• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.261-267
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• 2018

Hydrothermal synthesis of highly crystalline $TiO_2$ nanorods is a well-developed technique and the nanorods have been widely used as the template for growth of various core-shell nanorod structures. Magneli/CdS core-shell nanorod structures are fabricated for the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) electrode to achieve enhanced carrier transport along the metallic magneli phase nanorod template. However, the long and thin $TiO_2$ nanorods may form a high resistance path to the electrons transferred from the CdS layer. $TiO_2$ nanorods synthesized are reduced to magneli phases, $TixO_{2x-1}$, by heat treatment in a hydrogen environment. Two types of magneli phase nanorods of $Ti_4O_7$ and $Ti_3O_5$ are synthesized. Structural morphology and X-ray diffraction analyses are carried out. CdS nano-films are deposited on the magneli nanorods for the main light absorption layer to form a photoanode, and the PEC performance is measured under simulated sunlight irradiation and compared with the conventional $TiO_2/CdS$ core-shell nanorod electrode. A higher photocurrent is observed from the stand-alone $Ti_3O_5/CdS$ core-shell nanorod structure in which the nanorods are grown on both sides of the seed layer.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.359-365
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• 2013

We investigated the nanostructural, chemical and optical properties of nc-Si:H films according to deposition conditions. Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition(PECVD) techniques were used to produce nc-Si:H thin films. The hydrogen dilution ratio in the precursors, [$SiH_4/H_2$], was fixed at 0.03; the substrate temperature was varied from room temperature to $600^{\circ}C$. By raising the substrates temperature up to $400^{\circ}C$, the nanocrystalite size was increased from ~2 to ~7 nm and the Si crystal volume fraction was varied from ~9 to ~45% to reach their maximum values. In high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) images, Si nanocrystallites were observed and the crystallite size appeared to correspond to the crystal size values obtained by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Raman Spectroscopy. The intensity of high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy(EELS) peaks at ~99.9 eV(Si $L_{2,3}$ edge) was sensitively varied depending on the formation of Si nanocrystallites in the films. With increasing substrate temperatures, from room temperature to $600^{\circ}C$, the optical band gap of the nc-Si:H films was decreased from 2.4 to 1.9 eV, and the relative fraction of Si-H bonds in the films was increased from 19.9 to 32.9%. The variation in the nanostructural as well as chemical features of the films with substrate temperature appears to be well related to the results of the differential scanning calorimeter measurements, in which heat-absorption started at a substrate temperature of $180^{\circ}C$ and the maximum peak was observed at ${\sim}370^{\circ}C$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.552-552
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• 2013

In our study we consider Al2O3 ceramic substrates for Plasma Surface Treatments in order to improve deposited diamond surface and increase diamond deposition rate by applying DBD (Dielectric Barrier Dischrge) system. Because Plasma Surface Treatments was used as a modification method of material surface properties like surface free energy, wettability, and adhesion. By applying Plasma Surface Treatments diamond films are deposited on the Al2O3 ceramic substrates. DC Arc Plasmatron with mathane and hydrogen gases is used. Deposited diamond films are investigated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) and XRD (X-ray Diffractometer). Then the C-H stretching of synthetic diamond films by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) is studied. As a result, nanocrystalline diamond films were identified by using SEM and diamond properties in XRD peaks at (111, $43.8{\Box}$, (220, $75.3{\Box}$ and (311, $90.4{\Box}$ were shown. Absorption peaks in FTIR spectrum, caused by CHx sp3 bond stretching of CVD diamond films, were identified as well. Finally, we improved such parameters as depostion rate ($2.3{\mu}m$/h), diamond surface uniformity, and impurities level by applying Plasma Surface Treatments. These experimental results show the importance of Plasma Surface Treatments for diamond deposition by a plasma source.

• Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 1997

The high oxidants, which occur the daily maximum concentrations in the afternoon, are transported into the other region via long range transport mechanisms or trapped within the shallow mixing boundary layer and then removed physically (deposition, transport by mountain wind, etc.) and chemically (reaction with local sources). Therefore, modeling formation of photochemical oxidants requires a complex description of both chemical and meteorological processes. In this study, as a part of air quality studies, we reviewed various aspects of photochemical modeling on the basis of currently available literature. The result of the review shows that the model is based on a set of coupled continuity equations describing advection, diffusion, transport, deposition, chemistry, emission. Also photochemical oxidant models require a large amount of input data concerned with all aspects of the ozone life cycle. First, emission inventories of hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides, with appropriate spatial and temporal resolution. Second, chemical and photochemical data allowing the quantitative description of the formation of ozone and other photochemically-generated secondary pollutants. Third, dry deposition mechanisms particularly for ozone, PAN and hydrogen peroxide to account for their removal by absorption on the ground, crops, natural vegetation, man-made and water surfaces. Finally, meteorological data describing the transport of primary pollutants away from their sources and of secondary pollutants towards the sensitive receptors where environmental damage may occur. In order to improve our present study, shortcomings and limitation of existing models are pointed out and verification process through observation is emphasized.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.359-363
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• 2013

Silicon carbide and its composites are being considered as a nuclear fuel cladding material for LWR nuclear reactors because they have a low neutron absorption cross section, low hydrogen production under accident conditions, and high strength at high temperatures. The SiC composite cladding tube considered in this study consists of three layers, monolith CVD SiC - $SiC_f$/SiC composite -monolith CVD SiC. The volume fraction of SiC fiber and surface roughness of the composite layer affect mechanical and corrosion properties of the cladding tube. In this study, various types of SiC fiber preforms with tubular shapes were fabricated by a filament winding method using two types of Tyranno SA3 grade SiC fibers with 800 filaments/yarn and 1600 filaments/yarn. After chemical vapor infiltration of the SiC matrix, the surface roughness and fiber volume fraction were measured. As filament counts were changed from 800 to 1600, the surface roughness increased but the fiber volume fraction decreased. The $SiC_f$/SiC composite with a bamboo-like winding pattern has a smaller surface roughness and a higher fiber volume fraction than that with a zigzag winding pattern.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2019

