• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.371-378
• /
• 2012

Hydrophilic silica nanoparticles (SNPs) were treated by using 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxy silane (GPTMS) and then they were blended with polyurethane-urea (PUU) emulsions to obtain SNPs/PUU nanocomposite films. Thermo-mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated by varying the grafted amount of GPTMS onto SNPs and the contents of SNPs in the PUU matrix. The thermo-mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films were also compared in terms of the dispersibility of SNPs in the PUU matrix and thermal curing of the GPTMS-grafted SNPs. The maximum amount of grafted GPTMS was $1.99{\times}10^{-6}\;mol/m^2$, and which covered ca. 53% of the total SNP surface area. $^{29}Si$ CP/MAS NMR analyses with the deconvolution of peaks revealed the details of polycondensation degree and patterns of GPTMS in the surface modification of SNPs. The surface modification did not significantly affect colloidal stability of the SNPs in aqueous medium; however, the hydrophobic modification of SNPs offered a favorable effect on the dispersibility of SNPs in the PUU matrix as well as better thermal stability. XRD patterns revealed that GPTMS-grafted SNPs broadened the reduced the characteristic peak of polyol in PUU matrix. The composite films became rigid and less flexible as the SNP content increased from 5 wt.% to 20 wt.%. Particularly, Young's modulus and tensile modulus significantly increased after the thermal curing reaction of the epoxy groups in the SNPs.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.530-537
• /
• 2015

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are environmentally energy conversion devices to generate electricity via photovoltaic effect of semiconductors from solar energy. One of key elements in PV modules is "Backsheet," a multilayered barrier film, which determines their lifetime and energy conversion efficiency. The representative Backsheet is composed of chemically resistant poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) and cheap poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films used as core and skin materials, respectively. PVF film is too expensive to satisfy the market requirements to Backsheet materials with production cost as low as possible. The promising alternatives to PVF-based Backsheet are hydrocarbon Backsheets employing semi-crystalline PET films instead of PVF film. It is, however, necessary to provide improved barrier property to water vapor to the PET films, since PET films are suffering from hydrolytic decomposition. In this study, a polyurethane adhesive with reduced water vapor permeation behavior is developed via a homogeneous distribution of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles. The modified adhesive is expected to retard the hydrolysis of PET films located in the core and inner skin. To clarify the efficacy of the proposed concept, the mechanical properties and electrochemical PV performances of the Backsheet are compared with those of a Backsheet employing the polyurethane adhesive without the silica nanoparticles, after the exposure under standard temperature and humidity conditions.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2023

The aim of this study was to produce polymer cement composites (PCCs) composed of polymer dispersion and cement as crack repair materials for RC structures, and to investigate their fundamental properties. The test mixtures for the study were based on EVA and SAE polymer dispersions, and the water-cement ratio was determined while varying the polymer-cement ratio(P/C) in four different levels (20%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) to achieve the desired viscosity of PCCs considering their fillability as crack repair materials. Additionally, silica fume was incorporated into P/C 80% and 100% specimens to enhance their stiffness. The basic properties of PCCs as crack repair materials, such as viscosity, flowability, fillability, tensile strength, elongation, and modulus of elasticity, were examined. The results showed that P/C depending on the type of polymer significantly affected the viscosity and flowability, and appropriate w/c ratios were needed to achieve the desired viscosity for the mixture design with consideration of fillability as crack repair materials for RC structures. All designed mixtures in this study exhibited excellent fillability. The tensile strength and elongation of PCCs satisfied the KS regulation for cement- polymer modified waterproofing coatings. The incorporation of silica fume improved the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of PCCs. Depending on the type of polymer, mixtures using SAE showed better fundamental properties as crack repair materials for RC structures compared to those using EVA. In conclusion, SAE-based P/C 80% or 100% with the addition of up to 30% silica fume can be recommended as suitable mixtures for crack repair of RC structures.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.55-70
• /
• 2020

In this research article, acid resistance, sulphate resistance and sorptivity of self compacted concrete (SCC) prepared from C&D waste have been discussed. To improve the above properties of self compacted recycled aggregate concrete (SCRAC) along with mechanical and durability properties, different two stage mixing approaches (TSMA and TSMAsfc) were followed. In the proposed two stage mixing approach (TSMAsfc), silica fume, a proportional amount of cement and a proportional amount of water were mixed in premix stage which fills the pores and cracks of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The concrete specimen prepared using above mixing approaches were immersed in 1% concentration of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) solution for 28, 90 and 180 days for evaluating the acid resistance of SCRAC. Experimental results concluded that the proposed two stage mixing approach (TSMAsfc) is most suitable for acid resistance and sulphate resistance in terms of weight loss and strength loss due to the elimination of pores and cracks in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). In modified two stage mixing approach, the pores and cracks of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) were filled up and make ITZs of SCRAC stronger. Microstructure analysis was carried out to justify the reason of improvement of ITZs by electron probe micro analyser (EPMA) analysis. X-ray mapping was also done to know the presence of strength contributing elements presents in the concrete sample. It was established that SCRAC with modified mixing approach have shown improved results in terms of acid resistance, sulphate resistance, sorptivity and mechanical properties.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.131-131
• /
• 2003

