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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Evaluation of long-term surface-retrieved cloud droplet number concentration with in situ aircraft observations

A new cloud-droplet number concentration (NDROP) value added product (VAP) has been produced at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site for the 13 years from January 1998 to January 2011. The retrieval is based on surface radiometer measurements of cloud optical depth from the multi-filter rotating shadow-band radiometer (MFRSR) and liquid water path from the microwave radiometer (MWR). It is only applicable for single-layered warm clouds. Validation with in situ aircraft measurements during the extended-term aircraft field campaign, Routine ARM Aerial Facility (AAF) CLOWD Optical Radiative Observations (RACORO), shows that the NDROP VAP robustly reproduces the primary mode of the in situ measured probability density function (PDF), but produces a too wide distribution, primarily caused by frequent high cloud-droplet number concentration. Our analysis shows that the error in the MWR retrievals at low liquid water paths is one possible reason for this deficiency. Modification through the diagnosed liquid water path from the coordinate solution improves not only the PDF of the NDROP VAP but also the relationship between the cloud-droplet number concentration and cloud-droplet effective radius. Consideration of entrainment effects rather than assuming an adiabatic cloud improves the values of the NDROP retrieval by reducing the magnitude of cloud-droplet number concentration. Aircraft measurements and retrieval comparisons suggest that retrieving the vertical distribution of cloud-droplet number concentration and effective radius is feasible with an improvement of the parameter representing the mixing effects between environment and clouds and with a better understanding of the effect of mixing degree on cloud properties.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Research Progress towards Understanding the Unique Interfaces between Concentrated Electrolytes and Electrodes for Energy Storage Applications

The electrolyte is an indispensable component in all electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices with batteries being a prime example. While most research efforts have been pursued on the materials side, the progress for the electrolyte is slow due to the decomposition of salts and solvents at low potentials, not to mention their complicated interactions with the electrode materials. The general properties of bulk electrolytes such as ionic conductivity, viscosity, and stability all affect the cell performance. However, for a specific electrochemical cell in which the cathode, anode, and electrolyte are optimized, it is the interface between the solid electrode and the liquid electrolyte, generally referred to as the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), that dictates the rate of ion flow in the system. The commonly used electrolyte is within the range of 1–1.2 m based on the prior optimization experience, leaving the high concentration region insufficiently recognized. Recently, electrolytes with increased concentration (>1.0 m ) have received intensive attention due to quite a few interesting discoveries in cells containing concentrated electrolytes. The formation mechanism and the nature of the SEI layers derived from concentrated electrolytes could be fundamentally distinct from those of the traditional SEI and thus enable unusual functions that cannot be realized using regular electrolytes. In this article, we provide an overview on the recent progress of high concentration electrolytes in different battery chemistries. The experimentally observed phenomena and their underlying fundamental mechanisms are discussed. New insights and perspectives are proposed to inspire more revolutionary solutions to address the interfacial challenges.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Influence of Al doping concentration on the opto-electronic chattels of SnS thin films readied by NSP

Herein, we limelight the key features of SnS thin films coated by spray pyrolysis process with different Al doping concentrations. The SnS thin films coated with different Al concentration (0, 2, 4, 6 at wt%) were characterized by various techniques. Structural parameters studied by XRD data revealed that all the prepared films were orthorhombic crystal structure with (111) as a preferential direction. Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of Ag, B{sub 1g}, B{sub 2g}, and B{sub 3g} vibration modes at their corresponding wave numbers. Concentration dependent granular change of Al:SnS films were shown by AFM images. The presence of Sn, S and Al element without any other impurities was confirmed through EDAX picture. UV studies revealed the shrinkage of band gap from 1.97 to 1.72 eV on increasing the Al doping concentration from 0% to 4 at wt%. Room temperature PL showed a high intense red shift, as emission observed at 722 nm for 4% of Al doped SnS thin film. Hall measurements exhibited p-type conducting nature of undoped and Al doped SnS films. The films showed a lowest resistivity of 2.695×10{sup −1} Ω cm for 4 at wt% Al doping concentration. 0.093% efficiency was obtained for the solar cell device fabricated by 4 at wt% of Al doped SnS thin film.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Peptide concentration alters intermediate species in amyloid β fibrillation kinetics

