Facile fabrication and comparative exploration of high cut resistant woven and knitted composite fabrics using Kevlar and polyethylene

Anam Ali Memon,Mazhar H. Peerzada,Iftikhar Ali Sahito,Sadaf Abbassi,정성훈 한국의류학회 2018 Fashion and Textiles Vol.5 No.1

Composite materials offer a number of distinct advantages in a wide range of low and high technology engineering applications. Considering the fact, in this study, a facile fabrication method of highly cut resistant composite fabrics using Kevlar and polyethylene is reported. 100% Kevlar, 100% Polyethylene and 50% Kevlar/50% Polyethylene composite fabrics are fabricated by weaving and knitting techniques. These fabrics were tested for cut index, abrasion, and puncture resistance for comparative exploration. Owing to higher mechanical strength and greater number of interlacements; the woven fabrics demonstrated twice cut resistance in contrast to knitted fabrics. The surface morphology of deformed samples investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) also proved that the woven fabrics of all types offered much resistance towards cutting than the knitted fabrics. Moreover, it is found that greater thickness of fabrics leads to intensification of the cut resistance. Furthermore, the effect of fiber type on cut resistant property of the fabrics was also measured and it was found that the composite fabric exhibited double cut resistance than 100% Kevlar and 100% Polyethylene fabrics. The 50% Kevlar/50% Polyethylene composite woven fabric resisted up to 35 consecutive strokes of sharp steel cutter whereas the knitted fabric completely torn apart at 20 strokes only. Thus, the as synthesized 50% Kevlar/50% Polyethylene composite woven fabric exhibiting superior cut resistance property offer a judicious choice for the preparation of efficient cut resistant fabric for industrial and domestic applications.

Synthesis of highly photo-catalytic and electro-catalytic active textile structured carbon electrode and its application in DSSCs

Memon, Anam Ali,Arbab, Alvira Ayoub,Sahito, Iftikhar Ali,Sun, Kyung Chul,Mengal, Naveed,Jeong, Sung Hoon Elsevier 2017 SOLAR ENERGY -PHOENIX ARIZONA THEN NEW YORK- Vol.150 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Due to the growing need of portable smart devices, textile based solar cells have gained widespread attention in the field of wearable electronics. Here, we have demonstrated facile fabrication of metal free DSSCs by printing cotton, polyester and linen fabric counter electrodes with highly photo catalytic and electro catalytic active mesoporous carbon composite composed of highly conductive acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with mesoporous activated charcoal. Different mesoporous carbon structures were formulated by varying the concentration of activated charcoal intercalated in the acid functionalized MWCNT matrix. The mesoporous carbon composite with high level of porosity and oxygen rich surface exhibits low charge transfer resistance and excellent electro-catalytic activity for the reduction of tri-iodide ions. The mesoporous carbon composite exhibited 52% higher photo catalytic activity than the acid modified MWCNT. Besides that, in-depth comparison was carried out in between different kinds of textile fabrics coated with the carbon composite. The slight variation in the microporous structures and surface characteristics of cotton, polyester and linen fabrics led to marginal difference in the electrochemical and photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. High mobility of gel electrolyte within the porous structure of mesoporous carbon and textile fabrics assembly demonstrated low R<SUB>CT</SUB> of 0.82Ω, 0.77Ω and 1.37Ω for cotton, polyester and linen respectively. The obtained photovoltaic conversion efficiency of cotton, polyester and linen based DSSCs using gel electrolyte were 6.06%, 6.26% and 5.80% respectively. The suggested TCO and Pt free DSSC assemblies paved a way to the facile fabrication of textile based DSSC.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Photocatalytic and conductive textile counter electrodes (CEs) were synthesized. </LI> <LI> Cotton, Polyester and Linen fabrics were used as CEs substrate. </LI> <LI> CEs were coated with mesoporous Activated Charcoal intercalated carbon composites. </LI> <LI> Flexible CEs showed a very low charge transfer resistance of 0.77Ω. </LI> <LI> Flexible CEs exhibited a highest conversion efficiency of 6.26%. </LI> </UL> </P>

Synthesis of solution processed f-CNT@Bi₂S₃ hybrid film coated linen fabric as a free-standing textile structured photo catalyst

