• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2023

Growing environmental concerns regarding pollution caused by conventional plastics have increased interest in biodegradable polymers as alternative materials. The purpose of this study is to develop a 100% biodegradable nanocomposite material by introducing organic nucleating agents into the biodegradable and thermoplastic resin, poly(lactic acid), to improve its properties. Accordingly, cellulose nanofibers, an eco-friendly material, were adopted as a substitute for inorganic nucleating agents. To achieve a uniform dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) within PLA, the aqueous solution of nanofibers was lyophilized to maintain their fibrous shape. Then, they were subjected to primary mixing using a twin-screw extruder. Test specimens with double mixing were then produced by injection molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to confirm the reinforced physical properties, and it was found that the addition of 1 wt% CNFs acted as a reinforcing material and nucleating agent, reducing the cold crystallization temperature by approximately 14℃ and increasing the degree of crystallization. This study provides an environmentally friendly alternative for developing plastic materials with enhanced properties, which can contribute to a sustainable future without consuming inorganic nucleating agents. It serves as a basis for developing 100% biodegradable green nanocomposites.

• Carbon letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.139-150
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• 2012

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), PLLA/hydroxyapatite (HA), PLLA/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/HA, PLLA/trifluoroethanol (TFE), PLLA/gelatin, and carbon nanofibers (CNFs)/${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) composite membranes (scaffolds) were fabricated by electrospinning and their morphologies, and mechanical properties were characterized for use in bone tissue regeneration/guided tissue regeneration. MWNTs and HA nanoparticles were well distributed in the membranes and the degradation characteristics were improved. PLLA/MWNTs/HA membranes enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) by 30% and inhibited the adhesion of gingival epithelial cells by 30%. Osteoblast-like MG-63 cells on the randomly fiber oriented PLLA/TEF membrane showed irregular forms, while the cells exhibited shuttle-like shapes on the parallel fiber oriented membrane. Classical supersaturated simulated body fluids were modified by $CO_2$ bubbling and applied to promote the biomineralization of the PLLA/gelatin membrane; this resulted in predictions of bone bonding bioactivity of the substrates. The ${\beta}$-TCP membranes exhibit good biocompatibility, have an effect on PDLC growth comparable to that of pure CNF membrane, and can be applied as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.125-128
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• 2005

The dispersion of carbon nanofiber (CNF) was carried out by solution blending, mechanical mixing, and sonication. CNFs at levels of 5-50% fiber weight content were mixed with polypropylene (PP) powder, and then were melt-mixed using a twin-screw extruder. For the further alignment of fibers, extruded rods were stacked uni-directionally in the mold cavity for the compression molding. For the evaluation of mechanical properties of nanocomposites, tension, in-plane shear, and flexural tests were conducted. CNF/PP composites clearly showed reinforcing effect in the longitudinal direction. The tensile modulus and strength have improved by 100% and 40%, respectively for 50 % fiber weight content, and the flexural modulus and strength have increased by 120% and 25%, respectively for the same fiber weight content. The shear modulus showed 65% increase, but the strength dropped sharply by 40%. However, the property enhancement was not significant due to the poor adhesion between fiber and matrix. In the transverse direction, the tensile, flexural, and shear strength decreased as more fibers were added.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.55.1-55.1
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• 2010

차세대 디스플레이용 전극 재료는 투명하면서도 낮은 저항값을 가져야 하는 투명 전극 재료로 금속, 금속산화물, 전도성 고분자, 탄소재료 등을 들 수 있다. 금속재료는 전도도는 우수하지만, 낮은 투과도로 투명전극 재료로 적절하지 않고, 대표적인 금속산화물 재료인 indium tin oxide (ITO)의 경우, 우수한 투과성과 낮은 면저항을 기반으로 차세대 디스플레이용 전극으로 현재 사용되고 있다. 하지만 ITO 박막은 휘거나 접을 때 기계적 안정성이 취약한 문제점을 나타내고 있다. 이러한 문제점을 극복하기 위해 전도성과 탄성계수가 높고, 저온에서 대면적 공정이 가능한 CNT을 투명 박막 전극 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 하지만 투명전극 제조시, 탄소 나노튜브 간의 van der waals 인력에 의한 응집 현상으로 인한 분산의 불안정성과 분산제 사용으로 인하여 탄소 나노튜브 박막전극의 전기적, 광학적 특성이 저하를 야기한다. 이에 본 실험에서는 아크 방전 공정으로 합성한 SWCNT 분산액을 사용하여 spray coating 방법으로 glass 위에 박막을 형성하였다. SWCNT 투명 박막 전극 위에 DC sputtering을 이용하여 얇은Ni를 도포한 후, $450{\sim}500^{\circ}C$, ethylene gas 분위기의 thermal CVD방법으로 Carbon NanoFibers (CNFs)를 생성시킴과 동시에 분산제를 burning out하였다. CNF 성장 전후의 투명 박막의 전기적 특성은 four point probe를 이용하여 면저항과 UV-vis 장비를 이용하여 가시광선 영역에서의 광학적 투과도를 측정 비교하였다.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.521-528
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• 2005

Electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were carbonized with or without iron (III) acetylacetonate to induce catalytic graphitization within the range of 900-1,500$^{circ}C$, resulting in ultrafine carbon fibers with a diameter of about 90-300 nm. Their structural properties and morphologies were investigated. The carbon nanofibers (CNF) prepared without a catalyst showed amorphous structures and very low surface areas of 22-31 $m^{2}$/g. The carbonization in the presence of the catalyst produced graphite nanofibers (GNF). The hydrogen storage capacities of these CNF and GNF materials were evaluated through the gravimetric method using magnetic suspension balance (MSB) at room temperature and 100 bar. The CNFs showed hydrogen storage capacities which increased in the range of 0.16-0.50 wt$\%$ with increasing carbonization temperature. The hydrogen storage capacities of the GNFs with low surface areas of 60-253 $m^{2}$/g were 0.14-1.01 wt$\%$. Micropore and mesopore, as calculated using the nitrogen gas adsorption-desorption isotherms, were not the effective pore for hydrogen storage.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.563-571
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• 2006

Vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) nano-materials such as carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers were directly grown on the surface of the stainless steel mesh pre-treated by reduction. The reduction of the stainless steel mesh by hydrogen formed small catalytic particles and large particles with bi-modal distribution on the metal surface. When the VGCFs were synthesized on the reduced mesh, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were dominantly grown from the small catalytic particles without supplying hydrogen gas. However, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were dominantly grown from the large catalytic particles with hydrogen.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.110-116
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• 2021

In this work, the surface of hydrophilic cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) was modified precisely by varying amounts of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to produce CNF-based particle surfactants. We found that a critical CTAB density was required to generate amphiphilic CTAB-grafted CNF (CNF-CTAB). Compared to pristine CNF, CNF-CTAB was highly efficient at stabilizing oil-in-water Pickering emulsions. To evaluate their effectiveness as particle surfactants, the surface coverage of oil-in-water emulsion droplets was determined by changing the CNF-CTAB concentration in the aqueous phase. Furthermore, styrene-in-water stabilized by CNF-CTAB surfactants was thermally polymerized to produce CNF-stabilized polystyrene (PS) particles, offering a great potential for various applications including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and petrochemicals.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2024

Soy protein isolate (SPI) has garnered researchers' attention due to its abundance, costeffectiveness, excellent biocompatibility, hemo-compatibility, and biodegradability. However, SPI faces limitations in application due to poor processability and weak mechanical strength. Substantial efforts have been made to address these challenges. In this preliminary study, glycerol and biofibers were added to SPI to improve the mechanical properties and film forming, and glyoxal was employed to crosslink SPI molecules. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the resulting SPI/composite films were evaluated. A 15% addition of glycerol proved sufficient for good film formation. Among the biofibers, short SF microfibers were the most effective in enhancing breaking strength, while TEMPO-oxidized CNF (cellulose nanofiber) excelled among CNFs. Crosslinking with glyoxal significantly enhanced the mechanical properties, with the type of biofiber minimally affecting the mechanical properties of the crosslinked SPI composite films.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.412-412
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• 2016

