• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.400.1-400.1
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• 2016

Interfacial engineering approaches as an efficient strategy for improving the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs) has attracted considerable attention. Recently, polymer surface modifiers, such as poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and polyethylenimine ethoxylated (PEIE), were introduced to produce low WF electrodes and were reported to have good electron selectivity for inverted polymer solar cells (iPSCs) without an n-type metal oxide layer. To obtain more efficient solar cells, quantum dots (QDs) are used as effective sensitizers across a broad spectral range from visible to near IR. Additionally, they have the ability to efficiently generate multiple excitons from a single photon via a process called carrier multiplication (CM) or multiple exciton generation (MEG). However, in general, it is very difficult to prepare a bilayer structure with an organic layer and a QD interlayer through a solution process, because most solvents can dissolve and destroy the organic layer and QD interlayer. To present a more effective strategy for surpassing the limitations of traditional methods, we studied and fabricated the highly efficient iPSCs with mono-layered QDs as an effective multi-functional layer, to enhance the quantum yield caused by various effects of QDs monolayer. The mono-layered QDs play the multi-functional role as surface modifier, sub-photosensitizer and electron transport layer. Using this effective approach, we achieve the highest conversion efficiency of ~10.3% resulting from improved interfacial properties and efficient charge transfer, which is verified by various analysis tools.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-34
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• 2021

Water supplies are decreasing in comparison to increasing clean water demands. Using nanofiltration is one of the most effective and economical methods to meet the need for clean water. Common methods for desalination are reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. However, pristine membranes lack the essential features which are, stability, economic efficiency, antibacterial and antifouling performances. To enhance the properties of the pristine membranes, graphene oxide (GO) is a promising and widely researched material for thin film composites (TFC) membrane due to their characteristics that help improve the hydrophilicity and anti-fouling properties. Modification of the membrane can be done on different layers. The thin film composite membranes are composed of three different layers, the top filtering active thin polyamide (PA) layer, supporting porous layer, and supporting fabric. Forward osmosis (FO) process is yet another energy efficient desalination process, but its efficiency is affected due to biofouling. Incorporation of GO enhance antibacterial properties leading to reduction of biofilm formation on the membrane surface. Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is an excellent process to generate clean energy from sea water and the biofouling of membrane is reduced by introduction of GO into the active layer of the TFC membrane. Different modifications on the membranes are being researched, each modification with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this review, modifications of nanofiltration membranes and their composites, characterization, and performances are discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.368-368
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• 2016

그래핀(Graphene)은 탄소 원자가 6각 구조로 이루진 2차원 알려진 물질 중 가장 얇은(0.34 nm) 두께의 물질이며 그 밴드구로조 인해 우수한 전자 이동도($200000cmV^{-1}s^{-1}$)를 가지고 있며, 이외에도 기계적, 화학적으로 뛰어난 특성을 가진다. 대면적화 된 그래핀을 성장시키기 위한 방법으로는 화학적 기상 증착법(Chemical Vapor Deposition)이 있다. 하지만 실제 여러 전이금속에서 합성되는 그래핀은 다결정으로, 서로 다른 면 방향을 가진 계면에서 전자의 산란이 일어나며, 고유의 우수한 특성이 저하되게 된다. 따라서 전자소재로 사용되기 위해서는 단결정의 대면적화 된 그래핀에 대한 연구가 지속적으로 이루어지고 있다. 앞서의 두 문제점 중, 단결정의 그래핀 합성에 크게 영향을 미치는 요인으로는 크게 합성 온도, 촉매 기판의 탄소 용해도, 촉매 표면에서의 탄소 원자의 확산성이 있다. 본 연구에서는 구리, 니켈, 실리콘에 비해 탄소 용해도가 낮으며, 탄소 원자의 높은 확산성으로 인해 단결정의 단층 그래핀을 합성에 적합하다고 보고된 저마늄(Germanium) 기판을 사용하여 그래핀을 합성하였다. 단결정의 그래핀을 성장시키기 위해 메탄(Methane; $CH_4$)가스의 주입량과 수소 가스의 주입량을 제어하여 성장 속도를 조절 하였으며, 성장하는 그래핀의 면방향을 제어하고자 하였다. 표면의 산화층(Oxidized layer)을 제거하기 위하여 불산(Hydrofluoric acid)를 사용하였다. 불산 처리 후 표면의 변화는 원자간력현미경(Atomic force microscopipe)을 통하여 분석하였다. 합성된 그래핀의 특성을 저 에너지 전자현미경(Low energy electron microscopy), 광전자 현미경(Photo emission electron microscopy), 라만 분광법(Raman spectroscopy), 원자간력현미경(Atomic force microscopy)와 투과전자현미경 (transmission electron microscopy)을 이용하여 기판 표면의 구조와 결정성을 분석하였다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.473-473
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• 2013

