of polyoxymethylene/graphene nanocomposite were observed by scanning electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a spray approach is applied to produce POM/graphene nanocomposite using a hot press mold and an automatic spray. The layer-by-layer spray method is used to fabricate these composites with different Wt. % of graphene particles, spray pressure, nozzle-to-mold distance at different temperatures. Taguchi approach as a popular method for Designing of Experiments (DOE) was used for statistical control of the parameters influenced by the synthesis process. The main idea in the present study was to determine the optimal characteristics by investigation of interaction effects in the manufacturing of POM/graphene nanocomposite. Thus, the optimal values obtained were 180°C for the mold temperature, 0.55m for the nozzle-to-mold distance and 3*105 Pa for the spray pressure. Finally, the experimental procedure done, showed that in samples fabricated by 1.8 Wt. % of graphene, the fracture strain decreased about 30% and the UTS and elastic modulus improved 40% and 60%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO-based electron transport layers (ETLs) have caused wide public interest in flexible and wearable electronic devices owing to its higher electron mobility and crystalline without sintering processes. Here we describe a fast, inexpensive and low temperature spray method for the preparation of ZnO electron transport layers in CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 -sensitized perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on CuI holes transporter layers (HTL). The SEM results show that the surface morphology of ZnO films has an impact on the coverage rate of perovskite which is caused by the spray method. Optimization of the thickness of ZnO layers yielded highest power conversion efficiency of devices up to 3.47% with short-circuit current density J sc , open-circuit voltage V oc and fill factor were 14.21 mA/cm 2 , 0.55 V and 44%, respectively. The factors that influence the performance of the cells have been analyzed by the impedance spectroscopy technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy harvesting is a method of converting energy from ambient environment into useful electrical energy. Due to the increasing number of sensors and personal electronics, energy harvesting technologies from various sources are gaining attention. Among energy-harvesting technologies, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was introduced as a device that can effectively generate electricity from mechanical motions by contact-electrification. Particularly, liquid-solid contact TENGs, which use the liquid itself as a triboelectric material, can overcome the inevitable friction wear between two solid materials. Using a commercial aerosol hydrophobic spray, liquid-solid contact TENGs, with a superhydrophobic surface (contact angle over 160°) can be easily fabricated with only a few coating processes. To optimize the fabrication process, the open-circuit voltage of sprayed superhydrophobic surfaces was measured depending on the number of coating processes. To demonstrate the simple fabrication and applicability of this technique on random 3D surfaces, a liquid-solid contact TENG was fabricated on the brim of a cap (its complicated surface structure is due to the knitted strings). This simple sprayed-on superhydrophobic surface can be a possible solution for liquid-solid contact TENGs to be mass produced and commercialized in the future.

Polymer-based nanocomposites are among the most popular nanocomposites and have been investigated with the use of different polymers, reinforcements, and methods. In this research, a new approach is applied to produce multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposite using a hot press mold and an automatic spray. The resulting nanocomposite, consisting of polymer and carbon nanotubes, is obtained using the layer-by-layer spray method. The Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength of standard samples is obtained using a tensile test experiment. A considerable increase of more than 100% is achieved in these parameters by adding carbon nanotubes to the nanocomposite. The study is followed by performing low cycle fatigue tests in order to study the effect of adding carbon nanotubes to PVC. The effect of various parameters influencing the composition of the processed nanocomposites, as well as their fatigue strength, is identified in an optimal condition as well. A comparison is drawn between the mechanical properties of pure polymer and the nanocomposites. The results indicated that carbon nanotubes significantly add to the fatigue strength. Moreover, the effect of the weight percent and the number of carbon nanotube layers added to the PVC matrix is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal quantum-dot-based photovoltaic devices (CQDPVs) were fabricated at room temperature in air atmosphere via a spraying technique. Lead sulfide colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) were utilized for this process and various fabrication conditions such as the spraying pressure, types of ligand molecules, duration of ligand exchange, and the band-gap of the CQDs were investigated in order to optimize the device performance. The power conversion efficiency reached 4.00% ($V_{{\rm OC}}$ of 0.57 V, $J_{{\rm SC}}$ of 11.79 mA·cm−2, and FF of 0.60) when ∼145 nm thick sprayed CQD layers were utilized; this value is comparable to that achieved with the conventional spin-coated devices. The generality of the conditions used for fabrication of the sprayed