Ricerc@Sapienza

Electrodeposition of NiOOH is an attracting route toward nanosized films of NiO, a p-type semiconductor used in many advanced applications. In this paper, the deposition mechanism is thoroughly investigated aiming at the clarification of the deposition dynamics and the chemical nature of the deposit. We focused on initial stages of the potentiostatic deposition on ITO, which yields a nanostructured film. In the potential range investigated the process is mass transport controlled and strongly overlaps with oxygen evolution reaction.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the characterization of molecular and hybrid solar cells. This technique allows for atomic-level characterization of their components as well as for the determination of the electronic structure that governs the key conversion processes. In this chapter, we introduce the basic concepts of electronic structure in molecules and semiconducting materials followed by a description of the concepts of photoelectron spectroscopy and how they relate to electronic structure.