• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.2-8
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• 2012

In this study, in order to develop renewable bio-based nanocomposites, multi-functional nanocomposites from soybean resins (AESO, MAESO) and nanoclay were prepared. Photoelectrodes for environmental friendly dye-sensitized solar cell using soybean resin were also prepared. Organo-modified nanoclay was directly dispersed in functionalized soybean resins after mixing with styrene as a comonomer and radical initiator was used to copolymerize the nanocomposites. The observed morphology was a mixture of intercalated/exfoliated structure and the physical properties were improved by adding nanoclay. A nanocomposite using MAESO, which added COOH functional group to the soybean resin, showed better dispersibility than AESO composites. Ultrasonic treatment of the nanocomposites also improved the physical properties. Nanoporous $TiO_2$ photoelectrode was also prepared using soybean resins as a binder, after acid-treatment of $TiO_2$ surface using nitric acid. Dye-sensitized solar cells were prepared after adsorbing dye molecules on it. The $TiO_2$ photoelectrode prepared using soybean binder had high current density because of increased surface area by improved dispersibility. The photoelectrochemical properties and conversion efficiency of the solar cell were significantly improved using the soybean binder.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.381-386
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• 2011

Chemically functionalized plant oils, namely maleinized acrylated epoxidized soybean oil(MAESO), were used as a new bio based binders for photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells. The photocatalysts were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope(FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer(EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and nitrogen adsorption analyses. The surface area and number of appropriate pores were increased in the $TiO_{2}$ particles prepared using the plant oil binders in comparison with the P-25 photocatalyst, due to the larger number of functionalities. The functional groups of OH on the surface of the $TiO_{2}$ particles increased from 9.9% to 16.62%.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.60.1-60.1
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• 2010

Chemically functionalized plant oils such as acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and maleinized acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (MAESO) were used as new bio-based binders for $TiO_2$ electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). More porous networks and larger porosities were fabricated on the $TiO_2$ films using plant oil binders due to the larger number of functionalities, in comparison with the film using polyethylene glycol (PEG). The charge-transfer resistance in the $TiO_2$ films was considerably shrunk due to the reduced impurity states. The short circuit photocurrent (Isc) and the open circuit photovoltage (Voc) of the cell using plant oil binders increased and the conversion efficiency improved significantly.