• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.137-145
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• 2021

Among the non-precious metal catalysts, iron-nitrogen doped carbon (Fe-N/C) catalysts have been recognized as the most promising candidates for an alternative to Pt-based catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under alkaline and acidic conditions. In this study, the nano replication method using mesoporous silica, which features tunable primary particle sizes and shape, is employed to prepare the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts with different shapes. Platelet SBA-15, irregular KIT-6, and spherical silica particle (SSP) were selected as a template to generate three different kinds of shapes of the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalyst. Physicochemical properties of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts are characterized by using small-angle X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and scanning electron microscopy images. According to the electrochemical evaluation, there is no morphological preference of mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts toward the ORR activity with half-cell configuration under alkaline electrolyte. By implementing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of Fe and N atoms in the mesoporous Fe-N/C catalysts, it is possible to verify that the activity towards ORR highly depends on the portions of "Fe-N" species in the catalysts regardless of the shape of catalysts. It was suggested that active site distribution in the Fe-N/C is one important factor towards ORR activity.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.239-244
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• 2011

In this study, $Fe_3O_4$/graphene and CuO/graphene composites were synthesized by the polyol reduction method using ethylene glycol, and their performances as the anodes of lithium ion batteries were evaluated. The physical characteristics of the synthesized composites were analyzed by SEM, XRD, and TGA. In addition, their electrochemical properties were examined by the electrochemical analysis techniques such as charge/discharge performance, cyclic voltammetry, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The cells composed of $Fe_3O_4$/graphene and CuO/graphene composites showed better performance than the graphene electrode, due to the dispersion of nanosized $Fe_3O_4$ or CuO on the surface of graphene and the formation of good electrical network in the electrode. Their composites kept the reversible capacity more than 600 mAh/g even after the charging/discharging of 30 cycles.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2014

Pyroprocess for treating spent nuclear fuels has been developed based on electrochemical principles. Process simulation is one of the important methods for process development and experimental data analysis and it is also a necessary approach for pyroprocessing. To date, process simulation of pyroprocessing has been focused on electrorefining and there have been not so many investigations on electrolytic reduction. Electrolytic reduction, unlike electrorefining, includes specific features of gas evolution and porous electrode and, thus, different equations should be considered for developing a model for the process. This study summarized required concepts and equations for electrolytic reduction model development from thermodynamic, mass transport, and reaction kinetics theories which are necessitated for analyzing an electrochemical cell. An electrolytic reduction cell was divided and equations for each section were listed and, then, boundary conditions for connecting the sections were indicated. It is expected that those equations would be used as a basis to develop a simulation model for the future and applied to determine parameters associated with experimental data.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.2529-2534
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• 2012

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) coated Manganese Dioxide (PEDOT/$MnO_2$) composite electrode was fabricated by simply immersing the $MnO_2$ electrode in an acidic aqueous solution containing 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomers. Analysis of open-circuit potential of the $MnO_2$ electrode in the solution indicates the reduction of outer surface of $MnO_2$ to dissolved $Mn^{2+}$ ions and simultaneously oxidation of EDOT monomer to PEDOT on the $MnO_2$ surface to form a PEDOT shell via a galvanic displacement reaction. Analysis of cyclic voltammograms and specific capacitance of the PEDOT/$MnO_2$, conductive carbon added $MnO_2$ and conductive carbon added PEDOT/$MnO_2$ electrodes suggests that the conductive carbon acted mainly to provide a continuous conducting path in the electrode to improve the rate capability and the PEDOT layer on $MnO_2$ acts to increase the active reaction site of $MnO_2$.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2002

One of the important roles of a DNA chip is the capability of detecting genetic diseases and mutations by analyzing DNA sequence. For a successful electrochemical genotyping, several aspects should be considered including the chemical treatment of electrode surface, DNA immobilization on electrode, hybridization, choice of an intercalator to be selectively bound to double standee DNA, and an equipment for detecting and analyzing the output signal. Au was used as the electrode material, 2-mercaptoethanol was used for linking DNA to Au electrode, and methylene blue was used as an indicator that can be bound to a double stranded DNA selectively. From the analysis of reductive current of this indicator that was bound to a double stranded DNA on an electrode, a normal double stranded DNA was able to be distinguished from a single stranded DNA in just a few seconds. Also, it was found that the peak reduction current of indicator is proportional to the concentration of target DNA to be hybridized with probe DNA. Therefore, it is possible to realize a sim71e and cheats DNA sensor using the electrochemical measurement for genotyping.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.727-734
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• 2017

