Dr. Oana RASOGA

In this study, we detailed the fabrication and characterization of photovoltaic structures based on PTB7:ICBA (1:1, wt.%) bulk-heterojunction on optical glass substrates by spin-coating. Some samples were deposited on a flat substrate, and others were placed on a patterned substrate obtained by nano-imprinting lithography; the induced effects were analyzed. We demonstrated that using a patterned substrate enhanced the maximum output power, primarily because the short-circuit current density increased. This can be considered a direct consequence of reduced optical reflection and improved optical absorption. The topological parameters evaluated by atomic force microscopy, namely, the root mean square, Skewness, and Kurtosis, had small values of around 2 nm and 1 nm, respectively. This proves that the mixture of a conductive polymer and a fullerene derivative creates a thin film network with a high flatness degree. The samples discussed in this paper were fabricated and characterized in air; we can admit that the results are encouraging, but further optimization is needed.

Due to the importance of buffer layers in interface engineering, the development of more variants and the rational design of materials have a significant influence on the performance of optoelectronic devices. This study provides a strategy to increase device performance by facilitating efficient charge transfer and defect passivation by combining the properties of eco-friendly materials (adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, and uracil) with the physicochemical properties of metal oxides. The aim of this paper was to investigate the interaction of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures (seed, nanoparticles, and nanowires) with nucleobase layers and to discuss their potential applications as organic-inorganic interfacial bilayers. The impact is analyzed from structural, morphological, optical, and electrical points of view. Nucleobase-ZnO nanostructure layers present high optical transparency in the visible range. Electrical measurements confirmed that the high surface area of nanowires can enhance interactions with nucleobases, leading to better charge transfer. The results showed that these nucleobase-ZnO nanostructure layers are promising interface materials for enhancing optoelectronic device performance through interfacial charge transport and light management, while enabling the design of environmentally friendly devices.

In this work, we investigated the influence of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the electrical performances of ZnO/Ag multilayer transparent conductive electrodes. RGO flakes were successfully laser transferred by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) using frozen targets obtained from suspensions of commercially chemically RGO powder dispersed in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The main deposition parameters such as RGO concentration, laser fluence, number of the laser pulses and deposition pressure were varied to identify the optimal morphological and optical characteristics. The laser transfer conditions for the RGO structures with the best transmittance were further employed in preparation of RGO/Ag/ZnO multilayer transparent conductive electrodes (MTCE). Thus, the MAPLE deposited RGO structures were covered with metal (Ag) by vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) and subsequently with metal oxide (ZnO) by radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RF-MS). In comparison to the optical and electrical properties of a ZnO/Ag/ZnO reference structure, the results emphasize that the RGO/Ag/ZnO are featured by a similar transmittance (similar to 82-85 %) and improved sheet resistance (similar to 10.6 Omega/square, meaning up to 2-fold smaller).

Recently, much research has focused on the search for new mixed donor-acceptor layers for applications in organic electronics. Organic heterostructures with layers based on the generation 1 poly(propylene thiophenoimine) (G1PPT) dendrimer, N,N '-diisopropylnaphthalene diimide (MNDI), and a combination of the two were prepared and their electrical properties were investigated. Single layers of G1PPT and MNDI and a mixed layer (G1PPT:MNDI) were obtained via spin coating on quartz glass, silicon, and glass/ITO substrates, using chloroform as a solvent. The absorption mechanism was investigated, the degree of disorder was estimated, and the emission properties of the layers were highlighted using spectroscopic methods (UV-Vis transmission and photoluminescence). The effects of the concentration and surface topographical particularities on the properties of the layers were analyzed via atomic force microscopy. All of the heterostructures realized with ITO and Au electrodes showed good conduction, with currents of the order of mA. Additionally, the heterostructure with a mixed layer exhibited asymmetry in the current-voltage curve between forward and reverse polarization in the lower range of the applied voltages, which was more significant at increased concentrations and could be correlated with rectifier diode behavior. Consequently, the mixed-layer generation 1 poly(propylene thiophenoimine) dendrimer with N,N '-diisopropylnaphthalene diimide can be considered promising for electronic applications.

Nowadays, the development of devices based on organic materials is an interesting research challenge. The performance of such devices is strongly influenced by material selection, material properties, design, and the manufacturing process. Usually, buckminsterfullerene (C60) is employed as electron transport material in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices due to its high mobility. However, considering its low solubility, there have been many attempts to replace it with more soluble non-fullerene compounds. In this study, bulk heterojunction thin films with various compositions of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), a perylene diimide derivative, or C60 were prepared by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique to assess the influence of C60 replacement on fabricated heterostructure properties. The investigations revealed that the optical features and the electrical parameters of the organic heterostructures based on this perylene diimide derivative used as an organic acceptor were improved. An increase in the JSC value (4.3 x 10-4 A/cm2) was obtained for the structures where the perylene diimide derivative acceptor entirely replaced C60 compared to the JSC value (7.5 x 10-8 A/cm2) for the heterostructure fabricated only with fullerene. These results are encouraging, demonstrating the potential of non-fullerene compounds as electron transport material in OPV devices.

A metallic phthalocyanine (zinc phthalocyanine - ZnPc) and a non-metallic porphyrin (10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl) 21H,23H-porphyne -TPyP) were used to deposit mixed and stacked organic thin films by vacuum thermal evaporation method. The obtained layers were analyzed in a comparative manner from optical, structural, morphological and electrical point of view. The ultraviolet-visible spectra of the deposited layers showed that both organic components have absorption bands in the visible part of the solar spectrum, which means that the acceptor TPyP also contributes to absorption together with the donor. The photoluminescence spectra revealed only the emission bands associated to the porphyrin, especially in the single and stacked layers, while a quenching effect of the photoluminescence was noted in the mixed ones. The X-ray diffraction showed that the prepared layers are in general amorphous. The constituent materials in the single layers and the ratio between the two organic components in the mixed layers affect the morphology of the deposited films as was emphasized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analysis. The current density-voltage characteristics plotted under illumination revealed that the highest short-circuit current value was achieved in the case of the structure based on the layer showing the lowest roughness and thickness emphasizing the significant role played by these parameters of the layers considered for possible applications in the optoelectronic device area.

