In this work, we report the preparation of TiO 2 nanoparticles with a high surface area, from 120 to 168 m 2 g −1 by the hydrothermal-microemulsion route and hydrothermal temperature effect over particle size, porosity, and photovoltaic parameter. The TiO 2 samples were characterized by Raman, BET, TEM, SEM-FE, I-V curves, and EIS. The increase of hydrothermal temperature correlates with particle and pore size. Although when the synthesis temperature was 250 °C, the surface area presents an unexpected decrease of c.a. 28%. TiO 2 samples were employed as thin-film photo-anodes for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) solar cells. Photovoltaic results showed that the sample prepared at 250 °C presented the more suitable textural properties for the DSSC application. The prepared TiO 2 materials with a particle size of 6.93 ± 0.59 nm and anatase crystalline phase favor electron transport and diffusion of electrolyte species, which directly impact in solar cell efficiency.

AgBiS 2 is a promising and environmentally friendly absorber material for use in hybrid solar cells (HSC). Here, we report a study on the evolution of interfacial phenomena observed during deposition of AgBiS 2 onto mesoporous TiO 2 by the twostage successive ionic layer adsorptionreaction method. With this approach, inorganic-organic HSC were assembled using Co 2+ doped P3HT as hole transport layer. Surface photovoltage spectroscopy and contact potential difference measurements corroborated a low density of trap states in the ternary chalcogenide and lack of majority carrier barriers, compared to the binary absorbers used as reference. The best HSC exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 2.87% under irradiation of 100 mW cm −2 , which is attractive for an easily scalable, no capping, no passivating synthesis of AgBiS 2 .

This study reports the synthesis of thin polymeric films by the layer-by-layer deposition and covalent cross-linking of polyvinyl dimethylazlactone and polyethylene imine, which were functionalized with lauric (12-C), myristic (14-C), and palmitic (16-C) saturated fatty acids, whose high levels in the bloodstream are correlated with insulin resistance and the potential development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aiming to assess the effect of the fatty acids on the adhesion and proliferation of Langerhans β-cells, all prepared films (35 and 35.5 bilayers with and without functionalization with the fatty acids) were characterized in terms of their physical, chemical, and biological properties by a battery of experimental techniques including 1 H and 13 C NMR, mass spectrometry, attenuated total reflectance−Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, cell staining, and confocal laser scanning microscopy among others. In general, the developed films were found to be nanometric, transparent, resistant against manipulation, chemically reactive, and highly cytocompatible. On the other hand, in what the effect of the fatty acids is concerned, palmitic acid was found to impair the proliferation of the cultured βcells, contrary to its homologues which did not alter this biological process. In our opinion, the multidisciplinary study presented here might be of interest for the research community working on the development of cytocompatible 2D model substrates for the safe and reproducible characterization of cell responses.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

In this work, the preparation of dense blended membranes, from blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(ether sulfone) (PES) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) or Fumion®, with possible applications in alkaline fuel cell (AEMFC) is reported. The blended PEI/Fumion® membranes were prepared under a controlled air atmosphere by a solvent evaporation method, and were characterized regarding water uptake, swelling ratio, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ion exchange capacity (IEC), OH− conductivity and novel hydroxide ion exchange rate (HIER), which is related to the mass transport capacity of the OH− ions through the membrane. The effect of the chemical composition on its morphological and anion exchange properties was evaluated. It was expected that the usage of a commercial ionomer Fumion®, in the blended membranes would result in better features in the electrical/ionic conductivity behaviour. However, two of the membranes containing PEI exhibited a higher HIER and OH− conductivity than Fumion® membranes, and were excellent option for potential applications in AEMFC, considering their performance and the cost of Fumion®-based membranes.