Energy Storage Performance of Electrode Materials Derived from Manganese Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials assembled using metal and organic linkers, showing a high specific surface area and a tunable pore size. Large portions of metal open sites in MOFs can be exposed to electrolyte ions, meaning they have high potential to be used as electrode materials in energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. Also, they can be easily converted into porous metal oxides by heat treatment. In this study, we obtained high energy storage performance by preparing electrode materials through applying heat treatment to manganese MOFs (Mn-MOFs) under air. The chemical and structural properties of synthesized and thermally treated Mn-MOFs were measured by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface area and porosity were investigated by nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) using a three-electrode cell. It was found that Mn-MOF electrodes that underwent heat treatment at 400 °C under air consisted of Mn2O3 with high specific surface area and porosity. They also showed a superior specific capacitance of 214.0 F g-1 and an energy density value of 29.7 Wh kg-1 (at 0.1 A g-1) compared to non-treated Mn-MOFs.

Effects of Ti3C2Tx MXene Addition to a Co Complex/Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolyte on the Photovoltaic Performance of Solar Cells.

Redox mediators comprising I-, Co3+, and Ti3C2Tx MXene were applied to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). In the as-prepared DSCs (I-DSCs), wherein hole conduction occurred via the redox reaction of I-/I3- ions, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) was not altered by the addition of Ti3C2Tx MXene. The I-DSCs were exposed to light to produce Co2+/Co3+-based cells (Co-DSCs), wherein the holes were transferred via the redox reaction of Co2+/Co3+ ions. A PCE of 9.01% was achieved in a Co-DSC with Ti3C2Tx MXene (Ti3C2Tx-Co-DSC), which indicated an improvement from the PCE of a bare Co-DSC without Ti3C2Tx MXene (7.27%). It was also found that the presence of Ti3C2Tx MXene in the redox mediator increased the hole collection, dye regeneration, and electron injection efficiencies of the Ti3C2Tx-Co-DSC, leading to an improvement in both the short-circuit current and the PCE when compared with those of the bare Co-DSC without MXene.

Enhancement in Photovoltaic Performance of Solar Cells by Electrostatic Adsorption of Dyes on ZnO Nanorods.

ZnO nanorods were formed by chemical bath deposition on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass and the photovoltaic performance of ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) was investigated. A DSC with 8 h-grown ZnO nanorods showed a higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) than devices with 4, 6, and 10 h-grown ones. Further improvement in PCE was achieved in a cell with a silver-ion-deposited ZnO/FTO electrode. By deposition of Ag+ on the surface of the 8 h-grown ZnO nanorods, the dye-loading amount increased by approximately 210%, compared to that of pristine ZnO nanorods, resulting in a 1.8-times higher PCE. A DSC with the pristine ZnO/FTO electrode showed a PCE of 0.629%, while in a device with the silver-ion-deposited ZnO/FTO, the PCE increased to 1.138%. In addition, interfacial resistance at the ZnO/dye/electrolyte was reduced to approximately 170 Ω from 460 Ω for the control cell with the pristine ZnO/FTO. We attributed the higher dye-loading amount in the silver-ion-deposited ZnO/FTO to the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged ZnO and carboxylate anions (-COO-) of the N719 dyes.

Effect of Morphological Characteristics and Biomineralization of 3D-Printed Gelatin/Hyaluronic Acid/Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffolds on Bone Tissue Regeneration.

The use of porous three-dimensional (3D) composite scaffolds has attracted great attention in bone tissue engineering applications because they closely simulate the major features of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) of bone. This study aimed to prepare biomimetic composite scaffolds via a simple 3D printing of gelatin/hyaluronic acid (HA)/hydroxyapatite (HAp) and subsequent biomineralization for improved bone tissue regeneration. The resulting scaffolds exhibited uniform structure and homogeneous pore distribution. In addition, the microstructures of the composite scaffolds showed an ECM-mimetic structure with a wrinkled internal surface and a porous hierarchical architecture. The results of bioactivity assays proved that the morphological characteristics and biomineralization of the composite scaffolds influenced cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. In particular, the biomineralized gelatin/HA/HAp composite scaffolds with double-layer staggered orthogonal (GEHA20-ZZS) and double-layer alternative structure (GEHA20-45S) showed higher bioactivity than other scaffolds. According to these results, biomineralization has a great influence on the biological activity of cells. Hence, the biomineralized composite scaffolds can be used as new bone scaffolds in bone regeneration.

