Potential electrolytes for dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cells have been synthesized and their applicability has been investigated. Different experimental techniques were used in order to characterize the synthesized electrolytes, such as elemental analysis, electrospray ionisation/mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, dynamic viscosity measurements, as well as impedance, Raman and NMR spectroscopy. Some crystal structures were characterized by using single crystal X-ray diffraction. In order to verify the eligibility of the ionic compounds as electrolytes for photoelectrochemical solar cells, photocurrent density/photovoltage and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency measurements were performed, using different kinds of light sources as solar simulators. In electron kinetic studies, the electron transport times in the solar cells were investigated by using intensitymodulated photocurrent and photovoltage spectroscopy. The accumulated charge present in the semiconductor was studied in photocurrent transient measurements. The ionic liquids were successfully used as solar cell electrolytes, especially those originating from the diethyl and dibutyl-alkylsulphonium iodides. The highest overall conversion efficiency of almost 4 % was achieved by a dye-sensitized, nanocrystalline solar cell using (Bu2MeS)I:I2 (100:1) as electrolyte (Air Mass 1.5 spectrum at 100 W m-2), quite compatible with the standard efficiencies provided by organic solvent-containing cells. Several solar cells with iodine-doped metal-iodidebased electrolytes reached stable efficiencies over 2 %. The (Bu2MeS)I:I2-containing cells showed better long-term stabilities than the organic solvent-based cells, and provided the fastest electron transports as well as the highest charge accumulation. Several polypyridyl-ruthenium complexes were tested as solar cell sensitizers. No general improvements could be observed according to the addition of amphiphilic co-adsorbents to the dyes or nanopartices of titanium dioxide to the electrolytes. For ionic liquid-containing solar cells, a saturation phenomena in the short-circuit current densities emerged at increased light intensities, probably due to inherent material transport limitation within the systems. Some iodoargentates and -cuprates were structurally characterized, consisting of monomeric or polymeric entities with anionic networks or layers. A system of metal iodide crownether complexes were employed and tested as electrolytes in photoelectrochemical solar cells, though with poorer results. Also, the crystal structure of a copper-iodide-(12-crown-4) complex has been characterized / QC 20101013

<p>Potential electrolytes for dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical solar cells have been synthesized and their applicability has been investigated. Different experimental techniques were used in order to characterize the synthesized electrolytes, such as elemental analysis, electrospray ionisation/mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, dynamic viscosity measurements, as well as impedance, Raman and NMR spectroscopy. Some crystal structures were characterized by using single crystal X-ray diffraction.</p><p>In order to verify the eligibility of the ionic compounds as electrolytes for photoelectrochemical solar cells, photocurrent density/photovoltage and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency measurements were performed, using different kinds of light sources as solar simulators. In electron kinetic studies, the electron transport times in the solar cells were investigated by using intensitymodulated photocurrent and photovoltage spectroscopy. The accumulated charge present in the semiconductor was studied in photocurrent transient measurements.</p><p>The ionic liquids were successfully used as solar cell electrolytes, especially those originating from the diethyl and dibutyl-alkylsulphonium iodides. The highest overall conversion efficiency of almost 4 % was achieved by a dye-sensitized, nanocrystalline solar cell using (Bu₂MeS)I:I₂ (100:1) as electrolyte (Air Mass 1.5 spectrum at 100 W m^-2), quite compatible with the standard efficiencies provided by organic solvent-containing cells. Several solar cells with iodine-doped metal-iodidebased electrolytes reached stable efficiencies over 2 %. The (Bu₂MeS)I:I₂-containing cells showed better long-term stabilities than the organic solvent-based cells, and provided the fastest electron transports as well as the highest charge accumulation.</p><p>Several polypyridyl-ruthenium complexes were tested as solar cell sensitizers. No general improvements could be observed according to the addition of amphiphilic co-adsorbents to the dyes or nanopartices of titanium dioxide to the electrolytes. For ionic liquid-containing solar cells, a saturation phenomena in the short-circuit current densities emerged at increased light intensities, probably due to inherent material transport limitation within the systems.</p><p>Some iodoargentates and -cuprates were structurally characterized, consisting of monomeric or polymeric entities with anionic networks or layers. A system of metal iodide crownether complexes were employed and tested as electrolytes in photoelectrochemical solar cells, though with poorer results. Also, the crystal structure of a copper-iodide-(12-crown-4) complex has been characterized</p>

