• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 2014

In this study, we studied optical properties on the layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies consisting of Au nanorods and organic dyes. For this purpose, poly (allylamine hydrochloride), PAH and poly (styrene sulfonate), PSS were selected as ionic polymers and rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RB) was utilized as an organic dye based on its spectral overlap with plasmon band of Au nanorods. In the view point of assembling methods, RB was covalently attached to PAH, then, LbL structure of Au [PSS/PAH]2/PSS/PAH-RB was prepared by sequential coating of PAH, PSS, PAH-RB on Au nanorods. Since the prepared LbL assembly exhibits both plasmonic and fluorescent properties, we studied the mutual nanorod-dye properties by dissolving Au nanorods.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.274-282
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• 2014

In this study, closely spaced Au nanoparticles which are arranged in nanocluster (heptamer) configurations have been employed to design efficient plasmonic subwavelength devices to function at the telecommunication spectrum (${\lambda}$~1550 nm). Utilizing two kinds of nanoparticles, the optical properties of heptamer clusters composed of Au rod and shell particles that are oriented in triphenylene molecular fashion have been investigated numerically, and the cross-sectional profiles of the scattering and absorption of the optical power have been calculated based on a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Plasmon hybridization theory has been utilized as a theoretical approach to characterize the features and properties of the adjacent and mutual heptamer clusters. Using these given nanostructures, we designed a complex four-branch ($1{\times}4$) Y-shape splitter that is able to work at the near infrared region (NIR). This splitter divides and transmits the magnetic plasmon mode along the mutual heptamers arrays. Besides, as an important and crucial parameter, we studied the impact of arm spacing (offset distance) on the guiding and dividing of the magnetic plasmon resonance propagation and by calculating the ratio of transported power in both nanorod and nanoshell-based structures. Finally, we have presented the optimal structure, that is the four-branch Y-splitter based on shell heptamers which yields the power ratio of 23.9% at each branch, 4.4 ${\mu}m$ decaying length, and 1450 nm offset distance. These results pave the way toward the use of nanoparticles clusters in molecular fashions in designing various efficient devices that are able to be efficient at NIR.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.97-102
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• 2017

In this paper, we investigate the optical properties of $Ag@Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles (NPs) composed of a plasmonic core and a magnetic shell. As the $Fe_3O_4$ shell with high refractive index (~2.42) is formed on the surface of the silver NPs having diameter of 60 nm, the wavelength of the localized surface-plasmon resonance (LSPR) is shifted from 420 nm to 650 nm, a so-called "redshift". Furthermore, through the use of three simulation models ($Ag@Fe_3O_4$ NP, $Fe_3O_4$ shell NP, and silver NP), the peak at 410 nm is seen to be the result of scattering by the $Fe_3O_4$ shell with 60 nm thickness, which would be useful in comprehending the complex optics in various nanoscale assemblies using similar NPs.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2021

Semiconductor-based photocatalysts can only be activated with ultraviolet or visible light due to their intrinsic bandgap, and they cannot use the energy in the near-infrared region, which accounts for about 50% of solar energy. Therefore, in order to improve the performance of the semiconductor photocatalyst, it is necessary to utilize more solar energy in a broad band ranging from ultraviolet to near-infrared. Combining upconversion nanoparticles with semiconductor photocatalysts for near-infrared absorption have thus been reported. Upconversion nanoparticles can sequentially absorb multiple near-infrared photons and convert them into ultraviolet or visible to activate photocatalysts. In addition, by coupling the semiconductor photocatalyst and the upconversion nanoparticles with the plasmonic metal nanoparticles, the photocatalytic activity can be further improved. This review summarizes the recent studies on improving the photocatalytic performance with near-infrared absorption by using upconversion nanoparticles.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1850127.1-1850127.13
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• 2018

Bi metal deposited on $Bi_2MoO_6$ composite photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized via a simple reduction method at room temperature with using $NaBH_4$ as the reducing agent. The photocatalytic activity of the composite was evaluated by degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and bisphenol A (BPA) solution under visible light. The rate constant of $Bi/Bi_2MoO_6$ composite to RhB is 10.8 times that of $Bi_2MoO_6$, and the degradation rate constant of BPA is 6.9 times of that of $Bi_2MoO_6$. Nitrogen absorption-desorption isotherm proved that the increase of specific surface area is one of the reasons for the improvement of photocatalytic degradation activity of $Bi/Bi_2MoO_6$ composites. The higher charge transfer efficiency of $Bi/Bi_2MoO_6$ is found through the characterization of the photocurrent and impedance, which are attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect produced by the introduction of the metal Bi monomer in the composite. Free radical capture experiments proved that cavitation is the main active species. Based on the above conclusions, a possible mechanism of photocatalytic degradation is proposed.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.497-505
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• 2022

