• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.556-564
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• 2014

To synthesize a high-performance photocatalyst, N doped $TiO_2$ nanotubes deposited with Ag nanoparticles were synthesized, and surface characteristics, electrochemical behaviors, and photocatalytic activity were investigated. The $TiO_2$ nanotubular photocatalyst was fabricated by anodization; the Ag nanoparticles on the $TiO_2$ nanotubes were synthesized by a reduction reaction in $AgNO_3$ solution under UV irradiation. The XPS results of the N doped $TiO_2$ nanotubes showed that the incorporated nitrogen ions were located in interstitial sites of the $TiO_2$ crystal structure. The N doped titania nanotubes exhibited a high dye degradation rate, which is effectively attributable to the increase of visible light absorption due to interstitial nitrogen ions in the crystalline $TiO_2$ structure. Moreover, the precipitated Ag particles on the titania nanotubes led to a decrease in the rate of electron-hole recombination; the photocurrent of this electrode was higher than that of the pure titania electrode. From electrochemical and dye degradation results, the photocurrent and photocatalytic efficiency were found to have been significantly affected by N doping and the deposition of Ag particles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.308-308
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• 2013

본 연구에 염료감응형 태양전지(Dye Sensitized Solar Cells; DSSCs)의 광전변환효율을 높이기 위해 작업전극에 새로운 구조의 광투과층 및 산란층을 도입하였다. DSSCs 작업전극의 빛을 투과시키는 투과층에 크기가 10 nm 이하의 nanoparticle $TiO_2$를 적용하고, 투과된 빛이 산란되어 많은 전자가 여기 될 수 있도록 기존의 큰 입자 사이즈였던 산란층을 이용하는 대신 $TiO_2$ nanorod 및 nanotube 형태의 구조를 도입하여 기존의 작업전극과 비교하였다. 산란층에서 방향성을 가지는 rutile 상의 $TiO_2$는 저온에서 안정적인 anatase 상의 $TiO_2$보다 화학적으로 안정하며, 높은 산란율을 가지고, 광에 의해 여기된 전자를 직접적으로 집전전극에 전달해 줌으로서 소자의 효율을 증가시킨다고 보고되고 있다. Rutile 상의 $TiO_2$ 층 제작 시 수열합성법을 이용하면 nanorod 모양의 $TiO_2$층을 형성할 수 있고, 이와 같은 방법으로 성장시킨 산란층에 전기영동법의 식각 효과를 사용하면 nanotube 모양의 $TiO_2$층을 성장시킬 수 있어 산란효과의 극대화 및 전극의 표면적을 넓히는 장점이 있다. 각각의 방법을 이용하여 만든 구조 위에 입자 크기 10 nm의 $TiO_2$를 Dr blade 방법으로 도포하여 double layer (산란층+흡수층)로 구성된 작업 전극을 이용한 DSSCs를 제작한 후 I-V curve와 EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)를 측정하여 효율 및 전기화학적 특성을 분석하였다.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.66-72
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• 2010

In this paper, AZO thin film was deposited on polyethylene terephthalate(PET) substrate by r. f. magnetron sputtering method from a ZnO target mixed with 2[wt%] Al2O3. The flexible film-typed dye sensitized solar cell(F-DSC) was fabricated and photo-electric conversion efficiency was investigated. The results showed that the minimum resistivity and the maximum deposition rate of AZO conducting film were recorded as $1.8{\times}10^{-3}[{\Omega}{\cdot}cm]$ and 25.5[nm/min], respectively at r.f. power of 220[W]. From the analysis of XPS data an improvement of electrical resistivity or an increase in carrier concentration with increasing sputtering power may be related to the generation of lattice imperfections as a result of increasing component ratio of O1s/Zn2p, which generates donor carriers or active growth of crystalline grain. The photo-electric conversion efficiency of F-DSC with AZO conducting electrode was over 2.79[%], which was comparable as that with commercially available ITO electrode.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.790-797
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• 2019

