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Zhang X, Eurelings S, Bracesco A, Song W, Lenaers S, Van Gompel W, Krishna A, Aernouts T, Lutsen L, Vanderzande D, Creatore M, Zhan Y, Kuang Y, Poortmans J. Surface Modulation via Conjugated Bithiophene Ammonium Salt for Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:46803-46811. [PMID: 37755314 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The metal halide perovskite absorbers are prone to surface defects, which severely limit the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and the operational stability of the perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, trace amounts of bithiophene propylammonium iodide (bi-TPAI) are applied to modulate the surface properties of the gas-quenched perovskite. It is found that the bi-TPAI surface treatment has negligible impact on the perovskite morphology, but it can induce a defect passivation effect and facilitate the charge carrier extraction, contributing to the gain in the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor. As a result, the PCE of the gas-quenched sputtered NiOx-based inverted PSCs is enhanced from the initial 20.0% to 22.0%. Most importantly, the bi-TPAI treatment can largely alleviate or even eliminate the burn-in process during the maximum power point tracking measurement, improving the operational stability of the devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Center for Micro Nano Systems, School of Information Science and Technology (SIST), Fudan University, Handan 220, Shanghai 200433, China
- Academy for Engineering & Technology (FAET), Fudan University, Handan 220, Shanghai 200433, China
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Leuven 3001, Belgium
- Imec, imo-imomec, Thin Film PV Technology-partner in Solliance, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
| | - Stijn Eurelings
- Plasma & Materials Processing, Department of Applied Physics and Science of Education, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Bracesco
- Plasma & Materials Processing, Department of Applied Physics and Science of Education, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Wenya Song
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Leuven 3001, Belgium
- Imec, imo-imomec, Thin Film PV Technology-partner in Solliance, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Stijn Lenaers
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Gompel
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Anurag Krishna
- Imec, imo-imomec, Thin Film PV Technology-partner in Solliance, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Tom Aernouts
- Imec, imo-imomec, Thin Film PV Technology-partner in Solliance, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Laurence Lutsen
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Dirk Vanderzande
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Mariadriana Creatore
- Plasma & Materials Processing, Department of Applied Physics and Science of Education, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven Institute of Renewable Energy Systems (EIRES), Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Yiqiang Zhan
- Center for Micro Nano Systems, School of Information Science and Technology (SIST), Fudan University, Handan 220, Shanghai 200433, China
- Academy for Engineering & Technology (FAET), Fudan University, Handan 220, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yinghuan Kuang
- Imec, imo-imomec, Thin Film PV Technology-partner in Solliance, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Leuven 3001, Belgium
- Imec, imo-imomec, Thin Film PV Technology-partner in Solliance, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
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Song W, Zhang X, Lammar S, Qiu W, Kuang Y, Ruttens B, D'Haen J, Vaesen I, Conard T, Abdulraheem Y, Aernouts T, Zhan Y, Poortmans J. Critical Role of Perovskite Film Stoichiometry in Determining Solar Cell Operational Stability: a Study on the Effects of Volatile A-Cation Additives. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:27922-27931. [PMID: 35687012 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Volatile A-cation halide (AX) additives such as formamidinium chloride and methylammonium chloride have been widely employed for high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, it remains unstudied how they influence the perovskite film stoichiometry and the solar cell performance and operational stability. Hereby, our work shows that over annealing of formamidinium chloride-containing perovskite films leads to a Pb-rich surface, resulting in a high initial efficiency, which however decays during maximum power point tracking (MPPT). On the contrary, perovskite films obtained by a shorter annealing time at the same temperature provide good stability during MPPT but a lower initial efficiency. Thus, we deduce that an optimal annealing is vital for both high efficiency and operational stability, which is then confirmed in the case where methylammonium chloride additive is used. With optimized perovskite annealing conditions, we demonstrate efficient and stable p-i-n PSCs that show a best power conversion efficiency of 20.7% and remain 90% of the initial performance after a 200 h MPPT at 60 °C under simulated 1 sun illumination with high UV content. Our work presents a comprehensive understanding on how volatile AX impacts perovskite film stoichiometry and its correlation to the device performance and operational stability, providing a new guideline for fabricating high-efficiency and operationally stable PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Song
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Thin Film PV Technology─Partner in Solliance, Imec, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Thin Film PV Technology─Partner in Solliance, Imec, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
- Center for Micro Nano Systems, School of Information Science and Technology (SIST), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
- Academy for Engineering & Technology (FAET), Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Stijn Lammar
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Thin Film PV Technology─Partner in Solliance, Imec, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | | | - Yinghuan Kuang
- Thin Film PV Technology─Partner in Solliance, Imec, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Bart Ruttens
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Jan D'Haen
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | | | | | - Yaser Abdulraheem
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait
| | - Tom Aernouts
- Thin Film PV Technology─Partner in Solliance, Imec, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Yiqiang Zhan
- Center for Micro Nano Systems, School of Information Science and Technology (SIST), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China
- Academy for Engineering & Technology (FAET), Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Jef Poortmans
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Thin Film PV Technology─Partner in Solliance, Imec, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- EnergyVille, imo-imomec, Thor Park 8320, Genk 3600, Belgium
