Due to their low-temperature processing capability and ionic bonding configuration, amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOS) are well suited for applications within future mechanically flexible electronics. Over the past couple of years, amorphous zinc tin oxide (ZTO) has been proposed as indiumand gallium-free and thus more sustainable alternative to the widely deployed indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). The present study specifically focuses on the strain-dependence of elastic and electrical properties of amorphous zinc tin oxide thin-films sputtered at room temperature. Corresponding MESFETs have been compared regarding their operation stability under mechanical bending for radii ranging from 5 to 2 mm. Force-spectroscopic measurements yield a plastic deformation of ZTO as soon as the bending-induced strain exceeds 0.83%. However, the electrical properties of ZTO determined by Hall effect measurements at room temperature are demonstrated to be unaffected by residual compressive and tensile strain up to 1.24 %. Even for the maximum investigated tensile strain of 1.26 %, the MESFETs exhibit a reasonably consistent performance in terms of current on/off ratios between six and seven orders of magnitude, a subthreshold swing around 350 mV/dec and a field-effect mobility as high as 7.5 cm2V−1s−1. Upon gradually subjecting the transistors to higher tensile strain, the channel conductivity steadily improves and consequently, the field-effect mobility increases by nearly 80% while bending the devices around a radius of 2 mm. Further, a reversible threshold voltage shift of about −150 mV with increasing strain is observable. Overall, amorphous ZTO provides reasonably stable electrical properties and device performance for bending-induced tensile strain up to at least 1.26% and thus represent a promising material of choice considering novel bendable and transparent electronics.

Inexhaustible solar energy, which provides a clean, economic and green energy, seems to be an alternative solution, for current and future energy demands. Harvesting solar energy presents a challenge in using eco-friendly, earth abundant and inexpensive materials. Although present CdTe and Cu (In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) technologies, provide light-to-electricity comparable to silicon technology, toxicity of Cd and scarcity of In limits the widespread utilization. Future tera-watt level module capacity would then be feasible by the low-cost technologies. The chalcogenide thin film technology would therefore provide the exceptional utilization in the large-area module monolithic integrations benefitting from the low material consumption owing to the direct band gap. The current thesis presents the results obtained from the quest of other thin film materials and their utilization to an unconventional Cd-free buffer layer. The films suitability for the future applications was assessed through photovoltaics device studies in a comparative manner. Chapter-1 deals with the motivation for the solar energy and the importance of thin film photovoltaics. Alternative materials which are abundantly available would help to reach the future tera watt level production, where the conventional silicon technology alone cannot satisfy the global energy demand. The utilization of non-conventional thin film based solar cells and their working principles were elucidated. The histories of the copper based alternative materials were introduced. Chapter-2 deals with the versatile thin film growth technique that has been designed fabricated and installed further which can handle the growth of the absorber and the top TCO layers with insitu sulphurisation. The methodology of the absorber deposition was discussed in detail. The experimental details for the co-sputtering of CuInAl alloy were presented. A novel selenization method, assisted by the combination of inert gases was developed for the annealing of CuInAl alloyed precursor films. Chapter-3 deals with the presentation of the results obtained on buffer and window layers. Chemical Bath deposition technique was employed for the growth and optimization of the conventional CdS and non-toxic buffer ZnS buffer layers. A) Cadmium sulphide thin films suitable for the utilization of high efficiency solar cells were optimized. Optimization of the buffer involved the effects of cadmium precursors, ammonia concentration and buffer capsule effect. A green route was presented so as to consume the precursors to the maximum extent possible. B) The alternative non-toxic buffer Zinc Sulphide (ZnS) thin films were successfully grown using the above optimized conditions. Moreover the window layer was also optimized for better device partner. Zinc Oxide was used as a n-type partner for the p-type CIS films. The ZnO films were grown by the RF-sputtering from the single cathode exhibited good crystallinity with Zincite structure (hexagonal ZnS, a= 3.249A0 and c= 5.205A0). All the grown films showed high resistivity. Al: ZnO thin films were optimized in two methods 1) by dc co-sputtering from the elemental cathodes, Zinc and Aluminum, 2) dc-sputtering from the single 2% Al-doped ZnO cathode. Low resistivity Al:ZnO thin films were deposited in both the cases. Effect of Aluminum doping into ZnO crystal lattice upon the optical and electrical properties were discussed. Chapter-4 deals with the synthesis of various absorber materials, characterizations and some properties. Briefly the A) Optimization of the CuIn1-xAlxSe2 phase with better adhesion and better crystallinity. Aluminum doping into the crystal lattice of CuInSe2 aided the wide band gap tuning of CIAS thin films. Morphological investigations were carried out for the different set of thin films before and after selenization. Effects of copper and Aluminum concentrations on the lattice parameter of the selenized thin films were addressed. The present chapter deals with the A) electrical properties of CIAS films and its heterojunction partners. Resistivity measurements and effects of Cu/In ratio and the effect of Al doping were described in detail. The CIAS/ZnO heterostructure, CIAS/Al:ZnO heterostructure junction properties as a function of different sun illuminations were discussed. B) The alternative earth abundant, eco-friendly, non-toxic elements Cu2ZnSnS4, absorber thin films synthesis and characterizations. Photo conductive photo measurements showed CZTS a potential candidate for near infra-red photodectection. C) Cu2CoSnS4 (CCTS) nanostructures and quantum dots were synthesized via simple chemical routes. CCTS quantum dots were tuned to exhibit the red edge effect and cold white phosphors. D) Cu3BiS3 nano rods were synthesized and characterized structurally and optically. The transport properties of Cu3BiS3 nanorods were tailored for showing the metallic to semiconducting transitions. Chapter-5 Discusses the A) Efforts made in understanding the CIAS based solar cells through interfaces such as CIAS/ZnO, Mo/CIAS, CIAS/CdS/i-ZnO/Al:ZnO and improving the open circuit voltage VOC upon a rotating substrate, involving the inline and in situ processes, for fabricating the cell/ module were discussed. The device statistics for various set of cells were analyzed. B) Solar cells of CTS absorber with the non-toxic buffer ZnS were fabricated and device properties were analyzed. C) CCTS quantum dots embedded in the polymer matrix were utilized for making the inverted hybrid solar devices in combination of ITO/AZnO bilayered contact replacing the acidic PEDOT: PSS. D) The solar cells made of CCTS hollow spheres by spin coating the absorber in the configuration SLG/Mo/CCTS/CdS/ iZno-AZnO/Ni-Al-Al showed a lower efficiency of 0.02%. Chapter-6 concludes with the summary of present investigations and the scope for future work.