전자종이, 입을 수 있는 디스플레이, 플렉서블 터치 스크린, 투과성 면 등과 같은 차세대 플렉서블 투명 전자소자는 기계적으로 유연하고 광학적으로 투명하며 무게가 가벼운 특성을 지녀야 할 것으로 예상된다. 현재까지는Indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc tin oxide (ZTO), carbon nano tube (CNT)와 polyimide 계열의 물질들이flexible, wearable, and transparent electronics (FWTEs) 소자의 electrode, active channel, dielectric layers로 제안되어 활발히 연구되었다. 최근에는 높은 이동도(~200,000 cm2/Vs) 및 유연성(fracture strain of 30%), 투명도 (97.5% for monolayer)와 같은 특성을 갖는 그래핀에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 그러나 그래핀을 차세대 플렉서블 투명 전자소자 구현에 적용하기 위해서는 플렉서블하고 투명한 절연체의 확보 및 그래핀의 진성(intrinsic) 특성 유지 등과 같은 문제점들을 해결해야 한다. 따라서, 본 연구팀에서는 그래핀 기반 플렉서블 투명 전자소자의 게이트 절연층으로 적합한 poly-4-vinylphenol/poly (melamineco-formaldehyde) (PVP/PMF) 물질을 제시하고 이에 대한 전기적 재료적 분석을 수행하였다. 특히 다양한 PVP와 PMF의 비율 및 가열(annealing 혹은 curing) 온도에서 형성된 PVP/PMF 층의 화학 및 전기적 특성을 FT-IR, I-V, 그리고 C-V 측정을 통해 확인하였다. PVP/PMF는 유기절연 물질의 하나로서 높은 유연성과 투명도를 갖고 있을 뿐만 아니라 그래핀에 적용 시 그래핀의 진성 특성을 확보할 수 있다. 이는 PVP/PMF에 존재하는 hydroxyl (-OH) 그룹과 그래핀 상에서 정공(hole)을 공급하는 것으로 알려져 있는 -OH 그룹들간의 cross-linking 메커니즘에 의한 것으로 예상된다. 마지막으로 최적화된 PVP/PMF (낮은 hysteresis 전압)를 게이트 절연층에 적용하여 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) 기판 및 연구원의 손가락 위에 95.8%의 투명도 및 0에 가까운 Dirac point를 갖는 그래핀 기반 플렉서블 투명 전자소자를 성공적으로 집적하였다.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.489-493
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• 2013

The most common carbonaceous anode materials of lithium ion batteries (natural graphite, artificial graphite, hard carbon, and mesocarbon microbeads) were utilized as an electrode in lithium ion capacitors. It could be able to enhance the energy density of capacitors due to the intercalation of lithium ion. In this work, the properties of capacitors using the symmetric electrode were measured by organizing coin cell typed capacitors. Also, we made other capacitors having pre-intercalated lithium ions at one side of the electrode. The results of electrochemical measurements for these capacitors show that the storage capacitance was appeared. In other words, if the migration of lithium ions is supplied continuously in the electrolytes, lithium ions can be diffused into the carbonaceous materials. And it results in the improvement of capacitance compared to only using symmetric carbonaceous electrodes. Also, we conducted the same measurement with graphene oxide having a the large specific area in the same condition. Herein, we recognized that the large specific area is extremely important for supercapacitors.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.285-285
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• 2013

Recently, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), which is III-V compound of boron and nitride by strong covalent sp2 bonds has gained great interests as a 2 dimensional insulating material since it has honeycomb structure with like graphene with very small lattice mismatch (1.7%). Unlike graphene that is semi-metallic, h-BN has large band gap up to 6 eV while providing outstanding properties such as high thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and good chemical stability. Because of these excellent properties, hBN can potentially be used for variety of applications such as dielectric layer, deep UV optoelectronic device, and protective transparent substrate. Low pressure and atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD and APCVD) methods have been investigated to synthesize h-BN by using ammonia borane as a precursor. Ammonia borane decomposes to polyiminoborane (BHNH), hydrogen, and borazine. The produced borazine gas is a key material that is a used for the synthesis of h-BN, therefore controlling the condition of decomposed products from ammonia borane is very important. In this paper, we optimize the decomposition of ammonia borane by investigating temperature, amount of precursor, and other parameters to fabricate high quality monolayer h-BN. Synthesized h-BN is characterized by Raman spectroscopy and its absorbance is measured with UV spectrophotometer. Topological variations of the samples are analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy and Scanning transmission Electron microscopy are used for imaging and analysis of structures and surface morphologies.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.447-454
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• 2017

