• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2012

A ruthenium (Ru) catalytic layer and a conventional Pt layer were assessed as counter electrodes (CE) for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Ru films with different thicknesses of 34, 46, and 90 nm were deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Pt layers with the same thicknesses were prepared by sputtering. $0.45cm^2$ DSSCs were prepared and their properties were characterized by FE-SEM, cyclic voltammetry (CV), impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and current-voltage (I-V). FE-SEM revealed that the crystallized Ru films and Pt films had been deposited quite conformally. CV showed that the catalytic activity of Pt was much greater than that of Ru. In addition, although the catalytic activity of Pt did not depend on the thickness, that of Ru showed an increase with increasing thickness. Impedance analysis revealed high charge transfer resistance at the Ru interface and a decrease with increasing Ru thickness, whereas Pt showed low resistance with no thickness dependence. Despite the relatively small catalytic activity of Ru, the I-V result revealed the average energy conversion efficiency of Ru and Pt to be 2.98% and 6.57%, respectively. These results suggest that Ru can be used as counter electrodes in DSSCs due to its extremely low temperature process compatibility.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

The importance of high capacity energy storage devices has recently emerged for stable power supply through renewable energy generation. From this point of view, the Na-air battery (NAB), which is a next-generation secondary battery, is receiving huge attention because it can realize a high capacity through abundant and inexpensive raw materials. In this study, activated carbon-based catalysts for hybrid type Na-air batteries were prepared and their characteristics were compared and analysed. In particular, from the viewpoint of resource recycling, activated carbon (Orange-C) was prepared using discarded orange peel, and performance was compared with Vulcan carbon, which is widely used. In addition, a Pt/C catalyst (homemade-Pt/C, HM-Pt/C) was synthesized using a modified polyol method to check whether the prepared activated carbon can be used as a supported catalyst, and a commercial Pt/C catalyst (Commercial Pt/C) and electrochemical performance were compared. The prepared Orange-C exhibited a typical H3 type BET isotherm, which is evidence that micropore and mesopore exist. In addition, in the case of HM-Pt/C, it was confirmed through TEM analysis that Pt particles were evenly distributed on the activated carbon supported catalyst. In particular, the HM-Pt/C-based NAB showed the smallest voltage gap (0.224V) and good voltage efficiency (92.34%) in the 1st galvanostatic charge-discharge test. In addition, the cycle performance test conducted for 20 cycles showed the most stable performance.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2006

The phase-shift method for determining the Langmuir, Frumkin, and Temkin adsorption isotherms ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$) of H for the cathodic $H_2$ evolution reaction (HER) at a Pt/0.1 M KOH solution interface has been proposed and verified using cyclic voltammetric, differential pulse voltammetric, and electrochemical impedance techniques. At the Pt/0.1 M KOH solution interface, the Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherms ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$), the equilibrium constants ($K_H=2.9X10^{-4}mol^{-1}$ for the Langmuir and $K_H=2.9X10^{-3}\exp(-4.6\theta_H)mol^{-1}$ for the Temkin adsorption isotherm), the interaction parameters (g=0 far the Langmuir and g=4.6 for the Temkin adsorption isotherm), the rate of change of the standard free energy of $\theta_H\;with\;\theta_H$ (r=11.4 kJ $mol^{-1}$ for g=4.6), and the standard free energies (${\Delta}G_{ads}^{\circ}=20.2kJ\;mol^{-1}$ for $k_H=2.9\times10^{-4}mol^{-1}$, i.e., the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and $16.7<{\Delta}G_\theta^{\circ}<23.6kJ\;mol^{-1}$ for $K_H=2.9\times10^{-3}\exp(-4.6\theta_H)mol^{-1}$ and $0.2<\theta_H<0.8$, i.e., the Temkin adsorption isotherm) of H for the cathodic HER are determined using the phase-shift method. At intermediate values of $\theta_H$, i.e., $0.2<\theta_H<0.8$, the Temkin adsorption isotherm ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$) corresponding to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$), and vice versa, is readily determined using the constant conversion factors. The phase-shift method and constant conversion factors are useful and effective for determining the Langmuir, Frumkin, and Temkin adsorption isotherms of intermediates for sequential reactions and related electrode kinetic and thermodynamic data at electrode catalyst interfaces.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.86-89
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• 2013

