• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.16-19
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• 2014

Anodic self-organized titania nanotube (TNT) arrays have a great potential as efficient electron-transport materials for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Herewith we report the photovoltaic and kinetic investigations for a series of heteroleptic ruthenium complexes (RD16-RD18) sensitized on TNT films for DSSC applications. We found that the RD16 device had an enhanced short-circuit current density ($J_{SC}/mAcm^{-2}=15.0$) and an efficiency of power conversion (${\eta}=7.2%$) greater than that of a N719 device (${\eta}=7.1%$) due to the increasing light-harvesting and the broadened spectral features with thiophene-based ligands. However, the device made of RD17 (adding one more hexyl chain) showed smaller $J_{SC}(14.1mAcm^{-2})$ and poorer ${\eta}(6.8%)$ compare to those of RD16 due to smaller amount of dye-loading and less efficient electron injection for the RD17 device than for the RD16 device. For the RD18 dye (adding one more thiophene unit and one more hexyl chain), we found that the device showed even lower $J_{SC}(13.2mAcm^{-2}) $ that led to a poorest device performance (${\eta}=6.2%$) for the RD18 device. These results are against to those obtained from the same dyes sensitized on $TiO_2$ nanoparticle films and they can be rationalized according to the electron transport kinetics measured using the methods of charge extraction and transient photovoltage decays.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.127-134
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• 2016

A multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/graphene (GR) composite was synthesized for an enhanced supercapacitor. Aerosol spray pyrolysis (ASP) was employed to synthesize the MWCNT/GR composites using a colloidal mixture of MWCNT and graphene oxide (GO). The effect of the weight ratio of the MWCNT/GO on the particle properties including the morphology and layered structure were investigated. The morphology of MWCNT/GR composites was generally the shape of a crumpled paper ball, and the average composite size was about $5{\mu}m$. MWCNT were uniformly dispersed in GR sheets and the MWCNT not only increase the basal spacing but also bridge the defects for electron transfer between GR sheets. Thus, it was increasing electrolyte/electrode contact area and facilitating transportation of electrolyte ion and electron in the electrode. Electrochemical data demonstrate that the MWCNT/GR (weight ratio=0.1) composite possesses a specific capacitance of 192 F/g at 0.1 A/g and good rate capability (88% capacity retention at 4 A/g) using two-electrode testing system.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.136-143
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• 2021

Polyurea has been investigated as a polymer matrix for composite materials because of its high mechanical strength. Although polyurea has a similar chemical structure to polyurethane, it has much higher strength and durability. In this study, the fabrication of polyurea composites reinforced with carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene oxide (GO) is demonstrated to enhance the tensile strength of the glass fibers composite. Using FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, the chemical structures of polyurea, CNT, and GO are investigated. As a result, spectroscopy analysis reveals that the chemical structure of CNT, GO, and polyurea is maintained during the fabrication of the composite structure. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the uniform distribution of CNT and GO across the polyurea matrix. The reinforcement of 1 wt% CNT in polyurea enhances the tensile strength of CNT/polyurea composites. In contrast, the reinforcement of GO in polyurea induces the degradation of the tensile strength of GO/polyurea composites.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.423-428
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• 2010

To reduce polarization of electrochemical capacitor based on carbon nanotube, titanium oxide nanoparticles were deposited by ultrasound. The pore distribution of $TiO_2$/CNT nanoparticle exhibited surface area of $341\;m^2g^{-1}$ when $TiO_2$ content was 4 wt %, which was better than that of pristine CNT with surface area of $188\;m^2g^{-1}$. The analyses indicated that titanium oxide (particle diameter < 20 nm) was deposited on the CNT surface. The electrochemical performance was evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), impedance measurement, and constant-current charge/discharge cycling techniques. The $TiO_2$/CNT composite electrode showed relatively better electrochemical behaviors than CNT electrode by increasing the specific capacitance from $22\;Fg^{-1}$ to $37\;Fg^{-1}$ in 1 M $H_2SO_4$ solution. A symmetric cell assembled with the composite electrodes showed the specific capacitance value of $11\;Fg^{-1}$ at a current loading of $0.5\;mAcm^{-2}$ during initial cycling.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.16.1-16.1
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• 2011

Gas sensor properties of $WO_3$ nanowire structures have been studied. The sensing layer was prepared by deposition of tungsten metal on porous single wall carbon nanotubes followed by thermal oxidation. The morphology and crystalline quality of $WO_3$ material was investigated by SEM, TEM, XRD and Raman analysis. A highly porous $WO_3$ nanowire structure with a mean diameter of 82 nm was obtained. Response to CO, $NH_3$ and $H_2$ gases diluted in air were investigated in the temperature range of $100{\sim}340^{\circ}C$ The sensor exhibited low response to CO gas and quite high response to $NH_3$ and $H_2$ gases. The highest sensitivity was observed at $250^{\circ}C$ for $NH_3$ and $300^{\circ}C$ for $H_2$. The effect of the diameters of $WO_3$ nanowires on the sensor performance was also studied. The $WO_3$ nanowires sensor with diameter of 40 nm showed quite high sensitivity, fast response and recovery times to $H_2$ diluted in dry air. The sensitivity as a function of detecting gas concentrations and gas sensing mechanism was discussed. The effect of dilution carrier gases, dry air and nitrogen, was examined.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.143-146
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• 2007

