• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.11
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• pp.4851-4858
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• 2024

Matrix graphite is used as a structural material, thermal conductor, moderator, and secondary fission product barrier for fuel elements in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTRs). Due to its high graphitization degree and compressibility, natural flake graphite (NFG) is used as the main filler in traditional A3-3 matrix graphite, whereas artificial graphite (AG), with a lower graphitization degree than NFG, serves as an additive for toughness and gas permeability. Matrix graphite could be improved in terms of thermal conductivity, oxidation resistance, and irradiation performance by increasing the degree of graphitization. However, reports on the development of new matrix graphite formulations are scarce. In this study, MG-20 matrix graphite was prepared by mixing 60 wt % NFG, 20 wt% natural microcrystalline graphite (MG), and 20 wt% phenolic resin. Due to the high graphitization degree (higher than AG) and low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of MG, MG-20 exhibited higher thermal conductivity (~6%) and lower CTE (~2.4%) than A3-3. Thus, MG-20 with higher graphitization degree and better thermal properties than A3-3 could improve the performance of HTR fuel elements in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.52-56
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• 2002

Tin oxide was coated on graphite particle by sol-gel method and an electrode with this material having microcrystalline structure for lithium ion battery was obtained by heat treatment in the range $400-600^{\circ}C$. The content of tin oxide was controlled within the range of $2.25wt\%\~11.1wt\%$. The discharge capacity increased with the content of tin oxide and also initial irreversible capacity increased. The discharge capacity of tin oxide electrode showed more than 350 mAh/g at the initial cycle and 300 mAh/g after the 30th cycle in propylene carbonate(PC) based electrolyte whereas graphite electrode without surface modification showed 140 mAh/g. When the charge and discharge rate was changed from C/5 to C/2, The discharge capacity of tin oxide and graphite electrode showed $92\%\;and\;77\%$ of initial capacity, respectively. It has been considered that such an enhancement of electrode characteristics was caused because lithium $oxide(Li_2O)$ passive film formed from the reaction between tin oxide and lithium ion prevented the exfoliation of graphite electrode and also reduced tin enhanced the electrical conduction between graphite particles to improve the current distribution of electrode.