• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.156-161
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• 2015

The electronic structures of the potential candidate semiconductor nanoparticles for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), such as $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$, have been investigated by employing X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The measured X-ray diffraction patterns show that $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ samples have the single-phase ilmenite-type structure and the inverse spinel structure, respectively. The measured Zn 2p and Sn 3d core-level XPS spectra reveal that the valence states of Zn and Sn ions are divalent (Zn 2+) and tetravalent (Sn 4+), respectively, in both $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$. On the other hand, the shallow core-level measurements show that the binding energies of Sn 4d and Zn 3d core levels in $ZnSnO_3$ are lower than those in $Zn_2SnO_4$. This work provides the information on the valence states of Zn and Sn ions and their chemical bonding in $ZnSnO_3$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Cobalt silicide was used as a counter electrode in order to confirm its reliability in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) devices. 100 nm-Co/300 nm-Si/quartz was formed by an evaporator and cobalt silicide was formed by vacuum heat treatment at $700^{\circ}C$ for 60 min to form approximately 350 nm-CoSi. This process was followed by etching in $80^{\circ}C$-30% $H_2SO_4$ to remove the cobalt residue on the cobalt silicide surface. Also, for the comparison against Pt, we prepared a 100 nm-Pt/glass counter electrode. Cobalt silicide was used for the counter electrode in order to confirm its reliability in DSSC devices and maintained for 0, 168, 336, 504, 672, and 840 hours at $80^{\circ}C$. The photovoltaic properties of the DSSCs employing cobalt silicide were confirmed by using a simulator and potentiostat. Cyclic-voltammetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry analyses were used to confirm the catalytic activity, microstructure, and composition, respectively. The energy conversion efficiency (ECE) as a function of time and ECE of the DSSC with Pt and CoSi counter electrodes were maintained for 504 hours. However, after 672 hours, the ECEs decreased to a half of their initial values. The results of the catalytic activity analysis showed that the catalytic activities of the Pt and CoSi counter electrodes decreased to 64% and 57% of their initial values, respectively(after 840 hours). The microstructure analysis showed that the CoSi layer improved the durability in the electrolyte, but because the stress concentrates on the contact surface between the lower quartz substrate and the CoSi layer, cracks are formed locally and flaking occurs. Thus, deterioration occurs due to the residual stress built up during the silicidation of the CoSi counter electrode, so it is necessary to take measures against these residual stresses, in order to ensure the reliability of the electrode.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.405-406
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• 2013

Ga-doped ZnO (GZO)는 $300^{\circ}C$ 이상의 온도에서는 전기적으로 불안정하기 때문에 CIGS, CdTe, DSC와 같은 태양전지의 높은 공정온도 때문에 사용이 제한적이다. ZTO thin film은 Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, ZnO tihin film과 비교하여 산소 및 수분에 대하여 투과성이 상대적으로 낮은 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 GZO single layer에 비하여 ZTO-GZO multi-layer를 구성하여 TCO를 제작하면, 높은 공정온도에서도 사용 가능하다. 실제 제작된 GZO single layer (300 nm)에서 비저항이 $7.69{\times}10^{-4}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$에서 $500^{\circ}C$에서 열처리 후 $7.76{\times}10^{-2}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$으로 급격하게 상승한다. ZTO single layer (420 nm)는 as-grown에서는 측정 불가했지만, $400^{\circ}C$에서 열처리 후 $3.52{\times}10^{-1}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ $500^{\circ}C$에서 열처리 후 $4.10{\times}10^{-1}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$으로 열처리에 따른 큰 변화가 없다. 또한 ZTO-GZO multi-layer (720 nm)의 경우 비저항이 $2.11{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$에서 $500^{\circ}C$에서 열처리 후 $3.67{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$으로 GZO에 비하여 상대적으로 변화폭이 작다. 또한 ZTO의 두께에 따른 영향을 확인하기 위하여 ZTO를 2 scan, 4 scan, 6 scan 공정 진행 및 $500^{\circ}C$에서 열처리 후 ZTO, ZTO-GZO thin film의 비저항을 측정하였다. ZTO의 경우 $3.34{\times}10^{-1}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ (2 scan), $3.62{\times}10^{-1}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ (4 scan), $4.1{\times}10^{-1}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ (6 scan)으로 큰 차이가 없으며, ZTO-GZO에서도 $3.73{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ (2 scan), $3.42{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ (4 scan), $3.67{\times}10^{-3}{\Omega}{\cdot}cm$ (6 scan)으로 큰 차이가 없음을 확인하였다. 염료감응 태양전지에 적용하여 기존에 사용되는 FTO대신에 ZTO-GZO를 사용하며, 가격적 측면, 성능적 측면에서 개선 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.139-143
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• 2005

