• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.154-161
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• 2022

The carbon-neutrality induced by the global warming is important for the modern society. Hydrogen has been received the attention as a new energy source to replace the fossil fuels. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, which convert the chemical reaction energy of hydrogen into electric power directly, are a type of eco-friendly power for future vehicles. Due to the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction and costly Pt catalyst in the cathode, the research related to the replacement of Pt-based catalysts has been vitally carried out. In this case, however, the performance is significantly different from each other and a variety of factors have existed. In this review paper, we rearrange and summarize relevant papers published within 5 years approximately. The selection of precursors, synthesis method, and co-catalyst are represented as a core factor, while the necessity of research for the further enhancement of activity may be raised. It can be anticipated to contribute to the replacement of precious metal catalysts in the various fields of study. The final objective of the future research is depicted in detail.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.283-291
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• 2022

Hydrogen energy has received much attention as a solution to the supply of renewable energy and to respond to climate change. Hydrogen is the most suitable candidate of storing unused electric power in a large-capacity long cycle. Among the technologies for producing hydrogen, water electrolysis is known as an eco-friendly hydrogen production technology that produces hydrogen without carbon dioxide generation by water splitting reaction. Membranes in water electrolysis system physically separate the anode and the cathode, but also prevent mixing of generated hydrogen and oxygen gases and facilitate ion transfer to complete circuit. In particular, the key to next-generation anion exchange membrane that can compensate for the shortcomings of conventional water electrolysis technologies is to develop high performance anion exchange membrane. Many studies are conducted to have high ion conductivity and excellent durability in an alkaline environment simultaneously, and various materials are being searched. In this review, we will discuss the research trends and points to move forward by looking at the research on anion exchange membranes based on commercial polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) block copolymers.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.81-91
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• 2022

The use of lithium-ion batteries increases significantly with the rapid spread of electronic devices and electric vehicle and thereby an increase in the amount of waste batteries is expected in the near future. Therefore, studies are continuously being conducted to recover various resources of cathode active material (Ni, Co, Mn, Li) from waste battery. In order to recover the cathode active material, black mass is generally recovered from waste battery. The general process of recovering black mass is a waste battery collection - discharge - dismantling - crushing - classification process. This study focus on the crushing/classification process among the processes. Specifically, the particle size distribution of various samples at each crushing/classification step were evaluated, and the particle shape of each particle fraction was analyzed with a microscope and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy)-EDS(Energy Dispersive Spectrometer). As a result, among the black mass particle, fine particle less than 74 ㎛ was the mixture of cathode and anode active material which are properly liberated from the current metals. However, coarse particle larger than 100 ㎛ was present in a form in which the current metal and active material were combined. In addition, this study developed a PBM(Population Balance Model) system that can simulate two-species mixture sample with two different crushing properties. Using developed model, the breakage parameters of two species was derived and predictive performance of breakage distribution was verified.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.27-34
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• 2023

Using ammonia as fuel for solid oxide fuel (SOFC) cells has become an attractive topic nowadays due to its high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and ease of storage and transportation. Several configurations of ammonia-fed SOFC systems have been proposed and investigated, demonstrating high electrical efficiency. However, to further enhance efficiency, it is crucial to understand the inefficient components of the system. The exergy concept is well-suited for this purpose, making exergetic analysis essential for ammonia-fed SOFC systems. This study conducts an exergetic analysis for three selected systems: a simple fuel cell system (FC), an anode off-gas recirculation system (RC-FC), and a recirculation system with water removal (RC-WR-FC). The results reveal that the exergetic efficiencies of the FC, RC-FC, and RC-WR-FC are 48.7%, 51.6%, and 58.4%, respectively. In all three systems, the SOFC stack is the main source of exergy destruction. However, other components with relatively low exergetic efficiency, such as the burner, air heat exchanger, and cooler/condenser, offer greater opportunities for improvement.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.412-419
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• 2023

