• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.85-90
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• 2015

Two-step processes for preparing $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ absorber layers consist of precursor layer formation and subsequent annealing in a Se-containing atmosphere. Among the various deposition methods for precursor layer, the nonvacuum (wet) processes have been spotlighted as alternatives to vacuum-based methods due to their potential to realize low-cost, scalable PV devices. However, due to its porous nature, the precursor layer deposited on Mo substrate by nonvacuum methods often suffers from thick $MoSe_2$ formation during selenization under a high Se vapor pressure. On the contrary, selenization under a low Se pressure to avoid $MoSe_2$ formation typically leads to low crystal quality of absorber films. Although TiN has been reported as a diffusion barrier against Se, the additional sputtering to deposit TiN layer may induce the complexity of fabrication process and nullify the advantages of nonvacuum deposition of absorber film. In this work, Mo oxide layers via thermal oxidation of Mo substrate have been explored as an alternative diffusion barrier. The morphology and phase evolution was examined as a function of oxidation temperature. The resulting Mo/Mo oxides double layers were employed as a back contact electrode for $CuInSe_2$ solar cells and were found to effectively suppress the formation of $MoSe_2$ layer.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.320-324
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• 2015

Optimization of the fabrication process of NiO-yttrium doped barium zirconate (BZY) composite anode substrates using tape-casting for high performance thin-film protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) is investigated. The anode substrate is composed of a tens of microns-thick anode functional layer laminated over a porous anode substrate. The macro-pore structure of the anode support is induced by micron-scale polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) pore formers. Thermal gravity analysis (TGA) and a dilatometer are used to determine the polymeric additive burn-out and sintering temperatures. Crystallinity and microstructure of the tape-cast NiO-BZY anode are analyzed after the sintering.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 1999

An yttria-stabilized zirconia(YSZ) thin film on a porous NiO-YSZ substrate for an anode support type solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC) was prepared by an electrophoretic deposition(EPD). Deposition condition and film properties in order to obtain the homogeneous YSZ thin film from the EPD solution with different polarity were studied. In different case of alcohol solution, hydrogen gas was produced in aqueous solution from the electrolyte reaction under constant current above 0.138 mA /$\textrm{cm}^2$.Its reaction generated the bubble-formed defect in the deposited film and decreased weight of the film. The homogeneous YSZ thin film was formed in alcohol solution at a constant current, 0.035 mA /$\textrm{cm}^2$ for 10 s.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.927-938
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• 2000

When microorganism is injected into porous medium such as soils along with appropriate substrate and nutrients, biomass retained in the soil pore. Soil pore size and shape are varied from the initial condition as a result of biofilm formation, which make hydraulic conductivity reduced. In this research, hydraulic conductivity reduction was measured after microorganism are inoculated and cultured with synthetic substrates and nutrients. Biomass-soil mixture was evaluated its applicability to the field condition as an alternative liner material in landfill by measuring hydraulic conductivity change after repetitive freeze-thaw cycles. Resistance of biofilm to chemical solution and degree of biodegradation were measured through column test.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.273-283
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• 1999

When microorganism is injected into porous medium such as soils, biomass is retained in the pore. Soil pore size and shape are varied from the initial condition as a result of biofilm formation which makes hydraulic conductivity reduced and friction rate between soil aggregates increased. In this research, hydraulic conductivity reduction was measured after microorganism are inoculated and cultured with synthetic substrate and nutrient. In addition, this research evaluated the applicability of biomass-soil mixture to the field condition as an alternative cover material in landfill by measuring hydraulic conductivity change after repetitive freeze-thaw cycles. Hydraulic conductivity of silty soil decreased by approximately 1/50 after biomass inoculation and cultivation. Biofilm attached on soil aggregates is resistant to acidic or basic condition. After repetitive freeze-thaw cycles, however, hydraulic conductivity increase implies that biomass clogging can be impaired.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.113-124
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• 2006

The feasibility of the up- and down-flow constructed wetland was examined fur rural wastewater treatment in Korea. Many constructed wetland process was suffered from substrate clogging and high plant stresses because of long term operation. The up- and down-flow constructed wetland process used porous granule materials (charcoal pumice : SSR=10:20:70) for promoting intake rate of nutrient to plant, and especially flow type was designed continuously repeating from up-flow to down-flow. $BOD_5$ and SS was removed effectively by the process with the average removal rate being about 75% respectively. The wetland process was effective in treating nutrient as well as organic pollutant. Removal of TN and TP were more effective than other wetland system and mean effluent concentrations were approximately 7.5 and $0.4mg\;L^{-1}$ which satisfied the water quality standard for WWTPs. The treatment system did not experience any clogging or accumulations of pollutants and reduction of treatment efficiency during winter period because constructed polycarbonate glass structure prevented temperature drop. Considering stable performance and effective removal of pollutant in wastewater, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness, the up- and down-flow constructed wetland was thought to be an effective and feasible alternative in rural area.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.278-281
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• 2009

Proton exchange membrane is the key material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Currently widely-used perfluorosulfonic acid membranes have some disadvantages, such as low thermal stability, easy swelling, excessive crossover of methanol and high price etc. Other membranes, including sulfonated polymer, radiation grafted membranes, organic-inorganic hybrids and acid-base blends, do not satisfy the criteria for PEMFC, which set a barrier to the development and commercialization of PEMFC. Pore-filling type proton exchange membrane is a new proton exchange membrane, which is formed by filling porous substrate with electrolytes. Compared with traditional perfluorosulfonic acid membranes, pore-filling type proton exchange membranes have many advantages, such as non- swelling, low methanol permeation, high proton conductivity, low cost and a wide range of materials to choose. In this research, preparation methodology of pore-filling membranes by particularly using all hydrocarbon polymers and fuel cell performances with the membranes are evaluated.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.436-441
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• 2003

The characteristics of <112> orientation were studied for the $TiO_2$thin films, which were prepared on the glass by CVD (chemical vapor deposition) at various substrate temperatures. It was confirmed that $TiO_2$ films exhibited <112>-preferred orientation in a specific temperature range. Although $TiO_2$polycrystalline film grown deposited at relatively low temperature showed the growth of random directions, the <112>-preferred orientation was gradually developed with increasing deposition temperature. According to exhibit higher degree of <112>-preferred orientation, $TiO_2$thin film showed porous surface morphology, well-developed columnar structure, and deeper voids resulted from non-aggregation of columns were observed. In addition, transmittance was enhanced. Therefore, the growth of $TiO_2$with <112>-preferred orientation is suitable for glass coating because of predominance of photocatalytic efficiency and transmittance.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.343-347
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• 2007

Novel composite membranes, which delivered high separation performance for propylene/propane mixtures, were developed by coating inert poly(ethylene-co-propylene) rubber (EPR) onto a porous polyester substrate, followed by the physical distribution of $AgBF_4$. Scanning electron microscopy-wavelength dispersive spectrometer (SEM-WDS) revealed that silver salts were uniformly distributed in the EPR layer. The physical dispersion of the silver salts in the inert polymer matrix, without specific interaction, was characterized by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The high separation performance was presumed to stem from the in-situ dissolution of crystalline silver ionic aggregates into free silver ions, which acted as an active propylene carrier within a propylene environment, leading to facilitated propylene transport through the membranes. The membranes were functional at all silver loading levels, exhibiting an unusually low threshold carrier concentration (less than 0.06 of silver weight fraction). The separation properties of these membranes, i.e. the mixed gas selectivity of propylene/propane ${\sim}55$ and mixed gas permeance ${\sim}7$ GPU, were stable for several days.