In the past few decades, devices such as computers have become smaller, and their performance has improved beyond comparison. Semiconductors and interconnectors are used in almost all devices today and are made of thin films. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) are common methods for depositing conformal films, where the film grows by being exposed to precursors either continuously as in CVD or by pulses as is pulsed CVD and ALD. It has been reported that Cu amidinate and guanidinate are precursors for depositing metallic Cu (Copper), but they tend to decompose. Precursors that are thermally stable and can be used to deposit a thin film of Cu are (1,3-di-tert-butyltriazenides) copper(I) (Cu-triazenides). This precursor has been synthesized and developed by the Pedersen Group in the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (IFM) at Linköpings University. This thesis investigates if Cu-triazenides are suitable as vapor deposition precursors using pulsed CVD and if Cu-triazenides are suitable as an ALD precursor with H2O as the second precursor. The main objective of this thesis is to focus on films deposited with ALD by finding the ALD window that gives a growth per cycle and making a saturation curve for each precursor. Si(100) and glass were used as the substrate, and SEM-EDX (Scanning electron microscopy- Energy- dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and XRR (X-ray reflectivity) analyzed the chemical, physical and, optical properties of the films. The Cu-triazenides were suitable as single-source precursors, as films were deposited with pulsed CVD on both Si(100) and glass. ALD deposited no film on Si(100) between the temperature 175–300 °C, and the analysis methods did not provide information on the thickness and composition of the films deposited on the glass.

Liquid based electrolytes are known to have safety issues and for their low volumetric energy densities to meet the future energy storage demand. Solid electrolytes based on ion conducting solid ceramic and solid polymer electrolytes are being studied and considered as an alternative to alleviate the issues with liquid electrolytes. Their mechanical property to better suppress dendrite formation gives them an edge to be considered in the realization of high - capacity lithium metal batteries. However, each have such issues associated with them as low ionic conductivity in the case of polymer electrolytes and bad interfacial contact with the lithium anode in the case of inorganic ionic conducting solid electrolytes. Polymer – ceramic composite electrolytes are regarded as a promising option to take advantage of the merits of both and obtain a solid electrolyte which can conduct lithium ions as high as in the mS/cm scale with good electrode – electrolyte interfacial contact, a high electrochemical stability window and high lithium dendrite suppression. This work has aimed to tune the surface of the garnet type ceramic electrolyte, Li7La3Zr2O7, referred to as LLZO, by acid treatment to bring about a better conductivity and lithium – ion transference number of the composite it is applied to. The acid, oxalic acid in this work, treatment has produced the required surface groups, hydroxide ion and oxalate ion, which are hypothesised to help improve the conductivity through the beneficial interactions they bring into the matrix. The conductivity and transference number measurements have revealed the treatment of the LLZO with the acid to have a positive impact on the conductivity and lithium – ion transference number of the composite compared to the untreated counterpart. Typical of the results obtained are the increment in conductivity and the lithium-ion transference number of composites containing 50 % ceramic (LLZO) mass loading. Across all the temperatures the conductivity is measured, an increment by a range of 2.5 times (at room temperature) to 7.8 times (at 60 0C) was obtained. Similarly, the lithium-ion transference number has increased from 0.121 in the composite containing 50 % untreated (pristine) LLZO to 0.159 in the composite containing the same mass loading of oxalic acid treated LLZO.