Nanocomposite films based on macrocyclic compounds (zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl) 21H,23H-porphyrin (TPyP)) and metal oxide nanoparticles (ZnO or CuO) were deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). 1,4-dioxane was used as a solvent in the preparation of MAPLE targets that favor the deposition of films with a low roughness, which is a key feature for their integration in structures for optoelectronic applications. The influence of the addition of ZnO nanoparticles (similar to 20 nm in size) or CuO nanoparticles (similar to 5 nm in size) in the ZnPc:TPyP mixture and the impact of the added metal oxide amount on the properties of the obtained composite films were evaluated in comparison to a reference layer based only on an organic blend. Thus, in the case of nanocomposite films, the vibrational fingerprints of both organic compounds were identified in the infrared spectra, their specific strong absorption bands were observed in the UV-Vis spectra, and a quenching of the TPyP emission band was visible in the photoluminescence spectra. The morphological analysis evidenced agglomerated particles on the composite film surface, but their presence has no significant impact on the roughness of the MAPLE deposited layers. The current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics of the structures based on the nanocomposite films deposited by MAPLE revealed the critical role played by the layer composition and component ratio, an improvement in the electrical parameters values being achieved only for the films with a certain type and optimum amount of metal oxide nanoparticles.

In this paper, we theoretically investigate the linear and nonlinear optical activity of polymers based on poly(ortho-anisidine) and polyaniline using density functional theory. The PBE0 exchange correlation functional is used to predict their dipole moment, mean polarizability, polarizability anisotropy, and the static first hyperpolarizability. The polymers show high hyper-Rayleigh scattering first hyperpolarizability, which make them suitable for nonlinear optical devices. The relationship between the first hyperpolarizability and the energy gap is also taken into account. [GRAPHICS] .

Lately, there is a growing interest in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells due to the organic materials' properties and compatibility with various types of substrates. However, their efficiencies are low relative to the silicon ones; therefore, other ways (i.e., electrode micron/nanostructuring, synthesis of new organic materials, use of additives) to improve their performances are still being sought. In this context, we studied the behavior of the common organic bulk heterojunction (P3HT:PC70BM) deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) with/without 0.3% of 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) additive on flat and micro-patterned ITO substrates. The obtained results showed that in the MAPLE process, a small quantity of additive can modify the morphology of the organic films and decrease their roughness. Besides the use of the additive, the micro-patterning of the electrode leads to a greater increase in the absorption of the studied photovoltaic structures. The inferred values of the filling factors for the measured cells in ambient conditions range from 19% for the photovoltaic structures with no additive and without substrate patterning to 27% for the counterpart structures with patterning and a small quantity of additive.

We simulated numerically and demonstrated experimentally that the thermal emittance of a metasurface consisting of an array of rectangular metallic meta-atoms patterned on a layered periodic dielectric structure grown on top of a metallic layer can be tuned by changing several parameters. The resonance frequency, designed to be in the near-infrared spectral region, can be tuned by modifying the number of dielectric periods, and the polarization and incidence angle of the incoming radiation. In addition, the absorbance/emittance value at the resonant wavelength can be tuned by modifying the orientation of meta-atoms with respect to the illumination direction.

As metasurfaces begin to find industrial applications there is a need to develop scalable and cost-effective fabrication techniques which offer sub-100 nm resolution while providing high throughput and large area patterning. Here we demonstrate the use of UV-Nanoimprint Lithography and Deep Reactive Ion Etching (Bosch and Cryogenic) towards this goal. Robust processes are described for the fabrication of silicon rectangular pillars of high pattern fidelity. To demonstrate the quality of the structures, metasurface lenses, which demonstrate diffraction limited focusing and close to theoretical efficiency for NIR wavelengths lambda is an element of (1.3 mu m, 1.6 mu m), are fabricated. We demonstrate a process which removes the characteristic sidewall surface roughness of the Bosch process, allowing for smooth 90-degree vertical sidewalls. We also demonstrate that the optical performance of the metasurface lenses is not affected adversely in the case of Bosch sidewall surface roughness with 45 nm indentations (or scallops). Next steps of development are defined for achieving full wafer coverage.

Single-doped [Ag, Na, iodine, naphthalene (Naph), meta-dintrobenzene (m-DNB)] and double-doped, organic-inorganic (Naph + iodine; m-DNB + iodine) benzil (Bz) crystals have been grown from melt in a Bridgman-Stockbarger configuration. All crystals have been grown in the same experimental conditions, temperature variation at the growth interface = 30 K and moving speed of the growth ampoule = 1 mm/h. These conditions have been estimated from the theoretical analysis involving the solution of the classical (conventional) Stefan problem for flat solid-liquid interface in the boundary conditions imposed by our growth system. The effect of doping on the disorder degree, photoluminescence and dielectric constant of the Bz matrix has been investigated. The disorder in the crystals increased with the increase of dopant concentration. The highest disorder was induced by the organic dopant m-DNB, whose molecules does not show an adequate geometrical similarity with Bz molecules. The position of the photoluminescence peak, both at excitation with 335 nm and 435 nm, has not been affected by the presence of dopant(s). All doped samples show Second Harmonic Generation, even those with a significant degree of disorder. The effect of the single and double-doping on the second-order ONL co-efficient was analyzed by comparison with the second-order ONL coefficient of pure Bz crystals. In the case of the double-doping, the highest second-order optical nonlinear coefficient has been evidenced in the Bz crystals simultaneously doped with m-DNB and iodine in the same concentration (1%).

Herein, the properties of the organic heterostructures with triple-layer ZnO/Ag/ZnO as a replacement for ITO and mixed layer containing arylenevinylene oligomer (based on triphenylamine or carbazole) donor and nonfullerene (perylene diimide) acceptor mixed in the ratio 1:2 and the effect of a buffer layer of PEDOT-PSS intercalated between triple layer and mixed organic layer are discussed. The UV-vis transmission and photoluminescence (PL) properties are investigated in correlation with the surface topography and reveal a good match between the absorption and emission domain, which can favor the generation of the charge carriers. The heterostructure with the mixed layer based on triphenylamine oligomer shows the widest absorption domain, and the PL spectra of the heterostructures realized with either triphenylamine or carbazole oligomer show peaks corresponding to the radiative decay of the donor and acceptor. The I-V characteristics in the dark indicate a slightly nonlinear behavior and the current is affected by the charge carriers recombination on the defects present in the thick mixed layer deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation. The effect of the PEDOT-PSS buffer layer on the electrical properties of the organic heterostructure with ZnO/Ag/ZnO electrode is also investigated.

