• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.473.1-473.1
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• 2014

We report on the characteristics of Zr-doped $In_2O_3$ (IZrO) films prepared by DC-RF magnetron cosputtering of $In_2O_3$ and $ZrO_2$ targets for use as a transparent electrode for high efficient organic solar cells (OSCs). The effect of $ZrO_2$ doping power on electrical, optical, structural, and surface morphology of the IZrO film was investigated in detail. At optimized $ZrO_2$ RF power of 50 W, the IZrO film exhibited a low sheet resistance of 20.71 Ohm/square, and a high optical transmittance of 83.9 %. Furthermore, the OSC with the IZrO anode showed a good cell-performance: fill factor of 61.71 %, short circuit current (Jsc) of $8.484mA/cm^2$, open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.593 V, and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.106 %. In particular, the overall OSC characteristics of the cell with the IZrO anode were comparable to those of the OSC with the conventional Sn-doped $In_2O_3$ (FF of 65.03 %, Jsc of $8.833mA/cm^2$, Voc of 0.608 V, PCE of 3.495 %), demonstrating that the IZrO anode is a promising alternative to ITO anode in OSCs.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.spc8
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• pp.2899-2905
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• 2011

We have demonstrated that TPyPA can be used as an efficient multi-functional material for OLEDs; hole transporting material (HTL), blue and white-light emitter. The device based on TPyPA as the HTL exhibited an external quantum efficiency of 1.7% and a luminance efficiency of 4.2 cd/A; these values are 40% higher than the external quantum efficiency and luminance efficiency of the NPD-based reference device. The device based on TPyPA as a blue-light emitter exhibited an external quantum efficiency of 4.2% and a luminance efficiency of 5.3 $cdA^{-1}$ with CIE coordinates at (0.16, 0.14), the device based on TPyPA as a white-light emitter exhibited an external quantum efficiency of 3.2% and a luminance efficiency of 7.7 $cdA^{-1}$ with CIE coordinates at (0.33, 0.39). Also, TPyPA-based organic solar cell (OSC) exhibited a maximum power conversion efficiency of 0.35%. TPyPA-based organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) exhibited highly efficient field-effect mobility (${\mu}_{FET}$) of $1.7{\times}10^{-4}cm^2V^{-1}s^{-1}$, a threshold voltage ($V_{th}$) of -15.9 V, and an on/off current ratio of $8.6{\times}10^3$.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.654-659
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• 2010

We have investigated the effect of rubrene-doped CuPc hole transport layer on the performance of p-i-n type bulk hetero-junction photovoltaic device with a structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/CuPc: rubrene/CuPc:C60(blending ratio 1:1)/C60/BCP/Al and have evaluated the current density-voltage(J-V) characteristics, short-circuit current($J_{sc}$), open-circuit voltage($V_{oc}$), fill factor(FF), and energy conversion efficiency(${\eta}_e$) of the device. By rubrene doping into CuPc hole transport layer, absorption intensity in absorption spectra decreased. However, the performance of p-i-n organic type bulk hetero-junction photovoltaic device fabricated with crystalline rubrene-doped CuPc was improved since rubrene shows higher bandgap and hole mobility compared to CuPc. Increased injection currents have effected on the performance improvement of the present device with energy conversion efficiency(${\eta}_e$) of 1.41%, which is still lower value compared to silicone solar cell and many efforts should be made to improve organic photovoltaic devices.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.8.1-8.1
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• 2011

