Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) suffer from efficiency limitations due to interfacial charge recombination at the TiO₂/dye/electrolyte interface. In this study, aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) was introduced onto nanoporous TiO₂ photoelectrodes via a dip-coating process with controlled coating times to investigate the effect of silanization time on interfacial charge transport behavior. Unlike concentration-driven structural modification, this work focuses on the evolution of the APS-modified interface governed by reaction time. The DSSC with 30 min APS treatment exhibited the highest power conversion efficiency of 5.34%, representing a 19% enhancement compared to the untreated device (4.49%), mainly due to increased short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage. However, prolonged coating times (2 h and 24 h) resulted in a significant decrease in photocurrent density, leading to reduced device performance despite partial improvement in recombination resistance. These results are attributed to the time-dependent evolution of the APS interfacial layer. At moderate coating time, APS provides effective surface functionalization, enhancing dye adsorption and suppressing interfacial recombination. In contrast, prolonged coating is expected to induce increased surface coverage and silane condensation, which can hinder electron injection and increase charge transport resistance. Therefore, the photovoltaic performance is governed by a trade-off between recombination suppression and charge injection efficiency, controlled by the silanization time. This study highlights the critical role of interfacial reaction kinetics in determining charge transport behavior and provides an effective strategy for optimizing DSSC performance through time-dependent interface engineering.

This work focuses on improving the light-harvesting efficiency of thin-film silicon solar cells through innovative multi-architecture surface modifications. To create a regular optical structure, a lithographic process was performed to form it on a glass substrate through various etching processes, from Etch-1 to Etch-3. AZO was deposited on top of the structures and re-etched to create a multi-architectural surface. These surface-modified structures improved the light absorption and overall performance of the solar cell through changes in optical and physical properties, which we will analyze. In addition, we investigated the effect of post-cleaning on the etched glass structures through EDX analysis to understand the mechanism of the etching action. The results of this study are expected to provide important guidelines for the design and fabrication of solar cells and other photovoltaic devices.

Owing to carbon materials’ diverse functionalization and versatility, the design and synthesis of carbon-based three-dimensional porous structures have become important foundational research topics across various fields. Among the various methods for producing porous carbon structures, laser-induced graphene (LIG) has garnered attention because of its large surface area, controllable structure, excellent electrical conductivity, scalability, and eco-friendly synthesis process. In addition, recent research results have reported more novel functionalities by advancing further from the unique characteristics of LIG through functionalization or compounding of LIG, making it an attractive material for various applications in electronic devices, sensing, catalysis, and energy storage. This review aims to update the research trends in LIG and its functionalization, providing insights to inspire more interesting studies on functional LIG to expand its potential applications ultimately. Starting with the synthesis method and material characteristics of LIG, we introduce the functionalization of LIG, which is classified into surface modification, heteroatom doping, and hybridization based on the interaction mechanism. Finally, we summarize and discuss the prospects of LIG and its functionalization.

In order to develop an electrical insulation material for gas GIS (insulation switch gear) spacer, 4 types of epoxy/micro-alumina (40, 50, 60, 70 wt%) composites and 9 types of epoxy/nano-alumina (1, 3, 5 g)/micro-alumina (40, 50, 60, 70 wt%) composites were prepared and tensile test was carried out. In here, nano-alumina was previously surface-treated with GDE (glycerol diglycidyl ether). As micro-alumina and GDE-treated nano-alumina contents increased, tensile strength increased and the highest value was shown in the system with 3 g GDE-treated nano-alumina.

Diameter controlled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown using surface modified iron nano-particle catalysts with aminpropyltriethoxysilane (ASP). Iron nano-particles were synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl-oleic acid complex. Subsequently, APS modification was done using the iron nano-particles synthesized. Agglomeration of the iron nano-particles during the CNT growth process was dffectively prevented by the surface modification of nano-particles with the ASP. Plays as a linker material between Fe nano-particles and SiO₂ substrate resulting in blocking the migration of nano-particles. ASP also formed siliceous material covering iron nano-particles that prevented agglomeration of iron nano- particles at the early stages of the CNT growth. Therefore we could obtain the diameter controlled CNTs by blocking agglomeration of iron nano-particles.