Denna rapport går ut på att undersöka litiumjonbatterierna som används i Samsung Galaxy S3 och S4 med lanseringsåren 2012 respektive 2013. Projektet går ut på att undersöka hur dessa batterier har påverkats med tiden samt hur de påverkas av temperaturen. För att lyckas med detta gjordes elektrokemiska cyklingar, dvs upp- och urladdningar av batterierna, samt impedansmätningar. Datan jämfördes med två nyinköpta batterier av samma modell som undersöktes på samma sätt. Från de olika mätningarna framgick det att de åldrade batterierna visade sig vara känsligare mot temperaturförändringar jämfört med de nya batterierna. Mätningarna visade även att lägre temperaturer försämrade samtliga batteriernas prestanda då en lägre kapacitet uppmättes. Från de impedansmätningar som utfördes fanns ett tydligt samband mellan kinetikmotståndet hos ett litiumjonbatteri i förhållande till omgivningstemperaturen, där en lägre temperatur ger upphov till ett större kinetikmostånd. Utöver dessa resultat visade det sig att kemin i batteriet till Samsung Galaxy S4 verkar ha ändrats genom åren, detta eftersom att formen på urladdningskurvan för det äldre GalaxyS4 batteriet skiljer sig från det nyinköpta. / This report examines lithium-ion batteries used in Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 with the launch years 2012 and 2013, respectively. The project aims to examine how these batteries have been affected over time and how they are affected by temperature. To succeed in this, electrochemical cycles were performed, i.e. charging and discharging of the batteries, as well as impedance measurements. The data were compared with two newly purchased batteries of the same model that were examined in the same way. The various measurements showed that the aged batteries proved to be more sensitive to temperature changes compared with the new batteries. The measurements also showed that lower temperatures limited all the battery's performance when a lower capacity was measured. From the impedance measurements performed, there was a clear relationship between the kinetic resistance of a lithium-ion battery in relation to the ambient temperature, where a lower temperature gave rise to a greater kinetic resistance. In addition to these results, the chemistry in the battery of the Samsung Galaxy S4 seems to have changed over the years, this was determined by comparing the discharge curve for the older Galaxy S4 battery with the newly purchased one.

Denna rapport belyser två olika perspektiv på hur man skulle kunna lösa problemet med att elektrifiera bärplansbåtar. En tillämpning av bränslecell hybrid som kommer ge upphov till ökad räckvidd samt applikationen av ett snabbladdningssystem för minskad laddningstid vid kortare sträckor.  Olika laddningsmodeller av batterier undersöktes och efter dessa utvecklades en optimal snabbladdningskurva som tar hänsyn till olika degraderingsmekanismer i batteriet. Vidare diskuterades hur denna kunde anpassas till ett 12s, 63 Ah batteri som skulle användas för att åka sträckan Tranholmen till Ropsten.  Undersökning av hybrida batterier och bränslecellsystem visade att PEM-system som drivs av syrgas var betydligt mer effektiva gentemot PEM som använder luft. Dock på grund av den ökade komplexiteten är dessa mer lämpliga för användning hos större bärplansbåtar. Förändringar av systemets tryck ledde till påverkan på effektiviteten hos PEM-cellen. Utöver det bestämdes en lämplig hybridsystemmodell för användning på Float SAM plattformen.

<p>The copper-binding ability of the prion protein may be closely connected to its function. Identifying the exact function of the prion protein can clarify the underlying mechanism in prion diseases. In this work, the copper-binding octapeptide region in the human prion protein has been studied. The structural characteristics of the binding site are examined by quantum chemical structural optimization. The calculations aim at identifying a substitute for copper(II) to be used in NMR-spectroscopic studies of the copper-binding region. The dynamical and structural features of the peptide region are investigated in molecular dynamics simulations. Aspects of importance in the development of model systems in molecular dynamics simulation are addressed.</p>

<p>Due to the small dimensions, nanoparticles and materials consisting of nano-sized building blocks exhibit unique — mostly superior — properties, well differing from their bulk counterpart. Most of the novel properties of nanoparticles (and nanomaterials) are size-dependent, while the majority of the common gasphase methods used for generation of nanopowders result in different, usually wide, size-dispersions. Further understanding of the fundamental processes leading to particle formation is therefore required, leading to better control of size and distribution of the nanoparticles, thus allowing engineering of the desired properties for both nanoparticles and nanomaterials.</p><p>In this present thesis, nanoparticles were produced by two different gasphase techniques activated by lasers, namely laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) and pulsed laser ablation (PLA). Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was performed on thermal (blackbody-like) radiation originating from laser-excited particles during LCVD and coupled to measured size-distributions. In-situ monitoring of size-distributions by a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) was employed during PLA. In addition, deposited nanoparticles were characterized by a variety of standard techniques.</p><p>Different cooling mechanisms of the laser-excited gasphase particles were identified based on temperature and emitted intensity data extracted from OES measurements. The strong evaporation at elevated temperatures also allowed direct size manipulation of the particles. By monitoring the intensity of the emitted thermal radiation and the scattered laser line, strong indications about the so called coagulation limit, where a broadening of the size-distribution occurred, was obtained. The DMA monitoring, supported by modeling, gave information about different mechanisms (thermal and photochemical) of the ablation process, and particle condensation well below the ablation threshold was also found.</p>

