• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2016

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites coated with spindle-shaped $Fe_2O_3$ nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated by a combination of an electrospinning method and a hydrothermal method, and their morphological, structural, and chemical properties are measured by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. For comparison, CNFs and spindle-shaped $Fe_2O_3$ NPs are prepared by either an electrospinning method or a hydrothermal method, respectively. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with the composites exhibit enhanced open circuit voltage (0.70 V), short-circuit current density ($12.82mA/cm^2$), fill factor (61.30%), and power conversion efficiency (5.52%) compared to those of the CNFs (0.66 V, $11.61mA/cm^2$, 51.96%, and 3.97%) and spindle-shaped $Fe_2O_3$ NPs (0.67 V, $11.45mA/cm^2$, 50.17%, and 3.86%). This performance improvement can be attributed to a synergistic effect of a superb catalytic reaction of spindle-shaped $Fe_2O_3$ NPs and efficient charge transfer relative to the one-dimensional nanostructure of the CNFs. Therefore, spindle-shaped $Fe_2O_3$-NP-coated CNF composites may be proposed as a potential alternative material for low-cost counter electrodes in DSSCs.

• Carbon letters
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.38-40
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• 2010

Carbon supported electrocatalysts are commonly used as electrode materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs). These kinds of electrocatalysts provide large surface area and sufficient electrical conductivity. The support of typical PEM fuel cell catalysts has been a traditional conductive type of carbon black. However, even though the carbon particles conduct electrons, there is still significant portion of Pt that is isolated from the external circuit and the PEM, resulting in a low Pt utilization. Herein, new types of carbon materials to effectively utilize the Pt catalyst are being evaluated. Carbon nanofiber/activated carbon fiber (CNF/ACF) composite with multifunctional surfaces were prepared through catalytic growth of CNFs on ACFs. Nickel nitrate was used as a precursor of the catalyst to synthesize carbon nanofibers(CNFs). CNFs were synthesized by pyrolysising $CH_4$ using catalysts dispersed in acetone and ACF(activated carbon fiber). The as-prepared samples were characterized with transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM). In TEM image, carbon nanofibers were synthesized on the ACF to form a three-dimensional network. Pt/CNF/ACF was employed as a catalyst for PEMFC. As the ratio of prepared catalyst to commercial catalyst was changed from 0 to 50%, the performance of the mixture of 30 wt% of Pt/CNF/ACF and 70wt% of Pt/C commercial catalyst showed better perfromance than that of 100% commercial catalyst. The unique structure of CNF can supply the significant site for the stabilization of Pt particles. CNF/ACF is expected to be promising support to improve the performance in PEMFC.

• Composites Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.43-48
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• 2007

The absorption and the interference shielding of electromagnetic wave have been very important issues for commercial and military purposes. The stealth technique is one of the most typical applications of electromagnetic wave absorption technology. This study has started for the development of composite fillers containing dielectric and magnetic lossy materials. To improve the electromagnetic characteristics of conductive nano fillers, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with nickel-phosphorous (Ni-P) or nickel-iron (Ni-Fe) have been fabricated by the electroless plating process. Observations by the electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) and element analyzer (EDS/ELLS) showed the uniform Ni-P and Ni-Fe coated CNFs. The compositions of the plating layers were about Ni-6wt%P and Ni-70wt%Fe, respectively. The average thicknesses of the plating layers were about $50\;{\sim}\;100\;nm$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.239-246
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• 2015

The hybridization of carbon nano-materials enhances the efficiency of each function of the resulting structure or composites. Also, the addition of non-carbon elements to nanomaterials modifies the electrochemical properties. Electrodes combining porous carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and metal oxides benefit from the combination of the double-layer capacitance of the CNFs and the pseudocapacitive character associated with the surface redox-type reactions. Consequently, they demonstrate superior supercapacitor performance in terms of high capacitance, high energy/power efficiency and high rate capability. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the latest advances made in the development and application of various metal oxide/CNF composites (CNFCs) to supercapacitor electrodes.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.115-133
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• 2011

Fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) are being increasingly used for a wide range of engineering applications owing to their high specific strength and stiffness. However, their through-the-thickness performance lacks some of the most demanding physical and mechanical property requirements for structural applications, such as aerospace vehicles and military components. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), due to their excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties, offer great promise to improve the weak properties in the thickness direction and impart multi-functionality without substantial weight addition to FRPs. This paper reviews the progress made to date on i) the techniques developed for integration of CNTs/ CNFs into FRPs, and ii) the effects of the addition of these nanofillers on the interlaminar properties, such as such interlaminar shear strength, interlaminar fracture toughness and impact damage resistance and tolerance, of FRPs. The key challenges and future prospects in the development of multiscale CNT-FRP composites for advanced applications are also highlighted.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.613-627
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• 2015

