• 한국재료학회지
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.217-222
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• 2020

The design and fabrication of catalysts with low-cost and high electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) have remained challenging because of the sluggish kinetics of this reaction. The key to the pursuit of efficient electrocatalysts is to design them with high surface area and more active sites. In this work, we have successfully synthesized a highly stable and active NiCo₂S₄ nanowire array on a Ni-foam substrate (NiCo₂S₄ NW/NF) via a two-step hydrothermal synthesis approach. This NiCo₂S₄ NW/NF exhibits overpotential as low as 275 mV, delivering a current density of 20 mA cm^-2 (versus reversible hydrogen electrode) with a low Tafel slope of 89 mV dec^-1 and superior long-term stability for 20 h in 1 M KOH electrolyte. The outstanding performance is ascribed to the inherent activity of the binder-free deposited, vertically aligned nanowire structure, which provides a large number of electrochemically active surface sites, accelerating electron transfer, and simultaneously enhancing the diffusion of electrolyte.

• 한국결정성장학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.78-82
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• 2023

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the primary challenge in renewable energy storage technologies, specifically electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation. We report effects of Mo doping into Ni layered double hydroxide (Ni-LDH) microcrystal on electrocatalytic activities. In this study, Mo doped Ni-LDH were grown on three-dimensional porous nicekl foam (NF) by a facile solvothermal method. Homogeneous LDH structure on the NF was clearly observed. However, the surface microstructure of the nickel foam began to be irregular and collapsed when Mo precursor is doped. Electrocatalytic OER properties were analyzed by Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The amount of Mo doping used in the electrocatalytic reaction was found to play a crucial role in improving catalytic activity. The optimum Mo amount introduced into the Ni LDH was discussed with respect to their OER performance.

• 한국분말재료학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.231-236
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• 2019

Ni hydroxides ($Ni(OH)_2$) are synthesized on Ni foam by varying the hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) concentration using an electrodeposition process for pseudocapacitor (PC) applications. In addition, the effects of HMT concentration on the $Ni(OH)_2$ structure and the electrochemical properties of the PCs are investigated. HMT is the source of amine-based $OH^-$ in the solution; thus, the growth rate and morphological structure of $Ni(OH)_2$ are influenced by HMT concentration. When $Ni(OH)_2$ is electrodeposited at a constant voltage mode of -0.85 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the cathodic current and the number of nucleations are significantly reduced with increasing concentration of HMT from 0 to 10 mM. Therefore, $Ni(OH)_2$ is sparsely formed on the Ni foam with increasing HMT concentration, showing a layered double-hydroxide structure. However, loosely packed $Ni(OH)_2$ grains that are spread on Ni foam maintain a much greater surface area for reaction and result in the effective utilization of the electrode material due to the steric hindrance effect. It is suggested that the $Ni(OH)_2$ electrodes with HMT concentration of 7.5 mM have the maximum specific capacitance (1023 F/g), which is attributed to the facile electrolyte penetration and fast proton exchange via optimized surface areas.

• 한국표면공학회지
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.299-308
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• 2023

In this study, phosphorus (P)-doped nickel cobaltite (P-NiCo₂O₄) and nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide (P-NiCo-LDH) were synthesized on nickel (Ni) foam as a conductive support using hydrothermal synthesis. The thermal properties, crystal structure, microscopic surface morphology, chemical distribution, electronic state of the constituent elements on the sample surface, and electrical properties of the synthesized P-NiCo₂O₄ and P-NiCo-LDH samples were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The P-NiCo₂O₄ electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 1,129 Fg^-1 at a current density of 1 Ag^-1, while the P-NiCo-LDH electrode displayed a specific capacitance of 1,012 Fg^-1 at a current density of 1 Ag-1. When assessing capacity changes for 3,000 cycles, the P-NiCo₂O₄ electrode exhibited a capacity retention rate of 54%, whereas the P-NiCo-LDH electrode showed a capacity retention rate of 57%.

• 한국태양에너지학회 논문집
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.42-50
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• 2013

Solar thermal reactor was studied for hydrogen production with a two step thermochemical cycle including T-R(Thermal Reduction) step and W-D(Water Decomposition) step. NiFe2O4 and Fe3O4 supported by monoclinic ZrO2 were used as a catalyst device and Ni powder was used for decreasing the T-R step reaction temperature. Maintaining a temperature level of about $1100^{\circ}C$ and $1400^{\circ}C$, for 2-step thermochemical reaction, is important for obtaining maximum performance of hydrogen production. The controller was designed for adjusting high temperature solar thermal energy heating the foam-device coated with nickel- ferrite powder. A Pill temperature control system was designed based on 2-step thermochemical reaction experiment data(measured concentrated solar radiation and the temperature of foam device during experiment). The cycle repeated 5 times, ferrite conversion rate are 4.49~29.97% and hydrogen production rate is 0.19~1.54mmol/g-ferrite. A temperature controller was designed for increasing the number of reaction cycles related with the amount of produced hydrogen.

