• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.431-431
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• 2016

Typical Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS)-based solar cells have a buffer layer between CIGS absorber layer and transparent ZnO front electrode, which plays an important role in improving the cell performance. Among various buffer materials, chemical bath deposition (CBD)-ZnS is being steadily studied to alternative to conventional CdS and the efficiency of CBD-ZnS/CIGS solar cell shows the comparable values with that of CdS/CIGS solar cell. The intriguing thing is that reversible changes occur after exposure to illumination due to the metastable defect states in completed ZnS/CIGS solar cell, which induces an improvement of solar cell performance. Thus, it implies that the understanding of metastable defects in CBD-ZnS/CIGS solar cell is important issue. In this study, we fabricate the ITO/i-ZnO/CBD-ZnS/CIGS/Mo/SLG solar cells by controlling the NH4OH mole concentration (from 2 M to 3.5 M) of CBD-ZnS buffer layer and observe their conversion efficiency with and without light soaking for 1 hr. From the results, NH4OH mole concentration and light exposure can significantly affect the CBD-ZnS/CIGS solar cell performance. In order to investigate that which layer can contain metastable defect states to influence on solar cell performance, impedance spectroscopy and capacitance profiling technique with exposure to illumination have been applied to CBD-ZnS/CIGS solar cell. These techniques give a very useful information on the density of states within the bandgap of CIGS, free carriers density, and light-induced metastable effects. Here, we present the rearranged charge distribution after exposure to illumination and suggest the origin of the metastable defect states in CBD-ZnS/CIGS solar cell.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.465-470
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• 1997

A chiral pentadentate ligand, 1,9-bis(S)-prolyl-1,9-dioxo-2,5,8-triaza-nonane, (S,S-prochen) which shows the stereospecific reaction was synthesized from the reaction of S-proline and diethylenetriamine (dien). The red-violet $[Co(SS-prodien)H_2O]ClO_4$ was prepared by the oxidation of the aqueous solution dissolving $CoCl_2{\cdot}6H_2O$ and S,S-prodien. Elemental analysis, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and $^{13}C-NMR$ spectroscopy suggest that the geometrical structure of the Co(III) complex to be an ${\alpha}{\beta}$ (ffm) form, where the dien moiety of the ligand chelates the metal center to comprise a facial isomer, and an aqua ligand coordinates a cis site to the secondary nitrogens of the dien. Based upon the CD spectroscopic analysis, it seems that the absolute configuration of the ${\alpha}{\beta}$(ffm)-$[Co(SS-prodien)H_2O]ClO_4$ has the ${\Lambda}$-form.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1360-1366
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• 2016

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are induced in response to various physiological or environmental stressors. However, the transcriptional activation of HSPs is regulated by a family of heat shock factors (HSFs). Fish models provide an ideal system for examining the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of adaptation to various temperatures and water environments. In this study, we examined the pattern differentials of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in response to thermal stress in goldfish and mouse hepatocyte cultures by immune-blot analysis. Goldfish HSF1 (gfHSF1) changed from a monomer to a trimer at $33^{\circ}C$ and showed slightly at $37^{\circ}C$, whereas mouse HSF1 (mHSF1) did so at $42^{\circ}C$. This experiment showed similar results to a previous study, indicating that gfHSF1 and mHSF1 play different temperature in the stress response. We also examined the activation conditions of the purified recombinant proteins in human HSF1 (hmHSF1) and gfHSF1 using CD spectroscopy and immune-blot analysis. The purified recombinant HSF1s were treated from $25^{\circ}C$ to $42^{\circ}C$. Structural changes were observed in hmHSF1 and gfHSF1 according to the heat-treatment conditions. These results revealed that both mammal HSF1 (human and mouse HSF1) and fish HSF1 exhibited temperature-dependent changes; however, their optimal activation temperatures differed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.723-728
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• 2009

