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Hsiao YL, Jang C, Lin YM, Wang CH, Liu CP. Ultra-Low-Power and Wide-Operating-Voltage-Window Capacitive Piezotronic Sensor through Coupling of Piezocharges and Depletion Widths for Tactile Sensing. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:49338-49345. [PMID: 37819782 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (AIoT) demands the development of ultra-low-power devices for future advanced technology. In this study, we introduce a capacitive piezotronic sensor specifically designed for tactile sensing, which enables an ultra-low-voltage operation at nearly 0 reading bias conditions with a consistent response within a wide voltage range. This sensor directly detects capacitance changes induced by piezocharges, reflecting perturbation of the effective depletion width, and ensures ultralow power capability by eliminating the necessity of turning on the Schottky diode for the first time. The dynamic response of the sensor demonstrates ultralow power capability and immunity to triboelectric interference, making it particularly suitable for tactile sensing applications in robotics, prosthetics, and wearables. This study provides valuable insights and design guidelines for future ultra-low-power thin-film-based capacitive piezotronic/piezophototronic devices for tactile sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Liang Hsiao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chen Jang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Miao Lin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Hung Wang
- Miin Wu School of Computing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Pu Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Hierarchical Green-Energy Materials Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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2
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Bhadwal N, Ben Mrad R, Behdinan K. Review of Zinc Oxide Piezoelectric Nanogenerators: Piezoelectric Properties, Composite Structures and Power Output. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23083859. [PMID: 37112200 PMCID: PMC10144910 DOI: 10.3390/s23083859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lead-containing piezoelectric materials typically show the highest energy conversion efficiencies, but due to their toxicity they will be limited in future applications. In their bulk form, the piezoelectric properties of lead-free piezoelectric materials are significantly lower than lead-containing materials. However, the piezoelectric properties of lead-free piezoelectric materials at the nano scale can be significantly larger than the bulk scale. This review looks at the suitability of ZnO nanostructures as candidate lead-free piezoelectric materials for use in piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) based on their piezoelectric properties. Of the papers reviewed, Neodymium-doped ZnO nanorods (NRs) have a comparable piezoelectric strain constant to bulk lead-based piezoelectric materials and hence are good candidates for PENGs. Piezoelectric energy harvesters typically have low power outputs and an improvement in their power density is needed. This review systematically reviews the different composite structures of ZnO PENGs to determine the effect of composite structure on power output. State-of-the-art techniques to increase the power output of PENGs are presented. Of the PENGs reviewed, the highest power output belonged to a vertically aligned ZnO nanowire (NWs) PENG (1-3 nanowire composite) with a power output of 45.87 μW/cm2 under finger tapping. Future directions of research and challenges are discussed.
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3
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Zhou Y, Wang D, Li Y, Jing L, Li S, Chen X, Zhang B, Shuai W, Tao R, Lu X, Liu J. Critical Effect of Oxygen Pressure in Pulsed Laser Deposition for Room Temperature and High Performance Amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O Thin Film Transistors. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:4358. [PMID: 36558211 PMCID: PMC9787761 DOI: 10.3390/nano12244358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aspects of low processing temperature and easy running in oxygen atmosphere contribute to the potential of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in developing a-IGZO TFTs for flexible applications. However, the realization of low-temperature and high-performance devices with determined strategies requires further exploration. In this work, the effect of oxygen pressure and post-annealing processes and their mechanisms on the performance evolution of a-IGZO TFTs by PLD were systematically studied. A room-temperature a-IGZO TFT with no hysteresis and excellent performances, including a μ of 17.19 cm2/V·s, an Ion/Ioff of 1.7 × 106, and a SS of 403.23 mV/decade, was prepared at the oxygen pressure of 0.5 Pa. Moreover, an O2 annealing atmosphere was confirmed effective for high-quality a-IGZO films deposited at high oxygen pressure (10 Pa), which demonstrates the critical effect of oxygen vacancies, rather than weak bonds, on the device's performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dao Wang
- College of Science, Qiongtai Normal University, Haikou 571127, China
| | - Yushan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lixin Jing
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuangjie Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaodan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Beijing Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wentao Shuai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ruiqiang Tao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xubing Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, Institute for Advanced Materials, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Junming Liu
- Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210009, China
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4
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Carofiglio M, Laurenti M, Vighetto V, Racca L, Barui S, Garino N, Gerbaldo R, Laviano F, Cauda V. Iron-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Nanoplatforms for Theranostics. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:2628. [PMID: 34685064 PMCID: PMC8540240 DOI: 10.3390/nano11102628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are currently among the most promising nanomaterials for theranostics. However, they suffer from some drawbacks that could prevent their application in nanomedicine as theranostic agents. The doping of ZnO NPs can be effectively exploited to enhance the already-existing ZnO properties and introduce completely new functionalities in the doped material. Herein, we propose a novel synthetic approach for iron-doped ZnO (Fe:ZnO) NPs as a multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform aimed at cancer cell treatment. Pure ZnO and Fe:ZnO NPs, with two different levels of iron doping, were synthesized by a rapid wet-chemical method and analyzed in terms of morphology, crystal structure and chemical composition. Interestingly, Fe:ZnO NPs featured bioimaging potentialities thanks to superior optical properties and novel magnetic responsiveness. Moreover, iron doping provides a way to enhance the electromechanical behavior of the NPs, which are then expected to show enhanced therapeutic functionalities. Finally, the intrinsic therapeutic potentialities of the NPs were tested in terms of cytotoxicity and cellular uptake with both healthy B lymphocytes and cancerous Burkitt's lymphoma cells. Furthermore, their biocompatibility was tested with a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line (BxPC-3), where the novel properties of the proposed iron-doped ZnO NPs can be potentially exploited for theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Valentina Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy; (M.C.); (M.L.); (V.V.); (L.R.); (S.B.); (N.G.); (R.G.); (F.L.)
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5
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Polewczyk V, Magrin Maffei R, Vinai G, Lo Cicero M, Prato S, Capaldo P, Dal Zilio S, di Bona A, Paolicelli G, Mescola A, D’Addato S, Torelli P, Benedetti S. ZnO Thin Films Growth Optimization for Piezoelectric Application. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:6114. [PMID: 34577322 PMCID: PMC8472809 DOI: 10.3390/s21186114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The piezoelectric response of ZnO thin films in heterostructure-based devices is strictly related to their structure and morphology. We optimize the fabrication of piezoelectric ZnO to reduce its surface roughness, improving the crystalline quality, taking into consideration the role of the metal electrode underneath. The role of thermal treatments, as well as sputtering gas composition, is investigated by means of atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction. The results show an optimal reduction in surface roughness and at the same time a good crystalline quality when 75% O2 is introduced in the sputtering gas and deposition is performed between room temperature and 573 K. Subsequent annealing at 773 K further improves the film quality. The introduction of Ti or Pt as bottom electrode maintains a good surface and crystalline quality. By means of piezoelectric force microscope, we prove a piezoelectric response of the film in accordance with the literature, in spite of the low ZnO thickness and the reduced grain size, with a unipolar orientation and homogenous displacement when deposited on Ti electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Polewczyk
- Laboratorio TASC, Istituto Officina dei Materiali (IOM)-CNR, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.V.); (P.C.); (S.D.Z.); (P.T.)
| | - Riccardo Magrin Maffei
- Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.M.M.); (A.d.B.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche Informatiche Matematiche, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vinai
- Laboratorio TASC, Istituto Officina dei Materiali (IOM)-CNR, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.V.); (P.C.); (S.D.Z.); (P.T.)
| | - Matteo Lo Cicero
- A.P.E. Research srl, Area Science Park, Basovizza, ss14 Km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.L.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Stefano Prato
- A.P.E. Research srl, Area Science Park, Basovizza, ss14 Km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.L.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Pietro Capaldo
- Laboratorio TASC, Istituto Officina dei Materiali (IOM)-CNR, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.V.); (P.C.); (S.D.Z.); (P.T.)
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Padova, Via F Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Simone Dal Zilio
- Laboratorio TASC, Istituto Officina dei Materiali (IOM)-CNR, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.V.); (P.C.); (S.D.Z.); (P.T.)
| | - Alessandro di Bona
- Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.M.M.); (A.d.B.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Guido Paolicelli
- Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.M.M.); (A.d.B.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Andrea Mescola
- Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.M.M.); (A.d.B.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Sergio D’Addato
- Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.M.M.); (A.d.B.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche Informatiche Matematiche, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Piero Torelli
- Laboratorio TASC, Istituto Officina dei Materiali (IOM)-CNR, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (G.V.); (P.C.); (S.D.Z.); (P.T.)
