• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.190-198
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• 2016

Application of fuel cell to produce renewable energy for commercial purpose is limited by the high cost of Pt based electrode materials. Development of inexpensive, high energetic electrode is the need of the hour to produce pollution free energy using bio-fuel through a fuel cell. Ni-Cu and Ni-CeO₂-Cu electrode materials, electro synthesized by pulse current have been developed. The surface morphology of the electrode materials is controlled by different deposition parameters in order to produce a high current from the electro-oxidation of the fuel, the ethanol. The developed materials are electrochemically characterized by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Chronoamperometry (CA) and Potentiodynamic polarization tests. The results confirm that the high current is due to their enhanced catalytic properties viz. high exchange current density (i₀), low polarization resistance (R_p) and low impedance. It is worthwhile to mention here that the addition of CeO₂ to Ni-Cu has outperformed Pt as far as the high electro catalytic properties are concerned; the exchange current density is about eight times higher than the same on Pt surface. The morphology of the electrode surface examined by SEM and FESEM exhibits that the grains are narrow and sub spherical with 3D surface, containing vacancies in between the elongated grains. The fact has enhanced more surface area for electro oxidation of the fuel, giving rise to an increase in current. Presence of Ni, CeO₂, and Cu is confirmed by the XRD and EDXS. Fuel cell fabricated with Ni-CeO₂-Cu material electrode is expected to produce clean electrical energy at cheaper rates than conventional one, using bio fuel the derived from biomass.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.51-54
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• 2010

Transparent conductive films of single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) were prepared by spray coating method. The effect of acid treatment on the SWCNT films was investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) shows that acid treatment can remove dispersing agent. The electrical and optical properties of acid-treated films were enhanced compared with those of as deposited SWCNT films. Nitric acid ($HNO_3$), sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$), nitric acid:sulfuric acid (3:1) were used for post treatment. Although all solutions reduced sheet resistance of CNT films, nitric acid can improve electrical characteristics efficiently. During acid treatment, transmittance was increased continuously with time. But the sheet resistance was decreased for the first 20 minutes and then increased again. Post-treated SWCNT films were transparent (85%) in the visible range with sheet resistance of about $162{\Omega}/sq$. In this paper we discuss simple fabrication, which is suitable for different types of large-scale substrates and simple processes to improve properties of SWCNT films.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.402-408
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• 2011

To improve $Na^+$-saponite(SPT) film flexibility, we prepared SPT hybrid clay films with various poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) concentrations(0~10 wt%) using the solution intercalation method. In this study, we investigated the thermo-optical properties, morphology, and gas permeability of the SPT hybrid films. We also examined the relationship between the film properties and PVA content using wide angle X-ray diffraction measurements(XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), thermomechanical analysis(TMA), ultraviolet-visible(UV-vis) spectroscopy, and oxygen transmission rate($O_2$TR) testing. The properties of the clay hybrid films were strongly affected by PVA filler content. The presence of a small amount of PVA was sufficient to improve the flexibility of SPT hybrid films.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.516-523
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• 2006

In recent years, Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have become a center of special interest in the automobile industry. Due to their high specific mechanical properties, they offer a significant weight saving potential in modern vehicle constructions. Most Mg alloys show very good machinability and processability, and even the most complicated die-casting parts can be easily produced. The die casting process is a fast production method capable of a high degree of automation for which certain Mg alloys are ideally suited. In this study, step-dies and flowability tests for AM50 were performed by die-casting process according to various combination of casting pressure and plunger velocity. We were discussed to velocity effect of forming conditions followed by results of microstructure, FESEM-EDX, hardness and tensile strength. Experimental results represented that the conditions of complete filling measured die-casting pressure 400 bar, 1st plunger velocity 1.0 m/s and 2nd plunger velocity 6.0 m/s. The increasing of 2nd plunger velocity 4.0 to 7.0 m/s decreased average grain size of $\alpha$ phase and pore. It was due to rapid filling of molten metal, increasing of cooling rate and pressure followed by increased 2nd plunger velocity. The pressure should maintain until complete solidification to make castings of good quality, however, the cracks were appeared at pressure 800bar over.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.393-400
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• 2014