- Hasselt University, imo-imomec, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
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Fırat M, Wouters L, Lagrain P, Haase F, Polzin JI, Chaudhary A, Nogay G, Desrues T, Krügener J, Peibst R, Tous L, Sivaramakrishnan Radhakrishnan H, Poortmans J. Local Enhancement of Dopant Diffusion from Polycrystalline Silicon Passivating Contacts. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:17975-17986. [PMID: 35380425 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Passivating contacts consisting of heavily doped polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) and ultrathin interfacial silicon oxide (SiOx) films enable the fabrication of high-efficiency Si solar cells. The electrical properties and working mechanism of such poly-Si passivating contacts depend on the distribution of dopants at their interface with the underlying Si substrate of solar cells. Therefore, this distribution, particularly in the vicinity of pinholes in the SiOx film, is investigated in this work. Technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations were performed to study the diffusion of dopants, both phosphorus (P) and boron (B), from the poly-Si film into the Si substrate during the annealing process typically applied to poly-Si passivating contacts. The simulated 2D doping profiles indicate enhanced diffusion under pinholes, yielding deeper semicircular regions of increased doping compared to regions far removed from the pinholes. Such regions with locally enhanced doping were also experimentally demonstrated using high-resolution (5-10 nm/pixel) scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) for the first time. The SSRM measurements were performed on a variety of poly-Si passivating contacts, fabricated using different approaches by multiple research institutes, and the regions of doping enhancement were detected on samples where the presence of pinholes had been reported in the related literature. These findings can contribute to a better understanding, more accurate modeling, and optimization of poly-Si passivating contacts, which are increasingly being introduced in the mass production of Si solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriç Fırat
- Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Imec (Partner in EnergyVille), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lennaert Wouters
- Imec (Partner in EnergyVille), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Lagrain
- Imec (Partner in EnergyVille), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Felix Haase
- ISFH, Am Ohrberg 1, 31860 Emmerthal, Germany
| | | | | | - Gizem Nogay
- CSEM, Rue Jacquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Thibaut Desrues
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LITEN, DTS, LPA, F-73370 Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
| | - Jan Krügener
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Electronic Materials and Devices, Schneiderberg 32, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Robby Peibst
- ISFH, Am Ohrberg 1, 31860 Emmerthal, Germany
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Electronic Materials and Devices, Schneiderberg 32, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Loic Tous
- Imec (Partner in EnergyVille), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Jef Poortmans
- Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Imec (Partner in EnergyVille), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Song W, Rakocevic L, Thiruvallur Eachambadi R, Qiu W, Bastos JP, Gehlhaar R, Kuang Y, Hadipour A, Aernouts T, Poortmans J. Improving the Morphology Stability of Spiro-OMeTAD Films for Enhanced Thermal Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:44294-44301. [PMID: 34498844 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c11227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To guarantee a long lifetime of perovskite-based photovoltaics, the selected materials need to survive relatively high-temperature stress during the solar cell operation. Highly efficient n-i-p perovskite solar cells (PSCs) often degrade at high operational temperatures due to morphological instability of the hole transport material 2,2',7,7'-tetrakis (N,N-di-p-methoxyphenyl-amine)9,9'-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD). We discovered that the detrimental large-domain spiro-OMeTAD crystallization is caused by the simultaneous presence of tert-butylpyridine (tBP) additive and gold (Au) as a capping layer. Based on this discovery and our understanding, we demonstrated facile strategies that successfully stabilize the amorphous phase of spiro-OMeTAD film. As a result, the thermal stability of n-i-p PSCs is largely improved. After the spiro-OMeTAD films in the PSCs were stressed for 1032 h at 85 °C in the dark in nitrogen environment, reference PSCs retained only 22% of their initial average power conversion efficiency (PCE), while the best target PSCs retained 85% relative average PCE. Our work suggests facile ways to realize efficient and thermally stable spiro-OMeTAD containing n-i-p PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Song
- imec-Partner in Solliance and Energyville, Thor Park 8320, 3600 Genk, Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Lucija Rakocevic
- imec-Partner in Solliance and Energyville, Thor Park 8320, 3600 Genk, Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | | | - Weiming Qiu
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
- imec, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Yinghuan Kuang
- imec-Partner in Solliance and Energyville, Thor Park 8320, 3600 Genk, Belgium
| | - Afshin Hadipour
- imec-Partner in Solliance and Energyville, Thor Park 8320, 3600 Genk, Belgium
| | - Tom Aernouts
- imec-Partner in Solliance and Energyville, Thor Park 8320, 3600 Genk, Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- imec-Partner in Solliance and Energyville, Thor Park 8320, 3600 Genk, Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
- Institute for Materials Research (IMO-IMOMEC), UHasselt, Agoralaan, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Kosasih FU, Rakocevic L, Aernouts T, Poortmans J, Ducati C. Electron Microscopy Characterization of P3 Lines and Laser Scribing-Induced Perovskite Decomposition in Perovskite Solar Modules. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:45646-45655. [PMID: 31663326 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b15520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid metal halide perovskites have emerged as a potential photovoltaic material for low-cost thin film solar cells due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. However, high efficiencies obtained with lab-scale cells are difficult to replicate in large modules. The upscaling process requires careful optimization of multiple steps, such as laser scribing, which divides a module into serially connected cells using a pulsed laser beam. In this work, we characterize the effect of laser scribing on the perovskite layer adjacent to a P3 scribe line using analytical scanning and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy techniques. We demonstrate that lateral flow of residual thermal energy from picosecond laser pulses decomposes the perovskite layer over extended length scales. We propose that the exact nature of the change in perovskite composition is determined by the presence of preexisting PbI2 grains and hence by the original perovskite formation reaction. Furthermore, we show that along the P3 lines, the indium tin oxide contact is also damaged by high-fluence pulses. Our results provide a deeper understanding on the interaction between laser pulses and perovskite solar modules, highlighting the need to minimize material damage by careful tuning of both laser parameters and the device fabrication procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Utama Kosasih
