• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.94-98
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• 2011

A Sn-doped $In_2O_3$ (ITO) nanowire photoelectrode was produced using a simple metal evaporation method at low synthesis temperature (< $540^{\circ}C$). The nanowire electrodes have large surface area compared with that of flat ITO thin film, and show low electrical resistivity of $5.6{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}cm$ at room temperature. In order to apply ITO nanowires to the photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), those surfaces were modified by $TiO_2$ nanoparticles using a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The conversion efficiency of the fabricated $TiO_2$/ITO nanostructure-based DSSC was obtained at 1.4%, which was increased value by a factor of 6 than one without ITO nanowires photoelectrode. This result is attributed to the large surface area and superior electrical property of the ITO nanowires photoelectrode, as well as the structural advantages, including short diffusion length of photo-induced electrons, of the fabricated $TiO_2$/ITO nanostructure-based DSSC.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.65-65
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• 2012

Copper zinc tin sulfide ($Cu_2ZnSnS_4$, CZTS) is a very promising material as a low cost absorber alternative to other chalcopyrite-type semiconductors based on Ga or In because of the abundant and economical elements. In addition, CZTS has a band-gap energy of 1.4~1.5eV and large absorption coefficient over ${\sim}10^4cm^{-1}$, which is similar to those of $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$(CIGS) regarded as one of the most successful absorber materials for high efficient solar cell. Most previous works on the fabrication of CZTS thin films were based on the vacuum deposition such as thermal evaporation and RF magnetron sputtering. Although the vacuum deposition has been widely adopted, it is quite expensive and complicated. In this regard, the solution processes such as sol-gel method, nanocrystal dispersion and hybrid slurry method have been developed for easy and cost-effective fabrication of CZTS film. Among these methods, the hybrid slurry method is favorable to make high crystalline and dense absorber layer. However, this method has the demerit using the toxic and explosive hydrazine solvent, which has severe limitation for common use. With these considerations, it is highly desirable to develop a robust, easily scalable and relatively safe solution-based process for the fabrication of a high quality CZTS absorber layer. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of a high quality CZTS absorber layer with a thickness of 1.5~2.0 ${\mu}m$ and micrometer-scaled grains using two different non-vacuum approaches. The first solution-processing approach includes air-stable non-toxic solvent-based inks in which the commercially available precursor nanoparticles are dispersed in ethanol. Our readily achievable air-stable precursor ink, without the involvement of complex particle synthesis, high toxic solvents, or organic additives, facilitates a convenient method to fabricate a high quality CZTS absorber layer with uniform surface composition and across the film depth when annealed at $530^{\circ}C$. The conversion efficiency and fill factor for the non-toxic ink based solar cells are 5.14% and 52.8%, respectively. The other method is based on the nanocrystal dispersions that are a key ingredient in the deposition of thermally annealed absorber layers. We report a facile synthetic method to produce phase-pure CZTS nanocrystals capped with less toxic and more easily removable ligands. The resulting CZTS nanoparticle dispersion enables us to fabricate uniform, crack-free absorber layer onto Mo-coated soda-lime glass at $500^{\circ}C$, which exhibits a robust and reproducible photovoltaic response. Our simple and less-toxic approach for the fabrication of CZTS layer, reported here, will be the first step in realizing the low-cost solution-processed CZTS solar cell with high efficiency.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.439-443
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• 2016

In this report, $MnO_2$ nanoparticle-deposited functionalized graphene sheets were prepared and their superior electrochemical performances were demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and impedance analysis. Ionic liquids were employed to functionalize the surface of reduced graphene oxides (RGOs), leading to prevention of the aggregation of RGO sheets and abundant growth sites for deposition of $MnO_2$ nanoparticles. As-prepared $MnO_2/RGO$ nanocomposites were characterized using scanning electron microscope, transition electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical properties of $MnO_2/RGO$ electrode were evaluated using $Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte under a three-electrode system. The $MnO_2/RGO$ electrode showed a high specific capacitance (251 F/g), a high rate capability (80.5% retention), and long-term stability (93.6% retention).

