• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.71-71
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• 2011

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have drawn great academic attention due to their potential as low-cost renewable energy sources. DSCs contain a nanostructured TiO2 photoanode, which is a key-component for high conversion efficiency. Particularly, one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructured photoanodes can enhance the electron transport for the efficient collection to the conducting substrate in competition with the recombination processes. This is because photoelectron colletion is determined by trapping/detrapping events along the site of the electron traps (defects, surface states, grain boundaries, and self-trapping). Therefore, 1-D nanostructured photoanodes are advantageous for the fast electron transport due to their desirable features of greatly reduced intercrystalline contacts with specified directionality. In particular, anodic TiO2 nanotube (NT) electrodes recently have been intensively explored owing to their ideal structure for application in DSCs. Besides the enhanced electron transport properties resulted from the 1-D structure, highly ordered and vertically oriented nanostructure of anodic TiO2 NT can contribute additional merits, such as enhanced electrolyte diffusion, better interfacial contact with viscous electrolytes. First, to confirm the advantages of 1-D nanostructured material for the photoelectron collection, we compared the electron transport and charge recombination characteristics between nanoparticle (NP)- and nanorod (NR)-based photoanodes in DSCs by the stepped light-induced transient measurements of photocurrent and voltage (SLIM-PCV). We confirmed that the electron lifetime of the NR-based photoanode was much longer than that of the NP-based photoanode. In addition, highly ordered and vertically oriented TiO2 NT photoanodes were prepared by electrochemical anodization method. We compared the photovoltaic properties of DSCs utilizing TiO2 NT photoanodes prepared by one-step anodization and two-step anodization. And, to reduce the charge recombination rate, energy barrier layer (ZnO, Al2O3)-coated TiO2 NTs also applied in DSC. Furthermore, we applied the TiO2 NT photoanode in DSCs using a viscous electrolyte, i.e., cobalt bipyridyl redox electrolyte, and confirmed that the pore structure of NT array can enhance the performances of this viscous electrolyte.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.398-402
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• 2000

Three kinds of $Al_3Ti-Cr$ alloys, namely, $Al_{67}Ti_{25}Cr_8,\;Al_{66}Ti_{24}Cr_{10}\;and\;Al_{59}Ti_{26}Cr_{15}$, were prepared by induction melting followed by the thermomechanical treatment. The corrosion behavior in 3.5% NaCl solution and the high-temperature oxidation behavior at 1000, 1100 and $1200^{\circ}C$ for the prepared alloys were investigated. Electrochemical results indicated increased resistance to localized corrosion with increasing Cr content. Cr additions were found to prevent passive film from undergoing brittle fracture. XPS results revealed the passive films of $Al_3Ti-Cr$ alloys were composed mainly of $Al_2O_3$ that coexisted with $TiO_2$ and $Cr_2O_3$. The overall oxidation resistance of the prepared alloys were excellent. Specifically, the oxidation resistance increased in the order of $Al_{59}Ti_{26}Cr_{15},\;Al_{66}Ti_{24}Cr_{10}\;and\;Al_{67}Ti_{25}Cr_8$. As the Al content in the base alloys increased, the $Al_2O_3$ formation was facilitated leading to the increased oxidation resistance.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.396-412
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to observe the corrosion characteristics of five dental amalgams(CAULK FINE CUT, OPTALLOY II, DISPERSALLOY, TYTIN, and VALIANT) in the solutions with fluoride compound through the anodic polarization curve obtained by using a potentiostat. After each amalgam alloy and Hg being triturated, the triturated mass was inserted into the cylindrical metal mold, and condensed by hydraulic pressure(160 kg/$cm^2$). Each specimen was removed from the metal mold. Specimens were polished with the silicone carbide grinding paper 24 hours after condensation and stored at room temperature for 1 week. The anodic polarization curves were employed to compare the corrosion behaviours of the amalgams in 0.9 % saline solution and in the saline solutions with 2.2 ppm, 0.05 %, 2 % NaF, and 8 % $SnF_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ with 3-electrode potentiostat. After the immersion of specimen in electrolyte for 30 minutes, the potential scan was begun. The potential scan range was -1500m V to + 800m V(vs. S.C.E.) in the working electrode and the scan rate was 50 mV/sec. The results were as follows, 1. The corrosion potential, the potential of anodic current peak, and transpassive potential in the saline solutions with NaF shifted to lower direction than those in normal saline solution, and the current density in the saline solutions with NaF was higher than that in normal saline solution. The differences were increased as the concentrations of NaF became higher. 2. The corrosion potential and transpassive potential in the saline solution with $SnF_2$ shifted to higher direction than those in normal saline solution, and the current density in the saline solution with $SnF_2$ was higher than that in normal saline solution after the corrosion potential. The anodic polarization curves in the saline solution with $SnF_2$ had no outstanding anodic current peak. 3. The corrosion potentials for high-copper amalgams were much higher than those for CAULK FINE CUT and OPTALLOY II in normal saline solution, but, as the concentrations of fluoride compound became higher, the differences in corrosion potentials between them were decreased. The corrosion potentials had the similarity in the saline solution with 2% NaF or 8% $SnF_2$. 4. The current density for TYTIN was the lowest among the others in normal saline solution and in the saline solution with 2.2 ppm or 0.05 % NaF. 5. There was no significant difference in current density between Pd-enriched VALIANT and other high-copper amalgams.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.86-91
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• 2004

