• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.158-167
• /
• 2023

The increasing concerns for environmental pollution and depletion of natural resources have prompted the development of environmentally sustainable technologies. Pervaporation has garnered attention in recent decades due to its low energy consumption, environmental impact, and performance efficiency. This method has been used to separate chemical species and dehydrate organic solvents, as the membranes can be fine-tuned to fulfill the desired selectivity. Several separation processes, such as reverse osmosis and distillation, are being utilized in both experimental settings and industrial applications. However, pervaporation has several advantages, such as low operating pressure and temperature and a higher rejection rate. Nonetheless, the current state of membrane technology alone can't suffice the demands of practical applications. Composite membranes, on the other hand, can leverage the benefits of both organic and inorganic materials. Many studies have effectively incorporated inorganic nanomaterials such as graphene oxide (GO) and MXene (MX) in polymeric membranes to tackle the current limitations. This review investigates the recent development of 2D composite membranes in pervaporation and evaluates performance enhancement.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this case study is to assess workers' exposure to carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and characterize particles aerosolized during the process of producing CNT-enabled polytetrafuoroethylene(PTFE) composites at a worksite in Korea. Methods: Personal breathing zone and area samples were collected for determining respirable concentrations of elemental carbon(EC) using NIOSH(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Method 5040. Personal exposure to nano-sized particles was measured as the number concentration and mean diameter using personal ultrafine particle monitors. The number concentration by particle size was measured using optical particle sizers(OPS) and scanning mobility particle sizers(SMPS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) area samples were collected on TEM grids and analyzed to characterize the size, morphology, and chemistry of the particles. Results: Respirable EC concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.24 ㎍/㎥, which were below 23% of the exposure limit recommended by NIOSH and lower than background concentrations. Number concentrations by particle size measured using OPS and SMPS were not noticeably elevated during CNT-PTFE composite work. Instant increase of number concentrations of nano-sized particles was observed during manual sanding of CNT-PTFE composites. Both number concentrations and mean diameters did not show a statistically significant difference between workers handing CNT-added and not-added materials. TEM analyses revealed the emission of free-standing CNTs and CNT-PTFE aggregate particles from the powder supply task and composite particles embedded with CNTs from the computer numerical control(CNC) machining task with more than tens of micrometers in diameter. No free-standing CNT particles were observed from the CNC machining task. Conclusions: Significant worker exposure to respirable CNTs was not found, but the aerosolization of CNTs and CNT-embedded composite particles were observed during handing of CNT-PTFE powders and CNC machining of CNT-PTFE composites. Considering the limited knowledge on the toxicity of CNTs and CNT composite particles to date, it seems prudent to take a precautionary approach for the protection of workers' health.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.382-387
• /
• 2015

The dispersion of calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) in polypropylene (PP) and the effect of $CaCO_3$ size on the crystallinity of PP were studied. Polymer composite usually suffers from the brittleness when reinforced with inorganic fillers. The problem is generally related to the size and dispersion of fillers. First, the dispersion was studied for the nanosize $CaCO_3$ with 15~40 nm average diameter. To enhance the dispersibility in PP, the surface of the $CaCO_3$ was treated with sodium lignosulfonate (SLS). $CaCO_3$/PP composites were prepared via melt compounding. The $CaCO_3$ coated with more than 3 wt% SLS was uniformly distributed within the PP matrix, while the uncoated $CaCO_3$ formed aggregated structures in the PP. Even with 30 wt%, the SLS-$CaCO_3$ was well dispersed in the PP matrix. Also, the transition enthalpy of $CaCO_3$/PP increased and the full-width of half maximum of the crystallization peak decreased regardless of SLS coating and size of $CaCO_3$. However, the crystallinity of PP was more influenced by nano $CaCO_3$. These results imply that the nano $CaCO_3$ coated with SLS may reduce the brittleness of polymer composites.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.112-117
• /
• 2011

Recently, high growth potential of barrier materials industry including high performance packing materials was expected with increasing the national income and well-being culture. As high barrier materials, polymer nanocomposites have considerable attractions due to their excellent physical properties compared to conventional composite materials. In general, polymer nanocomposites were consisted of polymer matrix and inorganic fillers, such as layered silicate, carbon nanotubes, and metal- or inorganic nanoparticles. Among these materials, layered silicate which was called as the clay was usually used as nano-fillers because of naturally abundant and most economical and structural properties. Clay-reinforced polymer nanocomposites have various advantages, such as high strength, flammability, gas barrier property, abrasion resistance, and low shrinkage and used for automotive and packing materials. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on the need of gas barrier materials and materials-related technologies.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2010

In order to increase the electrical conductivity and the mechanical properties of carbon fabric composites, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were deposited on carbon fabrics by anodic and cathodic electrophoretic deposition (EPD) processes. In the cathodic EPD, carbon nano-particles and nano-sized Cu particles were simultaneously deposited on the carbon fabric, which gave a synergetic effect on the enhancement of properties as well as the degree of deposition. The hybridization of carbon nano-particles and micron-sized carbon fiber significantly improved the through-the-thickness electrical conductivity. In addition, both MWCNTs and CNFs were deposited onto the carbon fabric for multi-scale hybrid composites. Multi-scale deposition improved the through-the-thickness electrical conductivity, compared to the deposition of either MWCNTs or CNFs.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2020

