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The formation process for planar solid electrolytes in the CeO2-Y2O3 system has been studied using efficient, high-performance, high-resolution microplotter printing technology, using functional ink based on nanopowders (the average size of crystallites was 12–15 nm) of a similar composition obtained by programmed coprecipitation of metal hydroxides. The dependence of the microstructure of the oxide nanoparticles obtained and their crystal structure on yttrium concentration has been studied using a wide range of methods. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD), the nanopowders and coatings produced are single-phase, with a cubic crystal structure of the fluorite type, and the electronic state and content of cerium and yttrium in the printed coatings have been determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have shown that the coatings produced are homogeneous, they do not contain defects in the form of fractures and the height difference over an area of 1 µm2 is 30–45 nm. The local electrophysical characteristics of the oxide coatings produced (the work function of the coating surface, capacitance values, maps of the surface potential and capacitive contrast distribution over the surface) have been studied using Kelvin-probe force microscopy (KPFM) and scanning capacitive microscopy (SCM). Using impedance spectroscopy, the dependence of the electrophysical characteristics of printed planar solid electrolytes in the CeO2-Y2O3 system on yttrium content has been determined and the prospects of the technology developed for the manufacture of modern, intermediate-temperature, solid oxide fuel cells have been demonstrated.

The development of efficient plasmonic nanostructures with controlled and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) signals is an important task for the evolution of ultrasensitive sensor-related methods. One of the methods to improving the characteristics of nanostructures is the development of hybrid structures that include several types of materials. Here, we experimentally investigate ultrathin gold films (3–9 nm) near the percolation threshold on Si/Au/SiO2 and Si/Au/SiO2/graphene multilayer structures. The occurring field enhanced (FE) effects were characterized by a recording of SERS signal from Crystal Violet dye. In this geometry, the overall FE principally benefits from the combination of two mechanisms. The first one is associated with plasmon excitation in Au clusters located closest to each other. The second is due to the gap plasmons’ excitation in a thin dielectric layer between the mirror and corrugated gold layers. Experimentally obtained SERS signals from sandwiched structures fabricated with Au film of 100 nm as a reflector, dielectric SiO2 spacer of 50 nm and ultrathin gold atop could reach SERS enhancements of up to around seven times relative to gold films near the percolation threshold deposited on a standard glass substrate. The close contiguity of the analyte to graphene and nanostructured Au efficiently quenches the fluorescent background of the model compound. The obtained result shows that the strategy of combining ultrathin nano-island gold films near the percolation threshold with gap plasmon resonances is promising for the design of highly efficient SERS substrates for potential applications in ultrasensitive Raman detection.

Graphene is a promising building block material for developing novel photonic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we report a comprehensive experimental study of chemical-vapor deposited (CVD) monolayer graphene’s optical properties on three different substrates for ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared spectral ranges (from 240 to 1000 nm). Importantly, our ellipsometric measurements are free from the assumptions of additional nanometer-thick layers of water or other media. This issue is critical for practical applications since otherwise, these additional layers must be included in the design models of various graphene photonic, plasmonic, and optoelectronic devices. We observe a slight difference (not exceeding 5%) in the optical constants of graphene on different substrates. Further, the optical constants reported here are very close to those of graphite, which hints on their applicability to multilayer graphene structures. This work provides reliable data on monolayer graphene’s optical properties, which should be useful for modeling and designing photonic devices with graphene.

The formation process for planar solid electrolytes in the CeO

This paper reports on activities carried out as part of a pre-conservation studies of the painting by Dmitry Levitsky, “The Portrait of F.P. Makerovsky in a Masquerade Costume” (1789, the State Tretyakov Gallery). Samples were taken and prepared for further study within the following algorithm. Using optical microscopy of cross-sections of the samples taken, structural elements of layered compositions were revealed and external differences between them were established. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to evaluate the elemental composition of the painting surface and cross-sections of samples. Scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to clarify the elemental composition of each of the structural elements of the samples taken, their submicro- and microdimensional inclusions, to map the distribution of chemical elements over the studied surface, and to determine the dispersion of organic and inorganic components contained in the material. Micro-FTIR was used to identify functional groups and to determine the main classes of inorganic compounds, as well as binders, used, including in the local analysis of micro-inclusions. The list of specific chemical compounds in the composition of the studied paint layers and grounds, which included an examination of the varnish coating, was determined with micro-Raman spectroscopy using data obtained by the above methods. As a result of the study, complementary information was obtained on the chemical composition of the inorganic components used, of the binder and of the varnish coating, which is required for further conservation of this work of art.

Sol-gel synthesis of thin In2O3-xSnO2 (x = 5–15 mol% SnO2) films and double-layer (In2O3-10%SnO2)/V2O5 nanostructures utilizing hydrolytically active metal alkoxoacetylacetonate complexes [M(C5H7O2)x(C4H9O)y] (M = In3+, Sn4+) and [VO(C5H7O2)2-z(C4H9O)z] as precursors was studied. Dependencies of mean coherent scattering regions (CSR) and particle size, specific resistance, work function, band gap and transmittance in visible region on tin dioxide contents in obtained In2O3-xSnO2 films were determined and attributed to changes in crystal lattice parameter and oxygen vacancies amount. For (In2O3-10%SnO2)/V2O5 bilayer thin film nanostructures, microstructural and local electrophysical properties were studied. It was shown that vanadium (V) oxide deposited on the surface of In2O3-10%SnO2 film constitutes a coating made of hemispherical clusters of about 180 nm diameter and mean height of 80 nm, with distance between clusters being roughly 100–500 nm and clusters themselves showing good conductivity.

Сombining the sol–gel method and pen plotter printing, using the hydrolytically active heteroligand complex [Co(C5H7O2)2-x(C4H9O)x] as a component of a new functional ink, Co3O4 thin films were produced on the surface of substrates of various types. The influence of synthesis conditions and print modes on the microstructure, optical, electrophysical and sensor properties of planar nanomaterials was comprehensively studied. The optical band gap energies associated with charge transfer for transitions O2-→Co3+ and O2-→Co2+ of the obtained thin films were evaluated. Using Kelvin probe force microscopy and impedance spectroscopy, the electrophysical characteristics (the electronic work function of the film surface, the temperature dependence of electrical conductivity, and the activation energy of electrical conductivity) of the obtained Co3O4 films were determined. The sensitivity of printed cobalt(II, III) oxide thin films with respect to various gases (Н2, СН4, СО and NO2) was studied. It was established that the obtained samples demonstrated the highest sensor response when detecting CO and NO2 in the operating temperature range of 150–200°С. The prospects of the proposed synthesis method and printing technology when forming Co3O4 thin-film nanostructures to create electrodes of supercapacitors and receptor components of resistive CO and NO2 gas sensors were shown.