In this work, (Cu1-xAgx)2ZnSnSe4 (CAZTSe) alloys with various silver content (x= 0.0, 0.1and 0.2) have been prepared by reacting their high purity elements (Cu, Ag, Zn, Sn and Se) in an evacuated quartz tube under pressure of 10 -3Torr. The composition of the prepared alloys was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) analysis, the results were close to the theoretical values. CAZTSe thin films with a thickness of 800 nm were deposited by thermal evaporation technique on glass substrates at room temperature (RT) with a deposition rate of 0.53nm/sec. Similarly, CdS thin films were deposited with a thickness of 100 nm on the same substrates at RT with a deposition rate of 0.3nm/sec from ready-made CdS alloy powder. All prepared thin films were annealed at temperatures of 373K and 473K under vacuum (10-3Torr) for 1h. X-ray analysis showed that all CAZTSe alloys and their thin films were polycrystalline and have the tetragonal structure with preferential orientation in the (112) direction, while all thin CdS films were polycrystalline and have the hexagonal structure with preferential orientation in the (002) direction. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique was used to study the surface morphology of all prepared CAZTSe films, while the atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique was used to study the surface topography of all prepared CAZTSe and CdS films. SEM results revealed that CAZTSe films had uniform surface features with irregular sized grains, while AFM results showed that the surface roughness and the average grain size of CAZTSe and CdS thin films increased with increasing Ag content for CAZTSe thin films and annealing temperature for CAZTSe and CdS thin films. The absorbance and transmittance spectra for CAZTSe and CdS thin films were recorded in the wavelength ranges of (400-1100) nm and (350- 1100) nm, respectively. Optical measurements showed that all CAZTSe and CdS thin films have a direct energy gap (Eg) that decreased with increasing silver content for CAZTSe thin films and annealing temperature (Ta) for both types of prepared thin films, so it decreased from 1.73 eV to1.5 eV when x content increased from 0.0 to 0.2 and decreased from 1.5 eV to1.46 eV and from 2.47 eV to 2.38 eV when Ta increased from RT to 473K for CAZTSe thin films with x content equal to 0.2 and CdS thin films, respectively. Optical constants such as extinction coefficient, refractive index and dielectric constant were calculated for all prepared thin films. The measurements of the electrical properties for prepared films showed that the D.C electrical conductivity (σd.c) increased with increasing Ag content for CAZTSe thin films and annealing temperature for both types of thin films. So the electrical conductivity changed from 1.1276*10-2 (Ω.cm)-1 to 28.9266*10-2 (Ω.cm)-1 when x changed from 0.0 to 0.2 and changed from 28.9266*10-2 (Ω.cm)-1 to 57.4599*10-2 (Ω.cm)-1 and from 4.0476*10-4 (Ω.cm)-1 to 9.4227*10-4 (Ω.cm)-1 when Ta changed from RT to 473K for CAZTSe thin films with Ag content equal to 0.2 and CdS thin films, respectively. The prepared thin films have two activation energies (Ea1 & Ea2) in the temperature ranges of (318-488)K and (313-443)K for CAZTSe and CdS films, respectively. The results of Hall effect for CAZTSe thin films showed that all films were of acceptor type and the concentration of holes in them decreased with increasing silver content and annealing temperature, while CdS thin films were of donor type and the concentration of electrons in them increased with increasing annealing temperature. In this research, solar cells were fabricated from CdS/CAZTSe/Si structurThe C-V measurements revealed that all prepared heterojunctions were of the abrupt type and the junction capacitance and carrier concentration reduced while the width of depletion region and the built-in potential increased with increasing the silver content and annealing temperature. The current-voltage characteristics under dark condition of CAZTSe heterojunctions showed that both the ideality factor and saturation current decreased with increasing Ag content and annealing temperature. While,The current-voltage characteristics under dark condition of CAZTSe heterojunctions showed that both the ideality factor and saturation current decreased with increasing Ag content and annealing temperature. While, the current-voltage measurements under illumination showed that the performance of heterojunction solar cell improved with increasing Ag content and annealing temperature. The result indicated that the prepared solar cell with 0.2 Ag content and 473K annealing temperature exhibited the highest efficiency (η = 2.827%) compared to other prepared solar cells
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In the current study, CuAl0.7In0.3Te2 thin films with 400 nm thickness were deposited on glass substrates using thermal evaporation technique. The films were annealed at various annealing temperatures of (473,573,673 and 773) K. Furthermore, the films were characterized by X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Ultra violet-visible (UV–vis). XRD patterns confirm that the films exhibit chalcopyrite structure and the predominant diffraction peak is oriented at (112). The grain size and surface roughness of the annealed films have been reported. Optical properties for the synthesized films including, absorbance, transmittance, dielectric constant, and refr
