This paper presents a new strategy for developing back-side illuminated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using nanoporous alumina substrate containing Cu impurities. The presence of a traces of Cu in the aluminum leads to the formation of 3D nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) structure which consisted of an array of cylindrical pores interconnected by horizontal holes. Under different anodizing conditions, four different AAO substrates were fabricated and applied for developing DSSCs. The current-voltage characteristics of the DSSCs were measured and compared. Results obtained indicated that the performance (photocurrent density, open-circuit photovoltage and efficiency) of DSSCs based on 3D AAO was significantly enhanced compared to those of FTO/TiO2. The efficiencies of DSSCs based on alumina P90A, P90B and OX60 were improved by 172%, 51%, and 274%, respectively. The enhancement in photocurrent and efficiency is attributed to the reduction in the carrier recombination, uniform distribution of the dye molecules inside the vertical tubes, horizontal interconnections of pores as well as a reduction in pore size. This indicates that AAO based DSSCs can contribute significantly to energy harvesting from the sun.

The unique properties of Gemini surfactants and their variety of applications encouraged many researchers
to synthesize more of these compounds. Herein, we constructed new cationic Gemini surfactants
by using aromatic spacers with different chain lengths. The critical micelle concentration value
for each surfactant was determined using the electrical conductivity measurements. The variety of aggregation
behaviors of Gemini surfactants was studied by using atomic force microscopy, which
encouraged us to use these surfactants in the preparation of mesoporous silica NPs. Our results indicated
that we have succeeded in finding a new soft-template for preparing uniform small size hollow spheres
mesoporous silica NPs of a diameter depending on the used surfactant. Moreover, we investigated the
effect of pH value on the morphology of the prepared silica, which indicated that using of acidic media
resulted in the formation of hollow micro-particles instead of hollow NPs. Furthermore, the anticorrosion
efficiency of these surfactants in comparing with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)
as a positive control was investigated by monitoring the corrosion rate of iron sheets in 0.5M of hydrochloric
acid based on weight loss method. Our results indicated that all the prepared Gemini surfactants
possessed higher anti-corrosion efficiency at very low concentrations than CTAB surfactant.

The unique properties of Gemini surfactants and their variety of applications encouraged many researchers
to synthesize more of these compounds. Herein, we constructed new cationic Gemini surfactants
by using aromatic spacers with different chain lengths. The critical micelle concentration value
for each surfactant was determined using the electrical conductivity measurements. The variety of aggregation
behaviors of Gemini surfactants was studied by using atomic force microscopy, which
encouraged us to use these surfactants in the preparation of mesoporous silica NPs. Our results indicated
that we have succeeded in finding a new soft-template for preparing uniform small size hollow spheres
mesoporous silica NPs of a diameter depending on the used surfactant. Moreover, we investigated the
effect of pH value on the morphology of the prepared silica, which indicated that using of acidic media
resulted in the formation of hollow micro-particles instead of hollow NPs. Furthermore, the anticorrosion
efficiency of these surfactants in comparing with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)
as a positive control was investigated by monitoring the corrosion rate of iron sheets in 0.5M of hydrochloric
acid based on weight loss method. Our results indicated that all the prepared Gemini surfactants
possessed higher anti-corrosion efficiency at very low concentrations than CTAB surfactant.

The unique properties of Gemini surfactants and their variety of applications encouraged many researchers
to synthesize more of these compounds. Herein, we constructed new cationic Gemini surfactants
by using aromatic spacers with different chain lengths. The critical micelle concentration value
for each surfactant was determined using the electrical conductivity measurements. The variety of aggregation
behaviors of Gemini surfactants was studied by using atomic force microscopy, which
encouraged us to use these surfactants in the preparation of mesoporous silica NPs. Our results indicated
that we have succeeded in finding a new soft-template for preparing uniform small size hollow spheres
mesoporous silica NPs of a diameter depending on the used surfactant. Moreover, we investigated the
effect of pH value on the morphology of the prepared silica, which indicated that using of acidic media
resulted in the formation of hollow micro-particles instead of hollow NPs. Furthermore, the anticorrosion
efficiency of these surfactants in comparing with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)
as a positive control was investigated by monitoring the corrosion rate of iron sheets in 0.5M of hydrochloric
acid based on weight loss method. Our results indicated that all the prepared Gemini surfactants
possessed higher anti-corrosion efficiency at very low concentrations than CTAB surfactant.

CdS nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method. Samples were annealed in air for 3hrs in the temperature range of 200-700°C to study the effect of annealing temperature (Ta) on structural, morphological and optical properties of CdS nanoparticles. Monodispersed CdS was UV irradiated to investigate photo-induced changes in the optical properties of the samples. Structural and optical properties were characterized using XRD, HRTEM, UV-vis absorption and FTIR spectroscopy. The increase in average crystallite size from 3 to 23 nm as a result of annealing has been estimated from XRD. Total phase transition at Ta = 300oC from as prepared Cubic to hexagonal CdS structure and to CdSO3 monoclinic structure at Ta = 700oC. Analysis of UV-vis absorption spectra, show remarkable decrease in optical band gap from 3.4 for as prepared to 2.5eV at 500oC with increasing Ta, as a result of enhancement in crystallinity and increase in particle size, which in turn leads to the reduction of quantum confinement effect. UV induced effect on CdS nanoparticles dispersed in double distilled water leads to an increase in the optical band gap (photo-brightening).

The main object of this present paper is to introduce an extended family of Laguerre matrix polynomials and to derive a new class of certain summation formulas with the help of the Lie algebra method using techniques.

In this study, we establish new two-sided inequalities for Tricomi functions. Some special and confluent cases of our main aim are established with the help of the inequalities for hypergeometric functions;_{0}F_{1}.

This work is devoted to the study of some new families of matrix functions which provide a further
extension of the extended Bessel matrix functions. In the sequel, some new and interesting properties of
these families of k-Bessel matrix functions have been investigated and the connections between k-Bessel
matrix functions and k-Laguerre matrix polynomials are indicated in the concluding section of the paper.

This paper is devoted to construct Lie operators associated with Konhauser matrix polynomials of the first kind using Lie group theory. Furthermore, certain generating matrix functions, integral representations, and matrix differential recurrence relations, new and known consequences for Konhauser matrix polynomials are derived and their applications are presented.

This study deals with the convergence properties of Struve matrix functions within the complex analysis. Certain new classes of matrix differential recurrence relations, matrix differential equations, the various families of integral representations and integrals obtained here are believed to be new in the theory of Struve matrix functions, and the several properties of the modified Struve matrix functions are also included. Finally, we investigate the operational rules which yield a different view of the expansion formulae for Struve and modified Struve matrix functions.