Thesis: M.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Meteorology, 1980 / Bibliography: leaves 39-41. / by Aribilola Samuel Omolayo. / M.S. / M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Meteorology

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The interaction of water vapor with the surface and bulk of poly(imidesiloxane) copolymers has been characterized in an attempt to determine the important factors in the copolymer's resistance to water ingression. The multi-block copolymers were synthesized from benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, bisaniline P and pre-formed amine-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers, with phthalic anhydride as an end-capping agent. Similar copolymers had been previously shown to have reduced water sorption, increased surface hydrophobicity, and increased adhesive durability in hot/wet environments. Inverse gas chromatography was used to conduct surface energetics studies on copolymers of different siloxane concentration and a polyirnide homopolymer. Free energies of specific interaction of water vapor, ΔG_sp°, with the polymer surfaces were found to decrease with the incorporation of siloxane into the polyirnide. The dispersive components of the solid surface free energy of the siloxane- containing copolymers were equal within error to that of pure poly(dimethylsiloxane), indicating a PDMS-rich, hydrophobic surface. The ΔG_sp° of the copolymers were not significantly different, suggesting that the copolymer surfaces were very similar. This indicated a minimum weight percent of siloxane incorporation required to maximize the copolymer's surface water resistance. The minimum amount for the studied system was at most ten percent. Diffusion coefficients of water vapor in the polyimide and copolymers were determined from gravimetric sorption experiments. Higher levels of siloxane incorporation caused a definite increase in the diffusion coefficient, indicating a decreased resistance to water ingression. The increase in diffusion was found to be influenced by siloxane block length and was interpreted in terms of morphological and free volume theories. The diffusion coefficient of a 10 weight percent PDMS copolymer, however, was found to be the same within error as the polyimide diffusion oefficient. The incorporation of siloxane into polyimides has been shown to increase water resistance due to the hydrophobicity of the siloxane-rich surface. However, high siloxane contents also increased the rate of water ingression in the bulk of the polymer. Increased water resistance of the surface may be achieved at lower siloxane concentrations without increasing diffusive (or decreasing mechanical) properties to undesirable levels. / Ph. D.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the use of surfactants, plate-like clays, organophilic molecules and side-chain crystallinity was investigated for their impact on the transport mechanisms of water vapour through polymer films. A model polymer latex, poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate), was prepared using miniemulsion polymerization. Three different types of surfactants, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS, an anionic surfactant), octyl phenol ethoxylate (OPE, a nonionic surfactant) and dodecyl ammonium- 3-butenoate (DA3B, a reactive surfactant) were used to stabilize the latex. Films were prepared from the resultant latices and their water vapour sorption behaviour determined across a water vapour partial pressure range of 0.1 to 0.9. Sigmoidal kinetic behaviour was seen for all three films, with the DA3B stabilized film exhibiting high diffusion coefficients compared to films stabilized with SDBS and OPE. The thermodynamic behaviour of the films differed and was dependent on the reactivity of the surfactant. SDBS and OPE stabilized films exhibited Flory- Huggins behaviour, while the DA3B stabilized film followed Henry’s Law. Despite significant differences in terms of these properties, the permeability coefficients were similar for the three films across the water vapour partial pressure range evaluated. The impact of sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) clay and an organophilic modifier, 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), on the water vapour sorption properties of poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) was evaluated. These polymer clay nanocomposites (PCNs) were synthesized using miniemulsion polymerization. The resultant latex films were characterized