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This research is focusing on finding more effective polymers that leads to enhance the rheological properties of Water Base Muds. The experiments are done for different types of mud for all substances which are Polyacrylamide, Xanthan gum, CMC (Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose). This study shows the effect of add polymer to red bentonite mud, effect of add polymer to Iraqi bentonite mud, the effect of add bentonite to polymer mud. The mud properties of Iraqi bentonite blank are enhanced after adding the polymers to the blank mix, CMC gives the highest value of plastic viscosity and Gel strength than others; X-anthan gives the highest value of yield point and gel strength than others. For the red bentonite mud, Polyacrylamide ha
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The application of pultruded (GFRP) composite has become increasingly prominent in civil infrastructure projects. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of experimental and numerical studies conducted on the mechanical characteristics of (GFRP) composites across various temperature conditions, encompassing ambient and fire scenarios. The compilation comprises over 100 scholarly articles that examine the mechanical behavior of (GFRP) materials, specifically emphasizing their tensile and compressive strengths, showed the mechanical properties of (GFRP) materials are commonly compromised when exposed to high temperatures that approach or surpass the resin's glass transition temperature (Tg). In contrast, temperatures that are low
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This research is focusing on finding more effective polymers that leads to enhance the rheological properties of Water Base Muds. The experiments are done for different types of mud for all substances which are Polyacrylamide, Xanthan gum, CMC (Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose). This study shows the effect of add polymer to red bentonite mud, effect of add polymer to Iraqi bentonite mud, the effect of add bentonite to polymer mud. The mud properties of Iraqi bentonite blank are enhanced after adding the polymers to the blank mix, CMC gives the highest value of plastic viscosity and Gel strength than others; X-anthan gives the highest value of yield point and gel strength than others. For the red bentonite mud, Polyacrylamide has the highes
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Eco-friendly materials are increasingly used in civil engineering to support sustainable development. Conventional concrete relies heavily on Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), the production of which contributes significantly to the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) and fly ash can partially replace OPC, thereby reducing the environmental impact. This study investigates the effect of basalt fiber incorporation on the mechanical properties of geopolymer lightweight concrete. The concrete mixtures consisted of fly ash, slag, pumice aggregate, sand, and an alkaline activator prepared by combining sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. The mix design included an activator-to-binder ratio of 0.45
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Sludge from stone-cutting (SSC) factories and stone mines cannot be used as decorative stones, stone powder, etc. These substances are left in the environment and cause environmental problems. This study aim is to produce artificial stone composite (ASC) using sludge from stone cutting factories, cement, unsaturated resin, water, silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiC-NPs), and nano-graphene oxide (NGO) as fillers. Nano graphene oxide has a hydrophobic plate structure that water is not absorbed due to the lack of surface tension on these plates. NGO has a significant effect on the properties of artificial stone due to its high specific surface area and low density in the composite. Its uniform distribution in ASC is very low due to its hydropho
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The main objectives of this study were investigating the effects of the maximum size of coarse Attapulgite aggregate and micro steel fiber content on fresh and some mechanical properties of steel fibers reinforced lightweight self-compacting concrete (SFLWSCC). Two series of mixes were used depending on maximum aggregate size (12.5 and 19) mm, for each series three different steel fibers content were used (0.5 %, 1%, and 1.5%). To evaluate the fresh properties, tests of slump flow, T500 mm, V funnel time, and J ring were carried out. Tests of compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural tensile strength, and calculated equilibrium density were done to evaluate mechanical properties. For reference mixes, the
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A new azo (LH) ligand was prepared by coupling reaction between, diazonium salt of Sulfamethoxazole, and 8-hydroxyquinoline in a process called diazotization process resulting in azo-ligand [4-((8-hydroxyquinolin-7-yl)- N(4-methylisoxazol-3-yl) benzene sulfonamide]. The azo ligand was identified by using spectroscopic techniques to detect and characterize the formation of ligand and complexes of Ni2+, Pt4+, Pd2+, and Rh3+ metal ions, and to determine the chelating behavior of ligand and also its bind position. All complexes have a [1:1] [M-ligand] ratio and all complexes are nonelectrolytes and most of the complexes have octahedral geometry, while Pd2+complex gave square planer geometry and Ni2+ complex indicate tetrahedral geometry. Therma
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