Browsing by Author "Chu, Chih Wei"

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Controlled mechanical cleavage of bulk niobium diselenide to nanoscaled sheet, rod, and particle structures for Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells
(2014)
Ibrahem, Mohammed Aziz
;
Huang, Wei-Chih
;
Lan, Tian-wey
;
Boopathi, Karunakara Moorthy
;
Hsiao, Yu-Chen
In this study, we report a one-step process for the preparation of NbSe2 nanosheets, nanorods and nanoparticles from pristine materials under the effects of shear and friction forces. Nevertheless, simple and facile methods for the large-scale syntheses of well-defined NbSe2 nanostructures in high yield have yet to be realized and that will have a great impact in a wide range of applications. For example, developing platinum (Pt)-free and highly efficient counter electrodes is meaningful and necessary for the cost reduction of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By integrating this approach with a simple method of thin film preparation (spray coating) allowed us to prepare large-area, conductive, semitransparent flexible thin films of NbSe2. We have used microscopic and macroscopic methods to examine the morphologies, compositions, crystallinity, and electrical and optical properties of the converted NbSe2 nanostructures. DSSCs with NbSe2 nanosheet counter electrodes (CEs) achieved a conversion efficiency of 7.73%, superior to an efficiency of 7.01% for Pt-based CEs. Our NbSe2 nanostructure provides a cost-effective CE alternative to the noble metal Pt in DSSCs.
Direct conversion of multilayer molybdenum trioxide to nanorods as multifunctional electrodes in lithium-ion batteries
(2014)
Ibrahem, Mohammed Aziz
;
Wu, Feng-Yu
;
Mengistie, Desalegn Alemu
;
Chang, Chia-Seng
;
Li, Lain-Jong
In this study we prepared molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanorods having average lengths of 0.5-1.5 mu m and widths of approximately 100-200 nm through a one-step mechanical break-down process involving favorable fracturing along the crystal direction. We controlled the dimensions of the as-prepared nanorods by applying various imposing times (15-90 min). The nanorods prepared over a reaction time of 90 min were, on average, much shorter and narrower relative to those obtained over 30 min. Evaluations of lithium-ion storage properties revealed that the electrochemical performance of these nanorods was much better than that of bulk materials. As cathodes, the nanorods could deliver a high specific capacity (>315 mA h g(-1)) with losses of less than 2% in the first cycle at a rate of 30 mA g(-1); as anodes, the specific capacity was 800 mA h g(-1) at a rate of 50 mA g(-1). Relative to alpha-MoO3 microparticles, these nanorods displayed significantly enhanced lithium-ion storage properties with higher reversible capacities and better rate performance, presumably because their much shorter diffusion lengths and higher specific surface areas allowed more-efficient insertion/deinsertion of lithium ions during the charge/discharge process. Accordingly, enhanced physical and/or chemical properties can be obtained through appropriate nanostructuring of materials.
High quantity and quality few-layers transition metal disulfide nanosheets from wet-milling exfoliation
(2013)
Ibrahem, Mohammed Aziz
;
Lan, Tian-wey
;
Huang, Jing Kai
;
Chen, Yang-Yuan
;
Wei, Kung-Hwa
Low-cost and large-area electronic applications require the deposition of active materials in simple and inexpensive techniques at room temperature; properties usually associated with polymer films. In this study, we demonstrate a simple, low-cost and environmentally friendly method for the high-yield production of two dimensional nanosheets of semiconducting transition metal disulfides, integrated with the route towards the solution-processed deposition of MoS2 and WS2 thin films. The resulting materials with high purity and no contamination or distortion in their structural and electronic properties were confirmed with different microscopic and macroscopic methods. As a proof of concept, we utilize these layered transition metal disulphide films as electron extraction layers in an inverted structure organic solar cell, prepared at relatively low annealing temperatures (<= 150 degrees C). A promising power conversion efficiency with high stability is achieved, which makes these proposed buffer layers quite attractive for next-generation flexible devices requiring high conductivity and transparency, as well as wide range of other potential applications.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Low-Bandgap Triphenylamine-Based Conjugated Polymers with Main-Chain Donors and Pendent Acceptors for Organic Photovoltaics
(2010-12-15)
Sahu, Duryodhan
;
Padhy, Harihara
;
Patra, Dhananjaya
;
Huang, Jen Hsien
;
Chu, Chih Wei
A series of novel low bandgap triphenylamine based conjugated polymers (PCAZCN PPTZCN and PDTPCN) consisting of different electron rich donor main chains (N alkyl 2 7 carbazole phenothiazine and cyclopentadithinopyrol respectively) as well as cyano and dicyano vinyl electron acceptor pendants were synthesized and developed for poly mer solar cell applications The polymers covered broad absorption spectra of 400-800 nm with narrow optical band gaps ranging 1 66-1 72 eV The highest occupied molecular or bital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels of the polymers measured by cyclic voltammetry were found in the range of -5 12 to -532 V and -345 to -355 eV respectively Under 100 mW/cm(2) of AM 1 5 white light illumination bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices composing of an active layer of electron donor polymers (PCAZCN PPTZCN and PDTPCN) blended with electron acceptor [6 6] phenyl C(61) butync acid methyl ester or [6 6] phenyl C(71) butyric acid methyl ester (PC(71)BM) in different weight ratios were investigated The photovoltaic device containing donor PCAZCN and acceptor PC(71)BM in 1 2 weight ratio showed the highest power conversion efficiency of 1 28% with V(oc) = 0 81 V J(sc) = 493 mA/cm(2) and fill factor = 32 1% (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals Inc J Polym Sci Part A Polym Chem 48 5812-5823 2010