Engineering topics

Zhao, Yixin

Publications and source records attributed to Zhao, Yixin.

3 records

DOE OSTI2023

Multi-layered perovskites, devices, and methods of making the same

Methods are described that include contacting an alkyl ammonium metal halide film with an alkyl ammonium halide, where the alkyl ammonium metal halide film includes a first halogen and a metal, the alkyl ammonium halide includes a second halogen, such that the contacting forms an alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film that interfaces with the alkyl ammonium metal halide film, where the alkyl ammonium metal mixed-halide film includes the first halogen, the second halogen, and the metal.

Zhu, Kai↗

DOE OSTI2022

Multiscale Crystalline Structure of Confined Polypeptoid Films: The Effect of Alkyl Side Chain Branching

Here we report the effect of alkyl side chain branching on melt-recrystallization of nanoconfined polypeptoid films using poly(N-octyl glycine) (PNOG) and poly(N-2-ethyl-1-hexyl glycine) (PNEHG) as model systems. Upon cooling from the isotropic melt, confined PNOG molecules recrystallize into a near-perfect orthorhombic crystal structure with the board-like molecules stacked face-to-face in the substrate-parallel direction, resulting in long-range ordered wormlike lamellae that occupy the entire film. By contrast, rod-like PNEHG molecules bearing branched N-2-ethyl-1-hexyl side chains stack into a columnar hexagonal mesophase with their backbones oriented parallel to the substrates, forming micron-sized sheaf-like superstructures under confinement, exposing large areas of empty spaces in the film. These findings highlight the effect of alkyl side chain branching on the packing motif and multiscale crystalline structure of polypeptoids under a nanoconfined geometry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Methods for producing and using perovskite materials and devices therefrom

The present disclosure describes solution methods for manufacturing perovskite halide films for use in solar cells. The methods include the use of additives that facilitate the formation of transitory, intermediate films that are later transformed into the final target perovskite halide films, such that the final films provide improved physical characteristics and operational performance.

Zhu, Kai↗