Anion exchange membrane electrolysis is considered a promising next-generation hydrogen production technology that can produce low-cost, clean hydrogen. However, anion exchange membrane electrolysis technology is in its early stages of development and requires intensive research on electrodes, which are a key component of the catalyst-system interface. In this study, we optimized the pressure conditions of the hot-pressing process to manufacture cobalt oxide electrodes for the development of a high uniformity and high adhesion electrode production process for the oxygen evolution reaction. As the pressure increased, the reduction of pores within the electrode and increased densification of catalytic particles led to the formation of a uniform electrode surface. The cobalt oxide electrode optimized for pressure conditions exhibited improved catalytic activity and durability. The optimized electrode was used as the anode in an AEMWE single cell, exhibiting a current density of 1.53 A cm^-2 at a cell voltage of 1.85 V. In a durability test conducted for 100 h at a constant current density of 500 mA cm^-2, it demonstrated excellent durability with a low degradation rate of 15.9 mV kh^-1, maintaining 99% of its initial performance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.584-609
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of the galvanic corrosion behaviour of the titanium in contact with gold alloy, silva-palladium alloy, and nickel-chromium alloy using the immersion and electrochemical method. And the effects of galvallit couples between titanium and the dental alloys were assessed for their usefulness as materials for superstructure. The immersion method was performed by measuring the amount of metal elementsreleased by Inductivey coupled plasma emission spectroscopy(ICPES) The specimen of fifteen titanium plates, the five gold alloy, five silver-palladium, five nickel-chromium plates, and twenty acrylic resin plates ware fabricated, and also the specimen of sixty titanium plugs, the thirty gold alloy, thirty silver-palladium, and nickelc-hromium plugs were made. Thereafter, each plug of gold alloy, silver-palladium, and nickel-chromium inserted into the the titanium and acrylic resin plate, and also titanium plug inserted into the acrylic resin plate. The combination specimens uf galvanic couples immersed in 70m1 artificial saliva solution, and also specimens of four type alloy(that is, titanium, gold, silver-palladium and nickel-chromium alloy) plugs were immersed solely in 70m1 artificial sativa solution. The amount of metal elements released was observed during 21 weeks in the interval of each seven week. The electrochemical method was performed using computer-controlled potentiosta(Autostat 251. Sycopel Sicentific Ltd., U.K). The wax patterns(diameter 11.0mm, thickness,in 1.5mm) of four dental casting alloys were casted by centrifugal method and embedded in self-curing acrylic resin to be about $1.0cm^2$ of exposed surface area. Embedded specimens were polished with silicone carbide paper to #2,000, and ultrasonically cleaned. The working electrode is the specimen of four dental casting alloys, the reference electrode is a saturated calmel electrode(SCE) and the ounter electrode is made of platinum plate. In the artificial saliva solution, the potential scanning was carried out starting from-700mV(SCE) TO +1,000mV(SCE) and the scan rate was 75mV/min. Each polarization curve of alloy was recorded automatically on a logrithmic graphic paper by XY recorder. From the polarization curves of each galvanic couple, corrosion potential and corrosion rates, that is, corrosion density were compared and order of corrosion tendency was determined. From the experiments, the following results were obtained : 1. In the case of immersing titanium, gold alloy, silver-palladium alloy, and nickel-chromium alloysolely in the artificial saliva solution(group 1, 2, 3, and 4), the total amount of metal elements released was that group 4 was greater about 2, 3 times than group 3, and about 7.8 times than group 2. In the case of group 1, the amount of titanium released was not found after 8 week(p<0.001). 2. In the case of galvanic couples of titanium in contact with alloy(group 5, 6), the total amount of metal elements released of group 5 and 6 was less than that of group 7, 8, 9, and 10(p<0.05). 3. In the case of galvanic couples of titanium in contact with silver-palladium alloy(group 7, 8), the total amount of metal elements released of group 7 was greater about twice than that of group 5, and that of group 8 was about 14 times than that of group 6(p<0.05). 4. In the case of galvanic couples of titanium in contact with nickel-chromium alloy(group 9, 10), the total amount of metal elements released of group 9 and 10 was greater about 1.8-3.2 times than that of group 7 and 8, and was greater about 4.3~25 times than that of group 5 and 6(p<0.05). 5. In the effect of galvanic corrosion according to the difference of the area ratio of cathode and anode, the total amount of metal elements released was that group 5 was greater about 4 times than group 6, group 8 was greater about twice than group 7, and group 10 was greater about 1.5 times than group 9(p<0.05). 6. In the effect of galvanic corrosion according to the elasped time during 21 week in the interval of each 7 week, the amount of metal elements released was decreased markedly in the case of galvanic couples of the titanium in contact with gold alloy and silver-palladium alloy but the total amount of nickel and beryllium released was not decreased markedly in the case of galvanic couples of the titanium in contact with nickel-chromium alloy(p<0.05). 7. In the case of galvanic couples of titanium in contact with gold alloy, galvanic current was lower than any other galvanic couple. 8. In the case of galvanic couples of titanium in contact with nickel-chromium alloy, galvanic current was highest among other galvanic couples.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.82-93
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• 2000