| | - Stefania Benedetti
- Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Via Campi 213/a, 41125 Modena, Italy; (R.M.M.); (A.d.B.); (G.P.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
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6
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Aluminum doped zinc oxide deposited by atomic layer deposition and its applications to micro/nano devices. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1204. [PMID: 33441961 PMCID: PMC7806672 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80880-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This work reports investigation on the deposition and evaluation of an aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin film and its novel applications to micro- and nano-devices. The AZO thin film is deposited successfully by atomic layer deposition (ALD). 50 nm-thick AZO film with high uniformity is checked by scanning electron microscopy. The element composition of the deposited film with various aluminum dopant concentration is analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In addition, a polycrystalline feature of the deposited film is confirmed by selected area electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The lowest sheet resistance of the deposited AZO film is found at 0.7 kΩ/□ with the aluminum dopant concentration at 5 at.%. A novel method employed the ALD in combination with the sacrificial silicon structures is proposed which opens the way to create the ultra-high aspect ratio AZO structures. Moreover, based on this finding, three kinds of micro- and nano-devices employing the deposited AZO thin film have been proposed and demonstrated. Firstly, nanowalled micro-hollows with an aspect ratio of 300 and a height of 15 µm are successfully produced
. Secondly, micro- and nano-fluidics, including a hollow fluidic channel with a nanowall structure as a resonator and a fluidic capillary window as an optical modulator is proposed and demonstrated. Lastly, nanomechanical resonators consisting of a bridged nanobeam structure and a vertical nanomechanical capacitive resonator are fabricated and evaluated.
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7
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Ancona A, Troia A, Garino N, Dumontel B, Cauda V, Canavese G. Leveraging re-chargeable nanobubbles on amine-functionalized ZnO nanocrystals for sustained ultrasound cavitation towards echographic imaging. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2020; 67:105132. [PMID: 32339870 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2020.105132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles able to promote inertial cavitation when exposed to focused ultrasound have recently gained much attention due to their vast range of possible applications in the biomedical field, such as enhancing drug penetration in tumor or supporting ultrasound contrast imaging. Due to their nanometric size, these contrast agents could penetrate through the endothelial cells of the vasculature to target tissues, thus enabling higher imaging resolutions than commercial gas-filled microbubbles. Herein, Zinc Oxide NanoCrystals (ZnO NCs), opportunely functionalized with amino-propyl groups, are developed as novel nanoscale contrast agents that are able, for the first time, to induce a repeatedly and over-time sustained inertial cavitation as well as ultrasound contrast imaging. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is investigated, revealing that re-adsorption of air gas nanobubbles on the nanocrystal surface is the key factor for this re-chargeable cavitation. Moreover, inertial cavitation and significant echographic signals are obtained at physiologically relevant ultrasound conditions (MI < 1.9), showing great potential for low side-effects in in-vivo applications of the novel nanoscale agent from diagnostic imaging to gas-generating theranostic nanoplatforms and to drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ancona
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Troia
- Ultrasounds & Chemistry Lab, Advanced Metrology for Quality of Life, Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (I.N.Ri.M.), Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Nadia Garino
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Bianca Dumontel
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Canavese
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
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8
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Carofiglio M, Barui S, Cauda V, Laurenti M. Doped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Potential Use in Nanomedicine. APPLIED SCIENCES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:5194. [PMID: 33850629 PMCID: PMC7610589 DOI: 10.3390/app10155194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Smart nanoparticles for medical applications have gathered considerable attention due to an improved biocompatibility and multifunctional properties useful in several applications, including advanced drug delivery systems, nanotheranostics and in vivo imaging. Among nanomaterials, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were deeply investigated due to their peculiar physical and chemical properties. The large surface to volume ratio, coupled with a reduced size, antimicrobial activity, photocatalytic and semiconducting properties, allowed the use of ZnO NPs as anticancer drugs in new generation physical therapies, nanoantibiotics and osteoinductive agents for bone tissue regeneration. However, ZnO NPs also show a limited stability in biological environments and unpredictable cytotoxic effects thereof. To overcome the abovementioned limitations and further extend the use of ZnO NPs in nanomedicine, doping seems to represent a promising solution. This review covers the main achievements in the use of doped ZnO NPs for nanomedicine applications. Sol-gel, as well as hydrothermal and combustion methods are largely employed to prepare ZnO NPs doped with rare earth and transition metal elements. For both dopant typologies, biomedical applications were demonstrated, such as enhanced antimicrobial activities and contrast imaging properties, along with an improved biocompatibility and stability of the colloidal ZnO NPs in biological media. The obtained results confirm that the doping of ZnO NPs represents a valuable tool to improve the corresponding biomedical properties with respect to the undoped counterpart, and also suggest that a new application of ZnO NPs in nanomedicine can be envisioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Carofiglio