염료감응 태양전지(dye-sensitized solar cells, DSSCs)는 식물의 광합성원리와 매우 유사한 작동원리를 갖고 있는 전지이며, 간단한 구조, 저렴한 제조단가, 친환경성 등의 등의 장점으로 인하여 많은 관심을 모으고 있다. 이러한 염료감응 태양전지는 빛을 받아들인 염료분자가 전자-홀 쌍을 생성하며 전자는 반도체 산화물을 통해 이동되고 전해질의 산화환원 과정을 통해 염료 분자가 다시 환원되는 순환메커니즘을 따르고 있다. 일반적으로 염료감응 태양전지는 밴드 갭 에너지가 큰 반도체 산화물을 포함하는 작업전극, 산화환원 반응을 통해 전자를 염료로 보내는 전해질, 환원 촉매역할을 하는 상대전극으로 구성되어 있다. 특히, 상대전극으로는 우수한 촉매특성과 높은 전도성을 갖는 백금이 가장 많이 이용되고 있지만 가격이 비싸고 요오드에 취약하기 때문에 상용화에 큰 장애물이다. 따라서, 백금을 대체하기 위해 저가의 탄소나 고분자에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있고, 그 중 탄소나노섬유(carbon nanofiber, CNFs)는 높은 표면적과 뛰어난 화학적 안정성으로 촉매효율을 증대시킬 수 있어 촉매물질로서 관심이 높아지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 상대전극에 탄소나노섬유기반 복합체를 합성하였고, 성공적으로 저가격 및 고성능의 염료감응 태양전지를 제작하였다. 이때, 지지체인 탄소나노섬유는 전기방사법을 통해 합성하였으며, 수열합성법을 이용하여 금속산화물을 담지하였다. 이렇게 제작된 탄소나노섬유-Fe2O3 복합체는 scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, 그리고 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy 통해 구조적, 화학적 특성을 평가하였으며 전기화학적 특성 및 광전변환 효율을 분석하기 위해 cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, 그리고 solar simulator를 사용하였다. 본 학회에서 위와 관련된 더 자세한 사항에 대해 논의할 것이다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.411.2-411.2
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• 2016

직접 메탄올 연료전지 (DMFCs)는 친환경적이고 낮은 작동 온도로 인한 빠른 구동, 높은 에너지 밀도 등 다양한 장점을 가지고 있어 차세대 에너지 변환소자로 많은 관심을 받고 있다. 직접 메탄올 연료전지는 메탄올을 연료로 사용하며, 메탄올이 보유하고 있는 화학적 에너지를 전기 에너지로 변환하는 장치로써 음극에서는 백금 촉매로 인한 메탄올 산화반응, 양극에서는 환원 반응이 일어나며 전기화학적 구동을 하게 된다. 하지만 일산화탄소 피독으로 인한 촉매 활성 저하, 메탄올의 cross over, 백금 촉매 사용으로 인한 고비용 등의 문제점을 가지고 있다. 따라서 많은 연구자들이 백금 사용량을 줄이고 백금 촉매를 고르게 분포하기 위해 값이 저렴하고 넓은 비표면적을 갖는 탄소계 (graphite, graphene, carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber 등) 지지체 재료를 도입하고 있다. 이 중 탄소나노섬유 (carbon nanofibers, CNFs)는 우수한 전기전도도와 열적/화학적 안정성을 가지고 있으며, 특히 넓은 비표면적을 가지고 있어 백금 촉매의 지지체로서 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다[1]. 따라서 우리는 전기방사법을 활용하여 넓은 비표면적을 보유하는 다공성 탄소나노섬유를 성공적으로 합성하였다. 또한, 이를 백금 촉매의 지지체로 도입하여 직접 메탄올 연료전지를 위한 다공성 탄소나노섬유에 담지된 고분산성 백금 촉매를 제조하였다. 제조한 다공성 탄소나노섬유의 형상 및 구조 분석은 주사전자 현미경 (field-emission scanning electron microscopy)와 투과전자 현미경 (transmission electron microscopy)를 이용하여 분석하였고, 결정구조와 화학적 결합상태는 X-선 회절분석 (X-ray diffraction) 및 X-선 광전자 분광법 (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy)를 이용하여 규명하였다. 전기화학적 특성은 순환 전압 전류법 (cyclic voltammetry)를 이용하였다. 이러한 실험 결과들을 바탕으로 다공성 탄소나노섬유에 담지된 고분산성 백금 촉매의 자세한 특성을 본 학회에서 다루도록 하겠다.