Highlights: ► Aβ(1–40) aggregation in vitro has been monitored at different concentrations. ► Aβ(1–40) fibrillation does not always follow conventional kinetic mechanisms. ► We demonstrate non-linear features in the kinetics of Aβ(1–40) fibril formation. ► At high Aβ(1–40) concentrations secondary processes dictate fibrillation speed. ► Intermediate species may play significant roles on final amyloid fibril development. -- Abstract: The kinetic mechanism of amyloid aggregation remains to be fully understood. Investigations into the species present in the different kinetic phases can assist our comprehension of amyloid diseases and further our understanding of the mechanism behind amyloid β (Aβ) (1–40) peptide aggregation. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used in combination to monitor Aβ(1–40) aggregation in vitro at both normal and higher than standard concentrations. The observed fibrillation behaviour deviates, in several respects, from standard concepts of the nucleation–polymerisation models and shows such features as concentration-dependent non-linear effects in the assembly mechanism. Aβ(1–40) fibrillation kinetics do not always follow conventional kinetic mechanisms and, specifically at high concentrations, intermediate structures become populated and secondary processes may further modify the fibrillation mechanism.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Maternal exposure to carbamazepine at environmental concentrations can cross intestinal and placental barriers

Psychoactive pharmaceuticals have been found as teratogens at clinical dosage during pregnancy. These pharmaceuticals have also been detected in minute (ppb) concentrations in drinking water in the US, and are environmental contaminants that may be complicit in triggering neurological disorders in genetically susceptible individuals. Previous studies have determined that psychoactive pharmaceuticals (fluoxetine, venlafaxine and carbamazepine) at environmentally relevant concentrations enriched sets of genes regulating development and function of the nervous system in fathead minnows. Altered gene sets were also associated with potential neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Subsequent in vitro studies indicated that psychoactive pharmaceuticals altered ASD-associated synaptic protein expression and gene expression in human neuronal cells. However, it is unknown if environmentally relevant concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are able to cross biological barriers from mother to fetus, thus potentially posing risks to nervous system development. The main objective of this study was to test whether psychoactive pharmaceuticals (fluoxetine, venlafaxine, and carbamazepine) administered through the drinking water at environmental concentrations to pregnant mice could reach the brain of the developing embryo by crossing intestinal and placental barriers. We addressed this question by adding {sup 2}H-isotope labeled pharmaceuticals to the drinking water of female mice for 20 days (10 pre-and 10 post–conception days), and quantifying {sup 2}H-isotope enrichment signals in the dam liver and brain of developing embryos using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Significant levels of {sup 2}H enrichment was detected in the brain of embryos and livers of carbamazepine-treated mice but not in those of control dams, or for fluoxetine or venlafaxine application. These results provide the first evidence that carbamazepine in drinking water and at typical environmental concentrations is transmitted from mother to embryo. Our results, combined with previous evidence that carbamazepine may be associated with ASD in infants, warrant the closer examination of psychoactive pharmaceuticals in drinking water and their potential association with neurodevelopmental disorders.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effects of sex, age, sampling time, and season on thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations: A retrospective study

Highlights: • Serum TSH concentrations in women were significantly higher than in men. • TSH concentrations decreased during the summer while increased during the winter. • TSH concentrations decreased from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. while increased from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. • Sex, age, season, and sampling time affected serum TSH concentrations. • Sampling time was the major factor affecting serum TSH concentrations. Measuring thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is essential for diagnosing and monitoring thyroid diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex, age, sampling time and season on TSH in a large Chinese population and to determine which factor had the greatest impact on TSH measurement results.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Harnessing dimethyl ether with ultra-low-grade heat for scaling-resistant brine concentration and fractional crystallization

