• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.4035-4040
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• 2011

Long $TiO_2$ nanotube (NT) arrays, prepared by electrochemical anodization of Ti foils, have been utilized as dye-adsorbing electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). By anodizing for 1-24 hr and subsequent annealing, highly crystallized and tightly-adhered NT arrays were tailored to 11-150 ${\mu}m$ lengths, ~90 nm innerpore diameter and ~30 nm wall thickness. I-V curves revealed that the photovoltaic conversion efficiency (${\eta}$) was proportional to the NT length up to 36 ${\mu}m$. Beyond this length, the ) was proportional to the NT length up to ${\eta}$ was still steadily increased, though at a much lower rate. For example, an ${\eta}$ of 5.05% at 36 ${\mu}m$ was increased to 6.18% at 150 ${\mu}m$. Transient photoelectron spectroscopic analyses indicated that NT array-based DSCs revealed considerably higher electron diffusion coefficient ($D_e$) and life time (${\tau}_e$) than those with $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (NP). Moreover, the electron diffusion lengths ($L_e$) of the photo-injected electrons were considerably larger than the corresponding NT lengths in all the cases, suggesting that electron transport in NT arrays is highly efficient, regardless of tube length.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.335-338
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• 2007

Cost effectiveness is an important parameter for producing DSSCs as compared to the widely used conventional silicon based solar cells. A fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate coated with a catalytic amount of platinum is used as counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cell. Carbonaceous materials are quite attractive to replace platinum due to their high electronic conductivity, corrosion resistance towards $I_{2}$, good catalytic effect and low cost. In this paper, the unit DSSCs with Pt and CNT as a counter electrode were connected in series-parallel externally, then the current-voltage curves were investigated to find out the connection characteristics of the DSSC with CNT counter electrode. The connection characteristics of the DSSC with CNT counter electrode is superior to that of the DSSC with Pt counter electrode. And a parallel connection of the DSSC with CNT counter electrode has higher efficiency than a series connection of that.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.467-470
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• 2009

A novel 8 V DC power source with an external series-parallel connection of 50 Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells(DSSCs) has been proposed. One DSC has the optimized length to width ratio of $5.2{\times}2.6$ cm and an active area 8 $cm^2$($4.62{\times}1.73$ cm) which attained a conversion efficiency of 4.2%. From the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis, it was found that the resistance elements related to the Pt electrode and electrolyte interface behave like that of diode and the series resistance corresponds to the sum of the other resistance elements. In addition, the TEMoo mode pulsed Nd:YAG laser beam is used to improve the incident photon to current efficiency(IPCE) of DSSC. From this result, this novel 8V-0.38A DC power source shows stable performance with an energy conversion efficiency of about 4.5% under 1 sun illumination(AM 1.5, Pin of 100 $mW/cm^2$).

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.89-92
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• 2004

For improving solar efficiencies, down conversion of high-energy photons to visible lights is discussed. The losses due to thermalization of charge carriers generated by the absorption of high-energy photons, can largely be reduced in a solar cell if more than one electron-hole pair can be generated per incident photon. The solar cell was constructed of dye-sensitized anatase-based TiO$_2$, approximately 30nm particle size, 6$\mu\textrm{m}$thickness, and 6${\times}$6$\textrm{mm}^2$ active area, Pt counter electrode and I$_3$$\^$-/I$_2$$\^$-/ electrolyte. After correction for losses due to light reflection and absorption by the conducting glass, the conversion of photons to electric current is practically quantitative in the plateau region of the curves. The incident photon to current conversion efficiency(IPCE) of N3 used as a dye in this work is about 80% at around 590nm and 610nm which is the emission spectrum of Eu doped LGF. The Eu doped LGF powder was prepared by conventional ceramic process, and used as a down converter for DSC after spin coated on the slide glass and fired.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.126-130
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• 2011

Transparent conductive oxide (TCO) is an important part in the construction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) because of its low sheet resistance, sufficient light transparent ability and high photoelectrical response as a porous photo-electrode material of DSCs. However, the use of TCO for the two DSC electrodes can result in significant cost increase for the less effective DSCs compared to Si based solar cell. Therefore, the replacement of TCO is required for the commercial production of DSCs. In this study, TCO electrodes are replaced by stainless steel mesh. The 3.44[%] efficiency of the prepared TCO-less DSCs sample was obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.176-181
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• 2009

