• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.157.1-157.1
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• 2016

In this work, we experimentally investigated the solar absorption performance of Cu-based scalable nanostructured surfaces and compared their performance with the conventional TiNOX. We fabricated Cu-based nanostructured surfaces with a controlled chemical oxidation process applicable to a large area or complex geometry. We optimized the process parameters including the chemical compounds, dipping time and process temperature. We conducted both lab-scale and outdoor experiments to characterize the conversion efficiency of each absorber surfaces with single and double glazing setup. Lab-scale experiment was conducted with $50mm{\times}50mm$ absorber sample with 1-sun condition (1kW/m2) using a solar simulator (PEC-L01) with measuring the temperature at the absorber plate, cover glass, air gap and ambient. From the lab-scale experiment, we obtained ${\sim}91^{\circ}C$ and $94^{\circ}C$ for CuO and TiNOX surfaces after 1 hr of solar illumination at single glazing, respectively. To measure the absorber performance at actual operating condition, outdoor experiment was also conducted using $110mm{\times}110mm$ absorber sample. We measured the solar flux with thermopile detector (919P-040-50). From outdoor experiment, we observed ${\sim}123^{\circ}C$ and $131^{\circ}C$ for CuO and TiNOX with 0.6 kW/m2 insolation at double glazing, respectively. We showed that the suggested nanostructured CuO solar absorber has near-equivalent collection efficiency compared with the state-of-the-art TiNOX surfaces even with much simpler manufacturing process that does not require an expensive equipment.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.622-627
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• 2014

A pico-class satellite has limitation to generate power from the solar cells due to its limited accommodation area to install the solar cells. The variation of incidence angle between solar panels and sunlight induced by the revolution and rotation of the satellite is one of the key parameters to determine the power generation. In this study, we proposed a concentrating photovoltaic system for pico-class satellite applications to enhance power generation when the ${\beta}$ angle between the sunlight and the solar panel is zero by effectively concentrating solar energy on solar panels. The feasibility of the conceptual idea has been demonstrated by power measurement test using solar simulator and commercial multi-array lens system.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2013

In this paper, four conducting polymers (poly[(N-butyl-phenothiazine)-sulfide] (PBPS), poly[(N-hexyl-phenothiazine)-sulfide] (PHPS), poly[(N-decyl-phenothiazine)-sulfide] (PDPS), and poly[(N-(2-ethylhexyl)-phenothiazine)-sulfide] (PEHPS)) were synthesized with a high temperature and high pressure reaction. The structures of synthesized polymers were confirmed by $^1H-NMR$ and characterized by UV-Vis, cyclic voltammetry, and GPC. From the UV-Vis absorption spectra, the ${\lambda}_{max}$ values of PBPS, PHPS, PDPS, and PEHPS were 338, 341, 340, and 334 nm, respectively and their optical band gaps were 3.11, 3.13, 3.16, and 3.05 eV, respectively. To evaluate the feasible applicability as a photovoltaic cell, the devices composed of for example, ITO/PEDOT : PSS/polymer (PBPS, PDPS) : $PC_{71}BM$ (1 : 3, w/w)/$BaF_2$/Ba/Al were fabricated using the blends of the PBPS and PDPS as a donor, and $PC_{71}BM$ as an acceptor. Then, the power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of devices were estimated as 0.076% of PBPS and 0.136% of PDPS by solar simulator.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.105-109
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• 2016

We prepared a working electrode (WE) with a blocking layer (BL) containing 0 ~ 0.5 wt% Ag nano powders to improve the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) of dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). FESEM and micro-Raman were used to characterize the microstructure and phase. UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy was employed to determine the adsorption of the WE with Ag nano powders. A solar simulator and a potentiostat were used to confirm the photovoltaic properties of the DSSC with Ag nano powders. From the results of the microstructural analysis, we confirmed that Ag nano powders with particle size of less than 150 nm were dispersed uniformly on the BL. Based on the phase and adsorption analysis, we identified the existence of Ag and found that the adsorption increased when the amount of Ag increased. The photovoltaic results show that the ECE became 4.80% with 0.3 wt%-Ag addition compared to 4.31% without Ag addition. This improvement was due to the increase of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the BL resulting from the addition of Ag. Our results imply that we might be able to improve the efficiency of a DSSC by proper addition of Ag nano powder to the BL.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.465-466
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• 2009

Dye-sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) is a new type of solar cell by using photocatalytic properties of $TiO_2$. The electric potential distribution in DSCs has played a major role in the operation of such cells. $TiO_2$ thin films were deposited on the ITO substrate by Nd:YAG Pulsed Laser Deposition(PLD) at room temperature and post-deposition annealing at $500^{\circ}C$ in flowing $O_2$ atmosphere for 1hour. The structural properties of $TiO_2$ thin films have investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD). We manufactured DSC unit cells then I-V and efficiency were tested by solar simulator.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.417-421
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• 2016

