Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Researchers Design Durable Organic Semiconductor Photocathodes with Metal Foil Encapsulation

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 23, 2022
Hydrogen, OS, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Electrolyte, Journal, PEC, RHE, Solar energy, Electricity, Sunlight, Nanoparticle, Technology, Water, Climate, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Oss, Printing

GWANGJU, South Korea, Sept. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hydrogen is emerging as a popular eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuel resources owing to its carbon-neutral combustion products (water, electricity, and heat) and is considered to be the next-generation fuel for a zero-emission society. However, the major source of hydrogen is, ironically, fossil fuels.

Key Points: 
  • One way to produce hydrogen in a clean and sustainable manner is through water splitting driven by sunlight.
  • The process, known as "photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting" is the basis of operation of organic photovoltaic cells.
  • Now, a team of researchers led by Prof. Sanghan Lee from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, may have finally solved this problem.
  • The team fabricated an organic photovoltaic cell, in which the OS photocathode was covered with titanium foil and well-dispersed platinum nanoparticles.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Scientists Develop a Universal Method for Improving the Lifespan of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 12, 2022
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Silicon, Growth, GIST, Research, Zinc oxide, Magnesium, Lithium, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Nanoparticle, Journal, Heat, Ion, Efficiency, Electron, Electric battery, Aluminium, Technology

GWANGJU, South Korea, Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The advent of electric vehicles has given rise to the demand for lithium-ion batteries with high energy densities. This has led to the development of anodes with large charge storage capacity. Unfortunately, this storage capacity tends to degrade over multiple charge/discharge cycles, reducing the battery life.

Key Points: 
  • The short battery life results from an irreversible volume change in the anode during cycling, which causes degradation of electrical contacts and structural collapse.
  • During charging, lithium ions move from the cathode and combine with the nanoparticles in the anode.
  • While the researchers used a silicon anode, the developed method is applicable to other anode materials, such as Sn, Sb, Al and Mg.
  • Moreover, the anodes can be modified regardless of how they were manufactured, making it a universally applicable method for improving battery life.