• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2020

The corrosion behavior of super austenitic stainless steel was studied by examining the characteristics of the sigma phase formed in the steel. A range of experimental and analytical methods was employed, including potentiodynamic polarization tests, critical pitting temperature tests, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Three steel samples with different sigma phase levels were obtained by intentionally adjusting the manufacturing process. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of the samples was strongly dependent upon the size and distribution of the sigma phase precipitated in the samples. The larger the size of the sigma phase, the higher the Mo content in the sigma phase and the higher the depletion level of Mo at the interface between the matrix/sigma phase, the more samples with a coarse-sized sigma phase were susceptible to localized pitting corrosion at the interface. These results suggest that various manufacturing processes, such as welding and the post-heat treatment of the steel, should be optimized so that both the size and fraction of the sigma phase precipitated in the steel are small to improve the resistance to localized corrosion.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.436-442
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• 2014

$LaCoO_3$ powders synthesized by Pechini process were pulverized by planetary ball-milling to decrease particle size and characterized as a catalyst in alkaline solution for oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR & OER). The changes of physical properties, such as particle size distribution, surface area and electric conductivity, were analyzed as a function of ball-milling time. Also, the variations of the crystal structure and surface morphology of ball-milled powders were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The electrochemically catalytic activities of the intrinsic $LaCoO_3$ powders decreased with increasing ball-milling time, but their electrochemical performance as an electrode improved by the increase of the surface area of the powder.

• Ceramist
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.200-210
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• 2020

Supported catalysts are at the heart of manufacturing essential chemical, agricultural and pharmaceutical products. While the longevity of such systems is critically hinged on the durability of metal nanoparticles, the conventional deposition/dispersion techniques are difficult to enhance the stability of the metal nanoparticles due to the lack of control over the interaction between metal-support. Regarding this matter, ex-solution has begun to be recognized as one of the most promising methodologies to develop thermally and chemically robust nanoparticles. By dissolving desired catalysts as a cation form into a parent oxide, fine and uniformly distributed metal nano-catalysts can be subsequently grown in situ under reductive heat treatment, which is referred to ex-solution. Over the several years, ex-solved analog has resulted in tremendous progress in the chemical-electrochemical applications due to the exceptional robustness coupled with ease synthesis. Herein, we describe the ex-solution process in detail which therein introducing the unique characteristics of ex-solved particles that distinguish them from conventionally dispersed nanoparticles. We then go through the history of science regarding the ex-solution phenomena and summarize several major research achievements which embrace the ex-solved nanoparticles to markedly promote the catalytic performances. In conclusion, we address the remaining challenges and the future perspectives of this rapidly growing field.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 2012

Defects such as voids or seams are frequently found in TSV via filling process. To achieve defect-free copper via filling, organic additives such as suppressor, accelerator and leveler were necessary in a copper plating bath. However, by-products stemming from the breakdown of these organic additives reduce the lifetime of the devices and plating solutions. In this research, the effects of levelers on copper electrodeposition were investigated without suppressor and accelerator to lower the concentration of additives. Threelevelers(janus green B, methylene violet, diazine black) were investigated to study the effects of levelers on copper deposition. Electrochemical behaviors of these levelers were different in terms of deposition rate. Filling performances were analyzed by cross sectional images and its characteristics were different with variations of levelers.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.322-331
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• 2017

Hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) was studied over $Ni_4Cr$ nanofibers(NFs) prepared by electrospinning method and oxidation/reduction heat treatment for alkaline water electrolysis. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties such as average diameter, lattice parameter, HER activity of synthesized $Ni_4Cr$ NFs could be modified by proper electrospinning process condition and reduction temperature. It was shown that $Ni_4Cr$ NFs had average diameter from 151 to 273 nm. Also, it exhibited the overpotential between 0.419 V and 0.526 V at $1mA/cm^2$ and Tafel slope of -334.75 mV to -444.55 mV per decade in 1 M KOH solution. These results indicate that $Ni_4Cr$ NFs with reduction heat treatment at $600^{\circ}C$ show thinnest diameter and highest HER activity among the other catalysts.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.10 no.10
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• pp.715-720
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• 2000

