• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.4392-4396
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• 2011

Porous silicon with a complex network of nanopores is utilized for photoelectrochemical energy conversion. A novel electroless Pt deposition onto porous silicon is investigated in the context of photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation. The electroless Pt deposition is shown to improve the characteristics of the PS photoelectrode toward photoelectrochemical $H^+$ reduction, though excessive Pt deposition leads to decrease of photocurrent. Furthermore, it is found that a thin layer (< 10 ${\mu}m$) of porous silicon can serve as anti-reflection layer for the underlying Si substrate, improving photocurrent by reducing photon reflection at the Si/liquid interface. However, as the thickness of the porous silicon increases, the surface recombination on the dramatically increased interface area of the porous silicon begins to dominate, diminishing the photocurrent.

• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2013

Visible light-sensitive $TiO_2$ and ZnO nanostructure materials have attracted great attention as the promising material for solar energy conversion systems such as photocatalysts for water splitting and environmental purification as well as nano-biosensors. Success of their applications relies on how to control their surface state behaviors related to the exciton dynamics and optoelectronic properties. In this paper, we briefly review some recent works on single nanoparticle photoluminescence (PL) technique and its application to observation of their surface state behaviors which are raveled by the conventional ensemble-averaged spectroscopic techniques. This review provides an opportunity to understand the temporal and spatial heterogeneities within an individual nanostructure, allowing for the potential use of single-nanoparticle approaches in studies of their photoenergy conversion and nano-scale optical biosensing.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.35
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• pp.59-65
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• 2015

As the fossil fuels are depleted nowadays, development of alternative energies is absolutely required in the world. Efficient production of hydrogen by water-splitting using solar energy can be one of the methods to solve the global energy and environmental problems. But this method has a problem of low conversion efficiency. The application of graphene can be one method to help increase the conversion efficiency. For this reason, mass production of high quality graphene is required. In this study, we prepared graphene using the chemical exfoliation method. We applied the Hummer's method and Tour's method to oxidize the graphite and could get the different Graphene Oxide(GO) from different process conditions. We also tried to convert the GO to graphene by thermal reduction and could remove functional group of GO effectively. The control of oxidation conditions was quite important to obtain the high quality graphene.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.105-108
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• 2018

Transparent $TiO_2$ nanotube arrays are successfully prepared by a two-step approach involving electrochemical anodization and RF magnetron sputtering. First, a Ti film is deposited on an FTO substrate by RF magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The morphologies of the Ti film are controlled by the working distance, Ar flow, and DC power. Second, an anodization treatment is electrochemically performed for the formation of nanotube arrays from the deposited Ti film, followed by post-annealing treatment in air for the formation of $TiO_2$ crystallization. The back side of the crystallized $TiO_2$ nanotube arrays is illuminated with solar light to characterize the photoelectrochemical reaction, and their photoelectrochemical properties are investigated. This work provides information on application of a thin film deposited by RF sputtering in the field of photoelectrochemical water splitting.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.306-310
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• 2015

In this research, hematite nanoparticles were synthesized by DC thermal plasma process to increase the overall surface area. The effect of binders on hematite electrodes was investigated by changing the type and composition of binders when preparing electrodes. Nitrogen gas was also added to the DC thermal plasma process in order to dope the hematite with N for enhancing photoelectrochemical properties of hematite nanoparticles. The efficiency of water splitting reaction was measured by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) under solar simulator. In LSV measurements, the onset potential and maximum current density at a fixed voltage were measured. The durability of electrodes was checked by repeating LSV measurements. CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) binder with 50 : 1 composition exhibits the highest current density of $12mA/cm^2$ and CMC binder with 20 : 1 composition, showing the initial current density of $3mA/cm^2$, endures 20 times of repetitive LSV measurements. Effects of nitrogen doping on hematite nanoparticles were proven to be insignificant.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.400-405
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• 2016

Ferric oxide (${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$, hematite) is an n-type semiconductor; due to its narrow band gap ($E_g=2.1eV$), it is a highly attractive and desirable material for use in solar hydrogenation by water oxidation. However, the actual conversion efficiency achieved with $Fe_2O_3$ is considerably lower than the theoretical values because the considerably short diffusion length (2-4 nm) of holes in $Fe_2O_3$ induces excessive charge recombination and low absorption. This is a significant hurdle that must be overcome in order to obtain high solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. In consideration of this, it is thought that elemental doping, which may make it possible to enhance the charge transfer at the interface, will have a marked effect in terms of improving the photoactivities of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ photoanodes. Herein, we report on the synthesis by pulsed electrodeposition of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$-based anodes; we also report on the resulting photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties. We attempted Ti-doping to enhance the PEC properties of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anodes. It is revealed that the photocurrent density of a bare ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anode can be dramatically changed by controlling the condition of the electrodeposition and the concentration of $TiCl_3$. Under optimum conditions, a modified ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anode exhibits a maximum photocurrent density of $0.4mA/cm^2$ at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under 1.5 G simulated sunlight illumination; this photocurrent density value is about 3 times greater than that of unmodified ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ anodes.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.265-273
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• 2017