Thin-film solar cell research is central to the electricity production of the near future. Photovoltaic technologies based on silicon have a significant portion of the global market and installed capacity. Thin-film solar cells are port of the emerging photovoltaic technologies that are challenging silicon for a part of the electricity production based on solar power. These thin-film technologies, such as copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe), are lower cost and require less energy to produce, but also require rare materials. An alternative to these technologies are thin-film solar cells based on more abundant materials. To develop these new materials at Uppsala University, combinatorial synthesis is used. This method produces a significant amount of data across different measurement methods. The data needs to be analysed and combined to gather information about the characteristics of the materials being developed. To facilitate the analysis and combination of data, a database tool was created in MATLAB. The result is a program that allows its User to combine energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy and Photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements done on solar cell absorber layers. Absorber layers are the section of solar cells where sun lighet is absorbed, and electron-hole pairs are created. The program provides multiple figures and graphs combining the different data collected, enabling the User to draw conclusions about the characteristics of the sample and its suitability as an absorber layer. The combinatorial synthesis database tool created could be user for combinatorial synthesis analysis of other material samples that are not necessarily absorber layers for thin-film solar cells. This report describes both the development of the tool and the code itself.

Ce travail est consacré à la conception, à la synthèse et à l’étude de catalyseurs d’oxydation à base de métaux 3d en association avec des ligands non-innocents. Tout d’abord, le développement de complexes dérivés de deux ligands rédox-actifs tétra-azotés originaux (motifs o-phénylènediamine, aniline et dipyrrine) a été étudié. Plusieurs espèces dans différents états d’oxydation ont été préparées. L’élucidation de leurs structures électroniques a été réalisée par des techniques complémentaires (diffraction des rayons X, électrochimie, spectroscopies UV-Vis-NIR, EPR et Mössbauer). Un complexe de fer biradicalaire basé sur le ligand bis(2-aminophényl)-o-phénylènediamine a été synthétisé. Parallèlement, une architecture innovante bis(2-aminophényl)dipyrrine a été développée. En réaction avec du nickel, du cuivre et du cobalt, elle a conduit à trois complexes isostructuraux présentant un caractère radicalaire anilinyle-dipyrrinyle jamais mis en évidence auparavant. La complexation de cette dipyrrine au manganèse a formé un singulier complexe dinucléaire radicalaire avec une valence mixte inhabituellement localisée sur le ligand.Dans un second temps, les complexes de fer, de cuivre et de manganèse ont été évalués dans des applications d’oxydation. L’étude de la réactivité du biradicalaire de fer a entraîné l’observation d’une espèce à haute valence en spectroscopie Mössbauer. D’autre part, le complexe de cuivre a montré une activité en oxydation d’un alcool. Enfin, une activité en catalyse d’oxygénation aérobie a été identifiée avec le complexe dinucléaire radicalaire de manganèse. / This work is devoted to the design, the synthesis and the study of oxidation catalysts, based on 3d metals and non-innocent ligands. First, the development of complexes derived from two unprecedented tetra-nitrogenated redox-active ligands (o-phenylenediamine, aniline and dipyrrin motifs) has been investigated. A number of species at various oxidation states has been prepared. The elucidation of their electronic structures was performed by complementary techniques (X-Ray diffraction, electrochemistry, UV-Vis-NIR, EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy). A biradical iron complex based on the bis(2-aminophenyl)-o-phenylenediamine ligand was synthesized. In parallel, an innovative bis(2-aminophenyl)dipyrrin architecture was developed. Its reactions with nickel, copper and cobalt led to three isostructural complexes, showing an unprecedented anilinyl-dipyrrinyl radical character. The complexation of the dipyrrin to manganese afforded a unique dinuclear radical complex with a rare ligand-based mixed valence.In a second phase, iron, copper and manganese complexes were assessed in oxidation applications. The reactivity study of the biradical iron resulted in the observation of a high-valent species thanks to Mössbauer spectroscopy. On the other hand, the copper complex has shown an activity in the oxidation of an alcohol. Finally, a catalytic aerobic activity in oxygenation catalysis was identified with the dinuclear manganese radical complex.

