@article{kuznetsov_greenfield_mehta_merchan-merchan_salkar_saveliev_2011, title={Increasing the solar cell power output by coating with transition metal-oxide nanorods}, volume={88}, ISSN={["0306-2619"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.04.033}, abstractNote={Photovoltaic cells produce electric current through interactions among photons from an ambient light source and electrons in the semiconductor layer of the cell. However, much of the light incident on the panel is reflected or absorbed without inducing the photovoltaic effect. Transition metal-oxide nanoparticles, an inexpensive product of a process called flame synthesis, can cause scattering of light. Scattering can redirect photon flux, increasing the fraction of light absorbed in the thin active layer of silicon solar cells. This research aims to demonstrate that the application of transition metal-oxide nanorods to the surface of silicon solar panels can enhance the power output of the panels. Several solar panels were coated with a nanoparticle-methanol suspension, and the power outputs of the panels before and after the treatment were compared. The results demonstrate an increase in power output of up to 5% after the treatment. The presence of metal-oxide nanorods on the surface of the coated solar cells is confirmed by electron microscopy.}, number={11}, journal={APPLIED ENERGY}, author={Kuznetsov, I. A. and Greenfield, M. J. and Mehta, Y. U. and Merchan-Merchan, W. and Salkar, G. and Saveliev, A. V.}, year={2011}, month={Nov}, pages={4218–4221} }
 @article{merchan-merchan_saveliev_jimenez_salkar_2010, title={Flame synthesis of hybrid nanowires with carbon shells and tungsten-oxide cores}, volume={48}, ISSN={["1873-3891"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.carbon.2010.08.028}, abstractNote={We report the flame synthesis of hybrid nanowires composed of tungsten-oxide cores covered with uniform carbon shells. The synthesis is performed using 1-mm diameter tungsten probes inserted in an opposed-flow methane oxy-flame. The unique thermal and chemical composition of the generated flame tends to convert pure (99.9%) bulk tungsten into 1-D structures of unique morphology. The physical characteristics of the nanowires grown on the 1-mm diameter tungsten probe include lengths of up to 50 μm and diameters ranging from 20 to 50 nm. A two step hybrid nanowire synthesis mechanism is proposed. The initial step forms tungsten-oxide nanorods in the oxygen-rich flame region. The second step involves rapid formation of carbon shells from hydrocarbons transferred from the carbon-rich zone of the flame during the probe removal.}, number={15}, journal={CARBON}, author={Merchan-Merchan, Wilson and Saveliev, Alexei V. and Jimenez, Walmy Cuello and Salkar, Gautam}, year={2010}, month={Dec}, pages={4510–4518} }