• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.45.1-45.1
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• 2011

Cobalt-free $La_xSr_{4-x}Fe_6O_{13}$ ($0{\leq}x{\leq}2$) oxide have been synthesized and investigated as a potential cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). $Sr_4Fe_6O_{13}$ consists of alternating perovskite layers ($Sr_4Fe_2O_8$) containing iron cations in octahedral oxygen coordination and $Fe_4O_5$ layers where iron cations have 5-fold coordination of two types-square pyramids and trigonal bipyramids. Our preliminary electrochemical testes of pristine $Sr_4Fe_6O_{13}$ show a rather high area specific resistance ($0.47{\Omega}cm^2$ at $700^{\circ}C$) for ~20 ${\mu}m$ thick layers with CGO electrolyte. The electrochemical performances are improved by La addition up to x=1 ($La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$, $0.06{\Omega}cm^2$ at $700^{\circ}C$). In addition, thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) values of $La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$ specimen demonstrated $15.1{\times}10^{-6}\;^{\circ}C^{-1}$ in the range of 25-900$^{\circ}C$, which provides good thermal expansion compatibility with the CGO electrolyte. An electrolyte supported (300-${\mu}m$-thick) single-cell configuration of $La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$/CGO/Ni-CGO delivered a maximum power density of 584 $mWcm^{-2}$ at $700^{\circ}C$. In addition, an anode supported single cell by YSZ electrolyte (10-${\mu}m$-thick) with a porous CGO interlayer between the cathode and the electrolyte to avoid undesired interfacial reactions exhibited 1,517 $mWcm^{-2}$ at $800^{\circ}C$. The unique composition of $La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$ with low thermal expansion coefficient and higher electrochemical properties could be a good cathode candidate for intermediate temperature SOFCs with CGO and YSZ electrolyte.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2015

In this study, we carry out a study on how to improve performance of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) through promoting reaction rate of rate determining vanadium reaction ($[VO]^{2+}/[VO_2]^+$). In order to do that, three different carbons like Vulcan (XC-72), CMK3 and MSU-F-C are adopted as the catalysts, while their catalytic activity and reaction reversibility are evaluated using half-cell tests. Their topological images are also measured by TEM. For estimation of the VRFB performance, multiple charge-discharge curves of VRFBs including the catalysts are measured by single cell tests. As a result of that, MSU-F-C shows relatively excellent catalytic activity and reaction reversibility as well as large surface area compared to those of Vulcan (XC-72) and CMK3. Also, in terms of the performance of VRFBs including the catalysts, VRFB including MSU-F-C indicates (i) low charging/discharging overpotentials and low internal resistance, (ii) high charge/discharge capacities and (iii) high energy efficiency. These VRFB performance data are well agreed with results on catalytic activity and reaction reversibility. The reason that MSU-F-C induces superior VRFB performances is attributed to (i) its large surface area and (ii) its hydrophilic surface functional groups that mainly consist of hydroxyl bonds that are supposed to play active surface site role for facilitaing $[VO]^{2+}/[VO_2]^+$ redox reaction. Based on the above results, it is found that adoption of MSU-F-C as catalyst for VRFB results in improvement in VRFB performance by promoting the languid $[VO]^{2+}/[VO_2]^+$ redox reaction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.71-71
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• 2011