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , 27 Charles Babbage Road , Cambridge CB3 0FS , U.K
| | - Lucija Rakocevic
- Photovoltaics Department , imec, Thin Film PV Group , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Leuven , Belgium
- Departement Electrotechniek - ESAT , KU Leuven , 3001 Leuven , Belgium
| | - Tom Aernouts
- Photovoltaics Department , imec, Thin Film PV Group , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Leuven , Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- Photovoltaics Department , imec, Thin Film PV Group , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Leuven , Belgium
- Departement Electrotechniek - ESAT , KU Leuven , 3001 Leuven , Belgium
| | - Caterina Ducati
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , 27 Charles Babbage Road , Cambridge CB3 0FS , U.K
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Lokar Z, Lipovsek B, Razzaq A, Depauw V, Gordon I, Poortmans J, Krc J, Topic M. Coupled modelling approach for optimization of bifacial silicon heterojunction solar cells with multi-scale interface textures. Opt Express 2019; 27:A1554-A1568. [PMID: 31684506 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.0a1554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
For advanced optical analysis and optimization of solar cell structures with multi-scale interface textures, we applied a coupled modelling approach (CMA), where we couple the rigorous coupled wave analysis method with ray tracing and transfer matrix method. Coupling of the methods enables accurate optical analysis of solar cells made of thin coherent and thick incoherent layers and includes combinations of nano- and micro-scale textures at various positions in the structure. The approach is experimentally validated on standalone single- and both-side textured crystalline silicon wafers, as well as on complete silicon heterojunction (Si HJ) solar cell structures. Using CMA, fully encapsulated bifacial Si HJ solar cells are optically simulated first by applying single- and both-side illumination, and the effects of introducing nano inverted pyramids and random micro-pyramids at front and/or rear interfaces are analyzed. Secondly, an external light management foil with a three-sided pyramidal micro-texture is applied in simulations to the front and/or rear encapsulation glass, and the related improvements are quantified. For the optimal combination of internal textures in the analyzed structure (random micro-pyramids at the front and nano inverted pyramids at the back) and the use of the light management foil on both sides of the device, a 5.6% gain in the short-circuit current is predicted, compared to the reference case with no light management foil and with random micro-pyramids applied to the front and rear internal interfaces.
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Bastos JP, Uytterhoeven G, Qiu W, Paetzold UW, Cheyns D, Surana S, Rivas J, Jaysankar M, Song W, Aernouts T, Poortmans J, Gehlhaar R. Model for the Prediction of the Lifetime and Energy Yield of Methyl Ammonium Lead Iodide Perovskite Solar Cells at Elevated Temperatures. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:16517-16526. [PMID: 30998002 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b00923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
With the realization of highly efficient perovskite solar cells, the long-term stability of these devices is the key challenge hindering their commercialization. In this work, we study the temperature-dependent stability of perovskite solar cells and develop a model capable of predicting the lifetime and energy yield of perovskite solar cells outdoors. This model results from the measurement of the kinetics governing the degradation of perovskite solar cells at elevated temperatures. The individual analysis of all key current-voltage parameters enables the prediction of device performance under thermal stress with high precision. An extrapolation of the device lifetime at various European locations based on historical weather data illustrates the relation between the laboratory data and real-world applications. Finally, the understanding of the degradation mechanisms affecting perovskite solar cells allows the definition and implementation of strategies to enhance the thermal stability of perovskite solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Bastos
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering , Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Kasteelpark Arenberg 10 , B-3001 Leuven , Belgium
| | | | - Weiming Qiu
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
| | - Ulrich W Paetzold
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
- Institute of Microstructure Technology , Karlsruhe Institute of Technology , Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1 , Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344 Karlsruhe , Germany
| | - David Cheyns
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
| | - Supriya Surana
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
- Department Physics , Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200d , B-3001 Leuven , Belgium
| | - Javier Rivas
- Faculty of Science , University La Laguna , 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna , Spain
| | - Manoj Jaysankar
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering , Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Kasteelpark Arenberg 10 , B-3001 Leuven , Belgium
| | - Wenya Song
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering , Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Kasteelpark Arenberg 10 , B-3001 Leuven , Belgium
| | - Tom Aernouts
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering , Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Kasteelpark Arenberg 10 , B-3001 Leuven , Belgium
- Institute for Materials Research & IMEC-associated lab IMOMEC , Hasselt University , Wetenschapspark 1 , B-3590 Diepenbeek , Belgium
| | - Robert Gehlhaar
- Imec-part of Solliance , Kapeldreef 75 , 3001 Heverlee , Belgium
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Cho J, Debucquoy M, Recaman Payo M, Malik S, Filipič M, Radhakrishnan HS, Bearda T, Gordon I, Szlufcik J, Poortmans J. Contact resistivity reduction on lowly-doped n-type Si using a low work function metal and a thin TiOX interfacial layer for doping-free Si solar cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Bearda T, Gordon I, Radhakrishnan HS, Depauw V, Van Nieuwenhuysen K, Xu M, Tous L, Filipic M, Jonnak SK, Hajijafarassar A, Liu X, Debucquoy M, Abdulraheem Y, Szlufcik J, Poortmans J. Thin Epitaxial Silicon Foils Using Porous-Silicon-Based Lift-Off for Photovoltaic Application. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1557/adv.2016.314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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10
