• Composites Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.7-12
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• 2010

In order to increase the electrical conductivity and the mechanical properties of carbon fabric composites, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were deposited on carbon fabrics by anodic and cathodic electrophoretic deposition (EPD) processes. In the cathodic EPD, carbon nano-particles and nano-sized Cu particles were simultaneously deposited on the carbon fabric, which gave a synergetic effect on the enhancement of properties as well as the degree of deposition. The hybridization of carbon nano-particles and micron-sized carbon fiber significantly improved the through-the-thickness electrical conductivity. In addition, both MWCNTs and CNFs were deposited onto the carbon fabric for multi-scale hybrid composites. Multi-scale deposition improved the through-the-thickness electrical conductivity, compared to the deposition of either MWCNTs or CNFs.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.113-118
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• 2015

To improve the methanol electro-oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells(DMFCs), Pt electrocatalysts embedded on porous carbon nanofibers(CNFs) were synthesized by electrospinning followed by a reduction method. To fabricate the porous CNFs, we prepared three types of porous CNFs using three different amount of a styrene-co-acrylonitrile(SAN) polymer: 0.2 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt%, respectively. A SAN polymer, which provides vacant spaces in porous CNFs, was decomposed and burn out during the carbonization. The structure and morphology of the samples were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and their surface area were measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET). The crystallinities and chemical compositions of the samples were examined using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties on the methanol electro-oxidation were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Pt electrocatalysts embedded on porous CNFs containing 0.5 wt% SAN polymer exhibited the improved methanol oxidation and electrocatalytic stability compared to Pt/conventional CNFs and commercial Pt/C(40 wt% Pt on Vulcan carbon, E-TEK).

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.07b
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• pp.1184-1187
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• 2003

Electrochemical capacitors are becoming attractive energy storage systems particularly for applications involving high power requirements such as hybrid systems consisting of batteries and electrochemical capacitors for electric vehicle propulsion. A new type electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) was constructed by using carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and DAAQ(1,5-diaminoanthraquinone) electrode. Carbonaceous materials are found in variety forms such as graphite, diamond, carbon fibers etc. While all the carbon nanofibers include impurities such as amorphous carbon, nanoparticles, catalytic metals and incompletely grown carbons. We have eliminated of Ni particles and some carbonaceous particles in nitric acid. Nitric acid treated CNFs could be covered with very thin DAAQ oligomer from the results of CV and TG analyses and SEM images. DAAQ oligomer film exhibited a specific capacity as 45-50 Ah/kg in 4M $H_2SO_4$. We established Process Parameters of the technique for the formation of nano-structured materials. Furthermore, improved the capacitive properties of the nano structured CNFs electrodes using controlled solution chemistry. As a result, CNFs coated by DAAQ composite electrode showed relatively good electrochemical behaviors in acidic electrolyte system with respect to specific capacity and scan rate dependency.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.559-567
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• 2018

Technological innovations in sustainable materials for soil improvement have attracted considerable interest due to energy crisis and environmental concerns in recent years. This study presents results of a comprehensive investigation on utilization of nanocarbons in reinforcement of a residual soil mixed with 0, 10 and 20% bentonite. Effects of adding proportionate quantities (0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.2%) of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers to soil samples of different plasticities were evaluated. The investigation revealed that the inclusion of nanocarbons into the soil samples significantly improved unconfined compressive strength, Young's modulus and indirect tensile strength. It was observed that carbon nanofibers showed better performance as compared to carbon nanotubes. The nanosized diameter and high aspect ratio of nanocarbons make it possible to distribute the reinforcing materials on a much smaller scale and bridge the inter-particles voids. As a result, a better 'soil-reinforcing material' interaction is achieved and desired properties of the soil are improved at nanolevel.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.241-253
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• 2017

In this paper, dynamic response of the horizontal nanofiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) strengthened concrete beam subjected to seismic ground excitation is investigated. The concrete beam is modeled using hyperbolic shear deformation beam theory (HSDBT) and the mathematical formulation is applied to determine the governing equations of the structure. Distribution type and agglomeration effects of carbon nanofibers are considered by Mori-Tanaka model. Using the nonlinear strain-displacement relations, stress-strain relations and Hamilton's principle (virtual work method), the governing equations are derived. To obtain the dynamic response of the structure, harmonic differential quadrature method (HDQM) along with Newmark method is applied. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of NFRP layer, geometrical parameters of beam, volume fraction and agglomeration of nanofibers and boundary conditions on the dynamic response of the structure. The results indicated that applied NFRP layer decreases the maximum dynamic displacement of the structure up to 91 percent. In addition, using nanofibers as reinforcement leads a 35 percent reduction in the maximum dynamic displacement of the structure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society Of Semiconductor Equipment Technology
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• 2003.12a
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• pp.94-98
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• 2003

