This study investigates the impact of incorporating carbon quantum dots (CQDs) into the SnO 2 electron transport layer (ETL) on the performance of all-inorganic CsPbBr 3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs). CQDs with abundant surface functional groups were synthesized hydrothermally and integrated into a low-temperature, solution-processed SnO 2 ETL at varying concentrations (0%, 2% and 4%). Comprehensive characterization revealed that the SnO 2 : CQDs composite films exhibited enhanced optical absorption, a reduced optical bandgap and improved film morphology with superior homogeneity and reduced pinholes. While XRD analysis confirmed that the CQDs did not alter the crystalline structure of SnO 2 , electrical characterization demonstrated a significant boost in device performance. The champion device utilizing the SnO 2 : CQDs (4%) ETL achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.41%, representing an 11.9% enhancement over the control device with pristine SnO 2 (8.41%). This improvement is attributed to superior charge extraction, reduced interfacial recombination and optimized energy level alignment. This work underscores the efficacy of CQDs as a simple yet powerful interfacial modifier for advancing high-performance, inorganic PSCs.
Despite widespread agreement on the beneficial nature of hydrated lime (HL) addition to asphalt concrete mixes, understanding of the effect of HL particle size is still limited. Previous investigations have focused mainly on two different size comparisons, and so certain guidance for a practical application cannot yet be produced. This study investigates three distinct sizes of HL, in the range of regular, nano, and sub-nano scales, for their effects on the properties of modified asphalt concretes. Five different percentages of HL as a partial replacement of ordinary limestone filler in asphalt concrete mixes were studied for wearing course application purposes. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties
... Show MoreAbstract Objective: The objective of this study was to explore in-depth the impact of after-hours academic work at home on the wellbeing of college pharmacy faculty members. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through face-to-face individual-based interview with faculty members at the College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad in Iraq. A purposive sampling was used to enroll faculty with different levels in their academic carrier. Interviews were conducted till reaching the point of saturation. The interviews were conducted from Nov 7 through December 6, 2023. All interviews were audio-recorded. Qualitative interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Twenty faculty members participated in the study: 16 have a P
... Show MorePharmaceutical-instigated pollution is a major concern, especially in relation to aquatic environments and drugs such as meropenem antibiotics. Adsorbents, such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes, offer potential as means of removing polluting meropenem antibiotics and other similar compounds from water. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in this capacity, various experimental parameters, including contact time, initial concentration, pH, temperature and the dose of adsorbent have been investigated. The Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherm models have been used. The data obtained using a modified Langmuir model have been consistent with the experimental ones; the best pH value has been obtained to have the
... Show MoreLight naphtha one of the products from distillation column in oil refineries used as feedstock for gasoline production. The major constituents of light naphtha are (Normal Paraffin, Isoparaffin, Naphthene, and Aromatic). In this paper, we used zeolite (5A) with uniform pores size (5Aº) to separate normal paraffin from light naphtha, due to suitable pore size for this process and compare the behavior of adsorption with activated carbon which has a wide range of pores size (micropores and mesopores) and high surface area. The process is done in a continuous system - Fixed bed reactor- at the vapor phase with the constant conditions of flow rate 5 ml/min, temperature 180oC, pressure 1.6 bar and 100-gram weight o
... Show MoreFurfural is a toxic aromatic aldehyde that can cause a severe environmental problem especially the wastewater drown from petroleum refinery units. In the present work, a useless by-product from local furniture manufacturing industry; sawdust was used as raw material for the preparation of activated carbon which is chemically activated with phosphoric acid. The effect of adsorption variables which include initial pH of solution (2-9), agitation speed (50-250) rpm, agitation time (15-120) min, initial concentration of furfural (50-250) ppm, and amount of adsorbent material (0.5-2.5) g for the three adsorbents used (prepared activated carbon, commercial activated carbon and raw sawdust) were investigated in a batch process
... Show MoreBackground: Adipose derived-mesenchymal stem cells have been used as an alternative to bone marrow cells in this study. Objective: We investigated the in vitro isolation, identification, and differentiation of stem cells into neuron cells, in order to produce neuron cells via cell culture, which would be useful in nerve injury treatment. Method: Mouse adipose mesenchymal stem cells were dissected from the abdominal subcutaneous region. Neural differentiation was induced using β-mercaptoethanol. This study included two different neural stage markers, i.e. nestin and neurofilament light-chain, to detect immature and mature neurons, respectively. Results: The immunocytochemistry results showed that the use of β-mercaptoethanol resulted in
... Show MoreIn this work preparation of antireflection coating with single layer of MgO using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method which deposit on glass substrate with different thicknesses (90 and 100) nm annealed at temperature 500 K was done.
The optical and structural properties (X-ray diffraction) have been determined. The optical reflectance was computed with the aid of MATLAB over the visible and near infrared region. Results shows that the best result obtained for optical performance of AR'Cs at 700 shots with thickness 90 nm nanostructure single layer AR'Cs and low reflection at wavelength 550 nm.
Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is a type of rigid pavement that is designed in a similar way to conventional concrete pavements reflecting its mode of failure. The thickness design of RCC pavements is based on keeping the flexural stresses and fatigue damage in the pavement caused by wheel loads within allowable limits. As in all jointed concrete pavements, there is a greater effect from loads placed along edges and less at interior locations in the pavement. Joints in RCC pavement are clearly critical areas and form weak points. RCC is typically constructed with saw-cut joints to prevent random cracking, improve the appearance of the pavement surface, and maintain the highest possible load transfer across the joints. This paper pr
... Show MoreRoller compacted concrete (RCC) is a form of plain concrete pavement (JPCP). RCC is a zero-slump concrete consisting of well-graded aggregate, cement and water. RCC has many advantages over other pavement types, particularly cost and speed of construction. Recently, RCC has undergone many developments mostly directed towards improving quality, including smoothness and durability. RCC now has the potential to combine the performance of concrete with the low cost of asphalt installation. A two-layer system of RCC with different aggregate types and sizes was utilized in this study. This paper presents the determination of load transfer stiffness across induced joints in a two-layer RCC system based on a cyclic shear test. The test was
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