Effect of intermediate phases on the optical properties of PbI2-rich CH3NH3PbI3 organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite

Methylammonium lead halide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) films, with high PbI2 concentration, were grown by the two-step spin coating method. The influence of the precursor concentration and annealing time on the optical and structural properties of the perovskite films was analyzed by optical absorption, photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that, in addition to the CH3NH3PbI3 and PbI2 phases, intermediate phases, such as (MA)2(DMF)2Pb3I8, were formed in the films, depending on the time and temperature of annealing, which can tune the optical absorption in the visible spectra. This intermediate phase induced the formation of perovskite nanowires, identified by SEM images, and their growth may be associated with the presence of the DMF solvent remaining in the PbI2 film.

Effect of Co co-doping on the optical properties of ZnTe:Mn nanocrystals

We study the effect of Co co-doping on the optical properties of Mn-doped ZnTe nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in a glass matrix. Optical absorption (OA) and crystal field theory strongly indicated the substitutional incorporation of Co²⁺ ions into these semiconducting NCs as well as the characteristic transitions of these ions in the visible and near infrared spectral region. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed an invariant NC lattice parameter with the incorporation of Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions. The same was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed that the characteristic emission bands of Co²⁺ ions (E_1Co²⁺ and E_2Co²⁺) are intense and evident at low temperatures. Indeed, Raman spectra showed that the dependence of luminescence intensity on temperature is due to the electron-phonon interaction that arises from multiphonon relaxation processes. The redshifts in the PL spectra from green to orange with the incorporation of Mn²⁺ ions into ZnTe NCs, and in the near infrared with increasing Co-concentration, result from sp-d exchange interactions associated with the increase in Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions in tetrahedral sites of ZnTe NCs, which may be very interesting for applications in luminescent devices. These observations provide strong evidence that higher Co-concentrations inhibit the incorporation of Mn²⁺ into ZnTe NCs, suggesting that there may be competition between Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions substituting Zn²⁺ ions and, furthermore, that these ions replace zinc vacancies (V_Zn) in these NCs.

Photoluminescence Study of Ammonium-Free Chemical Bath Deposition of CdS Nanoparticles on Polyester Substrate

Self-assembled cadmium sulfide (CdS) thin solid films were synthesized by chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique for different deposition times (20 min.–24 h) on transparent and flexible polyester substrates using sodium acetate complex agent. CBD-CdS films were also deposited on glass (BK7) and quartz substrates, as reference. CBD-CdS films on polyester substrate showed a homogeneous deposition, reduction of chemical or structural defects (green emission), and large photoluminescence efficiency in comparison of CBD-CdS films deposited on Si-based substrates. Simulation of PL temperature dependence for polyester CdS films using the rate equation for the carrier population showed the presence of two decay pathways due to cadmium and sulphide defects at crystallite.

Influence of soil temperature and moisture on the infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae, Steinernematidae) against larvae of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), is considered one of the main pests that affect fruit production in the world. This insect spends part of its life cycle in the soil, making it a target for entomopathogenic nematodes. This work aimed at evaluating the influence of soil temperature and moisture on the infectivity of Heterorhabditis sp. RSC01 and Steinernema carpocapsae ALL to third-instars of C. capitata, and to compare the efficiency of these isolates at five different soil temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, and 31°C) and three levels of relative soil moisture (100, 75, and 50% of field capacity). Ten C. capitata larvae were transferred to plastic jars (12 cm × 6 cm) containing 100 g soil, followed by the application of an aqueous suspension containing 125 infective juveniles (IJ)/cm². In the control treatment, 3 ml of distilled water was applied. Mortality evaluations were made five days later and were confirmed by observations of the characteristic symptoms and cadaver dissection. The infectivity was directly proportional to temperature increase, with maximum percent mortality of 86.7% and 80.0% for S. carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis sp., respectively, at 31°C. At 25°C, the highest mortality for both species was obtained at 75% of field capacity (96.7% and 26.7% for S. carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis sp., respectively).