We report on the fabrication and characterization of an oxide photoanode with a zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod array embedded in cuprous oxide (Cu2O) thin film, namely a ZnO/Cu2O oxide p-n heterostructure photoanode, for enhanced efficiency of visible light driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. A vertically oriented n-type ZnO nanorod array is first prepared on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via a seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method and then a p-type Cu2O thin film is directly electrodeposited onto the vertically oriented ZnO nanorod array to form an oxide p-n heterostructure. The introduction of Cu2O layer produces a noticeable enhancement in the visible light absorption. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior under visible light illumination, the photoconversion efficiency of this ZnO/Cu2O p-n heterostructure photoanode is found to reach 0.39 %, which is seven times that of a pristine ZnO nanorod photoanode. In particular, a significant PEC performance is observed even at an applied bias of 0 V vs Hg/Hg2Cl2, which makes the device self-powered. The observed improvement in the PEC performance is attributed to some synergistic effect of the pn bilayer heterostructure on the formation of a built-in potential including the light absorption and separation processes of photoinduced charge carriers, which provides a new avenue for preparing efficient photoanodes for PEC water splitting.

This study examines paraelectric Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7 (BZN), which has no hysteresis and high dielectric strength, for energy density capacitor applications. To increase the breakdown dielectric strength of the BZN film further, poly(vinylidene fluoride) BZN-PVDF composite film is fabricated by aerosol deposition. The volume ratio of each composition is calculated using dielectric constant of each composition, and we find that it was 12:88 vol% (BZN:PVDF). To modulate the structure and dielectric properties of the ferroelectric polymer PVDF, the composite film is heat-treated at 200 oC for 5 and 30 minutes following quenching. The amount of α-phase in the PVDF increases with an increasing annealing time, which in turn decreases the dielectric constant and dielectric loss. The breakdown dielectric strength of the BZN film increases by mixing PVDF. However, the breakdown field decreases with an increasing annealing time. The BZN-PVDF composite film has the energy density of 4.9 J/cm3, which is larger than that of the pure BZN film of 3.6 J/cm3.

Surface plasmon resonance is the resonant oscillation of conduction electrons at the interface between negative and positive permittivity material stimulated by incident light. In particular, when light transmits through the metallic microhole structures, it shows an increased intensity of light. Thus, it is used to increase the efficiency of devices such as LEDs, solar cells, and sensors. There are various methods to make micro-hole structures. In this experiment, micro holes are formed using a wet chemical etching method, which is inexpensive and can be mass processed. The shape of the holes depends on crystal facets, temperature, the concentration of the etchant solution, and etching time. We select a GaAs(100) single crystal wafer in this experiment and satisfactory results are obtained under the ratio of etchant solution with H2SO4:H2O2:H2O = 1:5:5. The morphology of micro holes according to the temperature and time is observed using field emission - scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The etching mechanism at the corners and sidewalls is explained through the configuration of atoms.

본 연구의 목적은 그래핀(Graphene)을 사용하여 폴리우레탄 나노웹(Polyurethane Nanoweb)에 전기전도성을 부여하고, 이를 이용하여 나노웹 기반의 스트레인센서(Strain Sensor)를 개발하는 것이다. 이를 위해 1% 그래핀 잉크를 폴리우레탄 나노웹에 푸어코팅(Pour-coating)한 후 PDMS(Polydimethylsiloxane)로 후처리를 하여 착용 가능한 스트레 인센서를 완성하였다. 시료 표면에 전도성 물질이 잘 코팅되었는지 확인하기 위해 전계방사형 주사전자현미경 (FE-SEM)를 이용하여 시료의 표면 특성을 평가하였다. 시료의 전기적 특성 평가는 멀티미터(Multimeter)를 사용하여 시료의 선저항(Linear Resistance)을 측정하고, 시료를 각각 5%, 10% 인장하였을 때 선저항이 어떻게 변하는지 비교하였다. 또한 시료의 성능을 평가하고자 게이지율(Gauge Factor)을 구하였다. 착의평가 실험은 완성된 스트레인센서를 더미에 착용시킨 후 MP150(Biopac system Inc., U.S.A.)과 Acqknowledge(ver. 4.2, Biopac system Inc., U.S.A.)를 사용해 인장에 따른 호흡신호를 측정하였다. 표면 특성을 평가한 결과, 모든 전도성 나노웹 시료들이 그래핀 잉크로 균일하게 코팅되어있음을 확인하였다. 인장에 따른 저항값 측정 결과, 그래핀을 처리한 시료인 시료 G가 가장 낮은 저항값을, 그래핀을 처리한 후 열처리를 한 시료인 시료 G-H가 가장 높은 저항값을 가졌고, 시료 G와 시료 G-H의 경우 길이가 5%, 10%로 늘어남에도 선저항값의 변화가 안정적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 저항값 결과와는 달리, 시료 G가 시료 G-H보다 더 높은 게이지율을 보였다. 실제로 착의평가 결과, 시료 G-H를 이용해 만든 스트레인센서가 안정된 Peak값으로 측정되어 좋은 품질의 신호를 얻었다. 그러므로 본 연구를 통해 그래핀 잉크를 처리한 폴리우레탄 나노웹이 호흡 센서로서의 역할을 충분히 수행하는 것을 확인하였다.

