• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.121-130
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• 2015

The micro emulsion method has been successfully used for preparing perovskite LaCoO₃ with uniform, fine-shaped nanoparticles showing high activity as electro catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). They are, therefore, promising candidates for the air-cathode in metal-air rechargeable batteries. Since the activity of a catalyst is highly dependent on its specific surface area, nanoparticles of the perovskite catalyst are desirable for catalyzing both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. Herein, LaCoO₃ powder was also prepared by sol-gel method for comparison, with a broad particle distribution and high agglomeration. The electro catalytic properties of LaCoO₃ and LaCoO₃-carbon Super P mixture layers toward the ORR were studied comparatively using the rotating disk electrode technique in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte to elucidate the effect of carbon Super P. Koutecky-Levich theory was applied to acquire the overall electron transfer number (n) during the ORR, calculated to be ~3.74 for the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, quite close to the theoretical value (4.0), and ~2.7 for carbon-free LaCoO₃. A synergistic effect toward the ORR is observed when carbon is present in the LaCoO₃ layer. Carbon is assumed to be more than an additive, enhancing the electronic conductivity of the oxide catalyst. It is suggested that ORRs, catalyzed by the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, are dominated by a 2+2-electron transfer pathway to form the final, hydroxyl ion product.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2014

Protocatechualdehyde (PA) is phenolic compound having antioxidative and antitumor activities. PA was purified from supernatant of Streptomyces lincolnensis M-20. In the presence of copper ion, PA acted as pro-oxidant. The antioxidant activity was assessed with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and the pro-oxidant effect of PA on DNA damage as pBR322 plasmid DNA-cleaving agents in the presence of Cu(II) ions was investigated. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the DNA damage was confirmed by the inhibition of the DNA breakage by using glutathione (GSH), specific scavenger of ROS. When the increase in ROS reaches a certain level (the toxic threshold), it may trigger cell death. The formation of the PA/Cu(II) chelate complex was confirmed by reaction with ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), a well-known chelating agent for metal ions, by using UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.482-488
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• 2011

Cadmium (Cd) is well known as a spermatotoxic and gonadotoxic heavy metal ion. This study was performed to assess the possible protective effect of Enerbalance on Cd-induced spermiotoxicity and testicular damage. The control group received isotonic saline; Cd group received Cd (2 mg/kg BW per day) orally; extract-treated groups were orally administrated with Enerbalance (50 mg and 100 mg/kg BW per day) and Cd for 10 days. Morphological changes of testicular tissue, sperm characteristics, oxidative/antioxidative parameters from testis, and serum sexual hormone level were determined. Enerbalance was significantely increased sperm amount in cauda epididymis without changes of ratio of epididymis/body weight and testis/body weight. Cd caused a marked decrease in epididymal sperm concentration and chemotactic sperm motility, testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Enerbalance was significantly ameliorated loss of epididymal sperm concentration, sperm chemotactic motility, antioxidative parameters, and male hormone whereas decreased abnormal architecture by testis damage. Enerbalance was successfully attenuated these adverse effects of Cd and offers a dose-dependent protection. Our study demonstrated that Enerbalance could proffer a measure of protection against Cd-induced testicular damage and spermiotoxicity by possibly reducing oxidative stress and increasing the antioxidant defense mechanism in mice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.129-129
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• 2011

ISFET (ion sensitive field effect transistor)는 용액 중의 각종 이온 농도를 측정하는 반도체 이온 센서이다. ISFET는 작은 소자 크기, 견고한 구조, 즉각적인 반응속도, 기존의 CMOS공정과 호환이 가능하다는 장점이 있다. ISFET의 기본 구조는 기존의 MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor)에서 고안되었으며, ISFET는 기존의 MOSFET의 게이트 전극 부분이 기준전극과 전해질로 대체되어진 구조를 가지고 있다. ISFET소자의 pH 감지 메커니즘은 감지막의 표면에서 pH용액 속의 이온들이 감지막의 표면에서 속박되어 막의 표면전위의 변화를 유발하는 것을 이용한다. 그 결과, ISFET의 문턱전압의 변화를 일으키게 되고 드레인 전류의 양 또한 달라지게 된다. ISFET의 높은 pH감지능력을 얻기 위하여 높은 high-k물질 들이 감지막으로서 연구되었다. Al2O3와 HfO2는 높은 유전상수, non-ideal 효과에 대한 immunity 그리고 높은 pH 감지능력 등 많은 장점을 가지고 있는 물질로 알려졌다. 본 연구에서는, SiO2/HfO2/Al2O3 (OHA) 적층막을 이용한 EIS (electrolyte- insulator-silicon) pH센서를 제작하였다. EIS구조는 ISFET로의 적용이 용이하며 ISFET보다 제작 방법과 소자 구조가 간단하다는 장점이 있다. HfO2은 22~25의 높은 유전상수를 가지며 높은 pH 감지능력으로 인하여 감지막으로서 많은 연구가 이루어지고 있는 물질이다. 하지만 HfO2의 물질이 가진 고유의 특성상 화학적 용액에 대한 non-ideal 효과는 다른 금속계열 산화막에 비하여 취약한 모습을 보인다. 반면에 Al2O3의 유전상수는 HfO2보다 작지만 화학용액으로 인한 손상에 대하여 강한 immunity가 있는 재료이다. 이러한 물질들의 성질을 고려하여 OHA의 새로운 감지막의 적층구조를 생각하였다. 먼저 Si과 high-k물질의 양호한 계면상태를 이루기 위하여 5 nm의 얇은 SiO2막을 완충막으로서 성장시켰다. 다음으로 높은 유전상수를 가지고 있는 8 nm의 HfO2을 증착시킴으로서 소자의 물리적 손상에 대한 안정성을 향상시켰다. 최종적으로 화학용액과 직접적인 접촉이 되는 부분은 non-ideal 효과에 강한 Al2O3을 적층하여 소자의 화학적 손상에 문제점을 개선시켰다. 결론적으로 감지막의 적층 모델링을 통하여 각각의 high-k 물질이 가진 고유의 특성에 대한 한계점을 극복함으로써 높은 pH 감지능력뿐만 아니라 신뢰성 있는 pH 센서가 제작 되었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.284-284
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• 2011

Ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET)는 용액 중의 각종 이온 농도를 측정하는 반도체 이온 센서이다. ISFET는 작은 소자 크기, 견고한 구조, 즉각적인 반응속도, 기존의 CMOS공정과 호환이 가능하다는 장점이 있다. ISFET의 기본 구조는 기존의 metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)에서 고안되었으며, ISFET는 기존의 MOSFET의 게이트 전극 부분이 기준전극과 전해질로 대체되어진 구조를 가지고 있다. ISFET소자의 pH 감지 메커니즘은 감지막의 표면에서 pH용액의 수소이온이 막의 표면에 속박되어 표면전위의 변화를 유발하는 것에 기인한다. 그 결과, 수소이온의 농도에 따라 ISFET의 문턱전압의 변화를 일으키게 되고 드레인 전류의 양 또한 달라지게 된다. 한편, ISFET의 좋은 pH감지특성과 높은 출력특성을 얻기 위하여 high-k물질들이 감지막으로써 지속적으로 연구되어져 왔다. 그 중 Al2O3와 HfO2는 높은 유전상수와 좋은 pH 감지능력으로 인하여 많은 연구가 이루어져온 물질이다. 하지만 HfO2는 높은 유전상수를 갖음에도 불구하고 화학용액에 대한 non-ideal 효과에 취약하다는 보고가 있다. 반면에 Al2O3의 유전상수는 HfO2보다 작지만 화학용액으로 인한 손상에 대하여 강한 immunity가 있는 재료이다. 본 연구에서는, 이러한 각각의 high-k 물질들의 단점을 보안하기 위하여 SiO2/HfO2/Al2O3(OHA) 적층막을 이용한 ISFET pH 센서를 제작하였으며 SOI 기판에서 구현되었다. SOI기판에서 OHA 적층막을 이용한 ISFET 제작이 이루어짐에 따라서 소자의 signal to noise 비율을 증대 시킬것으로 기대된다. 실제로 SOI-ISFET와 같이 제작된 SOI-MOSFET는 1.8${\times}$1010의 높은 on/off 전류 비율을을 보였으며 65 mV/dec의 subthreshold swing 값을 갖음으로써, 우수한 전기적 특성을 보이는 ISFET가 제작이 되었음을 확인 하였다. OHA 감지 적층막의 각 층은 양호한 계면상태, 높은 출력특성, 화학용액에 대한non-ideal 효과에 강한 immunity을 위하여 적층되었다. 결론적으로 SOI과 OHA 적층감지막을 이용하여 우수한 pH 감지 특성을 보이는 pH 센서가 제작되었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.117-117
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• 2008

In MIM capacitor, poly-Si bottom electrode is replaced with metal bottom electrode. Noble metals can be used as bottom electrodes of capacitors because they have high work function and remain conductive in highly oxidizing conditions. In addition, they are chemically very stable. Among novel metals, Ru (ruthenium) has been suggested as an alternative bottom electrode due to its excellent electrical performance, including a low leakage of current and compatibility to high dielectric constant materials. Chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process has been suggested to planarize and isolate the bottom electrode. Even though there is a great need for development of Ru CMP slurry, few studies have been carried out due to noble properties of Ru against chemicals. In the organic chemistry literature, periodate ion ($IO_4^-$) is a well-known oxidant. It has been reported that sodium periodate ($NaIO_4$) can form $RuO_4$ from hydrated ruthenic oxide ($RuO_2{\cdot}nH_2O$). $NaIO_4$ exist as various species in an aqueous solution as a function of pH. Also, the removal mechanism of Ru depends on solution of pH. In this research, the static etch rate, passivation film thickness and wettability were measured as a function of slurry pH. The electrochemical analysis was investigated as a function of pH. To evaluate the effect of pH on polishing behavior, removal rate was investigated as a function of pH by using patterned and unpatterned wafers.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.416-424
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• 2018

