• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.604-610
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• 2023

The nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), which produces NH₃ by reducing N₂ under ambient conditions, is attracting attention as a promising technology that can reduce energy consumption in industrial processes. We investigated the adsorption behaviors at various active sites on the Ni (100) surface, which is widely used among catalytic metal surfaces capable of adsorbing and activating N₂, based on density-functional theory calculations. We also investigated two N₂ adsorption structures, so-called end-on and side-on structures. We find that for the end-on case, N₂ is adsorbed on a top site, and the reaction proceeded in a distal pathway, while for the side-on case, N₂ is adsorbed on a bridge site, and the reaction proceeded with enzymatic pathway. Finally, this study provides insight into the adsorption of metal catalyst surfaces for the NRR reactions based on the calculated Gibbs free energy profiles of the thermodynamically most favorable pathways.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2024

In this study, a fuel cell system for future defense unmanned vehicles was designed and validated. A Co/Al₂O₃-Ni foam catalyst for NaBH₄ hydrolysis was characterized using several analytical methods. A NaBH₄ hydrogen generation system with the Co/Al₂O₃-Ni foam catalyst continuously generated hydrogen at elevated reaction temperatures. The fuel cell system with the NaBH₄ hydrogen generation system was designed and tested. The performance of the fuel cell system was comparable to that of the fuel cell system using pure hydrogen. Therefore, the fuel cell system with the NaBH₄ hydrogen generation system is a suitable power source for future defense unmanned vehicles owing to its easy refueling and simple system.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 1999

An investigation was made of the effect of various transition metal catalysts, ligands, and a promoter on the synthesis of N,N'-diphenylurea(DPU) from nitrobenzene, aniline, and carbon monoxide. Homogeneous Pd and Ni catalysts were found to be highly efficient, giving almost quantitative isolated DPU yields at 100% nitrobenzene conversion. Bidentate ligand, 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)proane(dppp) showed much improved activity and significantly different reactivity relative to the usual monodentate $PPh_3$ ligand in the presence of Ni and Pd catalysts. These results were inferred to the effect of the cis coordination of bidentate dppp ligand on the metal. The use of a promoter $Et_4NCl$ was indispensable in the case of $PPh_3$, yet inhibited the reaction if used with dppp. It was possible to reuse the Pd-dppp catalyst system, although the catalytic activity was reduced slowly.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.291-298
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• 2013

Conjugated linoleic acid methylester was synthesized through isomerization of linoleic acid methylester by using heterogeneous catalysts. As for heterogeneous catalysts, Ni supported zeolite type catalysts were used. H zoelite Y (HY) were ion exchanged with KCl aqueous solution to synthesize K zeolite Y (KY), and with impregnation method, Ni supported zeolite catalysts were synthesized. Catalysts were used after pre-treatment by using hydrogen. HY catalysts showed a high conversion at low temperatures; but a low selectivity for conjugation reaction. KY catalysts showed a low conversion at low temperatures; but a similar conversion with HY catalysts at high temperatures while a high selectivity at low temperatures. As a result, 4 wt% Ni/KY720 recorded the high conjugation yield of 63.4% at 220.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.128-136
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• 2014

In the present study, we successfully developed an eco-friendly chemical etching solution and proper condition for plating on ABS material. The mechanism of forming Ni plating layer on ABS substrate is known as following. In general, the etching solution used for the etching process is a solution of chromic acid and sulfuric acid. The etching solution is given to the surface resulting in elution of butadiene group, so-called anchor effect. Such a rough surface can easily adsorb catalyst resulting in the increase of adhesion between ABS substrate and Ni plating layer. However a use of chromic acid is harmful to environment. It is, therefore, essential to develop a new alternative solution. In the present study, we proposed an eco-friendly etching solution composed of potassium permanganate, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. This solution was testified to observe the surface microstructure and the pore size of electrical Ni plating layer, and the adhesive correlation between deposited layers fabricated by electro Ni plating was confirmed. The result of the present study, the newly developed, eco-friendly etching solution, which is a mixture of potassium permanganate 25 g/L, sulfuric acid 650ml/L and phosphoric acid 250ml/L, has a similar etching effect and adhesion property, compared with the commercially used chromium acid solution in the condition at $70^{\circ}C$ for 5 min.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 2012

The properties of methane oxidation were studied in this research over transition metal containing $CeO_2$ (TM/$CeO_2$, TM=Ni, Co, Cu, Fe) with TM content of 5 wt. % at atmospheric pressure. The characteristics of catalysts were investigated by various characterization techniques, including XRD, GC, SEM and EPMA analyses. The catalytic tests were carried out in a fixed Rmix ratio of 1.5 ($CH_4/O_2$) in a fixed-bed reactor operating isothermally at atmospheric pressure. Only the Ni/$CeO_2$ catalysts showed syngas production above $400^{\circ}C$ via typical partial oxidation reaction whereas other catalysts induced complete oxidation resulting in the production of $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ in whole reaction temperature range. From the quantitative analysis on carbon deposition after catalytic tests, Cu/$CeO_2$ was found to show the highest resistance on carbon deposition. Therefore Cu can be proposed as an efficient catalyst element which can be combined with a conventional Ni-based SOFC anode to enhance the carbon tolerance.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.378-385
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• 2014

