• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2010

Glucose oxidase ($GOD_{ox}$) immobilized biosensor was fabricated by two methods. In one of the methods, gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) prepared by ${\gamma}$-irradiation were loaded into the poly(maleic anhydride)-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotube, PMAn-g-MWCNT electrode via physical entrapment. In the other method, the Au-NPs were prepared by electrochemical reduction of Au ions on the surface of PMAn-g-MWCNT electrode and then GODox was immobilized into the Au-NPs. The $GOD_{ox}$ immobilized biosensors were tested for electrocatalytic activities to sense glucose. The sensing range of the biosensor based on the Au-NPs physically modified PMAn-g-MWCNT electrode was from $30\;{\mu}M$ to $100\;{\mu}M$ for the glucose concentration, and the detection limit was $15\;{\mu}M$. Interferences of ascorbic acid and uric acid were below 7.6%. The physically Au deposited PMAn-g-MWCNT paste electrodes appear to be good sensor in detecting glucose.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.262-267
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• 2016

In this study, we present an excellent approach for easily and uniformly immobilizing Pt, Au and bimetallic PtAu nanoparticles (NPs) on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-coated layer through dry plasma reduction. The NPs are stably and uniformly immobilized on the surface of MWNTs and the nanohybrid materials are applied to counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The electrochemical properties of CEs are examined through cyclic voltammogram, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel measurements. As a result, both electrochemical catalytic activity and electrical conductivity are highest for PtAu/MWNT electrode. The DSC employing PtAu/MWNT CE exhibits power conversion efficiency of 7.9%. The efficiency is better than those of devices with MWNT (2.6%), AuNP/MWNT (2.7%) and PtNP/MWNT (7.5%) CEs.

• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.254-258
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• 2013

Polypropylene films reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets were fabricated by extrusion, and the effects of filler type and take-up speed on the mechanical properties and microstructure of composite films were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the addition of carbon nanomaterials resulted in increased degree of crystallinity. However, increasing the take-up speed reduced the degree of crystallinity, which indicates that tension-induced orientations of polymer chains and carbon nanomaterials and the loss of degree of crystallinity due to rapid cooling at high take-up speeds act as competing mechanisms. These observations were in good agreement with tensile properties, which are governed by the degree of crystallinity, where the C-grade exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet with a surface area of $750m^2/g$ showed the greatest reinforcing effect among all types of carbon nanomaterials used. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the carbon nanomaterial dispersion and orientation, respectively.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.25-30
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• 2011

This paper presents an experimental study on the enhancement of electromagnetic shielding (EMI) properties of glass fiber, carbon fiber, and glass-carbon fiber composites by adding layers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). In the case of glass-fiber composites, spraying 0.1~0.2 g of MWCNT over a fiber area of $200mm{\times}200mm$ (1.8~3.6 ${\mu}m$ in thickness) resulted in significant improvement in EMI shielding effectiveness (SE). Also, when applying multiple MWCNT layers, it was more effective to place the layers concentrated near the center of the composite rather than spreading them out. On the contrary, inherently conductive carbon fiber and glass-carbon fiber composites did not show appreciable improvement with the addition of MWCNT layers. In order to maximize the effectiveness of carbon nanomaterials as EMI shielding fillers, it is imperative to understand the effect of these materials on various EMI shielding mechanisms and their interactions.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2011

Epoxy resins are widely used as high performance thermosets in many industrial applications, such as coatings, adhesives and composites. Recently, a lot of research has been carried out in order to improve their mechanical properties and thermal stability in various fields. Carbon nanotubes possess high physical and mechanical properties that are considered to be ideal reinforcing materials in composites. CNT-reinforced epoxy system hold the promise of delivering superior composite materials with their high strength, light weight and multi functional features. Therefore, this study used multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and gamma rays to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy. The diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) as epoxy resins were cured by gamma ray irradiation with well-dispersed MWNTs as a reinforcing agent and triarylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate (TASHFA) as an initiator. The flexural modulus was measured by UTM (universal testing machine). At this point, the flexural modulus factor exhibits an upper limit at 0.1 wt% MWNT. The thermal properties had improved by increasing the content of MWNT in the result of TGA (thermogravimetric analysis). However, they were decreased with increasing the radiation dose. The change of glass transition temperature by the radiation dose was characterized by DMA (dynamic mechanical analysis).

