• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2011

In this work, the effect of surface treatment on mesoporous carbons (MCs) supports was investigated by analyzing surface functional groups. MCs were prepared by a conventional templating method using mesoporous silica (SBA-15) for using catalyst supports in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The MCs were treated with different phosphoric acid ($H_3PO_4$) concentrations i.e., 0, 1, 3, 4, and 5 M at 343 K for 6 h. And then Pt-Ru was deposited onto surface treated MCs (H-MCs) by chemical reduction method. The characteristics of Pt-Ru catalysts deposited onto H-MCs were determined by specific surface area and pore size analyzer, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron, transmission electron microscopy, and inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. The electrochemical properties of Pt-Ru/H-MCs catalysts were also analyzed by cyclic voltammetry experiments. From the results of surface analysis, an oxygen functional group was introduced to the surface of carbon supports. From the results, the H4M-MCs carbon supports surface treated with 4 M $H_3PO_4$ led to uniform dispersion of Pt-Ru onto H4M-MCs, resulting in enhancing the electro-catalytic activity of Pt-Ru catalysts.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.93.2-93.2
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• 2011

In this work, graphite nanofibers (GNFs) were prepared for using catalyst supports in fuel cells. The GNFs were chemically activated to obtain high surface area and small pore diameter with different potassium hydroxide (KOH) amounts, i.e., 0, 1, 3, 4, and 5 g as an activating agent. And then Pt-Ru was deposited onto activated GNFs (A-GNFs) by chemical reduction method. The characteristics of Pt-Ru catalysts deposited onto A-GNFs were determined by specific surface area and pore size analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The electrochemical properties of Pt-Ru/A-GNFs catalysts were also analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. From the results, the A-GNFs carbon supports activated with 4 g of KOH (A4g-GNFs) showed that the highest specific surface areas. In addition, the A4g-GNFs led to uniform dispersion of Pt-Ru onto A4g-GNFs, resulting in the enhancement of electrochemical activity of Pt-Ru catalysts.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.118-123
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• 2008

In the present study, the effect of oxyfluorination treatment on multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) supports was investigated by analyzing surface functional groups. The surface characteristics were determined by Fourier transformed-infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After the deposition of platinum nanoparticles on the above treated carbon supports, a crystalline size and a loading level had been investigated. Electrochemical properties of the treated MWNTs-supported Pt (Pt/MWNTs) catalysts were analyzed by current-voltage curve measurements. From the results of surface analysis, an oxygen and fluorine-containing functional group had been introduced to the surface of carbon supports. The oxygen and fluorine contents were the highest value at the treatment of 100 temperature. The Pt/100-MWNTs showed the smallest particle crystalline size of 3.5 nm and the highest loading level of 9.4% at the treatment of 100 temperature. However, the sample treated at the higher temperature showed the larger crystalline size and the lower loading level. This indicated that the crystalline size and the loading level could be controlled by changing the temperature of oxyfluorination treatment. Accordingly, an electrochemical activity was enhanced by increasing the temperature of treatment upto 100, and then decreased in the case of 200 and 300. The highest specific current density of 120 mA/mg had been obtained in the case of Pt/100-MWNTs.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.383-385
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• 2009

비백금계 코발트 전이금속 촉매를 탄소지지체에 담지한 뒤, 암모니아 분위기에서 $500^{\circ}C$에서 3시간 동안 열처리하는 과정을 통해 코발트 질화물 촉매를 제조했다. 제조된 촉매들의 구조와 형태를 각각 XRD, HE-TEM등을 통해 분석하였고, 전위 측정기를 이용한 CV, LSV 결과로부터 촉매의 전기화학적 산소 환원특성을 분석하여, 기존의 연료전지 양극 촉매로 사용되는 고가의 백금촉매를 대체하기 위한 비백금계로서의 가능성을 확인하였다.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.94.1-94.1
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• 2011

In this work, ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) were prepared by the conventional templating method using mesoporous silica (SBA-15) for Pt-Ru catalyst supports in fuel cells. The influence of surface modification on carbon supports on the electrochemical activities of Pt-Ru/OMCs was investigated with different pH. The neutral-treated OMCs (N-OMCs), base-treated OMCs (B-OMCs), and acid-treated OMCs (A-OMCs) were prepared by treating OMCs with 2 M $C_6H_6$, 2 M KOH, and 2 M $H_3PO_4$, respectively. The surface characteristic of the carbon supports were determined X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical activities of the Pt-Ru catalysts had been enhanced when the OMCs supports were treated by basic or neutral agents, while the electrochemical activities had been decayed for the A-OMCs supported Pt-Ru.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2010