In this research, we investigate electrical performance and electrochemical properties of graphene supported Pt (Pt/G) and PtM (M = Ni and Y) alloy catalysts (PtM/Gs) that are synthesized by modified polyol method. With the PtM/Gs that are adopted for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), their catalytic activity and ORR performance and electrical performance are estimated and compared with one another. Their particle size, particle distribution and electrochemically active surface (EAS) area are measured by TEM and cyclic voltammetry (CV), respectively. On the other hand, regarding ORR activity and electrical performance of the catalysts, (i) linear sweeping voltammetry by rotating disk electrode and rotating ring-disk electrode and (ii) PEMFC single cell tests are used. The TEM and CV measurements demonstrate particle size and EAS of PtM/Gs are compatible with those of Pt/G. In case of PtNi/G, its half-wave potential, kinetic current density, transferred electron number per oxygen molecule and $H_2O_2$ production % are excellent. Based on data obtained by half-cell test, when PEMFC singlecell tests are carried out, current density measured at 0.6V and maximum power density of the PEMFC single cell employing PtNi/G are better than those employing Pt/G. Conclusively, PtNi/Gs synthesized by modified polyol shows better ORR catalytic activity and PEMFC performance than other catalysts.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.491-496
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• 2017

The hydrogen($H_2$) is promising energy carrier of renewable energy in the microgrid system such as small village and military base due to its high energy density, pure emission and convenient transportation. $H_2$ can be generated by photocatalytic water splitting, gasification of biomass and water electrolysis driven by solar cell or wind turbine. Solid oxide electrolysis cells(SOECs) are the most efficient way to mass production due to high operating temperature improving the electrode kinetics and reducing the electrolyte resistance. The SOECs are consist of nickel-yttria stabilized zirconia(NiO-YSZ) fuel electrode / YSZ electrolyte / lanthanum strontium manganite-YSZ(LSM-YSZ) air electrode due to similarity to Solid Oxide Fuel Cells(SOFCs). The Ni-YSZ most widely used fuel electrode shows several problems at SOEC mode such as degradation of the fuel electrode because of Ni particle's redox reaction and agglomeration. Therefore Ni-YSZ need to be replaced to an alternative fuel electrode material. In this study, We studied on the Double perovskite $PrBrMnO_{5+{\delta}}$(PBMO) due to its high electric conductivity, catalytic activity and electrochemical stability. PBMO was impregnated into the scaffold electrolyte $La_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}Ga_{0.85}Mg_{0.15}O_{3-{\delta}}$(LSGM) to be synthesized at low temperature for avoiding secondary phase generated when it exposed to high temperature. The Half cell test was conducted at SOECs and SOFCs modes.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.148-157
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• 2022

Research on hydrogen storage is active to properly deal with hydrogen, which is considered a next-generation energy medium. In particular, research on metal hydride with excellent safety and energy efficiency has attracted attention, and among them, magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloys have been studied for a long time due to their high storage density, low cost, and abundance. However, Mg-based alloys require high temperature conditions due to strong binding enthalpy, and have many difficulties due to slow hydrogenation kinetics and reduction in hydrogen storage capacity due to oxidation, and various strategies have been proposed for this. This research manufactured Mg₂Ni to improve hydrogenation kinetics and synthesize about 5, 10, 20 wt% of CaF₂ as a catalyst for controlling oxidation. Mg₂NiHx-CaF₂ produced by hydrogen induced mechanical alloying analyzed hydrogenation kinetics through an automatic PCT measurement system under conditions of 423 K, 523 K, and 623 K. In addition, material life cycle assessment was conducted through Gabi software and CML 2001 and Eco-Indicator 99' methodology, and the environmental impact characteristics of the manufacturing process of the composites were analyzed. In conclusion, it was found that the effects of resource depletion (ARD) and fossil fuels had a higher burden than other impact categories.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.361-371
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• 2024

This study reviews recent advancements in Ni-based catalysts for CO₂ methanation, emphasizing high thermal stability and catalytic performance at elevated temperatures. Ni catalysts are preferred for their strong hydrogen adsorption, high activity, and methane selectivity. Strategies such as optimizing metal loading, using efficient supports, and introducing promoters enhance thermal stability by preventing sintering and carbon deposition. The produced methane serves as a valuable feedstock for synthetic fuels and chemicals, improving the economic feasibility of the CO₂ methanation process. These findings underscore the importance of thermal stability in developing effective Ni catalysts for large-scale CO₂ methanation.