Ozone-treated carbon electrodes

摘要

Ozone treated carbon electrodes can provide increased catalytic activity, such as in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) or other electrochemical device or other device that could benefit from an increased catalytic activity, such as lithium ion or other batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, or electroanalytical instruments. Devices, methods of making, and methods of using are discussed.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a material comprising carbon nanotubes; exposing the material to ozone for about 1 minute to about 50 minutes to form an ozone-exposed material; and providing an electrochemical device comprising a cathode comprising a substantially transparent film comprising the ozone-exposed material, wherein the cathode does not include a platinum catalyst, wherein the film has a transmittance at about 550 nm of about 70% to about 98%; wherein the exposing the material to ozone increases the surface defect density of the material sufficiently such that the catalytic activity, as measured as (1/charge transfer resistance), of the cathode comprising the ozone-exposed material is at least about 1.5 times greater than the catalytic activity, as measured as (1/charge transfer resistance), of a corresponding cathode comprising the material before ozone exposure.