Simple methods of conductometric titration and infrared spectroscopy were used to quantify the surface carboxyl content of cellulose fibrils isolated by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The effects of different cellulose sources, post or assisted-sonication oxidation treatment, and the amount of sodium hypochlorite addition on the carboxyl content of cellulose were reported. This study showed that post sonication treatment had no influence on the improvement of surface carboxyl charge of cellulose macrofibrils (CMFs). However, the carboxyl content increased for the isolated cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). Thus the carboxyl content of CNFs is different from those of their corresponding bulk oxidized cellulose and CMFs. Filter paper as a CNF source imparted a higher surface charge than did hardwood bleached kraft pulp (HWBKP) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). It was considered that the crystallinity and microstructure of the initial cellulose affected oxidation efficiency. In addition, the carboxyl content of cellulose was successfully controlled by applying sonication treatment during the oxidation reaction and adjusting the amount of sodium hypochlorite.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.07b
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• pp.896-899
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• 2003

Using hi plasma and Fe-Phthalocyanine, carbon nanofibers have been synthesized a low temperature. The carbon nanofibers had about In nm diameter and up to $10{\mu}m$ length. These were grown in random orientation. There are two shapes in the CNFs, screw and straight line shapes. Furthermore, we found the selective growth of nanofibers on the scratched substrates.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2005.07a
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• pp.371-372
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• 2005

Supercapacitors are promising devices for delivering high power density. Digital communications, electric vehicles and other devices that require electrical energy at high power levels in relatively short pulses have prompted considerable research on supercapacitors. In recent years, solid electrolytes have been investigated for supercapacitors. Solid electrolytes are advantageous over liquid electrolytes in respect of easy handling and reliability without electrolyte leakage. In this preliminary study, an electrochemical supercapacitor in all solid configuration has been fabricated using CNF-DAAQ and poly-vinylidenefluoride(PVdF). A new type of Supercapacitor was constructed by using carbon nanofibers(CNFs) and DAAQ(l,5-diaminoanthraquinone) monomer. DAAQ was deposited on the carbon nanofibers by chemical polymerization with $(NH_4)_2S_2O_8$ as oxidant in the 0.1M $H_2SO_4$. Dried SPEEK powder was mixed with N-methyl pyrrolidone to make 10 wt.% solution in an ultrasonic bath, the slurry was cast over a glass substrate heated to $70^{\circ}C$ for solvent evaporation. And then we used solid electrolyte of SPEEK. The unit cell consist of DAAQ-CNF/electrolyte/Pt. From the analysis, it is clear that surface of carbon nanofibers was quite uniformly coated with DAAQ. The performance characteristics of the supercapacitors have been evaluated using Cyclic Voltammetry.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of IIIuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.21-24
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• 2008

Properties of carbon nano fiber (CNF) as field emitters were described. Carbon nano fiber (CNF) of herringbone was prepared by thermal chemical vapor deposition(CVD). Field emitters mixed with organic binders, conductive materials and were prepared by screen-printing process. In order to increase field emissions, the surface treatment of rubbing & peel-off was applied to the printed CNF emitters on cathode electrode. The measurements of field emission properties were carried out by using a diode structure inline vacuum chamber. CNF of herringbone type showed good emission properties that a turn on field was as low as 2.1 $V/{\mu}m$ and current density was as large as 0.15 $mA/cm^2$ of 4.2 $V/{\mu}m$ with electric field. Through the results. we propose that CNFs are suitable for application of electron emitters in Field Emission Devices.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-37
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• 2015

Ongoing efforts for improved fracture toughness of engineered cementitious materials address the inherent brittleness of the binding matrix at several different levels of the material's geometric scale through the addition of various types of reinforcing fibers. Crack control is required for crack widths that cover the entire range of the grain size spectrum of the material, and this dictates the requirement of hybrid mixes combining fibers of different size (nano, micro, macro). Use of Carbon Nano-Tubes (CNT) and Carbon Nano-Fibers (CNFs) as additives is meant to extend the crack-control function down to the nanoscale where cracking is believed to initiate. In this paper the implications of enhanced toughness thus attained at the material nanostructure are explored, with reference to the global smeared constitutive properties of the material, through consistent interpretation of the reported experimental evidence regarding the behavior of engineered cementitious products to direct and indirect tension.