$LiCoO_2$ cathode powders with round particle shaped and nano grain sized of 70-300nm were synthesized by a mechanochemical method. The surface of Li-Co precursor prepared by freeze drying method was modified by $K_2SO_4$ coating and ball milling was used for the coating process. The precursor was crystallized to high temperature form of $LiCoO_2$ at $800^{\circ}C$ and the grain growth was inhibited by the $K_2SO_4$ coating effect. The $K_2SO_4$ coating was not decomposed at $800^{\circ}C$ and prevented the contact in the Li-Co precursor particles. The nano-sized $LiCoO_2$ powder had tetragonal phase and it affected the Li diffusion through the surface of particles. It means that the anode materials for hight performance battery should be satisfied not only small particle size but phase contol on the surface of particles. In this study, the powder characteristics and rate capabilities were compared with a commercial powder and the nano-sized $LiCoO_2$ powder fabricated by the mechanochemical method. And the crucial factor which affects on battery performance was also examined.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1986

A titanium oxide thin films were prepared by air oxidation and vapour oxidation and a $TiO_2$ single crystal was reduced by heating in an argon atmosphere. All the electrode characteristics of the Ti$O_{2-x}$, thin films are not different from those of slightly reduced single crystal rutile. In cyclic voltammogram of oxygen containing electrolyte solution at Ti$O_{2-x}$ electrodes, cathodic peaks were observed at between -0.8V and -1.0V vs. SCE. The cathodic current near 0V vs. SCE in saturated solution with nitrogen was observed to be greater than in saturated solution with air. The chronoamperogram was represented by the equation of i = $i_0e^{-kt}$, when the rate constant k was represented by the equation of k =$k_0{[H^+]}^nexp(A{\eta}+E_a/RT)$ The values of activation energy $E_a $were found to be 4.6~4.8kcal/mole in overpotential range of 0.035∼0.145 V and 1.6kcal/mole in overpotential range of 0.2∼0.5V. The values of n and A were found to be 0. 1 and 5.4~5.6/V in range of 0.035~0.145V, and in range of 0.2~0.5V, to be 0.04 and 1.3/V, respectively. This can be interpreted as an totally irreversible reduction of oxygen.

• Clean Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.410-415
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• 2013

The supercapacitors were fabricated using silver (Ag) nano paste and activated carbon paste on the polyimide (PI) film and 5% potassium polyacrylate (PAAK) was used for gel electrolyte. In this paper, the current collector film and the electrode film were fabricated using screen printing. The thickness of printed silver paste was $7.3{\mu}m$ and the sheet resistance has the range of $5-7m{\Omega}/square$. An activated carbon with a surface area of $1,968m^2/g$, an electronic conducting agent (SUPER P, TIMCAL) and poly (4-vinylphenol) were mixed in 2-(2-buthoxyethoxy) ethyl acetate (BCA) with a ratio of 7:1:3 to fabricate the electrode paste. To analyze electrochemical characteristics, cyclic voltammetry was performed to evaluate the stability of the devices under the voltage range of -0.5-0.5 V. The calculated specific capacitances were 44.04 and 8.62 F/g for 10 and 500 mV/s scan rates, respectively.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.307-319
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• 2018