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Bastos JP, Voroshazi E, Fron E, Brammertz G, Vangerven T, Van der Auweraer M, Poortmans J, Cheyns D. Oxygen-Induced Degradation in C60-Based Organic Solar Cells: Relation Between Film Properties and Device Performance. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2016; 8:9798-9805. [PMID: 27065475 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b11749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Fullerene-based molecules are the archetypical electron-accepting materials for organic photovoltaic devices. A detailed knowledge of the degradation mechanisms that occur in C60 layers will aid in the development of more stable organic solar cells. Here, the impact of storage in air on the optical and electrical properties of C60 is studied in thin films and in devices. Atmospheric exposure induces oxygen-trap states that are 0.19 eV below the LUMO of the fullerene C60. Moreover, oxygen causes a 4-fold decrease of the exciton lifetime in C60 layers, resulting in a 40% drop of short-circuit current from optimized planar heterojunction solar cells. The presence of oxygen-trap states increases the saturation current of the device, resulting in a 20% loss of open-circuit voltage. Design guidelines are outlined to improve air stability for fullerene-containing devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P Bastos
- imec , Kapeldreef 75, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
- ESAT, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Eduard Fron
- Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200G-F, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | | | - Tim Vangerven
- Hasselt University, Institute for Materials Research & IMEC-Associated Lab IMOMEC , Wetenschapspark 1, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Mark Van der Auweraer
- Department of Chemistry, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200G-F, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- imec , Kapeldreef 75, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
- ESAT, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven , Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
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Trompoukis C, Massiot I, Depauw V, El Daif O, Lee K, Dmitriev A, Gordon I, Mertens R, Poortmans J. Disordered nanostructures by hole-mask colloidal lithography for advanced light trapping in silicon solar cells. Opt Express 2016; 24:A191-A201. [PMID: 26832573 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.00a191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We report on the fabrication of disordered nanostructures by combining colloidal lithography and silicon etching. We show good control of the short-range ordered colloidal pattern for a wide range of bead sizes from 170 to 850 nm. The inter-particle spacing follows a Gaussian distribution with the average distance between two neighboring beads (center to center) being approximately twice their diameter, thus enabling the nanopatterning with dimensions relevant to the light wavelength scale. The disordered nanostructures result in a lower integrated reflectance (8.1%) than state-of-the-art random pyramid texturing (11.7%) when fabricated on 700 µm thick wafers. When integrated in a 1.1 µm thin crystalline silicon slab, the absorption is enhanced from 24.0% up to 64.3%. The broadening of resonant modes present for the disordered nanopattern offers a more broadband light confinement compared to a periodic nanopattern. Owing to its simplicity, versatility and the degrees of freedom it offers, this potentially low-cost bottom-up nanopatterning process opens perspectives towards the integration of advanced light-trapping schemes in thin solar cells.
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Poortmans J, Jeannaud F, Baudry S, Carpentier A. Changes in Kidney Functions during Middle-distance Triathlon in Male Athletes. Int J Sports Med 2015; 36:979-83. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1398681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Poortmans
- Faculty of Motor Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles
| | - F. Jeannaud
- Faculty of Motor Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles
| | - S. Baudry
- Faculty of Motor Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles
| | - A. Carpentier
- Faculty of Motor Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles
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Buffière M, Brammertz G, Sahayaraj S, Batuk M, Khelifi S, Mangin D, El Mel AA, Arzel L, Hadermann J, Meuris M, Poortmans J. KCN Chemical Etch for Interface Engineering in Cu2ZnSnSe4 Solar Cells. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2015; 7:14690-14698. [PMID: 26039042 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b02122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The removal of secondary phases from the surface of the kesterite crystals is one of the major challenges to improve the performances of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin film solar cells. In this contribution, the KCN/KOH chemical etching approach, originally developed for the removal of CuxSe phases in Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 thin films, is applied to CZTSe absorbers exhibiting various chemical compositions. Two distinct electrical behaviors were observed on CZTSe/CdS solar cells after treatment: (i) the improvement of the fill factor (FF) after 30 s of etching for the CZTSe absorbers showing initially a distortion of the electrical characteristic; (ii) the progressive degradation of the FF after long treatment time for all Cu-poor CZTSe solar cell samples. The first effect can be attributed to the action of KCN on the absorber, that is found to clean the absorber free surface from most of the secondary phases surrounding the kesterite grains (e.g., Se0, CuxSe, SnSex, SnO2, Cu2SnSe3 phases, excepting the ZnSe-based phases). The second observation was identified as a consequence of the preferential etching of Se, Sn, and Zn from the CZTSe surface by the KOH solution, combined with the modification of the alkali content of the absorber. The formation of a Cu-rich shell at the absorber/buffer layer interface, leading to the increase of the recombination rate at the interface, and the increase in the doping of the absorber layer after etching are found to be at the origin of the deterioration of the FF of the solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Buffière
- †imec-partner in Solliance, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- ‡Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
- △Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Guy Brammertz
- ∥imec division IMOMEC-partner in Solliance, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- ⊥Institute for Material Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sylvester Sahayaraj
- ‡Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