To improve photocatalytic performance, CdS nanoparticle deposited TiO₂ nanotubular photocatalysts are synthesized. The TiO₂ nanotube is fabricated by electrochemical anodization at a constant voltage of 60 V, and annealed at 500 for crystallization. The CdS nanoparticles on TiO₂ nanotubes are synthesized by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. The surface characteristics and photocurrent responses of TNT/CdS photocatalysts are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrometer and LED light source installed potentiostat. The bandgaps of the CdS deposited TiO₂ photocatalysts are gradually narrowed with increasing of amounts of deposited CdS nanoparticles, which enhances visible light absorption ability of composite photocatalysts. Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance is observed in the nanocomposite TiO₂ photocatalyst. However, the maximum photocurrent response and dye degradation efficiency are observed for TNT/CdS30 photocatalyst. The excellent photocatalytic performance of TNT/CdS30 catalyst can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of its better absorption ability of visible light region and efficient charge transport process.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.162-166
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• 2012

High density of ZnO nanorods were fabricated by electrochemical deposition and subsequent heat treatment. Formation of $Zn(OH)_2$ and ZnO during electrodeposition indicated that the electrodeposition efficiency of ZnO was below 33%. ZnO rod has a preferential (200) growth plane after heat treatment at $500^{\circ}C$ and the growth rate of ZnO rod was measured to be 0.986 ${\mu}m/hr$. Dye sensitized solar cell(DSC) showed the efficiency of 0.21% when electrochemically prepared ZnO rod was used as an electrode. It suggests the possible application of ZnO rod structure in the DSC.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.50-53
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• 2009

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized on different substrates (bare Si and $SiO_2$/Si substrate) to investigate dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) applications as counter electrode materials. The synthesis of MWNTs samples used identical conditions of a Fe catalyst created by thermal chemical vapor deposition at $900^{\circ}C$. It was found that the diameter of the MWNTs on the Si substrate sample is approximately $5{\sim}10nm$ larger than that of a $SiO_2$/Si substrate sample. Moreover, MWNTs on a Si substrate sample were well-crystallized in terms of their Raman spectrum. In addition, the MWNTs on Si substrate sample show an enhanced redox reaction, as observed through a smaller interface resistance and faster reaction rates in the EIS spectrum. The results show that DSSCs with a MWNT counter electrode on a bare Si substrate sample demonstrate energy conversion efficiency in excess of 1.4 %.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.159-163
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• 2012

A TCO-less ruthenium (Ru) catalytic layer on glass substrate instead of conventional Ru/TCO/ glass substrate was assessed as counter electrode (CE) material in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by examining the effect of the Ru thickness on the DSSC performance. Ru films with different thicknesses (34, 46, 69, and 90 nm) were deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on glass substrates to replace both existing catalyst and electrode layer. In order to make our comparison, we also prepared an Ru catalytic layer by a similar method on FTO/glass substrate. Finally, we prepared the $0.45cm^2$ DSSC device the properties of the DSSCs were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV), impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and current-voltage (I-V) method. CV measurements revealed an increase in catalytic activity with increasing film thickness. The charge transfer resistance at the interface between the electrolyte and Rudecreased with increasing Ru thickness. I-V results showed that the energy conversion efficiency increased up to 1.96%. Our results imply that TCO-less Ru/glass might perform as both catalyst and electrode layer when it is used in counter electrodes in DSSCs.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2012

A ruthenium (Ru) catalytic layer and a conventional Pt layer were assessed as counter electrodes (CE) for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Ru films with different thicknesses of 34, 46, and 90 nm were deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Pt layers with the same thicknesses were prepared by sputtering. $0.45cm^2$ DSSCs were prepared and their properties were characterized by FE-SEM, cyclic voltammetry (CV), impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and current-voltage (I-V). FE-SEM revealed that the crystallized Ru films and Pt films had been deposited quite conformally. CV showed that the catalytic activity of Pt was much greater than that of Ru. In addition, although the catalytic activity of Pt did not depend on the thickness, that of Ru showed an increase with increasing thickness. Impedance analysis revealed high charge transfer resistance at the Ru interface and a decrease with increasing Ru thickness, whereas Pt showed low resistance with no thickness dependence. Despite the relatively small catalytic activity of Ru, the I-V result revealed the average energy conversion efficiency of Ru and Pt to be 2.98% and 6.57%, respectively. These results suggest that Ru can be used as counter electrodes in DSSCs due to its extremely low temperature process compatibility.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.381-381
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• 2009

