• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.220-228
• /
• 2018

This study introduced a carbon-free electrode for $Li-O_2$ cells with the aim of suppressing the side reactions activated by carbon material. Micro-particles of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), a conducting polymer, were used as the base material for the air electrode of $Li-O_2$cells. The PEDOT micro-particles were treated with $H_2SO_4$ to improve their electronic conductivity, and LiBr and CsBr were used as the redox mediators to facilitate the dissociation of there action products in the electrode and reduce the over-potential of the $Li-O_2$ cells. The capacity of the electrode employing PEDOT micro-particles was significantly enhanced via $H_2SO_4$ treatment, which is attributed to the increased electronic conductivity. The considerable capacity enhancement and relatively low over-potential of the electrode employing $H_2SO_4$-treated PEDOT micro-particles indicate that the treated PEDOT micro-particles can act as reaction sites and provide storage space for the reaction products. The cyclic performance of the electrode employing $H_2SO_4$-treated PEDOT micro-particles was superior to that of a carbon electrode. The results of the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis showed that the accumulation of residual reaction products during cycling was significantly reduced by introducing the carbon-free electrode based on $H_2SO_4$-treated PEDOT micro-particles, compared with that of the carbon electrode. The cycle life was improved owing to the effect of the redox mediators. The refore, the use of the carbon -free electrode combined with redox mediators could realize excellent cyclic performance and low over-potential simultaneously.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.351-356
• /
• 2016

The carbon capture and storage (CCS), which collects and stores carbon dioxide in a geological site, is a promising option to mitigate climate change. However, there is the possibility of carbon dioxide leakage from the soil in the steps of collecting, transporting, and storing. To ensure the feasibility of this technology, it is important to monitor the leakage of carbon dioxide and to assess the potential impacts. As plants are sensitive to the changes in carbon dioxide in the soil environment, we can utilize plant parameter to detect the carbon dioxide leakage. Currently, chlorophyll a content is a conventional index indicating the changes in plants, however, this method is labor intensive and it only utilizes a small portion of leaves. To overcome its limitations, a simple spectroscopic parameter, DGCI (dark green color index), was suggested as an easy and quick indicator. In this study, we compared the values of chlorophyll a contents with DGCI from the experiment investigating the impacts of high underground $CO_2$ on grape plants. Results suggest that DGCI had high correlation with chlorophyll a contents and it has high potential to be utilized as an easy indicator to monitor plants' responses to $CO_2$ treatment.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 2011

Public concern has recently increased over the potential risk of toxic elements emitted from anthropogenic sources. Among these, mercury has drawn special attention owing to its increasing level of bioaccumulation in the environment and in the food chain, with potential risks for human health. This paper presents an overview of research related to mercury control technology and identifies areas requiring additional research and development. It critically reviews measured mercury emissions progress in the development of promising control technologies, including catalytic oxidation, sorbent injection, photochemistry oxidation, and air pollution control devices.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.63-75
• /
• 2013

Graphene, a carbon crystal sheet of molecular thickness, shows diverse and exceptional properties ranging from electrical and thermal conductivities, to optical and mechanical qualities. Thus, its potential applications include not only physicochemical materials but also extends to biological uses. Here, we review recent experimental studies about graphene for such bioapplications. As a prerequisite to the search to determine the potential of graphene for bioapplications, the essential qualities of graphene that support biocompatibility, were briefly summarized. Then, direct examples of tissue regeneration and tissue engineering utilizing graphenes, were discussed, including uses for cell scaffolds, cell modulating interfaces, drug delivery, and neural interfaces.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.8
• /
• pp.1140-1146
• /
• 2013

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have been suggested as a new technology for wastewater treatment while accomplishing energy and chemical generation. This study describes the performance of BESs based on mixed culture that are capable of reducing carbon dioxide to acetate. The cathode potential was a critical factor that affected the performance of the BESs. The rate of acetate production increased as the electrode potential became more negative, from 0.38 mM $d^{-1}$ (-900 mV vs. Ag/AgCl) to 2.35 mM $d^{-1}$ (-1,100 mV), while the electron recovery efficiency of carbon dioxide reduction to acetate increased from 53.6% to 89.5%. The microbial population was dominated by relatives of Acetobacterium woodii when a methanogenic inhibitor was added to the BESs initially.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.247-255
• /
• 2019

