https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/10154 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:43:38 GMT 2026-04-05T15:43:38Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59395 Title: Next-generation electrochemically switched ion exchange with engineered copper hexacyanoferrate sorbents for efficient cesium recovery from aqueous solutions Author(s): Kanase, Ashish B.; Mahadik, Mahadeo A.; Patil, Ruturaj P.; Kim, Soonhyun; Ryu, Jungho; Jang, Jum Suk Abstract: Nuclear energy, despite being carbon-free, produces hazardous waste like 137Cs, requiring efficient removal and secure storage to minimize environmental and health risks. To address this challenge, electrochemically switched ion exchangers (ESIX) have emerged as a breakthrough technology for the efficient and highly selective removal of hazardous radioactive cesium from wastewater while minimizing secondary waste generation. We present a state-of-the-art ESIX system using copper hexacyanoferrate sorbents, optimized via citric acid–tuned coprecipitation (0.25–0.75 M) and drop-cast onto carbon cloth, enabling efficient and selective cesium removal from aqueous solutions. The ESIX performances of CuHCF-0, CuHCF-0.25, CuHCF-0.5, and CuHCF-0.75 were systematically analyzed across various matrices, with CuHCF-0.5 exhibiting the highest cesium (Cs+) sorption capacity of 278 mg/g and achieving 40 % removal within 3 h, demonstrating its superior ion-exchange efficiency. Extended operation under an electrochemical bias of −1/+1.3 V achieved above 90 % adsorption–desorption efficiency over 21 cycles. CuHCF-0.5 operated in ESIX modality, demonstrated highly selective Cs+ adsorption, with Cs+ ions occupying interstitial lattice spaces, typically replacing Na+-occupied sites. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provide mechanistic insights into the Cs+ interaction with CuHCF-0.5. The sorbent exhibits efficient regeneration using 1 mM NaCl, maintaining stable performance over twenty-one cycles, highlighting its strong potential for cesium-remediation in contaminated wastewater. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59395 2025-11-30T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59394 Title: Electrospun ZnFe-Prussian blue analog nanofiber filters for rapid preconcentration and efficient removal of Cs+ and 137Cs from seawater Author(s): Eun, Semin; Kim, Minsun; Jeong, Narin; Yoon, Wonkyung; Kim, Hyuncheol; Ryu, Jungho; Kim, Soonhyun Abstract: Radioactive cesium (137Cs), a long-lived (half-life: 30.2 years) and highly mobile fission product, poses environmental and health risks owing to its bioaccumulation. Its trace levels in seawater necessitate a rapid, selective, and field-deployable method for both removal and preconcentration for analysis. Herein, electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (EnFs) incorporated with ZnFe-Prussian blue analogs (ZnFe-EnFs) were developed as solid-phase adsorbents for the efficient removal of 137Cs from seawater. Two composites, ZnFe(B)-EnF and ZnFe(W)-EnF, were synthesized and characterized. Batch adsorption tests confirmed high Cs+ affinity, indicating that the adsorption process followed the Langmuir model; ZnFe(B)-EnF exhibited a higher maximum adsorption capacity (1.48 mmol g−1), whereas ZnFe(W)-EnF enabled faster adsorption kinetics, stronger binding affinity, and greater tolerance against competing ions and high ionic strength. Dynamic multistage filtration at 60 mL min−1 resulted in complete Cs+ removal from 10 to 15 L of Cs+-spiked deionized water, whereas filtration of natural seawater resulted in high but less reproducible removal efficiencies owing to channeling and clogging. The filtration of contaminated water containing ultratrace-level Cs+ (0.49 μM) resulted in complete Cs+ removal under environmentally realistic conditions. The desorption of Cs+ by circulating NH4NO3 enabled >80 % Cs+ recovery without structural degradation, supporting the stable reuse of composites across multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. ZnFe(W)-EnF simultaneously adsorbed and desorbed both Cs+ and 137Cs from seawater. These findings highlight the dual purpose of ZnFe-EnFs—particularly ZnFe(W)-EnF—as efficient adsorbents for the removal of 137Cs and practical materials for the rapid preconcentration and monitoring of 137Cs in marine environments. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59394 2025-11-30T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59383 Title: Bifacial Chalcogenide Thin-Film Solar Cells: Concepts, Challenges, and Opportunities Author(s): Ali, Amanat; Kadiri-English, Bashiru; Son, Dae-Ho; Lee, Jaebaek; Kang, Jin-Kyu; Hwang, Dae-Kue; Sung, Shi-Joon; Yang, Kee-Jeong; Kim, Dae-Hwan Abstract: Bifacial solar cells effectively increase photovoltaic energy generation by harnessing light from both the front and rear surfaces. In the realm of thin-film technology, inorganic chalcogenides specifically (Cu (In, Ga)Se2, S), CdTe, Cu2ZnSn (S, Se)4, and Sb2(S, Se)3 exhibit significant potential owing to their adjustable band gaps, robust absorption characteristics, and scalable manufacturing processes. This review emphasizes current advancements in chalcogenide-based bifacial photovoltaics, concentrating on device principles, absorber appropriateness, and performance limitations. Numerical and experimental investigations demonstrate that bifacial illumination not only alleviates interfacial band bending under specific conditions but also produces power outputs that surpass the cumulative contributions of single-side illumination, while exhibiting resilience to diffuse rear illumination. Nevertheless, actual albedo levels indicate that reductions in front-side efficiency cannot be entirely compensated for rear-side improvements, highlighting the necessity for clear low-recombination contacts, efficient light management, and robust device interfaces. We end with an overview of strategies spanning back contact engineering to outdoor durability that are crucial for advancing bifacial chalcogenide photovoltaics from laboratory demonstrations to initial commercialization. Bifacial solar cell configurations are particularly advantageous for tandem applications. This offers a promising pathway to further enhance overall device efficiency. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59383 2025-11-30T15:00:00Z https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59371 Title: Growth behavior and interface engineering for photovoltaic applications of co-evaporated Sb2Se3thin films on Mo foil Author(s): Hoang, Van-Quy; Park, Sinae; Lee, Jaebaek; Son, Dae-Ho; Hwang, Dae-Kue; Le-Van, Quynh; Huy, Vo Pham Hoang; Kim, Se Yun; Yang, Kee-Jeong; Kang, Jin-Kyu; Sung, Shi-Joon; Kim, Dae-Hwan Abstract: Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) is a promising light-absorbing material for thin-film photovoltaics. Herein, we report a strategy for the fabrication of flexible Sb2Se3 solar cells on metal-foil substrates. A thin absorber grown on Mo foil exhibited poor performance owing to structural defect formation caused by the rough substrate. Although thicker films (∼1600 nm) are generally expected to suffer from high internal resistance, we found that unique vertical void formation enabled efficient charge transport, resulting in high-performance devices. Furthermore, oxide removal via NaOH treatment and the introduction of a preformed MoSe2 interlayer promoted the preferred [hk1] orientation and optimized the back contact. This dual modification simultaneously improved the film morphology and electronic properties, forming a pseudo-3D p-n junction that enhanced carrier collection. Consequently, the flexible co-evaporated Sb2Se3 solar cells achieved a power conversion efficiency of 4.45%. These findings provide mechanistic insights and practical guidelines for the design of high-performance flexible Sb2Se3 photovoltaics. Sat, 31 Jan 2026 15:00:00 GMT https://scholar.dgist.ac.kr/handle/20.500.11750/59371 2026-01-31T15:00:00Z