염료감응형 태양전지의 효율 향상을 위한 다양한 방법들 중 $TiO_2$ 나노 파우더의 표면 개질 및 페이스트의 분산성 향상을 위한 연구가 활발하게 진행되고 있다. 기존 나노 파우더의 표면 개질법으로는 액상 공정인 졸겔법이 있으나 표면 처리 공정에서의 응집현상은 아직 해결해야 할 과제 중 하나이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 진공증착방법인 ALD법을 이용하여 염료감응형 태양전지용 $TiO_2$ 나노 파우더의 $SiO_2$ 산화물 표면처리를 통한 분산특성을 파악하였다. 기존 ALD법의 경우 reactor의 온도가 $300{\sim}500^{\circ}C$ 정도의 고온에서 공정이 이루어졌지만 본 실험에서는 2차 아민계촉매(pyridine)을 사용하여 reactor의 온도를 $30^{\circ}C$정도의 저온공정에서 $SiO_2$ 산화물을 코팅을 하였다. MO source로는 액체상태의 TEOS$(Si(OC_2H_5)_4)$를, 반응가스로는 $H_2O$를 사용하였고, 불활성 기체인 Ar 가스는 purge 가스로 각각 사용 하였다. ALD 공정에 의해 표면처리 된 $TiO_2$ 나노 파우더의 분산특성은 각 공정 cycle에 따라 FESEM을 통하여 입자의 형상 및 분산성을 확인하였으며 입도 분석기를 통하여 부피의 변화 및 분산 특성을 확인하였다. 공정 cycle 이 증가함에 따라 입자간의 응집현상이 개선되는 것을 확인 할 수 있었으며, 100cycles에서 응집현상이 가장 많이 감소하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 표면 처리된 $SiO_2$ 산화막은 XRD를 통한 결정 분석 및 EDX를 통한 정성 분석을 통하여 확인하였다.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.382-382
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• 2009

염료감응형 태양전지의 구성체 중 전극으로 연구 되어 지고 있는 $TiO_2$는 기존에 대량 생산이 가능한 spin coating법, screen printing법, spray법의 연구가 이루어져 왔으나 고 효율 태양전지에 쓰이는 전극 시스템에 비해 고 분산성을 지닌 $TiO_2$페이스트를 제조 하는데 어려움이 있다. 그리고 플렉시블 디스플레이 소자의 응용을 위해서는 소자 공정 온도인 $250^{\circ}C$ 이하의 공정 온도가 요구 되어 지므로 고온공정인 CVD법은 이에 적합하지 않다. 이에 본 연구는 진공 증착 방법인 광원자층증착법을 이용하여 $150^{\circ}C$이하의 저온공정온도에서도 적용이 가능한 $TiO_2$ 박막을 185nm의 UV light를 조사하여 glass 기판위에 제조 하고 그에 따른 박막의 물성 분석을 하였다. Mo source로는 titanium tetraisopropoxide(TTIP)와 reactant gas 로는 $H_2O$를 사용하였으며 불활성 기체인 Ar 가스는 purge 가스로 각각 사용하였다. $100^{\circ}C{\sim}250^{\circ}C$ 공정온도를 변수로 $TiO_2$ 박막을 제조 하였으며 제조된 $TiO_2$ 박막의 물성 분석을 위해 FESEM, TEM을 이용하여 표면 및 두께를 분석하였다. 또한 $100^{\circ}C$ 400 cycles에서 약 12nm 막 두께를 관찰 할 수 있었으며 그 결과 박막의 성장률이 $0.3{\AA}$/cycle 임을 확인 할 수 있었다. 그리고 UV-VIS을 이용하여 박막의 좌외선에 대한 흡수도 및 투과도 분석을 하였다. 또한 XPS 성분 분석을 통하여 $100^{\circ}C$의 저온 공정에서 형성된 박막이 $TiO_2$임을 확인 하였다. 이러한 결과에서 185nm의 UV light에 의한 광원자층 증착법으로 $100^{\circ}C$의 저온에서도 $TiO_2$ 박막이 증착 되는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다.