The properties of organic heterostructures with mixed layers made of arylenevinylene-based polymer donor and non-fullerene perylene diimide acceptor, deposited using Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation on flat Al and nano-patterned Al electrodes, were investigated. The Al layer electrode deposited on the 2D array of cylindrical nanostructures with a periodicity of 1.1 mu m, developed in a polymeric layer using UV-Nanoimprint Lithography, is characterized by an inflorescence-like morphology. The effect of the nanostructuring on the optical and electrical properties was studied by comparison with those of the heterostructures based on a mixed layer with fullerene derivative acceptor. The low roughness of the mixed layer deposited on flat Al was associated with high reflectance. The nano-patterning, which was preserved in the mixed layer, determining the light trapping by multiple scattering, correlated with the high roughness and led to lower reflectance. A decrease was also revealed in photoluminescence emission both at UV and Vis excitation of the mixed layer, with the non-fullerene acceptor deposited on nano-patterned Al. An injector contact behavior was highlighted for all Al/mixed layer/ITO heterostructures by I-V characteristics in dark. The current increased, independently of acceptor (fullerene or non-fullerene), in the heterostructures with nano-patterned Al electrodes for shorter conjugation length polymer donors.

The investigation of the effect of carbon nanomaterials and lipids on the aggregation particularities of the amyloid beta/A beta(1-42) layers is important for understanding the generation mechanism of neuronal disorder and how it can be inhibited. Additionally, amyloids are nanomaterials with a wide area of potential applications from nanotechnology to biotechnology. This paper presents a study about the preparation of A beta(1-42) layer by two different methods, Langmuir-Blodgett (L-B) and drop cast (DC), on Si and Si covered by a layer of Buckminster fullerene, C-60, and on the effect of fullerene layer or/and cholesterol (Ch) on the generation of A beta(1-42) secondary structure forms, relevant for specific applications. AFM, SEM FTIR and Raman analysis offered details about the layer surface topography, morphology and particularities of the secondary structure generated in the process of A beta(1-42) molecules aggregation. This study showed that the presence of Ch inhibited the formation of fibrils in A beta(1-42) film deposited by L-B on Si covered by C-60 The structures developed during aggregation were correlated with the topography and roughness of the films. The presence of Ch determined a decrease in roughness for L-B film and increase in roughness for DC film deposited on Si covered by C-60 layer.

Environmentally-friendly bio-organic materials have become the centre of recent developments in organic electronics, while a suitable interfacial modification is a prerequisite for future applications. In the context of researches on low cost and biodegradable resource for optoelectronics applications, the influence of a 2D nanostructured transparent conductive electrode on the morphological, structural, optical and electrical properties of nucleobases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil) thin films obtained by thermal evaporation was analysed. The 2D array of nanostructures has been developed in a polymeric layer on glass substrate using a high throughput and low cost technique, UV-Nanoimprint Lithography. The indium tin oxide electrode was grown on both nanostructured and flat substrate and the properties of the heterostructures built on these two types of electrodes were analysed by comparison. We report that the organic-electrode interface modification by nano-patterning affects both the optical (transmission and emission) properties by multiple reflections on the walls of nanostructures and the electrical properties by the effect on the organic/electrode contact area and charge carrier pathway through electrodes. These results encourage the potential application of the nucleobases thin films deposited on nanostructured conductive electrode in green optoelectronic devices.

UV-nanoimprint lithography is currently seen like an alternative to the classical lithographic techniques (electron beam or optical lithography) for large scale patterning in industrial applications. The present study is oriented on the fabrication of silicon nano-cones (pyramids) by using the UV-nanoimprint technique with polymeric stamps and deep reactive ion etching using the UV-cured resist as etching mask at cryogenic temperatures. The results show that the resist can act successfully as etching mask for the cryogenic silicon etching process.

This study presents the design and manufacture of metasurface lenses optimized for focusing light with 1.55 mu m wavelength. The lenses are fabricated on silicon substrates using electron beam lithography, ultraviolet-nanoimprint lithography and cryogenic deep reactive-ion etching techniques. The designed metasurface makes use of the geometrical phase principle and consists of rectangular pillars with target dimensions of height h = 1200 nm, width w = 230 nm, length l = 354 nm and periodicity p = 835 nm. The simulated efficiency of the lens is 60%, while the master lenses obtained by using electron beam lithography are found to have an efficiency of 45%. The lenses subsequently fabricated via nanoimprint are characterized by an efficiency of 6%; the low efficiency is mainly attributed to the rounding of the rectangular nanostructures during the pattern transfer processes from the resist to silicon due to the presence of a thicker residual layer.

We investigated the optical and electrical properties of flexible single and bi-layer organic heterostructures prepared by vacuum evaporation with a p-type layer of arylenevinylene oligomers, based on carbazole, 3,3 ' bis(N hexylcarbazole)vinylbenzene = L13, or triphenylamine, 1,4 bis [4 (N,N' diphenylamino)phenylvinyl] benzene = L78, and an n-type layer of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyrydil)21H,23H-porphyne = TPyP. Transparent conductor films of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) with high transparency, >90% for wavelengths > 400 nm, and low resistivity, between 6.9 x 10(-4) ohm center dot cm and 23 x 10(-4) ohm center dot cm, were deposited by pulsed laser deposition on flexible substrates of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The properties of the heterostructures based on oligomers and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) were compared, emphasizing the effect of the surface morphology. The measurements revealed a good absorption in the visible range of the PET/AZO/arylenevinylene oligomer/TPyP heterostructures and a typical injection contact behavior with linear (ZnPc, L78) or non-linear (L13) J-V characteristics in the dark, at voltages < 0.4 V. The heterostructure PET/AZO/L78/TPyP/Al showed a current density of similar to 1 mA/cm(2) at a voltage of 0.3 V. The correlation between the roughness exponent, evaluated from the height-height correlation function, grain shape, and electrical behavior was analyzed. Consequently, the oligomer based on triphenylamine could be a promising replacement of donor ZnPc in flexible electronic applications.

Hybrid organic-inorganic thin films based on zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and ZnO nanoparticles were deposited by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE). Synthesized by a simple wet chemical precipitation method, the ZnO nanoparticles were featured by a hexagonal wurtzite structure, a band-gap value of similar to 3.3 eV and emission bands typical for this semiconductor. The hybrid films containing ZnPc and various amounts of ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated from morphological, compositional, structural, optical and electrical point of view. No chemical decomposition of the organic compound was observed in the FTIR spectra of the deposited layers. The transmittance and photoluminescence spectra recorded on hybrid films disclose the optical signature of both organic (ZnPc) and inorganic (ZnO) components. The electrical measurements carried out under illumination emphasized the importance of the quantity of the inorganic component on the performance parameters of the structures prepared with the hybrid films. Our study provides new insight in the MAPLE deposition of the organic-inorganic hybrid films with potential applications in the photovoltaic cells area.

