• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.2-8
• /
• 2012

In this study, in order to develop renewable bio-based nanocomposites, multi-functional nanocomposites from soybean resins (AESO, MAESO) and nanoclay were prepared. Photoelectrodes for environmental friendly dye-sensitized solar cell using soybean resin were also prepared. Organo-modified nanoclay was directly dispersed in functionalized soybean resins after mixing with styrene as a comonomer and radical initiator was used to copolymerize the nanocomposites. The observed morphology was a mixture of intercalated/exfoliated structure and the physical properties were improved by adding nanoclay. A nanocomposite using MAESO, which added COOH functional group to the soybean resin, showed better dispersibility than AESO composites. Ultrasonic treatment of the nanocomposites also improved the physical properties. Nanoporous $TiO_2$ photoelectrode was also prepared using soybean resins as a binder, after acid-treatment of $TiO_2$ surface using nitric acid. Dye-sensitized solar cells were prepared after adsorbing dye molecules on it. The $TiO_2$ photoelectrode prepared using soybean binder had high current density because of increased surface area by improved dispersibility. The photoelectrochemical properties and conversion efficiency of the solar cell were significantly improved using the soybean binder.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2010.06a
• /
• pp.64.1-64.1
• /
• 2010

The morphology of mesoporous $TiO_2$ films plays an important role in the operation of a DSSC. For example, the energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs with well-organized mesoporous $TiO_2$ films is much higher than those with traditional films possessing a random morphology. In previous research, well-organized mesoporous $TiO_2$ films have mainly been synthesized using an amphiphilic block copolymer, e.g., a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based template. A graft copolymer is more attractive than a block copolymer due to its low cost and the ease with which it can be synthesized. In this work, we provide the first report on the successful synthesis of well-organized mesoporous $TiO_2$ films templated by an organized graft copolymer as a structure directing agent. Well-organized mesoporous $TiO_2$ films with excellent channel connectivities were developed via the sol gel processusing an organized PVC-g-POEM graft copolymer synthesized by one-pot ATRP. The careful adjustment of copolymer composition and solvent affinity using a THF/$H_2O$/HCl mixture was used to systematically vary the material structure. The influence of the material structure on solar cell performance was then investigated. A solid-state DSSC employing both the graft copolymer templated organized 700 nm-thick $TiO_2$ films and graft copolymer electrolytes exhibited a solar conversion efficiency of 2.2% at 100 $mW/cm^2$. This value was approximately two-fold higher than that attained from a DSSC employing a random mesoporous $TiO_2$ film. The solar cell performance was maximized at 4.6% when the film thickness was increased to $2.5{\mu}m$. We believe that this graft copolymer-directed approach introduces a new and simple route toward the synthesis of well-organized metal oxide films as an alternative to a conventional block copolymer-based template.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of IIIuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers Conference
• /
• 2009.10a
• /
• pp.403-405
• /
• 2009

본 연구에서는 염료태양전지의 제작 시 고가의 TCO전극을 사용하지 않고 간단히 광전극을 대체할 수 있는 방법으로 메쉬전극을 이용하는 TCO-less 염료태양전지를 제작하였다. 메쉬전극을 이용한 TCO-less 염료태양전지의 구조는 "Glass / 메쉬전극($TiO_2$를 딥코팅 한 후 염료를 흡착시킴) / 전해질 / 멤브레인 필터 / 상대전극(Pt-coated TCO) / Glass" 로 구성된다. 제작된 샘플의 광전변환 효율은 약 1.5% 였으며 fill factor는 0.55로 나타났다. 향후 계획으로 효율을 향상 시킬 수 있는 방법을 도입하여 광전류밀도와 fill factor를 개선하는 연구를 진행할 예정이다.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.68-71
• /
• 2012

The electrospinning technique is a revolutionary template-catalyst-free method that can generate 1D nanostructure with the tunability and the potential for the mass production. This approach received a great deal of attention due to its ability to give direct pathways for electrical current and has been utilized in various electronic applications. However, the delamination of inorganic electrospun film has prevented the intense utilization due to the thermal expansion/contraction during the calcination. In this study, we propose an electrical grounding method for transparent conducting oxide and electrospun nanowires to enhance the adhesion after the calcination. Then, we examined the potential of the technique on ZnO based dye-sensitized solar cells.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2008.07a
• /
• pp.1236-1237
• /
• 2008

Carbon nanotube(CNT) materials are expected a stable current collector without the phenomena such as oxidizing and melting of grid by redox electrolyte and with low cost. In this paper, two types of dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) with Pt abd CNT as a counter electrode were fabricated, then the energy conversion efficiency characteristics were investigated. The main purpose of this study is to find out the possibility of CNT material as cheap current collector of a large scale DSSC module. In addition, the Hall coefficient were measured by using FCM analysis.

