• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.12.1-12.1
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• 2010

We have developed a facile method to position different dyes (N719 and N749) sequentially in a mesoporous TiO2 layer through selective desorption and adsorption processes. Only upper part of the first adsorbed N719 dye was selectively removed by the desorption solution formulated with polypropylene glycol and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide without any damages of the dye. The desorption depth was controlled by the number of desorption process. Multi-dyed dye-sensitized solar cells (MDSSC) were fabricated by utilizing the method and their photovoltaic properties were investigated. From the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurement, it was found that the MDSSC exhibited the extended spectral response for the solar spectrum while without decrease of maximum IPCE value compare to the DSSCs using one kind of dye (N719 or N749). The highest photocurrent density of 19.3 mA/cm2 was obtained from the MDSSC utilizing $15\;{\mu}m$ N719 / $14\;{\mu}m$ N749 bi-layered mesoporous TiO2 film. The photocurrent density was 25% and 8% higher than that of the DSSC using only N719 and N749 dye as a sensitizer, respectively. The power conversion efficiency of 9.8% was achieved from the MDSSC under the AM 1.5G one sun illumination.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.2883-2888
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• 2013

To enhance the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the surface of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) photoelectrode was modified by hydroxylation treatment with $NH_4OH$ solution at $70^{\circ}C$ for 6 h. The $NH_4OH$ solutions of various concentrations were used to introduce the hydroxyl groups on $TiO_2$ surface. As the concentration of $NH_4OH$ was increased, the short-circuit current density ($J_{SC}$) value and conversion efficiency of solar cells were increased because the amount of adsorbed dye molecules on $TiO_2$ surface was increased. As a result of the surface modification to introduce hydroxyl groups, the concentration of adsorbed dye on the $TiO_2$ surface could be improved up to 32.61% without the changes of morphology, surface area and pore volume of particles. The morphology, the specific surface area, the pore volume and the chemical states of $TiO_2$ surface were characterized by using FE-SEM, $N_2$ adsorption-desorption isotherms and XPS measurements. The amount of adsorbed dye and the performance of fabricated cells were analyzed by using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and solar simulator.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.2083-2086
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• 2011

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.337-337
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• 2012

Dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) having high efficiency with low cost was first reported by Gr$\ddot{a}$tzel et al. Many DSSC research groups attempt to enhance energy conversion efficiency by modifying the dye, electrolyte, Pt-coated electrode, and $TiO_2$ films. However, there are still some problems against realization of high-sensitivity DSSC such as the recombination of injected electrons in conduction band and the limited adsorption of dye on $TiO_2$ surface. The surface of $TiO_2$ is very important for improving hydrophilic property and dye adsorption on its surface. In this paper, we report a very efficient method to improve the efficiency and stability of DSSC with nano-structured $TiO_2$. Atmospheric plasma system was utilized for nitrogen plasma treatment on nano-structured $TiO_2$ film. We confirmed that the efficiency of DSSC was significantly dependent on plasma power. Relative in the $TiO_2$ surface change and characteristics after plasma was investigated by various analysis methods. The structure of $TiO_2$ films was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of $TiO_2$ films was observed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The surface elemental composition was determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Each of plasma power differently affected conversion efficiency of DSSC with plasma-treated $TiO_2$ compared to untreated DSSC under AM 1.5 G spectral illumination of $100mWcm^{-2}$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.145-146
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• 2007

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Solar cells(DSSC) were appeared for overcoming global environmental problems and lack of fossil fuel problems. And it is one of study field that is getting into the spotlight lately because manufacturing method is more simple and inexpensive than existing silicon solar cells. Oxide semiconductor is used for adsorption of dye and electron transfer in DSSC study, and $TiO_2$ is used most usually. Overall light conversion efficiency is changed by several elements such as $TiO_2$ particle size and structure, pore size and shape. In this study, we report the solar cell performance of titania$(TiO_2)$ film electrodes with various particle sizes. $TiO_2$ particle size was 16 nm, 25 nm, and mixture of 16nm and 25 nm, and manufactured using Doctor blade method. When applied each $TiO_2$ film to DSSC, the best efficiency was found at 16nm of $TiO_2$ particle. 16nm of $TiO_2$ particle has the highest efficiency compared to the others, because particles with smaller diameters would adsorb more dye due to larger surface area. And in case of the mixture of 16nm and 25 nm, the surface area was smaller than expected. It is estimated that double layer is adsorbed a large amount of chemisorbed dye and improved light scattering leading due to efficiency concentration light than mono layer.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2011

In order to improve the energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the photoelectrode was manufactured by using $TiO_2$ and $WO_3$ on combination effects of two conduction bands. The smash procedure of $TiO_2$ and $WO_3$ was carried out by using a paint shaker to enlarge the contact area of semiconductor with dye and electrolyte. The energy conversion efficiency of prepared DSSC was improved about two times from current-voltage curve based on effects of $WO_3$ and smash. The mechanism was suggested that the conduction band of $WO_3$ worked for prohibiting the trapping effects of electrons in conduction band of $TiO_2$. This result is attributed to the prevention of electron recombination between electron in conduction band of $TiO_2$ with dye and electrolyte. Impedance results indicate the improved electron transport at interface of $TiO_2$/dye/electrolyte.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.291-294
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• 2010