Carbon cloth was impregnated into PTFE emulsion. PTFE is a fluoropolymer used as a coating material in various fields due to its hydrophobicity and excellent mechanical properties. In this study, PTFE emulsion was prepared different particle size of 5~500 nm and $3{\sim}5{\mu}m$. FE-SEM and FT-IR spectroscopy were used microscopic observation and investigation of chemical structure change after PTFE coating. Mass variations, gas permeability and water contact angles were analyzed to determine a GDL performance of PTFE coated carbon cloth. PTFE coated carbon cloth show different mass increase according as PTFE concentration and the number of coating times. Water contact angle of PTFE coated carbon cloth was not effected by size of PTFE particle and the number of coating time; meanwhile, gas permeability was rapidly changed at carbon cloth coated by emulsion with size of $3{\sim}5{\mu}m$ PTFE particle.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.652-655
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• 2009

The bimodal porous carbons were synthesized by using imprinting method with templates of SBA-15 particle and silica sphere and applied as supporting materials for the electro-catalyst of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The silica spheres with diameter size of 100 nm and SBA-15 particle having 200 nm -250 nm diameter and 700 nm -900 nm length were synthesized in this work. The bimodal porous carbons (S100) were prepared by using the silica spheres and SBA-15 as templates and mesophase pitch as a carbon source. The PtRu nanoparticle of ca. 1.9 nm were supported on the bimodal porous carbon support and the resulting PtRu/S100 catalysts was tested by the cyclic voltammetry. The use of bimodal porous carbon showed in comparable electro-catalytic activities with commercial catalyst. Though unclear effects of bimodal porosity of supports could be obtained in the scope of this study, morphological advantage in electrical conductivity can be considered on the electro-catalytic activity.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.424-431
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• 2009

Treatment for water repellency on the carbon supports of GDL which composed a part of MEA has been suggested as a solution to prevent flooding. PTFE is a fluoropolymer that has hydrophobic property and a PTFE emulsion was selected as waterproof agent in this investigation. Carbon paper was coated by PTFE emulsion with different particle size of 5~500 nm and 3~$5\;{\mu}m$ as various concentration. PTFE coated carbon paper has difference in weight variation changed proportionally at PTFE concentration and coating times. Then gas permeability of the coated carbon paper with emulsion of 3~$5\;{\mu}m$ PTFE was changed vastly. Characteristics of carbon paper coated with different PTFE emulsion were analyzed by FE-SEM, FT-IR spcetroscopy and were evaluated by weight variations, gas permeability and water contact angle.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.673-678
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• 2010

In the present study, mixed carbon-supported platinum(Pt) nanoparticles were prepared by a chemical reduction method of Pt precursor solution on two types of carbon materials such as activated carbons(ACs) and graphite nanofibers(GNFs). Average crystalline sizes and loading levels of Pt metal particles could be controlled by changing a content of GNFs. The highest electroactivity for methanol oxidation was obtained by preparing the carbon supports having 15 wt% GNFs. Furthermore, with an increase of GNFs content from 0% to 15%, an electrical conductivity was changed from $10^{-4}S/cm$ to $10^{-1}S/cm$. By an introduction of 10 wt% GNFs additive, the electroactivity of platinum particles was enhanced, but was saturated in the case of 15 wt% GNFs contents. This was related with the fact that the electroactivity change was dependent on the electrical conductivity of mixed carbon supports and Pt particle deposition content or deposition morphology.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2014

In this research, we investigate electrical performance and electrochemical properties of carbon supported Pt (Pt/C) that is synthesized by polyol method. With the Polyol_Pt/C that is adopted for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), their catalytic activity and ORR performance and electrical performance are estimated and compared with commercial Pt/C(Johnson Mattey) catalyst. Their electrochemically active surface (EAS) area are measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV), respectively. On the other hand, regarding ORR activity and electrical performance of the catalysts, (i) linear sweeping voltammetry by rotating disk electrode and (ii) PEMFC single cell tests are used. The CV measurement demonstrate EAS of Polyol_Pt/C is compared with commercial JM_Pt/C. In case of Polyol_Pt/C, its half-wave potential, kinetic current density are excellent. Based on data obtained by half-cell test, when PEMFC single cell tests are carried out, current density measured at 0.6V and maximum power density of the PEMFC single cell employing Polyol_Pt/C are better than those employing commercial Pt/C. Conclusively, Polyol_Pt/C synthesized by modified polyol process shows better ORR catalytic activity and PEMFC performance than other catalysts.