Memon, Anam Ali,Arbab, Alvira Ayoub,Patil, Supriya A.,Mengal, Naveed,Sun, Kyung Chul,Sahito, Iftikhar Ali,Jeong, Sung Hoon,Kim, Hak Sung Elsevier 2018 Applied catalysis. A, General Vol.566 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A unique metallic carbon hybrid film, synthesized with synchronized distribution of bismuth sulfide (Bi<SUB>2</SUB>S<SUB>3</SUB>) and exfoliated multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), has been proposed for use as freestanding textile electrodes in photo catalysts. The defect-rich morphology of Bi<SUB>2</SUB>S<SUB>3</SUB> nanowire decorated MWCNT hybrid enhances the photocatalytic activity, electronic properties, cyclic stability, and electron pathways. The proposed f-CNT@Bi<SUB>2</SUB>S<SUB>3</SUB>-hybrid linen fabric electrode demonstrated a defect-rich morphology synchronized with high electrical conductivity. These properties greatly enhanced the photocatalytic activity and electron transfer. The high photocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effect of the high electron affinity of MWCNTs and the structural distortion caused by Bi<SUB>2</SUB>S<SUB>3</SUB> nanowires. Degradation of methylene blue dye was accelerated owing to the elevated activity of Bi<SUB>2</SUB>S<SUB>3</SUB> nanowires, which provides fast absorption of contaminants and reduction of oxidative species. Our proposed system of metallic carbon freestanding textile electrode opens the broad applications of textile-based photochemical devices.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A flexible and highly conductive linen fabric is fabricated. </LI> <LI> The fabric is coated with carbon metallic films by doctor blade technique. </LI> <LI> The electrode is durable and highly photocatalytic active. </LI> <LI> The electrode is stable at various bending positions, against water and electrolyte. </LI> <LI> The surface resistance of the carbon metallic films coated fabric is only 19 Ω sq<SUP>−1</SUP>. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

An evidence for an organic N-doped multiwall carbon nanotube heterostructure and its superior electrocatalytic properties for promising dye-sensitized solar cells

Arbab, Alvira Ayoub,Memon, Anam Ali,Sahito, Iftikhar Ali,Mengal, Naveed,Sun, Kyung Chul,Ali, Mumtaz,Jeong, Sung Hoon The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for e Vol.6 No.18

<P>A novel organic heteroatom doping technique is proposed for the synthesis of N-doped multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) heterostructures. The approach involves the effective doping of MWCNTs with nitrogen <I>via</I> a cationised bovine serum albumin (cBSA) protein complex. The cationization of BSA releases an exceptional number of activated nitrogen species present in localized amino groups, which are further embedded into the MWCNT framework. The amino groups present in BSA act as nitrogen donors and surface stabilizing agents to generate a highly conductive and functionalized carbon heterostructure. The doped nitrogen was present in the form of pyridinic and pyrrolic states, as evidenced by XPS analysis. Organic N-doped MWCNTs with predominant pyridinic N atoms displayed superior charge transfer (<I>R</I>CT = 0.06 Ω) owing to their superior electrocatalytic activity. A DSSC fabricated with organic N-doped MWCNT heterostructures exhibited a high conversion efficiency of 9.55%, which was similar to that of a Pt cathode, with an efficiency of 9.89%. The superior electrochemical performance of organic N-doped MWCNT heterostructures is due to the high charge polarization arising from the difference in electronegativity between nitrogen and carbon as well as the structural strain caused by the cationic BSA protein complex. Our proposed system provides new routes for the synthesis of organic heteroatom-doped nanomaterials for promising energy storage devices.</P>

Electrocatalytic porous nanocomposite of graphite nanoplatelets anchored with exfoliated activated carbon filler as counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cells

Sun, Kyung Chul,Memon, Anam Ali,Arbab, Alvira Ayoub,Sahito, Iftikhar Ali,Kim, Moo Sung,Yeo, Sang Young,Choi, Yeong Og,Kim, Yeon Sang,Jeong, Sung Hoon Elsevier 2018 SOLAR ENERGY -PHOENIX ARIZONA THEN NEW YORK- Vol.167 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A unique graphite nanoplatelet (GnP) composite synthesized with a synchronized distribution of exfoliated activated carbon (AC) filler is proposed for promising Pt-free dye sensitized solar cells. The defect rich morphology of the exfoliated activated carbon filler is designed with graphite nanoplatelets to enhance its electrocatalytic activity and electron pathways, and for this purpose different percentages of AC fillers were incorporated into the GnP matrix. The proposed GnP/AC composite shows a more defect-rich morphology synchronized with high electronic conductivity which greatly enhances the electrocatalytic activity and electron transfer mobility (R<SUB>CT</SUB> of 2.19 Ω). A DSSC fabricated with the proposed GnP/AC composite exhibited a high conversion efficiency rate of 8.478%, similar to that of the Pt electrocatalyst. The high catalytic activity of GnP/AC is attributed to the synergistic effect of the high electron affinity of GnP and the structural distortion caused by the AC filler material. This high-performance catalyst can be a promising material for efficient energy storage and harvesting applications.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> The defect rich morphology of the exfoliated activated carbon filler is designed with graphite nanoplatelets. </LI> <LI> Prepared design showed excellent electrocatalytic activity and electron pathways. </LI> <LI> Prepared composite show a high conversion efficiency of 8.478%, comparable to Pt. </LI> </UL> </P>