In this work, a new type of DSCs based on nanoporous FTO structure is being developed for research aimed at low-cost high-efficiency solar cell application. The nanoporous FTO materials have been prepared through the sol-gel combustion method followed by thermal treatment at $450{\sim}850[^{\circ}C]$. The properties of the nanoporous FTO materials were investigated by IR spectra, BET and TEM analyses, and the photovoltaic performance of the prepared DSCs were examined. It can be seen from the result that the nanoporous FTO exhibited good transparent conductive properties, well suited for DSCs application.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2011.07a
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• pp.1586-1587
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• 2011

염료 감응 태양전지(DSCs)는 최근 큰 발전을 이루고 있지만, 효율개선과 비용절감 등의 과제를 여전히 안고 있다. 염료 감응 태양전지(DSCs)의 효율 상승을 위해 염료, $TiO_2$ 산화물, 투명전극, 전해질 및 Pt 전극에 관한 연구가 활발히 진행 되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 염료 감응 태양전지(DSCs)의 특성 분석을 위해 $TiO_2$ 두께를 $20{\mu}m$로 지정하고 면적을 $0.5{\times}0.5\;Cm^2$에서 $1.5{\times}1.5\;Cm^2$까지 증가시켜 개방전압($V_{oc}$), 단락전류밀도($J_{sc}$), 충진률 FF(%), 광전변환효율(${\eta}$)등의 특성을 분석해 보았다. 또한 염료가 흡착되는 시간을 12시간과 24시간으로 변화시켜 최적의 특성을 가지는 DSCs를 연구해 보았다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.71-71
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• 2011

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have drawn great academic attention due to their potential as low-cost renewable energy sources. DSCs contain a nanostructured TiO2 photoanode, which is a key-component for high conversion efficiency. Particularly, one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructured photoanodes can enhance the electron transport for the efficient collection to the conducting substrate in competition with the recombination processes. This is because photoelectron colletion is determined by trapping/detrapping events along the site of the electron traps (defects, surface states, grain boundaries, and self-trapping). Therefore, 1-D nanostructured photoanodes are advantageous for the fast electron transport due to their desirable features of greatly reduced intercrystalline contacts with specified directionality. In particular, anodic TiO2 nanotube (NT) electrodes recently have been intensively explored owing to their ideal structure for application in DSCs. Besides the enhanced electron transport properties resulted from the 1-D structure, highly ordered and vertically oriented nanostructure of anodic TiO2 NT can contribute additional merits, such as enhanced electrolyte diffusion, better interfacial contact with viscous electrolytes. First, to confirm the advantages of 1-D nanostructured material for the photoelectron collection, we compared the electron transport and charge recombination characteristics between nanoparticle (NP)- and nanorod (NR)-based photoanodes in DSCs by the stepped light-induced transient measurements of photocurrent and voltage (SLIM-PCV). We confirmed that the electron lifetime of the NR-based photoanode was much longer than that of the NP-based photoanode. In addition, highly ordered and vertically oriented TiO2 NT photoanodes were prepared by electrochemical anodization method. We compared the photovoltaic properties of DSCs utilizing TiO2 NT photoanodes prepared by one-step anodization and two-step anodization. And, to reduce the charge recombination rate, energy barrier layer (ZnO, Al2O3)-coated TiO2 NTs also applied in DSC. Furthermore, we applied the TiO2 NT photoanode in DSCs using a viscous electrolyte, i.e., cobalt bipyridyl redox electrolyte, and confirmed that the pore structure of NT array can enhance the performances of this viscous electrolyte.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of IIIuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.197-200
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• 2008