Topological photonic nanocavities are considered to possess outstanding optical performance, and provide new platforms for realizing strong interaction between light and matter, due to their robustness to impurities and defects. Here hybrid plasmonic topological photonic nanocavities are proposed, by embedding various plasmon nanoantennas such as gold nanospheres, cylinders, and rectangles in a topological photonic crystal corner-state nanocavity. The maximum quality factor Q and minimum effective mode volume V_eff of these hybrid nanocavities can reach the order of 10⁴ and 10^-4 (𝜆/n)³ respectively, and the high figures of merit Q/V_eff for all of these hybrid nanocavites are stable and on the order of 10⁵ (𝜆/n)^-3. The relative positions of the plasmon nanoantennas will influence the coupling strength between the plasmon structures and the topological nanocavity. The hybrid nanocavity with gold nanospheres possesses much higher Q, but relatively large V_eff. The presence of a gold rectangular structure can confine more electromagnetic energy within a smaller space, since its V_eff is smallest, although Q is lowest among these structures. This work provides an outstanding platform for cavity quantum electrodynamics and has a wide range of applications in topological quantum light sources, such as single-photon sources and nanolasers.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2023

Solar cells, converting abundant solar energy into electrical energy, are considered crucial for sustainable energy generation. Recent advancements focus on nanoparticle-enhanced solar cells to overcome limitations and improve efficiency. These cells offer two potential efficiency enhancements. Firstly, plasmonic effects through nanoparticles can improve optical performance by enhancing absorption. Secondly, nanoparticles can improve charge transport and reduce recombination losses, enhancing electrical performance. However, factors like nanoparticle size, placement, and solar cell structure influence the overall performance. This study evaluates the performance of silver nanoparticles incorporated in a p-i-n structure of perovskite solar cells, generated via aerosol state by the evaporation and condensation system. The silver nanoparticles deposited between the hole transport layer and transparent electrode form nanoparticle embedded transport layer (NETL). The evaluation of the optoelectronic properties of perovskite devices using NETL demonstrates their potential for improving efficiency. The findings highlight the possibility of nanoparticle incorporation in perovskite solar cells, providing insights for sustainable energy generation.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.618-624
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• 2013

We demonstrated unique inter- and intra-plasmonic coupling effects in bimetallic Au@Ag core-shell NP arrays which are regularly or randomly arranged on self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) inverse micelle monolayers. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilized Au@Ag core-shell NP arrays in regular or disordered configuration were incorporated and assembled on reconstructed PS-b-P4VP inverse micelle templates through two types of processes. The intensively enhanced LSPR coupling properties of individual and assembled Au@Ag NPs were evaluated by UV-visible spectroscopy in terms of the type of ligand stabilizer, coupling between Au and Ag, thickness of Ag shell, and type of array configuration. Finally, Au@Ag core-shell NP arrays were employed as active substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and a significantly enhanced signal enhancement was observed in accordance with the coupling intensity of Au@Ag NPs patterns.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.291-296
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• 2021

Recently, there has been increasing demand for advancing photocatalytic techniques that are capable of the efficient removal of organic pollutants in water. TiO₂, a representative photocatalytic material, has been commonly used as an effective photocatalyst, but it is rather expensive and an alternative is required that will fulfill the requirements of both high performing photocatalytic activities and cost-effectiveness. In this work, ZnO, which is more cost effective than TiO₂, was synthesized by using a microreactor-assisted nanomaterials (MAN) process. The process enabled a continuous production of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with a flower-like structure with high uniformity. In order to resolve the limited light absorption of ZnO arising from its large band gap, Ag NPs were uniformly decorated on the flower-like ZnO surface by using the MAN process. The plasmonic effect of Ag NPs led to a broadening of the absorption range toward visible wavelengths. Ag NPs also helped inhibit the electron-hole recombination by drawing electrons generated from the light absorption of the flower-like ZnO NPs. As a result, the Ag-ZnO nanocomposites showed improved photocatalytic activities compared with the flower-like ZnO NPs. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the successful synthesis of Ag-ZnO nanocomposites with high uniformity. Ag-ZnO nanocomposites synthesized via the MAN process offer the potential for cost-effective and scalable production of next-generation photocatalytic materials.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.454-462
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• 2023

Flash lamp annealing (FLA) of metal nanoparticle (NP) ink has provided powerful strategies to fabricate high-performance electrodes on a flexible substrate because of its rapid processing capability (in milliseconds), low-temperature process, and compatibility with to roll-to-roll process. However, metal NPs [e.g., gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), etc.] have limitations such as difficulty in synthesizing fine metal NPs (diameter less than 10 nm), high price, and degradation during ink storage and FLA processing. In this regard, organometallic ink has been proposed as a material that can replace metal NPs due to their low-cost (usually 1/100 times cheaper than metal nano inks), low-temperature processability, and high material stability. Despite these advantages, the fabrication of flexible electrodes through FLA treatment of organometallic compounds has not been extensively researched. In this paper, we experimentally guide how to determine the optimal conditions for forming electrodes on flexible substrates by considering material parameters, and flashlight processing parameters (energy density, pulse duration, etc) to minimize the difficulties that may arise during the FLA of organometallic ink.