• Nano
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1850147.1-1850147.14
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• 2018

In this work, water-soluble and blue-emitting carbon nanodots (CDs) were synthesized from apple peels for the first time via one-step hydrothermal method. The synthetic route is facile, green, economical and viable. The as-prepared CDs were characterized thoroughly by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron (XPS), fluorescence and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy in terms of their morphology, surface functional groups and optical properties. The results show that these CDs possessed ultrasmall size, good dispersivity, and high tolerance to pH, ionic strength and continuous UV irradiation. Significantly, the CDs had fast and reversible response towards temperature, and the accurate linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and temperature was used to design a novel nanothermometer in a broad temperature range from 5 to $65^{\circ}C$ facilely. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of CDs was observed to be quenched immediately by Cr(VI) ions based on the inner filter effect. A low-cost Cr(VI) ions sensor was proposed employing CDs as fluorescent probe, and it displayed a wide linear range from 0.5 to $200{\mu}M$ with a detection limit of $0.73{\mu}M$. The practicability of the developed Cr(VI) sensor for real water sample assay was also validated with satisfactory recoveries.

• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1571-1576
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• 2018

Recent study shows that the main reason for limiting CZTS device performance lies in the low open circuit voltage, and crucial factor that could affect the $V_{oc}$ is secondary phases like ZnS existing in absorber layer and its interfaces. In this work, the $Cu_2ZnSnS_4$ thin film solar cells were prepared by sputtering CuSn and CuZn alloy targets. Through tuning the Zn/Sn ratios of the CZTS thin films, the crystal structure, morphology, chemical composition and phase purity of CZTS thin films were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and Raman spectroscopy. The statistics data show that the CZTS solar cell with a ratio of Zn/Sn = 1.2 have the best power convention efficiency of 5.07%. After HCl etching process, the CZTS thin film solar cell with the highest efficiency 5.41% was obtained, which demonstrated that CZTS film solar cells with high efficiency could be developed by sputtering CuSn and CuZn alloy targets.

• Biomaterials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.352-359
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• 2018

Background: Black phosphorus (BP) has emerged as a novel class of nanomaterials owing to its unique optical and electronic properties. BP, a two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial, is a structure where phosphorenes are stacked together in layers by van der Waals interactions. However, although BP nanodots have many advantages, their biosafety and biological effect have not yet been elucidated as compared to the other nanomaterials. Therefore, it is particularly important to assess the cytotoxicity of BP nanodots for exploring their potentials as novel biomaterials. Methods: BP nanodots were prepared by exfoliation with a modified ultrasonication-assisted solution method. The physicochemical properties of BP nanodots were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. In addition, the cytotoxicity of BP nanodots against C2C12 myoblasts was evaluated. Moreover, their cell imaging potential was investigated. Results: Herein, we concentrated on evaluating the cytotoxicity of BP nanodots and investigating their cell imaging potential. It was revealed that the BP nanodots were cytocompatible at a low concentration, although the cell viability was decreased with increasing BP nanodot concentration. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the cells took up the BP nanodots, and the BP nanodots exhibited green fluorescence. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings suggest that the BP nanodots have suitable biocompatibility, and are promising candidates as fluorescence probes for biomedical imaging applications.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.462-469
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• 2021

Tin/graphite composites are prepared as anode materials for Li-ion batteries using a dry ball-milling process. The main experimental variables in this work are the ball milling time (0-8 h) and composition ratio (tin:graphite=5:95, 15:85, and 30:70 w/w) of graphite and tin powder. For comparison, a tin/graphite composite is prepared using wet ball milling. The morphology and structure of the different tin/graphite composites are investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical properties of the samples are also examined. The optimal dry ball milling time for the uniform mixing of graphite and tin is 6 h in a graphite-30wt.%Sn sample. The electrode prepared from the composite that is dry-ball-milled for 6 h exhibits the best cycle performance (discharge capacity after 50^th cycle: 308 mAh/g and capacity retention: 46%). The discharge capacity after the 50^th cycle is approximately 112 mAh/g, higher than that when the electrode is composed of only graphite (196 mAh/g after 50^th cycle). This result indicates that it is possible to manufacture a tin/graphite composite anode material that can effectively buffer the volume change that occurs during cycling, even using a simple dry ball-milling process.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.593-600
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• 2021