Nanocrystalline titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) materials have been widely used as an electron collector in DSSC. This is required to have an extremely high porosity and surface area such that the dye can be sufficiently adsorbed and be electronically interconnected, resulting in the generation of a high photocurrent within cells. In particular, their geometrical structures and crystalline phase have been extensively investigated as important issues in improving its photovoltaic efficiency. In this study, we present a new strategy to fabricate a photoelectrode having a periodic structured $TiO_2$ film templated from 1D or 3D polystyrene (PS) microspheres array. Monodisperse PS spheres of various radiuses were used for colloidal array on FTO glasses and two types of photoelectrode structures with different $TiO_2$ materials were investigated respectively. One is the igloo-shaped electrode prepared by $TiO_2$ deposition by RF-sputtering onto 2D microsphere-templated substrates. At the interface between the film and substrate, there are voids formed by the decomposition of PS microspheres during the calcination step. These holes might be expected to play the predominant roles as scattering spherical voids to promote a light harvesting effect, a spacious structure for electrolytes with higher viscosity and effective paths for electron transfer. Additionally the nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ phase prepared by the RF-sputtering method was previously reported to improve the electron drift mobility within $TiO_2$ electrodes. This yields solar cells with a cell efficiency of 2.45% or more at AM 1.5 illumination, which is a very remarkable result, considering its $TiO_2$ electrode thickness (<2 ${\mu}m$). This study can be expanded to obtain higher cell efficiency by higher dye loading through the increase of surface area or multi-layered stacking. The other is the inverse opal photonic crystal electrode prepared by titania particles infusion within 3D colloidal arrays. To obtain the enlargement of ordered area and high quality of crystallinity, the synthesis of titania particles coated with a organic thin layer were applied instead of sol-gel process using the $TiO_2$ precursors. They were dispersed so well in most solvents without aggregates and infused successfully within colloidal array structures. This ordered mesoporous structure provides the large surface area leading to the enough adsorption of dye molecules and have an light harvesting effect due to the photonic band gap properties (back-and-forth reflection effects within structures). A major advantage of this colloidal array template method is that the pore size and its distribution within $TiO_2$ photoelectrodes are determined by those of latex beads, which can be controlled easily. These materials may have promising potentials for future applications of membrane, sensor and so on as well as solar cells.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2017

This study presents measures to enhance the efficiency of Successive Alkalinity Producing Systems(SAPS), a natural biological purification method that prevents environmental pollution arising from the release of Acid Mine Drainage(AMD) from abandoned mines into rivers and groundwater. The treatment of AMD using SAPS is based on biological processing technology that mostly involves sulfate reducing bacteria(SRB). It has been proven effective in real-world applications, and has been employed in various projects on the purification of AMD. However, seasonal decrease in temperature leads to a deterioration in the efficiency of the process because sulfate-reducing activity is almost non-existent during cold winters and early spring even if SRB is able to survive. Against this backdrop, this study presents measures to enhance the activity of the SRB of the organic layer by integrating light emitting diode(LED)s in SAPS and to maintain the active temperature using LEDs in cold winters. Given that mine drainage facilities are located in areas where power cannot be easily supplied, solar cell modules are proposed as the main power source for LEDs. By conducting further research based on the present study, it will be possible to enhance the efficiency of AMD treatment under extreme cold weather using solar energy and LEDs, which will serve as an environmentally-friendly solution in line with the era of green growth.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1095-1100
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• 2021

In this study, ITZO thin films were deposited on glass, sapphire, and PEN substrates by RF magnetron sputtering, and their electrical and optical properties were investigated. The resistivity of the ITZO thin film deposited on the glass and sapphire substrates was 3.08×10-4 and 3.21×10-4 Ω-cm, respectively, showing no significant difference, whereas the resistivity of the ITZO thin film deposited on the PEN substrate was 7.36×10-4 Ω-cm, which was a rather large value. Regardless of the type of substrate, there was no significant difference in the average transmittance of the ITZO thin film. Figure of Merits of the ITZO thin film deposited on the glass substrate obtained using the average transmittance in the absorption region of the amorphous silicon thin film solar cell and the absorption region of the P3HT : PCBM organic active layer were 10.52 and 9.28×10-3 Ω-1, respectively, which showed the best values. Through XRD and AFM measurements, it was confirmed that all ITZO thin films exhibited an amorphous structure and had no defects such as pinholes or cracks, regardless of the substrate type.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2012

Zn-Air energy storage cell is an attractive type of batteries due to its theoretical gravimetric energy density, cost-effective structure and environmental-friendly characteristics. The chargeability is the most critical in various industrial applications such as smart portable device, electric vehicle, and power storage system. Thus, it is necessary to reduce large overpotential of oxygen reduction/evolution reaction, the irreversibility of Zn anode, and carbonation in alkaline electrolyte. In this review, we try to introduce recent studies and developments of bi-functional air cathode, enhanced charge efficiency via modification of Zn anode structure, and blocking side reactions applying hybrid organic-aqueous electrolyte for high power density rechargeable Zn-Air energy storage cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.388-388
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• 2016