• 한국결정성장학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.96-101
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• 2021

Developing effective and earth-abundant electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical for the commercialization of a water splitting system. In particular, the overpotential of the OER is relatively higher than the HER, and thus, it is considered that one of the important methods to enhance the performance of the electrocatalyst is to reduce the overpotential of the OER. We report effects of incorporation of metalloid into Ni(OH)2 microcrystal on electrocatalytic activities. In this study, Te incorporated Ni(OH)2 (��Te-Ni(OH)2) were grown on three-dimensional porous NF by a facile solvothermal method with �� = 1, 3 and 5. Homogeneous microplate structure on the NF was clearly observed for the Ni(OH)2/NF and ��Te-Ni(OH)2/NF samples. However, irregular and collapsed nanostructures were found on the surface of nickel foam when Te precursor ratio is (��) over 3. Electrocatalytic OER properties were analysed by Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The amount of Te incorporation used in the electrocatalytic reaction was found to play a crucial role in improving catalytic activity. The optimum Te amount (��) introduced into the Ni(OH)2/NF was discussed with respect to their OER performance.

• 한국분말재료학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.411-417
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• 2022

Environmental issues such as global warming due to fossil fuel use are now major worldwide concerns, and interest in renewable and clean energy is growing. Of the various types of renewable energy, green hydrogen energy has recently attracted attention because of its eco-friendly and high-energy density. Electrochemical water splitting is considered a pollution-free means of producing clean hydrogen and oxygen and in large quantities. The development of non-noble electrocatalysts with low cost and high performance in water splitting has also attracted considerable attention. In this study, we successfully synthesized a NiCo₂O₄/NF electrode for an oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline water splitting using a hydrothermal method, which was followed by post-heat treatment. The effects of heat treatment on the electrochemical performance of the electrodes were evaluated under different heat-treatment conditions. The optimized NCO/NF-300 electrode showed an overpotential of 416 mV at a high current density of 50 mA/cm² and a low Tafel slope (49.06 mV dec^-1). It also showed excellent stability (due to the large surface area) and the lowest charge transfer resistance (12.59 Ω). The results suggested that our noble-metal free electrodes have great potential for use in developing alkaline electrolysis systems.

• 한국수소및신에너지학회논문집
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.337-342
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• 2022

In this study, a water electrolysis was studied to investigate the effect of ammonia on current density and H2 gas production. A H type cell with three electrodes was used and KOH solution was used as electrolyte. The conventional platinum foil was used for working electrode, whereas nickel foam was used for counter electrode. CV experiment was performed to see the activity of ammonia oxidation reaction. In addition, CP experiment was done to examine the dependence of Faraday efficiency of hydrogen on current density and NH3 concentration. The CV result shows the 0.5M NH3 concentration required for highest current density and reliable operation. The CP result shows the increased current density leads to higher H2 generation. The higher H2 production and subsequent energy efficiency was observed for 0.5M NH3 using a Pt/13%Rh coil for a cathode as compared to those in water electrolysis.

• 한국결정성장학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.30-35
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• 2024

수소에너지 생산을 위한 물분해 시스템의 효율을 향상시키기 위해서는, 수소발생반응(HER)과 산소발생반응(OER) 각각에서 촉매로 인한 전기화학적 반응에서의 높은 과전압의 감소가 수반되어야 한다. 그 중에서도 전이금속 기반의 화합물들은 현재 상용되고 있는 백금 등의 귀금속을 대체할 촉매 재료로써 주목받고 있다. 본 연구에서는, 저렴한 금속 다공성 소재인 니켈폼(Ni foam)을 지지체로 사용하고, 수열합성 공정을 통해 Fe-doped β-Ni(OH)₂ 마이크로결정을 합성하였다. 또한 OER 특성을 향상시키기 위하여 Mo을 동시도핑하여 합성된 Fe-Mo co-doped β-Ni(OH)₂ 마이크로결정의 형상, 결정구조 및 수전해 특성의 변화를 관찰하였으며, 상용 수전해 시스템의 촉매로서의 적용가능성을 검토하였다.

• 한국해양공학회지
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.349-355
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• 2016

Divinycell, which functions as both insulation and a supporting structure, is generally applied in the NO96-type liquefied natural gas (LNG) insulation system. Polymer-material-based Divinycell, which has a high strength and low weight, has been widely used in the offshore, transportation, wind power generation, and civil engineering fields. In particular, this type of material receives attention as an insulation material because its thermal conductivity can be lowered depending on the ambient temperature. However, it is difficult to obtain research results for Divinycell, even though the component materials of the NO96-type LNG cargo containment system, such as 36% nickel steel (invar steel), plywood, perlite, and glass wool, have been extensively studied and reported. In the present study, temperature and strain-rate dependent compressive tests on Divinycell were performed. Both the quantitative experimental data and elastic recovery are discussed. Finally, the mechanical characteristics of Divinycell were compared to the results of polyurethane foam insulation material.