• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2011.05a
• /
• pp.8.1-8.1
• /
• 2011

Nanocrystalline titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) materials have been widely used as an electron collector in DSSC. This is required to have an extremely high porosity and surface area such that the dye can be sufficiently adsorbed and be electronically interconnected, resulting in the generation of a high photocurrent within cells. In particular, their geometrical structures and crystalline phase have been extensively investigated as important issues in improving its photovoltaic efficiency. In this study, we present a new strategy to fabricate a photoelectrode having a periodic structured $TiO_2$ film templated from 1D or 3D polystyrene (PS) microspheres array. Monodisperse PS spheres of various radiuses were used for colloidal array on FTO glasses and two types of photoelectrode structures with different $TiO_2$ materials were investigated respectively. One is the igloo-shaped electrode prepared by $TiO_2$ deposition by RF-sputtering onto 2D microsphere-templated substrates. At the interface between the film and substrate, there are voids formed by the decomposition of PS microspheres during the calcination step. These holes might be expected to play the predominant roles as scattering spherical voids to promote a light harvesting effect, a spacious structure for electrolytes with higher viscosity and effective paths for electron transfer. Additionally the nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ phase prepared by the RF-sputtering method was previously reported to improve the electron drift mobility within $TiO_2$ electrodes. This yields solar cells with a cell efficiency of 2.45% or more at AM 1.5 illumination, which is a very remarkable result, considering its $TiO_2$ electrode thickness (<2 ${\mu}m$). This study can be expanded to obtain higher cell efficiency by higher dye loading through the increase of surface area or multi-layered stacking. The other is the inverse opal photonic crystal electrode prepared by titania particles infusion within 3D colloidal arrays. To obtain the enlargement of ordered area and high quality of crystallinity, the synthesis of titania particles coated with a organic thin layer were applied instead of sol-gel process using the $TiO_2$ precursors. They were dispersed so well in most solvents without aggregates and infused successfully within colloidal array structures. This ordered mesoporous structure provides the large surface area leading to the enough adsorption of dye molecules and have an light harvesting effect due to the photonic band gap properties (back-and-forth reflection effects within structures). A major advantage of this colloidal array template method is that the pore size and its distribution within $TiO_2$ photoelectrodes are determined by those of latex beads, which can be controlled easily. These materials may have promising potentials for future applications of membrane, sensor and so on as well as solar cells.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.17 no.12
• /
• pp.963-968
• /
• 2009

Liquid crystal (LC; E7 and/or ML-0249)-embedded, poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-co-HFP)-based, polymer electrolytes were prepared for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrolytes contained 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (PMII), tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI), and iodine ($I_2$), which participate in the $I_3^-/I^-$ redox couple. The incorporation of photochemically stable PVdF-co-HFP in the DSSCs created a stable polymer electrolyte that resisted leakage and volatilization. DSSCs, with liquid crystal(LC)-embedded PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolytes between the amphiphilic ruthenium dye N719 absorbed to the nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ photoanode and the Pt counter electrode, were fabricated. These DSSCs displayed enhanced redox couple reduction and reduced charge recombination in comparison to that fabricated from the conventional PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolyte. The behavior of the polymer electrolyte was improved by the addition of optimized amounts of plasticizers, such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC). The significantly increased short-circuit current density ($J_{sc}$, $14.60\;mA/cm^2$) and open-circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$, 0.68 V) of these DSSCs led to a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.42% and a fill factor of 0.65 under a standard light intensity of $100\;mW/cm^2$ irradiation of AM 1.5 sunlight. A DSSC fabricated by using E7-embedded PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolyte exhibited a maximum incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 50%.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2010.06a
• /
• pp.75.1-75.1
• /
• 2010