The response property of the CZT detector ($5{\times}5{\times}5\;mm^3$), widely used in photon spectroscopy, was evaluated by considering the charge collection efficiency, which depends on the interaction position of incident radiation, A quantitative analysis of the energy spectra obtained from the CZT detector was also performed to investigate the tail effect at the low energy side of the full energy peak. The collection efficiency of electrons and holes to the two electrodes (i.e., cathode and anode) was calculated from the Hecht equation, and radiation transport analysis was performed by two Monte Carlo codes, Geant4 and MCNPX. The radiation source was assumed to be 59.5 keV gamma rays emitted from a $^{241}Am$ source into the cathode surface of this detector, and the detector was assumed to be biased to 500 V between the two electrodes. Through the comparison of the results between the Geant4 calculation considering the charge collection efficiency and the ideal case from MCNPX, an pronounced difference of 4 keV was found in the full energy peak position. The tail effect at the low energy side of the full energy peak was confirmed to be caused by the collection efficiency of electrons and holes. In more detail, it was shown that the tail height caused by the charge collection efficiency went up to 1000 times the pulse height in the same energy bin at the calculation without considering the charge collection efficiency. It is, therefore, apparent that research considering the charge collection efficiency is necessary in order to properly analyze the characteristics of CZT detectors.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2020

In this study, a polymer/graphene hybrid composite was prepared by a simple roll-method and a simple sensor was produced by a convenient surface engineering procedure. The sensor performance was examined and the effect of graphene content on the sensing behavior was monitored. A polymer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) paste containing graphene powder was prepared by a three-roll apparatus and polymer/graphene hybrid composite was produced by a two-roll technique. The sensing medium, cyclodextrin (CD) was introduced by a convenient bio-conjugation method. The efficacy of surface modification was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and the ohmic relation was observed on composite surfaces. An analyte (e.g., methyl paraben, MePRB) at a 10 nM concnetration could be detected. When the graphene loading was low, the sensor performance was relatively poor. This was attributed to the absence of graphene alignments, which were observed for the composites having a high graphene loading. This indicates that the sensor performance was influenced by physical alignments of the filler. This article can provide important information for future research on developing sensing devices.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.355-355
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• 2016

There has been an explosive development of nanocrystal (NC) synthesis and application due to their composition-dependent specific properties. Despite the composition, shape, and size of NCs foremost determine their physicochemical properties, the surface state and molecule conjugation also drastically change their characteristics. To make practical use of NCs, it is a prerequisite to understand the NC surface state and the degree to which they have been modified because the reaction occurs on the interface between the NCs and the surrounding medium. We report in here an analysis method to identify conjugated ligands and their binding states on semiconductor nanocrystals based on their molecular information. Surface science techniques, such as time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and FT-IR spectroscopy, are adopted based on the micro-aggregated sampling method. Typical trioctylphosphine oxide-based synthesis methods of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have been criticized because of the peculiar effects of impurities on the synthesis processes. Since the ToF-SIMS technique provides molecular composition evidence on the existence of certain ligands, we were able to clearly identify the n-octylphosphonic acid (OPA) as a surface ligand on CdSe/ZnS QDs. Furthermore, the complementary use of the ToF-SIMS technique with the FT-IR technique could reveals the OPA ligands' binding state as bidentate complexes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.94-102
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• 2008

In this paper, we describe our study on the characterization of tobacco leaves by their pyrolysis patterns. Two kinds of tobacco leaves were pyrolyzed and analyzed by Double-Shot Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS) methods. Three grades of Korean flue-cured tobacco leafsuch as B1O, AB3O, CD3L and burley tobacco leaves such as B1T, AB3T, CD3W were pyrolyzed with six discrete but stepwise heating temperature ranges, those are from 100$^{\circ}C$ to 150$^{\circ}C$, 150$^{\circ}C$ to 200$^{\circ}C$, 200$^{\circ}C$ to 250$^{\circ}C$, 250$^{\circ}C$ to 300$^{\circ}C$, 300$^{\circ}C$ to 350$^{\circ}C$ and finally from 350$^{\circ}C$ to 400$^{\circ}C$. Using the resultant 52 pyrolytic components identified in the programs as components, principal component analysis (PCA) showed statistical classification between flue-cured and burley tobacco lamina. Among six pyrolysis temperature ranges, the best discrimination was achieved at the temperature range from 250$^{\circ}C$ to 300$^{\circ}C$ and from 300$^{\circ}C$ to 350$^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2005