A powder mixture of 70 wt% Al2O3 and 30 wt% hydroxyapatite (HA) is sintered at 1300 ℃ or 1350 ℃ for 2 h at normal pressure. An MgF2-added composition to make HA into fluorapatite (FA) is also prepared for comparison. The samples without MgF2 show α & β-tricalcium phosphates (TCPs) and Al2O3 phases with no HA at either of the sintering temperatures. In the case of 1,350 ℃, a CaAl4O7 phase is also found. Densification values are 69 and 78 %, and strengths are 156 and 104MPa for 1,300 and 1,350 ℃, respectively. Because the decomposition of HA produces a H2O vapor, fewer large pores of 5-6 μm form at 1,300 ℃. The MgF2-added samples show FA and Al2O3 phases with no TCP. Densification values are 79 and 87%, and strengths are 104 and 143 MPa for 1,300 and 1,350 ℃, respectively. No large pores are observed, and the grain size of FA (1-2 μm) is bigger than that of TCP (0.7 μm ≥) in the samples without MgF2. The resulting TCP/Al2O3 and FA/Al2O3 composites fabricated in situ exhibit strengths 6-10 times higher than monolithic TCP and HA.

We report on stretchable electrochromic films of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) fabricated on silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes. AgNWs electrodes are prepared on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates using a spray coater for stretchable electrochromic applications. On top of the AgNW electrode, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is introduced to ensure a stable resistance over the electrode under broad strain range by effectively suppressing the protrusion of AgNWs from PDMS. This bilayer electrode exhibits a high performance as a stretchable substrate in terms of sheet resistance increment by a factor of 1.6, tensile strain change to 40%, and stretching cycles to 100 cycles. Furthermore, P3HT film spin-coated on the bilayer electrode shows a stable electrochromic coloration within an applied voltage, with a color contrast of 28.6%, response time of 4-5 sec, and a coloration efficiency of 91.0 cm2/C. These findings indicate that AgNWs/PEDOT:PSS bilayer on PDMS substrate electrode is highly suitable for transparent and stretchable electrochromic devices.

이방성 입자는 독특한 물리적 특성 때문에 다양한 분야에서 발표되고 있다. 여기서, 이방성 도토리구조 나노 입자를 제조하기 위해 새로운 동적 상분리 방법이 도입된다. 동적 상분리 방법은 용제 증발 및 무용제에 의한 침전으로 구성된다. 하부층은 비용매 희석제로서 물을 공급함으로써 제어되며, 상부층의 상분리는 휘발성 용매의 확산 및 증발에 의존한다. 이 상태에서, 도토리 형 입자가 제조되었다. 물이 채워진 밀폐된 상자(자발적 상분리)하에서, 단분산 폴리스틸렌 입자가 합성되었다. 동적 상분리와 자발적 상분리가 공존할 때, 캡과 입자의 크기가 변경되었다. 또한, 폴리스틸렌 용액의 부피는 입자 형상에 영향을 미친다. 독특한 구조가 다양한 응용 분야에 활용될 수 있기 때문에 멤브레인 기반의 제어된 물 공급과 같은 첨단 기술이 개발되면 단분산의 도토리와 같은 입자가 제조될 수 있을 것이다.

The gas sensor is essential to monitoring dangerous gases in our environment. Metal oxide (MO) gas sensors are primarily utilized for flammable, toxic and organic gases and O3 because of their high sensitivity, high response and high stability. Tungsten oxides (WO3) have versatile applications, particularly for gas sensor applications because of the wide bandgap and stability of WO3. Nanosize WO3 are synthesized using the hydrothermal method. Asprepared WO3 nanopowders are in the form of nanorods and nanorulers. The crystal structure is hexagonal tungsten bronze (MxWO3, x =< 0.33), characterized as a tunnel structure that accommodates alkali ions and the phase stabilizer. A gas detection test reveals that WO3 can detect acetone, butanol, ethanol, and gasoline. This is the first study to report this capability of WO3.