Dye sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) have been extensively studied due to their various advantages such as low production cost, colorful design, and eco-friendly process. Long optical path length is one of the most effective method to improve light harvest efficiency for DSSCs. Multi-layered $TiO_2$ nano-structured film with scattering layer has been studied to generate scattering effect by many researchers. It was expected that the difference of refractive index between $TiO_2$ particles and glass frit would generate the light scattering effect and provide the long optical path length. Therefore, to enhance the scattering effect, the frits of $Bi_2O_3-B_2O_3$-ZnO glass system that has the different refractive index were added to $TiO_2$ pastes in this study. First of all, the absorbance and haze factor of $TiO_2$ electrode with dyes and the refractive index of glass frit and $TiO_2$ were measured, respectively. To study the effect of frits, the efficiencies of DSSCs added glass frit and without glass frit were compared. Our results showed slightly higher efficiency with the different absorbance and haze factor of $TiO_2$ and glass frit. It was considered that the light scattering effect would be improved with adding frits to $TiO_2$ paste. Our preliminary studies will be useful for increasing efficiency of DSSCs.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2011.11a
• /
• pp.51-51
• /
• 2011

1991년 스위스연방기술원(EPFL) 화학과 교수 Michae Gratzel이 발명한 염료감응 태양전지 (DSSC)는 값싼 원료와 저가공비 면에서 가장 경쟁력 있는 기술의 하나로 큰 기대를 받고 있다. 염료감응 태양전지의 특징은 전극기판의 재료나 염료를 바꿈으로서 형상이나 색체에 다양성을 갖도록 할 수 있다. 일반적인 염료감응 태양전지의 원리는 태양광이 염료 분자에 흡수, 염료는 여기상태가 되어 전자를 n형 반도체인 $TiO_2$의 전도대로 흘리고, 전자는 TCO전극으로 이동하여 외부 부하에 전기 에너지를 전달하고 상대전극으로 이동, 염료는 $TiO_2$에 전달한 전자 수만큼 전해질로부터 전자를 공급 받아 원래의 상태로 돌아가게 되는 원리에 의하여 발전된다. 전해질로는 $I^-/I_3^-$와 같이 산화-환원 종으로 구성되어 있으며, $I^-$ 이온의 source로는 LiI, NaI,이미다졸리움 요오드 등이 사용되며, $I_3^-$는 이온은 $I_2$를 용매에 녹여 생성시킨다. 전해질 매질은 acetonitrile과 같은 액체 또는 PVdF와 같은 고분자가 사용될 수 있다. 액체형의 경우 산화-환원 이온 종이 매질 내에서 신속하게 움직여 염료의 재생을 원활하게 도와주기 때문에 높은 에너지 변환 효율이 가능하지만, 전극 간의 접합이 완벽하지 못할 경우 누액의 문제를 가지고 있다. 반면, 고분자를 매질로 채택할 경우에는 누액의 염료는 없지만 산화-환원 종의 움직임이 둔화되어 에너지 변환 효율에 나쁜 영향을 줄 수 있다. 따라서 고분자 전해질을 사용할 경우에는 산화-환원 이온 종이 매질 내에서 신속하게 전달 될 수 있도록 설계하는 것이 필요하다. 본 연구는 염료감응 태양전지에서 가장 큰 문제가 되고 있는 고체 전해질의 산화-환원 이온 종이 매질 내에서 신속하게 전달 될 수 있도록 dimethylsulfoxide solvent 에 녹말 일정량을 녹여 Starch-$I_2$ complex 를 시켜주므로, 광 전압{\cdot}{\cdot}$전가 증가되었으며, 전지의 안정성이 향상되었다.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.50-53
• /
• 2009

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized on different substrates (bare Si and $SiO_2$/Si substrate) to investigate dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications as counter electrode materials. The synthesis of MWNTs samples used identical conditions of a Fe catalyst created by thermal chemical vapor deposition at $900^{\circ}C$. It was found that the diameter of the MWNTs on the Si substrate sample is approximately $5{\sim}10nm$ larger than that of a $SiO_2$/Si substrate sample. Moreover, MWNTs on a Si substrate sample were well-crystallized in terms of their Raman spectrum. In addition, the MWNTs on Si substrate sample show an enhanced redox reaction, as observed through a smaller interface resistance and faster reaction rates in the EIS spectrum. The results show that DSSCs with a MWNT counter electrode on a bare Si substrate sample demonstrate energy conversion efficiency in excess of 1.4 %.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.156-161
• /
• 2015