Organic bulk heterojunctions (BHJ) based on zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), fullerene compounds (C60 fullerene and [6,6]-phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM)), and 5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene (rubrene) were fabricated through the matrix-assisted pulsed-laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. Thus, ZnPc:C60 and ZnPc:PC70BM binary BHJ and ZnPc:rubrene:PC70BM ternary BHJ were deposited as thin films on various substrates. The preservation of the chemical structure of the organic compounds during the MAPLE deposition was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The structural, optical, and morphological properties of the deposited layers were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Further, the electrical properties of the developed structures based on ZnPc:C60, ZnPc:PC70BM, and ZnPc:rubrene:PC70BM were evaluated. The J-V characteristics of the organic structures, recorded under illumination, show that an increase in the open-circuit voltage (V-OC) is achieved in the case of the ternary blend in comparison with that obtained for the binary blends. The results evidenced that MAPLE-deposited thin films containing binary and ternary organic bulk heterojunctions can find applications in the field of photovoltaic devices.

This paper presents some studies on the organic heterostructures realized by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation in both bi-layer and mixed layer configurations on glass substrates covered by flat or nano-patterned ITO. The donor, a star-shaped arylenevinylene compound, 4,4',4 ''-tris[(4'-diphenylamino) styryl] triphenylamine, and acceptor, a non-fullerene compound, N,N'-bis-(1-dodecyl)perylene-3,4,9,10 tetracarboxylic diimide, were blended in three weight ratios: 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4. A grating of cylindrical pillars with a periodicity of 1.1 mu m has been developed by UV-Nanoimprint Lithography in a polymer layer. The shape of the nanostructures changed to cone trunk by the Pulsed Laser Deposition of ITO on this nanostructured surface. The effect of the nanostructures and composition on the optical and electrical properties of the heterostructures was analyzed. The nano-patterning affected both the UV-Vis transmission and photoluminescence through the multiple reflections inside the cavities and at interfaces and the particularities of the molecular arrangement. The patterning was preserved independently of composition, but the roughness increased with increasing acceptor amount. The I-V characteristics drawn at room temperature in dark revealed an ohmic contact behavior for all heterostructures. The nano-patterning had a similar effect on the current in the heterostructures with mixed layer (1:2) and stacked bi-layer.

A study on clay mineral polymer nanocomposites (CPN), namely polyaniline/montmorillonite-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (PANI/Mt-CTAB), poly o-anisidine/montmorillonite-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (poly(o-ANIS)/Mt-CTAB) and poly o-anisidine-co-aniline/montmorillonite-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (poly(o-ANIS-co-ANI)/Mt-CTAB), synthesized by oxidative chemical polymerization method is presented. The nanocomposites have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. By UV-vis measurements different electronic transitions for the CPNs were pointed out. The voltammograms indicate that the synthetized materials are electroactive. The FTIR analysis reveals the characteristic bands of the polymers and of the Mt-CTAB. The shift of the bands to higher/lower wavenumbers demonstrate the interaction between the pristine polymers macromolecular chains and the montmorillonite (Mt). The intercalation of the polymers inside the mineral clay was confirmed by the increased interlayer distance connected with the position of the 011 diffraction plane of the Mt., and the intercalation and exfoliation states were highlighted in the scanning and transmission electron microscopy images. The obtained results are encouraging in respect with the purpose to use them in the field of photovoltaic applications.

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were grown on nanopatterned glass substrates by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The deposition was carried out at 1.2 J/cm(2) laser fluence, low oxygen pressure (1.5 Pa) and on unheated substrate. Arrays of periodic pillars with widths of similar to 350 nm, heights of similar to 250 nm, and separation pitches of similar to 1100 nm were fabricated on glass substrates using UV nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL), a simple, cost-effective, and high throughput technique used to fabricate nanopatterns on large areas. In order to emphasize the influence of the periodic patterns on the properties of the nanostructured ITO films, this transparent conductive oxide (TCO) was also grown on flat glass substrates. Therefore, the structural, compositional, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of both non-patterned and patterned ITO films were investigated in a comparative manner. The energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirms that the ITO films preserve the In2O3:SnO2 weight ratio from the solid ITO target. The SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images prove that the deposited ITO films retain the pattern of the glass substrates. The optical investigations reveal that patterned ITO films present a good optical transmittance. The electrical measurements show that both the non-patterned and patterned ITO films are characterized by a low electrical resistivity (<2.8 x 10(-4)). However, an improvement in the Hall mobility was achieved in the case of the nanopatterned ITO films, evidencing the potential applications of such nanopatterned TCO films obtained by PLD in photovoltaic and light emitting devices.

The paper is focused on the investigation of the properties of some organic heterostructures deposited on patterned AZO electrodes. In the first step, 2D patterned arrays based on commercially photoresist were fabricated on glass substrates using nanoimprint litography. Next, on these periodic nanostructures, the transparent AZO layers were deposited by pulsed laser deposition. Further, heterostructures consisting in organic thin films such as 4,7 diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BPhen) (electron transport layer), N,N'-di(1-naftalenil)-N,N'-diafenil-(1,1'-bifenil)-4,4'-diamina (alpha-NPD) (hole transport layer) and arylenevinylene oligomers (3,3-bis (N-hexylcarbazole)vinylbenzene (P13) and 1,4-bis [4-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenylvinyl] benzene (P78)) were obtained by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation. The fabricated multilayer organic structures have been investigated from optical (UV-VIS spectroscopy), morphological (scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy) and electrical (I-V characteristics) point of view. An improvement in the current value recorded on the samples prepared on nanostructured electrode was recorded. The results evidence the possibility to integrate these heterostructures in organic electronic devices.