A study on the heating behavior and adhesion property of structural epoxy adhesive through induction heating have been conducted. An adhesive for induction heating was manufactured through mixing with nano and micro sized Fe₃O₄. From the results, it was observed that induction heating is less affected by adherend (GFRP) thickness than oven heating. The heating rate of Fe₃O₄ embedded epoxy adhesive using induction heating much higher than that of oven curing process and it is more appreciable when the contents of Fe₃O₄ increased. Furthermore, adhesion strength increased with increase of Fe₃O₄ particle contents.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.16-30
• /
• 2017

Currently, e-textile market is rapidly expanding and the emerging area of e-textiles requires electrically conductive threads for diverse applications, including wearable innovative e-textiles that can transmit/receive and display data with a variety of functions. This study introduces hybrid nano-structures which may help increase the conductivity of the textile threads for use in wearable and flexible smart apparels. For this aim, Ag was selected as a conductive material, and yarn treatment was implemented where silver nanowire (AgNW) and graphene flake (GF) hybrid structures overcome the limitations of the AgNW alone. The yarn treatment includes several treatment conditions, e.g., annealing temperature, annealing time, binder material such as polyurethane (PU), coating time, in order to search for the optimum method to form stable conductive nano-scale composite materials as thin film on the surface of textile yarns. Treatedyarns showed improved electrical resistance readings. The functionality of the spandex yarn as a stretchable conductive thread was also demonstrated. When the yarn specimens were treated with colloid of AgNW/GF, relatively good electrical conductivity value was obtained. During the extension and recovery cycles of the treated yarns, the initial resistance values did not deteriorate significantly, since the network of nanowire structure with the support of GF and polyurethane stayed flexible and stable. Through this research, it was found that when one-dimensional structure of AgNW and two-dimensional structure of GF were mixed as colloids and treated on the surface of textile yarns, flexible and stretchable electrical conductor could be formed.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2006

We measured mechanical properties, including Young's modulus, effective bending modulus and nominal fracture strength of nanohoneycomb structures using an Atomic Force Microscope(AFM) and a Nano-Universal Testing Machine(UTM). Anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) films are well suited as nanohoneycomb structures because of the simple fabrication process, high aspect ratio, self-ordered hexagonal pore structure, and simple control of pore dimensions. Bending tests were carried out for cantilever structures by pressing AFM tips, and the results were compared with three-point bending tests and tensile tests using a Nano-UTM. One side of the AAO films is clogged by harrier layers, and looks like a face material of conventional sandwich structures. Analysis of this layer showed that it did not influence the bending rigidity, and was just a crack tip. The present results can act as a design guideline in applications of nanohoneycomb structures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.201-218
• /
• 2018

In this study, the effects of magnesium sulfate on the mechanical performance and the durability of confined and unconfined geopolymer concrete (GPC) specimens were investigated. The carbon and basalt fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) fabrics with 1-layer and 3-layers were used to evaluate the performances of the specimens under static and cyclic loading in the ambient and magnesium sulfate environments. In addition, the use of FRP materials as a rehabilitation technique was also studied. For the geopolymerization process of GPC specimens, the alkaline activator has selected a mixture of sodium silicate solution ($Na_2SiO_3$) and sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) with a ratio ($Na_2SiO_3/NaOH$) of 2.5. In addition to GPC specimens, an ordinary concrete (NC) specimens were also produced as a reference specimens and some of the GPC and NC specimens were immersed in 5% magnesium sulfate solutions. The mechanical performance and the durability of the specimens were evaluated by visual appearance, weight change, static and cyclic loading, and failure modes of the specimens under magnesium sulfate and ambient environments. In addition, the microscopic changes of the specimens due to sulfate attack were also assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the macroscale behavior of the specimens. Results indicated that geopolymer specimens produced with nano-silica and fly ash showed superior performance than the NC specimens in the sulfate environment. In addition, confined specimens with FRP fabrics significantly improved the compressive strength, ductility and durability resistance of the specimens and the improvement was found higher with the increased number of FRP layers. Specimens wrapped with carbon FRP fabrics showed better mechanical performance and durability properties than the specimens wrapped with basalt FRP fabrics. Both FRP materials can be used as a rehabilitation material in the sulfate environment.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.22 no.7
• /
• pp.362-367
• /
• 2012

Magnetite nanoparticles(NPs) have been the subject of much interest by researchers owing to their potential use as magnetic carriers in drug targeting and as a tumor treatment in cases of hyperthermia. However, magnetite nanoparticles with 10 nm in diameter easily aggregate and thus create large secondary particles. To disperse magnetite nanoparticles, this study proposes the infiltration of magnetite nanoparticles into hybrid silica aerogels. The feasible dispersion of magnetite is necessary to target tumor cells and to treat hyperthermia. Magnetite NPs have been synthesized by coprecipitation, hydrothermal and thermal decomposition methods. In particular, monodisperse magnetite NPs are known to be produced by the thermal decomposition of iron oleate. In this study, we thermally decomposed iron acetylacetonate in the presence of oleic acid, oleylamine and 1,2 hexadecanediol. We also attempted to disperse magnetite NPs within a mesoporous aerogels. Methyltriethoxysilicate(MTEOS)-based hybrid silica aerogels were synthesized by a supercritical drying method. To incorporate the magnetite nanoparticles into the hybrid aerogels, we devised two methods: adding the synthesized aerogel into a magnetite precursor solution followed by nucleation and crystal growth within the pores of the aerogels, and the infiltration of magnetite nanoparticles synthesized beforehand into aerogel matrices by immersing the aerogels in a magnetite nanoparticle colloid solution. An analysis using a vibrating sample magnetometer showed that approximately 20% of the magnetite nanoparticles were well dispersed in the aerogels. The composite samples showed that heating under an inductive magnetic field to a temperature of $45^{\circ}C$ is possible.