• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.670-676
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• 2004

The synthesis of highly concentrated silver nano sol assisted by polymeric dispersant (polyelectrolytes) for inkjet method was studied. The silver nano sol was prepared with AgNO$_3$, polyelectrolytes (HS5468cf ; polyacrylic ammonium salt), and reducing agent. The polyelectrolytes play an important role in formation of complex composed of Ag$\^$+/ion and carboxyl group (COO$\^$-/), result in preparation of highly dispersed silver nano particles. The optimization of added amount of polyelectrolytes, and concentration of silver nano sol was studied. The silver nanoparticles were evaluated by XRD, particle size/zeta potential analyzer and FE-TEM. The silver nanoparticles with the range of 10 nm in diameter were produced. The concentration of batch-synthesized silver nano sol was possible up to 40 wt%.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.439-444
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• 2022

Laser-induced plasmonic sintering of metal nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising technology to fabricate flexible conducting electrodes, since it provides instantaneous, simple, and scalable manufacturing strategies without requiring costly facilities and complex processes. However, the metal NPs are quite expensive because complicated synthesis procedures are needed to achieve long-term reliability with regard to chemical deterioration and NP aggregation. Herein, we report laser-induced Ag NP self-generation and sequential sintering process based on low-cost Ag organometallic material for demonstrating high-quality microelectrodes. Upon the irradiation of laser with 532 nm wavelength, pre-baked Ag organometallic film coated on a transparent polyimide substrate was transformed into a high-performance Ag conductor (resistivity of 2.2 × 10^-4 Ω·cm). To verify the practical usefulness of the technology, we successfully demonstrated a wearable transparent heater by using Ag-mesh transparent electrodes, which exhibited a high transmittance of 80% and low sheet resistance of 7 Ω/square.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.533-538
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• 2011

A plastic-compatible low-temperature metal deposition and patterning process is essential for the fabrication of flexible electronics because they are usually built on a heat-sensitive flexible substrate, for example plastic, fabric, paper, or metal foil. There is considerable interest in solution-processible metal nanoparticle ink deposition and patterning by selective laser sintering. It provides flexible electronics fabrication without the use of conventional photolithography or vacuum deposition techniques. We summarize our recent progress on the selective laser sintering of metals and metal oxide nanoparticles on a polymer substrate to realize flexible electronics such as flexible displays and flexible solar cells. Future research directions are also discussed.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.358-363
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• 2016

Noncontact direct-printed conductive silver patterns with an enhanced electrical resistivity are fabricated using a silver ink with a mixture of silver nanoparticles and nanoplates. The microstructure and electrical resistivity of the silver pattern are systematically investigated as a function of the mixing ratio of the nanoparticles and nanoplates. The pattern, which is fabricated using a mixture with a mixing ratio of 3(nanoparticles):7(nanoplates) and sintered at $200^{\circ}C$ shows a highly dense and well-sintered microstructure and has a resistivity of $7.60{\mu}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$. This originates a mutual synergistic effect through a combination of the sinterability of the nanoparticles and the packing ability of the nanoplates. This is a conductive material that can be used to fabricate noncontact direct-printed conductive patterns with excellent electrical conductivity for various flexible electronics applications, including solar cells, displays, RFIDs, and sensors.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2012

In this study, we designed a 'spark in liquid' system. The spark discharge between two electrodes were used to generate particles by using sufficient temperature to evaporate a part of electrodes. The power supply system provides a continuous spark discharge by discharging of the capacitor to ionize the electrodes in liquid. The DC spark discharge system operates with 1-10 kV voltage. Processed copper and graphite rods were used to both electrodes with 1-3 mm diameter. There are several variables which can control the particle size and concentration such as gap distance between electrodes, applied voltage, operating liquid temperature, electrode type and liquid type. So we controlled these variables to confirm the change of particle size distribution and concentration of particles contained in liquid as wt%. 'spark in liquid' system is expected to apply nanoink by control of concentration with analysis of characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.2430-2441
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• 2018