- ∥imec division IMOMEC-partner in Solliance, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- ⊥Institute for Material Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maria Batuk
- #Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Samira Khelifi
- □Electronics and Information Systems department (ELIS), University of Gent, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Denis Mangin
- ○Institut Jean Lamour, Université de Lorraine, Parc de Saurupt, CS 50840, 54011 Nancy, France
| | - Abdel-Aziz El Mel
- §Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel, Université de Nantes, CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière B.P. 32229, 44322 Nantes cedex 3, France
| | - Ludovic Arzel
- §Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel, Université de Nantes, CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière B.P. 32229, 44322 Nantes cedex 3, France
| | - Joke Hadermann
- #Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marc Meuris
- ∥imec division IMOMEC-partner in Solliance, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- ⊥Institute for Material Research (IMO), Hasselt University, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- †imec-partner in Solliance, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- ‡Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
- ∥imec division IMOMEC-partner in Solliance, Wetenschapspark 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Karim M, Martini R, Radhakrishnan HS, van Nieuwenhuysen K, Depauw V, Ramadan W, Gordon I, Poortmans J. Tuning of strain and surface roughness of porous silicon layers for higher-quality seeds for epitaxial growth. Nanoscale Res Lett 2014; 9:348. [PMID: 25136277 PMCID: PMC4128828 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276x-9-348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Sintered porous silicon is a well-known seed for homo-epitaxy that enables fabricating transferrable monocrystalline foils. The crystalline quality of these foils depends on the surface roughness and the strain of this porous seed, which should both be minimized. In order to provide guidelines for an optimum foil growth, we present a systematic investigation of the impact of the thickness of this seed and of its sintering time prior to epitaxial growth on strain and surface roughness. Strain and surface roughness were monitored in monolayers and double layers with different porosities as a function of seed thickness and of sintering time by high-resolution X-ray diffraction and profilometry, respectively. Unexpectedly, we found that strain in double and monolayers evolves in opposite ways with respect to layer thickness. This suggests that an interaction between layers in multiple stacks is to be considered. We also found that if higher seed thickness and longer annealing time are to be preferred to minimize the strain in double layers, the opposite is required to achieve smoother layers. The impact of these two parameters may be explained by considering the morphological evolution of the pores upon sintering and, in particular, the disappearance of interconnections between the porous seed and the bulk as well as the enlargement of pores near the surface. An optimum epitaxial growth hence calls for a trade-off in seed thickness and annealing time, between minimum-strained layers and rougher surfaces. PACS CODES 81.40.-z Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure, nanostructure, and properties; 81.05.Rm Porous materials; granular materials; 82.80.Ej X-ray, Mössbauer and other γ-ray spectroscopic analysis methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Karim
- KACST-Intel Consortium Center of Excellence in Nano-manufacturing Applications (CENA), Riyadh 11442, KSA
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven 3001, Belgium
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21511, Egypt
- Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Roberto Martini
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven 3001, Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | | | | | - Valerie Depauw
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Wedgan Ramadan
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21511, Egypt
| | - Ivan Gordon
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven 3001, Belgium
- Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
- UHasselt, Martelarenlaan 42, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
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E. Zaghi A, Buffière M, Brammertz G, Batuk M, Lenaers N, Kniknie B, Hadermann J, Meuris M, Poortmans J, Vleugels J. Mechanical synthesis of high purity Cu–In–Se alloy nanopowder as precursor for printed CISe thin film solar cells. ADV POWDER TECHNOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2014.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Tous L, Granata SN, Rouhi A, Lerat JF, Emeraud T, Nicolas SMD, Pletzer TM, Labie R, Aleman M, Russell R, John J, Duerinckx F, Szlufcik J, De Wolf S, Ballif C, Mertens R, Poortmans J. Large-area Hybrid Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells with Ni/Cu Plated Front Contacts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Martini R, Granata S, Depauw V, Gonzalez M, Gordon I, Poortmans J. Solar Cell Processing of Foil Produced by Epoxy-induced Spalling of Silicon. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.08.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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18
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Radhakrishnan HS, Debucquoy M, Korsós F, Van Nieuwenhuysen K, Depauw V, Gordon I, Mertens R, Poortmans J. Lifetime Measurements on Attached Epilayers and Detached Epifoils Grown on Reorganised Porous Silicon Showing a Bulk Lifetime Exceeding 100 μs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2013.07.369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Martini R, Depauw V, Gonzalez M, Vanstreels K, Nieuwenhuysen KV, Gordon I, Poortmans J. Mechanical properties of sintered meso-porous silicon: a numerical model. Nanoscale Res Lett 2012; 7:597. [PMID: 23107474 PMCID: PMC3526399 DOI: 10.1186/1556-276x-7-597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
: Because of its optical and electrical properties, large surfaces, and compatibility with standard silicon processes, porous silicon is a very interesting material in photovoltaic and microelectromechanical systems technology. In some applications, porous silicon is annealed at high temperature and, consequently, the cylindrical pores that are generated by anodization or stain etching reorganize into randomly distributed closed sphere-like pores. Although the design of devices which involve this material needs an accurate evaluation of its mechanical properties, only few researchers have studied the mechanical properties of porous silicon, and no data are nowadays available on the mechanical properties of sintered porous silicon. In this work we propose a finite element model to estimate the mechanical properties of sintered meso-porous silicon. The model has been employed to study the dependence of the Young's modulus and the shear modulus (upper and lower bounds) on the porosity for porosities between 0% to 40%. Interpolation functions for the Young's modulus and shear modulus have been obtained, and the results show good agreement with the data reported for other porous media. A Monte Carlo simulation has also been employed to study the effect of the actual microstructure on the mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Martini
- , Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark 10, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
- , Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Valerie Depauw
- , Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Mario Gonzalez
- , Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Kris Vanstreels
- , Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Kris Van Nieuwenhuysen
- , Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Ivan Gordon
- , Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Jef Poortmans
- , Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Kasteelpark 10, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
- , Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, Leuven-Heverlee 3001, Belgium
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Tous L, Russell R, Das J, Labie R, Ngamo M, Horzel J, Philipsen H, Sniekers J, Vandermissen K, van den Brekel L, Janssens T, Aleman M, van Dorp D, Poortmans J, Mertens R. Large Area Copper Plated Silicon Solar Cell Exceeding 19.5% Efficiency. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2012.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Tous L, van Dorp D, Russell R, Das J, Aleman M, Bender H, Meersschaut J, Opsomer K, Poortmans J, Mertens R. Electroless nickel deposition and silicide formation for advanced front side metallization of industrial silicon solar cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2012.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Goverde H, Vermang B, Morato A, John J, Horzel J, Meneghesso G, Poortmans J. Al2O3 Surface Passivation Characterized on Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic c-Si by a Combination of QSSPC, CV, XPS and FTIR. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2012.07.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Aleman M, Das J, Janssens T, Pawlak B, Posthuma N, Robbelein J, Singh S, Baert K, Poortmans J, Fernandez J, Yoshikawa K, Verlinden P. Development and Integration of a High Efficiency Baseline Leading to 23% IBC Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2012.07.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Loozen X, Larsen J, Dross F, Aleman M, Bearda T, O'Sullivan B, Gordon I, Poortmans J. Passivation of a Metal Contact with a Tunneling Layer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2012.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Vermang B, Choulat P, Goverde H, Horzel J, John J, Mertens R, Poortmans J. Integration of Al2O3 as Front and Rear Surface Passivation for Large-Area Screen-Printed P-Type Si PERC. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2012.07.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractThin-film polysilicon solar cells are a promising low-cost alternative for bulk silicon solar cells. Due to their reduced material thickness, these solar cells are less dependent on the silicon feedstock price. Until now these devices showed a worse performance compared to bulk Si solar cells due to the small grain size and the high recombination velocity at the grain boundaries. A better understanding of hydrogen passivation is therefore of crucial importance to improve the efficiency of polysilicon solar cells. In this work we characterized fine-grained polysilicon layers with a grain size of only 0.2 μm before and after passivation. Plasma hydrogenation led to a higher hydrogen concentration in the first micron of the layer than nitride passivation. The highest efficiency of 5.0 % was reached when nitride passivation was followed by plasma passivation.
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Depauw V, Gordon I, Beaucarne G, Poortmans J, Mertens R, Celis JP. Innovative lift-off solar cell made of monocrystalline-silicon thin film by annealing of ordered macropores. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/pssc.200881032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Cornagliotti E, Kang X, Beaucarne G, John J, Poortmans J, Mertens R. High sensitivity photoconductivity based measurement setup for the determination of effective recombination lifetime in silicon wafers. Rev Sci Instrum 2009; 80:053906. [PMID: 19485519 DOI: 10.1063/1.3127574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We describe a high sensitivity measurement setup for the determination of recombination parameters in semiconductors at low levels of carrier injection. The setup is based on a lock-in amplifier and on a commercially available contactless conductivity detector. The information on recombination is extracted through the analysis, assuming quasi-steady-state conditions, of the low frequency, sinusoidally modulated photoconductivity signal induced by the illumination of a 950 nm light emitting diode array. Experimental results show a substantial increase in sensitivity with respect to traditional transient or quasi-steady-state techniques based on the same detection principle. The sensitivity bonus can be exploited for the extension of the carrier injection range for which effective recombination lifetime is measurable, both in the case of p-type and n-type wafers.
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Cheyns D, Vasseur K, Rolin C, Genoe J, Poortmans J, Heremans P. Nanoimprinted semiconducting polymer films with 50 nm features and their application to organic heterojunction solar cells. Nanotechnology 2008; 19:424016. [PMID: 21832676 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/19/42/424016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Nanoimprint lithography is used to directly pattern the conjugated polymer semiconductor poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). We obtain trenches with aspect ratios up to 2 and feature sizes as small as 50 nm in this polymer. The application to organic solar cells is shown by creating an interpenetrated donor-acceptor interface, based on P3HT and N,N'-ditridecyl-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI-C(13)), deposited from the vapor phase to reduce shadow effects. A planarizing layer of spin-coated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is used to reduce the roughness of the layer stack. The response of the photovoltaic devices follows the increased interface area, up to a 2.5-fold enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Cheyns
- IMEC vzw, Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. ESAT, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
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Gong C, Posthuma N, Dross F, Kerschaver EV, Giovanni F, Beaucarne G, Poortmans J, Hoofman R. Comparison of n- and p-type high efficiency silicon solar cell performance under low illumination conditions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1109/pvsc.2008.4922441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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van der Heide J, Posthuma NE, Flamand G, Poortmans J. Development of Low-cost Thermophotovoltaic Cells Using Germanium Substrates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1063/1.2711729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Balestra C, Germonpré P, Poortmans J, Marroni A, Schiettecatte J, Collard JF, Snoeck T. Erythropoietin production can be enhanced by normobaric oxygen breathing in healthy humans. Undersea Hyperb Med 2004; 31:53-57. [PMID: 15233159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
