Advanced Materials Research Vol. 1132

Abstract: We investigate the effect of surface texturing on the light trapping properties of Silicon wafers as a function of reflection reduction and surface morphology. This was achieved by structuring a random square-based pyramids pattern on the surface of Silicon substrate using anisotropy etching. The light trapping effect was optimized for silicon solar cells by investigating the dependence of the silicon surface texturing on the process parameters such as etchant concentration, etching time and temperature. We study the surface morphology by analyzing the surface behaviour of the textured substrate using the atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope. The results of roughness and optical reflection were obtained using the surface profiler and the UV/VIS the spectrometer respectively. In addition, an analytical modelling method was developed to determine the angles of incidence of light rays with each of the facets of the pyramids and the coordinate of the reflected light rays. The method used here is based on 3-D vector geometry of the pyramidal facets. The optimum parameters are found to be 40min, a temperature of 80^oC and with KOH/IPA/DI in the ratio [2:4:46] by volume, yielding a surface roughness over 600 nm and a relative optical reflectance in the visible spectrum less than 10%, using polished Si as reference. The results and analysis of both the modelled and measured reflectance, suggest that the performance of the light trapping technique has a big potential in silicon solar cells application.

Abstract: We examine the fundamental operation of an Organic Light Emitting Device with emphasis laid on the Hole Transport Layer (HTL) and the optoelectronic properties of the other layers that make up the device. Investigation of the adhesion properties together with surface morphology, electrical and optical characterization of the different layers of the device was carried out. Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) was used as the conventional HTL material in the first case. This yields the reference device or system under studies. In the second case, PEDOT: PSS was replaced by an inorganic material, molybdenum trioxide (MoO ₃ ). The device performance in case two (2) revealed an improvement in performance. A couple of deposition techniques were examined together with the analysis of their effect on the resultant device properties. With the aid of theoretical models, we quantified the results obtained in terms of average pull-off forces and corresponding adhesion energies. The Derjaguin-Muller-Toporov model was utilized to model the adhesion energies between interfaces of adjacent layers of the device. Results that delineate modeling of charge transport across device interfaces are shown including the effects of pressure on the device optoelectronic properties.

Abstract: This paper presents results of the improvement of the lifetime of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) by encapsulation with polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS). This polymer is very effective in protecting the device from degradation in oxygen and moisture rich environments. This is captured in the results obtained for full immersion and storage tests of encapsulated single layer devices based on MEH:PPV as the active layer. Mechanical tests were carried out to ascertain the strength (adhesion) of the interface between the encapsulating layer and the device cathode material, aluminum (Al) using both centrally-cracked Brazilian Disk, CCBD and force microscopy techniques. The encapsulated devices provided an average of 90 minutes of illumination while the bare devices provided illumination for about 3 minutes. Such a reproducible stamping technique is more appropriate due to the low processing temperatures, inherent flexibility, device compatibility and mechanical robustness at low costs.

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a combined analytical, computational and experimental study of adhesion and degradation of Organic Light Emitting Devices (OLEDs). The adhesion between layers that are relevant to OLEDs is studied using force microscopy during Atomic Force Microscopy. The interfacial failure mechanisms associated with blister formation in OLEDs and the addition of TiO₂ nanoparticles (into active regions) are then elucidated using a combination of fracture mechanics/finite element modeling and experiments. The blisters observed in the models are shown to be consistent with the results from adhesion and interfacial fracture mechanics models. The implications of the work are discussed for the future design of OLED structures with improved lifetimes and robustness.

Abstract: This paper explored the effects of pressure on contacts between layers of organic photovoltaic cells with poly (3-hexylthiophene):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) as the active layer. The contacts between the layers are modeled using analytical concepts and finite element models. The potential effects of surface roughness and dust particles are modeled along with the effects of lamination pressure and adhesion energy. The results show that, increased pressure is associated with decreased void length or increased contact length. The contacts associated with the interfaces between the active layer and the hole/electron injection layer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: poly styrenesulphonate (PEDOT.PSS) and Molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) are also compared. The implications of the results are discussed for the design of stamping/lamination processes for the fabrication of organic photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: This work examines the modification of the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films by control of deposition and post-treatment parameters. ZnO thin films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering from a ceramic target locally made at SHESTCO in Abuja, Nigeria. X-ray diffraction measurements characterized the different films prior to thermal annealing as extremely amorphous with average UV-VIS transmittance spectra between 80 and 90%. Annealing at different temperatures and time spans influenced the formation of Wurtzite (002) oriented ZnO crystallites. Contrary to the crystallinity of the films, which was strongly influenced by the deposition power, the optical transmission of the films was only slightly influenced by the deposition power and it was less sensitive to the crystallinity of ZnO thin films.

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of the strength and fracture toughness of earth-based materials. They include mixtures of laterite, clay and straw that is stabilized with controlled levels of Portland cement. The compositional dependence of compressive, flexural strength and the fracture toughness is explored for different proportions of the constituent materials. Composites and fracture mechanics models are used to estimate the strength and fracture toughness of the resulting composites. The applications of the results are discussed for the design of earth-based building materials for affordable housing.

Abstract: Improper disposal of commodity plastics such as polyethylene (PE) in the environment causes land pollution and soil infertility. It is unsightly and strongly threatens plant and animal life. The current effort describes the bacteria-mediated biodegradation of polyethylene by Serratia marcescens marcescens (SM) without prior exposure to thermo-oxidative aging. This study further describes the mechanism involved in the biodegradation of PE, in which a carbonless medium containing essential minerals and vitamins and powdered PE, were placed in the presence of overnight cultures of SM. The samples were incubated at 30°C, centrifuged at a speed of 141 revolutions per minute (rpm) in a rotary shaker for ten weeks in order to observe the degradation process. The effects of cell-free supernatants (from the SM cultures) upon the degradation of sterile PE are elucidated. The results show that the supernatants from SM degrade PE faster than the bacteria, with a 37.5 percent of degradation rate within a month. The SEM micrographs suggest that the biodegradation of polyethylene involves the formation and coalescence of microvoids. The DSC results revealed that the feeding activity of SM is mostly favored at the crystalline region due to its high energy.

Abstract: Bioinspired design involves the use of concepts observed in natural biological materials in engineering design. The hope is that the leveraging of biological materials in the engineering domain can lead to many technological innovations and novel products. This work presents the initial material characterization of kinixys erosa tortoise shell using a combination of x-ray diffraction, optical/scanning electron microscopy and micro-mechanical testing. The results were used in the analytical/computational modelling of shell structures. The potential implications or the results were then discussed to give fundamental understanding of deformation and stress responses of shell structures

Abstract: According to World Health Organization, there was increase in the number of people that have access to safe drinking water between 2006 and 2010. Such trends can be countered partly by the use of ceramic water filters that can remove microbial pathogens from water. However, the initial flow rates in such filters are often limited to ranges between 1 and 3 L/hr. The flow rates may vary statistically and decrease with increasing filter use. In this paper, the flow through ceramic water filters is characterized using Darcy’s equation. An effective permeability is obtained for filters with a range of micro-and nanoscale pore sizes. The statistical variations in the flow rates and effective permeabilities are elucidated along with the potency of multiple filter system for scale-up studies in serving a community.