• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.380-385
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• 2016

Nanocelluloses, mainly cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC, i.e., defect-free, rod-like crystalline residues after acid hydrolysis of fibers), have been the subject of recent interest. Due to the presence of hydroxyl groups on the surface of nanocelluloses, their surfaces are reactive, making them suitable candidates for reinforcing materials for manufacturing polymer composites. In this study, CNF was used as a reinforcing material for manufacturing cement composites. CNF was prepared by TEMPO (2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl radical) oxidation procedure combined with extensive homogenization and ultrasonication. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the suspension showed the width of CNF between 10 and 15 nm. The compressive strength of cement composites containing 0.5% CNF was comparable to that of conventional cement composites. On the other hand, the tensile and flexural strength were improved by 49.7% and 38.8%, respectively, compared to those of conventional cement composites. Also, at an ambient condition, the degree of self-shrinkage reduction reached to 18.9% in one day, followed by 5.9% in 28 days after molding.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.386-390
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• 2016

The surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was modified by fluorination and applied to conductive materials to improve the energy efficiency of a capacitive desalination (CDI) electrode. CNTs were fluorinated at room temperature with a mixed gas of fluorine and nitrogen, and activated carbon based CDI electrodes were then prepared by adding 0-0.5 wt% of untreated CNTs or fluorinated CNTs with respect to the activated carbon. Fluorinated CNTs showed improved dispersibility in the electrode and also slurry as compared to untreated CNTs, which was confirmed by the zeta potential and scanning electron microscopy. Fluorinated CNTs added electrodes showed higher desalination efficiency but lower energy consumption than those of using untreated CNTs added electrodes. This was attributed to the decrease in the resistance of CDI electrodes due to the improved dispersibility of CNTs by fluorination.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.449-454
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• 2016

In this study, highly monodispersed porous carbon microcapsules with a hollow core were synthesized using polystyrene (PS) beads as a hard template. The surface of PS was first modified with polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP) for the easy attachment of inorganic silica sol. After coating the surface of PVP modified PS microspheres with SBA-16 sol, the carbon microcapsules with a hollow macroporous core were fabricated through reverse replication method by filling carbon sources in the mesopores of silica mold. The hollow carbons having a mesoporous shell structure and narrow particle size distribution could be obtained after the carbonization of carbon source and the dissolution of silica mold by HF solution. The mesoporous characteristics and electrochemical properties of hollow carbon microcapsules were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, $N_2$ adsorption/desorption analysis and cyclic voltammetry. They showed the high electric conductivity and capability for use as efficient electro-materials such as a supercapacitor.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.427-432
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• 2016

The purpose of the research was to examine the utilization of waste bittern from salt farm as a source for producing magnesium (Mg). In this work, a precipitation process for recovering Mg, where Mg is precipitated as $Mg(OH)_2$ by the addition of NaOH solution, was investigated. At the NaOH/Mg molar ratios of 2.70 : 1 to 2.75 : 1 and pH 9.5-10, > 99% of Mg could be precipitated from the bittern. The molar concentration of NaOH solution added as an alkaline reagent had no significant influence on the recovery efficiency of Mg precipitate. The particle size of Mg precipitate was strongly affected by the flow rate of caustic addition. The faster the flow rate of caustic addition, the smaller particles were formed. The Mg precipitate recovered was 100-120 g per 1 L of bittern and contained 94% $Mg(OH)_2$ after washing with water. Our results showed that the bittern can be used as a potential resource for Mg production.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.415-420
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• 2016