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Sugata Barui
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Laurenti
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
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9
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Racca L, Limongi T, Vighetto V, Dumontel B, Ancona A, Canta M, Canavese G, Garino N, Cauda V. Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals and High-Energy Shock Waves: A New Synergy for the Treatment of Cancer Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:577. [PMID: 32582682 PMCID: PMC7289924 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last years, different nanotools have been developed to fight cancer cells. They could be administered alone, exploiting their intrinsic toxicity, or remotely activated to achieve cell death. In the latter case, ultrasound (US) has been recently proposed to stimulate some nanomaterials because of the US outstanding property of deep tissue penetration and the possibility of focusing. In this study, for the first time, we report on the highly efficient killing capability of amino-propyl functionalized ZnO nanocrystals (ZnO NCs) in synergy with high-energy ultrasound shock waves (SW) for the treatment of cancer cells. The cytotoxicity and internalization of ZnO NCs were evaluated in cervical adenocarcinoma KB cells, as well as the safety of the SW treatment alone. Then, the remarkably high cytotoxic combination of ZnO NCs and SW was demonstrated, comparing the effect of multiple (3 times/day) SW treatments toward a single one, highlighting that multiple treatments are necessary to achieve efficient cell death. At last, preliminary tests to understand the mechanism of the observed synergistic effect were carried out, correlating the nanomaterial surface chemistry to the specific type of stimulus used. The obtained results can thus pave the way for a novel nanomedicine treatment, based on the synergistic effect of nanocrystals combined with highly intense mechanical pressure waves, offering high efficiency, deep and focused tissue penetration, and a reduction of side effects on healthy cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Racca
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Tania Limongi
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Veronica Vighetto
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Bianca Dumontel
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Ancona
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marta Canta
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Canavese
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Nadia Garino
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
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10
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Liu B, Wang M, Chen M, Wang J, Liu J, Hu D, Liu S, Yao X, Yang H. Effect of TC(002) on the Output Current of a ZnO Thin-Film Nanogenerator and a New Piezoelectricity Mechanism at the Atomic Level. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:12656-12665. [PMID: 30844227 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the piezoelectricity mechanism is crucial for developing new materials for better performance. Here, we developed a nanogenerator based on the ZnO thin films having various TC(002) values. The output current well correlated to the magnitude of (002) texture coefficient (TC(002)). Additionally, the TC(002)-dependent photovoltaic and rectification properties are observed. When the film is subjected to persistent compression, the photovoltaic, rectification, and piezoelectric properties fade away. Based on our observation that the ZnO polar structure always shows a spontaneous electron field (SEF), we thus propose a new piezoelectricity mechanism. The [001]-orientated ZnO thin film with the SEF is equivalent to a capacitor, the compression functions as a discharging process, and the removal of the external stress serves as a charging process. The physical mechanism provides an insight into various energy conversion processes that will inspire advanced designs of high-performance nanogenerators, solar cells, and other optoelectronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xi Yao
- Electronic Materials Research Laboratory , Xi'an Jiaotong University , Xi'an 710049 , China
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11
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Perrotta A, Pilz J, Pachmajer S, Milella A, Coclite AM. On the transformation of "zincone"-like into porous ZnO thin films from sub-saturated plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 10:746-759. [PMID: 30993055 PMCID: PMC6444448 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.10.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of nanoporous ZnO thin films is achieved through annealing of zinc-alkoxide ("zincone"-like) layers obtained by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD). The zincone-like layers are deposited through sub-saturated PE-ALD adopting diethylzinc and O2 plasma with doses below self-limiting values. Nanoporous ZnO thin films were subsequently obtained by calcination of the zincone-like layers between 100-600 °C. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were adopted in situ during calcination to investigate the removal of carbon impurities, development of controlled porosity, and formation and growth of ZnO crystallites. The layers developed controlled nanoporosity in the range of 1-5%, with pore sizes between 0.27 and 2.00 nm as measured with ellipsometric porosimetry (EP), as a function of the plasma dose and post-annealing temperature. Moreover, the crystallinity and crystallite orientation could be tuned, ranging from a powder-like to a (100) preferential growth in the out-of-plane direction, as measured by synchrotron-radiation grazing incidence XRD. Calcination temperature ranges were identified in which pore formation and subsequent crystal growth occurred, giving insights in the manufacturing of nanoporous ZnO from Zn-based hybrid materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Perrotta
