Electrochromic Materials and Devices

Electrochromism is a reversible and visible change in optical absorption in accompaniment with an electron-transfer. Electrochromic devices (ECDs), which find commercial opportunities in displays, sunglasses, skylight, rear-view mirror etc., offer promise for varying transparency continuously in response to human input. Currently, we are working on the synthesis and characterization of various electrochromic thin films and devices. This has involved the applications of solid state physics, materials science, polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, and nano thin-film technology for improving long-term stabilities of ECDs.

Solar Energy Conversion and Photovoltaics

This is a collaborative interdisciplinary research to synthesize a   variety of organic-inorganic hybrid materials for the use in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). When the hybrid material is coated on an ITO glass, it is possible to generate photocurrents upon photo-irradiation by completing the circuit with a counter electrode and an appropriate electrolyte. This research involves material designs on a molecular level, semisolid or solid electrolyte syntheses, and optimization of the DSSCs.

Electrochemical Engineering and Nanosensing Technology

1. Fabricating Novel All-organic Electrochromic Devices with Poly(butyl-viologen) (2/2) 研製搭配聚紫精之新型全有機電致色變元件 (2/2) Kuo-Chuan Ho, sponsored by National Science Council, NSC95-2221-E-002-353-MY2, NT$ 1,050,000, 8/1/2007 -7/31/2008
2. On the High Conversion Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Containing Gel Electrolytes 研發含膠態電解質之高效率染料敏化太陽能電池 (1/3) Kuo-Chuan Ho, sponsored by National Science Council, NSC96-2120-M-002-016, NT$ 1,500,000, 8/1/2007 -7/31/2008

1. L. C. Chen, K. S. Tseng, and K. C. Ho , “General Kinetic Model for Amperometric Sensors based on Prussian Blue Mediator and Its Analogs: Application to Cysteine Detection,” Electroanalysis , 18, 1313-1321 (2006). (SCI, EI)

2. P. C. Nien, T. S. Tung, and K. C. Ho , “Amperometric Glucose Biosensor based on Entrapment of Glucose Oxidase in a Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Film,” Electroanalysis , 18, 1408-1415 (2006). (SCI, EI)

3. C. Y. Chen , S. J. Wu, C. G. Wu, J. G. Chen, and K. C. Ho , “A Ruthenium Complex with Superhigh Light Harvesting Capacity for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 45, 5822-5825 (2006) . (SCI) ( 合著 )

4. C. L. Lin , M. Y. Yeh , C. H. Chen , S. Sudhakar, S. J. Luo , Y. C. Hsu , C. Y. Huang , K. C. Ho , and T. Y. Luh, “Silica-Titania Based Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials for Photovoltaic Applications,” Chem. Mater. , 18, 4157-4162 (2006) . (SCI) ( 合著 )

5. T. C. Chou and K. C. Ho , “Special Issue on Microsensors and Microsystems (II),” Biosensors & Bioelectronics , 22, 459-460 (2006). (SCI, EI) ( 合著 )

6. C. H. Weng, W. M. Yeh,, K. C. Ho , and G. B. Lee, “A Microfluidic System Utilizing Molecularly Imprin ted Polymer Films for Amperometric Detection of Morphine,” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 121, 576-582 (2007). (SCI, EI) ( 合著 )

7. C. Y. Chen , H. C. Lu, C. G. Wu, J. G. Chen, and K. C. Ho , “ New Ruthenium Complexes Containing Oligoalkylthiophene Substituted 1,10-Phenanthroline for Nanocrystalline Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells ,” Adv. Funct. Mater., 17, 29-36 (2007). (SCI, EI) ( 合著 )

8. K. M. Lee V. Suryanarayanan, and K. C. Ho , “A Study on the Electron Transport Properties of TiO 2 Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , 91, 1416-1420 (2007). (SCI, EI)