Ion-exchange membrane (IEM) has fixed charge groups and is a separation membrane which is capable of selectively transporting ions of the opposite polarity. Recently, the interest in IEMs has been increasing as the importance of the desalination and energy conversion processes using them as the key components has increased. Since the IEMs determine the efficiency of the above process, it is necessary to improve the separation performance and durability of them and also to lower the expensive membrane price, which is a hindrance to the widening application of the IEM process. Therefore, it is urgent to develop high-performance and low-cost IEMs. Among various types of IEMs, pore-filled membranes prepared by filling ionomer into a porous polymer substrate are intermediate forms of homogeneous membranes and heterogeneous membranes. The production cost would be cheap like the case of heterogeneous membranes because of the use of inexpensive supports and the reduction of the amount used of raw materials, and at the same time, they exhibit excellent electrochemical characteristics close to homogeneous membranes. In this review, major research and development trends of pore-filled IEMs, which are attracting attention as high-performance and low-cost IEMs, have been summarized and reported according to the application fields.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.550-555
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• 2013

A hydrogel electrolyte consisting of potassium poly(acrylate) (PAAK) (3 wt%) in 6 M KOH aqueous solution is coated on poly(acrylonitrile) nonwoven separator to examine high-rate characteristics of activated carbon supercapacitor adopting the separator. The hydrogel is homogeneously coated on the surface pores of the nonwoven separator. The electrolyte uptake of the PAAK hydrogel maintains for 24 days higher than 230% and the coated separator shows slightly lower ionic conductivity ($2.9{\times}10^{-2}Scm^{-1}$) than that ($3.6{\times}10^{-2}Scm^{-1}$) of using 6 M KOH only. The activated carbon supercapacitor adopting the coated separator shows a specific capacitance higher than $27Fg^{-1}$ at $1000mVs^{-1}$ and a retention ratio higher than 97% after the 1000th cycle. This is due to strong interfacial contact of coated hydrogel electrolyte between the activated carbon electrode and the nonwoven separator.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.467-473
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• 1996

Although a polypyrrole shows better electrical conductivity, 100∼400 ${\Omega}^{-1}cm^{-1}$, than other organic conducting polymers, its electrical conductivity will be worsen in the presence of the oxygen due to its easy oxidation. On the other hand, polythiophene shows better stability in the air while its electrcal conductivity is poor compared to the polypyrrole. We succeed to develope the mixed polymer electrode that is stable in the air and shows a good redox characteristics. The mixed polymer electrode has been prepared by the electrical polymerization of polypyrrole on the Pt electrode as 1.70 C$cm^{-2}$ and then coating with polythiophene as 0.34 C$cm^{-2}$. The polymerization rate of polythiophene was $3.89{\times}10^{-8}$ at the bare Pt electrode and $6.07{\times}10^{-8}cms^{-1}$ at the mixed polymer electrode. And the standard rate constants of each electrode were $5.16{\times}10^{-6}\;and\;3.94{\times}10^{-4} cms^{-1}$ respectively. Also, the electrocatalytic rate of the polypyrrole polymer electrode was $3.45{\times}10^{-3}cm^3mol^{-1}s^{-1}.$ We found the immobilized layer at the modified electrode acted as an electrocatalyst. Finally, this polymerization process at the Pt electrode was the electron transfer controlled, but that the mixed polymer electrode was the diffusion and charge transfer controlled.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2010

Metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been developed to commercialize SOFCs. This new type of SOFC has high mechanical strength, but its mass transfer rate may be low due to the presence of a contact layer. In this study, the mass transfer characteristics of an anode-supported SOFC and a metal-supported SOFC are studied by performing numerical simulation. Governing equations, electrochemical reactions, and ceramic physical-property models are determined simultaneously; molecular diffusion and Knudsen diffusion are considered in mass transport analysis of porous media. The experimental results are compared with simulation data to validate the results of numerical simulation. The average current density of the metal-supported SOFC is 23% lower than that of the anode-supported SOFC. However, because of the presence of the contact layer, the metal-supported SOFC has a more uniform distribution than the anode-supported SOFC.