Kisu Lee

A graphene quantum dots based fluorescent sensor for anthrax biomarker detection and its size dependence

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with two different diameters were modified with a EuIII-macromolecule complex and applied in dual emission fluorescent sensors for detection of Bacillus anthracis spores. The Eu-GQD sensors exhibited a morphology of ultrafine particles, increased surface-to-volume ratio, enhanced dispersibility, and extraordinary sensitivity. The 3 nm Eu-GQDs showed three emission bands, which are ascribed to the emission from the blue GQDs (435 nm) and the red [(Eu)-(DPA)] complex (593 nm and 616 nm). Accordingly, incorporation of the GQDs as a non-interfering internal calibration makes it possible for use as a ratiometric sensor. The time dependent fluorescence response study revealed that the reaction was complete within 8 s, thus enabling rapid detection of B. anthracis spores. It is noteworthy that the Eu-GQD sensors exhibited an extraordinary limit of detection (LOD) of ca. 10 pM towards B. anthracis, which is six orders of magnitude smaller than the infectious dose of the spores (60 μM). Furthermore, the selectivity study indicates that Eu-GQD sensors have an outstanding selectivity of 103-fold for DPA over competing aromatic ligands.

Electrorheological performance of multigram-scale mesoporous silica particles with different aspect ratios

Mesoporous silica (mSiO2) particle-based electrorheological (ER) fluids were examined to determine the effect of the particles’ aspect ratio on ER performance. Multigram-scale mSiO2 particles were fabricated with different aspect ratios using the sol–gel method. The ER performance of various mSiO2 particle-based ER fluids improved with an increasing aspect ratio due to the better flow resistance and mechanical stability. Moreover, an incremental increase in the aspect ratio enhanced the interfacial polarization of the material. Thus, mSiO2 materials with a high aspect ratio exhibited the highest ER performance due to combined contributions from geometrical effects and their dielectric properties. In addition, various mSiO2-based ER fluids showed potential for large-scale production and a wide applicable range of electric field strengths (up to 10.0 kV mm−1).

Highly porous nanostructured polyaniline/carbon nanodots as efficient counter electrodes for Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells

We report a novel method for synthesizing highly porous polyaniline (PANI) using carbon nanodots (CNDs) as a nucleating agent and demonstrate their use as counter electrodes (CEs) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). CNDs surrounded with aniline act as efficient nuclei in the polymerization reaction. CNDs disrupt undesirable secondary growth reactions leading to the formation of an agglomerated structure, and organize the highly porous PANI structures with a large surface area (43.6 m2 g−1). Moreover, the presence of CNDs in the polymerization mixture facilitates generation of head-to-tail dimers, and enhances the degree of para-coupling in the molecular structure of PANI. As a result of these nucleation effects, the fabricated PANI-CND films exhibit an increased electrical conductivity of ca. 774 S cm−1. When used as a CE in DSSCs, PANI-CND CEs exhibit a superior power conversion efficiency (η = 7.45%) to those of conventional platinum (η = 7.37%) and pristine PANI CEs (η = 5.60%).

Large Grain-Based Hole-Blocking Layer-Free Planar-Type Perovskite Solar Cell with Best Efficiency of 18.20%

There remains tremendous interest in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in the solar energy field; the certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) now exceeds 20%. Along with research focused on enhancing PCE, studies are also underway concerning PSC commercialization. It is crucial to simplify the fabrication process and reduce the production cost to facilitate commercialization. Herein, we successfully fabricated highly efficient hole-blocking layer (HBL)-free PSCs through vigorously interrupting penetration of hole-transport material (HTM) into fluorine-doped tin oxide by a large grain based-CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) film, thereby obtaining a PCE of 18.20%. Our results advance the commercialization of PSCs via a simple fabrication system and a low-cost approach in respect of mass production and recyclability.

Paintable Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells with Engineered Perovskite/Carbon Interface Using Carbon Nanotubes Dripping Method

Paintable carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are of particular interest due to their material and fabrication process costs, as well as their moisture stability. However, printing the carbon paste on the perovskite layer limits the quality of the interface between the perovskite layer and carbon electrode. Herein, an attempt to enhance the performance of the paintable carbon-based PSCs is made using a modified solvent dripping method that involves dripping of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which is dispersed in chlorobenzene solution. This method allows CNTs to penetrate into both the perovskite film and carbon electrode, facilitating fast hole transport between the two layers. Furthermore, this method is results in increased open circuit voltage (Voc ) and fill factor (FF), providing better contact at the perovskite/carbon interfaces. The best devices made with CNT dripping show 13.57% power conversion efficiency and hysteresis-free performance.