An electrocatalytic active lyocell fabric cathode based on cationically functionalized and charcoal decorated graphite composite for quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cell

Mengal, Naveed,Arbab, Alvira Ayoub,Sahito, Iftikhar Ali,Memon, Anam Ali,Sun, Kyung Chul,Jeong, Sung Hoon Elsevier 2017 SOLAR ENERGY -PHOENIX ARIZONA THEN NEW YORK- Vol.155 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The state of the art of conductive functional textile woven fabrics have given rise to a demand for textile integrated electrodes. Herein, we report a highly conductive and flexible woven fabric electrode using highly absorbent lyocell fabric as the substrate and cationically functionalized and activated charcoal decorated graphite composite (AC-GC) as the coating film. This (AC-GC) coated lyocell fabric is used as a cathode for quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cell (Q-DSSCs). Our suggested fabric based cathode shows sufficiently high conductivity and electrocatalytic activity (ECA) compared to platinum (Pt) based reference counter electrode (CE). This efficient CE demonstrates extremely low charge transfer resistance (R<SUB>CT</SUB>) of 1.56Ωcm<SUP>2</SUP> with polyethylene oxide based quasi-solid electrolyte. The cationic charged enriched charcoal decorated graphite planner structure provide more availability of active sites for the reduction of negatively charged tri-iodide ( I 3 - ) ions present in polymeric gel electrolyte. The formation of porous charcoal voids and conductive graphite channels entrap large amounts of gel electrolyte and provide fast diffusion of iodide/tri-iodide ( <SUP> I - </SUP> / I 3 - ) ions. Our organic system of AC-GC coated lyocell fabric based DSSCs assembly demonstrated 7.09% power conversion efficiency (PCE) when fabricated with quasi-solid electrolyte. This AC-GC coated fabric CE is also highly stable in water and electrolyte solution. The adequate electrocatalytic activity and cyclic stability demonstrate that this AC-GC coated fabric can be used to replace expensive Pt CE and can be used in flexible solar cells in future.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Various composites of activated charcoal and enzyme functionalized graphite (AC-GC) were prepared by a facile route. </LI> <LI> Highly porous and electrocatalytic AC-GC coatings were applied on lyocell fabric for preparation of flexible electrode. </LI> <LI> The flexible electrodes showed high stability in water and lithium iodide based electrolyte. </LI> <LI> DSSC based on optimized flexible electrode demonstrated maximum power conversion efficiency of 7.09%. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Cationic functionalized and activated charcoal decorated graphite coated lyocell fabric cathode is Q-DSSCs, displayed 7.1% efficiency.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

CuS thin film grown using the one pot, solution-process method for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Patil, Supriya A.,Mengal, Naveed,Memon, Anam Ali,Jeong, Sung Hoon,Kim, Hak-Sung ELSEVIER SCIENCE 2017 JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS Vol.708 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The counter electrode has a great influence on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this work, efforts have been made to develop a platinum (Pt)-free, low-cost, copper sulfide (CuS) counter electrode for application in DSSCs. CuS thin film was successfully grown on a conducting and non-conducting substrate using a low temperature, one pot, solution-process method. The as-synthesized CuS thin film was utilized in the DSSCs as a counter electrode (CE). The CE demonstrated good electrocatalytic properties and a photoconversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.03% when used in DSSCs. It was also comparable with devices made using platinum counter electrodes. Synthesized CuS thin film with excellent electrocatalytic properties could serve as an alternative counter electrode in DSSC fabrication.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CuS thin film shows excellent architecture, and unique half-sheet shape like morphology. </LI> <LI> Solution process synthesized CuS thin film shows high crystallinity at room temperature without external heat treatments. </LI> <LI> The CuS thin film shows good electrocatalytic properties and the resultant used as counter electrode in DSSCs. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