Recently, the design of the multi-layered $TiO_2$ electrodes has been attracted for high efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. In this study, conversion efficiency of the multi-layered $TiO_2$ electrodes was investigated by using small and large $TiO_2$ nanoparticles. Nanostructured $TiO_2$ powders were prepared by $TiCl_4$ hydrolysis. Differently sized $TiO_2$ powders of which the average diameter was 7.6 and 18 nm were obtained by controlled calcination temperature. It was confirmed that multi-layered $TiO_2$ electrodes significantly influence short-circuit current (Jsc) and also show higher conversion efficiency than dye-sensitized solar cells consisting of each particles.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.2923-2928
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• 2010

This study examined the synthesis of the crystal structure of bis(2,2'-bipyridine)nitrato zinc (II) nitrate, $[Zn(bipy)_2(NO_3)]^+NO_3^-$ using a microwave treatment at 300 W and 60 Hz for the application to dye-sensitized solar cells. The simulated complex structure of the complex was optimized with the density functional theory calculations for the UV-vis spectrum of the ground state using Gaussian 03 at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level. The structure of the acquired complex was expected a penta-coordination with four nitrogen atoms of bipyridine and the oxygen bond of the $NO_3^-$ ion. The reflectance UV-vis absorption spectra exhibited two absorptions (L-L transfers) that were assigned to the transfers from the ligand ($\sigma$, $\pi$) of $NO_3$ to the ligand ($\sigma^*$, $\pi^*$) of pyridine at around 200 - 350 nm, and from the non-bonding orbital (n) of O in $NO_3$ to the p-orbital of pyridine at around 450 - 550 nm, respectively. The photoelectric efficiency was approximately 0.397% in the dye-sensitized solar cells with the nanometer-sized $TiO_2$ at an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.39 V, a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of $1.79\;mA/cm^2$, and an incident light intensity of $100\;mW/cm^2$.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.2743-2750
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• 2011

Lanthanide(III)-cored complex as a wavelength conversion material has been successfully designed and synthesized for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells, for the first time, since light with a short wavelength has not been effectively used for generating electric power owing to the limited absorption of these DSSCs in the UV region. A black dye (BD) was chosen and used as a sensitizer, because BD has a relatively weak light absorption at shorter wavelengths. The overall conversion efficiency of the BD/WCM device was remarkably increased, even with the relatively small amount of WCM added to the device. The enhancement in $V_{oc}$ by WCM, like DCA, could be correlated with the suppression of electron recombination between the injected electrons and $I_3{^-}$ ions. Furthermore, the short-circuit current density was significantly increased by WCM with a strong UV light-harvesting effect. The energy transfer from the Eu(III)-cored complex to the $TiO_2$ film occurred via the dye, so the number of electrons injected into the $TiO_2$ surface increased, i.e., the short-circuit current density was increased. As a result, BD/WCM-sensitized solar cells exhibit superior device performance with the enhanced conversion efficiency by a factor of 1.22 under AM 1.5 sunlight: The photovoltaic performance of the BD/WCM-based DSSC exhibited remarkably high values, $J_{sc}$ of 17.72 mA/$cm^2$, $V_{oc}$ of 720 mV, and a conversion efficiency of 9.28% at 100 mW $cm^{-2}$, compared to a standard DSSC with $J_{sc}$ of 15.53 mA/$cm^2$, $V_{oc}$ of 689 mV, and a conversion efficiency of 7.58% at 100 mW $cm^{-2}$. Therefore, the Eu(III)-cored complex is a promising candidate as a new wavelength conversion coadsorbent for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells to improve UV light harvesting through energy transfer processes. The abstract should be a single paragraph which summaries the content of the article.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.2093-2098
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• 2013

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to determine the ground state geometries of indigo and new design dyes (IM-Dye-1 IM-Dye-2 and IM-Dye-3). The time dependant density functional theory (TDDFT) was used to calculate the excitation energies. All the calculations were performed in both gas and solvent phase. The LUMO energies of all the dyes were above the conduction band of $TiO_2$, while the HOMOs were below the redox couple (except IM-Dye-3). The HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of new design dyes were smaller as compared to indigo. All new design dyes were strongly red shifted as compared to indigo. The improved light harvesting efficiency (LHE) and free energy change of electron injection ${\Delta}G^{inject}$ of new designed sensitizers revealed that these materials would be excellent sensitizers. The broken coplanarity between the benzene near anchoring group having LUMO and the last benzene attached to TPA unit in all new design dyes consequently would hamper the recombination reaction. This theoretical designing will the pave way for experimentalists to synthesize the efficient sensitizers for solar cells.