Mo Contact via High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering on Polyimide Substrate

It has always been a huge challenge to prepare the Mo back contact of inorganic compound thin film solar cells (e.g., CIGS, CZTS, Sb2Se3) with good conductivity and adhesion at the same time. High-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) has been proposed as one solution to improve the properties of the thin film. In this study, the HiPIMS technology replaced the traditional DC power sputtering technology to deposit Mo back contact on polyimide (PI) substrates by adjusting the experimental parameters of HiPIMS, including working pressure and pulse DC bias. When the Mo back contact is prepared under a working pressure of 5 mTorr and bias voltage of −20 V, the conductivity of the Mo back contact is 9.9 × 10−6 Ωcm, the residual stress of 720 MPa, and the film still has good adhesion. Under the minimum radius of curvature of 10 mm, the resistivity change rate of Mo back contact does not increase by more than 15% regardless of the 1680 h or 1500 bending cycle tests, and the Mo film still has good adhesion in appearance. Experimental results show that, compared with traditional DC sputtering, HiPIMS coating technology has better conductivity and adhesion at the same time, and is especially suitable for PI substrates.

Simple method for making MWCNTs/Au-NPs-based biosensor electrodes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes have great potential when applied as biosensors. Their properties, especially as electrodes with electrochemical characteristics, offer strong benefits for developing biosensors. This research has been able to integrate multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with Au nanoparticles (Au-NPs) to obtain several new superior properties. Cysteaminium chloride is used to link MWCNTs and Au-NPs while binding to specific antibodies to make them more sensitive to some diseases or viruses. The data on the success of the bonding of MWCNTs/Au-NPs were tested using three characterizations, namely FTIR, SEM, and XRD. Based on the results of testing electrochemical properties using the CV and EIS tests, the capacitance value of 6,363 Fg-1 and the Rct value of 717,9 Ω, respectively. This demonstrates good adhesion and electron transfer properties from the electrolyte to the probe and electrode.

Electroplating of Indium-Cadmium and Tin-Cadmium Alloy Coatings

Technological parameters for electroplating cadmium alloy (Cd (24)-In and Cd (33)-Sn) coatings from low toxic solutions have been proposed. Since the fabricated alloy coatings possess low internal stress and microhardness, good adhesion property, high corrosion and wear resistance, they can be used as protective coatings for machine building products to enhance reliability and operability thereof. The presence of good solderability and low values of transient electric resistance in climatic testing favor these coatings to be applied in hetero-structured contact systems of instrument making products for increasing their reliability and operability in a tropical marine climate.

Liquid metal biomaterials for biomedical imaging

Liquid metals (LMs) not only retain the basic properties of metallic biomaterials, such as high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, but also possess flexibility, flowability, deformability, plasticity, good adhesion, and...

In Situ Polymerization to Boron Nitride-Fluorinated Poly Methacrylate Composites as Thin but Robust Anti-Corrosion Coatings

High-performance anti-corrosion coatings featuring easy processability and thin thickness are highly desired in industry. Yet, solution process coating often faces a sedimentation problem with particles which are used as reinforcement in coatings. In this contribution, boron nitride (BN) was modified by an acrylate silane coupling agent (KH-570) to obtain acrylated BN flakes. Afterwards, the acrylated BN flakes were in situ copolymerized with 2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl methacrylate to synthesize BN-fluorinated poly methacrylate (PFBP) composites. The as-obtained PFBP composites can form stable coating solutions, in which sedimentation of BN flakes seldom happens. The coating solution can easily form uniform coatings on various substrates with nanoscale thickness, confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The corrosion resistance of the samples coated PFBP coatings in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride solution was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is indicated that the incorporation of BN flakes greatly reduce the corrosion rate. Adhesion measurements and abrasion resistance test indicate the PFBP coating performs good adhesion to substrate and robustness. Through the in situ polymerization, acrylated BN flakes are connected with the polymer chain, which inhibits the sedimentation of BN in the coating solution. Additionally, the BN flakes dispersed in the fluorinated polymer act as barriers, improving the corrosion resistance of the coated samples.

Modelling of the Motion and Interaction of a Droplet of an Inkjet Printing Process with Physically Treated Polymers Substrates

This study examines the effect of energetic surface treatment on the adhesion strength of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. The purpose of this work is to determine the surface wettability of polymers suitable for food contact. These plastics have been treated with various pre-treatment methods to improve surface tension and good adhesion for inkjet printing and avoid any visual changes. It is important to determine the adhesion of the ink to the polymer surface to improve post-consumer recycling. Digital inks have been tested on various treated plastics to analyse coating properties and adhesion forces in accordance with DIN ISO 2409 standards. The impact of the inkjet droplet on the treated and non-treated surface was also investigated using the COMSOL computer simulation software.

Influence of Carbon Nanowalls Interlayer on Copper Deposition

This research deals with the deposition of copper on a steel substrate. Two different methods were investigated: electrochemical and magnetron sputtering. The deposition parameters were optimized to obtain a coating layer with uniform granular structure and good adhesion to the substrate. As a novelty, carbon nanowalls (CNW) were used as reinforcement in copper coatings on the steel surface. The morphology of the coatings, adhesion and Vickers microhardness were performed to emphasize the CNW influence on the coating properties. Open circuit potential and Tafel analysis were used for electrochemical characterization. These kinds of CNW-copper composite with improved hardness and adhesion and surface electrical resistance around 1 Ω·cm could have miscellaneous applications in different domains such as aerospace, electronics, automotive and power-generation.

Preparation of Degradable Superhydrophobic Mg/P/Z/F/H Composite Materials and Their Anticorrosion

In this study, the degradable superhydrophobic Mg/P/Z/F/H (magnesium/poly(-caprolactone)/zinc oxide/1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTES)/heating process) composite materials were prepared through dip-coating method and heating process, for enhancing the corrosion resistance of the AZ91D magnesium alloys. The electrochemical measurements revealed that the Mg/P/Z/F/H materials significantly improved the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloys in 3.5 wt.% NaCl. The Mg/P/Z/F/H composite materials exhibited efficient self-cleaning properties, good adhesion strength, and stability in wet atmosphere.

Metal Oxide Nanostructure-Based Gas Sensor for Carbon Dioxide Detection

To increase the sensitivity and efficiency of a gas sensor, nanostructured ZnO and Co3O4 layers were obtained by hydrothermal synthesis directly on the electrode surface, eliminating the use of binders. Scanning electron microscope images showed that the resulting nanostructured coatings were characterised by good adhesion to the surface and high porosity, which opened up the possibility of their further use in the process of developing a gas sensor. The efficiency of the obtained nanostructured coatings and their sensitivity at room temperature to various concentrations of CO2 were determined. The resistance curves of the samples were obtained as a function of gas concentration in the chamber, for Co3O4 and ZnO nanostructures.