CuS/WS₂ and CuS/MoS₂ heterostructures for high performance counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells

Hussain, Sajjad,Patil, Supriya A.,Memon, Anam Ali,Vikraman, Dhanasekaran,Naqvi, Bilal Abbas,Jeong, Sung Hoon,Kim, Hyun-Seok,Kim, Hak-Sung,Jung, Jongwan Elsevier 2018 SOLAR ENERGY -PHOENIX ARIZONA THEN NEW YORK- Vol.171 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this work, we demonstrated CuS/WS<SUB>2</SUB> and CuS/MoS<SUB>2</SUB> heterostructures via a sputtering-CVD process for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as a counter electrode (CE) to replace the currently preferred expensive platinum (Pt). The cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel curve studies revealed that the unique CuS/WS<SUB>2</SUB> and CuS/MoS<SUB>2</SUB> heterostructures were beneficial in achieving high electrocatalytic activity, low charge-transfer resistance at the CE/electrolyte interface, and fast reaction kinetics for the reduction of triiodide to iodide at the CE. The constructed DSSCs using these CuS/WS<SUB>2</SUB> and CuS/MoS<SUB>2</SUB> CEs exhibited high-power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 8.21% and 7.12%, respectively, which are comparable to conventional Pt CE (8.74%) and pristine WS<SUB>2</SUB>, MoS<SUB>2</SUB>, and CuS CEs (6.0%, 6.3% and 6.4%). This novel sulfur based heterostructure opens up opportunities for a variety of optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical applications.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> CuS/WS<SUB>2</SUB> heterostructure was synthesized via a sputtering-CVD process for counter electrode in DSSCs. </LI> <LI> It showed low charge transfer resistance, good electrocatalytic activity and strong electrochemical stability. </LI> <LI> The constructed DSSC using CuS/WS<SUB>2</SUB> CE achieved high power conversion efficiency of 8.21% </LI> <LI> That value is comparable to that of Pt CE (8.74%) and higher than that of pristine WS<SUB>2</SUB>, MoS<SUB>2</SUB>, and CuS CEs. </LI> <LI> CuS/WS<SUB>2</SUB> CE shows promising counter electrode for DSSCs. </LI> </UL> </P>

An organic route for the synthesis of cationic porous graphite nanomaterial used as photocatalyst and electrocatalyst for dye-sensitized solar cell

Arbab, Alvira Ayoub,Mengal, Naveed,Sahito, Iftikhar Ali,Memon, Anam Ali,Jeong, Sung Hoon Elsevier 2018 ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA Vol.266 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>An organic synthesis route is proposed to fabricate cationized porous graphite (cpG) for photocatalyst and electrocatalyst nanomaterial. High crystalline structure of graphite possesses few defects and porous channels. In the proposed research, cpG is fabricated by sonicating graphite in cationized enzyme media followed by exfoliating in the activated charcoal filler. The cationic lipase solution distributed positive surface charges over a bare graphitic sheet, and sonication with activated charcoal filler divulges porous channels along graphite exfoliated matrix structure. The charcoal doping in graphite was modified with the different charcoal content percentage ranging from 0 to 100%. The cationized porous graphite (cpG) material possess high surface area, pore volume and conductivity leads to high photoresponse and electrocatalytic reaction. As photocatalyst, the proposed graphite provide fast degradation of methylene blue dye observed by UV–Vis spectrophotometer. As cathode for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs), cpG provides high electrocatalytic activity with low charge transfer resistance (R<SUB>CT</SUB> = 0.95Ω) and high photovoltaic performance with 9.59% efficiency. The positive charge distribution over graphite sheet attracts plenty of negative iodide ions present in the electrolyte, provide fast reduction-oxidation reaction. Furthermore, porous charcoal filler doping accepts a large amount of gel electrolyte, and fasten interfacial reaction between electrolyte and CE. This cost-effective cationized porous graphite (cpG) nanomaterial can provide new ways towards sustainable energy resources.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> An organic route for the synthesis of cationized porous graphite (cpG) nanomaterial is proposed. </LI> <LI> cpG used as photo catalyst and electro catalyst for DSSCs. </LI> <LI> cpG shows excellent degradation of methylene blue dye at very low time interval. </LI> <LI> cpG demonstrated low R<SUB>CT</SUB> of 0.95Ω with high photovoltaic performance. </LI> <LI> cpG cathode outperform Pt. electrode and exhibit 9.59% PCE of DSSCs. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>