Platinum Iridum coated PointProbe Plus

Teaching an old dog new tricks: Ti-doped ZnFe2O4 as active material in zinc ion batteries – a proof of concept

Fig. 5 from “Teaching an old dog new tricks: Ti-doped ZnFe2O4 as active material in zinc ion batteries – a proof of concept” by Susanna Krämer et al. 2024: (a) Work function (Φ) measurements of ZFO, ZFTO7 and ZFTO13 (black squares) and data for the band gap energies (Eg) calculated from the Tauc plot for all samples except ZFTO25 (red circles). Error bars of work function are standard deviation from the average value. (b) Exemplary KPFM image of ZFO with grain boundaries showing lower surface potential (blue) than grain interior (green). Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) measurements were performed in an Ar atmosphere using a commercially available atomic force microscopy with conductive NANOSENSORS PPP-NCSTPt AFM tips. *

ZnFe2O4 is a well-investigated, versatile material with a spinel structure, which reportedly shows electrical conductivity in the range of 5 to 10 mS cm−1, a… Read More »Teaching an old dog new tricks: Ti-doped ZnFe2O4 as active material in zinc ion batteries – a proof of concept

Operando Characterizations of Light-Induced Junction Evolution in Perovskite Solar Cells

by NANOSENSORS
30 May 202330 May 2023
Science & Technology

Figure 1 from “Operando Characterizations of Light-Induced Junction Evolution in Perovskite Solar Cells” by Chuanxiao Xiao et al. Experiment schematic. KPFM scans on the cleaved cross-sectional surface. Ultrafast spectroscopy measurements were in both TA and TR setups. NANOSENSORS Platinum-Iridium coated PointProbe Plus PPP-EFM AFM probes were used for the Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy.

Light-induced performance changes in metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been studied intensively over the last decade, but little is known about the variation… Read More »Operando Characterizations of Light-Induced Junction Evolution in Perovskite Solar Cells

Signal Origin of Electrochemical Strain Microscopy and Link to Local Chemical Distribution in Solid State Electrolytes

by NANOSENSORS
19 April 202115 March 2023
Science & Technology

Figure 1 from Nino Schön et al. «Signal Origin of Electrochemical Strain Microscopy and Link to Local Chemical Distribution in Solid State Electrolytes”: a) Topography, b) deflection error, and c) corresponding cantilever deflection change (Dac) map of a 30 µm × 30 µm area of LATP. d) Noncontact EFM amplitude map in the same area. NANOSENSORS conductive platinum-iridium coated PointProbe Plus PPP-EFM AFM probes were used.

Solid state electrolytes (SSEs) are interesting materials that could potentially replace the currently used organic electrolytes in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). * Electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM),… Read More »Signal Origin of Electrochemical Strain Microscopy and Link to Local Chemical Distribution in Solid State Electrolytes

Engineering work function of graphene oxide from p to n type using a low power atmospheric pressure plasma jet

by NANOSENSORS
25 May 202015 March 2023
Science & Technology

Fig. 10 (a) from “Engineering work function of graphene oxide from p to n type using a low power atmospheric pressure plasma jet” by Avishek Dey et al.: a) KPFM surface potential map of reference GO thin film

Graphene, since its discovery in 2004 has attracted enormous interest due to its physical and chemical properties, and wide applications. * Graphene oxide (GO) has… Read More »Engineering work function of graphene oxide from p to n type using a low power atmospheric pressure plasma jet

Kelvin probe force microscopy work function characterization of transition metal oxide crystals under ongoing reduction and oxidation

by NANOSENSORS
19 January 202015 March 2023
Science & Technology

Controlling the work function of transition metal oxides is of key importance with regard to future energy production and storage. As the majority of applications… Read More »Kelvin probe force microscopy work function characterization of transition metal oxide crystals under ongoing reduction and oxidation

Direct evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments

by NANOSENSORS
10 September 201915 March 2023
Science & Technology

The properties and performance of polycrystalline materials depend critically on the properties of their grain boundaries.* In the article “Direct evidence for grain boundary passivation… Read More »Direct evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments

Optical control of polarization in ferroelectric heterostructures

by NANOSENSORS
17 December 201815 March 2023
Science & Technology

Figure 1 from “Optical control of polarization in ferroelectric heterostructures”: Electrically induced polarization switching in the MoS2/BaTiO3/SrRuO3 junction. a, b PFM phase (a) and amplitude (b) images after application of a negative voltage pulse (−5 V, 0.5 s) to the MoS2 flake. The 12-u.c.-thick BTO film underneath the MoS2 flake is fully switched to the upward polarization, Pup. c, d PFM phase (c) and amplitude (d) images after application of several positive voltage pulses (+5 V, 0.5 s) to the MoS2 flake. BTO underneath the MoS2 flake is fully switched to downward polarization, Pdown. The polarization state of the bare BTO film (at the lower right corner) is not affected by the electrical bias. e, f The I–V characteristics of the same junction measured in the dark and during illumination. The tunneling current for the OFF state (Pup) is largely increased under illumination. Silicon AFM probes with Pt/Ir conductive coating and nominal stiffness of 3 N m−1 (PPP-EFM, NANOSENSORS) were used to perform the KPFM and PFM measurements.

“In the ferroelectric devices, polarization control is usually accomplished by application of an electric field.”* In the article “Optical control of polarization in ferroelectric heterostructures”… Read More »Optical control of polarization in ferroelectric heterostructures