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) have drawn great academic attention due to their potential as low-cost renewable energy sources. DSCs contain a nanostructured TiO2 photoanode, which is a key-component for high conversion efficiency. Particularly, one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructured photoanodes can enhance the electron transport for the efficient collection to the conducting substrate in competition with the recombination processes. This is because photoelectron colletion is determined by trapping/detrapping events along the site of the electron traps (defects, surface states, grain boundaries, and self-trapping). Therefore, 1-D nanostructured photoanodes are advantageous for the fast electron transport due to their desirable features of greatly reduced intercrystalline contacts with specified directionality. In particular, anodic TiO2 nanotube (NT) electrodes recently have been intensively explored owing to their ideal structure for application in DSCs. Besides the enhanced electron transport properties resulted from the 1-D structure, highly ordered and vertically oriented nanostructure of anodic TiO2 NT can contribute additional merits, such as enhanced electrolyte diffusion, better interfacial contact with viscous electrolytes. First, to confirm the advantages of 1-D nanostructured material for the photoelectron collection, we compared the electron transport and charge recombination characteristics between nanoparticle (NP)- and nanorod (NR)-based photoanodes in DSCs by the stepped light-induced transient measurements of photocurrent and voltage (SLIM-PCV). We confirmed that the electron lifetime of the NR-based photoanode was much longer than that of the NP-based photoanode. In addition, highly ordered and vertically oriented TiO2 NT photoanodes were prepared by electrochemical anodization method. We compared the photovoltaic properties of DSCs utilizing TiO2 NT photoanodes prepared by one-step anodization and two-step anodization. And, to reduce the charge recombination rate, energy barrier layer (ZnO, Al2O3)-coated TiO2 NTs also applied in DSC. Furthermore, we applied the TiO2 NT photoanode in DSCs using a viscous electrolyte, i.e., cobalt bipyridyl redox electrolyte, and confirmed that the pore structure of NT array can enhance the performances of this viscous electrolyte.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.486-490
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• 1998

Pt/C powder which was used as electrocatalyst in a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell(PAFC) was fabricated by colloid method. It was reported that the sulfur from reductant, $Na_2S_2O_4$, worked as a poison against catalyst during long term operation. To remove these sulfurs, we try to treat Pt/C powder by three different methods. First, we tried to remove the sulfur according to temperature and time in $H_2$ atmosphere. As the heat treatment temperature is raised up, the effect of the removal is increased but the electrode performance is decreased because of the growth of Pt particle size. The optimal heat treatment temperature is $400^{\circ}C$, the size of Pt particle is approximately $35{\sim}40{\AA}$ and the electrode performance is $360mA/cm^2$ at 0.7 V. At $400^{\circ}C$, even though the time of heat treatment is extended, size of Pt, amounts of remaining sulfur and electrode performance is almost constant. Secondly, when we removed in a crucible at $900^{\circ}C$ the removal of the sulfur was not better, but the size of Pt particle, approximately $80{\AA}$, was smaller than that of heat treatment in $H_2$ atmosphere at $900^{\circ}C$. Lastly we treated with solvents such as acetone, benzene, and carbon disulfide. It was observed that sulfur components were removed partly by extraction with solvents, the electrode performances were similar each other.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.139-143
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• 2007

Electric propulsion has become a cost effective and sound engineering solution for many space applications. The success of SMART-1 and MUSES-C developed by European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) each proved that even small spacecraft could accomplish planetary mission with electric propulsion systems. A small electric propulsion system which is Hall effect thruster like SMART-1 is under development by SaTReC and GDPL (Glow Discharge Plasma Lab.) in KAIST for the next microsatellite, STSAT-3. To achieve optimized propulsion system, it is very necessary to understand plasma motions of Hall effect thruster. In this paper, we try to approach comprehensive plasma model with the particle simulation complementary to Particle In Cell (PIC) simulation. We think these two different approaches will help experimenters to optimize Hall effect thruster performances.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.525-530
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• 2012

In this study, silane-crosslinked organic/inorganic composite membranes were prepared by simultaneous irradiation grafting of binary monomer mixtures (styrene and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM)) with various compositions onto a poly(ethylene-alt-tetraethylene) (ETFE) film and followed by sol-gel processing and sulfonation to provide a silane-crosslinked structure and a proton conducting ability, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) were utilized to confirm the crosslinking of ETFE-g-PS/PTMSPM films. The prepared membranes with similar ion exchange capacity but a different TMSPM content were selected and their membrane properties were compared. The ETFE-g-PSSA/PTMSPM membranes were characterized by water uptake, dimensional stability, and proton conductivity after sulfonation. The membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) of the prepared membranes were fabricated and their single cell performances were measured.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.325-343
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• 2023