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Solanki CS, Bilyalov RR, Poortmans J, Celis JP, Nijs J. Effect of the composition of electrolyte on separation of porous silicon film by electrochemical etching. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1002/pssa.200306554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Brassinne E, Poortmans J, Lissassi V, Duchateaux J. Effect of eccentric hamstring contractions at short and long length on delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS). ISOKINET EXERC SCI 2003. [DOI: 10.3233/ies-2003-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Brassinne
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Erasmus Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
- School of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J. Poortmans
- School of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Research Unit in Physiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - V. Lissassi
- School of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J. Duchateaux
- Research Unit in Neurophysiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Ohyama H, Simoen E, Claeys C, Vanhellemont J, Hayama K, Tokuyama J, Takami Y, Sunaga H, Poortmans J, Caymax M. Radiation damage in Si1−x Ge x heteroepitaxial devices. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 1999. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02349510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ohyama H, Vanhellemont J, Takami Y, Sunaga H, Nashiyama I, Uwatoko Y, Poortmans J, Caymax M. Degradation of SiGe devices by proton irradiation. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0969-806x(97)00044-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Camus G, Poortmans J, Nys M, Deby-Dupont G, Duchateau J, Deby C, Lamy M. Mild endotoxaemia and the inflammatory response induced by a marathon race. Clin Sci (Lond) 1997; 92:415-22. [PMID: 9176042 DOI: 10.1042/cs0920415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
1. To address the question of whether endotoxaemia could be involved in the inflammatory response induced by long-term strenuous exercise, 18 male marathon runners [mean age 41 +/- 2 (SEM) years] were studied. Their performance in the marathon ranged from 2 h 46 min to 4 h 42 min. 2. Four venous blood samples were drawn: at rest, just before the race (baseline); within 15 min following the completion of the marathon; after 1 h of recovery; and the morning after the race. 3. The following humoral markers of the inflammatory response to exercise were measured: polymorphonuclear myeloperoxidase (MPO), anaphylatoxin C5a (C5a), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Plasma endotoxin was measured by a sensitive and rapid chromogenic Limulus assay. All inflammatory markers were significantly increased (P < 0.001) after the race, reaching in most cases peak values in the first blood sample drawn following the completion of the marathon [MPO, 298 +/- 19 ng/ml (SEM); C5a, 1.45 +/- 0.32 ng/ml; TNF-alpha, 20 +/- 3 pg/ml; IL-6, 88 +/- 13 pg/ml] when compared with baseline [MPO, 146 +/- 16 ng/ml (SEM); C5a, 0.27 +/- 0.2 ng/ml; TNF-alpha, 12 +/- 1.5 pg/ml: IL-6, 1.0 +/- 0.5 pg/ml]. Traces of plasma endotoxin (ranging from 5 to 13 pg/ml, with one exceptionally high value of 72 pg/ml measured in one runner) were detected in seven subjects within the first hour of recovery. An ELISA method was used to determine the endogenous IgG antibodies toward a range of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of different sizes and structures. A transient decrease in certain anti-LPS activities, mainly against rough LPS, occurred in most cases in the first blood sample drawn after the race. There was no correlation between the magnitude of the inflammatory response to exercise, as assessed by the increase in blood levels of humoral markers of inflammation, and the changes in circulating endotoxin levels of anti-LPS IgG activity following the race. 4. From these results, we conclude that the mild, transient endotoxaemia detected in some of our subjects does not play a major role in the observed inflammatory response to a marathon competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Camus
- Center for the Biochemistry of Oxygen, Institute of Chemistry, University of Liège, Belgium
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Sato Y, Poortmans J, Hashimoto I, Oshida Y. Medicine and Sport Science, Vol. 37. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1993. [DOI: 10.1249/00005768-199308000-00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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42
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Dorchy H, Poortmans J. [Sports and diabetes in children and adolescents]. Ann Pediatr (Paris) 1991; 38:217-23. [PMID: 2069355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The triad of insulin, diet and exercise has been the basis for treatment of diabetes for several decades. However, the choice of sporting activities for young diabetics requires an understanding of: a) the energy metabolism and the adaptation to physical activity in the healthy; b) the metabolic adaptation during physical activity in the diabetic child; and c) the practical recommendations concerning diet and insulin that have to be learned by the children themselves. The healthy child utilises immediately available substrates, such as ATP and creatine phosphate in much the same fashion as the adult. However, the capacity for anaerobic degradation of glycogen and glucose seems limited in the muscles of children relative to that of adults. Consequently, the adaptation to resistance exercise should be undertaken with prudence in children and adolescents. The release of insulin tends to decrease during effort. Diverse hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. However a low concentration of insulin is required: insulin is said to play a "permissive" role. In diabetic children, an adequate insulin therapy is required to allow the full benefit of muscular activity on glucose assimilation and to reach the same level of physical performance as the non-diabetic. In the case of insufficient metabolic control, exercise can provoke severe hypoglycaemic episodes, even after muscle activity has ceased, or increase glucose levels and lead to ketoacidosis. Regular physical training induces a reduction in postexercise proteinuria measured in diabetic adolescents but its role in metabolic control remains controversial.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- H Dorchy
- Clinique de Pédiatrie Ambulatoire et de Diabétologie, Hôptial Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Bruxelles, Belgique