Herein, a series of g-C₃N₄ modified Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposites using Bi₂MoO₆ and melamine as original materials are fabricated via sintering process. For presynthesis of Bi₂MoO₆ an ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal technique is researched. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites are characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The improved photoelectrochemical properties are studied by photocurrent density, EIS, and amperometric i-t curve analysis. It is found that the structure of Bi₂MoO₆ nanoparticles remains intact, with good dispersion status. The as-prepared g-C₃N₄/Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposites (BMC 5-9) are selected and investigated by SEM analysis, which inhibits special morphology consisting of Bi₂MoO₆ nanoparticles and some g-C₃N₄ nanosheets. The introduction of small sized g-C₃N₄ nanosheets in sample BMC 9 is effective to improve the charge separation and transfer efficiency, resulting in enhancing of the photoelectric behavior of Bi₂MoO₆. The improved photoelectronic behavior of g-C₃N₄/Bi₂MoO₆ may be attributed to enhanced charge separation efficiency, photocurrent stability, and fast electron transport pathways for some energy applications.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.619-625
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• 2021

Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe) based thin-film solar cells have attracted growing attention because of their earth-abundant and non-toxic elements. However, because of their large open-circuit voltage (V_oc)-deficit, CZTSSe solar cells exhibit poor device performance compared to well-established Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂ (CIGS) and CdTe based solar cells. One of the main causes of this large V_oc-deficit is poor absorber properties for example, high band tailing properties, defects, secondary phases, carrier recombination, etc. In particular, the fabrication of absorbers using physical methods results in poor surface morphology, such as pin-holes and voids. To overcome this problem and form large and homogeneous CZTSSe grains, CZTSSe based absorber layers are prepared by a sputtering technique with different RTA conditions. The temperature is varied from 510 ℃ to 540 ℃ during the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process. Further, CZTSSe thin films are examined with X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, IPCE, Energy dispersive spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy techniques. The present work shows that Cu-based secondary phase formation can be suppressed in the CZTSSe absorber layer at an optimum RTA condition.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.138-145
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• 2022

Today, graphene loaded textiles are being considered promising smart clothing due to their high conductivity. In this study, we reported reduced graphene oxide(r-GO) deposited pure cotton fabrics fabricated with a colloidal solution of graphene(GO), using a one-step aerosol spray pyrolysis(ASP) process and their potential application on smart textiles. The ASP process is advantageous in that it is easily implementable and can be applied for continuous processing. Moreover, this process has never been applied to deposit r-GO on pure cotton fabric. The field emission-scanning microscopy (FE-SEM) observation, Fourier transform-infrared(FT-IR) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis, and ultraviolet transmittance(UVT) were used to evaluate material properties of the r-GO colloids. The resistance was also measured to evaluate the electrical conductivity of the specimens. The results revealed that the r-GO was successfully deposed on specimens, and the specimen with the highest electrical conductivity demonstrated an electrical resistance value of 2.27 kΩ/sq. Taken together, the results revealed that the ASP method demonstrated a high potential for effective deposition of r-GO on cotton fabric specimens and is a prospect for the development of conductive cotton-based smart clothing. Therefore, this study is also meaningful in that the ASP process can be newly applied by depositing r-GO on the pure cotton fabric.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2024

This study reports a direct growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surface of LiCoO₂ (LCO) powders to apply as highly efficient cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIB). The CNT synthesis was performed using a thermal chemical vapor deposition apparatus with temperatures from 575 to 625 ℃. Ferritin molecules as growth catalyst of CNTs were mixed in deionized (DI) water with various concentrations from 0.05 to 1.0 mg/mL. Then, the LCO powders was dissolved in the ferritin solution at a ratio of 1g/mL. To obtain catalytic iron nanoparticles on the LCO surface, the LCO-ferritin suspension was dropped in silicon dioxide substrates and calcined under air at 550℃. Subsequently, the direct growth of CNTs on LCO powders was performed using a mixture of acetylene (10 sccm) and hydrogen (100 sccm) for 10 min. The growth behavior was characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The optimized condition yielding high structural quality and amount of CNTs was 600 ℃ and 0.5 mg/mL. The obtained materials will be developed as cathode materials in LIB.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.109-121
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• 1992