Solvent-driven separations may enable scalable concentration of hypersaline brines, supporting a circular resource economy from the extraction of lithium and rare earth elements from spent battery and magnet leachates. This work analyses a novel solvent-driven water extraction (SDWE) system employing dimethyl ether (DME) and ultra-low-grade heat for brine concentration and fractional crystallization. SDWE exploits DME’s unique properties: (1) a low dielectric constant that promotes water solubility over charged solutes by a factor of 10 3 , and (2) a high volatility that facilitate efficient DME reconcentration with ultra-low-grade heat. The techno-economic viability of SDWE is assessed with a computational framework that encompasses a liquid–liquid separator and a solvent concentrator. We integrate the extended universal quasichemical model with the virial equation of state to predict the compositions of the complex three-phase DME-water mixture at vapor–liquid and liquid–liquid equilibrium. Subsequently, we optimize the thermodynamic and economic performance of SDWE, by controlling the interstage flash pressure, heat source temperature, and the number of concentrating stages. DME-based SDWE concentrates an input saline feed to 5.5 M and regenerates over 99 % of the DME using ultra-low-grade heat below 50 °C, with a DME/water selectivity ratio of 125. Here our calculations reveal that optimal performance is achieved at interstage flash pressures of 0.4 – 0.5 bar for heat source temperatures between 323–373 K, with improved exergetic efficiencies at lower temperatures. At a heat source temperature of 323 K and an interstage pressure of 0.489 bar, DME-driven SDWE achieves an optimal thermodynamic efficiency of 20.5 % and a projected specific cost of US$ 1.93 m -3 . These specific costs suggest that SDWE is competitive with commercialized thermal distillation technologies, while mitigating the traditional risks associated with scaling in heat and mass exchangers with hypersaline brines.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Source Contribution Analysis of Surface Particulate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Northeastern Asia by Source-receptor Relationships

We analyzed the sourceereceptor relationships for particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in northeastern Asia using an aerosol chemical transport model. The model successfully simulated the observed concentrations. In Beijing (China) benzo[a]pyren (BaP) concentrations are due to emissions from its own domain. In Noto, Oki and Tsushima (Japan), transboundary transport from northern China (>40°N, 40-60%) and central China (30-40°N, 10-40%) largely influences BaP concentrations from winter to spring, whereas the relative contribution from central China is dominant (90%) in Hedo. In the summer, the contribution from Japanese domestic sources increases (40-80%) at the 4 sites. Contributions from Japan and Russia are additional source of BaP over the northwestern Pacific Ocean in summer. The contribution rates for the concentrations from each domain are different among PAH species depending on their particulate phase oxidation rates. Reaction with O3 on particulate surfaces may be an important component of the PAH oxidation processes.

northeastern Asia↗
DOE OSTI2019

Concentration dependence of hydrogen diffusion in α-iron from atomistic perspectives

Evaluation of hydrogen diffusion in structural materials is essential to predict the leakage and embrittlement of hydrogen storage applications. Here, we investigate the atomic-scale diffusion of interstitial hydrogen (H) in α-iron (Fe) over a temperature range from 350 to 900 K with different H concentrations (0.01–5%), employing classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The self-diffusivity of H atoms increases with increasing temperature and decreasing concentration. With low concentrations, the calculated diffusion properties agree well with prior experiments. However, with a higher concentration (≥1%), the H diffusivity at low temperatures deviates from a high-temperature Arrhenius behavior. Through the energetic and structural analysis, we suggest that this deviation is attributed to a reduced mobility due to increased energy barrier by other H interstitials. This work contributes to the effective design of H storage applications by identifying temperature and concentration effects on permeability and addressing possible microstructural transformation.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2016

AgI alloying in SnTe boosts the thermoelectric performance via simultaneous valence band convergence and carrier concentration optimization