Molecular Weight Effects of Biscarbazole-Based Hole Transport Polymers on the Performance of Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

The leakage and volatilization of liquid electrolytes limit the commercialization of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). As solid-state (ss) hole-transporting materials, free from leakage and volatilization, biscarbazole-based polymers with different molecular weights (PBCzA-H (21,200 g/mol) and PBCzA-L (2450 g/mol)) were applied in combination with additives to produce ssDSCs. An ssDSC with PBCzA-H showed a better short-circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and fill factor (FF) than a device with PBCzA-L, resulting in 38% higher conversion efficiency. Compared to the PBCzA-L, the PBCzA-H with a higher molecular weight showed faster hole mobility and larger conductivity, leading to elevations in Jsc via rapid hole transport, Voc via rapid hole extraction, and FF via lowered series and elevated shunt resistances. Thus, it is believed that PBCzA-H is a useful candidate for replacing liquid electrolytes.

Enhanced Power Conversion Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by Band Edge Shift of TiO2 Photoanode.

By simple soaking titanium dioxide (TiO2) films in an aqueous Na2S solution, we could prepare surface-modified photoanodes for application to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). An improvement in both the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and the fill factor (FF) was observed in the DSSC with the 5 min-soaked photoanode, compared with those of the control cell without any modification. The UV-visible absorbance spectra, UPS valence band spectra, and dark current measurements revealed that the Na2S modification led to the formation of anions on the TiO2 surface, and thereby shifted the conduction band edge of TiO2 in the negative (upward) direction, inducing an increase of 29 mV in the Voc. It was also found that the increased FF value in the surface-treated device was attributed to an elevation in the shunt resistance.

Surface crosslinking of 6FDA-durene nanofibers for porous carbon nanofiber electrodes in electrochemical double layer capacitors.

Tailoring the chemical structures of a precursor polymer for carbon nanofibers (CNFs) produced by thermal treatment of electrospun nanofibers was studied to prepare the electrodes for electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs). To improve energy storage performance of CNF electrodes, 6FDA-durene nanofibers were crosslinked by a vapor crosslinking method, and subsequently carbonized. Chemical modification via crosslinking was confirmed by FTIR spectra while the conversion of crosslinked 6FDA-durene into carbon was done by Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical performance of these CNF electrodes was evaluated by assembling coin cells, and the CNFs derived from crosslinked 6FDA-durene nanofibers showed higher specific capacitances, energy densities and cycling stability than those from non-crosslinked ones. It was also shown that CNFs prepared using 1 min crosslinking exhibit the highest energy storage performances, a specific capacitance of 301 F g-1 (at 10 mV s-1), and the maximum energy density of 11.1 Wh kg-1 (at 0.5 A g-1) and power density of 1.8 kW kg-1 (at 6 A g-1). Surface area and porosity of CNFs, which is critical for the performance of EDLC electrodes, were studied by nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements, and it was clearly seen that surface crosslinking of precursor polymers improved surface properties of the resultant CNFs.

Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Containing ZnO Microrods.