For the purpose of mineralogical and chemical study on the topazes from various localities of world(Brzail, China, India, Nigeria and Sri Lanka), electron microprobe analysis(EPMA), neutron activation analysis(NAA), X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, etch test, scanning electron microscopy, refractive index, specific gravity, fluid inclusion were performed. The chemical composition in topaz was discussed along with its physical and structural properties. Variations in the unit-cell dimension and physical properties of topaz were found to have a close relations in the unit-cell dimension and physical properties of topaz were found to have a close relationship with extent of substitution of $OH^-\;for\;F^-$. According to neutron activation analyses, the trace elements had no effects on the physical properties of topaz. Raman spectra showed that the peaks of topaz were different in intensity from one locality to another. Etching defects in topaz includes negative crystal defect o point-bottom pit(India, Nigeria) and net work defect of curl-bottom pit(Brazil, China). Fluid inclusions in topaz may be classiffied into liquid $CO_2$-bearing inclusion, gaseous inclusion, halite, sylvite-bearing inclusion and liquid inclusion. The results of this study can be useful to devising artificial coloring methods for topaz with different mineralogical compositions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.131-131
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• 2016

기원전 5000년 이집트에서부터 시작된 도금은 시간이 지남에 따라 점점 발전하여, 1900년대에 들어 전기를 이용한 도금공정이 개발되었고, 현재 뿌리산업으로써 각종 제조업에 널리 이용되고 있다. 도금 공정은 금속을 부식으로부터 보호하고, 제품의 심미성과 기능성, 생산성 등을 높이기 위해 주로 이용된다. 전주도금 공정은 완벽하게 동일한 형태의 생산품을 다량으로 제작 할 수 있기 때문에, 그 높은 생산성으로 주목 받고 있다. 특히, 나노/마이크로 크기의 정밀 소자 등을 가공하는 차세대 기술인 LIGA공정과 접목이 가능하다는 장점이 있다. 몰드를 이용하여 복제하는 방식인 전주 도금은 도금공정이 끝난 후 몰드와 완성된 제품을 분리해내는 추가공정이 필연적으로 발생하게 되는데, 둘 사이의 접착력을 낮추기 위하여 몰드의 표면에 이형박리제를 도포하게 된다. 이형박리제로는 전기가 잘 흐르면서 접착력이 낮은 이산화 셀렌이나 중크롬산이 주로 이용되지만, 원활한 박리를 위해서는 그 두께가 30 um 이상 확보되어야 하기 때문에 정밀한 미세구조 전주도금이 어렵다는 문제점이 있다. 또한 이와 같은 화학 약품들은 매우 유독하기 때문에 추가적인 폐수 처리 공정이 필요하며, 작업자의 안전을 위협하고 심각한 환경 오염을 초래한다는 추가적인 문제가 발생한다. 따라서, 매우 얇고 친 환경적이며 안전한 전주도금 이형박리제에 대한 연구가 요구되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 전주도금 몰드로 사용한 구리의 표면에 TCVD를 이용하여 단일 층 그래핀을 성장시킨 후, 그래핀이 코팅된 몰드에 구리를 전주도금하여 박리하였다. 박리 후 그래핀은 몰드에 손상 없이 남아있는 것을 Raman microscopy를 통해서 확인하였고, 몰드와 그래핀 사이의 접착력 (약 $0.71J/m^2$)에 비해 그래핀과 전주도금 샘플간에 낮은 접착력 (약 $0.52J/m^2$)을 갖는 것을 확인하였다. 이와 같이 낮은 접착력을 통해 박리 시 표면구조의 손상 없이 정밀한 구조의 미세 패턴구조를 형성할 수 있었다. 전주도금을 이용한 전극 형성과 고분자와의 융합을 통해 유연기판을 제작하여 bending 실험을 진행하였다. $90^{\circ}$의 bending 각도로 10000회 이하에서는 저항의 변화가 없었고, LED chip을 mounting한 후 곡률반경 4.5 mm까지 bending을 진행하여도 이상 없이 LED가 발광하는 것을 확인하였다. 위와 같은 전주도금 공정을 이용하여 고집적 전자기기, 광학기기, 센서기기 등의 다양한 어플리케이션의 부품제조에 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.