The advent of photonic technologies in the field of communications and data transmission has been heavily increasing the demand in integrated optical (IO) circuits capable of accomplishing not only simple tasks like signal, but also more sophisticated functions like all-optical signal routing or active multiplexing/demultiplexing. In the last decade, sol-gel technology has been widely used to prepare optical materials. Sol-gel processes show many promises for the development of low-loss, high-performance glass integrated optical circuits. However, crack formation is likely to occur during heat treatment in thick gel films. In order to overcome the critical thickness limitation, the organic-modified silicate has been widely used. In this case coating matrices have been prepared from the organo-silanes of T structures, acidic catalyst and the as-prepared gel films have been heat-treated below 200$^{\circ}C$ to avoid the crack formation and the degradation of organic components. However, the films prepared in the acidic condition and the low heat temperature make the films contain high OH groups which is the major optical loss function. In this work, C$\sub$6/H$\sub$5/SiO$\sub$1.5/ films were prepared on silicon substrate by sol-gel method using base catalyst in a PTMS/NH$_4$OH/H$_2$O/C$_2$H$\sub$5/OH system. The sol showed spinable viscosity at 50 wt% of solid content, and neglectable viscosity change with time. The films were crack-free and transparent after curing at 450 $^{\circ}C$, and highly condensed to minimize OH content in C$\sub$6/H$\sub$5/SiO$\sub$1.5/ networks. The effects of heat treatment of the films are characterized on the critical thickness, the chemical composition and the refractive indices by means of SEM, FT-IR, TGA, prism coupler, respectively.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.865-880
• /
• 2015

Standard test method for bulk electrical conductivity (ASTM C1760) provides a rapid indication of the concrete's resistance to the penetration of chloride ions by diffusion. In this paper a new approach for assessing the bulk electrical conductivity of saturated specimens of hardened concrete is presented. The test involves saturating concrete specimens with a 5 M NaCl solution before measuring the conductivity of the samples. By saturating specimens with a highly conductive solution, they showed virtually the same pore solution conductivity. Different concrete samples yield different conductivity primarily due to differences in their pore structure. The feasibility of the method has been demonstrated by testing different concrete mixtures consisting ordinary and blended cement of silica fume (SF) and calcined perlite powder (CPP). Two standard test methods of RCPT (ASTM C1202) and Bulk Conductivity (ASTM C1760) were also applied to all of the samples. The results show that for concretes containing SF and CPP, the proposed method is less sensitive towards the variations in the pore solution conductivity in comparison with RCPT and Bulk Conductivity tests. It seems that this method is suitable for the assessment of the performance and durability of different concretes containing supplementary cementitious materials.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2006.04b
• /
• pp.52-56
• /
• 2006

Some of factors affecting photo-conversion efficiency of dye sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are discussed in terms of $TiO_2$ electrodes. The first topic is on the surface modification of $TiO_2$ nano-particles, which is associated with electron traps on the surface of $TiO_2$ nano-particles. The surface is modified with dye molecules under pressurized $CO_2$ atmosphere to increase the surface coverage of $TiO_2$ nano-particles with dye molecules. This increases Jsc because of an increase in the amount of dye molecules and a decrease in the amount of trapping sites on $TiO_2$ nano-particles. In addition, the decrease in the amount of trap sites increases Voc because decreases in Voc are brought about by the recombination of $I_2$ molecules with electrons trapped on the $TiO_2$ surfaces. Selective staining for tandem cells is proposed. The second topic is on the contact between a $SnO_2$/F transparent conductive layer (TCL) and nano-particles. Polishing the TCL surfaces with silica nano-particles increases the contact, resulting in Jsc increases. The third topic is the fabrication of ion-paths in $TiO_2$ layers. Electro-spray coating of $TiO_2$ nano-particles onto TCL is shown to be effective for fabricating ion-paths in $TiO_2$ layers, which increases Jsc.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.39-42
• /
• 2012

Phosphorylation and glycosylation are two of the most important and widespread post-translational modifications (PTMs) in an organism. Proteomics analysis of the PTMs has been challenged by low stoichiometry of the modified proteins and suppression effects by high abundance proteins, typically no-functional house-keeping proteins. In this study, a novel method was applied for not only isolating PTM peptides from intact peptides but also concurrently characterizing of glyco- and phosphoproteome using electrostatic repulsion hydrophilic interaction chromatography (ERLIC) packed with silica coated by crosslinked polyethyleneimine. For 2 mg tryptic digest of mouse proteome of epicardial adipose tissue with fat diet, 802 N-glycosylated peptides of 316 glycoproteins and 159 phosphorylated peptides of 75 phosphoproteins were identified using HPLC chip/quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-OF) tandem mass spectrometer.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.311-317
• /
• 2009

An automatic control system is proposed and implemented for a miniaturized DNA extraction system using magnetic bead. A host-local system is employed for the accommodation of the graphical user interface and the basic control function. The functional partitioning into the local and the host system is discussed. The control functions are classified and formalized for the flexible control scenario, which is the input of the proposed system. As the proposed scenario is consists of the sequence of the user-centric actions, the user goal can be easily programmed and modified. The DNA extraction performance of the implemented system was compared with the existing silica-membrane-based method, resulting in the comparable concentration and purity of the extracted DNA. The proposed system is currently being utilized for the development of the DNA extraction system only changing scenario, without any alteration of the system.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.312-319
• /
• 1986

Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) was examined as a counter-ion in the investigation of capacity factor and separation of aromatic carboxylic acids on alkyl-modified silica (ODS) column as a stationary phase by ion-pair chromatography on reversed-phase system. The capacity factor of samples was influenced by the several factors such as a concentration of counter-ion as well as kinds and concentration of electrolyte, concentration of methanol in mobile phase and kinds and position of functional group in sample molecule. Some mixtures of samples were able to be separated under optimum condition.