Solid-state alkaline water electrolysis is a promising method for producing hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Despite active investigations of component development for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE), understanding of the device performance remains insufficient for the commercialization of AEMWE. The study of assembled AEMWE devices is essential to validate the activity and stability of developed catalysts and electrolyte membranes, as well as the dependence of the performance on the device operating conditions. Herein, we review the development of catalysts and membranes reported by different AEMWE companies such as ACTA S.p.A. and Proton OnSite and device operating conditions that significantly affect the AEMWE performance. For example, $CuCoO_x$ and $LiCoO_2$ have been studied as oxygen evolution catalysts by Acta S.p.A and Proton OnSite, respectively. Anion exchange membranes based on polyethylene and polysulfone are also investigated for use as electrolyte membranes in AEMWE devices. In addition, operation factors, including temperature, electrolyte concentration and acidity, and solution feed methods, are reviewed in terms of their influence on the AEMWE performance. The reaction rate of water splitting generally increases with increase in operating temperature because of the facilitated kinetics and higher ion conductivity. The effect of solution feeding configuration on the AEMWE performance is explained, with a brief discussion on current AEMWE performance and device durability.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.33-38
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• 2020

In the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, GaN is one of the most promising photoanode materials due to high stability in electrolytes and adjustable energy band position. However, the application of GaN is limited because of low efficiency. To improve solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency, we introduce a Cobalt Phosphate (Co-pi) catalyst by photo-electrodeposition. The Co-pi deposition GaN were characterized by SEM, EDS, and XPS, respectively, which illustrated that Co-pi was successfully decorated on the surface of GaN. PEC measurement showed that photocurrent density of GaN was 0.5 mA/㎠ and that of Co-pi deposited GaN was 0.75 mA/㎠. Impedance and Mott-Schottky measurements were performed, and as a result of the measurement, polarization resistance (R_p) and increased donor concentration (N_D) values decreased from 50.35 Ω to 34.16 Ω were confirmed. As a result of analyzing the surface components before and after the water decomposition, it was confirmed that the Co-pi catalyst is stable because Co-pi remains even after the water decomposition. Through this, it was confirmed that Co-pi is effective as a catalyst for improving GaN efficiency, and when applied as a catalyst to other photoelectrodes, it is considered that the efficiency of the PEC system can be improved.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.2271-2275
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• 2013

We report on the photoelectrochemical properties of partially reduced mesoporous titania thin films. The fabrication is achieved by synthesizing mesoporous titania thin films through the self-assembly of a titania precursor and a block copolymer, followed by aging and calcination, and heat-treatment under a $H_2$ (1 torr) environment. Depending on the temperature used for the reaction with $H_2$, the degree of the reduction (generation of oxygen vacancies) of the titania is controlled. The oxygen vacancies induce visible light absorption, and decrease of resistance while the mesoporosity is practically unaltered. The photoelectrochemical activity data on these films, by measuring their photocurrent-potential behavior in 1 M NaOH electrolyte under AM 1.5G 100 mW $cm^{-2}$ illumination, show that the three effects of the oxygen vacancies contribute to the enhancement of the photoelectrochemical properties of the mesoporous titania thin films. The results show that these oxygen deficient $TiO_2$ mesoporous thin films hold great promise for a solar hydrogen generation. Suggestions for the materials design for improved photoelectrochemical properties are made.

• Prospectives of Industrial Chemistry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.14-24
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• 2021

최근 전 세계적으로 이산화탄소를 포함한 대기 오염원의 배출을 줄이고 화석연료를 대체할 수 있는 차세대 청정에너지원으로 '수소'를 주목하고 있다. 하지만 현재까지 사회에 유통되는 대부분의 수소는 화석연료 개질을 기반으로 생산되기 때문에 2차 환경오염의 위험을 가지고 있다. 이에 이산화탄소 배출이 없이 태양에너지로부터 물을 분해해 수소를 생산하는 광전기화학 수소 생산 기술이 주목받고 있다. 단 광전기화학 물분해 수소생산을 실현하기 위해서는 수소를 충분히 생산시킬 수 있는 충분한 전류밀도, 과전압을 최소화하는 높은 개시전위, 및 그 생산비용을 최소화 할 수 있는 저렴한 공정 등을 동시에 만족시킬 수 있는 광전극 소재 개발이 필요하다. 최근 광소자용 소재로 각광을 받는 유기금속 할라이드 페로브스카이트 소재가 상기의 조건들을 상당히 만족할 것으로 기대되고 있어 광전기화학 물분해 셀로 적용되는 연구들이 수행되고 있다. 본 기고문에서는 유기금속 할라이드 페로브스카이트 소재기반 광전기화학 물분해 관련 최신 연구동향과 전망을 다루고자 한다.