- Institute of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Julian Pilz
- Institute of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Pachmajer
- Institute of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Antonella Milella
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli studi di Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Coclite
- Institute of Solid State Physics, NAWI Graz, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16, 8010 Graz, Austria
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12
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Kilper S, Jahnke T, Aulich M, Burghard Z, Rothenstein D, Bill J. Genetically Induced In Situ-Poling for Piezo-Active Biohybrid Nanowires. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1805597. [PMID: 30548703 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201805597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Polycrystalline piezo-active materials only exhibit a high macroscopic piezoresponse if they consist of particles with oriented crystal directions and aligned intrinsic dipole moments. For ferroelectric materials, the postsynthesis alignment of the dipoles is generally achieved by electric poling procedures. However, there are numerous technically interesting non-ferroelectric piezo-active materials like zinc oxide (ZnO). These materials demand the alignment of their intrinsic dipoles during the fabrication process. Therefore, in situ-poling techniques have to be developed. This study utilizes genetically modified M13 phage templates for the generation of force fields, which directly control the ZnO dipole poling. By genetic modification of M13 phage template, the piezoelectric response of the ZnO/M13 phage hybrid nanowire is doubled compared to the hybrid nanowire based on unmodified M13 wild type (wt) phage templates. Thus, the formation of piezo-active domains consisting of oriented ZnO nanocrystals is directly induced by the genetic modification. By the combination of the fiber-like structure of individual M13 phages with the bioenhanced electromechanical properties of ZnO, hybrid nanowires with a length of ≈1.1 µm and a thickness of ≈63.5 nm are fabricated with a high piezoelectric coefficient of up to d33 = 7.8 pm V-1 for genetically modified M13 phage templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kilper
- Institute for Materials Science (IMW), University Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Timotheus Jahnke
- Institute for Materials Science (IMW), University Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Marc Aulich
- Institute for Materials Science (IMW), University Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Zaklina Burghard
- Institute for Materials Science (IMW), University Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dirk Rothenstein
- Institute for Materials Science (IMW), University Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Joachim Bill
- Institute for Materials Science (IMW), University Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
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13
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Mishra M, Gundimeda A, Krishna S, Aggarwal N, Goswami L, Gahtori B, Bhattacharyya B, Husale S, Gupta G. Surface-Engineered Nanostructure-Based Efficient Nonpolar GaN Ultraviolet Photodetectors. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:2304-2311. [PMID: 31458530 PMCID: PMC6641413 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b02024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Surface-engineered nanostructured nonpolar (112̅0) gallium nitride (GaN)-based high-performance ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) have been fabricated. The surface morphology of a nonpolar GaN film was modified from pyramidal shape to flat and trigonal nanorods displaying facets along different crystallographic planes. We report the ease of enhancing the photocurrent (5.5-fold) and responsivity (6-fold) of the PDs using a simple and convenient wet chemical-etching-induced surface engineering. The fabricated metal-semiconductor-metal structure-based surface-engineered UV PD exhibited a significant increment in detectivity, that is, from 0.43 to 2.83 (×108) Jones, and showed a very low noise-equivalent power (∼10-10 W Hz-1/2). The reliability of the nanostructured PD was ensured via fast switching with a response and decay time of 332 and 995 ms, which were more than five times faster with respect to the unetched pyramidal structure-based UV PD. The improvement in device performance was attributed to increased light absorption, efficient transport of photogenerated carriers, and enhancement in conduction cross section via elimination of recombination/trap centers related to defect states. Thus, the proposed method could be a promising approach to enhance the performance of GaN-based PD technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monu Mishra
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NPL
Campus, Dr. K.S. Krishnan
Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Abhiram Gundimeda
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NPL
Campus, Dr. K.S. Krishnan
Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Shibin Krishna
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NPL
Campus, Dr. K.S. Krishnan
Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Neha Aggarwal
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NPL
Campus, Dr. K.S. Krishnan
Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Lalit Goswami
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Bhasker Gahtori
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Biplab Bhattacharyya
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NPL
Campus, Dr. K.S. Krishnan
Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Sudhir Husale
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
| | - Govind Gupta
- Academy
of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-NPL
Campus, Dr. K.S. Krishnan
Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
- Advanced Materials and Devices
Division and Time and Frequency, Electrical &
Electronics Metrology Division, CSIR-National
Physical Laboratory, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi 110012, India
- E-mail: , . Phone: +91-1145608403 (G.G.)