CQDPVs was demonstrated in the fabrication of various CQDs having different band-gaps (1.34–1.61 eV). This technique provides an avenue for the application of a high-throughput process for CQDPV fabrication. Because the materials used herein for device fabrication are not completely optimized, there is further scope for improving device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Antimony doped tin oxide thin films were grown by spray method on microscope glass substrates. The antimony doping was varied from 0 to 4 at%. The structural properties of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction method. The optical transmittances of thin films were measured with UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer in the 300–2000 nm wavelength range. A simple analysis according to Swanepoel's method was applied to derive the real and imaginary parts of the complex index of refraction plus film thickness. The dispersion of refractive index was investigated in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple and DiDomenico model and the important oscillating parameters such as the dispersion energy E d , the oscillation energy E o , the high frequency dielectric constant ɛ ∞ were determined. The analysis of the refractive index has been carried out to calculate the lattice dielectric constant ɛ L and the ratio of carrier concentration to the effective mass N / m *. The real and imaginary parts of the electronic dielectric constant and optical conductivity were analyzed. The optical band gap, E g values of the films were obtained from the spectral dependence of the absorption coefficient, using the Tauc relation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorine-doped ZnO (FZO) thin films were fabricated on glass substrates using a chemical spray pyrolysis method for NO 2 gas detection. The physical properties of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrometry as a function of fluorine concentration (2 and 5 at%). The films exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and the inclusion of fluorine did not significantly influence the morphology of the films. Optical measurements showed that the band gap energies of the films were affected by the fluorine concentration. Furthermore, the NO 2 gas-sensing properties of pristine and FZO thin films were investigated in the concentration range of 100–1000 ppb. Fluorine doping in ZnO was found to improve the NO 2 -sensing capability at the least. All gas sensor measurements showed an optimal sensor response at a temperature of 200 °C. In addition, the 2% FZO was found to be more suitable candidate for detecting NO 2 gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified spray method (m-SM) was used to fabricate 8 at%-lithium-doped NiO (NiO:8-Li) films using the nickel nitrate [Ni(NO 3 ) 2 ·6H 2 O] and lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) solutions. The NiO:8-Li solutions were sprayed on glass substrates and annealed at various temperatures. It found that the resistivity was decreased and the optical bandgap value were increased as annealing temperature of the NiO:8-Li films was increased from 400 °C to 600 °C. As the annealing temperature increased, the ratio (fitting area) of Ni 3+ /Ni 2+ in the NiO:8-Li films decreased, which was caused by the increasing in carrier concentration. When the NiO:8-Li films was deposited on ITO glass substrates, the rectifying current–voltage ( I – V ) properties confirmed that a p–n heterojunction diode characteristic was successfully formed in a NiO:8-Li/ITO structure. The NiO:8-Li/ITO heterojunction parameters such as ideality factor ( n ), barrier height ( φ b ), and series resistance ( R s ) were determined using conventional forward bias I – V characteristics, Cheung׳s and Norde׳s methods. The ideality factor of 3.3, barrier height of ~0.72 eV, and the series resistance of ~0.21 kΩ were estimated using I – V characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inverted-structure polymer solar cells (I-PSCs) containing sequentially sprayed electron-transporting layers (ETLs) and photoactive layers were fabricated. Low-temperature sol–gel-derived ZnO thin films were used as the ETLs and films of a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend were used as the photoactive layers. Nanoripples-containing ZnO ETLs could be successfully fabricated by controlling the spraying rate of the ZnO precursor solution and the subsequent annealing conditions. The P3HT/PCBM active layers sprayed on the ZnO ETLs were optimized using a unique solvent-assisted post-deposition treatment, namely, the sprayed solvent overlayer (SSO) treatment. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the I-PSCs based on the optimized ETLs and active layers was as high as 3.55%, which is comparable to that reported for I-PSCs fabricated using the conventional spin-coating method. The sprayed I-PSCs also exhibited high environmental stability, maintaining ∼80% of their PCE even after 40 days of aging in air under ambient conditions without encapsulation. The I-PSCs based on the P3HT/PCBM photoactive layers optimized using the SSO treatment displayed much higher stability than those based on photoactive layers optimized using a conventional thermal annealing treatment. This result indicated that the SSO treatment is a suitable post-deposition treatment method for improving the morphological stability of P3HT/PCBM active layers. Further, the fabrication technique investigated in this study is a high-throughput low-temperature one and is suitable for fabricating high-stability PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]