• Composites Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

This paper presents an experimental study on the piezoresistive behavior of nanocomposite strain sensors subjected to various loading modes and their capability to detect structural deformations and damages. The electrically conductive nanocomposites were fabricated in the form of a film using various types of thermoplastic polymers and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) at various loadings. In this study, the nanocomposite strain sensors were bonded to a substrate and subjected to tension, flexure, or compression. In tension and flexure, the resistivity change showed dependence on measurement direction, indicating that the sensors can be used for multi-directional strain sensing. In addition, the sensors exhibited a decreasing behavior in resistivity as the compressive load was applied, suggesting that they can be used for pressure sensing. This study demonstrates that the nanocomposite strain sensors can provide a pathway to affordable, effective, and versatile structural health monitoring.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 2015

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used in polymer composites as filler materials to enhance various characteristics of the composites because of their remarkable mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. In this study, we investigate the effects of MWCNTs on the electrical and wear characteristics of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites, and compare the results with the effects of carbon black (CB). The HIPS composites are classified as Bare-HIPS, MWCNT-HIPS composites containing 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt% MWCNTs, and CB-HIPS containing 17 wt% CB. Electrical characteristics are evaluated by measuring the surface resistance using a 4-point probe. Wear characteristics are evaluated using the reciprocating wear test, and a chrome steel ball with a curvature of 6.3 mm is used as the counterpart. The results show that the addition of MWCNTs or CB can improve the electrical and wear characteristics of HIPS composites. In the case of MWCNT-HIPS composites, surface resistance, friction coefficient, and specific wear rate decrease as the concentrations of MWCNTs increase. Moreover, the addition of MWCNTs is more effective in improving the electrical and wear characteristics of HIPS composites compared to the addition of CB. To fabricate the HIPS composite with appropriate electrical and wear characteristics, more than 4 wt% MWCNTs is added to HIPS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.215-216
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• 2007

Semiconducting layers are thin rubber film between electrical cable wire and insulating polymer layers having a volume resistivity of ${\sim}10^2{\Omega}cm$. A new semiconducting material was suggested in this study based on the carbon nanotube(CNT)-reinforced polymer nanocomposites. CNT-reinforced polymer nanocomposites were prepared by solution mixing with various polymer type and dual filler system. The mechanical, thermal and electrical properties were investigated as a function of polymer type and dual filler system based on CNT and carbon black. The volume resistivity of composites was strongly related with the crystallinity of polymer matrix. With decreased crystallinity, the volume resistivity decreased linearly until a critical point, and it remained constant with further decreasing the crystallinity. Dual filler system also affected the volume resistivity. The CNT-reinforced nanocomposite showed the lowest volume resistivity. When a small amount of carbon black(CB) was replaced the CNT, the crystallinity increased considerably leading to a higher volume resistivity.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.574-581
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• 2016

In this study, CNT functionalized with pyrrolidine ring via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with various amino acid and aldehyde was synthesized. Metallocene was subsequently immobilized on the functionalized CNT and CNT/polyethylene composite was prepared via in-situ ethylene polymerization. The polymerization activities of metallocene supported on CNT functionalized with glycine and benzaldehyde (Gly+BA-CNT) were similar to those of metallocene supported on CNT functionalized with N-benzyloxycarbonylglycine and paraformaldehyde (Z-Gly+PFA-CNT) although its Zr content was lower than that of Z-Gly+PFA-CNT. In the case of metallocene supported on Z-Gly+PFA-CNT, the even distribution of active sites hindered the diffusion of ethylene monomer and cocatalyst MAO due to steric hindrance during ethylene polymerization. Compared to polyethylene produced from homogeneous metallocene catalysts, CNT/PE composites had a higher initial degradation temperature ($T_{onset}$) and maximum mass loss temperature ($T_{max}$). It suggests that pyrrolidine functionalized CNT is uniformly dispersed and strongly interacted with the PE matrix, enhancing the thermal stability of PE.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.526-532
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• 2013

The effect of CNT dispersion method on rheological and electrical properties of polystyrene/carbon nanotube (PS/CNT) nanocomposites via latex technology was compared. The nanocomposites were prepared through freeze-drying the dispersed suspension comprised of CNTs and PS particles. In this study, physical dispersion method, either sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) addition or polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) wrapping, was employed to prevent the deterioration of intrinsic properties of CNT caused by chemical modification. The physical method applied to latex technology was very effective in CNT dispersion. With SDS addition, the enhancement of rheological properties was low compared to PVP wrapping because the properties of matrix were deteriorated due to the incorporation of low molecular weight SDS. The electrical percolation threshold of PS/SDS-stabilized CNT and PS/PVP-wrapped CNT nanocomposites was 0.23 and 0.90 wt%, respectively. The enhancement of electrical conductivity was low in the case of PVP wrapping because the non-conducting PVPs wrapped around CNT restricted the electrical connection between CNTs.