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14
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Laurenti M, Cauda V. Gentamicin-Releasing Mesoporous ZnO Structures. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 11:E314. [PMID: 29470405 PMCID: PMC5849011 DOI: 10.3390/ma11020314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Among metal oxides, zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most attractive materials thanks to its biocompatible and biodegradable properties along with the existence of various morphologies featuring piezoelectric, semiconducting and photocatalytic activities. All of these structures were successfully prepared and tested for numerous applications, including optoelectronics, sensors and biomedical ones. In the last case, biocompatible ZnO nanomaterials positively influenced cells growth and tissue regeneration as well, promoting wound healing and new bone formation. Despite showing high surface areas, ZnO morphologies generally lack an intrinsic mesoporous structure, strongly limiting the investigation of the corresponding drug loading and release properties. Within this scope, this study focuses on the adsorption and release properties of high surface area, mesoporous ZnO structures using gentamicin sulfate (GS), a well known antibiotic against bacterial infections especially in orthopedics. The particular ZnO morphology was achieved starting from sputtered porous zinc layers, finally converted into ZnO by thermal oxidation. By taking advantage of this mesoporous framework, GS was successfully adsorbed within the ZnO matrix and the kinetic release profile evaluated for up to seven days. The adsorption of GS was successfully demonstrated, with a maximum amount of 263 mg effectively loaded per gram of active material. Then, fast kinetic release was obtained in vitro by simple diffusion mechanism, thus opening further possibilities of smart pore and surface engineering to improve the controlled delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Laurenti
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy.
| | - Valentina Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy.
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15
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Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films have been widely investigated due to their multifunctional properties, i.e., catalytic, semiconducting and optical. They have found practical use in a wide number of application fields. However, the presence of a compact micro/nanostructure has often limited the resulting material properties. Moreover, with the advent of low-dimensional ZnO nanostructures featuring unique physical and chemical properties, the interest in studying ZnO thin films diminished more and more. Therefore, the possibility to combine at the same time the advantages of thin-film based synthesis technologies together with a high surface area and a porous structure might represent a powerful solution to prepare ZnO thin films with unprecedented physical and chemical characteristics that may find use in novel application fields. Within this scope, this review offers an overview on the most successful synthesis methods that are able to produce ZnO thin films with both framework and textural porosities. Moreover, we discuss the related applications, mainly focused on photocatalytic degradation of dyes, gas sensor fabrication and photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells.
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16
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Laurenti M, Cauda V. ZnO Nanostructures for Tissue Engineering Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2017; 7:E374. [PMID: 29113133 PMCID: PMC5707591 DOI: 10.3390/nano7110374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on the most recent applications of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures for tissue engineering. ZnO is one of the most investigated metal oxides, thanks to its multifunctional properties coupled with the ease of preparing various morphologies, such as nanowires, nanorods, and nanoparticles. Most ZnO applications are based on its semiconducting, catalytic and piezoelectric properties. However, several works have highlighted that ZnO nanostructures may successfully promote the growth, proliferation and differentiation of several cell lines, in combination with the rise of promising antibacterial activities. In particular, osteogenesis and angiogenesis have been effectively demonstrated in numerous cases. Such peculiarities have been observed both for pure nanostructured ZnO scaffolds as well as for three-dimensional ZnO-based hybrid composite scaffolds, fabricated by additive manufacturing technologies. Therefore, all these findings suggest that ZnO nanostructures represent a powerful tool in promoting the acceleration of diverse biological processes, finally leading to the formation of new living tissue useful for organ repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Laurenti
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy.
| | - Valentina Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy.
