• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.402-406
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• 2009

$TiO_2$ thin films were surface-modified with atmospheric plasma and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated. The films were deposited on glass plates by dip-coating in a $TiO_2$ sol-gel solution and sintered at various temperatures for various times. Nitrogen plasma was used for the modification and the experiments were carried out varying operational parameters such as discharge power and treatment time. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated based on the degradation efficiency of methylene blue (MB) under irradiation of UV-A and fluorescent light. According to XPS analysis, a little amount of nitrogen was found to be doped in the film surface after the modification. As a result, photocatalytic activity increased under irradiation of UV-A and fluorescent light, especially fluorescent light.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.73.1-73.1
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• 2010

For the successful cold starting of a fuel cell engine, either internal of external heat supply must be made to overcome the formation of ice from water below the freezing point of water. In the present study, switchable vanadium oxide compounds as variable temperature-electrical resistance materials onto the surface of flat metallic bipolar plates have been prepared by a dip-coating technique via an aqueous sol-gel method. Subsequently, the chemical composition and micro-structure of the polycrystalline solid thin films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. In addition, it was carefully measured electrical resistance hysteresis loop over a temperature range from $-20^{\circ}C$ to $80^{\circ}C$ using the four-point probe method. The experimental results revealed that the thin films was mainly composed of Karelianite $V_2O_3$ which acts as negative temperature coefficient materials. Also, it was found that thermal dissipation rate of the vanadium oxide thin films partially satisfy about 50% saving of the substantial amount of energy required for ice melting at $-20^{\circ}C$. Moreover, electrical resistances of the vanadium-based materials converge on an extremely small value similar to that of pure flat metallic bipolar plates at higher temperature, i.e. $T{\geq}40^{\circ}C$. As a consequence, experimental studies proved that it is possible to apply the variable temperature-electrical resistance material based on vanadium oxides for the cold starting enhancement of a fuel cell vehicle and minimize parasitic power loss and eliminate any necessity for external equipment for heat supply in freezing conditions.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.135-142
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• 1992

Indium tin oxide(ITO) films coated on the window glass selectively transmit the solar energy and infrared. We call this system passive solar collectors. Selectively absorbing properties of sol gel dip coated ITO films were characterized by UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. The effects of heat treating temperature, time, atmosphere, substrate and barrier layers are concerned. Indium tin oxide films heat-treated at $500^{\circ}C$ in a reducing atmosphere show intrinsic properties. Efficiency of solar energy transmittance was enhanced by coating of $SiO_2-ZrO_2$ as an alkali ion barrier layer. Energy was saved by the double layers of $SiO_2-ZrO_2$ and ITO since solar energy is transmitted and heat generated inside(${\lambda}$ > 2700nm) is reflected.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.585-592
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• 2011

The enhancement of the cold-start capability of polymer electrolyte fuel cells is of great importance in terms of the durability and reliability of fuel-cell vehicles. In this study, vanadium oxide films deposited onto the flat surface of metallic bipolar plates were synthesized to investigate the feasibility of their use as an efficient self-heating source to expedite the temperature rise during startup at subzero temperatures. Samples were prepared through the dip-coating technique using the hydrolytic sol-gel route, and the chemical compositions and microstructures of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the electrical resistance hysteresis loop of the films was measured over a temperature range from -20 to $80^{\circ}C$ using a four-terminal technique. Experimentally, it was found that the thermal energy (Joule heating) resulting from self-heating of the films was sufficient to provide the substantial amount of energy required for thawing at subzero temperatures.