The electronic structures of the potential candidate semiconductor nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), such as $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$, have been investigated by employing X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The measured X-ray diffraction patterns show that $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ samples have the single-phase ilmenite-type structure and the inverse spinel structure, respectively. The measured Zn 2p and Sn 3d core-level XPS spectra reveal that the valence states of Zn and Sn ions are divalent (Zn 2+) and tetravalent (Sn 4+), respectively, in both $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$. On the other hand, the shallow core-level measurements show that the binding energies of Sn 4d and Zn 3d core levels in $ZnSnO_3$ are lower than those in $Zn_2SnO_4$. This work provides the information on the valence states of Zn and Sn ions and their chemical bonding in $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.98-103
• /
• 2011

We prepared a counter electrode by electroplating Ni as underlayer and Pt as plating layer on the FTO glass to increase the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). We found an excellent adhesion between Ni underlayer and FTO glass when Ni underlayer was electroplated at $10mA/cm^2$ for 2 min on FTO glass. We observed Ni and Pt metal diffraction peaks by XRD analysis when Ni underlayer was electroplated at $10mA/cm^2$ for 2 min, and Pt layer was electroplated at $5mA/cm^2$ for 1 min on the Ni underlayer. Photovoltaic performance and impedance analysis of DSSCs fabricated with this counter electrode shows the highest efficiency of 5.6% and the lowest resistance of 75 ohm.

• 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
• /
• 2011.11a
• /
• pp.56.2-56.2
• /
• 2011

고효율 염료감응 태양전지를 제작하기 위해 Sol-gel법을 사용하여 $TiO_2$ 분말을 제조하였다. 제조 과정 중 다양한 양의 nitric acid를 첨가하여 pH를 조절하였다. Sol-gel법을 위한 출발 물질로 titanium (IV) isopropoxide(TTIP)와 DI water를 사용하였으며 nitric acid은 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15의 몰비(nitric acid/TTIP)로 첨가하였다. 첨가한 결과 pH는 $22^{\circ}C$에서 각각 5.52, 2.26, 1.68, 1.38이었다. 얻어진 $TiO_2$ 콜로이드 용액은 결정성 있는 분말로 제조 후 $5{\times}5[mm^2]$ 크기의 염료감응 태양전지를 제작하는데 사용 되였다. $TiO_2$의 결정구조 및 형태는 cell의 XRD와 FE-SEM으로 분석되었고 전기화학적 특성을 분석하기 위해 irradiation of AM 1.5 ($100mW/cm^2$) simulatedsunlight에서 I-V 곡선을 측정하였다. 측정 결과 몰비(nitric acid/TTIP) 0.05, pH가 2.26일 때 가장 우수한 효율 특성을 보였다.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2016

In this study, Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO) ion storage layer and $TiO_2$ working electrode were fabricated using Nano Particle Deposition System. NPDS is the cutting-edge technology among the dry deposition methods. Accelerated particles are deposited on the substrate through the nozzle using NPDS. The thicknesses for coated layers were measured and layer's morphology was acquired using SEM. The fabricated electrochromic cell's transmittance was measured using UV-Visible spectrometer and power source at 630 nm. As a result, the integrated electrochromic/DSSC hybrid system was successfully fabricated as an energy harvesting system. The fabricated electrochromic cell was self-operated using DSSC as a power source. In conclusion, the electrochromic cell was operated for 500 cycles, with 49% of maximum transmittance change. Also the photovoltaic efficiency for DSSC was measured to be 2.55% while the electrochromic cell on the integrated system had resulted in 26% of maximum transmittance change.