Curcumin ($C_{21}H_{20}O_6$) is a hydrophobic polyphenol found in turmeric. Although curcumin has been used as a natural medicine, its major limitation is related to poor absorption from the gut. Therefore, we developed a method for preparation of Curcumin Nanospheres (CN) to improve the aqueous-phase solubility of curcumin and investigate the functional role of CN in promoting feed efficiency and odor reduction in mice. CN showed inhibitory effects on actate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity induced by ecotoxic substance toluene in gut epithelial HCT116 cells. In addition, the weights of internal organs (liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen) and the levels of serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT), Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT), and LDH did not show significant differences between mice administered oral CN for two weeks and compared to the control group. Interestingly, CN not only reduced hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) and ammonia ($NH_3$) levels and fecal odor, but also improved feed efficiency in mice. These results demonstrate that oral nano-delivery of anti-ecotoxicological CN is a functional system to deliver curcumin to the gut to improve feed efficiency and reduce fecal odor in mice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.896-903
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• 2019

Objective: Qianbei-Pockmarked goats are affected by a disorder locally referred to as 'Ruanguzheng Disorder', which is characterized by emaciation, lameness, muscular relaxation, stiffness of the extremities, and abnormal curvatures of the long bones. Our objective was to determine the relationship between the disorder and phosphorus deficiency. Methods: Tissue samples were collected from affected and healthy animals, while soil and herbage samples were collected from affected and healthy pastures. Biochemical parameters were determined using an automatic biochemical analyzer (OLYMPUS AU 640, Olympus Optical Co., Tokyo, Japan). Mineral contents in soil, forage, and tissue were determined using a Perkin-Elmer AAS5000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer, Norwalk, CT, USA). Results: The results showed that phosphorus contents in herbages from affected pastures were markedly lower than those from healthy areas (p<0.01), and the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the affected herbages was 12.93:1. The phosphorus contents of wool, blood, tooth, and bone from affected animals were also markedly lower than those from healthy animals (p<0.01). Serum phosphorus values in affected animals were much lower than those in healthy animals, while serum alkaline phosphatase values from affected animals were markedly higher than those from healthy animals (p<0.01). Inorganic phosphorus values from affected animals were approximately half of that in the control group. Supplementation of disodium hydrogen phosphate prevented and cured the disorder. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Ruanguzheng disorder in Qianbei-Pockmarked goats is primarily caused by phosphorus deficiencies in herbage due to fenced pastures and natural habitat fragmentation.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.508-513
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• 2021

In order to improve the durability of a proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), it is essential to improve the durability of the polymer membrane. In order to improve the durability of the membrane, an e-PTFE support and a radical scavenger are added. In this study, the chemical durability of the reinforced membrane with ePTFE support and the non-reinforced membrane was compared by Fenton reaction. In the Fenton experiment of the polymer membrane without the addition of a radical scavenger, the absorption rate of hydrogen peroxide solution and iron ions through the cross section of the specimen cut into small pieces was higher in the reinforced membrane, so that the fluorine outflow concentration was higher. According to the type and amount of radical scavenger added, the fluorine outflow concentration of the reinforced membrane has a large difference of more than 3 times, indicating that the effect of the radical scavenger was stronger than that of the support.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2021

We investigated hydrochemical and stable isotope characteristics of groundwater in a large agricultural plain, the Honam plain, to evaluate the adequacy of agricultural water supply. For preliminary assessment for the area, we collected 23 groundwater samples from domestic wells and conducted hydrochemical and water stable isotope analysis. Groundwater in the study area is mainly Ca-HCO3 type resulting from water-rock interactions. Stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions indicated that recharge water is derived from precipitation while some sampling sites had evaporation signatures. Irrigation water quality using sodium absorption ratio and salinity hazard showed most of the groundwater samples were found to be suitable for irrigation. The groundwater in the southwestern part of the study area was affected by both seawater intrusion and agricultural activities, indicating a higher possibility of groundwater contamination near the coastal areas. Elevated concentrations of nitrate and phosphate ions in the groundwater are considered to be influenced by anthropogenic activities such as fertilizer application. It is expected that this study would be able to provide preliminary information on groundwater quality for agricultural water supply in the Mangyeong-Dongjin watershed.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.67-74
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• 2023

The earth-abundant element-based Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe) thin film solar cells (TFSCs) have attracted greater attention in the photovoltaic (PV) community due to their rapid development in device power conversion efficiency (PCE) >13%. In the present work, we demonstrated the fine-tuning of the bandgap in the CZTSSe TFSCs by altering the sulfur (S) to the selenium (Se) chalcogenide ratio. To achieve this, the CZTSSe absorber layers are fabricated with different S/(S+Se) ratios from 0.02 to 0.08 of their weight percentage. Further compositional, morphological, and optoelectronic properties are studied using various characterization techniques. It is observed that the change in the S/(S+Se) ratios has minimal impact on the overall Cu/(Zn+Sn) composition ratio. In contrast, the S and Se content within the CZTSSe absorber layer gets altered with a change in the S/(S+Se) ratio. It also influences the overall absorber quality and gets worse at higher S/(S+Se). Furthermore, the device performance evaluated for similar CZTSSe TFSCs showed a linear increase and decrease in the open circuit voltage (V_oc) and short circuit current density (J_sc) of the device with an increasing S/(S+Se) ratio. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) measured also exhibited a linear blue shift in absorption edge, increasing the bandgap from 1.056 eV to 1.228 eV, respectively.