Purpose: We characterized the signals obtained from the components of a small gamma camera using Nal(Tl)-position sensitive photomultiplier tube (PSPMT) and optimized the parameters employed in the modules of the system. Materials and Methods: The small gamma camera system consists of a Nal(Tl) crystal ($60{\times}60{\times}6mm^3$) coupled with a Hamamatsu R3941 PSPMT, a resister chain circuit, preamplifiers, nuclear instrument modules (NIMs), an analog to digital converter and a personal computer for control and display. The PSPMT was read out using a resistive charge division circuit which multiplexes the 34 cross wire anode channels into 4 signals (X+, X-, Y+, Y -). Those signals were individually amplified by four preamplifiers and then, shaped and amplified by amplifiers. The signals were discriminated and digitized via triggering signal and used to localize the position of an event by applying the Anger logic. The gamma camera control and image display was performed by a program implemented using a graphic software. Results: The characteristics of signal and the parameters employed in each module of the system were presented. The intrinsic sensitivity of the system was approximately $8{\times}10^3$ counts/sec/${\mu}Ci$. The intrinsic energy resolution of the system was 18% FWHM at 140 keV. The spatial resolution obtained using a line-slit mask and $^{99m}Tc$ point source were, respectively, 2.2 and 2.3 mm FWHM in X and Y directions. Breast phantom containing $2{\sim}7mm$ diameter spheres was successfully imaged with a parallel hole collimator. The image displayed accurate size and activity distribution over the imaging field of view Conclusion: We proposed a simple method for development of a small gamma camera and presented the characteristics of the signals from the system and the optimized parameters used in the modules of the small gamma camera.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.249-255
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• 2009

The performance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) can be affected by many factors including the rate of organic matter oxidation, the electron transfer to electrode by electrochemical bacteria, proton diffusion, the concentration of electron acceptor, the rate of electron acceptor reduction and internal resistance. the performance of MFC using oxygen as electron acceptor can be influenced by oxygen concentration as limit factors in cathode compartment. Many studies have been performed to enhance electricity production from MFC. The series or parallel stacked MFC connected several MFC units can use to increase voltages and currents produced from MFCs. In this study, a single MFC (S-MFC) and a stacked MFC (ST-MFC) using acetate as electron donor and oxygen as electron acceptor were used to investigate the influence of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in cathode compartment on MFC performance. The power density (W/$m^3$) of S-MFC was in order DO 5 > 3 > 7 > 9 mg/L, the maximum power density (W/$m^3$) of S-MFC was 42 W/$m^3$ at DO 5 mg/L. The power density (W/$m^3$) of ST-MFC was in order DO 5 > 7 > 9 > 3 mg/L and the maximum power density (W/$m^3$) of STMFC was 20 W/$m^3$ at DO 5 mg/L. These results suggest that the DO concentration of cathode chamber should be considered as important limit factor of MFC operation and design for stacked MFC as well as single MFC. The results of ST-MFC operation showed the voltage decrease of some MFC units by salt formation on the surface of anode, resulting in decrease total voltage of ST-MFC. Therefore, connecting MFC units in parallel might be more appropriate way than series connections to enhance power production of stacked MFC.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.120-129
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• 2003