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have been attracting attention as energy conversion devices that can directly supply methanol liquid fuel without a fuel reforming process. The commercial polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) currently applied to DMFC are perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer-based PEMs, which exhibit high proton conductivity and physicochemical stability during the operation. However, problems such as high methanol permeability and environmental pollutants generated during decomposition require the development of PEMs for DMFCs using novel ionomers. Recently, studies have been reported to develop PEMs using hydrocarbon-based ionomers that exhibit low fuel permeability and high physicochemical stability. This review introduces the following studies on hydrocarbon-based PEMs for DMFC applications: 1) synthesis of grafting copolymers that exhibit distinct hydrophilic/hydrophobic phase-separated structure to improve both proton conductivity and methanol selectivity, 2) introduction of cross-linked structure during PEM fabrication to reduce the methanol permeability and improve dimensional stability, and 3) incorporation of organic/inorganic composites or reinforcing substrates to develop reinforced composite membranes showing improved PEM performances and durability.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.987-992
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• 2015

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of palm kernel expellers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs. A total of 88 weaned pigs ($6.94{\pm}0.76kg$ body weight [BW]; 28 d old) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (4 pigs/pen; 11 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design (sex as a block). The dietary treatments were a typical nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON added with 20% of palm kernel expellers (PKE). Pigs were fed for 6 wk using a 3-phase feeding program with declining diet complexity and with phases of 1, 2, and 3 wk, respectively. Blood was collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen before weaning and on d 7 after weaning. Pigs were fed respective dietary treatments containing 0.2% chromic oxide from d 29 to 35 after weaning. Fecal samples were collected from randomly selected 2 pigs in each pen daily for the last 3 days after the 4-d adjustment period. Measurements were growth performances, digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and energy, white and red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, and incidence of diarrhea. The PKE increased average daily gain (ADG) (246 vs 215 g/d; p = 0.06) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (470 vs 343 g/d; p<0.05) and decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) (0.522 vs 0.628 g/g; p<0.05) during phase 2 compared with CON, but did not affect growth performance during phase 1 and 3. During overall experimental period, PKE increased ADG (383 vs 362 g/d; p = 0.05) and ADFI (549 vs 496 g/d; p<0.05) compared with CON, but did not affect G:F. However, no differences were found on digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and energy between CON and PKE. The PKE reduced frequency of diarrhea (15% vs 25%; p = 0.08) for the first 2 wk after weaning compared with CON. Similarly, PKE decreased white blood cells (8.19 vs $9.56{\times}10^3/{\mu}L$; p = 0.07), red blood cells (2.92 vs $3.25{\times}10^6/{\mu}L$; p = 0.09), and packed cell volume (11.1% vs 12.6%; p = 0.06) on d 7 after weaning compared with CON. In conclusion, addition of 20% palm kernel expellers to nursery diet based on corn and soybean meal had no negative effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profiles of weaned pigs.

• 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 Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2014

In the study, a room temperature ionic liquids as a co-solvent was used to evaluate the feasibility with various electrodes in Li-ion batteries. 1-Ethyl-1-methyl piperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide(PP12 TFSI) is an ionic liquid that melts at $85^{\circ}C$. Pure PP12 TFSI is not able to be used as an electrolyte because it is a solid salt at room temperature. PP12 TFSI is mixed with EC/DEC(1/1 vol.%) to prepare mixed solvents. The electrolyte 1.5M $LiPF_6$ in a mixed solvent having 44 wt.% PP12 TFSI is prepared to evaluated the various electrodes. The electrolytes provides good cycles life of cells with $LiNi_{0.5}Mn_{1.5}O_4(LNMO)$, $LiFePO_4(LFP)$, $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}(LTO)$ and artificial graphite. Further improvement of the cell performances can be accomplished by enhancing wettability of electrolytes to electrodes.