NiO catalysts were successfully coated onto FeCrAl metal alloy foam as a catalyst support via a dip-coating method. To demonstrate the optimum amount of NiO catalyst on the FeCrAl metal alloy foam, the molar concentration of the Ni precursor in a coating solution was controlled, with five different amounts of 0.4 M, 0.6 M, 0.8 M, 1.0 M, and 1.2 M for a dip-coating process. The structural, morphological, and chemical bonding properties of the NiO-catalyst-coated FeCrAl metal alloy foam samples were assessed by means of field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy(SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). In particular, when the FeCrAl metal alloy foam samples were coated using a coating solution with a 0.8 M Ni precursor, well-dispersed NiO catalysts on the FeCrAl metal alloy foam compared to the other samples were confirmed. Also, the XPS results exhibited the chemical bonding states of the NiO phases and the FeCrAl metal alloy foam. The results showed that a dip-coating method is one of best ways to coat well-dispersed NiO catalysts onto FeCrAl metal alloy foam.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.387-387
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• 2013

Currently, the flash memory and the dynamic random access memory (DRAM) have been used in a variety of applications. However, the downsizing of devices and the increasing density of recording medias are now in progress. So there are many demands for development of new semiconductor memory for next generation. Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) is one of the prospective semiconductor memories with excellent features including non-volatility, fast access time, unlimited read/write endurance, low operating voltage, and high storage density. MRAM is composed of magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The MTJ stack consists of various magnetic materials, metals, and a tunneling barrier layer. Recently, MgO thin films have attracted a great attention as the prominent candidates for a tunneling barrier layer in the MTJ stack instead of the conventional Al2O3 films, because it has low Gibbs energy, low dielectric constant and high tunneling magnetoresistance value. For the successful etching of high density MRAM, the etching characteristics of MgO thin films as a tunneling barrier layer should be developed. In this study, the etch characteristics of MgO thin films have been investigated in various gas mixes using an inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICPRIE). The Cl2/Ar, CH3OH/Ar, and CH4/Ar gas mix were employed to find an optimized etching gas for MgO thin film etching. TiN thin films were employed as a hard mask to increase the etch selectivity. The etch rates were obtained using surface profilometer and etch profiles were observed by using the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.99-99
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• 2013

나노결정질 다이아몬드(Nanocrystalline Diamond: NCD) 박막은 고경도와 낮은 마찰계수를 가지고 있어 초경합금이나 고속도강과 같은 절삭공구 위에 코팅하여 공구의 성능 향상을 도모하려는 노력이 있어 왔다. 그러나 NCD 박막의 잔류응력이 크고, 초경합금과 철계 금속에 NCD가 증착되지 않는다는 문제점이 있다. 따라서 잔류응력 완화와 다이아몬드 핵생성을 위하여 제3의 중간층 재료가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 W과 Ti을 중간층으로 하여 초경합금(WC-Co)과 고속도강(SKH51)에 NCD 박막을 코팅하고 기계적 특성을 비교하였다. 초경합금 또는 고속도강기판 위에 W 또는 Ti 중간층을 DC magnetron sputter를 이용해 각 1 ${\mu}m$의 두께로 증착하고 그 위에 MPCVD (Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition)를 이용해 NCD 박막을 2${\mu}m$의 두께로 코팅하였다. FESEM을 이용하여 표면과 단면의 형상을 관찰하였고, XRD와 Raman spectroscopy를 통해 NCD 박막의 결정성을 확인하였다. 그리고 tribology test를 실시하여 코팅된 박막의 내마모성을 비교하였으며, Rockwell C indentation test를 이용하여 밀착력을 비교하였다. 초경합금에 적용 시, W이 Ti보다 중간층으로서 더 우수한 것으로 나타났으며 이는 열팽창계수 차이에 의한 잔류응력의 차이에 의한 것으로 여겨진다. 중간층 두께에 따른 박막의 기계적 특성 변화를 알아보기 위해 W 중간층의 두께를 1, 2, 4 ${\mu}m$로 변화를 주었다. 중간층 두께가 2 ${\mu}m$ 이상일 때 박막의 밀착력이 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 고속도강 위에 같은 방법으로 1 ${\mu}m$의 W 또는 Ti 중간층 위에 2 ${\mu}m$의 NCD 박막을 코팅한 시편들은 초경합금에 코팅한 것과 달리 두 시편 모두 낮은 밀착력을 나타내었다. 열팽창계수 차이에 의한 잔류응력을 완화하기 위해 고속도강에 W/Ti 복합박막을 중간층으로 Ti, W순으로 각각 1 ${\mu}m$ 두께로 증착 후 그 위에 NCD 박막을 2 ${\mu}m$ 두께로 코팅 한 후 특성을 비교하였다. Ti/W 복합 중간층 위에 코팅된 NCD 박막의 밀착력이 W 혹은 Ti 단일 중간층에 코팅된 박막에 비해 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 실제 공구에 적용하기에는 박막의 밀착력 개선이 요구되며 이를 위해서 더 연구가 필요하다.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.180-185
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• 2013