This paper presents a comparative study between the properties of the heterostructures realized with single/multi layer organic (zinc phthalocyanine or/and fullerene) prepared on Si substrate between flat or patterned aluminum (Al) layer metallic electrode and multi layer ZnO/Au/ZnO transparent conductor electrode (TCE). The UV-Nanoimprint Lithography was used for the realization of a 2D array of nanostructures (holes/pillars) characterized by a periodicity of 1.1 mu m and cylindrical shape: diameter = 400 nm and depth/height = 300 nm. The effect of the electrode patterning on the properties of the organic heterostructures was analyzed. For the samples with patterned Al electrode was remarked a slight red shift of the peaks in the reflection spectra determined by an increased interaction between the organic molecules in the delimited region of the patterned holes. The shape of the emission spectra at excitation with UV light showed a narrow intense peak around 500 nm associated with the intense resonance phenomena between the energy of the incident light and the surface plasmons in the patterned Al layer. The TCE followed the morphology of the organic film on which it was deposited. The significant differences between the morphology of the top layer in the heterostructures realized on flat and patterned Al are correlated with the total thickness of the successively deposited layers and with the particularities of the molecular arrangement, leading to the preservation or deleting of patterning. An injection contact behavior was evidence for most heterostructures built on flat and patterned Al. The slight increase in current at an applied bias <1 V in the heterostructure Si/Al/ZnPc/TCE is attributed to the larger interfacial area between the patterned Al electrode and ZnPc layer compared to the interface area between flat Al and ZnPc. A buffer layer of 1,4,5,8-naphthalen-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA), sandwiched between the flat metallic electrode and organic film in the heterostructure Si/Al/C60/ZnPc/TCE has determined an increase in the current at low applied voltages. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim of our research was to synthesize and investigate the physico-chemical and biological features of composite coatings based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and commercial calcium phosphates (CaPs), hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate, obtained by means of matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. In this respect, laser fluence and dropcast studies were performed for pristine polymer and PHBV-CaPs composites. The microstructure of the synthesized coatings was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, while for the chemical structure and functional integrity we performed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy comparative analysis. By using the X-ray diffraction measurements we experimentally evaluated the crystalline nature of the obtained composite materials, while relevant data regarding the hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior of the synthesized coatings were obtained by performing static CA measurements. The biocompatibility of PHBV/CaPs coatings was evaluated by performing cellular adhesion and differentiation in vitro assays on mesenchymal stem cells. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In: ZnO (IZO) thin films were deposited on flexible plastic substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. The obtained layers present adequate optical and electrical properties competitive with those based on indium tin oxide (ITO). The figure of merit (9 X 10(-3) Omega(-1)) calculated for IZO layers demonstrates that high quality coatings can be prepared by this deposition technique. A thermal annealing (150 degrees C for 1 h) or an oxygen plasma etching (6 mbar for 10 min.) were applied to the IZO layers to evaluate the influence of these treatments on the properties of the transparent coatings. Using vacuum evaporation, organic heterostructures based on cooper phthalocyanine (CuPc) and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) were deposited on the untreated and treated IZO layers. The optical and electrical properties of the heterostructures were investigated by UVVis, FTIR and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. For the heterostructure fabricated on IZO treated in oxygen plasma, an improvement in the current value with at least one order of magnitude was evidenced in the I-V characteristics recorded in dark conditions. Also, an increase in the current value for the heterostructure deposited on untreated IZO layer can be achieved by adding an organic layer such as tris-8-hydroxyquinoline aluminium (Alq(3)).

In this study, coatings based on lysozyme embedded into a matrix of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were fabricated by two different methods (Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation -MAPLE and Dip Coating) for obtaining antimicrobial coatings envisaged for long term medical applications. Coatings with different PEG: PCL compositions (3: 1; 1: 1; 1: 3) were synthesized in order to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of lysozyme embedded into the polymeric matrix. The main surface features, such as roughness and wettability, with impact on the microbial adhesion as well as on the eukaryote cell function were measured. The obtained composite coatings exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus strains. As well, specific blended coatings showed appropriate viability, good spreading and normal cell morphology of SaOs2 human osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These investigations highlight the suitability of biodegradable composites as implant coatings for decreasing the risk of bacterial contamination associated with prosthetic procedures. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mixed layers of azomethine oligomers containing 2,5-diamino-3,4-dicyanothiophene as central unit and triphenylamine (LV5) or carbazol (LV4) at both ends as donor and fullerene derivative, [6,6]-phenylC61 butyric acid butyl ester ([C60] PCB-C4) as acceptor, have been prepared by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) on glass/ITO and Si substrates. The effect of weight ratio between donor and acceptor (1: 1; 1: 2) and solvent type (chloroform, dimethylsulphoxide) on the optical (UV-vis transmission/absorption, photoluminescence) and morphological properties of LV4 (LV5): [C60] PCB-C4 mixed layers has been evidenced. Dark and under illumination I-V characteristics of the heterostructures realized with these mixed layers sandwiched between ITO and Al electrodes have revealed a solar cell behavior for the heterostructures prepared with both LV4 and LV5 using chloroform as matrix solvent. The solar cell structure realized with oligomer LV5, glass/ITO/LV5: [C60] PCB-C4 (1: 1) has shown the best parameters. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper presents some investigations of the effect of nanopatterning on the properties of aluminum layer deposited by sputtering. UV-Nanoimprint Lithography technique has been used for the realization of a 2D array of nanostructures (pillars) in aluminum film characterized by cylindrical shape and the following structural parameters: diameter between 400 nm and 490 nm, depth between 320 nm and 420 nm and periodicity of 1.1 mu m, which have been revealed by SEM and AFM measurements. The UV-Vis transmission, reflection and photoluminescence measurements have evidenced the effect of the nanopatterning on the optical properties of the A1 layer.