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17
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Laurenti M, Castellino M, Perrone D, Asvarov A, Canavese G, Chiolerio A. Lead-free piezoelectrics: V 3+ to V 5+ ion conversion promoting the performances of V-doped Zinc Oxide. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41957. [PMID: 28165040 PMCID: PMC5292744 DOI: 10.1038/srep41957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Vanadium doped ZnO (VZO) thin films were grown by RF magnetron sputtering, starting from a ZnO:V ceramic target. The crystal structure, chemical composition, electric and piezoelectric properties of the films were investigated either on the as-grown thin films or after a post-deposition rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treatment performed at 600 °C for different lengths of time (1 and 5 min) in an oxygen atmosphere. Substitutional doping of Zn2+ with V3+ and V5+ ions strongly deteriorated the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure of the as-grown thin films due to lattice distortion. The resulting slight amorphization led to a poor piezoelectric response and higher resistivity. After the RTA treatment, strong c-axis oriented VZO thin films were obtained, together with a partial conversion of the starting V3+ ions into V5+. The improvement of the crystal structure and the stronger polarity of both V3+ – O and V5+ – O chemical bonds, together with the corresponding easier rotation under the application of an external electric field, positively affected the piezoelectric response and increased conductivity. This was confirmed by closed-loop butterfly piezoelectric curves, by a maximum d33 piezoelectric coefficient of 85 pm·V−1, and also by ferroelectric switching domains with a well-defined polarization hysteresis curve, featuring a residual polarization of 12.5 μC∙cm−2.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Laurenti
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies @POLITO, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.,Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - M Castellino
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies @POLITO, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - D Perrone
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies @POLITO, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - A Asvarov
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies @POLITO, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy.,Institute of Physics, Dagestan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Yaragskogo Str. 94, 367003 Makhackhala, Russia
| | - G Canavese
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - A Chiolerio
- Center for Sustainable Future Technologies @POLITO, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
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18
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Blumenstein NJ, Streb F, Walheim S, Schimmel T, Burghard Z, Bill J. Template-controlled piezoactivity of ZnO thin films grown via a bioinspired approach. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 8:296-303. [PMID: 28243568 PMCID: PMC5301953 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.8.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterials are used as model systems for the deposition of functional inorganic materials under mild reaction conditions where organic templates direct the deposition process. In this study, this principle was adapted for the formation of piezoelectric ZnO thin films. The influence of two different organic templates (namely, a carboxylate-terminated self-assembled monolayer and a sulfonate-terminated polyelectrolyte multilayer) on the deposition and therefore on the piezoelectric performance was investigated. While the low negative charge of the COOH-SAM is not able to support oriented attachment of the particles, the strongly negatively charged sulfonated polyelectrolyte leads to texturing of the ZnO film. This texture enables a piezoelectric performance of the material which was measured by piezoresponse force microscopy. This study shows that it is possible to tune the piezoelectric properties of ZnO by applying templates with different functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina J Blumenstein
- Institute for Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, Stuttgart, D-70569, Germany
| | - Fabian Streb
- Institute for Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, Stuttgart, D-70569, Germany
| | - Stefan Walheim
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, D-76344, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Wolfgang-Gaede-Strasse 1, Karlsruhe, D-76131, Germany
| | - Thomas Schimmel
- Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, D-76344, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics and Center for Functional Nanostructures, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Wolfgang-Gaede-Strasse 1, Karlsruhe, D-76131, Germany
| | - Zaklina Burghard
- Institute for Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, Stuttgart, D-70569, Germany
| | - Joachim Bill
- Institute for Materials Science, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, Stuttgart, D-70569, Germany
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19
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Laurenti M, Bianco S, Castellino M, Garino N, Virga A, Pirri CF, Mandracci P. Toward Plastic Smart Windows: Optimization of Indium Tin Oxide Electrodes for the Synthesis of Electrochromic Devices on Polycarbonate Substrates. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:8032-42. [PMID: 26977891 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b00988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Plastic smart windows are becoming one of the key elements in view of the fabrication of inexpensive, lightweight electrochromic (EC) devices to be integrated in the new generation of high-energy-efficiency buildings and automotive applications. However, fabricating electrochromic devices on polymer substrates requires a reduction of process temperature, so in this work we focus on the development of a completely room-temperature deposition process aimed at the preparation of ITO-coated polycarbonate (PC) structures acting as transparent and conductive plastic supports. Without providing any substrate heating or surface activation pretreatments of the polymer, different deposition conditions are used for growing indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films by the radiofrequency magnetron sputtering technique. According to the characterization results, the set of optimal deposition parameters is selected to deposit ITO electrodes having high optical transmittance in the visible range (∼90%) together with low sheet resistance (∼8 ohm/sq). The as-prepared ITO/PC structures are then successfully tested as conductive supports for the fabrication of plastic smart windows. To this purpose, tungsten trioxide thin films are deposited by the reactive sputtering technique on the ITO/PC structures, and the resulting single electrode EC devices are characterized by chronoamperometric experiments and cyclic voltammetry. The fast switching response between colored and bleached states, together with the stability and reversibility of their electrochromic behavior after several cycling tests, are considered to be representative of the high quality of the EC film but especially of the ITO electrode. Indeed, even if no adhesion promoters, additional surface activation pretreatments, or substrate heating were used to promote the mechanical adhesion among the electrode and the PC surface, the observed EC response confirmed that the developed materials can be successfully employed for the fabrication of lightweight and inexpensive plastic EC devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Laurenti
