• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.14 no.1 s.60
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• pp.44-49
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• 2007

In the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), carbon counter electrode has been tested for replacing the platinum counter electrode which has two drawbacks: limited surface area and high material cost. Poor mechanical stability of carbon layer due to weak bonding strength to electrically conductive TCO (transparent conducting oxide) glass substrate is a crucial barrier for practical application of carbon counter electrode. In the present study a carbon counter electrode with high conversion efficiency, comparable to Pt counter electrode, could be fabricated by adaption of a bonding layer between particulate carbon material and TCO substrate.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.140-143
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• 2005

Carbon Nanotube(CNTs) counter electrode is a promising alternative to Platinum counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this study, CNT counter electrodes having different visible light transmittance were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass surface by spray coating method. Microstructural images show that there are CNT-tangled region coated on FTO glass counter electrodes. Using such CNT counter electrodes and screen printed $TiO_2$ electrodes, DSSCs were assembled and its I-V characteristics have been studied and compared. Light energy conversion efficiency of DSSCs increased with decreasing in light transmittance of CNT counter electrode. Efficiency of DSSCs having CNT counter electrode is compatible to that of Pt counter electrode.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.26-32
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• 2021

The photovoltaic properties and microstructure changes were observed while perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a fabricated carbon electrode were formed using the following annealing processes: hot-plate, oven, and rapid thermal annealing (RTA). Perovskite solar cells with a glass/FTO/compact TiO2/meso TiO2/meso ZrO2/carbon structure were prepared. The photovoltaic properties and microstructure changes in the PSCs were analyzed using a solar simulator, optical microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. An analysis of the photovoltaic properties revealed outstanding properties when RTA was applied to the cells. Microstructure analysis showed that perovskite was formed locally on the carbon electrode surface when hot-plate and oven annealing were applied. On the other hand, PSC with RTA showed a flat surface without extra perovskite agglomeration. Denser perovskite formed on the porous carbon electrode layer with RTA showed superior photovoltaic properties. These results suggest that the RTA process might be appropriate for the massive production of carbon electrode PSCs considering the processing time.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.595-600
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• 2020

The photovoltaic properties of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a carbon electrode fabricated using different annealing processes are investigated. Perovskite formation (50 ℃, 60 min) using a hot-plate and an oven is carried out on cells with a glass/fluorine doped TiO₂/TiO₂/ZrO₂/carbon structure, and the photovoltaic properties of the PSCs are analyzed using a solar simulator. The microstructures of the PSCs are characterized using an optical microscope, a field emission scanning electron microscope, and an electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA). Photovoltaic analysis shows that the energy conversion efficiency of the samples fabricated using the hot-plate and the oven processes are 2.08% and 6.90%, respectively. Based on the microstructure of the samples and the results of the EPMA, perovskite is formed locally on the carbon electrode surface as the γ-butyrolactone (GBL) solvent evaporates and moves to the top of the carbon electrode due to heat from the bottom of the sample during the hot plate process. When the oven process is used, perovskite forms evenly inside the carbon electrode, as the GBL solvent evaporates extremely slowly because heat is supplied from all directions. The importance of the even formation of perovskite inside the carbon electrode is emphasized, and the feasibility of oven annealing is confirmed for PSCs with carbon electrodes.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.615-619
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• 2018

To produce carbon electrodes for use in perovskite solar cells, electrode samples are prepared by mixing various weight ratios of 35 nm nano carbon(NC) and $1{\mu}m$ graphite flakes(GF), GF/(NC+GF) = 0, 0.5, 0.7, and 1, in chlorobenzene(CB) solvent with a $ZrO_2$ binder. The carbon electrodes are fabricated as glass/FTO/carbon electrode devices for microstructure characterization using transmission electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and a field emission scanning electron microscopy. The electrical characterization is performed with a four-point probe and a multi tester. The microstructure characterization shows that an electrode with excellent attachment to the substrate and no surface cracks at weight ratios above 0.5. The electrical characterization results show that the sheet resistance is <$70{\Omega}/sq$ and the interface resistance is <$70{\Omega}$ at weight ratios of 0.5 and 0.7. Therefore, a carbon paste electrode with microstructure and electrical properties similar to those of commercial carbon electrodes is proposed with an appropriate mixing ratio of NC and GF containing a CB solvent and $ZrO_2$.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.174-177
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• 2003

