Takashi Tarao

Indium Tin Oxide Nanofiber Film Electrode for High Performance Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) were fabricated using transparent and conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) nanofiber film prepared by electrospinning. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images confirmed that the prepared films were well attached, exceptionally long, and had an average diameter of around 200 nm. We found that the maximum efficiency of the device was as high as 3.97% with the structure of a double-layer nanofiber film. It was shown that an improvement as much as 16.76% was achieved. These achievements were obtained due to a reduction in grain boundaries, to an efficient high charge collection, and to rapid electron transport.

Heat treatment of electrospun silicate fiber substrates enhances cellular adhesion and proliferation

Synthetic scaffolds support cell attachment in vitro. We prepared ultra-fine silicate fibers using the sol-gel process and electrospinning, heated the fibers to 500 degrees C and investigated their effects on the behavior of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. Alterations in surface composition following heat treatment improved cell adhesion and influenced cell migration.