For application of carbon nano-tube (CNT) as a counter electrode materials of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the electrochemical behavior of CNT electrode was studied, employing cyclic-voltammetry (C-V) and impedance spectroscopy. Fabrication of CNT-paste and formation of CNT-counter electrode for characteristic measurement have been carried out using ball-milling and doctor blade process, respectively. Unit cell for measurements was assembled using Pt electrode, CNT electrode, and iodine-embedded electrolyte. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used for structural investigation of CNT powder and electrode. Sheet resistance of electrode was measured with 4-point probe method. Electrochemical properties of electrode, C-V and impedance spectrum, were studied, employing potentiogalvanostat (EG&G 273A) and lock in amplifier (EG&G 5210). As a results, the sheet resistance of CNT electrode is almost similar to that of F-doped SnO2 (FTO) coated glass substrate as approximately 10 ohm/sq. From C-V and impedance spectroscopy measurements, it was found that CNT electrode has high reaction rate and low interface reaction resistance between CNT surface and electrolyte. These results provides that CNT electrode were superior to that of conventional Pt electrode. Particularly, the reaction rate in the CNT electrode is about thrice high than Pt electrode. Therefore. CNT electrode is to be good candidate material for counter electrode in DSSC.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.56.2-56.2
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• 2011

고효율 염료감응 태양전지를 제작하기 위해 Sol-gel법을 사용하여 $TiO_2$ 분말을 제조하였다. 제조 과정 중 다양한 양의 nitric acid를 첨가하여 pH를 조절하였다. Sol-gel법을 위한 출발 물질로 titanium (IV) isopropoxide(TTIP)와 DI water를 사용하였으며 nitric acid은 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15의 몰비(nitric acid/TTIP)로 첨가하였다. 첨가한 결과 pH는 $22^{\circ}C$에서 각각 5.52, 2.26, 1.68, 1.38이었다. 얻어진 $TiO_2$ 콜로이드 용액은 결정성 있는 분말로 제조 후 $5{\times}5[mm^2]$ 크기의 염료감응 태양전지를 제작하는데 사용 되였다. $TiO_2$의 결정구조 및 형태는 cell의 XRD와 FE-SEM으로 분석되었고 전기화학적 특성을 분석하기 위해 irradiation of AM 1.5 ($100mW/cm^2$) simulatedsunlight에서 I-V 곡선을 측정하였다. 측정 결과 몰비(nitric acid/TTIP) 0.05, pH가 2.26일 때 가장 우수한 효율 특성을 보였다.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2013

It is expected that progress in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, improving the functionality and design of buildings, will be accelerated in the coming years. While the dye sensitized solar cell is considered one of the most important technologies in the BIPV field, the transparent silicon based thin film solar cell fabricated by thin film processes has drawn attention as a novel alternative. When the selective transmitting layer is applied to the solar cell, the conversion efficiency is improved due to the re-reflection of infrared light into an absorber layer with the transmission of visible light through the solar cell. In this work, we prepared Al-Ti based oxide thin films using cost-effective sputter deposition and examined their selective transmitting characteristics with various compositions. The transmittance and reflectance of the Al-Ti based oxide thin film changed with the variation of its composition, and the selective transmitting property was observed in the sample with the 25 nm-thick AlTiO layer. It is considered that the realization of transparent solar cells and the improvement of their conversion efficiency can be achieved by introducing the Al-Ti based selective transmitting layer.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2011