A new amperometric biosensor has been developed for the detection of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$). The sensor was fabricated through the one-step deposition of a biocomposite layer onto a glassy carbon electrode at neutral pH. The biocomposite, as a $H_2O_2$ sensing element, was prepared by the electrochemical deposition of a homogeneous mixture of graphene oxide, aniline, and horseradish peroxidase. The experimental results clearly demonstrated of that the sensor possessed high electrocatalytic activity and responded to $H_2O_2$ with a stable and rapid manners. Scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and amperometry were performed to optimize the characteristics of the sensor and to evaluate its sensing chemistry. The sensor exhibited a linear response to $H_2O_2$ in the range of 10 to $500{\mu}M$ concentrations, and its detection limit was calculated to be $1.3{\mu}M$. The proposed sensing-chemistry strategy and the sensor format were simple, cost-effective, and feasible for analysis of "food-grade $H_2O_2$" in food samples.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.133.2-133.2
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• 2016

차세대 디스플레이로 유연하고 투명한 기능들이 요구되면서 Indium Tin Oxide(ITO)를 대체하기 위한 투명전극 개발 연구가 많이 수행되고 있다. ITO는 높은 투과도와 낮은 저항으로 현재 가장 많이 활용되고 있는 투명전극 소재이지만 유연성이 떨어져 유연 터치 패널 소재로 활용하기 어렵다. 이러한 문제 해결을 위해 ITO 대체 물질로 CNT, Graphene, Metal mesh, Ag nano wire, 전도성 고분자 등의 차세대 투명 전극 소재가 대두되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 메탈 메쉬 전극 소재로 사용하기 위해 Cu 박막 증착 시 플라즈마 표면처리를 통해 밀착력 및 저항을 개선하였다. Cu 금속 박막의 양산화를 위한 공정으로 자체 제작한 Linear Ion Source(LIS)가 부착된 roll to roll 시스템을 적용하여 플라즈마 전처리 공정 및 Ni buffer layer 도입 이후 Cu 박막을 형성하였다. 그 결과 PET 기판과 Cu 박막 사이의 밀착력을 0 degree에서 5 degree까지 향상시킬 수 있었고, 플라즈마 표면처리를 시행함으로써 저항 또한 감소되는 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 본 연구를 통해서 폴리머 기판 소재에 in-situ로 표면처리 및 Cu 금속 박막을 증착함으로써 금속 박막의 밀착력 및 전기적 특성이 향상되는 공정 기술을 개발하였다.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.470-473
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• 2010

Graphene, consisting of a single layer of carbon in a two-dimensional lattice, has been emerging as a fascinating material with many unique physical, chemical and mechanical properties. In this study, graphenes were prepared by a chemical method. To develop high performance polymer nanocomposites reinforced by graphenes, adequate dispersion of the fillers and strong interfacial bonding between the fillers and the polymer matrix are essential. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of introducing amine groups on the surfaces of graphenes. FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM were used to confirm the functionalization. Epoxy nanocomposites comprising the graphenes were prepared and their characteristics were investigated by DSC, DMA and TMA. Fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites were investigated by SEM. The functionalized graphenes induced strong interfacial bonding than the pristine graphenes and resulted in considerable improvements in the performance of the nanocomposites.

• Carbon letters
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.87-89
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• 2009

Carbon nanotubes, consisting of rolled graphene layer built from $sp^2$ units, have attracted the imagination of scientists as ideal macromolecules and their unusual physical and chemical properties make them useful in the fabrication of nanocomposites, nano-electronic devices and sensors etc. In this account, the current status and prospect of carbon nanotubes is described with a special emphasis on the safety issue of carbon nanotubes. Even though many challenges to be solved remain, extensive and intensive efforts in both academy and industry will clear out those problems soon and finally enable carbon nanotubes to play a key innovative material of 21st century in numerous industrial processes.