At an elevated temperature of 90 °C, a chemical bath deposition using an aqueous solution of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and (CH2)6N4 resulted in the formation of both nanoflowers and microrods of ZnO on F-doped SnO2 glass with a seed layer. The nanoflowers and microrods were sensitized with dyes for application to the photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By extending the growth time of ZnO, the formation of nanoflowers was reduced and the formation of microrods favored. As the growth time was increased from 4 to 6 and then to 8 h, the open circuit voltage (Voc) values of the DSSCs were increased, whilst the short circuit current (Jsc) values varied only slightly. Changes in the dye-loading amount, dark current, and electrochemical impedance were monitored and they revealed that the increase in Voc was found to be due to a retardation of the charge recombination between photoinjected electrons and I3- ions and resulted from a reduction in the surface area of ZnO microrods. A reduced surface area decreased the dye contents adsorbed on the ZnO microrods, and thereby decreased the light harvesting efficiency (LHE). An increase in the electron collection efficiency attributed to the suppressed charge recombination counteracted the decreased LHE, resulting in comparable Jsc values regardless of the growth time.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Composite Nanofibers Containing Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane⁻Epigallocatechin Gallate Conjugate for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

To provide adequate conditions for the regeneration of damaged bone, it is necessary to develop piezoelectric porous membranes with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, composite nanofibers comprising poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane⁻epigallocatechin gallate (POSS⁻EGCG) conjugate were fabricated by electrospinning methods. The resulting composite nanofibers showed three-dimensionally interconnected porous structures. Their average diameters, ranging from 936 ± 223 nm to 1094 ± 394 nm, were hardly affected by the addition of the POSS⁻EGCG conjugate. On the other hand, the piezoelectric ß-phase increased significantly from 77.4% to 88.1% after adding the POSS⁻EGCG conjugate. The mechanical strength of the composite nanofibers was ameliorated by the addition of the POSS⁻EGCG conjugate. The results of in vitro bioactivity tests exhibited that the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) on the nanofibers increased with the content of POSS⁻EGCG conjugate because of the improved piezoelectricity and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the nanofibers. All results could suggest that the PVDF composite nanofibers were effective for guided bone regeneration.

Development and effect of a cognitive enhancement gymnastics program for elderly people with dementia.

The purpose of this study was to develop a cognitive enhancement gymnastics program for the elderly with dementia and to verify its effect. The study was conducted on 27 people with dementia being treated in a dementia day care center in Incheon city. No statistically significant differences were found in the measures Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS), Seoul Activities of Daily Living (S-ADL), or rock-paper-scissors. However, the MMSE-DS and rock-paper-scissors showed improvement after 12 weeks.

Influences of Sr-Incorporated TiO2 Layer on the Photovoltaic Properties of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Effects of a mixed overlayer composed of TiO2 and TiSrO3 on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were investigated. The surface of TiO2 photoelectrode formed on F-doped SnO2 (FTO) was modified by soaking it in a TiCl4:SrCl2 mixed aqueous solution with various molar ratios and then calcining to produce the TiCl4:SrCl2-treated TiO2 photoelectrode (Ti:Sr-TiO2/FTO). The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) was obtained from DSSC with Ti:Sr(7:3)-TiO2/FTO, which was prepared from the mixed solution with the molar ratio of 7:3 (TiOl4:SrCl2). An enhancement in short-circuit photocurrent (J(sc)) and open-circuit voltage (V(oc)) of DSSC with Ti:Sr(7:3)-TiO2/FTO was achieved, compared to those of the reference device with Ti:Sr(10:0)-TiC2/FTO (i.e., TiO2-coated TiO2/FTO). The incorporation of the mixed overlayer on the nanoporous TiO2 photoelectorde led to an improvement in the electron collection efficiency by a prolonged electron lifetime, thereby increasing the J(sc) value. The increase in V(oc) value of the device with Ti:Sr(7:3)-TiO2/FTO was due to the suppression of the charge recombination between injected electrons and I3(-) ions.

Efficiency Improvement of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Surface-Modified Photoelectrodes.

