Samarium ions (Sm3+)-doped TiO2 photoelectrodes are used to enhance the photovoltaic efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The improvments are especially exhibited in the visible light absorption, interface area and photocurrent density Jsc. Sm3+-doped samples are benefit to form a new microstructure and improve the electrolyte transfer. In comparison to different doping concentrations, optimized 0.05 g-Sm/TiO2 could achieve fill factor of 0.69 and efficiency of 7.23%. It is obviously better than the undoped-titania photoelectrodes. This enhancement is due to the improved UV radiation harvesting via a down-conversion luminescence process by the doped samarium ions.
The deterioration of bridge decks is a problem typically associated with the corrosion of the reinforcing steel. This issue was partially controlled during the 1970s with the incorporation of the epoxy-coating protection system. However, research later demonstrated that the smooth surface resulting from the epoxy-coating application reduces most of the friction between the rebar and the surrounding concrete. Consequently, forces acting on the rib faces are reconfigured in such a way that the radial components increase, triggering the early development of cracks. To mitigate both the reduction of bonding and the formation of cracks, the Illinois Department of Transportation proposed a new type of coated bars: textured epoxy-coated (TEC) bars. Over the last few years, different projects have been executed to understand and improve the characteristics of TEC rebars. This report is a continuation of research performed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to evaluate the bond behavior of TEC bars. The experimental program starts by characterizing, qualitatively and quantitatively, the roughness of the TEC rebars. Next, their bond-slip interaction embedded in concrete is evaluated through pull-out tests. Finite element models of these tests are developed to validate the behavior observed as the textured reinforcement loses anchorage with concrete. Based on these results, the experimental program then aims to study the impact of the drying shrinkage, temperature change, and flexural demands on two large-scale bridge deck specimens reinforced, individually, with TEC and standard epoxy-coated bars. The results collected from both specimens using digital image correlation and strain gauges are compared to explore the differences exhibited by the traditional and the new type of reinforcement coatings in terms of stress distribution in bridge decks. Finally, given the specialized equipment and time-consuming procedure needed to calculate the roughness parameters of TEC bars, an empirical, weight-based approach is developed as a rapid method for assessing the rebars’ roughness on-site.
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