By the mechanical alloying method. Ni-WC composite materials were prepared to improve the deformation-resistance for creep and sintering of Ni-anode at the operating temperature of $650^{\circ}C$. Mechanically alloyed powder w was initially fabricated by ball milling for 80hr, and then amorphization was occurred by the destruction of ordered crystals based on XRD analysis. In order to investigate the electrochemical performance and sheet characteristics of Ni-WC anode, tape casting process was adopted. Finally, the obtained sheet thickness of Ni- we after sintering at $1180^{\circ}C$ for 60 minutes in $H_2$ atmosphere was O.9mm and the average pore size was $3~5{\mu\textrm{m}}$ with porosities of 55%. The second phase was not observed in Ni- W matrix while W particles were finely and uniformly distributed in Ni matrix. This fine and uniform distributed W particles in Ni matrix are expected to enhance the mechanical properties of Ni anode through the dispersion and solid solution hardening mechanisms.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1090-1096
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• 2010

This pitting corrosion study of welded joints of austenitic stainless steels (AISI 304L and 316L) has addressed the differentiating solidification mode using three newly introduced filler wires with a flux-cored arc welding process (FCAW). The delta ferrite (${\delta}$-ferrite) content in the welded metals increased with an increasing equivalent weight ratio of chromium/nickel ($Cr_{eq}/Ni_{eq}$). Ductility dip cracking (DDC) was observed in the welded metal containing ferrite with none of AISI 304L and 0.1% of AISI 316L. The potentiodynamic anodic polarization results revealed that the $Cr_{eq}/Ni_{eq}$ ratio in a 3.5% NaCl solution didn't much affect the pitting potential ($E_{pit}$). The AISI 316L welded metals with ${\ddot{a}}$-ferrite content of over 10% had a superior $E_{pit}$ value. Though the AISI 316L welded metal with 0.1% ferrite had larger molybdenum contents than AISI 304L specimens, it showed a similar $E_{pit}$ value because the concentration of chloride ions and the corrosion product induced severe damage near the DDC.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2018

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative environmental and energy system that converts organic wastewater into electrical energy. For practical implementation of MFC as a wastewater treatment process, a number of limitations need to be overcome. Improving cathodic performance is one of major challenges, and introduction of a current collector can be an easy and practical solution. In this study, three types of current collectors made of stainless steel (SS) were tested in a single-chamber cubic MFC. The three current collectors had different contact areas to the cathode (P $1.0cm^2$; PC $4.3cm^2$; PM $6.5cm^2$) and increasing the contacting area enhanced the power and current generations and coulombic and energy recoveries by mainly decreasing cathodic charge transfer impedance. Application of the SS mesh to the cathode (PM) improved maximum power density, optimum current density and maximum current density by 8.8%, 3.6% and 6.7%, respectively, comparing with P of no SS mesh. The SS mesh decreased cathodic polarization resistance by up to 16%, and cathodic charge transfer impedance by up to 39%, possibly because the SS mesh enhanced electron transport and oxygen reduction reaction. However, application of the SS mesh had little effect on ohmic impedance.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.467-471
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• 2021

A ladder-like polysilsesquioxane (LPMA64) functionalized with a crosslinkable group was synthesized and used for the preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid gel polymer electrolytes through a thermal crosslinking process of the liquid electrolytes. A small weight percent of LPMA64 polymer crosslinker (5 wt%) was able to form a well-developed network structure, resulting in good dimensional stability with high ionic conductivity. The lithium-sulfur batteries fabricated with organic-inorganic hybrid gel polymer electrolytes exhibited stable C-rate and cycling performance with excellent Coulombic efficiency due to the alleviated lithium polysulfide shuttling effect during prolonged cycling. The result demonstrates that the organic-inorganic hybrid gel polymer electrolytes could be a promising candidate electrolyte for application in lithium-sulfur batteries.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.456-460
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• 2021

A potentiometric sodium-ion (Na⁺) sensor was prepared using a screen-printing process with carbon and silver inks. The two-electrode configuration of the sensor resulted in potential differences in Na⁺ solutions according to Nernstian equation. The obtained Na⁺-sensor exhibited an ideal Nernstian sensitivity, fast response time, and low limit of detection. The Nernstian response was stable when the sensor was tested for repeatability and long-term durability. The Na⁺-selective membrane coated onto the carbon electrode selectively passed sodium ions against interfering ions, indicating an excellent selectivity. The portable Na⁺-sensor was finally fabricated using a printed circuit system, demonstrating the successful measurements of Na⁺ concentrations in various real samples.