and used for water vapour sorption analyses. It was shown that complete exfoliation of the Na-MMT was necessary to minimize the equilibrium water vapour uptake. Even when Na-MMT was completely exfoliated, the amount of water vapour sorbed by the PCN was high and this was attributed to the hydrophilic nature of the clay. Using a least squares regression fit, good correlation was obtained between the experimental isotherms and the sorption behaviour predicted by the Dual Mode Sorption model which was originally developed for polymers in their glassy state. The impact of side chain crystallinity on the water vapour sorption properties of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-octadecyl acrylate) was evaluated. These random copolymers containing increasing amounts of octadecyl acrylate, and therefore increasing degrees of crystallinity, were synthesized using solvent polymerization. Although it could be expected that side chain crystallinity would be the main contributing factor resulting in a reduction in the diffusion coefficient, it was shown that the methyl group on the á- carbon of the vinyl group in the methacrylate reduced the diffusion to a greater extent through the increased stiffness of the polymer backbone. This was also reflected in poly(methyl methacrylate-co-octadecyl acrylate) having a greater activation energy for diffusion compared to polyoctadecyl acrylate. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie is die gebruik van sepe, plaatagtige kleie, organofiliese molekules en sykettingkristalliniteit ondersoek ten opsigte van die impak op transportmeganismes van waterdamp deur polimeerfilms. ‘n Model polimeerlateks, polistireen-ko-butielakrilaat, is voorberei deur miniemulsiepolimerisasie. Drie verskillende tipes sepe, natriumdodekielbenseensulfonaat (NDBS, ‘n anioniese seep), oktielfenoletoksilaat (OFE, ‘n nie-ioniese seep) en dodekielammonium-3-butenoaat (DA3B, ‘n reaktiewe seep) is gebruik om die lateks te stabiliseer. Films is van die resultante lateks voorberei en hul waterdampsorpsie –eienskappe oor die parsiële waterdampdrukreeks van 0.1 tot 0.9 bepaal. Sigmodale kinetiese gedrag is vir al drie films waargeneem, met die DA3B gestabiliseerde film wat hoër diffusiekoëffisiënte toon in vergelyking met die films wat met NDBS en OFE gestabiliseer is. Die termodinamiese gedrag van die films het verskil en was afhanklik van die reaktiwiteit van die seep. NDBS en OFE gestabiliseerde films het Flory-Huggins gedrag getoon, terwyl die DA3B gestabiliseerde film Henry se Wet gevolg het. Ten spyte van die beduidende verskille ten opsigte van hierdie eienskappe was die permitiewe koëffisiënte soortgelyk vir die drie films regoor die parsiële waterdampdrukreeks wat vir die evaluasie gebruik is. Die impak van natriummontmorilloniet (Na-MMT) klei en ‘n organofiliese modifiseerder, 2- akrielamido-2-metielpropaansulfoonsuur (AMPS), op die waterdampsorpsie-eienskappe van polistireen-ko-butielakrilaat is geevalueer. Hierdie polimeer-klei-nanosaamgesteldemateriale (PKNe) is gesintetiseer deur van miniemulsiepolimerisasie gebruik te maak. Die resultante lateksfilms is gekarakteriseer en gebruik vir waterdampsorpsie analises. Daar is getoon dat algehele afskilfering van die Na-MMT nodig was om die ewewigswaterdampopname te minimaliseer. Selfs wanneer Na-MMT algeheel afgeskilfer was, was die hoeveelheid waterdamp gesorbeer deur die PKN hoog en kan dit toegeskryf word aan die hidrofiliese karakter van die klei. Deur ‘n kleinste-kwadrate-regressie passing te doen, is ‘n goeie korrelasie verkry tussen die eksperimentele isoterme en die sorpsie gedrag voorspel deur die Dubbelmodussorpsiemodel wat oorspronklik ontwikkel is vir polimere in hul glasagtige toestand. Die impak van sykettingkristalliniteit op die waterdampsorpsie-eienskappe van poli(metielmetakrilaat-ko-oktadekielakrilaat) is ondersoek. Hierdie ewekansige kopolimere wat toenemende hoeveelhede oktadekielakrilaat, en dus toenemende grade van kristalliniteit bevat, is gesintetiseer deur van oplossingspolimerisasie gebruik te maak. Alhoewel dit te wagte was dat sykettingkristalliniteit die hoofbydraende faktor is in die redusering van die diffusiekoeffisiente, is daar getoon dat die metielgroep aan die α-koolstof van die vinielgroep in die metakrilaat die diffusie tot 'n groter mate gereduseer het deur toenemende styfheid van die polimeerrugraat. Dit is ook gereflekteer deur poli(metielmetakrilaat-ko-oktadekielakrilaat) wat 'n groter aktiveringsenergie vir diffusie het in vergelyking met polioktadekielakrilaat.