SnTe, a Pb-free analogue of PbTe, was earlier assumed to be a poor thermoelectric material due to excess p-type carrier concentration and large energy separation between light and heavy hole valence bands. Here, we report the enhancement of the thermoelectric performance of p-type SnTe by Ag and I co-doping. AgI (1–6 mol%) alloying in SnTe modulates its electronic structure by increasing the band gap of SnTe, which results in decrease in the energy separation between its light and heavy hole valence bands, thereby giving rise to valence band convergence. Additionally, iodine doping in the Te sublattice of SnTe decreases the excess p-type carrier concentration. Due to significant decrease in hole concentration and reduction of the energy separation between light and heavy hole valence bands, significant enhancement in Seebeck coefficient was achieved at the temperature range of 600–900 K for Sn{sub 1−x}Ag{sub x}Te{sub 1−x}I{sub x} samples. A maximum thermoelectric figure of merit, zT, of ~1.05 was achieved at 860 K in high quality crystalline ingot of p-type Sn{sub 0.95}Ag{sub 0.05}Te{sub 0.95}I{sub 0.05}. - Graphical abstract: Significant decrease in hole concentration and reduction of the energy separation between light and heavy hole valence bands resulted in a maximum thermoelectric figure of merit, zT, of ~1.05 at 860 K in high quality crystalline ingot of p-type Sn{sub 0.95}Ag{sub 0.05}Te{sub 0.95}I{sub 0.05}. - Highlights: • AgI alloying in SnTe increases the principle band gap. • Hole concentration reduction and valence band convergence enhances thermopower of SnTe-AgI. • A maximum zT of ~1.05 was achieved at 860 K in p-type Sn{sub 0.95}Ag{sub 0.05}Te{sub 0.95}I{sub 0.05}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Influence of sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration on the photocatalytic activity and dielectric properties of intercalated sodium dodecyl sulfate into Zn–Cd–Al layered double hydroxide

Highlights: • Zn–Cd–Al–LDH–DS were synthesized with different SDS concentrations. • Photocatalytic activity of samples was improved by increasing SDS concentration. • Dielectric response of LDH can be described by anomalous low frequency dispersion. • The dc conductivity values were calculated for Zn–Cd–Al–LDH–DS samples. • ESR spectra exhibited the successful intercalation of DS molecule into LDH gallery. - Abstract: Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been successfully intercalated into Zn–Cd–Al–LDH precursor with different SDS concentrations (0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 1 mol L{sup −1}) using the coprecipitation method at (Zn{sup 2+} + Cd{sup 2+})/Al{sup 3+} molar ratio of 13 and pH 8. The structural, morphological, texture and composition properties of the synthesized (Zn–Cd–Al–LDH–DS) nanostructure were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), respectively. The photocatalytic activity of these materials was developed by increasing the concentration of intercalated SDS. The absorbance spectra have been used to detect an anion in the LDH interlayer before and after the intercalation process, which confirmed the presence of the dodecyl sulfate (DS{sup −}) anion into LDH gallery after intercalation. The anomalous low frequency dispersion (ALFD) has been used to describe the dielectric response of Zn–Cd–Al–LDH–DS nanostructure using the second type of universal power law. At low frequency, the polarization effect of electrodes caused the rising in dielectric constant and loss values. An important result of the dielectric measurements is the calculated dc conductivity values, which are new in dielectric spectroscopy of LDH materials. An important result of the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra exhibited the successful intercalation of DS molecule into LDH gallery. The g-factor value was affected by the SDS concentration which indicated changes to the environment around the DS molecule in LDH interlayer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Annual simulation of photovoltaic retrofits within existing parabolic trough concentrating solar powerplants

Solar power for electricity production comes from either photovoltaics or concentrating solar power plants. The former has seen rapid growth and expansion due to the rapid fall in global prices, while the latter has seen moderate growth due to ability to cheaply store thermal energy for later use. Hybridization, or combining photovoltaics with concentrating solar power represents a potential way for lowering cost while enabling long term storage. Over 5 GW of capacity exist worldwide using parabolic trough style technology for concentrating solar power which presents a unique option for optimization in the form of a photovoltaic retrofit. While it is possible to analyze the performance with detailed physics models, it is necessary to create a model that can handle simulating the plant level performance to fully understand the potential performance. Here, the first utility scale plant level model of a hybrid photovoltaic-concentrating solar power plant is developed. The model is applied to existing concentrating solar power plants around the world utilizing RP-3 mirrors without thermal energy storage to understand the impact on electricity production. Model results indicate that the photovoltaic retrofit can increase yearly electricity production by up to 30% for plants with solar multiples exceeding 1.5, and that increasing the fraction of solar energy reflected further increases the yield. The increased electrical production declines as the plant solar multiple is decreased. The minimum LCOE observed was $0.07/kWh for plants with larger solar multiple and fraction of solar energy reflected to the PV is 50% of the total aperture.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

