• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2009

AZO transparent conductive thin films were grown on $SiO_2$/Si and glass substrates using diethylzinc (DEZ) and trimethylaluminium (TMA) as the precursor and $H_2O$ as oxidant by atomic layer deposition. The structural, electrical, and optical properties of the AZO films were characterized as a function of film thickness at a deposition temperature of $150^{\circ}C$. The AZO films with various thicknesses show well-crystallized phases and smooth surface morphologies. The 190-nm-thick AZO films grown on Coming 1737 glass substrates exhibit rms(root mean square) roughness of 8.8 nm, electrical resistivity of $1.5{\times}10^{-3}\;{\Omega}-cm$, and an optical transmittance of 84% at 600nm wavelength. Atomic layer deposition technique for the transparent conductive oxide films is possible to apply for the deposition on flexible polymer substrates.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.191.1-191.1
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• 2013

현재 산업계 전반적으로 사용되고 있는 박막형 태양전지 투명 전도막의 재료로는 ITO 와 Al, In, Ga, B, Si, F 등으로 도핑된 ZnO 박막이 사용되고 있으며, 그 중에서도 Al 이 도핑된 ZnO 박막은 넓은 밴드갭을 가진 n-type 반도체로서, 적외선 및 가시광 영역에서의 높은 투과성과 우수한 전도성을 가지며, 고온에서 안정된 전기적 특성, 낮은 원가 등의 장점을 지녀 그 응용 연구가 활발히 이루어지고 있다 [1]. 본 연구에서는 RF magnetron Sputter 법을 이용하여 Flexible 기판 위에 AZO 박막을 증착하였다. 실험변수로는 RF power, Pressure등을 이용하였고, 최적조건에서의 박막의 투과도는 90%이상, 면저항은 30 ${\Omega}/{\square}$ 이하를 나타내었다. 그리고 (주)인포비온에서 원천기술을 갖고있는 EBA technology를 이용하여 후처리 하여 전기적, 광학적, 구조적인 특성의 변화를 관찰하였다. AZO 박막의 두께를 측정하기 위해 ${\alpha}-step$과 SEM을 이용하였고, 투과도는 UV-Vis spectrometer를 사용하여 박막의 투과도 변화를 관찰 하였다. 전기적인 특성은 4-Point probe를 이용하여 측정하였다. 또한, 박막의 결정성과 거칠기의 변화는 XRD(X-ray Diffraction)와 원자간력현미경(Atomic Force Microscope; AFM) 을 이용하여 측정하였으며, 전기 광학적 특성 변화는 Figure Of Merit(FOM) 수치로 분석하였다. 본 연구에서 AZO 박막의 특성은 EBA 조사 후 특성의 향상이 이루어지는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.176.1-176.1
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• 2013

TCO (Transparent Conductive Oxide)는 투명 전도성 산화물 높은 투과율과 낮은 비저항 가지고 있어서 최근 사용된 평판디스플레이 LCD(liquid crystal display), PDP (Plasma Display Panel), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Display) 에 많이 사용되고 있다. 현재 양산화 되고 있는 ITO (Indium tin Oxide)는 좋은 전도율과 높은 투과율로서 가장 많이 쓰인다. 하지만 ITO중에 Indium Oxide는 치명적인 독성을 가지고 있으며 In의 저장량이 적어 시간이 갈수록 가격이 비싸지는 등 여러 가지 단점을 가지고 있다. 그것에 비해 AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide)는 독성이 없고 가격도 저렴하여 ITO의 단점을 보완 할 수 있는 물질이다. AZO 증착은 현재 sol-gel, CVD(chemical vapor deposition), Sputter, 등으로 사용되고 있으며 현재 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다. 본 실험에서는 PEN 기판을 사용하였으며, 플라즈마의 열적 데미지로 인한 기판의 변형 등 여러 가지 문제를 해결하기 위하여 박막의 열적 변형이 적고, 고밀도 플라즈마로 양질의 박막 증착이 가능한 FTS (Facing Target Sputtering)방법을 사용하여 AZO박막을 증착시키고 구조적, 전기적, 광학적인 특성을 평가 하였다. 측정 분석 결과 AZO는 가시광 영역에 높은 투과율이 요구되는 Flexible display 표시장치와 OLED, PDP, 유기태양전지 등 많은 영역에 사용이 가능 할 것이라 사료된다.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.66-69
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• 2017

