Nanoco Technologies Limited

Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

Christopher Paul Newman

Ombretta Masala

Nigel Pickett

Nathalie C Gresty

James Harris

Laura Wylde

Stephen Whitelegg

Luet Lok Wong

Tai-Chu Lau

Mark Hyland

Cary Allen

Hugh Allen Oliver Hill

Paul Kirkham

Zugang Liu

Hugh Oliver Allen Hill

Chet Steinhagen

Patricia Mary Elizabeth Roblin

Materials and methods for preparing CuXSnYnanoparticles, wherein X is Zn, Cd, Hg, Ni, Co, Mn or Fe and Y is S or Se, (CXTY) are disclosed herein. The nanoparticles can be used to make layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells. The CXTY materials are prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of labile organo-chalcogens. The organo-chalcogens serves as both a chalcogen source for the nanoparticles and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

CuXSnYnanoparticles

Cu2XSnY4 Nanoparticles

Cu2XSnY4 nanoparticles

Various methods are used to provide a desired doping metal concentration in a CIGS-containing ink when the CIGS layer is deposited on a photovoltaic device. When the doping metal is sodium, it may be incorporated by: adding a sodium salt, for example sodium acetate, together with the copper-, indium- and/or gallium-containing reagents at the beginning of the synthesis reaction of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)nanoparticles; synthesizing Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)nanoparticles and adding a sodium salt to the reaction solution followed by mild heating before isolating the nanoparticles to aid sodium diffusion; and/or, using a ligand that is capable of capping the Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)nanoparticles with one end of its molecular chain and binding to sodium atoms with the other end of its chain.

Metal-doped cu(In,Ga) (S,Se)2 nanoparticles

A method for the preparation of copper indium gallium diselenide/disulfide (CIGS) nanoparticles utilizes a copper-rich stoichiometry. The copper-rich CIGS nanoparticles are capped with organo-chalcogen ligands, rendering the nanoparticles processable in organic solvents. The nanoparticles may be deposited on a substrate and thermally processed in a chalcogen-rich atmosphere to facilitate conversion of the excess copper to copper selenide or copper sulfide that may act as a sintering flux to promote liquid phase sintering and thus the growth of large grains. The nanoparticles so produced may be used to fabricate CIGS-based photovoltaic devices.

Preparation of copper-rich copper indium (gallium) diselenide/disulfide nanoparticles

A method for formulating a CIGS nanoparticle-based ink, which can be processed to form a thin film with a crack-free limit (CFL) of 500 nm or greater, comprises: dissolving or dispersing Cu(In,Ga)Sand Cu(In,Ga)Senanoparticles; mixing the nanoparticle solutions/dispersions and adding oleic acid to form an ink; depositing the ink on a substrate; annealing to remove the organic components of the ink formulation; forming a film with a CFL &#x2267;500 nm; and, repeating the deposition and annealing process to form a CIGS film having a thickness &#x2267;1 &#x3bc;m. The film so produced may be incorporated into a thin film photovoltaic device.

CIGS nanoparticle ink formulation having a high crack-free limit

A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MSeSemiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Group 13 selenide nanoparticles

Nanoparticles containing IUPAC group 11 ions, group 13 ions and sulfur ions are synthesized by adding metal salts and an alkanethiol in an organic solvent and promoting the reaction by applying heat. Nanoparticles are formed at temperatures as low as 200&#xb0; C. The nanoparticles may be thermally annealed for a certain amount of time at a temperature lower than the reaction temperature (usually &#x2dc;40&#xb0; C. lower) to improve the topology and narrow the size distribution. After the reaction is complete, the nanoparticles may be isolated by the addition of a non-solvent and re-dispersed in organic solvents including toluene, chloroform and hexane to form a nanoparticle ink. Additives may be incorporated in the reaction solution to tailor the final ink viscosity.

Copper-indium-gallium-chalcogenide nanoparticle precursors for thin-film solar cells

A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MSesemiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

The present invention relates to ruthenium and osmium complexes of Formula [M(A)(B)(C)](X), per se and the use of ruthenium and osmium complexes of Formula I as redox mediators in electrochemical biosensors.

Redox mediators

The present application is generally directed to ruthenium or osmium containing complexes and their use as redox mediators in electrochemical biosensors.

A method for improving the precision of electrochemical measurements made using an electrochemical cell is provided. The method comprises preconditioning a working electrode of the cell by (i) baking the working electrode; and/or (ii) incubating the working electrode; and/or (iii) applying a preconditioning potential across the cell; and/or (iv) treating the working electrode with a UV laser.

Growing community of inventors

Yarnton, United Kingdom

Christopher Paul Newman