<p>Future energy systems based on hydrogen as energy carrier require reliable ways for storing hydrogen gas in safe, clean and efficient ways. Metal hydrides absorb hydrogen gas reversibly, making them suitable for storage applications. Investigations of the crystal structures of these materials contribute to an understanding of the factors which can influence the absorption<i>. </i></p><p>Three systems, Ti₃Sn-D, Nb₄MSi-D (M=Co or Ni) and Pd-Ni-P, have been investigated in this thesis. Various solid state synthesis techniques have been used for sample preparation. The crystal structures have been studied using x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques.</p><p>Three metal hydride phases were found in the Ti₃Sn-D system upon hydrogenation. Deuterium occupies titanium octahedra and the applied deuterium pressure induces the phase transitions. The distances between the deuterium atoms increase from 2.47 Å in orthorhombic Ti₃SnD_0.80 to 4.17 Å in cubic Ti₃SnD.</p><p>The Nb₄MSi-D system (M=Co or Ni) readily absorbs deuterium at room temperature and 90 kPa deuterium pressure to give a deuterium content of Nb₄MSiD_~2.5. Two interstitial voids, both coordinated by four niobium atoms arranged in a tetrahedral configuration, accommodate deuterium atoms. </p><p>Two ternary phases and a solid solution of nickel in Pd₃P have been synthesised and the crystal structures determined. PdNi₂P is orthorhombic and crystallises in the MgCuAl₂-type structure: an ordered derivative of the Re₃B-type structure. Pd₈Ni₃₁P₁₆ is a tetragonal high-temperature phase stable at 700°C with 110 atoms in the unit cell. Pd_2.7Ni_0.3P_0.94 has the cementite-type structure with mixed occupancy of palladium and nickel at one of the two non-equivalent crystallographic metal positions.</p>

<p>The development of more advanced materials forms the basis of technological progress. One group of fascinating compounds with many potential applications in spintronic devices are the mixed-valence perovskite manganites. These have attracted considerable interest during the last decade through their very large magnetoresistance near the Curie Temperature. Although the properties of a material determinie any application, the development of reliable and flexible synthesis methods is crucial, as is the understanding of these methods. Knowledge of how different materials are formed is also of general importance in tailoring new materials. The aim of this project has therefore been not only to develop a new synthesis route, but also to understand the mechanisms involved.</p><p>This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel manganese alkoxide and its use in sol–gel processing of magnetoresistive perovskite manganites. In searching for a soluble manganese alkoxide for sol–gel processing, we found that the methoxy-ethoxide, [Mn₁₉O₁₂(moe)₁₄(moeH)₁₀]·moeH, has a high solubility in appropriate organic solvents. Being 1.65 nm across, it is one of the largest alkoxides reported; it is also of interest because of its (for oxo-alkoxides) rare planar structure. After mixing with La, Nd, Ca, Sr, and Ba methoxy-ethoxides, [Mn₁₉O₁₂(moe)₁₄(moeH)₁₀]·moeH was used in the first purely alkoxide based sol–gel processing of perovskites manganites. The phase evolution on heating xerogel powders to 1000°C was studied, and thin films were prepared by spin-coating.</p><p>It was found that the easily oxidised Mn-alkoxide facilitates the formation of high oxygen-excess modifications of the perovskites. The reactive precursor system yields fully hydrolysed gels almost without organic residues, but the gel absorbs CO₂ from the air, leading to carbonate formation. The carbonate decomposition is the limiting step in oxide formation. Transport measurements of La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃ films on LaAlO₃ substrate show that all-alkoxide sol–gel derived films can compete with PLD films in terms of quality of epitaxy and transport. The somewhat different behaviour of the sol–gel derived films compared to PLD films is attributed to differences in morphology and oxygen stoichiometry.</p>