A novel surface modifier, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt (EDTNa), was incorporated on the surface of TiO2, and the resulting electrodes were applied to the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The DSSC with EDTNa-incorporated photoelectrode showed an increase in short-circuit current (JSC) and open-circuit voltage (VOC), resulting in a 16.5% enhancement in power conversion efficiency, compared to that of reference cell without EDTNa. It was found that the presence of the bulky ethylenediamine tetraacetate moieties increases lifetime of electrons injected from dye molecules to TiO2, resulting from an effective prevention of direct contact between electrolyte ions and the TiO2 surface. This improvement of lifetime induced the enhancement in J, and VOC.

Effects of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate as a Co-Adsorbate on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

As a surface modifier, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), was applied to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and its effects on the photovoltaic performance of the solar cells were investigated. When the SDS was co-adsorbed with dye (N719) onto TiO2 surface, the DSSCs with SDS showed an increase in short-circuit current (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor, leading to a considerable improvement of over 23% in power conversion efficiency, compared to the reference cell without SDS. Incorporation of SDS on TiO2 surface induced longer lifetime of electrons injected from excited dyes to conduction band of TiO2, leading to an increase in the electron collection efficiency and thus an enhancement in Jsc. The longer lifetime by a suppression of the interfacial charge recombination could also contribute to an increment in Voc.

Improved Photovoltaic Properties of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with KNO3-Modified Photoelectrodes.

The surface of a TiO2 photoelectrode was modified through a dip-coating process using an aqueous potassium nitrate (KNO3) solution to increase the power-conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The KNO3-modified TiO2 electrode was applied to the photoanode of the DSSCs. The DSSC with the KNO3-modified TiO2 electrode exhibited a short-circuit current (J(sc)) of 15.26 mA/cm2 and an open-circuit voltage (V(oc)) of 671 mV, compared with a J(sc) of 13.74 mA/cm2 and V(oc) of 654 mV for a reference device with a pristine TiO2 electrode. The results in combination with relevant data from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, open-circuit voltage decay, and dark current measurements revealed that the modification of the TiO2 surface using the surface modifier (KNO3) led to a longer electron lifetime by the suppression of the charge recombination between injected electrons and I3- ions, resulting in an increase in both J(sc) and V(oc), compared with those of the reference device without surface modification.

Incorporation of Potassium Water Glass on Photoelectrodes and Its Effects on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

We applied potassium water glass (PWG) for a modification of photoelectrodes and investigated the effects of this modification on the photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The PWG-modified TiO2 electrodes were prepared by soaking the TiO2 films in an aqueous PWG solution, and the resulting electrodes were applied to the photoanodes of DSSCs. Compared with a reference device with pristine TiO2 electrode, the power conversion efficiency of a DSSC with a PWG-modified TiO2 electrode was improved by about 26% because of the enhanced short-circuit photocurrent (J(sc)) and open-circuit voltage (V(oc)). Open-circuit voltage decay, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and dark current measurements revealed that the incorporation of PWG on the TiO2 surface led to a longer electron lifetime because of the suppression of charge recombination between injected electrons and I3(-) ions, which, compared with a reference device without surface modification, resulted in an increase in both J(sc) and V(oc).

Investigation of reaction mechanisms of bismuth tellurium selenide nanomaterials for simple reaction manipulation causing effective adjustment of thermoelectric properties.

We synthesized ternary n-type bismuth tellurium selenide nanomaterials for thermoelectric applications via a water-based chemical reaction under an atmospheric environment. In this work, bismuth nitrate was employed as a bismuth precursor and was hydrolyzed to form bismuth hydroxide in an aqueous solution. Ascorbic acid was used to dissolve the bismuth hydroxide and give a reactive bismuth source (Bi(3+) ions) that was able to react with anion sources (Te(2-)/Se(2-) ions). Ascorbic acid played a role in reducing bismuth hydroxide to an unreactive bismuth source (bismuth particles, Bi(0)). We confirmed that ascorbic acid dissolved or reduced bismuth hydroxide depending on the solution pH. Because either Bi(3+) ions or bismuth particles were generated depending on the pH, the nanomaterial stoichiometry was pH dependent. Nanomaterials prepared at various pH levels were individually sintered using a spark plasma sintering process to measure their thermoelectric transport properties (i.e., carrier concentration, electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity). We observed how the transport properties were affected through adjustment of the pH of the reaction and found an appropriate pH for optimizing the transport properties, which resulted in enhancement of the thermoelectric performance.