Carbon nanofibers (CNF) with uniform diameter and controlled size could be prepared from catalytic decomposition of $C_2H_2$ with the catalyst treated by mechnochemical(MC) process. The distribution and size of Ni catalyst can be governed by tuning grinding time using MC process. As a result, size and structure of CNF can be controlled. The effect of grinding time to the as-grown CNF was checked. CNFs with diameter from 10-70nm can be synthesized. CNFs with bundle formation sharing one tip were found for MC treated catalyst.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.46-49
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• 2003

Cu have been widely used as signal transmission materials for electrical electronic components owing to its high electrical conductivity. However, it's size have been limited to small ones due to its poor mechanical properties, Until now, strengthening of the copper at toy was obtained either by the solid solution and precipitation hardening by adding alloy elements or the work hardening by deformation process. Adding the at toy elements lead to reduction of electrical conductivity. In this aspect, if carbon nanofiber is used as reinforcement which have outstanding mechanical strength and electric conductivity, it is possible to develope Cu matrix nanocomposite having almost no loss of electric conductivity. It is expected to be innovative in electric conduct ing material market. The unidirectional alignment of carbon nanofiber is the most challenging task developing the copper matrix composites of high strength and electric conductivity In this study, the unidirectional alignment of carbon nanofibers which is used reinforced material are controlled by drawing process in order to manufacture the intermediary materials for the carbon nanofiber reinforced Cu matrix nanocomposite and align mechanism as well as optimized drawing process parameters are verified via experiments and numerical analysis. The materials used in this study were pure copper and the nanofibers of 150nm in diameter and of $10~20\mu\textrm{m}$ In length. The materials have been tested and the tensile strength was 75MPa with the elongation of 44% for the copper it is assumed that carbon nanofiber behave like porous elasto-plastic materials. Compaction test was conducted to obtain constitutive properties of carbon nanofiber. Optimal parameter for drawing process was obtained by experiments and numerical analysis considering the various drawing angles, reduction areas, friction coefficient, etc Lower reduction areas provides the less rupture of cu tube is not iced during the drawing process. Optimal die angle was between 5 degree and 12 degree. Relative density of carbon nanofiber embedded in the copper tube is higher as drawing diameter decrease and compressive residual stress is occurred in the copper tube. Carbon nanofibers are moved to the reverse drawing direct ion via shear force caused by deformation of the copper tube and alined to the drawing direction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.301-301
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• 2003

In current study, Nanocomposites are reinforced with carbon nanofiber, carbon nanotube and SiC, etc. Since the nano reinforcements have the excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties compared with that of existing composites, it has lately attracted considerable attention in the various areas. Cu have been widely used as signal transmission materials for electrical electronic components owing to its high electrical conductivity. However, it's size have been limited to small ones due to its poor mechanical properties. Until now, strengthening of the copper alloy was obtained either by the solid solution and precipitation hardening by adding alloy elements or the work hardening by deformation process. Adding the alloy elements lead to reduction of electrical conductivity. In this aspect, if carbon nanofiber is used as reinforcement which have outstanding mechanical strength and electric conductivity, it is possible to develope Cu matrix nanocomposite having almost no loss of electric conductivity. It is expected to be innovative in electric conducting material market. The unidirectional alignment of carbon nanofiber is the most challenging task developing the cooer matrix composites of high strength and electric conductivity. In this study, the unidirectional alignment of carbon nanofibers which is used reinforced material are controlled by drawing process and align mechanism as well as optimized drawing process parameter are verified via numerical analysis. The materials used in this study were pure copper and the nanofibers of 150nm in diameter and of 10∼20$\mu\textrm{m}$ in length. The materials have been tested and the tensile strength was 75MPa with the elongation of 44% for the copper. it is assumed that carbon nanofiber behave like porous elasto-plastic materials. Compaction test was conducted to obtain constitutive properties of carbon nanofiber Optimal parameter for drawing process was obtained by analytical and numerical analysis considering the various drawing angles, reduction areas, friction coefficient, etc. The lower drawing angles and lower reduction areas provides the less rupture of co tube is noticed during the drawing process and the better alignment of carbon nanofiber is obtained.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.323.2-323.2
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• 2007