1,2-Dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-cyclohexane and tris(methylphenyl) phosphate cause significant effects on development, mRNA expression, and circulating bile acid concentrations in chicken embryos

1,2-Dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)-cyclohexane (DBE-DBCH; formerly abbreviated as TBECH) and tris(methylphenyl) phosphate (TMPP; formerly abbreviated as TCP) are additive flame retardants that are detected in the environment and biota. A recent avian in vitro screening study of 16 flame retardants identified DBE-DBCH and TMPP as important chemicals for follow-up in ovo evaluation based on their effects on cytotoxicity and mRNA expression in avian hepatocytes. In this study, technical mixtures of DBE-DBCH and TMPP were injected into the air cell of chicken embryos at concentrations ranging from 0 to 54,900 ng/g and from 0 to 261,400 ng/g, respectively, to determine effects on pipping success, development, hepatic mRNA expression, thyroid hormone levels, and circulating bile acid concentrations. Both compounds were detectable in embryos at pipping and the β-DBE-DBCH isomer was depleted more rapidly than the α-isomer in tissue samples. DBE-DBCH had limited effects on the endpoints measured, with the exception of the up-regulation of two phase I metabolizing enzymes, CYP3A37 and CYP2H1. TMPP exposure caused embryonic deformities, altered growth, increased liver somatic index (LSI) and plasma bile acid concentrations, and altered mRNA expression levels of genes associated with xenobiotic and lipid metabolism and the thyroid hormone pathway. Overall, TMPP elicited more adverse molecular and phenotypic effects than DBE-DBCH albeit at concentrations several orders of magnitude greater than those detected in the environment. The increase in plasma bile acid concentrations was a useful phenotypic anchor as it was associated with a concomitant increase in LSI, discoloration of the liver tissue, and modulation of hepatic genes involved with xenobiotic and lipid metabolism. - Highlights: • DBE-DBCH and TMPP are not embryolethal to chicken embryos. • TMPP caused deformities, morphometric alterations, and increased plasma bile acids. • DBE-DBCH and TMPP altered mRNA levels of xenobiotic and lipid metabolism genes. • Elevated plasma bile acids suggest that TMPP causes liver dysfunction. • TMPP elicited more adverse molecular and phenotypic effects than DBE-DBCH.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Is more always better? Tribofilm evolution and tribological behavior impacted by the concentration of ZDDP, ionic liquid, and ZDDP-Ionic liquid combination

Anti-wear additives (AWs), like zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDPs), have been used in lubricants for more than a half-century, and more effective candidate AWs, like oil-soluble ionic liquids (ILs), are emerging. However, there is a lack of fundamental understanding of how the AW concentration impacts the tribochemical activities at the contact interface. This study systematically investigated the friction and wear behavior in correlation to the tribofilm morphology and composition as a function of the concentration of a ZDDP, a phosphonium-alkylphosphate IL, and an IL+ZDDP combination. The ZDDP concentration rising from 0.4 to 6.4 wt% caused a proportionally increased friction coefficient, which was well correlated to a thicker, rougher, and more brittle tribofilm. This was further understood by the decreasing phosphates but increasing sulfur compounds in the ZDDP tribofilm. In contrast, the IL and IL+ZDDP maintained a low and stable friction coefficient at 0.5 wt% or above. There was no sulfur in the IL tribofilm, and the sulfur compounds were maintained at a low level in the tribofilm for IL+ZDDP even at high concentrations. Results suggested minimizing the sulfur content in the tribofilm would be an effective way to control the friction. An interesting V-shape relationship between the AW concentration and the wear loss was observed for both the IL-containing AWs, with an optimum at 2 wt% for the IL alone and 0.46–0.92 wt% for the IL+ZDDP, respectively. A unique heat map was created using the phosphorus binding energy distribution to reveal the phosphate polymerization at different depths of the tribofilms, which provided additional insight for the tribofilm evolution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Photonic Crystal Waveguides for >90% Light Trapping Efficiency in Luminescent Solar Concentrators