Several reinforced concrete structures that get deteriorated by rebar corrosion are retrofitted using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). When rebar comes in direct contact with CFRP, rebar may corrode, as iron is more active than carbon. Progression of corrosion of rebar in strengthened RC structures has been carried out when rebar comes in direct contact with CFRP. The experimentation is carried out in two phases. In phase I, corrosion of bare steel bar is monitored by making its contact with CFRP. In phase II, concrete specimens with surface bonded CFRP were casted and subjected to the realistic exposure conditions keeping direct contact between rebar and CFRP. Progression of corrosion has been monitored by various parameters: Half-cell potential, Tafel extrapolation and Linear Polarisation Resistance. On termination of exposure, to find residual bond stress between rebar and concrete, pull-out test was performed. Rebar in contact with CFRP has shown substantially higher corrosion. The level of corrosion will be more with more area of contact.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2007.06a
• /
• pp.823-828
• /
• 2007

In compare with a major developed countries, Korea consumes much energy, but also eliminates much carbon dioxide. Agricultural sector eliminate much carbon dioxide than industrial sector. In Kyoto protocol, Korea needs to reduce carbon dioxide. One way to reduce carbon dioxide is utilization of biomass in rural area. This paper focus on utilization of biomass in rural area. If use 20% potential amount of biomass, it obtain 50% of TPES on agricultural sector. The condition of utilization biomass is connected with agricultural policy, environmental policy, and energy policy. And environmental restriction keep pace with economical incentive.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.467-470
• /
• 2009

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2013

Carbon sequestration on soil is one of the counter measurements against climate change in agricultural sector. Increasing incorporation of organic fertilizer would increase soil organic carbon (SOC) but it could bring high potential of nutrient losses which would result in water quality degradation. In this paper, literature review on soil organic carbon behavior according to agricultural management is presented. The results of field experiment to identify the effect of organic and commercial fertilizer applications on SOC and runoff water quality were also presented. Field experiment confirmed increased SOC and nutrient concentrations in runoff water as application rate of organic fertilizer increase. The potential use of simulation model to develop best agricultural management practice considering carbon sequestration and water quality conservation at the same time is discussed and monitoring and modeling strategies are also suggested to achieve the goal.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.1221-1228
• /
• 2005

Carbon electrode was applied to a wastewater treatment system as biofilm media. The spatial distribution of heterotrophic bacteria in aerobic wastewater biofilm grown on carbon electrode was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and biomass measurement. Five volts of electric oxidation and reduction potential were charged to the carbon anode and cathode of the bioelectrochemical system, respectively, but were not charged to electrodes of a conventional system. To correlate the biofilm architecture of bacterial populations with their activity, the bacterial treatment efficiency of organic carbons was measured in the bioelectrochemical system and compared with that in the conventional system. In the SEM image, the biofilm on the anodic medium of the bioelectrochemical system looked intact and active; however, that on the carbon medium of the conventional system appeared to be shrinking or damaging. In the AFM image, the thickness of biofilm formed on the carbon medium was about two times of those on the anodic medium. The bacterial treatment efficiency of organic carbons in the bioelectrochemical system was about 1.5 times higher than that in the conventional system. Some denitrifying bacteria can metabolically oxidize $H_{2}$, coupled to reduction of $NO_{3}^{-}\;to\;N_{2}$. $H_{2}$ was produced from the cathode in the bioelectrochemical system by electrolysis of water but was not so in the conventional system. The denitrification efficiency was less than $22\%$ in the conventional system and more than $77\%$ in the bioelectrochemical system. From these results, we found that the electrochemical coupling reactions between aerobic and anaerobic reactors may be a useful tool for improvement of wastewater treatment and denitrification efficiency, without special manipulations such as bacterial growth condition control, C/N ratio (the ratio of carbon to nitrogen) control, MLSS returning, or biofilm refreshing.