Highly efficient perovskite solar cells incorporating NiO nanotubes: increased grain size and enhanced charge extraction

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have greatly improved through optimizing the morphology and charge extraction of the perovskite film. To increase the efficiency, we have developed a new method of adding NiO nanotubes (NTs) to the perovskite precursor solution. The NiO NTs promoted the growth of perovskite grains during annealing and facilitated charge extraction. The increase in the grain size improved the crystallinity of the perovskite film and reduced the grain boundaries that could trap charge. Additionally, the NiO NTs located between the grain boundaries transferred holes, which prevented charge recombination. The efficiency of the PSCs increased due to the improved crystallinity and charge extraction of the perovskite film. Devices incorporating the NiO NTs exhibited power conversion efficiencies of 19.3 and 12.82% for planar-type and carbon-based PSCs, respectively.

Fluid flow and mixing behavior in gas stirred ladle with submerged lance

A numerical study for analyzing both fluid flow and mixing behavior in gas-stirred ladles with a submerged lance was performed. At first, the shape and volume of the plumes generated by the submerged nozzle were calculated. Subsequently, the fluid flow driven by these plumes, and the mass transfer in the ladle were calculated by a three dimensional turbulent simulation program. Water model experiments for the velocity measurements were performed to verify the accuracy of the calculation results. It was shown that as the gas flow rate increases, the downward velocity at the ladle wall increases and mixing time decreases. Mixing time is sensitive to the alloy addition position especially at a lower gas flow rate. The result suggested that the alloy should be added at the plume zone close to the center at the melt surface

Size effects of a graphene quantum dot modified-blocking TiO2 layer for efficient planar perovskite solar cells

Research on the addition of suitable materials into perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for improved performance is as important as the fabrication of efficient perovskite films themselves. An attempt to enhance the performance of planar-type perovskite solar cells was performed by introducing graphene quantum dots (GQDs) onto a blocking TiO2 layer via O2 plasma treatment. Furthermore, the bandgap of the GQDs was tuned through their size control and the effects of the GQD size on cell performance were explored. The GQDs can induce fast electron extraction and the formation of the improved perovskite quality. The devices with appropriately sized-GQDs showed an average of 10% enhancement compared with those of cells without GQDs and achieved 19.11% as the best power conversion efficiency (PCE). Furthermore, GQDs contributed to the reduction in the extent of current–voltage hysteresis, which was attributed to the planar structure.

Fabrication of Uniform Wrinkled Silica Nanoparticles and Their Application to Abrasives in Chemical Mechanical Planarization

A simple one-pot method is reported for the fabrication of uniform wrinkled silica nanoparticles (WSNs). Rapid cooling of reactants at the appropriate moment during synthesis allowed the separation of nucleation and growth stages, resulting in uniform particles. The factors affecting particle size and interwrinkle distance were also investigated. WSNs with particle sizes of 65-400 nm, interwrinkle distances of 10-33 nm, and surface areas up to 617 m2 g-1 were fabricated. Furthermore, our results demonstrate the advantages of WSNs over comparable nonporous silica nanospheres and fumed silica-based products as an abrasive material in chemical mechanical planarization processes.

Fabrication of monodisperse nitrogen-doped carbon double-shell hollow nanoparticles for supercapacitors

Nitrogen-doped carbon double-shell nanoparticles (NC DS-HNPs) were fabricated using SiO2/TiO2 double-shell nanoparticles (ST DS-HNPs) and polydopamine-coating. The NC DS-HNPs have a high surface area of 873.52 m2 g−1 and a pore volume of 2.86 cm3 g−1, which are favorable characteristics for supercapacitors. In addition, nitrogen doping induced pseudo-capacitance via the redox activity of the surface functionalities. A specific capacitance of 202 F g−1 was achieved for supercapacitors based on NC DS-HNPs at a current density of 0.5 A g−1. Consequently, the unique morphology and electrochemical properties of NC DS-HNPs show great potential for future energy-related devices.