Organic LEDs Based on Bis(8-hydroxyquinoline) Zinc Derivatives with a Styryl Group.

For the first time, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on bis(8-hydroxyquinoline) zinc with a styryl group (ZnStq) dispersed in poly(N-vinylcarbazole) matrix (ZnStq_R:PVK, where R = H, Cl, OCH3) were fabricated. The ZnStq_R:PVK films made via the spin-coating method were used as the active layer in these devices. The produced OLEDs showed strong electroluminescence with yellow emissions at 590, 587 and 578 nm for the ZnStq_H:PVK, ZnStq_Cl:PVK and ZnStq_OCH3:PVK, respectively. For all the studied thin films, the main photoluminescence emission bands were observed between 565 and 571 nm. The OLED with the ZnStq_OCH3:PVK layer with a narrow electroluminescence spectrum was found to have sufficient color purity to produce ultra-high-resolution displays with reduced power consumption (full width at half maximum of 59 nm, maximum brightness of 2244 cd/m2 and maximum current efficiency of 1.24 cd/A, with a turn-on voltage of 6.94 V and a threshold voltage of 7.35 V). To characterize the photophysical properties of the active layer, the ZnStq_R:PVK layers samples were additionally deposited on glass and silicon substrates. We found that the obtained results predestine ZnStq_R:PVK layers for use in the lighting industry in the future.

ZnO dense nanowire array on a film structure in a single crystal domain texture for optical and photoelectrochemical applications.

A single crystal domain texture quality (a unique in-plane and out-of-plane crystalline orientation over a large area) ZnO nanostructure of a dense nanowire array on a thick film has been homogeneously synthesized on a-plane sapphire substrates over large areas through a one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The growth mechanism is clarified: a single crystal [02(-)1] oriented ZnAl(2)O(4) buffer layer was formed at the ZnO film and the a-plane sapphire substrate interface via a diffusion reaction process during the CVD process, providing improved epitaxial conditions that enable the synthesis of the high crystalline quality ZnO nanowire array on a film structure. The high optoelectronic quality of the ZnO nanowire array on a film sample is evidenced by the free exitonic emissions in the low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy. A carrier density of ~10(17) cm(-3) with an n-type conductivity of the ZnO nanowire array on a film sample is obtained by electrochemical impedance analysis. Finally, the ZnO nanowire array on a film sample is demonstrated to be an ideal template for a further synthesis of a single crystal quality ZnO-ZnGa(2)O(4) core-shell nanowire array on a film structure. The fabricated ZnO-ZnGa(2)O(4) sample revealed an enhanced anticorrosive ability and photoelectrochemical performance when used as a photoanode in a photoelectrochemical water splitting application.

Single-Step Electrophoretic Deposition of Non-noble Metal Catalyst Layer with Low Onset Voltage for Ethanol Electro-oxidation.

A single-step electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process is used to fabricate catalyst layers which consist of nickel oxide nanoparticles attached on the surface of nanographitic flakes. Magnesium ions present in the colloid charge positively the flake's surface as they attach on it and are also used to bind nanographitic flakes together. The fabricated catalyst layers showed a very low onset voltage (-0.2 V vs Ag/AgCl) in the electro-oxidation of ethanol. To clarify the occurring catalytic mechanism, we performed annealing treatment to produce samples having a different electrochemical behavior with a large onset voltage. Temperature dependence measurements of the layer conductivity pointed toward a charge transport mechanism based on hopping for the nonannealed layers, while the drift transport is observed in the annealed layers. The hopping charge transport is responsible for the appearance of the low onset voltage in ethanol electro-oxidation.

Photoinduction of surface-relief gratings during all-optical poling of polymer films.

Using the all-optical poling method, we observed the formation of a surface-relief grating (SRG) in an amorphous polymer film containing azo dye molecules in side chain positions. The experiment consists of a seeding-type process. We used a recently described experimental setup that permits a periodic nonlinear pattern to be produced by the index dispersion of glass. The particular configuration permits photoinduced translation diffusion of the azo chromophores to be observed as the origin of the SRG formation. Analyses of the gratings recorded by use of s (TE) and p (TM) polarization of the writing beams are conducted by atomic-force microscopy. The effect is attributed to mass transport from regions of high isomerization activity to regions of lower activity.

Quasi-phase-matched gratings printed by all-optical poling in polymer films.

The all-optical poling technique permits polar orientation of molecules. For efficient poling of thin films the relative phases, amplitudes, and polarizations of the two interfering beams must be controlled. We present an original stable one-arm interferometer that is specific to the recording of two-color interference. It relies on the index dispersion of optical glasses. This interference technique permits true real-time nonperturbative monitoring of the polar orientation process and easy all-optical poling of thin-film materials without the need for phase control. This new configuration opens the door to the realization of customized phase-matched wave-guided frequency-conversion devices for the near infrared.