Axin is a scaffold protein of the APC/axin/GSK complex, binding to all of the other signalling components. Axin interacts with Glycogen synthase kinase 3$\beta$ (GSK 3$\beta$) and functions as a negative regulator of Wnt signalling pathways. To determine the solution structure of the GSK3$\beta$ binding regions of the axin, we initiated NMR study of axin fragment comprising residues 3$Val^{388} - Arg^{401}$using circular dichroism (CD) and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The CD spectra of 3$axin^{pep}$ in the presence of 30% TFE displayed a standard 3$\alpha$-helical conformation, exhibiting the bound structure of 3$axin^{pep}$ to GSK3$\bata$. On the basis of experimental restraints including $NOE_s$, and $^3J_{HN\alpha} $ coupling constants, the solution conformation of $axin^{pep}$ was determined with program CNS. The 20 lowest energy structures were selected out of 50 final simulated-annealing structures in both water and TFE environment, respectively. The $RMSD_s$ for the 20 structures in TFE solution were 0.086 nm for backbone atoms and 0.195 nm for all heavy atoms, respectively. The Ramachandran plot indicates that the $\varphi$, $\psi$ angles of the 20 final structures is properly distributed in energetically acceptable regions. $Axin^pep$ in aqueous solutions consists of a stable $\alpha$-helix spanning residues form $Glu^{391}$ to $Val^{391} $, which is an interacting motif with GSK3$\beta$.

• Advances in Energy Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2014

Photocatalytic hydrogen generation by water splitting ($H_2O_{(1)}{\rightarrow}H_2_{(g)}+1/2O_2_{(g)}$) has been studied on photocatalysts based on Zn, Cd, Fe and Cu, synthesized by coprecipitation. Iron and copper nanoparticles were incorporated as cocatalysts to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the ZnCd solid solution. The effect of the different synthesis parameters (temperature, elemental atomic ratios, amount of Cu and Fe incorporated in the catalyst and calcination temperature) on the photocatalytic production of hydrogen has been studied in order to determine the best experimental synthesis conditions. The catalysts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and BET. The experiments of photocatalytic water splitting were performed in aqueous solution of the photocatalysts previously dispersed in a soft ultrasound bath. The photocatalysts were irradiated under different lights ranging from 220 to 700 nm. The photocatalytic activity was found to be clearly dependent on the specific area of the photocatalyst.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of metal pollution in the sediment from rivers, lakes, and streams in active gold mining districts in Ghana. Two hundred and fifty surface sediment samples from 99 locations were collected and analyzed for concentrations of As, Hg, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Mn using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Metal concentrations were then used to assess the human health risks to resident children and adults in central tendency exposure (CTE) and reasonable maximum exposure (RME) scenarios. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As were almost twice the threshold values established by the Hong Kong Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines (ISQG). Hg, Cu, and Cr concentrations in sediment were 14, 20, and 26 times higher than the Canadian Freshwater Sediment Guidelines for these elements. Also, the concentrations of Pb, Cu, Cr, and Hg were 3, 11, 12, and 16 times more than the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) sediment guideline values. The results of the human health risk assessment indicate that for ingestion of sediment under the central tendency exposure (CTE) scenario, the cancer risks for child and adult residents from exposure to As were $4.18{\times}10^{-6}$ and $1.84{\times}10^{-7}$, respectively. This suggests that up to 4 children out of one million equally exposed children would contract cancer if exposed continuously to As over 70 years (the assumed lifetime). The hazard index for child residents following exposure to Cr(VI) in the RME scenario was 4.2. This is greater than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) threshold of 1, indicating that adverse health effects to children from exposure to Cr(VI) are possible. This study demonstrates the urgent need to control industrial emissions and the severe heavy metal pollution in gold mining environments.