In this study, freeze drying of a porous Ni with unidirectionally aligned pore channels is accomplished by using a NiO powder and camphene. Camphene slurries with NiO content of 5 and 10 vol% are prepared by mixing them with a small amount of dispersant at 50℃. Freezing of a slurry is performed at -25℃ while the growth direction of the camphene is unidirectionally controlled. Pores are generated subsequently by sublimation of the camphene during drying in air for 48 h. The green bodies are hydrogen-reduced at 400℃ and then sintered at 800℃ and 900℃ for 1 h. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the NiO powder is completely converted to the Ni phase without any reaction phases. The sintered samples show large pores that align parallel pores in the camphene growth direction as well as small pores in the internal walls of large pores. The size of large and small pores decreases with increasing powder content from 5 to 10 vol%. The influence of powder content on the pore structure is explained by the degree of powder rearrangement in slurry and the accumulation behavior of powders in the interdendritic spaces of solidified camphene.

In this study, porous Mo-5 wt% Cu with unidirectionally aligned pores is prepared by freeze drying of camphene slurry with MoO3-CuO powders. Unidirectional freezing of camphene slurry with dispersion stability is conducted at -25℃, and pores in the frozen specimens are generated by sublimation of the camphene crystals. The green bodies are hydrogen-reduced at 750℃ and sintered at 1000℃ for 1 h. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that MoO3- CuO composite powders are completely converted to a Mo-and-Cu phase without any reaction phases by hydrogen reduction. The sintered bodies with the Mo-Cu phase show large and aligned parallel pores to the camphene growth direction as well as small pores in the internal walls of large pores. The pore size and porosity decrease with increasing composite powder content from 5 to 10 vol%. The change of pore characteristics is explained by the degree of powder rearrangement in slurry and the accumulation behavior of powders in the interdendritic spaces of solidified camphene.

This study investigates Ag coated Cu2O nanoparticles that are produced with a changing molar ratio of Ag and Cu2O. The results of XRD analysis reveal that each nanoparticle has a diffraction pattern peculiar to Ag and Cu2O determination, and SEM image analysis confirms that Ag is partially coated on the surface of Cu2O nanoparticles. The conductive paste with Ag coated Cu2O nanoparticles approaches the specific resistance of 6.4 Ω·cm for silver paste(SP) as (Ag) /(Cu2O) the molar ratio increases. The paste(containing 70 % content and average a 100 nm particle size for the silver nanoparticles) for commercial use for mounting with a fine line width of 100 μm or less has a surface resistance of 5 to 20 μΩ·cm, while in this research an Ag coated Cu2O paste has a larger surface resistance, which is disadvantageous. Its performance deteriorates as a material required for application of a fine line width electrode for a touch panel. A touch panel module that utilizes a nano imprinting technique of 10 μm or less is expected to be used as an electrode material for electric and electronic parts where large precision(mounting with fine line width) is not required.

In this study, a multifunctional ophthalmic lens material with an electromagnetic shielding effect, high oxygen permeability, and high water content is tested, and its applicability is evaluated. Metal oxide nanoparticles are applied to the ophthalmic lens material for vision correction to shield harmful electromagnetic waves; the pyridine group is used to improve the antibacterial effect; and silicone substituted with urethane and acrylate is employed to increase the oxygen permeability and water content. In addition, multifunctional tinted ophthalmic lens materials are studied using lens materials with an excellent antibacterial effect (2,6-difluoropyridine, 2-fluoro-4-pyridinecarboxylic acid) and functional (UV protection, high wettability) lens materials (2,4-dihydroxy benzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-(methacryloyloxy)benzophenone). To solve problems such as air bubbles generated during the polymerization process for the manufacturing and turbidity of the lens surface, polymerization conditions in which the defect rate is minimized are determined. The results show that the polymerization temperature and time are most appropriate when they are 110 oC and 40 minutes, respectively. The optimum injection amount of the polymerization solution is 350 ms. The turbid phenomenon that appears in lens processing is improved by 10 to 95% according to the test time and conditions.

