• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.661-666
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• 1998

Active reaction sites and electrochemical O2 reduction kinetics on La_{1-x}Sr_xMnO_{3+{\delta}} (x=0.1-0.4)/YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) electrodes are investigated in the temperature range of 700-900 ℃ at $Po_2=10^{-3}$-0.21 atm. Results of the steady-state polarization measurements, which are formulated into the Butler-Volmer formalism to extract transfer coefficient values, lead us to conclude that the two-electron charge transfer step to atomically adsorbed oxygen is rate-limiting. The same conclusion is drawn from the $Po_2$-dependent ac impedance measurements, where the exponent m in the relationship of $I_o$ (exchange current density) ∝ $P_{o_{2}}^m$ is analyzed. Chemical analysis is performed on the quenched Mn perovskites to estimate their oxygen stoichiometry factors (δ) at the operating temperature (700-900 ℃). Here, the observed δ turns out to become smaller as both the Sr-doping contents (x) and the measured temperature increase. A comparison between the 8 values and cathodic activity of Mn perovskites reveals that the cathodic transfer coefficients $({\alpha}_c)$ for oxygen reduction reaction are inversely proportional to δ whereas the anodic ones $({\alpha}_a)$ show the opposite trend, reflecting that the surface oxygen vacancies on Mn perovskites actively participate in the $O_2$ reduction reaction. Among the samples of x= 0.1-0.4, the manganite with x=0.4 exhibits the smallest 8 value (even negative), and consistently this electrode shows the highest ${\alpha}_c$ and the best cathodic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.640-645
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• 2018

The design of non-precious electrocatalysts with low-cost, good stability, and an improved oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) to replace the platinium-based electrocatalyst is significant for application of fuel cells and metal-air batteries with high energy density. In this study, we synthesize iron-carbide($Fe_3C$) embedded nitrogen(N) doped carbon nanofiber(CNF) as electrocatalysts for ORRs using electrospinning, precursor deposition, and carbonization. To optimize electrochemical performance, we study the three stages according to different amounts of iron precursor. Among them, $Fe_3C$-embedded N doped CNF-1 exhibits the most improved electrochemical performance with a high onset potential of -0.18 V, a high $E_{1/2}$ of -0.29 V, and a nearly four-electron pathway (n = 3.77). In addition, $Fe_3C$-embedded N doped CNF-1 displays exellent long-term stabillity with the lowest ${\Delta}E_{1/2}=8mV$ compared to the other electrocatalysts. The improved electrochemical properties are attributed to synergestic effect of N-doping and well-dispersed iron carbide embedded in CNF. Consequently, $Fe_3C$-embedded N doped CNF is a promising candidate for non-precious electrocatalysts for high-performance ORRs.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

The reduction of nitrogen to produce ammonia has been attracting much attention as a renewable energy technology. Ammonia is the basis for many fertilizers and is also considered an energy carrier that can power internal combustion engines, diesel engines, gas turbines, and fuel cells. Traditionally, ammonia has been produced through the Haber-Bosch process, in which atmospheric nitrogen combines with hydrogen at high temperature ($350-550^{\circ}C$) and high pressure (150-300 bar). This process consumes 1-2% of current global energy production and relies on fossil fuels as an energy source. Reducing the energy input required for this process will reduce $CO_2$ emissions and the corresponding environmental impact. For this reason, developing electrochemical ammonia-production methods under ambient temperature and pressure conditions should significantly reduce the energy input required to produce ammonia. In this review, we introduce the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction at ambient condition. Numerical studies on the electrochemical nitrogen reduction mechanism have been carried out through the computation of density function theory. Electrodes such as nanowires and porous electrodes have been also actively studied for further participation in electrochemical reactions.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.160-166
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• 2019

Cerium oxide ($CeO_2$, often called as Ceria) is one of the valuable rare earth oxide materials, which has been widely used for high temperature applications such as solid oxide fuel cells, automotive three-way catalysts and oxygen storage capacity. Considering those application, it is important to improve high redox and thermal stability with high surface morphology because the high surface area of $CeO_2$ could improve the catalytic reactivity at high temperature conditions. Herein we successfully fabricated hierarchical flower-like $CeO_2$ deposited via controlling pathway of precipitation reaction to supply carbonate ion lead to the flower-like morphology. The hexagonal lattice system of precipitated precursor shows better thermal stability then orthorhombic one during thermal cycling condition.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.508-513
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• 2021

In order to improve the durability of a proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), it is essential to improve the durability of the polymer membrane. In order to improve the durability of the membrane, an e-PTFE support and a radical scavenger are added. In this study, the chemical durability of the reinforced membrane with ePTFE support and the non-reinforced membrane was compared by Fenton reaction. In the Fenton experiment of the polymer membrane without the addition of a radical scavenger, the absorption rate of hydrogen peroxide solution and iron ions through the cross section of the specimen cut into small pieces was higher in the reinforced membrane, so that the fluorine outflow concentration was higher. According to the type and amount of radical scavenger added, the fluorine outflow concentration of the reinforced membrane has a large difference of more than 3 times, indicating that the effect of the radical scavenger was stronger than that of the support.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.333-338
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• 2021