The electrochemical conversion of $CO_2$ is one of the methods for reducing $CO_2$. Four materials (Ag, Ni, Pt, and Ir) were selected as the electrodes. The electrochemical conversion was performed under a cell voltage of 4.0 V at $600^{\circ}C$. The amounts of $CO_2$ reduction and carbon production were at the highest for Ag, followed by, Pt, Ni, and then Ir. The produced carbon samples were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and XRD. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that all the carbon produced at each electrode exhibited similar thermal reactivity. The XRD results showed that the crystallization of carbon was different depending on the electrode utilized. Although electrochemical conversion was the highest for the Ag electrode, a loss of material accompanied it. Therefore, for this study, the optimal electrode is Pt, taking into account reactivity and material losses.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2018

To enhance the performance of cathodes at low temperatures, a Cu-coated cathode is prepared, and its electrochemical performance is examined by testing its use in a single cell. At $620^{\circ}C$ and a current density of $150mAcm^{-2}$, a single cell containing the Cu-coated cathode has a significantly higher voltage (0.87 V) during the initial operation than does that with an uncoated cathode (0.79 V). According to EIS analysis, the high voltage of the cell with the Cu-coated cathode is due to the dramatic decrease in the high-frequency resistance related to electrochemical reactions. From XPS analysis, it is confirmed that the Cu is initially in the form of $Cu_2O$ and is converted into CuO after 150 h of operation, without any change in the state of the Ni or Li. Therefore, the high initial cell voltage is confirmed to be due to $Cu_2O$. Because $Cu_2O$ is catalytically active toward $O_2$ adsorption and dissociation, $Cu_2O$ on a NiO cathode enhances cell performance and reduces cathode polarization. However, the cell with the Cu-coated cathode does not maintain its high voltage because $Cu_2O$ is oxidized to CuO, which demonstrates similar catalytic activity toward $O_2$ as NiO.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2018

In this study, Ni and tungsten carbide (WC) nanoparticles are simultaneously synthesized with the mesoporous carbon nanoparticles (CNP) using a solution plasma processing (SPP) in the benzene. The Ni and WC nanoparticles were formed through the sputtering effect of electrodes during discharge, and mean time CNP were formed through reduction reaction. TEM observation showed that loaded Ni and WC nanoparticles were evenly dispersed on the CNP. The results of electrochemical analysis demonstrated that an introduction of Ni nanoparticles promoted to improve catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, Ni-WC/CNP lead to fast electron transfer process compared to that of WC/CNP. Therefore, the inexpensive Ni-WC/CNP might be a promising as catalytic material for cathodes in fuel cell applications.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2017

Electrochemical conversion of $CO_2$ and production of $H_2$ were attempted on a three-dimensionally ordered, porous metal organic framework (MOF-74) in which transition metals (Co, Ni, and Zn) were impregnated. A lab-scale proton exchange membrane-based electrolyzer was fabricated and used for the reduction of $CO_2$. Real-time gas chromatography enabled the instantaneous measurement of the amount of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced. Comprehensive calculations, based on electrochemical measurements and gaseous product analysis, presented a time-dependent selectivity of the produced gases. M-MOF-74 samples with different central metals were successfully obtained because of the simple synthetic process. It was revealed that Co- and Ni-MOF-74 selectively produce hydrogen gas, while Zn-MOF-74 successfully generates a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The results indicated that M-MOF-74 can be used as an electrocatalyst to selectively convert $CO_2$ into useful chemicals.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2018

This study evaluated the performance characteristics of varied electrolyte species and amounts in a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). Coin-type MCFCs were used at the condition of $650^{\circ}C$ and 1 atm. In order to measure the effects of varied electrolyte species and amounts, electrolytes of $(Li+K)_2CO_3$ and $(Li+Na)_2CO_3$ were selected and the amounts of 1.5 g, 2.0 g, 3.0 g, and 4.0 g were used. Insignificant performance differences were observed in the cell using different electrolytes, but the cell performance was sensitive to the amount of the electrolyte used. The pore-filling ratio (PFR), a ratio of pore filling in the components by the liquid carbonate electrolytes, was used to determine the optimum performance range. Consequently, 77% PFR demonstrated the optimum performance for both electrolytes. Thus, the MCFC had a permissible but narrow optimum performance range. The remaining amounts of electrolyte in the cells were determined using the weight reduction ratio (WRR) method after several hours of cell operation. The WRR used the relationship between the initial loaded amount of electrolyte and weight reduction of components in 10 wt% acetic acid. The relationships were linear and identical between the two electrolyte species.