Enhanced performance of polymer solar cells with a fluorocyanophenyl compound as an additive.

The efficiency of polymer solar cells (PSCs) with P3HT [poly(3-hexyl thiophene)]:PC61BM [[6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester] blend film was improved by the incorporation of a fluorocyanophenyl compound, 3,4,5,6-tetrafluorophthalonitrile (TFP), as an additive. When the amount of TFTadditive was 5 wt% based on the total amount of P3HT and PC61BM, the highest efficiency was achieved. The annealed PSC with 5 wt% TFP had a power conversion efficiency of 4.45% compared with that (3.57%) of the reference cell without the additive, which corresponds to an increase of about 18.7% in the efficiency due to an enhancement in the short circuit current (J(sc)). A seriese of measurements such as UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, X-ray measurements, atomic force microscopic images and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectra revealed that the increased J(sc) in the PSC with P3HT:PC61BM:TFP blend film was due to an improvement in both exciton generation and charge transport efficiency, resulting from higher absorbance, larger crystal size and more effective phase separation.

Increased photovoltaic performance by the optimized TiClI4 and AlCl3 surface treatment in dye-sensitized solar cells.

The surface of TiO2 photoelectrodes coated on F-doped SnO2 (FTO) was modified by soaking it in a TiCl4:AlCl3 mixed aqueous solution with various molar ratios, and then calcining to produce the TiCl4:AlCl3-treated TiO2 photoelectrode (Ti:Al-TiO2/FTO). The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) was obtained from dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) with Ti:Al(5:5)-TiO2/FTO, which was prepared from the mixed solution with the molar ratio of 5:5 (TiCi4:AlCl3). PCE of DSSC with Ti:Al (5:5)-TiO2/FTO was improved by ca. 19.6%, compared to that of the reference device with Ti:Al (10:0)-TiO2/FTO (i.e., TiO2-coated TiO2/FTO) due to an enhancement in both short-circuit photocurrent (J(sc)) and open-circuit voltage (V(oc)). A series of measurements such as UV-visible absorption, electrochemical impedance, open circuit voltage decay and dark current revealed that the increase in J(sc) was attributed to the improvement of electron collection efficiency by a prolonged electron lifetime, and the suppression of the charge recombination between injected electrons and I3(-) ions was found to increase the V(oc) value of the device with Ti:Al(5:5)-TiO2/FTO.

Optimization of the TiO2-surface modification temperature for performance enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells.

A nanoporous TiO2 electrode was modified with magnesium salts (MSs), MgCO3 and Mg(CH3COO)2, by simple dip coating process at varied temperatures, and then applied to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). When the surface treatment was conducted at 40 °C, the DSSC with MS-modified TiO2 layer showed an increase in short circuit current (JSC) and open circuit voltage (VOC), resulting in a power conversion efficiency of 8.52%, compared to that (7.02%) of reference device with bare TiO2. The improved JSC value was attributed to the increased dye adsorption. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and dark current-voltage studies revealed that the VOC enhancement was caused by the suppression of charge recombination between injected electrons and I3(-) ions.

Efficiency enhancement of dye-sensitized solar cells by interface modification between photoanode and electrolyte.

A nanoporous TiO2 layer on a transparent electrode was modified with an aqueous lithium hydroxide solution by a simple dipping process, and effects of the modified electrode on the photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells were investigated. The modification led to a considerable improvement of 23.6% in power conversion efficiency due to an increase in both open circuit voltage and fill factor. From the measurements of the electronic band structure, electrochemical impedance spectra and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency, it was revealed that the modification by LiOH formed a surface dipole on the TiO2 electrode, leading to a negative shift of conduction band edge of TiO2.