Physically implanted surface islands of Nano Carbon Tube (NCT) and ${\alpha}-F_2O_3$ particles have been produced on Al-doped ZnO (AZO)/glass surfaces by simple and direct ND:YAG laser beam irradiation. Sheet resistance of the reconstructed surface increased by about 3.6% of over AZO. Minimal surface damage can be repaired by ND:YAG laser beam irradiation in conjunction with proper impurities. Implanted islands of NCT, which are considered to be a good conductive impurity, on AZO increased the sheet resistance by about 1.8%, while implanted islands of ${\alpha}-F_2O_3$, an insulating impurity, on AZO increased sheet resistance by about 129% compared with a laser beam treated AZO. This study provides insight regarding surface implantations of nanowires and micro-circuits, doping effects for semiconductors and optical devices, surface area and impurity effects for catalysis.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2024

In this study, the structural, electrical, and optical properties of AZO films of various thicknesses are compared. The AZO films were deposited on a glass substrate by FTS (Facing-Target-Sputtering) This research was conducted to find the optimal thickness for Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO). AZO has suitable properties for TCO such as low resistivity, and high transmittance. Thin films of all thicknesses showed a transmittance of over 80% in the visible light region and electrical properties improved as thickness increased. It was confirmed that the film of 300 nm thick had the best performance due to its low resistivity, and uniform surface. This research is expected to help find optimal conditions in various fields where TCO is used, such as solar cells, displays, and sensors in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.691-698
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• 2010

In this study Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films have been fabricated on Eagle 2000 glass substrates at various substrate temperature ($100{\sim}500^{\circ}C$) and working pressure (10 ~ 40 mTorr) by RF magnetron sputtering in order to investigate the structural, electrical, and optical properties of the AZO thin films. The obtained films were polycrystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and preferentially oriented in the (002) crystallographic direction. The AZO thin films, which were deposited at $T=300^{\circ}C$ for 10 mTorr, shows the highest (002) orientation, and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the (002) diffraction peak is $0.42^{\circ}$. The lowest resistivity ($2.64{\times}10^{-3}\;{\Omega}cm$) with the highest cartier concentration ($5.29{\times}10^{20}\;cm^{-3}$) and a Hall mobility of ($6.23\;cm^2/Vs$) are obtained in the AZO thin films deposited at $T=300^{\circ}C$ for 10 mTorr. The optical transmittance in the visible region is approximately 80%, regardless of process conditions. The optical band-gap depends on the Al doping level as the substrate temperature increases and the working pressure decrease. The optical band-gap widening is proportional to cartier concentration due to the Burstein-Moss effect.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.28-34
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• 2020

In this paper, an optical sensor based on an AZO semiconductor material is fabricated on an OHP film with high transmittance, and the characteristics of the optical element and the properties of the semiconductor material are described. In order to realize a flexible optical device, which is a major issue in the field of near-electronic devices, a transparent and bendable OHP film was used as a substrate. In addition, ITO, which is used for mass production as a transparent electrode and a semiconductor material, is expensive due to the scarcity of indium. Therefore, it is necessary to find a material that can replace it. The optical and electrical properties of the Au/Al/AZO/OHP structure are implemented to evaluate whether AZO is possible. It was found that devices and materials had no characteristic change by bending, and these results provide a possibility for application to a next-generation device. However, it is necessary to remove fine scratches on the surface of the OHP film, as well as optimized devices based on materials and structures that can improve the photocurrent.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.591-591
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• 2012