Selenium (Se)-rich binary Cu-Se and In-Se nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a modified heat-up method at low temperature ($110^{\circ}C$) using the gum exudates from a cherry blossom tree. Coating of CISe absorber layer was carried out using Se-rich binary Cu-Se and In-Se NPs ink without the use of any external binder. Our results indicated that the gum used in the synthesis played beneficial roles such as reducing and capping agent. In addition, the gum also served as a natural binder in the coating of CISe absorber layer. The CISe absorber layer was integrated into the solar cell, which showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.37%. The possible reasons for low PCE of the present solar cells and the steps needed for further improvement of PCE were discussed. Although the obtained PCE is low, the present strategy opens a new path for the fabrication of eco-friendly CISe NPs solar cell by a relatively chief non-vacuum method.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.25-30
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• 2015

SAC-coated Cu specimens were fabricated by novel pad finish process using a phenomenon that metal nanoparticles less than 20 nm in diameter melted at a temperature lower than the melting point of bulk metal, and their wettabilities were evaluated. The thickness of SAC305 layer coated at low temperature of $160^{\circ}C$ using SAC305 ink was extremely thin as the level of several nanometers. It was analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy that $Cu_6Sn_5$ intermetallic layer with a thickness of 10~100 nm and $Cu_3Sn$ intermetallic layer with a thickness of 50~150 nm were sequentially formed under the SAC305 coating layer. The thickness of formed intermetallic layers was thicker in electroplated Cu than rolled Cu, which attributed to improved surface roughness in the electroplated Cu. The improved surface roughness induces the contact, melting, and reaction of a larger number of SAC305 nanoparticles per the unit area of Cu specimen. In the wetting angle test using SAC305 solder balls, the Cu coated with SAC305 through the low temperature process presented evidently low wetting angles than those in non-coated Cu, indicating that only a few nanometer-thick SAC305 coating layer on Cu could also cause the enhancement of wettability.

• 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.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2014

Recently, a variety of printing technologies, including ink jet, gravure, and roll-to-roll (R2R) printing, has generated intensive interest in the application of flexible and wearable electronic devices. However, the actual use of printing technique is much limited because the sintering process of the printed nanoparticle inks remains as a huge practical drawback. In the fabrication of the conductive metal film, a post-sintering process is required to achieve high conductivity of the printed film. The conventional thermal sintering takes considerable sintering times, and requires high temperatures. For application to flexible devices, the sintering temperature should be as low as possible to minimize the damage of polymer substrate. Several alternative sintering methods were suggested, such as laser, halogen lamp, infrared, plasma, ohmic, microwave, and etc. Eventually, the new sintering technique should be applicable to large area, R2R, and polymer substrate as well as low cost. This article reviews progress in recent technologies for several sintering methods. The advantages and disadvantages of each technology will be reviewed. Several issues for the application in R2R process are discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.458.2-458.2
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• 2014

We have demonstrated that simple brush-painted Ti-doped $In_2O_3$(TIO) films can be used as a cost effective transparent anodes for organic solar cells (OSCs). We examined the RTA effects on the electrical, optical, and structural properties of the brush painted TIO electrodes. By the direct brushing of TIO nanoparticle ink and rapid thermal annealing (RTA), we can simply obtain TIO electrodes with a low sheet resistance of 28.25 Ohm/square and a high optical transmittance of 85.48% under atmospheric ambient conditions. Furthermore, improvements in the connectivity of the TIO nano-particles in the top region during the RTA process play an important role in reducing the resistivity of the brush-painted TIO anode. In particular, the brush painted TIO films showed a much higher mobility ($33.4cm^2/V-s$) than that of previously reported solution-process transparent oxide films ($1{\sim}5cm^2/V-s$) due to the effects of the Ti dopant with higher Lewis acid strength (3.06) and the reduced contact resistance of TIO nanoparticles. The OSCs fabricated on the brush-painted TIO films exhibited cell-performance with an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.61 V, shot circuit current (Jsc) of $7.90mA/cm^2$, fill factor (FF) of 61%, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.94%. This indicates that brush-painted TIO film is a promising cost-effective transparent electrode for printing-based OSCs with its simple process and high performance.