To enhance electrochemical performances of anode materials, the surface of coal tar pitch (CTP) was modified by incorporating heteroatoms through chemical treatment with phosphoric acid ($H_3PO_4$). The prepared anode materials with modified CTP was analyzed by XRD, FE-SEM and XPS. The electrochemical performances of modified CTP were investigated by constant current charge/discharge test, rate performance, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests using the electrolyte of $LiPF_6$ dissolved in the mixed organic solvents (ethylene carbonate : dimethyl carbonate = 1 : 1 vol% + vinylene carbonate 3 wt%). The coin cell using modified CTP ($H_3PO_4/CTP$ = 3 : 100 in weight) has better initial capacity and initial efficiency (489 mAh/g, 82%) than those of other composition coin cells. Also, it was found that the capacity retention was 86% after 30 cycles and the rate capability was 87% at 2 C/0.1 C.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.433-438
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• 2016

The current study evaluated the air quality of the smoking booth equipped with the air purification system consisting of photocatalysts and air filters by measuring the concentrations of hazardous substances of tobacco smoke such as CO, HCHO, $CH_3CHO$, PM10 and PM2.5. To enhance the removal efficiency of hazardous substances, an infrared ray was exposed to improve the reactivity of OH radical generated from the photocatalyst toward environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) gas phase hazardous materials. It was found that the smoking booth with the air purification system improved the removal efficiency of hazardous substances containing formaldehyde by 85.2% compared to that of the smoking booth without any purification systems. In addition, the removal efficiency of the fine dust after treatment was enhanced up to 89.4%.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2016

Ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis of a Korean native oak tree over microporous zeolites (HZSM-5, HBeta, and HY) was performed by using a fixed bed reactor. The effect of sample to catalyst ratio and reaction temperature was also investigated to optimize production conditions of high quality bio-oil. Among three catalysts, HZSM-5 showed the highest aromatic formation due to its proper pore size and strong acidity. Although HY and HBeta also showed the catalytic activity, they produced larger amounts of coke due to their larger pore size. The smaller ratio of the sample to the catalyst and higher reaction temperature were also required to maximize the yields of aromatic hydrocarbons via the catalytic pyrolysis of oak tree over HZSM-5.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.439-443
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• 2016

In this report, $MnO_2$ nanoparticle-deposited functionalized graphene sheets were prepared and their superior electrochemical performances were demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and impedance analysis. Ionic liquids were employed to functionalize the surface of reduced graphene oxides (RGOs), leading to prevention of the aggregation of RGO sheets and abundant growth sites for deposition of $MnO_2$ nanoparticles. As-prepared $MnO_2/RGO$ nanocomposites were characterized using scanning electron microscope, transition electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical properties of $MnO_2/RGO$ electrode were evaluated using $Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte under a three-electrode system. The $MnO_2/RGO$ electrode showed a high specific capacitance (251 F/g), a high rate capability (80.5% retention), and long-term stability (93.6% retention).

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2016

In the presence of poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and excess amount of graphene oxide (GO), we conducted in-situ polymerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) without an oxidant. XPS and IR spectroscopies of the product (GO-P) showed that PEDOT/PSS was successfully synthesized by oxidative polymerization of EDOT and hybridized with GO. GO-P displayed a stable aqueous suspension, however, the high content (42%) of GO in GO-P diminished electrical conductivity down to $15S{\cdot}m^{-1}$. Annealing of GO-P films at $200^{\circ}C$ for 8 hr induced partial reduction of GO and finally enhanced electrical conductivity up to $212S{\cdot}m^{-1}$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-38
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• 2016

In this study, the mica used as a thermal-insulation material was modified with a silane coupling agent, octyltriethoxysilane (OTES), to improve its hydrophobicity. The modified mica was characterized using FT-IR spectrometer, water wettability test, and water contact angle measurement. The analysis exhibits that OTES for the modified mica sample was well bonded chemically and drastically enhanced the hydrophobicity. The reflectance observed as 73.9% (mica) and 86.4% (OTES/mica), respectively, for OTES/mica was improved about 12.5% before any modifications. Also the modified mica sample showed $7.2^{\circ}C$ decrease in the thermal-insulation performance of cool paints compared to that of using unmodified mica, indicating that the modification of mica with silane coupling agents could be effective in enhancing the thermal-insulation performance of the cool paint.