Electric double-layer capacitors based on charge storage at the interface between a high surface area activated carbon electrode and an electrolyte solution are characterized by their long cycle-life and high power density in comparison with batteries. However, energy density of electric double-layer capacitors obtained at present is about 6 Wh/kg at a power density of 500W/kg which is smaller as compared with that of batteries and limits the wide spread use of the capacitors. Therefore, a new capacitor that shows larger energy density than that of electric double-layer capacitors is proposed. The new capacitor is the hybrid capacitor consisting of activated carbon cathode, carbonaceous anode and an organic electrolyte. Maximum voltage applicable to the cell is over 4.2V that is larger than that of the electric double-layer capacitor. As a result, discharged energy density on the basis of stacked volume of electrode, current collector and separator is more than 18Wh/l at a power density of 500W/l.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.309-314
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• 2013

Glass micropipettes are widely used for drug injection in neurological studies. To enable these devices to monitor neural activity simultaneously with drug injection, an electrode such as Ag/AgCl must be located near or inserted into the glass micropipette to detect electrical signals in vivo. Here, we report carbon-nanotube-modified glass micropipettes (CNGs), which have excellent electrochemical properties such as low impedance and large electrochemical surface area suited for neural recording. In addition, using a standard pressure pump, CNGs can deliver drugs to the target region without bending. Because they are based on standard glass micropipettes, CNGs can readily be applied to traditional equipment, creating opportunities to monitor precisely the drug-injected area.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.139-143
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• 2005

For application of carbon nano-tube (CNT) as a counter electrode materials of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the electrochemical behavior of CNT electrode was studied, employing cyclic-voltammetry (C-V) and impedance spectroscopy. Fabrication of CNT-paste and formation of CNT-counter electrode for characteristic measurement have been carried out using ball-milling and doctor blade process, respectively. Unit cell for measurements was assembled using Pt electrode, CNT electrode, and iodine-embedded electrolyte. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used for structural investigation of CNT powder and electrode. Sheet resistance of electrode was measured with 4-point probe method. Electrochemical properties of electrode, C-V and impedance spectrum, were studied, employing potentiogalvanostat (EG&G 273A) and lock in amplifier (EG&G 5210). As a results, the sheet resistance of CNT electrode is almost similar to that of F-doped SnO2 (FTO) coated glass substrate as approximately 10 ohm/sq. From C-V and impedance spectroscopy measurements, it was found that CNT electrode has high reaction rate and low interface reaction resistance between CNT surface and electrolyte. These results provides that CNT electrode were superior to that of conventional Pt electrode. Particularly, the reaction rate in the CNT electrode is about thrice high than Pt electrode. Therefore. CNT electrode is to be good candidate material for counter electrode in DSSC.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.237-244
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• 2014

We report novel and simple structure of supercapacitors fabricated by using flexible glass fibre separators as templates. This method does not require separate electrodes, binders and high pressure/temperature to build the supercapacitor unit cells as required by the conventional technology. The supercapacitors were fabricated by drop-casting solution mixtures of carbonaceous active materials/gel electrolytes onto two sides of glass fibre separators. Two carbonaceous materials (nanoscaled activated carbons, multi-walled carbon nanotubes) were investigated as electrode materials. The electrochemical measurements reveal that the separatorbased supercapacitors using ACs successfully demonstrated significant mass specific capacitance ($22.3F\;g^{-1}$) and energy density ($9.7Wh\;kg^{-1}$), indicating this method can be useful in fabricating flexible, wearable and stretchable energy storage devices in more straightforward and cost-effective way than current technology.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 1999

Portable-type two electrode system for the determination of highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (10-75%) has been studied. The electrode body was made with teflon rod (length=10 cm, diameter=1.5 cm) to withstand the highly corrosive power of hydrogen peroxide. Glass carbon rod (diameter=3 mm) was used as the working electrode and a carbon cylinder (i.d.=5 mm; o.d.=9 mm) was used as counter electrode. The applied voltage for the determination of $H_2O_2$ was 0.8 V. Diluting the highly concentrated samples taken from the industrial batch to 10% or less, it was possible to make quantitative determinations, while eliminating the interference from the stabilizer contained in the sample and preventing the surface of the electrode from oxidative corrosion. Employing hydrogen peroxide permeable membrane (teflon membrane${\leq}100{\mu}m$) for the electrode system, it was possible to measure the content of $H_2O_2$ in highly concentrated samples directly, quantitatively and reproducibly with no extra dilution step. However, it was necessary to change the internal electrolyte frequently to maintain the analytical performance of the electrode.