In this work we present the deposition of amorphous SiC thin films by radiofrequency dual magnetron sputtering. The dependence of the deposited films properties over the discharges electrical power and the effect of hydrogenous species (H-2 and/or D-2) addition to main discharge gas (Ar) were investigated. Accurate elemental analysis of the samples, including detection of hydrogen and deuterium, was performed by ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques: RBS (Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry) and ERDA (Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis). SiCx thin films with thicknesses between 1700 and 4500 angstrom and C/Si ratio between 0.2/1 and 1.25/1 were obtained in different deposition conditions. The results prove that thin films of amorphous SiC with well controlled properties can be produced using radiofrequency dual magnetron sputtering. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper presents some studies about the preparation by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) of mixed layers based on two arylenevinylene oligomers, 1,4-bis [4-(N,N'-diphenylamino)phenylvinyl] benzene (L78) and 3,3'-bis(N-hexylcarbazole)vinylbenzene (L13) as donor and buckminsterfullerene (C-60) as acceptor, blended in three different weight ratios: 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. The optical, morphological, structural and electrical properties of these mixed layers have been investigated emphasizing the effect of the layer composition and of the significant degree of disorder. I-V characteristics have revealed typically solar cell behaviour for the heterostructures prepared with mixed layers containing L78 (L13) and fullerene blended in a weight ratio of 1:2. The solar cell structure glass/ITO/L13:C-60/Al has shown the best parameters. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Heterostructures based on zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyrydil)21H,23H-porphine (TPyP) were deposited on ITO flexible substrates by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique. Organic heterostructures containing (TPyP/ZnPc(MgPc)) stacked or (ZnPc(MgPc):TPyP) mixed layers were characterized by X-ray diffraction-XRD, photoluminescence-PL, UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy. No chemical decomposition of the initial materials was observed. The investigated structures present a large spectral absorption in the visible range making them suitable for organic photovoltaics applications (OPV). Scanning electron microscopy-SEM and atomic force microscopy-AFM revealed morphologies typical for the films prepared by MAPLE. The current-voltage characteristics of the investigated structures, measured in dark and under light, present an improvement in the current value (similar to 3 order of magnitude larger) for the structure based on the mixed layer (Al/MgPc:TPyP/ITO) in comparison with the stacked layer (Al/MgPc//TPyP/ITO). A photogeneration process was evidenced in the case of structures Al/ZnPc:TPyP/ITO with mixed layers. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Heterostructures with layers from small molecules organic compounds were deposited on ITO/glass substrate by thermal vacuum evaporation (TVE) technique. Structural, optical and morphological investigations were carried out on the realised layers (zinc phthalocyanine-ZnPc, fullerene-C60 and 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride-NTCDA). The films are polycrystalline keeping the morphological features characteristic to these materials. The prepared heterostructures reveal a large absorption domain in the visible domain. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the investigated structures, recorded in dark, present an improvement in the current value (similar to one order of magnitude) for the standard structure (ITO/PEDOT: PSS/ZnPc/C60/NTCDA/Al) with a supplimentary layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). For the inverted structure (Al/NTCDA/C60/ZnPc/ITO) was also noticed an increased curent value in comparasion with that observed for the standard structure.

This paper presents some studies about the preparation by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique of heterostructures with single layer of arylene based polymer, poly[N-(2-ethylhexy1)2.7-carbazoly1 vinylene]/AMC16 and poly[N-(2-ethylhexy1)2.7-carbazolyl 1.4-phenylene ethynylene]/AMC22, and with layers of these polymers mixed with Buckminsterfullerene/C-60 in the weight ratio of 1:2 (AMC16: C60) and 1:3 (AMC22: C60). The deposited layers have been characterized by spectroscopic (UV-Vis-NIR, PL, FTIR) and microscopic (SEM, AFM) methods. The effect of the polymer particularities on the optical and electrical properties of the structures based on polymer and polymer: C-60 mixed layer has been analyzed. The study of the electrical properties has revealed typical solar cell behavior for the heterostructure prepared by MAPLE on glass/ITO/PEDOT-PSS with AMC16, AMC22 and AMC22: C-60 layer, confirming that this method is adequate for the preparation of polymeric and mixed active layers for solar cells applications. The highest photovoltaic effect was shown by the solar cell structure realized with single layer of AMC16 polymer: g1a55/ITO/PEDOT-PSSIA1VIC16/A1. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Light confinement in a two dimensional photonic crystal (2D PhC) with hexagonal symmetry is studied using infra-red reflectance spectromicroscopy and numerical calculations. The structure has been realized by laser ablation, using a pulsed laser (lambda = 775 nm), perforating an In-doped Ge wafer and creating a lattice of holes with well-defined symmetry. Correlating the spectral signature of the photonic gaps recorded experimentally with the results obtained in the finite difference time domain and finite difference frequency domain calculations, we established the relationship between the geometric parameters of the structure (lattice constants, shape of the hole) and its efficiency in trapping and guiding the radiation in a well-defined frequency range. Besides the gap in the low energy range of transversal electric modes, a second one is identified in the telecommunication range, originating in the localization of the leaky modes within the radiation continuum. The emerging picture is of a device with promising characteristics as an alternative to Si-based technology in photonic device fabrication with special emphasize in energy storage and conversion. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Composite silk fibroin-poly(3-hydroxybutyric-acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric-acid) (SF-PHBV) biodegradable coatings were grown by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation on titanium substrates. Their physicochemical properties and particularly the degradation behavior in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C were studied as first step of applicability in local controlled release for tissue regeneration applications. SF and PHBV, natural biopolymers with excellent biocompatibility, but different biodegradability and tensile strength properties, were combined in a composite to improve their properties as coatings for biomedical uses. FTIR analyses showed the stoichiometric transfer from targets to coatings by the presence in the spectra of the main absorption maxima characteristic of both polymers. XRD investigations confirmed the FTIR results showing differences in crystallization behavior with respect to the SF and PHBV content. Contact angle values obtained through wettability measurements indicated the MAPLE deposited coatings were highly hydrophilic; surfaces turning hydrophobic with the increase of the PHBV component. Degradation assays proved that higher PHBV contents resulted in enhanced resistance and a slower degradation rate of composite coatings in SBF. Distinct drug-release schemes could be obtained by adjusting the SF:PHBV ratio to controllably tuning the coatings degradation rate, from rapid-release formulas, where SF predominates, to prolonged sustained ones, for larger PHBV content. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We report the pressure vs area isotherms of Langmuir films of pure and doped with cholesterol (Ch) amyloid beta, A beta (1-40) and (1-42) at the air-water interface and, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of A beta (1-40) and (1-42) layers deposited from solution by drop cast and/or dipping and/or Langmuir-Blodgett on substrates of quartz and Si. The particularity of the substrate surface morphology determines the adhesion forces and plays an important role in the formation and stability of the multilayer films which are deposited on these substrates. The effect of cholesterol on the morphology of amyloids films and appearance of fibril structures is also analysed. AFM investigations have revealed the particularities of the aggregation process of the strongly hydrophobic A beta (1-42) on cholesterol films deposited by Langmuir-Blodgett on solid support of quartz and Si.

Alignment layers of polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) were obtained by withdrawing from different solutions in toluene onto glass plates having SiOx layers obliquely evaporated in vacuum at 82 degrees. The alignment direction of nematic liquid crystal molecules with cyan-end group imposed by bare SiOx layers is changed when these layers are coated with PVK; the same happens with over layers of polyvinylimidazole or of polyvinylcinnamate. The effect is inhibited by doping PVK with fullerene C60 (0.1%), when the liquid crystal orientation specific for bare SiOx obliquely evaporated substrates is obtained. Other nematic (with methoxy-end group) does not show change of the orientation properties by covering the SiOx obliquely deposited layers with the mentioned polymer over layers.

