• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1333-1338
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• 2012

In order to measure the minute amount of Cu(II) in our environment, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV) were performed for a trace copper assay using bismuth immobilized on a carbon nanotube paste electrode. An analytical working range of 30 to $240{\mu}g/L$ Cu(II) was obtained for CV and SWSV. The SWSV precision obtained was 0.47 % (n = 15) RSD in $30.0{\mu}g/L$ Cu(II). The detection limit obtained was 3.1 ng/L Cu(II) using SWSV, while the CV yielded the nano-range detection limit through the pre-concentration step. By using this research method, Cu(II) value could be determined in the urine of human sample and in the brain of fish sample. This research can be effectively applied to other cases of measuring minute amount of Cu(II) in living organisms.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.220-227
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• 2017

In this work, carbon nanotube and nano-size alumina particle are exploited as additive for lubrication experiment. We used pin-on-disk type tribometer to investigate the tribological characteristics of lubricants with respect to additives and rotational speed. We conducted more than 15 trials of tribotests for two hours for each specimen to obtain stable and accurate frictional force and to create measurable wear track on the substrate. We conducted tests at the boundary/mixed lubrication regime to evaluate the influence of additives on the tribological characteristics. We found that the friction coefficient decreased as the rotational speed increased and as additives were added. In particular, the reduction of friction by adding additives was more significant at low rotational speed than at high rotational speed. We speculate that the additives helped to separate and protect the two contacting surfaces at low speed, while the influence of additives was not significant at high speed since sufficiently thick lubricant film was formed. The wear of the substrate was also reduced by adding additives to the lubricant. However, in contrast to friction, the amount of wear at high rotational speed was less when alumina particles were added to the lubricant than the amount of wear at low speed. We speculate that the increased wear at low rotational speed is as a result of the intermittent abrasive wear caused by alumina particles with uneven shape, while the reduced wear at high speed is as a result of sufficient film thickness which prevented the abrasive wear.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.88-93
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• 2018

In this study, damaged composite laminates were repaired by a stepped patch repair method using halloysite nanotube(HNT) and milled carbon(MC) reinforced composite materials with different amount of the particles. And the mechanical and structural effects of the particles on the interface between the damaged and repair surfaces were analyzed. At this time, after exposing them to a harsh environment of high temperature and humidity for a long time, the recovery rate of the material properties relative to the material forming the damaged plate was compared. As a result, at $70^{\circ}C$ high temperature distilled water, the hygroscopicity of the HNT/GFRP composites was significantly different from that of the MC/GFRP composites. Especially, 0.5, 1 wt. % HNT was added, the moisture absorption rate was the lowest and this was the factor that contributed to the mechanical strength increase. On the other hand, MC showed a high hygroscopic resistance only with a small amount, and the strength was different according to the action direction of the load, and the addition amount was also different.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

The carbon-coated silicon monoxide (c-SiO_x), which is a negative electrode active material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), has a limited cycle performance due to severe volume changes during cycles, despite its high specific capacity. In particular, the significant volume change of the active material can deform the electrode structure and easily damage the electron transfer pathway. To improve performance and mitigate electrode damage caused by volume changes, we replaced parts of the carbon black conducting agent with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a linear shape. The content of the entire conductive material in the electrode was fixed at 10% by mass, and the relative content of CNTs ranged from 0% to 25% by mass to prepare electrodes and evaluate electrochemical performance. As the CNT content in the electrode increased, both cycle life and rate capability improved. Even a small amount of CNT can significantly improve the electrochemical performance of a c-SiO_x negative electrode with large volume changes. Furthermore, dispersing CNTs effectively can lead to achieving the equivalent performance with a reduced quantity of CNTs.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-95
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• 2013

Nine deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences were used to functionalize single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) sensors to detect the trace amount of methanol, acetone, and HCl in vapor. DNA 24 Ma (24 randomly arranged nitrogenous bases with one amine at each end of it) decorated SWNT sensor and DNA 24 A (only adenine (A) base with a length of 24) decorated SWNT sensor have demonstrated the largest sensing responses towards acetone and HCl, respectively. On the other hand, for the DNA GT decorated SWNT sensors with different sequence lengths, the optimum DNA sequence length for acetone and HCl sensing is 32 and 8, separately. The detection of methanol, acetone, and HCl have identified that DNA functionalized SWNT sensors exhibit great selectivity, sensitivity, and repeatability with an accuracy of more than 90%. Further, a sensor array composed of SWNT functionalized with various DNA sequences was utilized to identify acetone and HCl through pattern recognition. The sensor array is a combination of four different DNA functionalized SWNT sensors and two bare SWNT sensors (work as reference). This wireless sensing system has enabled real-time gas monitoring and air quality assurance for safety and security.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.1465-1471
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• 2013