본 연구에서는 Ketjen black을 이용한 DSCs (Dye-sensitized solar cells)용 다공질의 $TiO_2$ nano-powder 제작기술을 제안한다. $TiO_2$ powder는 sol-gel연소법에 의해 Ti-isopropoxide와 2-propanol을 사용하여 제작되었으며, Ketjen black의 함량($0g{\sim}2g$)을 달리하여 제작된 $TiO_2$ nano-powder의 다공성과 입자의 크기 결정성등의 특성을 고찰하였다. 또한 이러한 $TiO_2$ powder를 paste로 만들어 다른 열처리 온도($100^{\circ}C{\sim}600^{\circ}C$)에서 $TiO_2$ 박막을 이용한 DSCs를 제작한 후 그 효율을 측정하였다. 그 결과 Ketjen black 1g을 함유시켜 만들어진 $TiO_2$ powder의 다공성과 입자 크기가 가장 우수한 것으로 FE-SEM의 측정결과 나타났으며 또한 이 때의 $TiO_2$ powder는 FT-IR의 측정 결과, Ti-O-Ti의 결합구조를 가진 성분과 $H_2O$ 성분으로 구성되어 있음을 알 수 있었다. 그리고 여러 온도에서 제작된 DSCs 실험 셀 중 $500^{\circ}C$의 열처리 공정을 거적 제작된 셀의 효율이 가장 높은 효율이 5.46%를 나타내고 있음을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.259-259
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• 2011

염료감응형 태양전지(Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells:DSSC)는 환경 친화적이며, 저가의 공정에 대한 가능성으로 기존의 고가의 결정질 실리콘 태양전지의 경제적인 대안으로 각광을 받고 있다. 최근 염료감응형 태양전지는 투명 전도성 산화막(Transparent Conducting Oxide : TCO)으로 사용되는 Fluorine Tin Oxide (FTO)가 증착된 유리기판 위에 주로 제작된다. FTO는 낮은 비저항과 가시광선 영역에서 높은 투과도를 가지는 우수한 전기-광학적 특성을 갖지만, 비교적 공정이 까다로운 Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)법으로 제조하며, 전체 공정비용의 60%를 차지하는 높은 생산단가로 인해 현재 FTO를 대체할 재료개발 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 그 중 ZnO (Zinc Oxide)는 우수한 전기-광학적 특성과 비교적 저렴한 가격으로 새로운 TCO로써 주목받고 있다. ZnO는 넓은 energy band gap (3.4 [eV])의 육방정계 울자이트(hexagonal wurtzite) 결정 구조를 가지는II-VI족 n형 반도체 물질이며, III족 금속원소인 Al, Ga 및 In 등의 불순물을 첨가하면 TCO로서 우수한 전기-광학적 특성과 안정성을 나타낸다. 이들 물질중 $Zn^{2+}$ (0.060 nm)의 이온반경과 유사한 $Ga^{2+}$0.062 nm) 이온이 ZnO의 격자반경을 최소화 시킬 수 있다는 장점으로 최근 주목 받고 있다. 하지만 Ga-doped ZnO (GZO)의 경우 DSC에 사용되는 루테늄 계열의 산성 염료 하에 장시간 두면 표면이 파괴되는 문제가 발생하며, $TiO_2$ paste를 Printing 후 열처리하는 과정에서도 박막의 파괴가 발생할 수 있다. 이를 방지하기 위해 $TiO_2$ Blocking Layer를 GZO 투명전극 위에 증착하였다. 또한, $TiO_2$ Blocking Layer를 적용한 GZO 박막을 전면전극으로 이용하여 DSC를 제작하여 효율을 확인하였다. 2wt%의 $Ga_2O_3$가 도핑된 ZnO 박막은 20mTorr 400$^{\circ}C$에서 Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD)에 의해 성장되었고, $TiO_2$박막은 Ti 금속을 타겟으로 이용하여 30mTorr 400$^{\circ}C$에서 증착되었다. Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)을 이용한 박막 분석 결과 $TiO_2$가 증착된 GZO 박막의 경우 표면 파괴가 일어나지 않았다. Solar Simulator을 이용하여 I-V특성 측정결과 상용 FTO를 사용한 DSC 수준의 효율을 나타내었다. 이에 따라 Pulsed Laser Deposition을 이용해 제작된 GZO 기판은 $TiO_2$ Blocking Layer를 이용하여 표면 파괴를 방지할 수 있었으며, 이는 향후 염료감응형 태양전지의 투명전극에 적용 가능 할 것으로 판단된다.