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.790-797
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• 2019

To improve photocatalytic performance, CdS nanoparticle deposited TiO₂ nanotubular photocatalysts are synthesized. The TiO₂ nanotube is fabricated by electrochemical anodization at a constant voltage of 60 V, and annealed at 500 for crystallization. The CdS nanoparticles on TiO₂ nanotubes are synthesized by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. The surface characteristics and photocurrent responses of TNT/CdS photocatalysts are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrometer and LED light source installed potentiostat. The bandgaps of the CdS deposited TiO₂ photocatalysts are gradually narrowed with increasing of amounts of deposited CdS nanoparticles, which enhances visible light absorption ability of composite photocatalysts. Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance is observed in the nanocomposite TiO₂ photocatalyst. However, the maximum photocurrent response and dye degradation efficiency are observed for TNT/CdS30 photocatalyst. The excellent photocatalytic performance of TNT/CdS30 catalyst can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of its better absorption ability of visible light region and efficient charge transport process.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.236-241
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• 2012

It is widely recognized that it is hard to prepare hydrophilic graphite nanoparticles because of their high crystallinity and inert characteristics. In this study, we successfully synthesized the hydrophilic graphite nanoparticles by using liquid phase pulsed laser ablation method which has been actively employed for the thin film deposition up to now. The obtained hydrophilic graphite showed an ultra-high dispersion stability in water, because the hydrophilic functional groups like carboxyl and carbonyl group was simultaneously introduced onto the graphite surface with the nanoparticle formation, as confirmed by FT-IR and zeta potential measurements. Finally, a markedly enhanced gas sensing ability for acetone was shown in comparison with the conventional carbon black for the carbon polymer composite sensor with polyethyleneglycol (PEG).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.3593-3599
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• 2010

In an original effort, this lab attempted to employ polystyrene nanoparticles as a template for the synthesis of ordered and highly porous macroporous $SiO_2$ thin films, utilizing their high combustion temperature and narrow size distribution. However, polystyrene nanoparticle thin films were not obtained due to the low interaction between individual particles and between the particle and silicon substrate. However, polystyrene-polyacrylic acid (PS-AA) colloidal particles of a core-shell structure were synthesized by a one-pot miniemulsion polymerization approach, with hydrophilic polyacrylic acid tails on the particle surface that improved interaction between individual particles and between the particle and silicon substrate. The PS-AA thin films were spin-coated in the thickness ranges from monolayer to approximately $1.0\;{\mu}m$. Using the PS-AA thin films as sacrificial templates, macroporous $SiO_2$ thin films were successfully synthesized by vapor deposition or conventional solution sol-gel infiltration methods. Inspection with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed that the macroporous $SiO_2$ thin films consist of interconnected air balls (~100 nm). Typical macroporous $SiO_2$ thin films showed ultralow refractive indices ranging from 1.098 to 1.138 at 633 nm, according to the infiltration conditions, which were confirmed by spectroscopy ellipsometry (SE) measurements. This research shows how the synthetic control of the macromolecule such as hydrophilic polystyrene nanopaticles and silicate sol precursors innovates the optical properties and processabilities for actual applications.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.118-123
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• 2008

In the present study, the effect of oxyfluorination treatment on multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) supports was investigated by analyzing surface functional groups. The surface characteristics were determined by Fourier transformed-infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After the deposition of platinum nanoparticles on the above treated carbon supports, a crystalline size and a loading level had been investigated. Electrochemical properties of the treated MWNTs-supported Pt (Pt/MWNTs) catalysts were analyzed by current-voltage curve measurements. From the results of surface analysis, an oxygen and fluorine-containing functional group had been introduced to the surface of carbon supports. The oxygen and fluorine contents were the highest value at the treatment of 100 temperature. The Pt/100-MWNTs showed the smallest particle crystalline size of 3.5 nm and the highest loading level of 9.4% at the treatment of 100 temperature. However, the sample treated at the higher temperature showed the larger crystalline size and the lower loading level. This indicated that the crystalline size and the loading level could be controlled by changing the temperature of oxyfluorination treatment. Accordingly, an electrochemical activity was enhanced by increasing the temperature of treatment upto 100, and then decreased in the case of 200 and 300. The highest specific current density of 120 mA/mg had been obtained in the case of Pt/100-MWNTs.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.305-310
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• 2009

$TiO_2$ thin films consisting of positively charged poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and negatively charged titanium (IV) bis (ammonium lactato) dihydroxide (TALH) were successfully fabricated on a poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly method. By the measurement of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), it was found that as the solution pH of TALH decreased, the deposition volume of TALH increased and the thickness of (PDDA/TALH) thin film coated on the surface of PMMA particles increased. The PMMA particles coated with the coating sequence of (PDDA/TALH)n showed the variation of color changes as a function of the number of bilayer. The number of bilayer (n) of (PDDA/TALH) thin films was 10 and 20, the values of $a^*$ and $b^*$ decreased from those of PMMA particles without coating films and the color changes was shifted to green and blue direction in the $a^*$, $b^*$ chromaticity diagram. And then, the number of n increased to 30 and 40, the values of $a^*$ and $b^*$ increased and the color changes was shifted to red and yellow direction, respectively. Finally the PMMA particles coated with $(PDDA/TALH)_{50}$ thin film showed a little same value of $a^*$ and $b^*$ with the PMMA particles without (PDDA/TALH) thin film.