Rika Taslim

A simple route to vertical array of quasi-1D ZnO nanofilms on FTO surfaces: 1D-crystal growth of nanoseeds under ammonia-assisted hydrolysis process.

AbstractA simple method for the synthesis of ZnO nanofilms composed of vertical array of quasi-1D ZnO nanostructures (quasi-NRs) on the surface was demonstrated via a 1D crystal growth of the attached nanoseeds under a rapid hydrolysis process of zinc salts in the presence of ammonia at room temperature. In a typical procedure, by simply controlling the concentration of zinc acetate and ammonia in the reaction, a high density of vertically oriented nanorod-like morphology could be successfully obtained in a relatively short growth period (approximately 4 to 5 min) and at a room-temperature process. The average diameter and the length of the nanostructures are approximately 30 and 110 nm, respectively. The as-prepared quasi-NRs products were pure ZnO phase in nature without the presence of any zinc complexes as confirmed by the XRD characterisation. Room-temperature optical absorption spectroscopy exhibits the presence of two separate excitonic characters inferring that the as-prepared ZnO quasi-NRs are high-crystallinity properties in nature. The mechanism of growth for the ZnO quasi-NRs will be proposed. Due to their simplicity, the method should become a potential alternative for a rapid and cost-effective preparation of high-quality ZnO quasi-NRs nanofilms for use in photovoltaic or photocatalytics applications. PACS: 81.07.Bc; 81.16.-c; 81.07.Gf.

Effect of surfactant on the physical properties of ZnO nanorods and the performance of ZnO photoelectrochemical cell

The performance of photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) strongly depends on the physical properties of photovoltaic material. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) surfactants were used to modify the morphology nanostructure of ZnO films by a simple technique, namely, ammonia-assisted controlled hydrolysis technique during their growth process. The film treated with PVP, CTAB and HMT produce the nanostructure shape of nanoflower, nanowire and nanorod (NR), respectively. These ZnO samples were utilised as photovoltaic materials in a PEC of FTO (fluorine tin oxide)/ZnO/electrolyte/platinum. It was found that the photovoltaic parameters such as short-circuit current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) are influenced by the morphology in term of shape and particle size and optical property of the ZnO NR. The PEC utilising the ZnO sample treated with HMT surfactant demonstrated the highest Jsc of 0.47 mAcm−2, Voc of 0.46 V, FF of 29.2% and η of 0.06%, respectively, since it possesses the lowest energy gap.

PREPARATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON MONOLITH ELECTRODES FROM SUGARCANE BAGASSE BY PHYSICAL AND PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL ACTIVATION PROCESS FOR SUPERCAPACITOR APPLICATION

Binderless activated carbon monoliths (ACMs) for supercapacitor electrodes were prepared from sugarcane bagasse by two different methods of physical and combination of physical-chemical activation process. The CO2 gas was used as physical activation agent and 0.3 M KOH was chosen as chemical activation agent. The ACMs were tested as electrodes in two-electrode systems of the coin tape cell supercapacitor that consists of stainless steel as current collectors and 1 M H2SO4 as an electrolyte. The improving of resistive, capacitive and energy properties of combination of physical-chemical ACMs electrodes were shown by an impedance spectroscopy, a cyclic voltammetry and a galvanostatic charge-discharge method. The improving of resistive, capacitive and energy properties as high as 1 to 0.6 Ω, 146 to 178 F g-1, 3.83 to 4.72 W h kg-1, respectively. The X-ray diffraction analysis and field emission scanning electron microscope were performed to characterize the crystallite and morphology characteristics. The results showed that the combination of physical-chemical activation process have given a good improving in performance of the bagasse based ACMs electrodes in supercapacitor application.

Preparation of binderless activated carbon monolith from pre-carbonization rubber wood sawdust by controlling of carbonization and activation condition

Binderless activated carbon monolith (ACM) was prepared from pre-carbonized rubber wood sawdust (RWSD). The effect of the carbonization temperature (400, 500, 600, 700, 800 dan 900 °C) on porosity characteristic of the ACM have been studied. The optimum carbonization temperature for obtaining ACM with high surface area of 600 °C with CO2 activation at 800 °C for one hour. At this condition, the surface area as high as 733 m2 g−1 could be successfully obtained. By improved the activation temperature at 900 °C for 2.5 h, it was found that the surface area of 860 m2 g−1. For this condition, the ACM exhibit the specific capacitance of 90 F g−1. In addition the termogravimertic (TG)-differential termografimertic (DTG) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) measurement were also performed on the ACMs and the result has been studied. Finally, it was conclude that the high surface area of ACM from RWSD could be produced by proper selections of carbonization and activation condition.

Eggs Shell Membrane as Natural Separator for Supercapacitor Applications

Various eggs shell membranes (ESMs) have been used as a separator for supercapacitor application. The separator was prepared from different membranes such as chicken eggs shell membrane (CESM), duck eggs shell membrane (DESM) and goose eggs shell membrane (GESM). The ESMs were tested as a separator in a two-electrode system, the sandwich-type supercapacitor cell consists of two activated carbon monoliths as electrodes, two stainless steel as current collectors and 1 M H2SO4 solution as an electrolyte. The electrochemical performance of the ESMs was characterized by an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, a cyclic voltammetry and a galvanostatic charge-discharge. The results of this study exhibit all of the ESMs as a good candidate for supercapacitor separator. However, the CESM was shown excellence electrochemical properties, such as low resistance, high energy density and power density. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and X-ray diffraction analysis were also proved that the ESMs are a promising low-cost separator for supercapacitor application.

Fabrication of photoelectrochemical cell using highly compact vertical array zno nanorod

Highly compact vertical array ZnO nanorods on the FTO coated glass was fabricated for photoelectrochemical cell of FTO/ZnO/electrolyte/platinum. ZnO nanorods were grown on the FTO substrate at room temperature via ammonia assisted rapid hydrolysis process technique. In typical process, ZnO nanorods were characterized by FESEM with vertical array oriented with average diameter and length of 48 nm and 218 nm, respectively. The sample was grown throughout the surface by using four cycle growth process. The photoelectrochemical cell property was studied in dark and under illumination of 100 mWcm-2 light. The cell exhibits photovoltaic effect with JSC of 0.22mAcm-2, VOC of 0.44 V, and conversion efficiency of 0.03%. Keywords: Vertical array ZnO nanorods, Photoelectrochemical solar cell

Brief review: Preparation techniques of biomass based activated carbon monolith electrode for supercapacitor applications

The synthesis of activated carbon monolith electrode made from a biomass material using the hydrolytic pressure or the pelletization technique of pre-carbonized materials is one of standard reported methods. Several steps such as pre-carbonization, milling, chemical activation, hydraulic press, carbonization, physical activation, polishing and washing need to be accomplished in the production of electrodes by this method. This is relatively a long process that need to be simplified. In this paper we present the standard method and proceed with the introduction to several alternative methods in the synthesis of activated carbon monolith electrodes. The alternative methods were emphasized on the selection of suitable biomass materials. All of carbon electrodes prepared by different methods will be analyzed for physical and electrochemical properties. The density, degree of crystallinity, surface morphology are examples for physical study and specific capacitance was an electrochemical properties that has be...