The photovoltaic properties of CdTe-based thin films depend on recombination levels formed in the CdTe layer and at the heterojunction. The localized states are resultant of structural defects (metal sublattice, chalcogen sublattice, interstitial), controlled doping, deposition process, and/or post-deposition annealing. The photoluminescence study of CdTe thin films, from both the bulk and heterojunction, can reveal radiative states due to different defects or impurities. Identification of defects allows for potential explanation of their roles and influence on solar cell performance. A thorough understanding of the material properties responsible for solar cell performance is critical in further advancing the efficiency of devices. The presented work is a systematic investigation using photoluminescence to study CdTe thin films with varying deposition processes. The thin (polycrystalline) films explored in this study were deposited by either the elemental vapor transport technique (EVT) or close spaced sublimation (CSS). Two device architectures were investigated, the typical CdTe/CdS device and the CdSeXTe1-X (CST) alloy device. Post-deposition annealing processes were either laser or thermal. The study of the CdTe thin films is grouped in three general categories: (a) EVT films: Intrinsic and Extrinsic (Group V: Sb and P), (b) CST alloys, and (c) Post-deposition Laser Annealed (LA) films. The main goal of this dissertation is to understand the influence of fabrication procedures (deposition conditions, post deposition thermal and chemical treatments, added impurities, and device architecture) on the defect structure of the CdTe thin films. The behavior of the photoluminescence (PL), studied as a function of the measurement temperature and excitation intensity, provides insight to the mechanism causing the radiative recombination levels. Analysis of the PL spectra for CdTe films with intrinsic doping demonstrated stoichiometric control of native defects for both the Cd- and Te-rich conditions. PL spectra of CdTe:Sb films showed unique Sb-related bands. Also, impurity-related defects were identified in the CdTe:P spectra. Spectral analysis support the need for optimization of dopant concentration. The effects of selenium (Se) thickness and post-deposition processing on the formation of CST alloy were demonstrated in the changing PL spectra. The native defects (and complexes) identified in films with thermal anneal processing were the same as those identified in films with laser anneal post-deposition processing. The PL data were collected and other characterization techniques were used to support the defect assignments. A repository of material properties, which include the recombination levels along with structural defect assignment for each of the CdTe deposition processes, is provided. This project will lend the solar cell community information on CdTe defects for different processing conditions, ultimately influencing the fabrication of improved solar cells.

The Cadmium Telluride thin film solar cell is one of the leading photovoltaic technologies. Efficiency improvements in the past decade made it a very attractive and practical source of renewable energy. Considering the theoretical limit, there is still room for improvement, especially the cell’s open circuit voltage (VOC). To improve VOC, the p-type carrier concentration and minority carrier lifetime of the CdTe absorber needs to be improved. Both these parameters are directly related to the point defect distribution of the semiconductor, which is a function of deposition stoichiometry, dopant incorporation and post-deposition treatments. CdTe films were deposited by the Elemental Vapor Transport (EVT) deposition method, which allowed in situ control of the vapor phase stoichiometry (Cd/Te ratio). Extrinsic doping of polycrystalline CdTe by in situ incorporation of antimony (Sb) and phosphorus (P) was investigated. The structural and electrical properties of CdTe thin films and solar cells were studied. Sb and P incorporation were found to increase the net p-doping concentration. Cl and Sb improved the minority carrier lifetime of polycrystalline CdTe, while lower lifetime with Cu and P doped films were indicated. Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) was performed on devices fabricated with different deposition stoichiometry, post-deposition treatments, and phosphorus dopant dose. Several majority and minority carrier traps were identified, and assigned to different point defects based on first principle studies in the literature and experimental conditions used for the deposition and processing of the thin films.