The iron oxides nanoparticles and iron oxide with other compounds are of importance in fields including biomedicine, clinical and bio-sensing applications, corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties of materials, catalyst, and geochemical processes etc. In this work we describe the preparation and investigation of the properties of coated magnetic nanoparticles consisting of the iron oxide core and organic modification of the residue. These fine iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared in air environment by the co-precipitation method using of $Fe^{2+}$: $Fe^{3+}$ where chemical precipitation was achieved by adding ammonia aqueous solution with vigorous stirring. During the synthesis of nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution, the techniques of separation and powdering of nanoparticles into rather monodisperse fractions are observed. This is done using controlled precipitation of particles from surfactant stabilized solutions in the form organic components. It is desirable to maintain the particle size within pH range, temperature, solution ratio wherein the particle growth is held at a minimum. The iron oxide nanoparticles can be well dispersed in an aqueous solution were prepared by the mentioned co-precipitation method. Besides the iron oxide nanowires were prepared by using similar method. These iron oxide nanoparticles and nanowires have controlled average size and the obtained products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, FESEM and other methods.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2014

Nanocrystalline diamond(NCD) films on steel(SKH51) has been investigated using SiC interlayer film. SiC was deposited on SKH51 or Si wafer by RF magnetron sputter. NCD was deposited on SiC at $600^{\circ}C$ for 0.5~4 h employing microwave plasma CVD. Film morphology was observed by FESEM and FIB. Film adherence was examined by Rockwell C adhesion test. The growth rate of NCD on SiC/Si substrate was much higher than that on SiC/SKH51. During particle coalescence, NCD growth rate was slow since overall rate was determined by the diffusion of carbon on SiC surface. After completion of particle coalescence, NCD growth became faster with the reaction of carbon on NCD film controlling the whole process. In the case of SiC/SKH51 substrate, a complete NCD film was not formed even after 4 h of deposition. The adhesion test of NCD/SiC/SKH51 samples revealed a delamination of film whereas that of SiC/SKH51 showed a good adhesion. Many voids of less than 0.1 ${\mu}m$ were detected on NCD/SiC interface. These voids were believed as the reason for the poor adhesion between NCD and SiC films. The origin of voids was due to the insufficient coalescence of diamond particles on SiC surface in the early stage of deposition.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2007

The codeposition behavior of submicron sized diamond with nickel from nickel electrolytes has been investigated. Electroplating of diamond dispersed nickel composites was carried out on a rotating disk electrode (RDE). The effects of current type and current density on the electrodeposited Ni-diamond composite coating were investigated. The effects of surfactants on the composite coating were also investigated. The hardness of coating was measured with varying electroplating conditions using Micro Vickers. As diamond was incorporated into the coating, the hardness of coating as well as the wear resistance was improved. The hardness of the coating was increased as much as 100% and the wear resistance was improved as much as 27%. The hardness of composite coating layer increased slightly at the diamond content of above 20 gpl.