9. K. M. Lee, V. Suryanarayanan, K. C. Ho , K. R. Justin Thomas, and J. T. Lin, “Effects of Co-adsorbate and A dd itive on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells-A Photophysical Study,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , 91, 1426-1431 (2007). (SCI, EI) ( 合著 )

10. J. G. Chen, V. Suryanarayanan, K. M. Lee, and K. C. Ho , “On the Use of Triethylamine Hydroiodide Electrolyte as a Supporting Electrolyte in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , 91, 1432-1437 (2007). (SCI, EI)

11. V. Suryanarayanan, K. M. Lee, W. H. Ho, H. C. Chen , and K. C. Ho , “A Comparative Study of Gel Polymer Electrolytes based on PVDF-HFP and Liquid Electrolytes Containing Imidazolinium Ionic Liquids with Different Carbon Chain Lengths in DSSCs,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 91, 1467-1471 (2007). (SCI, EI) ( 合著 )

12. J. G. Chen, H. Y. Wei, and K. C. Ho , “Using Modified Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): Poly(styrene sulfonate) Film as a Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , 91, 1472-1477 (2007). (SCI, EI)

13. C. Y. Chen , S. J. Wu, J. Y. Li, C. G. Wu, J. G. Chen, and K. C. Ho , “ A New Route to Enhance the Light Harvesting Capability of the Ruthenium Complexes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells , Adv. Mater., 19, 3888-3891 (2007). (SCI, EI) ( 合著 )

14. J. Y. Wang, C. M. Yu, S. C. Hwang, K. C. Ho , and L. C. Chen, “Influence of Coloring Voltage on the Optical Performance and Cycling Stability of a Polyaniline-Indium Hexacyanoferrate Electrochromic System,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 92, 112-119 (2008). (SCI, EI)

15. T. L. Yen, H. C. Lo, G. S. Liou, and K. C. Ho “An EQCM Study for a Novel Aromatic Poly(amine-imide) Electrochromic Thin Film,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , 92, 146-153 (2008). (SCI, EI)

16. C. Y. Hsu , C. H. Liao, and K. C. Ho , “The Role of Anion and Solvent Transport during the Redox Switching Process at a Poly(butyl viologen) Film Studied by an EQCM,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells , 92, 194-202 (2008). (SCI, EI)

17. C. W. Tu, K. Y. Liu, A. T. Chien, M. H. Yen, T. H. Weng, K. C. Ho , and K. F. Lin “ Enhancement of Photocurrent of Polymer-Gelled Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell by Incorporation of Exfoliated Montmorillonite Nanoplatelets ,” J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym. Chem. , 46, 47-53 (2008). (SCI, EI) ( 工合著 )

18. J. Y. Liao and K. C. Ho , “A Study of Partially Irreversible Characteristics in a TTF-TCNQ Gas Sensing System,” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (in press). (SCI, EI)

19. L. C. Chen and K. C. Ho , “Multimode Optoelectrochemical Detection of Cysteine based on an Electrochromic Prussian Blue Electrode,” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (in press). (SCI, EI)

20. P. C. Nien, M. C. Huang, F. Y. Chang, and K. C. Ho , “Integrating an Enzyme-entrapped Conducting Polymer Electrode and a Pre-reactor in a Microfluidic System for Sensing Glucose,” Electroanalysis (in press). (SCI, EI)

1.  Kuo-Chuan Ho , Tsai-Shih Tung, Pi-Ya Chen, “Electrochromic Device Using Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) and Derivatives Thereof,'' US patent 7320887, ( 2007/12/15 - 2024/12/31 ).

1. Technology Transfer: “Fabricating Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells based on Plastic Substrates”; Plasmag Technology Inc.; 2,700,000 NT$; Kuo-Chuan Ho; 2007.6.1.

1. Guest Editor, Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 20 (2004).
2. Honorary Scientific Committee, The 7^th International Conference on Advanced Batteries and Accumulators, Brno, Czech Republic (2001-present).
3. International Advisory Editorial Board, Sensors (2002-present).
4. President, Association of Chemical Sensors in Taiwan (2004-2006).