Shunjian Xu

Facile synthesis of gradient mesoporous carbon monolith based on polymerization-induced phase separation

In this paper, a gradient mesoporous carbon (GMC) monolith derived from the mixtures of phenolic resin (PF) and ethylene glycol (EG) was prepared by a facile route based on polymerization-induced phase separation under temperature gradient (TG). A graded biphasic structure of PF-rich and EG-rich phases was first formed in preform under a TG, and then the preform was pyrolyzed to obtain the GMC monolith. The TG is mainly induced by the thermal resistance of the preferential phase separation layer at high temperature region. The pore structure of the monolith changes gradually along the TG direction. When the TG varies from 58°C to 29°C, the pore size, apparent porosity and specific surface area of the monolith range respectively from 18 nm to 83 nm, from 32% to 39% and from 140.5 m2/g to 515.3 m2/g. The gradient porous structure of the monolith is inherited from that of the preform, which depends on phase separation under TG in the resin mixtures. The pyrolysis mainly brings about the contraction of the pore size and wall thickness as well as the transformation of polymerized PF into glassy carbon.

Enhanced electrochromic properties of TiO2 nanoporous film prepared based on an assistance of polyethylene glycol

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was employed as pore-forming agent to prepare TiO2 nanoporous film based on spin-coating a TiO2 nanoparticle mixed paste on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass. The electrochromic and optical properties of the obtained TiO2 film were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The results show that the PEG in the mixed paste endows the TiO2 film with well-developed porous structure and improves the uniformity of the TiO2 film, which are helpful for the rapid intercalation and extraction of lithium ions within the TiO2 film and the strengthening of the diffuse reflection of visible light in the TiO2 film. As a result, the TiO2 film derived from the mixed paste with PEG displays higher electrochemical activity and more excellent electrochromic performances compared with the TiO2 film derived from the mixed paste without PEG. The switching times of coloration/bleaching are respectively 10.16/5.65 and 12.77/6.13 s for the TiO2 films with PEG and without PEG. The maximum value of the optical contrast of the TiO2 film with PEG is 21.2% while that of the optical contrast of the TiO2 film without PEG is 14.9%. Furthermore, the TiO2 film with PEG has better stability of the colored state than the TiO2 film without PEG.

Use Triton X100 as additive for mesoporous carbon counter electrode to improve the photoelectric properties of dye-sensitized solar cells

The counter electrodes have been prepared using mesoporous carbon (MC) derived from phenolic resin as catalytic material through a low temperature technology, emphasizing on investigation of the effect of Triton X-100 in MC counter electrode on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Addition of Triton X100 in MC electrode strengthened its catalytic activity for the triiodide and decreased its sheet resistance, finally result in increased fill factor and short circuit photocurrent density of corresponding DSCs. The conversion efficiency of DSCs was finally increased from 4.96 % to 5.53%. Improved performances were mainly attributed to the improvement of the contact interface between MC layer and substrate as well as the connection of between MC particles.