Research Topic

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
Electrochemical engineering applies the principles of electrochemistry and materials science to chemical processes that involve charge transfer reactions. We have interests in developing novel electrochemical sensors through better understanding and designing of electrode materials. Inorganic and organic materials, such as transparent ITO conductors, titanium dioxide semiconductors, Prussian blue, polyaniline, phthalocyanine, molecularly imprinted polymers, etc, are investigated in our laboratory as sensing electrodes for chemical and biological sensors.

Recent Research Topic

1.On the High Conversion Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Containing Gel Electrolytes (3/3) 研發含膠態電解質之高效率染料敏化太陽能電池 (3/3) Kuo-Chuan Ho, sponsored by National Science Council, NSC98-2120-M-002-003, NT$ 1,519,700, 8/1/2009-7/31/2010
 
2.A Study of Glucose Sensing Chips in Microfluidic Channels using Enzyme-Immobilization 利用酵素固定法研究微流道葡萄糖感測晶片 Kuo-Chuan Ho, sponsored by National Science Council, NSC98-2221-E-002-102, NT$ 1,513,000, 8/1/2009-7/31/2010
 
3.Advanced Processes for Materials in High Efficient Electrochemical Devices   高功能電化學元件材料之先進製程 Kuo-Chuan Ho, sponsored by National Taiwan University, 98R0066-09, NT$ 1,400,000, 8/1/2009-7/31/2010
 

Honor

The Representative Publication Recent 5-years Publication

1. K. C. Huang, Y. H. Chang, C. Y. Chen, C. Y. Liu, L. Y. Lin, R. Vittal, C. G. Wu, K. F. Lin, and K. C. Ho, “Improved Exchange Reaction in an Ionic Liquid Electrolyte of a Quasi-Solid-State Dye-sensitized Solar Cell by using 15-Crown-5-Functionalized MWCNT,” J. Mater. Chem., 21, 18467-18474 (2011). (SCI, EI)

2. T. J. Li, P. Y. Chen, P. C. Nien, C. Y. Lin, R. Vittal, T. R. Ling, and K. C. Ho, “A Novel Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Prepared by the Sol-Gel Process for Sensing Creatinine,” Anal. Chim. Acta, 711, 83-90 (2012). (SCI, EI)

3. J. F. Yin, J. G. Chen, J. T. Lin, D. Bhattacharya, Y. C. Hsu, H. C. Lin, K. C. Ho, and K. L. Lu, “Enhanced Light-Harvesting Capability by Phenothiazine in Ruthenium Sensitizers with Superior Photovoltaic Performance,” J. Mater. Chem., 22, 130-139 (2012). (SCI, EI)

4. C. Y. Liu, K. C. Huang, C. C. Wang, and K. C. Ho, “Enhanced Efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Counter Electrodes Consisting of Platinum Nanoparticles and Nanographites,” Electrochim. Acta, 59, 128-134 (2012). (SCI, EI)

5. K. Y. Shen, C. W. Hu, L. C. Chang, and K. C. Ho, “A Complementary Electrochromic Device based on Carbon Nanotubes/Conducting Polymers,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 98, 294-299 (2012). (SCI, EI)

6. D. W. Liu, I. C. Cheng, J. Z. Chen, H. W. Chen, K. C. Ho, and C. C. Chiang, “Enhanced Optical Absorption of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Microcavity-Embedded TiO2 Photoanodes,” Optics Express, 20, A168-A176 (2012). (SCI, EI)

7. J. C. Lin, C. P. Lee, and K. C. Ho, “Zinc Oxide Synthesis Via Microemulsions Technique: Morphology Control with Application to Dye–Sensitized Solar Cells,” J. Mater. Chem., 22, 1270-1273 (2012). (SCI, EI)

8. L. Y. Lin, C. P. Lee, K. W. Tsai, M. H. Yeh, C. Y. Chen, R.Vittal, C. G. Wu, and K. C. Ho, “Low-Temperature Flexible Ti/TiO2 Photoanode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells with Binder-Free TiO2 Paste,” Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, (accepted).

9. L. M. Huang, C. W. Hu, C. Y. Hsu, H. C. Liu, C. H. Chen, and K. C. Ho, “Photovoltaic Electrochromic Device for Solar Cell Module and Self Powered Smart Glass Applications,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (accepted).

10. C. H. Wu, C. Y. Hsu, K. C. Huang, P. C. Nien, J. T. Lin , and K. C. Ho, “A Photoelectrochromic Device based on Gel Electrolyte with a Fast Switching Rate,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (accepted).

11. C. W. Hu, K. M. Lee, K. C. Chen, L. C. Chang, K. Y. Shen, S. C. Lai, T. H. Kuo, C. Y. Hsu, L. M. Huang, R. Vittal, and K. C. Ho, “High Contrast All-Solid-State Electrochromic Device with 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-1-Piperidinyloxy (TEMPO), Heptyl Viologen, and Succinonitrile,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (accepted).

12. D. J. Yang, C. Y. Hsu, C. L. Lin, P. Y. Chen, C. W. Hu, R. Vittal, and K. C. Ho, “Fast Switching Prussian Blue Film by Modification with Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (accepted).

13. A. Balamurugan, C. Y. Lin, P. C. Nien, and K. C. Ho, “Electrochemical Preparation of Nanostructured Poly(amino naphthalene sulfuric acid) Electrode Using CTAB as Soft Template and Its Electrocatalytic Application for the Reduction of Iodate,” Electroanalysis (accepted ).

14. J. F. Yu, T. L. Shen, W. H. Weng, Y. C. Huang, C. I. Huang, W. F. Su, S. P. Rwei, K. C. Ho, and L. Y. Wang, “Molecular Design of Interfacial Modifiers for Polymer-Inorganic Hybrid Solar Cells,” Adv. Energy Mater.(accepted ).

15. K. C. Huang, Y. C. Wang, P. Y. Chen, Y. H. Lai, J. H. Huang, Y. H. Chen, R. X. Dong, C. W. Chu, J. J. Lin, and K. C. Ho, “High Performance Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells based on PtNP/MWCNT Counter Electrodes: The Role of Annealing,” J. Power Sources (accepted).

16. L. Y. Chang, C. P. Lee, K. C. Huang, Y. C. Wang, M. H. Yeh, J. J. Lin, and K. C. Ho, “Facile Fabrication of PtNP/MWCNT Nanohybrid Films for Flexible Counter Electrode in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” J. Mater. Chem. (accepted).

17. K. R. Justin Thomas, N. Kapoor, C. P. Lee, and K. C. Ho, “Organic Dyes Containing Pyrenylamine-Based Cascade Donor System with Different Aromatic π-Linkers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Optical, Electrochemical and Device Characteristics,” Chemistry-An Asian Journal (accepted).

18. L. Y. Lin, M. H. Yeh, C. P. Lee, C. Y. Chou, R. Vittal, and K. C. Ho, “Enhanced Performance of a Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with a Composite Semiconductor Film of ZnO Nanorods and ZnO Nanoparticles,” Electrochim. Acta (accepted).

19. T. L. Hsieh, H. W. Chen, C. W. Kung, C. C. Wang, R. Vittal, and K. C. Ho, “Highly Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell with a Platinum Nanoflowers Counter Electrode,” J. Mater. Chem. (accepted).

20. K. Y. Liu, C. L. Hsu, J. S. Ni, K. C. Ho, and K. F. Lin, “Photovoltaic Properties of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Associated with Amphiphilic Structure of Ruthenium Complex Dyes,” J. Colloid & Interface Science (accepted).