In this study, glass fibers are fabricated via a continuous spinning process using manganese slag, steel slag, and silica stone. To fabricate the glass fibers, raw materials are put into an alumina crucible, melted at 1550℃ for 2 hrs, and then annealed at 600℃ for 2 hrs. We obtain a black colored glass. We identify the non-crystalline nature of the glass using an XRD(x-ray diffractometer) graph. An adaptable temperature for spinning of the bulk marble glass is characterized using a high temperature viscometer. Spinning is carried out using direct melting spinning equipment as a function of the fiberizing temperature in the range of 1109℃ to 1166℃ , while the winder speed is in the range of 100rpm to 250rpm. We investigate the various properties of glass fibers. The average diameters of the glass fibers are measured by optical microscope and FE-SEM. The average diameter of the glass fibers is 73 μm at 100rpm, 65 μm at 150rpm, 55 μm at 200rpm, and 45 μm at 250rpm. The mechanical properties of the fibers are confirmed using a UTM(Universal materials testing machine). The average tensile strength of the glass fibers is 21MPa at 100rpm, 31MPa at 150rpm, 34MPa at 200rpm, and 45MPa at 250rpm.

Inorganic semiconductor compounds, e.g., CIGS and CZTS, are promising materials for thin film solar cells because of their high light absorption coefficient and stability. Research on thin film solar cells using this compound has made remarkable progress in the last two decades. Vacuum-based processes, e.g., co-evaporation and sputtering, are well established to obtain high-efficiency CIGS and/or CZTS thin film solar cells with over 20% of power conversion. However, because the vacuum-based processes need high cost equipment, they pose technological barriers to producing low-cost and large area photovoltaic cells. Recently, non-vacuum based processes, for example the solution/nanoparticle precursor process, the electrodeposition method, or the polymer-capped precursors process, have been intensively studied to reduce capital expenditure. Lately, over 17% of energy conversion efficiency has been reported by solution precursors methods in CIGS solar cells. This article reviews the status of non-vacuum techniques that are used to fabricate CIGS and CZTS thin films solar cells.

Anti-reflection thin films are fabricated on glass substrates using the screen printing method. Tetra ethyl silicate(TEOS) and methyl tri methoxy silane(MTMS) are used as starting materials and buthyl carbitol acetate(BCA) and buthyl cellusolve(BC) are mixed to improve the viscosity of the solution. Anti-reflection thin films are fabricated according to the number of the screen mesh and the characteristics improve as the mesh size increases. The transmittance and reflectance of the coated thin film using 325 mesh are about 94 % and 0.43 % in the visible wavelength. The thickness and refractive index of the AR thin film are 107 nm and n = 1.26, respectively.

Layered-double hydroxide (LDH)-based nanostructures offer the two-fold advantage of being active catalysts with incredibly large specific surface areas. As such, they have been studied extensively over the last decade and applied in roles as diverse as light source, catalyst, energy storage mechanism, absorber, and anion exchanger. They exhibit a unique lamellar structure consisting of a wide variety of combinations of metal cations and various anions, which determine their physical and chemical performances, and make them a popular research topic. Many reviewed papers deal with these unique properties, synthetic methods, and applications. Most of them, however, are focused on the form-factor of nanopowder, as well as on the control of morphologies via one-step synthetic methods. LDH nanostructures need to be easy to control and fabricate on rigid substrates such as metals, semiconductors, oxides, and insulators, to facilitate more viable applications of these nanostructures to various solid-state devices. In this review, we explore ways to grow and control the various LDH nanostructures on rigid substrates.

Two dimensional(2D) crystals, composed of a single layer or a few atomic layers extracted from layered materials are attracting researchers’ interest due to promising applications in the nanoelectromechanical systems. Worldwide researchers are preparing devices with suspended 2D materials to study their physical and electrical properties. However, during the fabrication process of 2D flakes on a target substrate, contamination occurs, which makes the measurement data less reliable. We propose a dry transfer method using poly-methyl methacrylate(PMMA) for the 2D flakes to transfer onto the targeted substrate. The PMMA is then removed from the device by an N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone solution and a critical point dryer, which makes the suspended 2D flakes residue free. Our method provides a clean, reliable and controllable way of fabricating micrometer-sized suspended 2D nanosheets.

In the present work, AMC/ZnO, AMC/Au, and AMC/Zeo conjugated membranes was prepared by vapor induced phase separation (VIPS) method and used for fouling study. each membrane the nanoparticles [Zinc oxide (ZnO), gold(Au) & Zeolite (Zeo)] was used separately. The prepared membranes are characterized by surface morphology and contact angle to investigate the influence of nanoparticles. The fouling resistant ability of the AMC conjugated membranes was analyzed using bovine serum albumin(BSA) protein and calculated the series model analysis by means of resistance. The fouled membranes was investigated to realize the surface properties considered as essential for fouling propensity. The experimental results correlate the changes in BSA separation efficiency and fouling resistance properties of AMC conjugated membranes with surface morphology.