• Advances in materials Research
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.129-153
• /
• 2017

Platinum is a transition metal that is very resistant to corrosion. It is used as catalyst for converting methyl alcohol to formaldehyde, as catalytic converter in cars, for hydrocracking of heavy oils, in Fuel Cell devices etc. Moreover, Platinum compounds are important ingredient for cancer chemotherapy drugs. The nano forms of Platinum due to its unique physico-chemical properties that are not found in its bulk counterpart, has been found to be of great importance in electronics, optoelectronics, enzyme immobilization etc. The stability of Platinum nanoparticles has supported its use for the development of efficient and durable proton exchange membrane Fuel Cells. The present review concentrates on the use of Platinum conjugated with various metal or compounds, to fabricate nanocomposites, to enhance the efficiency of Platinum nanoparticles. The recent advances in the synthesis methods of different Platinum-based nanocomposites and their applications in Fuel Cell, sensors, bioimaging, light emitting diode, dye sensitized solar cell, hydrogen generation and in biosystems has also been discussed.

• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.67-67
• /
• 2012

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2011.02a
• /
• pp.355-355
• /
• 2011

최근 석유 자원의 고갈로 인하여 요구되는 대체 에너지 개발의 필요성이 대두되고 있다. 그 중 태양에너지는 지구의 생명체가 살아가는 에너지의 근원으로서 매초 800~1000 W에 달하는 에너지양으로 볼 때 태양은 인류가 가장 풍부하게 활용할 수 있는 에너지원이다. 태양에너지를 이용한 염료감응형 태양전지(Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, DSSCs)는 제조원가를 낮출 수 있고, 유리 전극을 이용한 투명한 태양전지를 제조할 수 있어 건물의 유리창등으로 응용할 수 있는 장점이있다. 이러한 태양전지의 에너지 변환 효율을 증가시키기 위한 방법으로 흡착된 염료에서 발생되는 광전자가 전해질의 산화, 환원되는 요오드 이온(I-/I3-)과의 재결합(recombination)현상으로 인해 광전변환효율이 떨어지는 현상이 발생한다. 이에 본 연구는 TiO2 전극 위에 높은 밴드 갭(band-gap)을 가지는 Al2O3 박막을 TriMethylAluminium(TMA) 전구체를 이용한 Atomic Layer Deposition(ALD) 공정을 사용하여 증착, 재결합 방지 효과에 대한 연구를 진행하였다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2005.07a
• /
• pp.633-634
• /
• 2005

Transparent conducting glasses exhibit high ohmic losses that are apparent in the case of large size Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). In this study, we investigated the impact of current collectors over the efficiency of DSSCs. The Silver current collectors were prepared on both counter electrode and working electrode surface by screen printing method. For long term stability in electrolyte environment and also to avoid the charge recombination, current collectors are protected by sodium silicate overcoat layer. These current collectors were characterized for their microstructure parameters. Also current collector's stability in electrolyte environment has been investigated.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
• /
• 2011.05b
• /
• pp.836-839
• /
• 2011

염료감응형 태양전지의 상대전극으로 MWCNT(multi-walled carbon nanotube)의 농도 (0.01~0.06g)를 달리하여 FTO(fluorine-doped tin oxide) glass에 분산시켜 상대전극을 만들었다. 그리고 glass/FTO/$TiO_2$/Dye(N719)/electrolyte(C6DMII,GSCN)/MWCNT/FTO/glass 구조를 가진 0.45$cm^2$급 DSSC(dye-sensitized solar cells) 소자를 만들었다. 소자의 미세구조, 분산정도, 광특성은 각각 광학현미경, SEM, source measure unit (Keithley model 2400) 장비를 이용하여 확인하였다. MWCNT 농도 증가와 FTO의 거친 표면형상에 따라 비선형적으로 MWCNT 분산면적이 증가하였고, MWCNT 농도 0.06g일 때 FTO 표면에 전체적으로 MWCNT가 완전히 분산됨을 확인하였다. 소자의 광변환 효율은 MWCNT 분산면적에 비례하는 효율을 보였고, MWCNT 분산농도인 0.06g 일 때 4.49%의 광변환 효율을 얻을 수 있었다.