Birnessite-type manganese dioxide($MnO_2$) was coated uniformly onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through a spontaneous direct redox reaction between CNTs and permanganate ions($MnO_4\;^-$). The initial specific capacitance of the $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite in an organic electrolyte at a large current density of 1 A/g was 250 F/g, which is equivalent to 139 mAh/g based on the total weight of the electrode material including the electroactive material, conducting agent and binder. The specific capacitance of the $MnO_2$ in the $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite was as high as 580 F/g (320 mAh/g), indicating excellent electrochemical utilization of the $MnO_2$. The addition of CNTs as a conducting agent can improve the high rate capability of $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite considerably. An analysis of the in-situ X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) showed an improvement in the structural and electrochemical reversibility of the $MnO_2/CNT$ nanocomposite by heat-treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.195-195
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• 2010

In recent years, Anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) has become popular and attractive materials. It can be easily fabricated and self-organized pore structures. It has been widely used as a biosensor membrane, photonic crystal for optical circuit and template for nanotube growth etc. In previous papers, the theory was developed that AAO shows anisotropic optical properties, since it has anisotropic structure with numerous cylindrical pores. It gives rise to the anisotropy of the refractive index called as birefringence. It can be used as conventional polarizing elements with high efficiency and low cost. Therefore, we would like to compare the theory and experimental results in this study. One method which can measure effective refractive index of thin film is the prism coupling technique. It can give accurate results fast and simply. Furthermore, we can also measure separately the refractive index with different polarization using polarization of the laser (TE mode and TM mode). We calculated the effective refractive index with effective medium approximations (EMAs) by pore size in the SEM image. EMAs are physical models that describe the macroscopic system as the homogeneous and typical method of all mean field theories.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.3730-3734
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• 2011

The degree of self-assembly and the size variation of nanotubular structures in anodic titanium oxide prepared by the anodization of titanium in ethylene glycol containing 0.25 wt % $NH_4F$ at 40 V were investigated as a function of anodization time. We found that the degree of self-assembly and the size of the nanotubes were strongly dependent on thickness deviation and thus indirectly on anodization time, as the thickness deviation was caused by the dissolution of the topmost tubular structures at local areas during long anodization. A large deviation in thickness led to a large deviation in the size and number of nanotubes per unit area. The dissolution primarily occurred at the bottoms of the nanotubes ($D_{bottom}$) in the initial stage of anodization (up to 6 h), which led to the growth of nanotubes. Dissolution at the tops ($D_{top}$) was accompanied by $D_{bottom}$ after the formed structures contacted the electrolyte after 12 h, generating the thickness deviation. After extremely long anodization (here, 70 h), $D_{top}$ was the dominant mode due to increase in pH, meaning that there was insufficient driving force to overcome the size distribution of nanotubes at the bottom. Thus, the nanotube array became disorder in this regime.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.3-9
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• 2013

Aluminum Oxide($Al_2O_3$) ceramics are excellent candidates for such applications due to their outstanding mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties. However, they are difficult to machine using conventional mechanical methods. Carbon fillers, such as carbon nanotubes(CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets(GNP)can be dispersed in a ceramic matrix to improve the mechanical and electrical properties. In this study, CNT and Graphene reinforced hybrid ceramic composites were fabricated using the spark plasma sintering method at a temperature of $1,500^{\circ}C$, pressure of 40 MPa, and soaking time of 10min. Besides this, the material properties such as microstructure, crystal structure, hardness, and electrical conductivity were analyzed using FE-SEM, XRD, Vickers, and the 4-point probe method. A micro machining test was carried out to compare the effects of the material properties and the machining performance for CNT and Graphene reinforced ceramic composites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2007

The development of next generation displays such as flexible display is a major challenge. Most materials and processes in current flat panel display industry cannot be transferred to flexible substrates. Typically, indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films are brittle and need to be deposited at high temperature to achieve an optimal opto-electrical property, therefore ITO films cannot be used as a flexible electrode. Up to date, many alternative materials to ITO have been proposed such as conductive polymers, nanometals, solution deposited transparent conductive oxide(TCO) and carbon nanotubes(CNTs). CNT based transparent conductive films are fabricated on glass and polymer substrates. CNT thin films exhibit a sheet resistance ($R_s$) of nearby $10^3\;{\Omega}/sq$ with a transmittance of around 80% on the visible light range, which is attributed by excellent dispersion and interaction among CNTs, solvents and polymeric binders. This talk will present the current studies, opto-electrical properties, design criteria and its applications for CNT-based transparent conductive films.