Thin films of C layers were deposited by radiofrequency magnetron sputtering on silicon substrates using three gaseous atmospheres: pure Ar, Ar + H-2 and Ar + D-2 mixtures. Scanning Electron Microscopy investigations showed that addition of D-2 or H-2 to main sputtering gas (Ar) leads to the enhancement of the deposition rate while the layer morphology remained columnar. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy measurements revealed the presence of D-C or H-C chemical bonds in the samples. Ion beam analysis measurements performed by simultaneous recording of the recoiled H and D ions, and of backscattered He-4 confirmed the incorporation of hydrogen and deuterium in the deposited carbon thin films. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper presents some studies about the preparation by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique of organic bulk heterojunctions made from the mixture of a star-shaped arylenevinylene compound, 4,4',4aEuro(3)-tris[(4'-diphenylamino)styryl] triphenylamine as donor and fullerene derivative, [6, 6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid butyl ester, as acceptor, in the weight ratio 1:2. The mixed layer has been characterized by spectroscopic (UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared) and microscopic (AFM) methods, and the effects of the deposition conditions (number of pulses) and of a buffer layer of poly(aniline-co-aniline propane sulfonic acid) or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) have been analyzed. The study of the electrical properties has revealed a typical solar cell behavior for the heterostructure glass/ITO/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/4,4',4aEuro(3)-tris[(4'-diphenylamino)styryl] triphenylamine: [6, 6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid butyl ester/Al, confirming that MAPLE could be an adequate method for the preparation of active layer based on bulk heterojunction for solar cells.

This paper presents some studies about the bi-layer organic heterostructures realized with zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) as donor layer and 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) as acceptor layer, on substrate of glass covered by Al doped ZnO (AZO) layer. These heterostructures have been prepared using laser techniques: pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in an atmosphere of oxygen for AZO films deposition and matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) for organic films deposition. The influence of the deposition conditions on the transmission of the organic films has been analysed. The effect of the oxygen plasma treatment, with duration of 5 min and 10 min, on the surface topography, structural and optical properties of AZO layers deposited by PLD and, as consequence, on the optical and electrical properties of the single layer (ZnPc) and bi-layer (ZnPc/NTCDA) organic heterostructure, deposited by MAPLE, was investigated. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vacuum deposition at small angle was successfully applied in deposition of SiOx particles onto polyester textile materials; this deposition is here presented in comparison with that upon other materials made from poly(lactic acid), polyamide or hemp. Structural and spectroscopic characterization of deposited samples has been performed and compared with that of the raw materials. The deposited particles are amorphous. Contact angle measurement by the sessile drop method, was used to study the wettability behavior of the investigated composite systems. The hierarchical roughness structure generates hydrophylic properties onto polyester fabrics and the other functionalized samples after deposition. The deposition technique was proven to be highly reproducible, easy scalable and cheap, allowing a wide range of applications.

In this paper we present some comparative studies between the optical and electrical properties of the films prepared by vacuum evaporation from amidic monomeric compounds obtained from maleic anhydride and aniline derivative with different functional groups [CN; NO2], and the composite films prepared by spin-coating from a polycarbonate of bisphenol A matrix embedding clusters of these amidic monomers. We have emphasised the effect of the polymeric matrix on the properties of the synthesised monomers with the purpose to change the physical properties of the films (optical transmission, luminescence, electrical conduction, optical non-linear phenomena). The correlation between the morphology of the films and the optical and electrical properties has also been investigated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper discusses the properties of two arylenevinylene oligomers thin films deposited by vacuum evaporation on different substrates. The morphology of the thin films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and the optical properties by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The optical nonlinear phenomenon of two-photon absorption induced fluorescence has been evidenced in the thin films of these compounds. We have also investigated the electrical properties of semiconductor/insulator/semiconductor (ITO/oligomer/Si) heterostructures in correlation with the contact energetic barriers, morphological and structural properties of the layers. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper presents a study of some thin monomer films deposited by MAPLE. These monomers have been synthesised from maleic anhydride and aniline derivatives and are characterized by a molecular structure adequate for the generation of optical non-linear phenomena. UV-VIS, FTIR, Raman and Photoluminescence spectroscopy have been used to investigate the influence of the experimental conditions on the properties of the films. X-Ray Diffraction has evidenced a certain degree of disorder in the thin films, which is correlated with the randomly orientated molecules and AFM images have revealed different roughness for different monomer layers and different substrates. Second harmonic measurements have shown a strong signal emitted by the thin film prepared from the monomer with one [-NH-NH-] donor and two [-NO(2)] acceptor groups. This thin film is characterized by good transparency and low photoluminescence emission at excitation with the wavelength of the second harmonic (lambda-400 nm).

In this study the Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique was used to prepare thin films from a low melting point (< 100 degrees C) organic compound (benzil). Optical properties of the films have been investigated by UV-VIS, FTIR and PL spectroscopy. Details about crystallinity were obtained by XRD measurements. FTIR spectra have confirmed the preservation of the chemical structure of the compound during the deposition process. SEM and AFM investigation have evidenced a topography of the MAPLE deposited films characterized by different grain size depending on the deposition conditions. Second harmonic generation measurements have revealed that the MAPLE deposited benzil films have preserved the optical nonliniar properties of the bulk crystalline benzil.

We demonstrate that an anisotropic photonic crystal can modify the shape of a highly convergent incident optical beam. The beam shape engineering is relatively easy, and the photonic crystal is less alignment demanding than beam shapers that incorporate several optical systems. The shape of the output beam can be controlled by an appropriate choice of the angular divergence of the beam, the number of periods and the birefringence values and layer widths of the constituent materials. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America

We have studied the effect of the morphology on the optical and electrical properties of the TPyP thin films deposited by vacuum evaporation on different substrates (Si with different characteristics, ITO, quartz and glass). The presence of some well-defined B and Q absorption bands has been evidenced. FTIR and photoluminescence measurements have been used to confirm the preservation of the chemical structure of the compound during the evaporation process. The contact Au/TPyP/Si(n) is rectifier, while a blocking behavior has been shown by Si(n)/TPyP/Si(n) and ITO/TPyP/Si(n) and an injector dominated behavior by Si(p)/TPyP/Si(p) and ITO/TPyP/Si(p) heterostructures. The best transmission was obtained on TPyP film deposited on ITO and the highest value of the current in heterostructures Si(n) electrode characterised by a large grain morphology and in consequence by a weak optical and charge carrier scattering at the grain boundaries.