The electrical and mechanical properties of room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber composites are investigated as functions of multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon black (CB), and thinner content. The thinner is used to improve the CNT and CB dispersion in the matrix. The electrical and mechanical properties of the composite with CNT are improved when compared to the composite with CB at the same content. As the thinner content is 80 phr, the electric resistance of the composite decreases significantly with the CNT content and shows contact point saturation of CNT at 2.5 phr. As the thinner content increases, the dispersion of conductive particles improves; however, the critical CB content increases because of the reduction in the CB weight ratio. It is believed that an electrode that needs good flexibility and excellent electrical properties can be manufactured when the amount of CNT and CB are increased with the thinner content.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.207-217
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• 2009

The discovery of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) has opened up exciting opportunities for the development of novel materials with desirable properties. The superior mechanical properties and excellent electrical conductivity make CNTs a good filler material for composite reinforcement. However, the dispersal of CNTs in a polymer solution or melt is difficult due to their tendency to agglomerate. Many attempts have been made to fully utilize CNTs for the reinforcement of polymeric media. Therefore, different types of polymer/CNTs nanocomposites have been synthesized and investigated. This paper reviews the current progress in the preparation, properties and application of polyamide/CNTs(nylon/CNTs) nanocomposites. The effectiveness of different processing methods has increased the dispersive properties of CNTs and the amelioration of their poor interfacial bonding. Moreover, the mechanical properties are significantly enhanced even with a small amount of CNTs. This paper also discusses how reinforcement with CNTs improves the electrical thermal and optical properties of nylon/CNTs nanocomposites.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2001

Carbon nanotubes were prepared by catalytic decomposition of $CH_4$ using Ni-MgO catalyst at various temperatures. $H_2$ effect on crystallinity and morphology during the synthesis of carbon nanotubes was investigated. The crystallinity and morphology were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the hydrogen adsorption properties were evaluated by PCT measurement in a hydrogen pressure range between 1 and 120 bar. The optimal synthesis temperature of carbon nanotubes was elevated in the presence of $H_2$, although significant difference of carbon nanotube morphology was not found. It is believed that hydrogen served as self-cleaner mops the amorphous carbon on the catalyst surface. It is proved that the carbon nanotubes have multi-walled structure, short length with a outer diameter of 20 ~40nm and open tips after elimination of the catalyst. The amount of hydrogen adsorbed in carbon nanotubes is increased as the pressure of hydrogen is increased and reaches 1.3 wt % under the hydrogen pressure of 120 bar at room temperature.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2022

In this study, the rheological properties of cement paste composites applied with carbon-based nano-materials were experimental analyzed. Flow table and rheological properties, compressive strength were measured in the cement paste using graphene oxide asqueous solution and carbon nanotube aqueous solution. When carbon nano-materials was mixed in an aqueous solution, flow decreased and plastic viscosity and shear stress were increased. In particular, graphene oxide rapidly increased the plastic viscosity and shear stress. In the case of carbon nanotube aqueous solution, when less than 0.2 % was mixed, the increase rate was low compared to graphene oxide. This is because the specific surface area of graphene, which is in the form of a plate, is large. The compressive strength showed a small amount in strength increase when graphene mix, and CNT had a strength about 112 % of OPC. Carbon-based nanomaterials, is considered that CNT are suitable more to be used construction materials. However, extra studies on the surfactant to be used for mixing proportion and dispersion will be needed.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.308-313
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• 2014

The effect of electrochemical characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) upon employing multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on both working electrode and counter electrode were examined with using EIS, J-V curves and UV-Vis absorption spectrometry. When 0.1 wt% of MWCNT was employed in the $TiO_2$-MWCNT composit on working electrode, the energy conversion efficiency increased about 12.5% compared to the $TiO_2$ only working electrode. The higher light conversion efficiency may attribut to the high electrical conductivity of MWCNT in $TiO_2$-MWCNT composite which improves the electron transport in the working electrode. However, higher amount of MWCNT than 0.1 wt% in the $TiO_2$-MWCNT composite decreases the light conversion efficiency, which is mainly ascribed to the decreased transmittance of light by MWCNT and to the decreased adsorption of dye onto $TiO_2$. The MWCNT employed counter electrode exhibited much lower light conversion efficiency of DSSC than the Pt-counter electrode, while the MWCNT-Pt counter electrode showed similar in light conversion efficiency to that of Pt-counter electrode.