Microstructure of oxide formed on Zr-Nb-Sn tube sample was intensively examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy after exposure to simulated primary water chemistry conditions of various concentrations of Zn (0 or 30 ppb) and dissolved hydrogen ($H_2$) (30 or 50 cc/kg) for various durations without applying desirable heat flux. Microstructural analysis indicated that there was no noticeable change in the microstructure of the oxide corresponding to water chemistry changes within the test duration of 100 days (pretransition stage) and no significant difference in the overall thickness of the oxide layer. Equiaxed grains with nano-size pores along the grain boundaries and microcracks were dominant near the water/oxide interface, regardless of water chemistry conditions. As the metal/oxide interface was approached, the number of pores tended to decrease. However, there was no significant effect of $H_2$ concentration between 30 cc/kg and 50 cc/kg on the corrosion of the oxide after free immersion in water at $360^{\circ}C$. The adsorption of Zn on the cladding surface was observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and detected as ZnO on the outer oxide surface. From the perspective of $OH^-$ ion diffusion and porosity formation, the absence of noticeable effects was discussed further.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.141-141
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• 2010

The effect of thermal anneal on the characteristics of structural properties and the enhancement of luminescence and photovoltaic (PV) characteristics of silicon-rich silicon-nitride films were investigated. By using an ultra high vacuum ion beam sputtering deposition, B-doped silicon-rich silicon-nitride (SRSN) thin films, with excess silicon content of 15 at. %, on P-doped (n-type) Si substrate was fabricated, sputtering a highly B doped Si wafer with a BN chip by N plasma. In order to examine the influence of thermal anneal, films were then annealed at different temperature up to $1100^{\circ}C$ under $N_2$ environment. Raman, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy did not show any reliable evidence of amorphous or crystalline Si clusters allowing us concluding that nearly no Si nano-cluster could be formed through the precipitation of excess Si from SRSN matrix during thermal anneal. Instead, results of Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy clearly indicated that defective, amorphous Si-N matrix of films was changed to be well-ordered thanks to high temperature anneal. The measurement of spectral ellipsometry in UV-visible range was carried out and we found that the optical absorption edge of film was shifted to higher energy as the anneal temperature increased as the results of thermal anneal induced formation of $Si_3N_4$-like matrix. These are consistent with the observation that higher visible photoluminescence, which is likely due to the presence of Si-N bonds, from anneals at higher temperature. Based on these films, PV cells were fabricated by the formation of front/back metal electrodes. For all cells, typical I-V characteristic of p-n diode junction was observed. We also tried to measure PV properties using a solar-simulator and confirmed successful operation of PV devices. Carrier transport mechanism depending on anneal temperature and the implication of PV cells based on SRSN films were also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.101-105
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• 2024

4H-SiC power metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) have been developed to achieve lower specific-on-resistance (R_on,sp), and the gate oxides have been thermally grown. The poor channel mobility resulting from the high interface trap density (D_it) at the SiO₂/4H-SiC interface significantly affects the higher switching loss of the power device. Therefore, the development of novel fabrication processes to enhance the quality of the SiO₂/4H-SiC interface is required. In this paper, NO post-oxidation annealing (POA) by using the conditions of N₂ diluted NO at a high temperature (1,300℃) is proposed to reduce the high interface trap density resulting from thermal oxidation. The NO POA is carried out in various NO ambient (0, 10, 50, and 100% NO mixed with 100, 90, 50, and 0% of high purity N₂ gas to achieve the optimized condition while maintaining a high temperature (1,300℃). To confirm the optimized condition of the NO POA, measuring capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V), and time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) are employed. It is confirmed that the POA condition of 50% NO at 1,300℃ facilitates the equilibrium state of both the oxidation and nitridation at the SiO₂/4H-SiC interface, thereby reducing the D_it.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.41-47
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• 2010

It has been continuously noted that many sewage treatment concrete structures have deteriorated due to sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. There have been many reports on approaches to protecting concrete from this bacteria corrosion. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the inhibition of growth of a sulfur-oxidizing bacterium by a antifungal agent such as $NiSO_4{\cdot}6H_2O$, and the characteristics of polymer cement mortar using nickel type antifungal agent. First, we developed antifungal agents using metal nickel and $NiSO_4{\cdot}6H_2O$ to inhibit the growth of thiobacillus novellus, which is the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in concrete. Then, ordinary cement mortar and polymer cement mortar using nickel type antifungal agent with various polymer-cement ratios, and antifungal agent content were prepared, and were tested for the antifungal adding effect, compressive and flexural strengths, expansion and leaching of nickel ion. From the test results, it was confirmed that the adding of an antifungal agent has an inhibition effect on the growth of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria at antifungal agent contents of 20 mM or more. In addition, the strengths and expansion of polymer cement mortars are not significantly changed by the addition of an antifungal agent. Therefore, the nickel-type antifungal agent developed in this study can be used to improve the durability of reinforced concrete hume pipe in the construction industry.