For the first time, one-dimensional phase-modulated structures consisting of two different layered Aurivillius phases with alternating five and six perovskite-like layers were obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the surface of TiO2 nanotubes (Nt). It was shown that the use of vertically oriented TiO2 Nt as the substrate and the ALD technology of a two-layer Bi2O3-FeOx sandwich-structure make it possible to obtain a layered structure due to self-organization during annealing. A detailed study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the coating is conformal. Raman spectroscopic analysis indicated the structure of the layered Aurivillius phases. Transient photocurrent responses under Ultraviolet–Visible (UV-Vis) light irradiation show that the ALD coating benefits the efficiency of photon excitation of electrons. The results of the photoelectrocatalytic experiments (PEC) with methyl orange degradation as a model demonstrate the significant potential of the synthesized structure as a photocatalyst. Photoluminescent measurement showed a decrease in the probability of recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs for ALD-coated TiO2 Nt, which demonstrates the high potential of these structures for use in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical applications.
The article presents the results of the preparation and study of a gel-polymer electrolyte based on lignin obtained from Pinus sylvestris. Sulfonation and subsequent chlorination of lignin make possible implementation of the principle of mono-ionic conductivity in a natural biopolymer matrix, which provides predominantly cationic conductivity of the electrolyte. Based on the results of the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the synthesized samples, the mechanisms of the chemical conversion of the biopolymer, the structure models of the converted fragments of macromolecules, as well as the quantum-chemical calculation of their electronic and geometric parameters are presented. The key electronic characteristics of the gel polymer electrolytes (GPE) based on a composite of lignins with 20 wt.% polyvinyl alcohol are determined by impedance spectroscopy. The maximum value of the specific volume conductivity is 2.48 × 10−4 S cm−1, which is comparable with most commercial electrolytes of this type, but at the same time, record values are reached in the number of lithium cation transfer tLi+ of 0.89. The studies allow to identify the basic laws of the effect of chemical modification on the structure of GPE and describe the mechanism of ionic conductivity.
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