A low-temperature, direct blending procedure was used to prepare composite films consisting of zinc oxide [ZnO] nanoparticles and multiwalled carbon nanotubes [MWNTs]. The mesoporous ZnO/MWNT films were fabricated into the working electrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells [DSSCs]. The pristine MWNTs were modified by an air oxidation or a mixed acid oxidation treatment before use. The mixed acid treatment resulted in the disentanglement of MWNTs and facilitated the dispersion of MWNTs in the ZnO matrix. The effects of surface property and loading of MWNTs on DSSC performance were investigated. The performance of DSSCs was found to depend greatly on the type and the amount of MWNTs incorporated. At a loading of 0.01 wt%, the acid-treated MWNTs were able to increase the power conversion efficiency of fabricated cells from 2.11% (without MWNTs) to 2.70%.

This study examined the miscibility, mechanical and thermal properties of melt-mixed blends of PTT(poly(trimethylene terephthalate)) with PP(isotatic polypropylene). DMA and SEM results indicated that the PTT/PP blends are immiscible. Revealed from TGA analyses, the blends with a higher PP content showed a higher degradation temperature. A complex melting behavior was observed for the blends. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of the blends was analyzed from 200°C to 210°C using the Avrami equation. The WAXD results showed that the crystal structure of PTT remained unchanged in the blends. Nevertheless, the PP rich blends possessed lower tensile strength and higher elongation at break.