In the aim to improve the adherence of the nanostructured gold layers onto glass substrate, gold deposition has been first time performed onto a polystyrene (PS) layer. The PS layer of ca. 50nm was spin-coated onto glass plates from a toluene solution. Gold layers of 10-20nm were vacuum deposited at small incidence angle. We found that at variance from the plates with gold deposited directly on the glass, the plates with an intermediate PS layer do not peel under overnight treatment in ethanol solution. The layers were characterized by several methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that gold peaks have the position corresponding to the face-centered cubic structure: However, the crystallites on the sample with PS layer seem to be a little bit smaller than those with gold deposited directly onto the glass. XR reflectometry measurements have given the thickness of the gold layer in good agreement with the value estimated from quartz monitor readings and with the ellipsometric data as well, Liquid crystal cells were obtained to observe the molecular alignment imposed by the nanostructured gold layer deposited onto PS film. A rather strong interaction of gold atoms with the substrate molecules can be considered on the basis of the XRD and ellipsometry measurements.

This paper presents a study of two copolymers, maleic anhydride and methylmethacrilate/maleic anhydride and vinyl benzyl chloride, functionalised with polar chromophoric groups such as 2,4 dinitroaniline. Thin films have been prepared by vacuum evaporation and spin coating methods on silicon and glass substrates. UV-VIS, FTIR, XRD and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy have been used to comparatively investigate the effect of the preparation method on the properties of the thin films obtained with functionalized copolymer. SEM has evidenced differences in the morphologies of the layers suggesting a degradation of the polymeric chain during the evaporation process to fragments that conserve unchanged the chromophoric group. This explains the presence of two types of non-linear phenomena, the second harmonic emission and two-photon luminescence emissions for both vacuum evaporated and spin coated films.

This paper presents a study of some functionalised copolymers thin films prepared on silicon and quartz substrates by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation ( MAPLE) method. Two polymeric structures have been synthesised by the copolymerisation of maleic anhydride and methyl methacrylate, respectively, maleic anhydride and vinyl benzyl chloride and their subsequent functionalisation with 2,4-dinitroaniline. UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been used to investigate the influence on the properties of the films of different substrate temperature ( 150 degrees C and 250 degrees C), background N-2 pressure (5-30 Pa) and polymer concentration in target (2% and 3%). We have evidenced that this deposition process does not damage the chemical structure of the polymers. SEM investigations revealed the droplets type morphology of the polymeric films with thickness between 41 nm and 105 nm calculated from ellipsometric measurements. (C) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

This paper presents a study of two monomeric structures containing functional groups with different electronegativities [NH/NH-NH and NO2] and two different polymeric structures prepared by the copolymerisation of maleic anhydride and methylmethacrylate/maleic anhydride and vinyl benzyl chloride, and subsequent functionalization with 2,4 dinitroaniline. Thin films have been prepared by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) and UV-VIS, FTIR, Raman and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy have been used to comparatively investigate the properties of the synthesised compounds. We have evidenced the second harmonic emission (SHG), process sustained by the asymmetry of the chemical structure, which is correlated with the crystallization in non-centrosymmeric structures.

This paper presents investigations on the electrical transport phenomena in sandwich type inorganic/single (double) organic layer/inorganic such as silicon; ITO/TPyP, Alq3, alpha-NPD; ZnPc; perylene" PTCDA/silicon and inorganic (metal)/organic/metal such as silicon (A/)/ZnPc; alpha-NPD; TPyP/copper, Al, structures, prepared by vacuum evaporation. For most of these heterostructures the IN characteristics in the static regime have a near ohmic behaviour only at low voltages (10V) an increased number of charge carriers are injected from n type Si in Alq3 compared to TpyP. The injection properties of the interface ITO, Cu, Al electrode/organic layer have also been investigated. The best injection has been obtained through ITO/ZnPc interface. For a grid configuration of the Al electrodes the transport phenomena are determined by the resistivity of the structure.

We show that an anisotropic periodic structure can shape an incident optical beam with a large angular divergence. This is a new application of photonic crystals, which does not require any additional energy source, such as an electric field

Herein, the properties of the organic heterostructures with triple-layer ZnO/Ag/ZnO as a replacement for ITO and mixed layer containing arylenevinylene oligomer (based on triphenylamine or carbazole) donor and nonfullerene (perylene diimide) acceptor mixed in the ratio 1:2 and the effect of a buffer layer of PEDOT-PSS intercalated between triple layer and mixed organic layer are discussed. The UV-vis transmission and photoluminescence (PL) properties are investigated in correlation with the surface topography and reveal a good match between the absorption and emission domain, which can favor the generation of the charge carriers. The heterostructure with the mixed layer based on triphenylamine oligomer shows the widest absorption domain, and the PL spectra of the heterostructures realized with either triphenylamine or carbazole oligomer show peaks corresponding to the radiative decay of the donor and acceptor. The I-V characteristics in the dark indicate a slightly nonlinear behavior and the current is affected by the charge carriers recombination on the defects present in the thick mixed layer deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation. The effect of the PEDOT-PSS buffer layer on the electrical properties of the organic heterostructure with ZnO/Ag/ZnO electrode is also investigated.

Herein, the properties of the organic heterostructures with triple-layer ZnO/Ag/ZnO as a replacement for ITO and mixed layer containing arylenevinylene oligomer (based on triphenylamine or carbazole) donor and nonfullerene (perylene diimide) acceptor mixed in the ratio 1:2 and the effect of a buffer layer of PEDOT-PSS intercalated between triple layer and mixed organic layer are discussed. The UV-vis transmission and photoluminescence (PL) properties are investigated in correlation with the surface topography and reveal a good match between the absorption and emission domain, which can favor the generation of the charge carriers. The heterostructure with the mixed layer based on triphenylamine oligomer shows the widest absorption domain, and the PL spectra of the heterostructures realized with either triphenylamine or carbazole oligomer show peaks corresponding to the radiative decay of the donor and acceptor. The I-V characteristics in the dark indicate a slightly nonlinear behavior and the current is affected by the charge carriers recombination on the defects present in the thick mixed layer deposited by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation. The effect of the PEDOT-PSS buffer layer on the electrical properties of the organic heterostructure with ZnO/Ag/ZnO electrode is also investigated.