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Piret A, Niset G, Depiesse E, Wyns W, Boeynaems JM, Poortmans J, Degre S. Increased platelet aggregability and prostacyclin biosynthesis induced by intense physical exercise. Thromb Res 1990; 57:685-95. [PMID: 2140206 DOI: 10.1016/0049-3848(90)90026-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Changes in platelet aggregability during maximal bicycle ergometry were studied in healthy untrained subjects. Ex vivo platelet aggregation in response to ADP and collagen was measured in whole blood by impedance aggregometry or by direct electronic counting in an Ultra-Flo 100 platelet counter. This last method revealed that the platelet aggregation induced by low concentration of ADP (0.5 - 1.0 microM) was significantly enhanced during exercise. The plasma level of beta-thromboglobulin and the urinary excretion of 2,3--dinor-6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha were also increased. These data indicate that an intense physical exercise enhances the aggregability of human platelets and induces a compensatory increase in prostacyclin biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Piret
- Department of Cardiology, Erasme Hospital, Belgium
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Abstract
The triad of insulin, diet and exercise has been the basis for treatment of diabetes for several decades. However, the choice of sporting activities for young diabetics requires an understanding of: (a) the energy metabolism and the adaptation to physical activity in the healthy; (b) the metabolic adaptation during physical activity in the diabetic child; and (c) the practical recommendations concerning diet and insulin that have to be learned by the children themselves. The healthy child utilises immediately available substrates, such as ATP and creatine phosphate in much the same fashion as the adult. However, the capacity for anaerobic degradation of glycogen and glucose seems limited in the muscles of children relative to that of adults. Consequently, the adaptation to resistance exercise should be undertaken with prudence in children and adolescents. In diabetic children, an adequate insulin therapy is required to allow the full benefit of muscular activity on glucose assimilation and to reach the same level of physical performance as the non-diabetic. In the case of insufficient metabolic control, exercise can provoke severe hypoglycaemic episodes, even after muscle activity has ceased, or increase glucose levels and lead to ketoacidosis. Regular physical training induces a reduction in postexercise proteinuria measured in diabetic adolescents but its role in metabolic control remains controversial. If a diabetic child or adolescent follows individual recommendations concerning diet and insulin, he or she can perform physical activity much the same as a young non-diabetic. These recommendations include: (a) self-measurement of blood glucose concentration before and after exercise; (b) ingestion of carbohydrates before, during, and after exercise; (c) reduction of the insulin dose during and immediately after exercise; and (d) not choosing an injection site involved with muscular work. The only prohibited sports are those which constitute a danger to the diabetic child by provoking an eventual hypoglycaemia. The best sports are those that require progressive physical effort and that are spread out over several hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Dorchy
- Clinique de Pédiatrie Ambulatoire et de Diabétologie, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
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Barrault D, Poortmans J, Leclercq R. Comparaison de la fonction rénale chez des judokas lors d'un exercice maximal sur ergocycle et lors d'entraînements de judo. Sci Sports 1987. [DOI: 10.1016/s0765-1597(87)80006-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Gangji D, Juvent M, Niset G, Wathieu M, Degreve M, Bellens R, Poortmans J, Degre S, Fitzsimons TJ, Herchuelz A. Study of the influence of nifedipine on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of propranolol, metoprolol and atenolol. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1984; 17 Suppl 1:29S-35S. [PMID: 6146337 PMCID: PMC1463260 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1984.tb02425.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The influence of chronic therapy with nifedipine on the pharmacokinetics of propranolol 80 mg twice daily, metoprolol 100 mg twice daily and atenolol 100 mg once daily was investigated in eight healthy volunteers. Nifedipine 10 mg three times daily did not affect the pharmacokinetics of metoprolol and atenolol whereas nifedipine shortened the time to peak plasma concentration for propranolol by about 1 h. Propranolol, metoprolol and atenolol provoked comparable decreases in heart rate measured at rest and during exercise. The beta-adrenoceptor blocking properties of propranolol, metoprolol and atenolol were not affected by concomitant therapy with nifedipine. The present study did not show significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between nifedipine and lipophilic beta-adrenoceptor blockers.
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Dorchy H, Poortmans J. Proteinuria in children with insulin-dependent diabetes. J Pediatr 1984; 104:158. [PMID: 6690662 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3476(84)80617-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Poortmans J, Dorchy H, Toussaint D. Urinary excretion of total proteins, albumin, and beta 2-microglobulin during rest and exercise in diabetic adolescents with and without retinopathy. Diabetes Care 1982; 5:617-23. [PMID: 6765513 DOI: 10.2337/diacare.5.6.617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
To determine whether protein excretion during exercise is an earlier sign of renal dysfunction in diabetic adolescents than the basal measurements, urinary creatinine, total proteins, albumin, and beta 2-microglobulin were studied before, immediately after, and 30 min after exercise until exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer in a group of 21 adolescent diabetic boys (Albustix negative) and in a comparable control group. Among the 21 diabetic subjects, 11 had an incipient retinopathy diagnosed by fluorescein angiography. Urinary output of creatinine was similar in diabetic and in nondiabetic groups, and did not vary during exercise. At rest, the urinary output of total proteins, albumin, and beta 2-microglobulin was significantly higher in diabetic subjects than in controls. These data suggest that the subclinical proteinuria of diabetes is of mixed origin, being both glomerular and tubular. An exercise test leading to exhaustion did not give any additional information other than the basal excretion. There was no difference between diabetic subjects with early retinal vascular changes and those free from all retinopathy.
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Métivier G, Poortmans J, Vanroux R, Gauthier R. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase changes during exercise of various intensities in trained athletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1980; 20:152-7. [PMID: 7392583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Dorchy H, Haumont D, Loeb H, Jennes M, Niset G, Poortmans J. Decline of the blood glucose concentration after muscular effort in diabetic children. Acta Paediatr Belg 1980; 33:105-9. [PMID: 7424517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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