본 연구는 Transparent conducting oxide (TCO, 산화물투명전극)를 이용한 박막태양전지 효율향상에 관한 것으로, 이중의 TCO층(Double-stacked TCO layer)의 효과적인 광학 및 전기적 설계에 관한 것이다. 기존 박막 태양전지에서는 투명전극 TCO layer로서, ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide), FTO (Fluorine- Tin-Oxide), 및 AZO(Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide) 등을 사용해 왔다. 각 TCO layer마다 장점이 있지만 단점 또한 존재한다. ITO의 경우 높은 전기적 특성을 가지는 반면 수소 플라즈마에 취약하고 기계적 강도에 취약해 ITO 단일층만으로 박막 태양전지에 적용하는 것에 제한을 받는다. 한편, AZO의 경우 전기적 특성도 우수할 뿐만 아니라 수소 플라즈마에도 내구성이 강한 장점이 있지만, 일함수가 p형 반도체보다 낮아 Schottky junction이 되어, 높은 전위장벽이 형성된다. 이는 정공의 이동을 방해하고, 정공의 축적이 일어나서 순방향 전압을 인가할 때 많은 전류의 감소를 가져온다. 또한, AZO와 p형 반도체 사이의 높은 직렬저항으로 인해 광전압(Voc, Open circuit voltage)와 충실률 (FF, Fill factor)가 떨어진다는 단점이 있다. 본 실험에서는 ITO/AZO 2중구조의 TCO층을 적용하여 상기의 문제점을 해결하고자 한다. 이중 구조 TCO층은 Magnetron sputter system을 이용하여, 단계적으로 증착되었다. 빛이 입사하는 유리에 ITO를 제1전도층으로 증착하였는데, ITO는 입사광의 투과도와 전기전도성이 우수하다. 제2전도층으로는 AZO층을 이용하였으며, 실리콘 반도체층과 접하게 된다. AZO는 실리콘 증착시 발생하는 수소 플라즈마에 안정적이고, 물리적 강도 또한 우수한 장점이 있다. 이중 구조층위에 실리콘 광흡수층(Si absorber)을 증착하였으며, pin 구조를 가진다. 기존, 단일막 TCO층과 2중구조 TCO층을 이용하여, 실리콘 박막 태양전지를 구성하였다. 이때, ITO/AZO의 2중구조를 적용하였을 때 태양 전지 특성이 크게 향상된 결과를 얻을 수가 있었다. 특히, 전류밀도의 경우 ITO, FTO, AZO 각각 14.5 mA/cm2, 11.2 mA/cm2, 8.18 mA/cm2를 나타낸 반면 ITO/AZO 2중구조의 경우 약 17mA/cm2 로 크게 향상 되었고, 태양전지 변환 효율도 각각 7.5%, 6.9%, 4%에서 ITO/AZO 2중 구조의 경우 8.05%로 크게 향상되었다. 본 발표에서는 2중구조 TCO를 이용한 현공정에 적용 가능한 박막태양전지 효율향상 기법에 대해 논의하고자 한다.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2021

The solubilization of isolated proteins into the adequate buffer containing of surfactants is primary step for proteomic analysis. Particularly, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) is the most widely used surfactant, however, it is not compatible with mass spectrometry (MS). Therefore, it must be removed prior to MS analysis through rigorous washing, which eventually results in inevitable protein loss. Recently, photocleavable surfactant, 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate (Azo), was reported which can be easily degraded by UV irradiation and is compatible with MS during proteomic approach using animal tissues. In this study, we employed comparative label-free proteomic analysis for evaluating the solubilization efficacies of the Azo and SDS surfactants using rice leave proteins. This approach led to identification of 3,365 proteins of which 682 proteins were determined as significantly modulated. Further, according to the subcellular localization prediction in SDS and Azo, proteins localized in the chloroplast were the major organelle accounting for 64% of the total organelle in the SDS sample, while only 37.5% of organelle proteins solubilized in the Azo were predicted to be localized in chloroplast. Taken together, this study validates the efficient solubilization of total protein isolated from plant material for bottom-up proteomics. Azo surfactant is suitable as substitute of SDS and promising for bottom-up proteomics as it facilitates robust protein extraction, rapid washing step during enzymatic digestion, and MS analysis.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.267-271
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• 2009

Multicomponent transparent conducting oxide films were deposited on glass substrates at 150 by dual magnetron sputtering of AZO and ITO targets. In the case of mixing a limited amount of ITO (10W), resistivity of TCO films was significantly increased compared to the AZO film; from $3.5{\times}10^{-3}$ to $9.7{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$. Deterioration of the electrical conductivity is attributed to the decreases in carrier concentration and Hall mobility. Improvement of the conductivity could be obtained for the films prepared with ITO powers larger than 40 W. The lowest resistivity ($\rho$) of $7.3{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ was achieved when ITO power was 100 W. Effects of $H_2$ incorporation on the electrical and optical properties of AZO-ITO films were investigated in this work. Addition of small amount of hydrogen resulted in the increase of carrier concentration and the improvement of electrical conductivity. It is apparent that the roughness of AZO-ITO films decreases dramatically after the transition of microstructure from polycrystalline to amorphous phase, which gives practical advantages such as an excellent uniformity of surface and a high etching rate. AZO-ITO films grown at sputtering ambient with hydrogen gas are expected to be applicable to optoelectronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes and flexible displays due to their sufficient electrical and structural properties.