• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.697-702
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• 2009

Mesoporous ethanesilica thin film was prepared using PEO-PLGA-PEO triblock copolymers as structure-directing agents and (1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl) ethane BTESE; bridged organosilicates) as inorganic precursors via one-step sol-gel condensation of ethanesilica precursors. The mesostructure of ethanesilica films is critically dependent on the processing experimental parameters after the hydrolyzed silica sol mixture was spin-cast. This study examined the effects of the block copolymer template/organosilica precursor ratio in the casting solution and aging period before calcination of the mesostructure. It was further demonstrated that mesoscopic ordering of organosilicate thin films is induced by the rearrangement of block copolymer template/organosilica hybrid during thermal decomposition of the PEO-PLGA-PEO triblock copolymer. The mesoporous structure and morphology were characterized by SAXS, TEM and solid-state NMR measurement.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.526-530
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• 2012

Silica-based ceramic-matrix composites have shown promise as advanced materials for many applications such as chemical catalysts, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. $SiO_2$-CuO-$CeO_2$ multi-component powders and their thin film, using an oxalic acid template as a chelating agent, have larger surface areas and more uniform pore size distribution than those of inorganic acid catalysts. $SiO_2$-CuO-$CeO_2$ composite powders were synthesized using tetraethylorthosilicate, copper (II) nitrate hemi (pentahydrate), and cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate with oxalic acid as template or pore-forming agent. The process of thermal evolution, the phase composition, and the surface morphology of these powders were monitored by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXS). The mesoporous property of the powders was observed by Brunner-Emmett-Teller surface (BET) analysis. The improved surface area of this powder template with oxalic acid was $371.4m^2/g$. This multi-component thin film on stainless-steel was prepared by sol-gel dip coating with no cracks.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2015

This review article summarizes the recent progress of quantum dot (QD)-sensitized solar cells based on mesoporous $TiO_2$ thin films. From the intrinsic characteristics of nanoscale inorganic QDs with various compositions, it was possible to construct a variety of 3rd-generation thin film solar cells by solution process. Depending on preparation methods, colloidal QD sensitizers are pre-prepared for later deposition onto the surface of $TiO_2$ or in-situ deposition of QDs from chemical bath is done for direct growth of QD sensitizers over substrates. Recently, colloidal QD sensitizers have shown an overall power conversion efficiency of ~7% by a very precise control of composition while a representative CdS/CdSe from chemical bath deposition have done ~5% with polysulfide electrolytes. In the near future, it is necessary to carry out systematic investigations for developing new hole-conducting materials and controlling interfaces within the cell, thus leading to an enhancement of both open-circuit voltage and fill factor while keeping the current high value of photocurrents from QDs towards more efficient and stable QD-sensitized solar cells.