The durability of the PEMFC stack for large commercial vehicles should be more than 5 times that for passenger vehicles. If the Chemical Accelerated Stress Test (AST) of PEMFC(Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells) membrane for passenger cars is applied as it is for large commercial vehicles, there is a problem that the AST time becomes more than 2,500 hours. In order to shorten the AST time of DOE (Department of Energy), the chemical durability of the polymer membrane was evaluated using oxygen instead of air as a cathode gas. In this study, Nafion XL was used as a polymer membrane to evaluate accelerated durability under OCV, 90?, RH 30%, H₂/(air or oxygen) conditions. Among the DOE membrane durability target criteria, the decrease rate of short resistance was the fastest. By using oxygen instead of air, the degradation rate of the polymer membrane was accelerated while being less affected by electrode deterioration, reducing the polymer membrane durability evaluation time to less than half.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.433-442
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• 2020

In this study, in order to build a molecular dynamics simulation model of ionomer for water electrolysis, an ionomer model that reflects the characteristics of a water electrolysis system in which excess water molecules exist was compared to an ionomer built according to the conventional simulation method of the fuel cells membrane. The final ionomer MD models have a strong phase separation and water channel that is one of the important characteristics of the perfluorinated ionomer, and are stable and water-insoluble under excessive water and high temperature conditions. In the ionomer MD models built in this study, the excess water molecules decrease an ion conductivity due to the dilution of ions, but increase a hydrogen diffusivity. Therefore, it is necessary to design the molecular structure of ionomers for water electrolysis in experimental studies as well as molecular dynamics studies according to the characteristics of the water electrolysis system reported in this study.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.175-181
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• 2009

Mechanical properties and precipitation behavior of backward extruded 6061 Al alloy for pressure vessel were investigated using tensile test, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). In this study, solution heat treatment (SHT) was performed at $535^{\circ}C$ for 30~90 min and aging treatment was conducted at 177 and $190^{\circ}C$ for 1~7 h. Maximum tensile strength of $36.6kgf/mm^2$ and yield strength of $33.29kgf/mm^2$ were achieved at the aging time of 5 h at $190^{\circ}C$. TEM observation showed that fine needle-like ${\beta}^{{\prime}{\prime}}$ phase which has 35~45 nm of length was uniformly distributed in the aged 6061 Al alloy specimen. From tensile test, TEM and DSC analysis, it is expected that aging time of 2~5 h at $190^{\circ}C$ is suitable for the extruded A6061 used as pressure vessels.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.508-515
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• 2009

Ti-6Al-4V biomaterial is widely used as a bone alternative. However, Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy suffers from numerous problems such as a high elastic modulus and high toxicity. Therefore, non-toxic biomaterials with low elastic moduli need to be developed. Ti-HA(hydroxyapatite) composites were fabricated in the present work by pulsed current activated sintering (PCAS) at $1000^{\circ}C$ under 60 MPa using mixed Ti and HA powders. The effects of HA content on the physical and mechanical properties of the sintered Ti-HA composites have been investigated. X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis of the Ti-HA composites, including Ti-40 wt%HA in particular, revealed new phases, $Ti_{2}O$, CaO, $CaTiO_3$, and TixPy, formed by chemical reactions between Ti and HA during sintering. The hardness of the Ti-HA composites decreased with an increase in HA content. The corrosion resistance of these composites was observed to be an excellent candidate as a commercial Ti-6Al-4 V ELI alloy. A Ti-5 wt%HA composite fabricated by PCAS is recommended as a new biomaterial, because it offers good corrosion resistance, compressive strength, wear resistance, and biocompatibility, and a low Young's modulus.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.685-690
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• 2012

Decalcomania is a new method for SOFCs (solid oxide fuel cells) unit cell fabrication. A tight and dense $5{\mu}m$ Yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) electrolyte layer on anode substrate was fabricated by the decalcomania method. After 8YSZ as the electrolyte starting material was calcined at $1200^{\circ}C$, the particle size was controlled by the attrition mill. The median particle size (D50) of each 8YSZ was $39.6{\mu}m$, $9.30{\mu}m$, $6.35{\mu}m$, and $3.16{\mu}m$, respectively. The anode substrate was coated with decalcomania papers which were made by using 8YSZ with different median particle sizes. In order to investigate the effect of median particle sizes and sintering conditions on the electrolyte density, each sample was sintered for 2, 5 and 10 h, respectively. 8YSZ with a median particle size of $3.16{\mu}m$ which was sintered at $1400^{\circ}C$ for 10 had the highest density. With this 8YSZ, a SOFCs unit cell was manufactured with a $5{\mu}m$ layer by the decalcomania method. Then the unit cell was run at $800^{\circ}C$. The Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) and Maximum power density (MPD) was 1.12 V and $650mW/cm^2$, respectively.