Chemical mist deposition (CMD) of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was investigated with cavitation frequency f, solvent, flow rate of nitrogen, substrate temperature $T_s$, and substrate dc bias $V_s$ as variables for efficient PEDOT:PSS/crystalline (c-)Si heterojunction solar cells (Fig. 1). The high-speed camera and differential mobility analysis characterizations revealed that average size and flux of PEDOT:PSS mist depend on f, solvent, and $V_s$. The size distribution of mist particles including EG/DI water cosolvent is also shown at three different $V_s$ of 0, 1.5, and 5 kV for a f of 3 MHz (Fig. 2). The size distribution of EG/DI water mist without PEDOT:PSS is also shown at the bottom. A peak maximum shifted from 300-350 to 20-30 nm with a narrow band width of ~150 nm for PEDOT:PSS solution, whose maximum number density increased significantly up to 8000/cc with increasing $V_s$. On the other hand, for EG/water cosolvent mist alone, the peak maximum was observed at a 72.3 nm with a number density of ~700/cc and a band width of ~160 nm and it decreased markedly with increasing $V_s$. These findings were not observed for PEDOT:PSS/EG/DI water mist. In addition, the Mie scattering image of PEDOT:PSS mist under white bias light was not observed at $V_s$ above 5 kV, because the average size of mist became smaller. These results imply that most of solvent is solvated in PEDOT:PSS molecule and/or solvent is vaporized. Thus, higher f and $V_s$ generate preferentially fine mist particle with a narrower band width. Film deposition occurred when $V_s$ was impressed on positive to a c-Si substrate at a Ts of $30-40^{\circ}C$, whereas no deposition of films occurred on negative, implying that negatively charged mist mainly provide the film deposition. The uniform deposition of PEDOT:PSS films occurred on textured c-Si(100) substrate by adjusting $T_s$ and $V_s$. The adhesion of CMD PEDOT:PSS to c-Si enhanced by $V_s$ conspicuously compared to that of spin-coated film. The CMD PEDOT:PSS/c-Si solar cell devices on textured c-Si(100) exhibited a ${\eta}$ of 11.0% with the better uniformity of the solar cell parameters. Furthermore, ${\eta}$ increased to 12.5% with a $J_{sc}$ of $35.6mA/cm^2$, a $V_{oc}$ of 0.53 V, and a FF of 0.67 with an antireflection (AR) coating layer of 20-nm-thick CMD molybdenum oxide $MoO_x$ (n= 2.1) using negatively charged mist of 0.1 wt% 12 Molybdo (VI) phosphoric acid n-Hydrate) $H_3(PMo_{12}O_40){\cdot}nH_2O$ in methanol. CMD. These findings suggest that the CMD with negatively charged mist has a great potential for the uniform deposition of organic and inorganic on textured c-Si substrate by adjusting $T_s$ and $V_s$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.396-396
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• 2012

$TiO_2$ anatase nanotube arrays (NTAs) were grown by electrochemical anodization and followed annealing of Ti foil. Ethylene glycol/$NH_4F$-based organic electrolyte was used for electrolyte solution and using second anodization process to obtain free-standing NTAs. After obtaining NTAs, ITO film was deposited by sputtering process on bottom of NTAs. UV-curable NOA was used for attach free-standing NTAs on flexible plastic substrate (PEN). Solid state electrolyte (spiro-OMeTAD) was coated via spin-coating method on top of attached NTAs. Ag was deposited as a counter electrode. Under AM 1.5 simulated sunlight, optical characteristics of devices were investigated. In order to use flexible polymer substrate, processes have to be conducted at low temperature. In case of $TiO_2$ nano particles (NPs), however, crystallization of NPs at high temperature above $450^{\circ}C$ is required. Because NTAs were conducted high temperature annealing process before NTAs transfer to PEN, it is favorable for using PEN as flexible substrate. Fabricated flexible solid-state DSSCs make possible the preventing of liquid electrolyte corrosion and leakage, various application.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.241-241
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• 2010

Recently high and persistent spontaneous buildup of a surface potential (SP) upon vacuum deposition of tris (8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (III) ($Alq_3$), which is widely used for organic light emitting devices. The removal of the giant surface potential by visible light irradiation has also been reported. In this study, we coated $Alq_3$ on the FTO substrate and raise the capacity for absorbing sun light. The $Alq_3$ which is green light emitting diode emits light at wavelengths between 500 and 550nm. If we apply one's FTO/$Alq_3$ substrate in one's DSSC, we could get higher energy conversion efficiency because the N719 dye that we used for fabricating the DSSC emits light just at near 540nm. The energy conversion efficiency of approximately 4.8 % at the condition of irradiation of AM 1.5 (100 mW/$cm^2$) simulated sunlight, and the $J_{sc}$ is 12.0 mA/$cm^2$, $V_{oc}$ is 0.71 V, FF is 0.56, respectively.