Dye-sensitized solar cells have a FTO/$TiO_2$/Dye/Electrode/Pt counter electrode structure, yet more than a 10% electron loss occurs at each interface. A passivating layer between the $TiO_2$/FTO glass interface can prevent this loss of electrons. In theory, ZnO has excellent electron collecting capabilities and a 3.4 eV band gap, which suppresses electron mobility. FTO glass was coated with ZnO thin films by RF-magnetron sputtering; each film was deposited under different $O_2$:Ar ratios and RF-gun power. The optical transmittance of the ZnO thin film depends on the thickness and morphology of ZnO. The conversion efficiency was measured with the maximum value of 5.22% at an Ar:$O_2$ ratio of 1:1 and RF-gun power of 80 W, due to effective prevention of the electron recombination into electrolytes.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2002

The ferroelectric properties of Pb(Zr,Ti)O$_3$[PZT] films degrade when the films with Pt top electrodes are annealed in hydrogen containing environment. This is due to the reduction activity of atomic hydrogen that is generated by the catalytic activity of the Pt top electrode. At the initial stage of hydrogen annealing, oxygen vacancies are formed by the reduction activity of hydrogen mainly at the vicinity of top Pt/PZT interface, resulting in a shift of P-E (polarization-electric field) hysteresis curve toward the negative electric field direction. As the hydrogen annealing time increases, oxygen vacancies are formed inside the PZT film by the inward diffusion of hydrogen ions, as a result, the polarization degrades significantly and the degree of P-E curve shift decreases gradually. The direction and the magnitude of the remnant polarization in the PZT film affect the motion of hydrogen ions which determines the degradation of polarization characteristics and the shift in the P-E hysteresis curve of the PZT capacitor during hydrogen annealing. When the remnant polarization is formed in the PZT film by applying a pre-poling voltage prior to hydrogen annealing, the direction of the P-E curve shift induced by hydrogen annealing is opposite to the polarity of the pre-poling voltage. The hydrogen-induced degradation behavior of the PZT capacitor is also affected by the internal field that has been generated in the PZT film by the charges located at the top interface prior to hydrogen annealing.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.358-359
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• 2006

Ru-C nano-composite films were prepared by MOCVD, and their microstructures and their electrode properties for oxygen gas sensors were investigated. Deposited films contained Ru particles of 5-20 nm in diameter dispersed in amorphous C matrix. The AC conductivities associating to the interface charge transfer between Ru-C composite electrode and YSZ electrolyte were 100-1000 times higher than that of conventional paste-Pt electrodes. The emf values of the oxygen gas concentration cell constructed from the nano-composite electrodes and YSZ electrolyte showed the Nernstian theoretical values at low temperatures around 500 K. The response time of the concentration cell was 900 s at 500 K.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.167.1-167.1
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• 2016

The interaction between adsorbed water and hydrogen on metallic surfaces is important for fundamental understanding of heterogeneous catalysis and electrode surface reactions in acidic environment. Here, we explore a long-standing question of whether hydronium ion can exist or not on a Pt surface coadsorbed with atomic hydrogen and water. Studies based on mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy show clear evidence that hydrogen atoms are converted into hydrated protons on a Pt(111) surface. The preferential structures of hydrated protons are identified as multiply hydrated $H_5O_2{^+}$ and $H_7O_3{^+}$ species rather than as hydronium ions. The multiply hydrated protons may be regarded as two dimensional zundel ($H_5O_2{^+}$) and Eigen cation ($H_7O_3{^+}$) in water-metal interface. These surface-bound hydrated protons may be key surface intermediates of the electrochemical interconversion between adsorbed hydrogen atoms and solvated protons.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.131-142
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• 2002