We improve the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) of a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by preparing a working electrode (WE) with localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) by inducing Au thin films with thickness of 0.0 to 5.0 nm, deposited via sputtering. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the microstructure of the blocking layer (BL) of the Au thin films. Micro-Raman measurement was employed to confirm the LSPR effect, and a solar simulator and potentiostat were used to evaluate the photovoltaic properties, including the impedance and the I-V of the DSSC of the Au thin films. The results of the microstructural analysis confirmed that nano-sized Au agglomerates were present at certain thicknesses. The photovoltaic results show that the ECE reached a value of 5.34% with a 1-nm thick-Au thin film compared to the value of 5.15 % without the Au thin film. This improvement was a result of the increase in the LSPR of the $TiO_2$ layer that resulted from the Au thin film coating. Our results imply that the ECE of a DSSC may be improved by coating with a proper thickness of Au thin film on the BL.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.45-55
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• 2009

Deterioration of the outdoor thermal environment in urban areas has become worse and worse due to the urbanization and overpopulation, etc. Most of existing researches about thermal environment are focused on the indoor environment in which the radiation heat exchange is relatively constant. However, the outdoor thermal environment is changed with time passages, because the thermal environment is highly effected by solar radiation. Thus, to simulate the outdoor thermal environment with accuracy, the solar radiation calculation should be considered, and the radiation heat exchange between building surface and ground surface should be calculated. The purpose of this study is to develop the simulator that can be possible to evaluate the outdoor thermal environment and pedestrian thermal comfort. In this paper, a new method which is coupled with convective heat transfer simulation and radiative heat transfer simulation will be proposed. And the coupled simulation method will be described through case study for outdoor thermal environment. From the results of simulation, the coupled simulation proposed in this study can assess the outdoor thermal environment with accuracy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.360.1-360.1
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• 2014

DSSC (Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell)의 TCO (Transparent Conductive Oxide)와 전해질 사이의 전자 재결합(Back reaction)은 DSSC의 효율을 떨어뜨리는 요소 중 하나이다. 이와 같은 문제점을 해결하기 위하여 Blocking layer로서 $TiO_2$ 가 많이 사용되어지고 있다. 본 실험에서는 $HfO_2$ 를 Blocking layer로 사용하여 전자 재결합으로 인한 효율 저하를 막기 위한 연구를 진행하였다. 기존 $TiO_2$ 대비 $HfO_2$는 큰 에너지 밴드갭을 가지고 있어, TCO와 전해질 사이에 전자 재결합을 줄여주는 역할을 하기 때문에 DSSC의 효율 향상을 확인할 수 있다. 효율 측정은 1sun (100 mW/cm, AM1.5)조건에서 solar simulator를 이용하여 측정 했으며, 전자 재결합 감소는 Dark Current, EIS (Electrochemical Impedance spectroscopy)의 측정을 통하여 확인하였다. $HfO_2$를 이용한 blocking layer를 염료 감응 태양전지에 적용하면, 전자 재결합에 의한 손실을 줄여 성능적 측면에서 개선 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.2883-2888
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• 2013

To enhance the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), the surface of titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) photoelectrode was modified by hydroxylation treatment with $NH_4OH$ solution at $70^{\circ}C$ for 6 h. The $NH_4OH$ solutions of various concentrations were used to introduce the hydroxyl groups on $TiO_2$ surface. As the concentration of $NH_4OH$ was increased, the short-circuit current density ($J_{SC}$) value and conversion efficiency of solar cells were increased because the amount of adsorbed dye molecules on $TiO_2$ surface was increased. As a result of the surface modification to introduce hydroxyl groups, the concentration of adsorbed dye on the $TiO_2$ surface could be improved up to 32.61% without the changes of morphology, surface area and pore volume of particles. The morphology, the specific surface area, the pore volume and the chemical states of $TiO_2$ surface were characterized by using FE-SEM, $N_2$ adsorption-desorption isotherms and XPS measurements. The amount of adsorbed dye and the performance of fabricated cells were analyzed by using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and solar simulator.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.169-176
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• 2011

The two-step water splitting thermochemical cycle is composed of the T-R (Thermal Reduction)and W-D (Water Decomposition)steps. The mechanism of this cycle is oxidation-reduction, which produces hydrogen. The reaction temperature necessary for this thermochemical cycle can be achieved by a dish-type solar thermal collector (Inha University, Korea). The purpose of this study is to validate a water splitting device in the field. The device is studied and fabricated by Kodama et al (2010, 2011). The validation results show that the foam device, when loaded with $NiFe_2O_4/m-ZrO_2$powder, was successfully achieved hydrogen production with 9 (10 with a Xe-light solar simulator, 2009, Kodama et al.) repeated cycles under field conditions. Two foam device used in this study were tested for validation before an experiment was performed. The lab scale ferrite-conversion rate was in the range of 24~76%. Two foam devices were designed to for structural stability in this study. In the results of the experiments, the hydrogen percentage of the weight of each foam device was 7.194 and $9.954{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}$ onaverage, and the conversion rates 4.49~29.97 and 2.55~58.83%, respectively.