• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.481-488
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• 2022

The Cu₂ZnSn(S_xSe_1-x)₄ (CZTSSe) absorbers are promising thin film solar cells (TFSCs) materials, to replace existing Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) and CdTe photovoltaic technology. However, the best reported efficiency for a CZTSSe device, of 13.6 %, is still too low for commercial use. Recently, partially replacing the Zn²⁺ element with a Cd²⁺element has attracting attention as one of the promising strategies for improving the photovoltaic characteristics of the CZTSSe TFSCs. Cd²⁺ elements are known to improve the grain size of the CZTSSe absorber thin films and improve optoelectronic properties by suppressing potential defects, causing short-circuit current (J_sc) loss. In this study, the structural, compositional, and morphological characteristics of CZTSSe and CZCTSSe thin films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), respectively. The FE-SEM images revealed that the grain size improved with increasing Cd²⁺ alloying in the CZTSSe thin films. Moreover, there was a slight decrease in small grain distribution as well as voids near the CZTSSe/Mo interface after Cd²⁺ alloying. The solar cells prepared using the most promising CZTSSe absorber thin films with Cd²⁺ alloying (8 min. 30 sec.) exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.33 %, J_sc of 34.0 mA/cm², and fill factor (FF) of 62.7 %, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.367-371
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• 2023

In this study we examine variations in the structure of perovskite compounds of LaBa₂Cu₂O₉, LaBa2₂CaCu₃O₁₂ and LaBa₂Ca₂Cu₅O₁₅ synthesized using the solid state reaction method. The samples' compositions were assessed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The La: Ba: Ca: Cu ratios for samples LaBa₂Cu₂O₉, LaBa2₂CaCu₃O₁₂ and LaBa₂Ca₂Cu₅O₁₅ were found by XRF analysis to be around 1:2:0:2, 1:2:1:3, and 1:2:2:5, respectively. The samples' well-known structures were then analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The three samples largely consist of phases 1202, 1213, and 1225, with a trace quantity of an unknown secondary phase, based on the intensities and locations of the diffraction peaks. According to the measured parameters a, b, and c, every sample has a tetragonal symmetry structure. Each sample's mass density was observed to alter as the lead oxide content rose. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the three phases revealed that different Ca-O and Cu-O layers can cause different grain sizes, characterized by elongated thin grains, without a preferred orientation.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.266-271
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• 2004

A very small amount of SiO$_2$ was locally added in sintered BaTiO$_3$ ceramics and then heat-treated at 135$0^{\circ}C$. In the region where SiO$_2$ was not added, grain growth occurred very slowly. In the region where a very small amount of SiO$_2$ was added, however, grain growth occurred very actively. After long time annealing at 135$0^{\circ}C$, abnormal grains appeared only in the part where SiO$_2$ was added and grew up to 2 cm in size. In the grown abnormal grains or single crystals, (111) double or single twins were not observed. The growth of abnormal grains or single crystals was explained by formation of liquid phase in the region where SiO$_2$ was added. These results showed that centimeter-sized BaTiO$_3$ single crystals without (111) double or single twins could be fabricated by using abnormal grain growth.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2005

In order to improve electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of 8YSZ SOFC electrolyte material, we used Al₂O₃ as an additive and applied the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The sintered bodies were densified above 96 ％ of theoretical density at 1200℃ and possessed microstructures composed of homogeneous grains less than 1 ㎛ in size. The addition of Al₂O₃ improved fracture toughness and bending strength by inhibiting grain growth of 8YSZ and increased total ionic conductivity because grain interior conductivity appeared to remain constant and grain boundary conductivity increased. It was assumed that the dissolution of Al₂O₃ into 8YSZ which was inevitable problem at commercial sintering method was effectively prohibited by the SPS technique with a relatively low sintering temperature and the reaction between Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ present at grain boundary to produce the crystalline Al/sub 2-x/Si/sub l-y/O/sub 5/ phase, resulting in the increase of grain boundary conductivity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
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• 2000.09a
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• pp.397-406
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• 2000

Hopkinson effect in the HDDR-treated Nd$\sub$15/Fe$\sub$77/B$\sub$8/ alloy was examined in detail by means of a thermomagnetic analysis with low magnetic field (600 Oe). The emergence and magnitude of maximum in magnetisation in the thermomagnetic curve due to the Hopkinson effect was correlated to the grain structure and coercivity of the HDDR-treated material. the HDDR-treated materials showed clear Hopkinson effect (maximum in magnetisation just below the Curie temperature of the Nd$\sub$2/Fe$\sub$14/B phase) on heating in the thermomagnetic curve. Magnitude of the magnetisation rise due to the Hopkinson effect became smaller as the recombination time increased. The magnetisation recovery at room temperature on cooling from above the Curie temperature became smaller as the recombination time increased. The HDDR-treated materials with shorter recombination time, finer grain size and higher coercivity showed larger magnetisation maximum due to Hopkinson effect in the thermomagnetic curve.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2006