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L'apparition de parures de style oriental (ou « phénicien ») sur des sites chypriotes et égéens entre le XIIe et le VIIe s. av. J.-C. est un phénomène bien attesté. Sélectionnées sur le critère d'une ressemblance visible, on peut dresser une liste de parures, réalisées en or ou d'autres matières telles que le bronze, trouvées sur le continent grec (Tirynthe, Perati) et sur îles égéennes (Crète, Naxos, Kos et Rhodes).Cependant, la nature de ces échanges, qui ne suivent pas un schéma régulier, reste difficile à cerner. D'une part, il existe des parallèles visiblement étroits entre les parures chypriotes et d'autres découvertes en dehors de cette île. Elles semblent être issues de contacts directs entre les régions. L'étude sur leurs modèles de diffusion et d'autres, qui concernent les produits en métal plus que la céramique, permettent d'aller au-delà d'une étude comparative des parures. Ainsi, il s'est avéré que les contextes contenant non seulement des parures mais aussi d'autres objets d'aspect étranger sont relativement fréquents. Outre ce matériel, nous sommes confrontés à d'autres parures qui ne sont comparables que sous réserve. Leur apparence suggère la présence de contacts indirects, donc une circulation d'idées plutôt que d'objets. En ce qui concerne des futures études, les résultats des fouilles récentes menées sur le site postpalatial de Tirynthe se sont avérés particulièrement intéressants. De plus, il faut signaler que la question de l'origine de la fibule pose un problème qui n'a pas encore été résolu. / The appearance of jewellery of Near-Eastern origin at Cyprus and Greece is a well-known phenomenon which we meet also from the 12th to the 7th century BC. Well-known examples made from gold and from bronze were found at the Greek continent (Tiryns, Perati) and at the Aegean islands (Crete, Naxos, Kos, Rhodes).The nature of these overseas exchanges, however, can hardly be determined and does not follow any regular system. At the one hand, there are striking parallels between certain Cypriot pieces of jewellery and other specimens found outside of Cyprus. They seem to be the result of direct contacts. The studies of the contexts to which these objects belong allow us to go beyond the mere documentation of jewellery. Following this approach, it is evident that various tombs contained not only pieces of jewellery, but also other foreign objects. This seems to support our hypotheses about on-going overseas contacts. At the other hand, there are a number of items which appear to be local products inspired from Cypriot art. Obviously, they are the result of indirect contacts or of a spreading of ideas.Regarding future studies about Cypriot or Cypriot-inspired objects, the more recent discoveries made in Tiryns are particularly noteworthy. Furthermore, one has to consider that the problems related to the origin of the fibula, which occurs at the end of the Late Bronze Age, have still not been resolved.

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The group 2 late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, also known as the dehydrins, are intrinsically disordered proteins that are expressed in plants experiencing extreme environmental conditions such as drought or low temperature. In this work, we study the potential roles that dehydrins may have in stabilizing membranes and actin microfilaments during cold stress. We have cloned and expressed in E. coli two dehydrins from Thellungiella salsuginea, denoted TsDHN-1 (acidic) and TsDHN-2 (basic). These proteins were expressed as SUMO-fusion proteins for in vitro phosphorylation by casein kinase II (CKII), and for structural analysis by CD and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. We show using transmission-FTIR spectroscopy that ordered secondary structure is induced and stabilized in these proteins by association with large unilamellar vesicles emulating the lipid compositions of plant plasma and organellar membranes. The increase in secondary structure by membrane association is further facilitated by the presence of Zn2+. Lipid composition and temperature have synergistic effects on the secondary structure. Our single molecule force spectroscopy studies also suggest tertiary folding of both TsDHN-1 and TsDHN-2 induced by association with lipids. From Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer compression studies, and from topographic studies using atomic force microscopy at variable temperature, we conclude that TsDHN-1 stabilizes the membrane at lower temperatures. Finally, we show that the conformations of TsDHN-1 and TsDHN-2 are affected by pH, interactions with cations and membranes, and phosphorylation. Actin assembly by these dehydrins was assessed by sedimentation assays, and viewed by transmission electron and atomic force microscopy. Phosphorylation enabled both dehydrins to polymerize actin filaments, a phenomenon that may occur in the cytosols of plant cells undergoing environmental stress. These results support the hypothesis that dehydrins stabilize plant organellar membranes and/or the cytoskeleton in conditions of stress, and further that phosphorylation may be an important feature of this stabilization. / NSERC

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