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino , C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Stefano Bianco
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino , C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Micaela Castellino
- Center for Space Human Robotics @ PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologi a, C.so Trento, 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Nadia Garino
- Center for Space Human Robotics @ PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologi a, C.so Trento, 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Virga
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino , C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Candido F Pirri
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino , C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
- Center for Space Human Robotics @ PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologi a, C.so Trento, 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Pietro Mandracci
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino , C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
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20
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Laurenti M, Canavese G, Stassi S, Fontana M, Castellino M, Pirri CF, Cauda V. A porous nanobranched structure: an effective way to improve piezoelectricity in sputtered ZnO thin films. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra17319e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
ZnO nanomaterials are gaining lots of attention due to their biocompatible nature coupled with promising piezoelectric properties, envisioning a new generation of lead-free smart materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Laurenti
- Department of Applied Science and Technology
- Politecnico di Torino
- 10129 Turin
- Italy
| | - G. Canavese
- Department of Applied Science and Technology
- Politecnico di Torino
- 10129 Turin
- Italy
| | - S. Stassi
- Department of Applied Science and Technology
- Politecnico di Torino
- 10129 Turin
- Italy
| | - M. Fontana
- Department of Applied Science and Technology
- Politecnico di Torino
- 10129 Turin
- Italy
| | - M. Castellino
- Center for Sustainable Futures@POLITO
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- 10129 Turin
- Italy
| | - C. F. Pirri
- Department of Applied Science and Technology
- Politecnico di Torino
- 10129 Turin
- Italy
- Center for Sustainable Futures@POLITO
| | - V. Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology
- Politecnico di Torino
- 10129 Turin
- Italy
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21
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Development of a Flexible Lead-Free Piezoelectric Transducer for Health Monitoring in the Space Environment. MICROMACHINES 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/mi6111453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Laurenti M, Verna A, Chiolerio A. Evidence of Negative Capacitance in Piezoelectric ZnO Thin Films Sputtered on Interdigital Electrodes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:24470-24479. [PMID: 26491786 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b05336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The scaling paradigm known as Moore's Law, with the shrinking of transistors and their doubling on a chip every two years, is going to reach a painful end. Another less-known paradigm, the so-called Koomey's Law, stating that the computing efficiency doubles every 1.57 years, poses other important challenges, since the efficiency of rechargeable energy sources is substantially constant, and any other evolution is based on device architecture only. How can we still increase the computational power/reduce the power consumption of our electronic environments? A first answer to this question comes from the quest for new functionalities. Within this aim, negative capacitance (NC) is becoming one of the most intriguing and studied phenomena since it can be exploited for reducing the aforementioned limiting effects in the downscaling of electronic devices. Here we report the evidence of negative capacitance in 80 nm thick ZnO thin films sputtered on Au interdigital electrodes (IDEs). Highly (002)-oriented ZnO thin films, with a fine-grained surface nanostructure and the desired chemical composition, are deposited at room temperature on different IDEs structures. Direct-current electrical measurements highlighted the semiconducting nature of ZnO (current density in the order of 1 × 10(-3) A/cm(2)). When turned into the alternating current regime (from 20 Hz to 2 MHz) the presence of NC values is observed in the low-frequency range (20-120 Hz). The loss of metal/semiconductor interface charge states under forward bias conditions, together with the presence of oxygen vacancies and piezoelectric/electrostriction effects, is believed to be at the basis of the observed negative behavior, suggesting that ZnO thin-film-based field-effect transistors can be a powerful instrument to go beyond the Boltzmann limit and the downscaling of integrated circuit elements required for the fabrication of portable and miniaturized electronic devices, especially for electric household appliances working in the low 50 Hz utility frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Laurenti
- Center for Space Human Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Alessio Verna
- Center for Space Human Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino , C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Chiolerio
- Center for Space Human Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , C.so Trento 21, 10129 Torino, Italy
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23
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Laurenti M, Canavese G, Sacco A, Fontana M, Bejtka K, Castellino M, Pirri CF, Cauda V. Nanobranched ZnO Structure: p-Type Doping Induces Piezoelectric Voltage Generation and Ferroelectric-Photovoltaic Effect. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2015; 27:4218-4223. [PMID: 26074336 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201501594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Laurenti
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Canavese
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Sacco
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Fontana
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Turin, Italy
| | - Katarzyna Bejtka
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
| | - Micaela Castellino
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
| | - Candido Fabrizio Pirri
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Cauda
- Center for Space Human Robotics@PoliTo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, C.so Trento 21, 10129, Turin, Italy
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