• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1509-1514
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• 2008

To fabricate microsized poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) beads of uniform size and density on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fis, we introduce an electro spraying technique that uses a target electrode applied with an ac electric fid. Using the apparatus and various material properties, we could obtain uniform size PMMA beads which were deposited on the thin PET film. The optical properties, transmittance and light diffusivity of the fis electro sprayed with the PMMA were characterized. The results show that the sprayed beads appear to act as a good optical diffuser, like microlenses. To understand the effect of process variables, applied field conditions and rheological properties, the morphological pictures of the deposited particles were investigated through the optical and scanning electron microscope.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.194-199
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• 2016

We prepared polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) beads with a particle size of 80 nm to improve the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) by increasing the effective surface area and the dye absorption ability of the working electrodes (WEs) in a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC). We prepared the $TiO_2$ layer with PMMA beads of 0.0~1.0 wt%; then, finally, a DSSC with $0.45cm^2$ active area was obtained. Optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the microstructure of the $TiO_2$ layer with PMMA. UV-VIS-NIR was used to determine the optical absorbance of the WEs with PMMA. A solar simulator and a potentiostat were used to determine the photovoltaic properties of the PMMA-added DSSC. Analysis of the microstructure showed that pores of 200 nm were formed by the decomposition of PMMA. Also, root mean square values linearly increased as more PMMA was added. The absorbance in the visible light regime was found to increase as the degree of PMMA dispersion increased. The ECE increased from 4.91% to 5.35% when the amount of PMMA beads added was increased from 0.0 to 0.4 wt%. However, the ECE decreased when more than 0.6 wt% of PMMA was added. Thus, adding a proper amount of PMMA to the $TiO_2$ layer was determined to be an effective method for improving the ECE of a DSSC.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2012

The optical diffuser for direct-lit LED backlight unit was prepared by using extrusion compounding followed by thermoforming process. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with superior optical characteristics and polycarbonate (PC) with good thermal property were used as base resins, and crosslinked polystyrene (PS) and PMMA beads as diffusing agents were incorporated into resin matrix to derive light scattering and diffusing action. In the compounded plate, the diffusing beads were observed to be dispersed uniformly and distinctly in the continuous phase. The inclusion of polymeric beads up to 3 wt% substantially enhanced the optical characteristics such as luminance, luminance uniformity, haze for the diffuser. Two different diffusers of PC and PMMA-based compound with various compositions were compared in terms of measured optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, which would be expected to be utilized for the industrial application of LED backlight unit.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2016

In order to make a highly ordered three-dimensionally macro-porous structure of zirconia ceramics, porogen precursors PMMA beads were prepared by emulsion polymerization using acrylic monomer. The monodisperse PMMA latex beads were closely packed by centrifugation as a porogen template for the infiltration of zirconium acetate solution. The mixed compound of PMMA and zirconium acetate was dried. According to the firing schedule, dry compacts of PMMA and zirconium acetate were calcined at $475^{\circ}C$ to obtain micro-, macro-, and meso- structures of polycrystalline zirconia with monodispersed porosity. Inorganic frameworks composed of $ZrO_2$ were formed and showed a three Dimensionally Ordered Microstructure [3DOM] of $ZrO_2$ ceramics. The obtained $ZrO_2$ skeleton was calcined at $710^{\circ}C$. The 3DOM $ZrO_2$ skeleton showed color tuning in solutions such as deionized [DI] $H_2O$ and/or methanol. The monodispersed crystalline micro-structure with micro/meso porosity was observed by FE-SEM.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.227-233
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• 2016

In order to make a highly ordered three-dimensional porous structure of titania ceramics, porogen beads of PS [Polystyrene] and PMMA [poly(methylmetacrylate)] were prepared by emulsion polymerization using styrene monomer and methyl methacrylate monomer, respectively. The uniform beads of PS or PMMA latex were closely packed by centrifugation as a porogen template for the infiltration of titanium butoxide solution. The mixed compound of PS or PMMA with titanium butoxide was dried and the dry compacts were calcined at $450^{\circ}C-750^{\circ}C$ according to the firing schedule to prepare micro- and meso- structures of polycrystalline titania with monodispersed porosity. Inorganic frameworks composed of $TiO_2$ were formed and showed a three Dimensionally Ordered Microstructure [3DOM] of $TiO_2$ ceramics. The pulverized particles of the $TiO_2$ ceramic skeleton were characterized using XRD analysis. A monodispersed crystalline micro-structure with micro/meso porosity was observed by FE-SEM with EDX analysis. The 3DOM $TiO_2$ skeleton showed opalescent color tuning according to the direction of light.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.604-609
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• 2016

This study reports on wet-foam stability with respect to porous ceramics from a particle-stabilized colloidal suspension that is achieved through the addition of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) using a wet process. To stabilize the wet foam, an initial colloidal suspension of $Al_2O_3$ was partially hydrophobized by the surfactant propyl gallate (2 wt.%) and $SiO_2$ was added as a stabilizer. The influence of the PMMA content on the bubble size, pore size, and pore distribution in terms of the contact angle, surface tension, adsorption free energy, and Laplace pressure are described in this paper. The results show a wet-foam stability of more than 83%, which corresponds to a particle free energy of $2.7{\times}10^{-12}J$ and a pressure difference of 61.1 mPa for colloidal particles with 20 wt.% of PMMA beads. It was possible to control the uniform distribution of the open/closed pores by increasing the PMMA content and by adding thick struts, leading to the achievement of a higher-stability wet foam for use in porous ceramics.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.267-268
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• 2008

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.397-402
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• 2006

We have investigated the effect of each ingredient in the light diffusing film (LDF) which was used as backlight unit (BLU) of TFT-LCD TV on physical, electrical, thermal and optical properties of LDF. In anti-blocking layer, the excellent anti-blocking ability was obtained when 0.5~1.5 wt% of acrylic bead was added, and good decay-time and water-stability were shown when 0.8 wt% of tertiary ammonium salt was added. Optimal results for adhesion strength, curing rates and flexibility on the surface of PET film have been obtained in the light diffusing layer by using acrylic polyol as a binder resin, and by addition of 30~35 wt% non-yellowing type HDI crosslinker. In addition, the highest normal luminance value was obtained by addition of 250 wt% poly-dispersive polystyrene ($20{\mu}m$ PS) and polymethylmethacrylate ($20{\mu}m$ PMMA) beads into the binder resin (100 wt%). The higher normal luminance could be got for PMMA beads than PS beads because of the transmittance difference.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.2-4
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• 2009

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.761-767
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• 2012

The polycarbonate (PC)-based optical diffusers for direct-lit LED backlight unit were prepared by using extrusion compounding followed by compression molding process. The application of inorganic porous silica particles as a diffusing agent in addition to conventional poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) beads was attempted, and the optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the prepared diffusers were investigated. The morphological observations revealed that the diffusing agents could be uniformly dispersed in the PC matrix without agglomeration by high shear stress generated during extrusion process. The incorporation of the porous silica particles mixed with PMMA beads remarkably enhanced the luminance uniformity with respect to both location and view angle for the diffuser, while minimizing the reduction in the absolute luminance, as compared with the diffuser containing only PMMA beads. In addition, thermal and mechanical properties of the diffusers were shown to be improved upon addition of the porous silica particles.