Using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a polymer host, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizer, potassium iodide and iodine as sources of $I^-/I_3^-$, polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared. Based on the polymer electrolytes, solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)s were fabricated. The content of PEG in the electrolyte was controlled to be 95%. The mole number of KI per 1 mole of EO ([KI]/[EO] ratio) in the electrolyte was changed to be 0.022, 0.044, 0.066 and 0.088. The electrolyte membrane showed wax phase in ambient temperature. The ionic conductivity increased with increasing KI content to reach the maximum value at which [KI]/[EO] ratio is 0.066. After the maximum value, the ionic conductivity decreased with increasing KI content. In the case of DSSC, the Voc decreased continuously with increasing KI content in the polymeric electrolyte membrane. The $J_{SC}$ increased with increasing KI content to show maximum value at which [KI]/[EO] ratio is 0.044. In the higher KI content region, $J_{SC}$ value decreased with increasing KI content.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.53-58
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• 2017

In the age of oil exhaustion, low cost, semi-transparent solar cell, the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) has attracted significant attention since 1991 of $Gr{\ddot{a}}tzel$ report. To enhance the light-harvest capability of the photoelectric electrode, and efficiency of photoelectric transformation of the DSC, scattering layer of various structure have been proposed to photoelectric electrode materials. The scattering center of scattering layer needs the large titanium dioxide nanoparticles of 250 - 300 nm in diameter. In this study, the large sized $TiO_2$ nanocyrstals of around 300 nm were synthesized using the modified sol-gel process. According to the analysis of XRD and TEM, the synthesized $TiO_2$ nanoparticles exhibit single crystals of anatase phase. The optical transmittance of the synthesized titanium dioxide film prepared by spin coating is around 50% at 550 nm. It is suitable for scattering layer as a scattering center, and expected to enhance the efficiency of photoelectric transformation of the DSC.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.36-43
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• 2008

In this parer aluminium-doped zinc oxide(ZnO:Al) conducting layer was deposited on polyethylene terephthalate(PET) substrate by r. f. magnetron sputtering method. The effects of gas pressure and r. f. sputtering power on the structural and electrical properties of ZnO:Al thin film were investigated experimentally. Especially the effect of position of PET substrate on the electrical properties of the film was studied and fixed to improve the electrical properties and also to increase the deposition rate. The results show that the structural and electrical properties of ZnO:Al thin film were strongly influenced by the gas pressure and sputtering power. The minimum resistivity of $1.1{\times}10^{-3}[{\Omega}-cm]$ was obtained at 5[mTorr] of gas pressure, and 18D[W] of sputtering power. The deposition rate of ZnO:Al film at 5[mTorr] of gas pressure was 248[nm/min]. and is higher by around 3 times compared to that at 25[mTorr].

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.632-637
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• 2015

Mesoporous $TiO_2$ granules were prepared by spray pyrolysis using nano-sized titania particles which were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and they were evaluated as the photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells. To enhance the cell efficiency, nanoparticles within granules were chemically interconnected by adding titanium ethoxide (TEOT) to colloidal spray solution. The resulting titania particles had anatase phase without forming rutile. $TiO_2$ granules obtained showed about 400 nm in size, the specific surface area of $74-77m^2/g$, and average pore size of 13-17 nm. The chemical modification of $TiO_2$ granules by adding TEOT initially to the colloidal spray solution was proved to be an effective way in terms of increasing both the light scattering within photoanode and the lifetimes of photo-excited electrons. Consequently, the light-harvesting efficiency of TEOT-modified granules (${\eta}=6.72%$) was enhanced about 14% higher than primitive nanoparticles.