The anodic alumina is synthesized using 0.3M oxalic acid and the barrier layers of the anodic alumina are removed using the 20wt% $H_2SO_4$ solution. The structure of the anodic alumina is analyzed by XRD and SEM. It is observed by SEM that the size of anodic alumina pore is about 60nm. And the uniformity of the anodic alumina surface under the 20wt% $H_2SO_4$ solution is poorer than the unifomity of the the normal anodic alumina surface. The anodic alumina and the carbon are used cathode and anode in$Cd(NO_3)_2{\cdot}4H_2O$, $Co(NO_3)_2{\cdot}6H_2O$ and $PbSO_4$ solutions. In this study, the constant D.C. electrical current is flowed in each solution for 24hours. It is found that the voltages so far as 4.6, 3.4 and 5.1V at $Cd(NO_3)_2{\cdot}4H_2O$, $Co(NO_3)_2{\cdot}6H_2O$ and $PbSO_4$ solutions increase with increasing the flowing current time and after the voltage does not change which values are 4.2, 2.7 and 2.4V, respectively. The amount of metal ions in solutions decrease with increasing the flowing current time until the flowing current time is 18hours and the metals are formed at the surface of anodic alumina. After the metal ions are removed using the anodic alumina, and $Cd^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ ions are removed again using flow cell with retriculate vitreous carbon(RVC) working electrode. The concentration of $Cd^{2+}$, and $Co^{2+}$ions decrease until the flowing time of the solutions is 20minutes and the concentration of $Pb^{2+}$ ion decreases until that time is 30minutes. In this case, the removal effects of $Cd^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$ ions are 34.78, 28.79 and 86.38%, respectively. And it is possible that both $Cd^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ions are adsorbed in pore of RVC at the same time and the removal effects of $Cd^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ions are 32.30 and 31.37%.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2015

In proton therapy, verification of proton dose distribution is important to treat cancer precisely and to enhance patients' safety. To verify proton dose distribution, in a previous study, our team incorporated a vertically-aligned one-dimensional array detection system. We measured 2D prompt-gamma distribution moving the developed detection system in the longitudinal direction and verified similarity between 2D prompt-gamma distribution and 2D proton dose distribution. In the present, we have developed two-dimension prompt-gamma measurement system consisted of a 2D parallel-hole collimator, 2D array-type NaI(Tl) scintillators, and multi-anode PMT (MA-PMT) to measure 2D prompt-gamma distribution in real time. The developed measurement system was tested with $^{22}Na$ (0.511 and 1.275 MeV) and $^{137}Cs$ (0.662 MeV) gamma sources, and the energy resolutions of 0.511, 0.662 and 1.275 MeV were $10.9%{\pm}0.23p%$, $9.8%{\pm}0.18p%$ and $6.4%{\pm}0.24p%$, respectively. Further, the energy resolution of the high gamma energy (3.416 MeV) of double escape peak from Am-Be source was $11.4%{\pm}3.6p%$. To estimate the performance of the developed measurement system, we measured 2D prompt-gamma distribution generated by PMMA phantom irradiated with 45 MeV proton beam of 0.5 nA. As a result of comparing a EBT film result, 2D prompt-gamma distribution measured for $9{\times}10^9$ protons is similar to 2D proton dose distribution. In addition, the 45 MeV estimated beam range by profile distribution of 2D prompt gamma distribution was $17.0{\pm}0.4mm$ and was intimately related with the proton beam range of 17.4 mm.