Luminescent solar concentrators are currently limited in their potential concentration factor and solar conversion efficiency by the inherent escape cone losses present in conventional planar dielectric waveguides. Here, we demonstrate that photonic crystal slab waveguides tailored for luminescent solar concentrator applications can exhibit >90% light trapping efficiency. This is achieved by use of quantum dot luminophores embedded within the waveguide that absorb light at photon energies corresponding to photonic crystal leaky modes that couple to incoming sunlight. The luminophores then emit at lower photon energies into photonic crystal bound modes that enable highly efficient light trapping in slab waveguides of wavelength-scale thickness. Photonic crystal waveguides thus nearly eliminate escape cone losses, and overcome the performance limitations of previously proposed wavelength-selective dielectric multilayer filters. We describe designs for hole-array and rod-array photonic crystals comprised of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide using CdSe/CdS quantum dots. Our analysis suggests that photonic crystal waveguide luminescent solar concentrators using these materials these can achieve light trapping efficiency above 92% and a concentration factor as high as 100.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Dependence of the Mg-related acceptor ionization energy with the acceptor concentration in p-type GaN layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Hall effect and capacitance-voltage C(V) measurements were performed on p-type GaN:Mg layers grown on GaN templates by molecular beam epitaxy with a high range of Mg-doping concentrations. The free hole density and the effective dopant concentration N{sub A}-N{sub D} as a function of magnesium incorporation measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy clearly reveal both a magnesium doping efficiency up to 90% and a strong dependence of the acceptor ionization energy Ea with the acceptor concentration N{sub A}. These experimental observations highlight an isolated acceptor binding energy of 245{+-}25 meV compatible, at high acceptor concentration, with the achievement of p-type GaN:Mg layers with a hole concentration at room temperature close to 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Inhomogeneous distribution of defect-related emission in Si-doped AlGaN epitaxial layers with different Al content and Si concentration

The spatial distribution of luminescence in Si-doped AlGaN epitaxial layers that differ in Al content and Si concentration has been studied by cathodoluminescence (CL) mapping in combination with scanning electron microscopy. The density of surface hillocks increased with decreasing Al content and with increasing Si concentration. The mechanisms giving rise to those hillocks are likely different. The hillocks induced surface roughening, and the compositional fluctuation and local donor-acceptor-pair (DAP) emission at hillock edges in AlGaN epitaxial layers were enhanced irrespective of the origin of the hillocks. The intensity of local DAP emission was related to Si concentration, as well as to hillock density. CL observation revealed that DAP emission areas were present inside the samples and were likely related to dislocations concentrated at hillock edges. Possible candidates for acceptors in the observed DAP emission that are closely related in terms of both Si concentration and hillock edges with large deformations are a V{sub III}-Si{sub III} complex and Si{sub N}, which are unfavorable in ordinary III-nitrides.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Structural, optical, and magnetic properties of (Co, Cu)-codoped ZnO films with different Co concentrations

Zn{sub 0.99-x}Co{sub x}Cu{sub 0.01}O films with different Co concentrations from 0% to 20% were fabricated by a sol-gel method. Moderate Co doping is found to improve the surface uniformity and crystal quality of the films, and causes a redshift of the band edge of Zn(Co,Cu) films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the introduction of Co ions causes the valence state of Cu to change from +2 to +1; while at Co concentrations lower than 10%, the Co exists in the +2 valence state. Strong blue emission at ∼420 and 440 nm are observed, decreasing with increasing Co concentration, but becoming strong again as the concentration is increased to 20%. Enhanced room-temperature ferromagnetism is observed for the (Co, Cu)-codoped ZnO films at Co concentrations lower than 10%. These interesting magnetic properties are explained based on charge transfer, together with the defect-related model for ferromagnetism.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