Response of grain yield and milled-rice protein content to nitrogen topdress (N) timing at panicle initiation stage (PIS) is critical for quantifying real-time N requirement for target grain yield and milled-rice protein content. Two split-split-plot experiments with three replications, one in 2004 and the other in 2005, were conducted in Experimental Farm, Seoul National University, Suwon, Korea. The experiments included three N rates at tillering stage (TS), three N timing treatments at panicle initiation stage (PIS) and two rice cultivars. The N rates at TS, N timing at PIS, and rice cultivars were randomly assigned to main plot, sub plot, and sub-sub plot, respectively. Results showed that the delayed N application at PIS reduced grain yield in 2004 and increased milled-rice protein content in both years significantly at 0.05 probability level. The calculated optimum N timing at PIS from pooled data by N rates and rice cultivars in two years was at 28 days before heading (DBH). However, real-time of N timing at PIS was dependent on plant growth and N status around PIS that in turn was dependent on applied N rates at TS. The optimum N timing at PIS was at 30 DBH for no N treatments at TS while at 27 DBH for 3.6 and 7.2 kg N/10a treatments and at 27 and 29 DBH for Hwaseongbyeo and Daeanbyeo, respectively. In general, earlier applied N at PIS resulted in lower milled-rice protein content but the highest grain yield was expected to be obtained when N topdress at PIS was applied at the time when shoot N concentration started to drop below about 23 mg/g due to dilution effect after transplanting. In conclusion, the results of our experiments imply that the currently recommended N topdress time (24DBH) at PIS in Korea should be reconsidered for the higher grain yield and the better quality of rice.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2020

BiFeO₃ with perovskite structure is a well-known material that has both ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic properties called multiferroics. However, leaky electrical properties and difficulty of controlling stoichiometry due to Bi volatility and difficulty of obtaining high relative density due to high dependency on the ceramic process are issues for BiFeO₃ applications. In this work we investigated the sintering behavior of samples with different stoichiometries and sintering conditions. To understand the optimum sintering conditions, nonstoichiometric Bi_1±xFeO_3±δ ceramics and Ti-doped Bi_1.03Fe_1-4x/3Ti_xO₃ ceramics were synthesized by a conventional solid-state route. Dense single phase BiFeO₃ ceramics were successfully fabricated using a two-step sintering and quenching process. The effects of Bi volatility on microstructure were determined by Bi-excess and Ti doping. Bi-excess increased grain size, and Ti doping increased sintering temperature and decreased grain size. It should be noted that Ti-doping suppressed Bi volatility and stabilized the BiFeO₃ phase.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.10
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• pp.3725-3731
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• 2023

Thorium dioxide (ThO₂)-silicon carbide (SiC) composite fuel pellets were fabricated via the spark plasma-sintering (SPS) method to investigate the role of the addition of SiC in enhancing the thermal conductivity of ThO₂ fuel. SiC particles with an average size of 1㎛ in 10 and 15 vol% were used to manufacture the composite pellets. The changes in the composites' densification, microstructure and thermal conductivity were explored by comparing them with pure ThO₂ pellets. The structural and microstructural characterization of the composite pellets has revealed that SPS could manufacture high-quality composite pellets without having any reaction products or intermetallic. The density measurement by the Archimedes principles and the grain size from the electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis has indicated that the composites have higher densities and smaller grain sizes than the pellets without SiC addition. Finally, thermal conductivity as a function of temperature has revealed that sintered ThO₂-SiC composites showed an increase of up to 56% in thermal conductivity compared to pristine ThO₂ pellets.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2024

This study investigates the effect of the microstructure of Li_1.3Al_0.3Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP), a solid electrolyte, on its ionic conductivity. Solid electrolytes, a key component in electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries, differ from traditional liquid electrolytes by utilizing solid-state ionic conductors. LATP, characterized by its NASICON structure, facilitates rapid lithium-ion movement and exhibits relatively high ionic conductivity, chemical stability, and good electrochemical compatibility. In this study, the microstructure and ionic conductivity of LATP specimens sintered at 850, 900, and 950℃ for various sintering times are analyzed. The results indicate that the changes in the microstructure due to sintering temperature and time significantly affect ionic conductivity. Notably, the specimens sintered at 900℃ for 30 min exhibit high ionic conductivity. This study presents a method to optimize the ionic conductivity of LATP. Additionally, it underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the Li-ion diffusion mechanism and quantitative microstructure analysis.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.682-688
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• 2012

In this study we aimed to examine the co-doping effects of 1/6 mol% $Co_3O_4$ and 1/4 mol% $Cr_2O_3$ (Co:Cr = 1:1) on the reaction, microstructure, and electrical properties, such as the bulk defects and the grain boundary properties, of ZnO-$Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (ZBS; Sb/Bi = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) varistors. The sintering and electrical properties of Co,Cr-doped ZBS, ZBS(CoCr) varistors were controlled using the Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore ($Zn_2Bi_3Sb_3O_{14}$), ${\alpha}$-spinel ($Zn_7Sb_2O_{12}$), and ${\delta}-Bi_2O_3$ were formed in all systems. Pyrochlore was decomposed and promoted densification at lower temperature on heating in Sb/Bi = 1.0 by Cr rather than Co. A more homogeneous microstructure was obtained in all systems affected by ${\alpha}$-spinel. In ZBS(CoCr), the varistor characteristics were improved (non-linear coefficient, ${\alpha}$ = 20~63), and seemed to form ${Zn_i}^{{\cdot}{\cdot}}$(0.20 eV) and ${V_o}^{\cdot}$(0.33 eV) as dominant defects. From impedance and modulus spectroscopy, the grain boundaries were found to be composed of an electrically single barrier (0.94~1.1 eV) that is, however, somewhat sensitive to ambient oxygen with temperature. The phase development, densification, and microstructure were controlled by Cr rather than by Co but the electrical and grain boundary properties were controlled by Co rather than by Cr.