The Langmuir adsorption isotherms of the under-potentially deposited hydrogen (UPD H) and the over-potentially deposited hydrogen (OPD H) at the poly-Pt/0.5M $H_2SO_4$ and 0.5 M LiOH aqueous electrolyte interfaces have been studied using cyclic voltammetric and ac impedance techniques. The behavior of the phase shift $(0^{\circ}{\leq}{-\phi}{\leq}90^{\circ})$ for the optimum intermediate frequency corresponds well to that of the fractional surface coverage $(1{\geq}{\theta}{\geq}0)$ at the interfaces. The phase-shift method, i.e., the phase-shift profile $({-\phi}\;vs.\;E)$ for the optimum intermediate frequency, can be used as a new electrochemical method to determine the Langmuir adsorption isotherms $({\theta}\;vs.\;E)$ of the UPD H and the OPD H for the cathodic $H_2$ evolution reactions at the interfaces. At the poly-Pt/0.5M $H_2SO_4$ aqueous electrolyte interface, the equilibrium constant (K) and the standard free energy $({\Delta}G_{ads})$ of the OPD H are $2.1\times10^{-4}$ and 21.0kJ/mol, respectively. At the poly-Pt/0.5M LiOH aqueous electrolyte interface, K transits from 2.7(UPD H) to $6.2\times10^{-6}$ (OPD H) depending on the cathode potential (E) and vice versa. Similarly, ${\Delta}G_{ads}$ transits from -2.5kJ/mol (UPD H) to 29.7kJ/mol (OPD H) depending on I and vice versa. The transition of K and ${\Delta}G_{ads}$ is attributed to the two distinct adsorption sites of the UPD H and the OPD H on the poly-Pt surface. The UPD H and the OPD H on the poly-Pt surface are the independent processes depending on the H adsorption sites themselves rather than the sequential processes for the cathodic $H_2$ evolution reactions. The criterion of the UPD H and the OPD H is the H adsorption sites and processes rather than the $H_2$ evolution reactions and potentials. The poly-Pt wire electrode is more efficient and useful than the Pt(100) disc electrode for the cathodic $H_2$ evolution reactions in the aqueous electrolytes. The phase-shift method is well complementary to the thermodynamic method rather than conflicting.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Purpose: Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) bottom electrode for $Ta_2O_5$ based RRAM was studied to apply for transparent resistive switching memory devices owing to its superior transparency, good conductivity and chemical stability. Methods: $ITO/Ta_2O_5/FTO$ (ITF) and $ITO/Ta_2O_5/Pt$ (ITP) devices were fabricated on glass and Si substrate, respectively. UV-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy was used to examine transparency of the ITF device and its band gap energy was determined by conventional Tauc plot. Electrical properties, such as electroforming and voltage-induced RS characteristics were measured and compared. Results: The device with an FTO bottom electrode showed good transparency (>80%), low forming voltage (~-2.5V), and reliable bipolar RS behavior. Whereas, the one with Pt electrode showed both bipolar and unipolar RS behaviors unstably with large forming voltage (~-6.5V). Conclusion: Transparent and conducting FTO can successfully realize a transparent RRAM device. It is concluded that FTO electrode may form a stable interface with $Ta_2O_5$ switching layer and plays as oxygen ion reservoir to supply oxygen vacancies, which eventually facilitates a stable operation of RRAM device.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 1998

Ferroelectric $Sr_xBi_yTa_2O_{9+\alpha}$/(0.7$\leqSr\leq1.0,\; 2.0\leqBi\leq2.6)$ solutions were prepared by MOD (Metalorganic Deposition) process. These solutions were made into thin films with thickness ranging from 1500~2000${\AA}$ by spin coating. The phase transformation of the SBT thin films by variation of annealing temperature and annealing time were observed using high temperature XRD and SEM. The crystallization and grain growth of SBT thin film were accomplished at $800^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes after deposition of Pt top electrode by sputtering to prevent electrical breakdown. Ferroelectric properties of the SBT thin films were measured in the range of $\pm$3V\; and\; \pm5V$. The specimen with composition ratio of Sr/Bi/Ta (0.8/2.4/2.0) has the excellent ferroelectric properties ; $2P_r = 10.5,\; 13.2\muC/cm^2 \;at\; \pm3V\; and\; \pm5V$ respectively. Observing the post annealed Pt/SBT/Pt interface by SEM, it was found that Pt electrode sputtered on to the SBT thin film penetrated into the hollow on the SBT thin film, thus decreasing the effective insulation thickness. The effective insulation thickness recovered by post annealing, and this was confirmed by leakage current density measurement.