@article { ISI:000334476100013, title = {Comparative study on the dye sensitized solar cell performance of solution processed ZnO}, journal = {Solar Energy}, volume = {102}, year = {2014}, month = {APR}, pages = {143-151}, publisher = {PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD}, type = {Article}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

We have monitored the performance of the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) using solution processed ZnO having different shapes and aspect ratios. The aspect ratio and surface area of the ZnO structures have been regulated by carefully controlling the precursor concentration and reaction conditions. The shape of the synthesized structures has been varied from larger rods to smaller rods to hexagonal prisms. The synthesized hexagonal prism shaped ZnO with an aspect ratio of around one exhibited the highest surface area of 42 m(2)/g. The ZnO rods with higher aspect ratios of 5 and 16 exhibited lower surface areas of 22 and 2 m(2)/g, respectively. The dye sensitized solar cells constructed using the as-prepared ZnO structures and N719 dye molecules, exhibited efficiencies that varied as a function of surface area of the samples, with ZnO hexagonal prism exhibiting a maximum efficiency of around 1.38 +/- 0.01\%. The results indicated a direct correlation between the surface area of the ZnO structures and the energy conversion efficiency. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {DSSC, Photoanode, surface area, ZnO}, issn = {0038-092X}, doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2014.01.011}, author = {Jana, Arpita and Das, Partha Pratim and Agarkar, Shruti A. and Devi, P. Sujatha} } @article { ISI:000343341100006, title = {Synthesis and characterization of hypercrosslinked hydroxyl functionalized co-polymer beads}, journal = {European Polymer Journal}, volume = {59}, year = {2014}, month = {OCT}, pages = {46-58}, publisher = {PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

Hydroxyl functionalized beaded copolymers were synthesized from 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate by suspension polymerization using two different crosslinking agents (EDMA, DVB) and diluents (1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, 1,2-dichlorobenzene). Microporous beads with high surface area were successfully synthesized and characterized by different techniques. Maximum surface area obtained was 564 m(2)/g bearing uniform, spherical as well as non-aggregation images of beads. Thermal properties such as DTG and DSC reveal that, type of crosslinker (flexible/rigid) is major while its concentration is minor parameter that affect decomposition and softening temperature of copolymer. Swelling ratio of copolymer beads was examined as a function of crosslinker and crosslink density. Swelling behavior is in accordance with copolymer-solvent interaction parameter. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Copolymer, Morphology, surface area, Suspension polymerization, Swelling ratio}, issn = {0014-3057}, doi = {10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.07.001}, author = {Mane, Sachin and Ponrathnam, Surendra and Chavan, Nayaku} } @article { ISI:000360825100003, title = {Design and synthesis of cauliflower-shaped hydroxyl functionalized core-shell polymer}, journal = {Designed Monomers and Polymers}, volume = {18}, number = {8}, year = {2015}, month = {NOV}, pages = {723-733}, publisher = {TAYLOR \& FRANCIS LTD}, address = {4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

Conventional crosslinked polymers and homopolymers both have their own limitations. As a result, core-shell polymer was synthesized to obtain cauliflower-shaped and highly hydroxyl functionalized polymer. For the core, acrylate-based copolymers were synthesized by varying crosslinkers and porogens at different crosslink density. Owing to high surface area (554 m(2)/g), poly(MMA-co-DVB) was used as a core and low-molecular weight (24,600g/mol) poly(GMA) was used as a shell in core-shell approach. Average particle sizes of the core polymers were in the range of 15-75 mu m. In order to evaluate reactivity efficiency of core-shell polymer, hydroxyl content was evaluated with a value of 3.97mmol/g. Importantly, hydroxyl content demonstrated the successful increase in reactive sites of the core-shell polymer over conventional crosslinked hydroxyl polymer. Notably, synthesized core-shell polymer has more surface area and pore volume which substantially attributes for better polymer efficiency during application. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the spherical, uniform, and slightly conglomerated properties of core-shell polymer. Due to higher reactivity, insolubility, and more surface area of hydroxyl functionalized core-shell polymer, its use become inevitably essential.

}, keywords = {C-13 solid state NMR, cauliflower-shaped porous beads, core-shell polymer, hydroxyl functionalization, surface area}, issn = {1385-772X}, doi = {10.1080/15685551.2015.1070504}, author = {Mane, Sachin and Ponrathnam, Surendra and Chavan, Nayaku} }