Ferrierite zeolite has a specific crystalline structure that gives unique catalytic properties that enable the selective isomerization of n-butene to isobutene and selective cracking of n-paraffins in the range of gasoline, mainly producing light olefins (ethylene and propylene). This study focused on assessing the formation and crystal growth method of transport through vapor phase (VTP) for fixed conditions of temperature, Si / Al and time of crystallization. In the work variables were used: structural directors, source of aluminum and % seeds. The experiments showed synthesis for transport method in phase steam with addition of seeds presented satisfactory results. Most of the samples synthesized in the work exhibited high crystalline percentage, with superior values to 90%, when compared with the commercial pattern. The results of crystalline percentage of synthesized materials indicated that there is an outstanding influence of the source of aluminum (sulfate of aluminum or pseudoboehmite) about the crystallization of the ferrierite zeolite for the transport method in vapor phase in the pyrrolidine presence as organic director, however when the director is the ethylenediamine this fact is almost imperceptible. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / A zeólita ferrierita apresenta uma estrutura cristalina específica que lhe confere propriedades catalíticas únicas, que possibilitam a isomerização seletiva de n-buteno em isobuteno e o craqueamento seletivo de n-parafinas, na faixa da gasolina, produzindo principalmente olefinas leves (eteno e propeno). O presente trabalho dirigi-se a avaliação da formação e crescimento cristalino através do método de transporte de fase vapor (VTP), para condições fixas de temperatura, razão de Si/Al e tempo de cristalização. No trabalho foram utilizadas as variáveis: direcionadores estruturais, fonte de alumínio e teor de sementes. Os experimentos mostraram que a síntese pelo método de transporte em fase vapor com a adição de sementes apresentaram resultados satisfatórios. A maioria das amostras sintetizadas no trabalho exibiu alta percentagem de cristalinidade, com valores superiores a 90%, quando comparados com o padrão comercial. Os resultados de cristalinidade dos materiais sintetizados indicaram que há uma influência marcante da fonte de alumínio (sulfato de alumínio ou pseudobohemita) sobre a cristalização da zeólita ferrierita pelo método de transporte em fase vapor na presença de pirrolidina como direcionador orgânico, contudo quando o direcionador é a etilenodiamina este feito é quase imperceptível.

In Topologischen Isolatoren (TI) werden metallische Zustände an der Oberfläche beobachtet, während die entsprechenden Volumenzustände eine Bandlücke aufweisen. Der Volumenbeitrag zur Leitfähigkeit von TI-Materialien macht eine Synthese von Nanokristallen bzw. eine Dotierung nötig. Der Fokus der Untersuchungen dieser Arbeit liegt dabei auf der Erzeugung von Nanokristallen der TI-Materialien Bi2Te3- und Bi2Te2Se sowie dotierter Bi2Se3-Nanokristallen. Die Synthese der Nanokristalle erfolgte durch den Gasphasentransport im geschlossenen System über den Mechanismus einer Zersetzungssublimation bzw. unter dem Einsatz eines Transportmittels. Für eine erfolgreiche Erzeugung der Nanokristalle sind im Vorfeld thermodynamische Modellierungen des Gasphasentransports sowie Versuche zum chemischen Transport für die quasibinären Systeme Bi2Se3-Bi2Te3, Bi2Se3-Sb2Se3 und Bi2Se3-FeSe sowie für das ternäre System Mn-Bi-Se durchgeführt worden. Durch Versuche zum chemischen Transport konnten die Aussagen der Modellierung bestätigt und im Weiteren der Dotandengehalt in den abgeschiedenen Kristallen sowie der Einlagerungsmechanismus durch Ergebnisse aus XRD- und ICP-OES-Untersuchungen beschrieben werden. Die Synthese bzw. Dotierung der Nanokristalle wurde hauptsächlich durch die Transportrate und den Dampfdruck des Dotanden bestimmt. In den Systemen Bi2Se3-Bi2Te3 und Bi2Se3-Sb2Se3 ist ein Gasphasentransport über eine Zersetzungssublimation durchführbar und resultierte in einer erfolgreichen Darstellung von Bi2Te3- und Bi2Te2Se-Nanokristallen sowie von dotierten (SbxBi1-x)2Se3-Nanokristallen. Entgegen dessen erfolgte der Gasphasentransport in den Systemen Bi2Se3-FeSe und Mn-Bi-Se unter Verwendung eines Transportmittels. Hierbei verringerten die gesteigerten Transportraten das Wachtum von Nanokristallen. Im Weiteren gelang es dotierte (Fe,Mn)xBi2-xSe3-Volumenkristalle sowie MnBi2Se4-Einkristalle darzustellen und mittels XRD, ICP-OES, magnetischer Messungen sowie elektrischem Transport zu charakterisieren.