• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.17-20
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• 2020

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. In this work, we present a simple synthetic route for triple perovskite Nd_1.5Ba_1.5CoFeMnO_x with high performance OER and HER activity. This triple perovskite structure which shows high crystallinity through combustion method shows superior bifunctional catalytic performance in alkaline media. We believe that the prepared triple provskite with high performance OER and HER activity can give further feasibility for the commercialization of a water splitting system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.91-91
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• 2013

Imagine a world where we could biomanufacture hybrid nanomaterials having atomic-scale resolution over functionality and architecture. Toward this vision, a fundamental challenge in materials science is how to design and synthesize protein-like material that can be fully self-assembled and exhibit information-specific process. In an ongoing effort to extend the fundamental understanding of protein structure to non-natural systems, we have designed a class of short peptides to fold like proteins and assemble into defined nanostructures. In this talk, I will talk about new strategies to drive the self-assembled structures designing sequence of peptide. I will also discuss about the specific interaction between proteins and inorganics that can be used for the development of new hybrid solar energy devices. Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is one of the promising pathways for solar to energy convertsion and storage system. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been regarded as a major bottleneck in the overall water splitting process due to the slow transfer rate of four electrons and the high activation energy barrier for O-O bond formation. In nature, there is a water oxidation complex (WOC) in photosystem II (PSII) comprised of the earthabundant elements Mn and Ca. The WOC in photosystem II, in the form of a cubical CaMn4O5 cluster, efficiently catalyzes water oxidation under neutral conditions with extremely low overpotential (~160 mV) and a high TOF number. The cluster is stabilized by a surrounding redox-active peptide ligand, and undergo successive changes in oxidation state by PCET (proton-coupled electron transfer) reaction with the peptide ligand. It is fundamental challenge to achieve a level of structural complexity and functionality that rivals that seen in the cubane Mn4CaO5 cluster and surrounding peptide in nature. In this presentation, I will present a new strategy to mimic the natural photosystem. The approach is based on the atomically defined assembly based on the short redox-active peptide sequences. Additionally, I will show a newly identified manganese based compound that is very close to manganese clusters in photosystem II.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2005

$LiMO_{2}(M=Co,Ni)$ samples were synthesized with $Li_{2}CO_{3},\;Co_{3}O_{4}$, and NiO by the solid-state reaction method. In the case of $LiCoO_{2}$, at low temperature$(T=400^{\circ}C)$ spinel structure was synthesized and the obtained spinel phase was transformed to layered phase at high temperature$(T\ge600^{\circ}C)$. The phase transition behaviors of $LiCoO_{2}$ were investigated with various heating temperature and time. The rate of transition was directly proportional to the concentrations of reactant, and activation energy of reaction was around 6.76 kcal/mol. When CoO(rock salt structure) was used as a starting material instead of $Co_{3}O_{4}$(spinel structure), layered structure of $LiCoO_{2}$ was obtained at low temperature. In the case of $LiNiO_{2}$ the transition from layered structure to rock salt structure occurred easily by disordering/ordering reaction, but did not occur in $LiCoO_{2}$. The difference in metal ion radii in $LiCoO_{2}$ and $LiNiO_{2}$ results in different behaviors of phase transitions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.192-202
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• 1998

We investigated the geochemistry and environmental isotopes of granite-bedrock groundwater in the Yeongcheon diversion tunnel which is located about 300 m below the land surface. The hydrochemistry of groundwaters belongs to the Ca-HCO$_3$type, and is controlled by flow systems and water-rock interaction in the flow conduits (fractures). The deuterium and oxygen-18 data are clustered along the meteoric water line, indicating that the groundwater are commonly of meteoric water origin and are not affected by secondary isotope effects such as evaporation and isotope exchange. Tritium data show that the groundwaters were mostly recharged before pre-thermonuclear period and have been mixed with younger surface water flowing down rapidly into the tunnel along fractured zones. Based on the mass balance and reaction simulation approaches, using both the hydrochemistry of groundwater and the secondary mineralogy of fracture-filling materials, we have modeled the low-temperature hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in the area. The results of geochemical simulation show that the concentrations of Ca$\^$2＋/, Na$\^$＋/ and HCO$_3$and pH of waters increase progressively owing to the dissolution of reactive minerals in flow paths. The concentrations of Mg$\^$2＋/ and K$\^$＋/ frist increase with the dissolution, but later decrease when montmorillonite and illitic material are precipitated respectively. The continuous adding of reactive minerals, namely the progressively larger degrees of water/rock interaction, causes the formation of secondary minerals with the following sequence: first hematite, then gibbsite, then kaolinite, then montmorillonite, then illtic material, and finally microcline. During the simulation all the gibbsite is consumed, kaolinite precipitates and then the continuous reaction converts the kaolinite to montmorillonite and illitic material. The reaction simulation results agree well with the observed, water chemistry and secondary mineralogy, indicating the successful applicability of this simulation technique to delineate the complex hydrogeochemistry of bedrock groundwaters.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2008

Single particle of nickel hydroxide and the surface-treated one with cobalt element were performed to review the effect of LiOH additive in alkaline electrolyte for Ni-MH batteries using microelectrode test system. As a result of cyclic voltammetry, the electrochemical behaviors such as the oxidation/reduction and oxygen evolution reaction are clearly observed for a single particle of nickel hydroxide, respectively. Furthermore, the reduction current peak of nickel hydroxide added with LiOH in electrolyte was very low and broad compared with the normal nickel hydroxide without an additive LiOH, which had a bad effect to the crystallization structure of nickel hydroxide. However, it was found that capacity and cycle properties of the nickel hydroxide treated with cobalt greatly increased by the addition of LiOH.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.265-273
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• 2017

Solid-state alkaline water electrolysis is a promising method for producing hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Despite active investigations of component development for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE), understanding of the device performance remains insufficient for the commercialization of AEMWE. The study of assembled AEMWE devices is essential to validate the activity and stability of developed catalysts and electrolyte membranes, as well as the dependence of the performance on the device operating conditions. Herein, we review the development of catalysts and membranes reported by different AEMWE companies such as ACTA S.p.A. and Proton OnSite and device operating conditions that significantly affect the AEMWE performance. For example, $CuCoO_x$ and $LiCoO_2$ have been studied as oxygen evolution catalysts by Acta S.p.A and Proton OnSite, respectively. Anion exchange membranes based on polyethylene and polysulfone are also investigated for use as electrolyte membranes in AEMWE devices. In addition, operation factors, including temperature, electrolyte concentration and acidity, and solution feed methods, are reviewed in terms of their influence on the AEMWE performance. The reaction rate of water splitting generally increases with increase in operating temperature because of the facilitated kinetics and higher ion conductivity. The effect of solution feeding configuration on the AEMWE performance is explained, with a brief discussion on current AEMWE performance and device durability.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1177-1182
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• 2003

The porous sensing materials for BaTiO$_3$ gas sensors were fabricated by adding the graphite powders. The crystalline structure and microstructure of the porous BaTiO$_3$-based ceramics were studied. All the sintered bodies showed a tetragonal perovskite structure. The porosity increased with increasing graphite contents. This is mainly due to an enhanced evolution of CO and $CO_2$ gases resulting from the exothermic reactions of graphite and oxygen during the sintering. It was found that the discrepancy in the resistivities measured in air and CO atmospheres at high temperatures (>∼20$0^{\circ}C$) became remarkable with increasing temperature. The sensitivity of CO gas increased with porosity, since the reactions between CO gas and $O_2$$^{[-10]}$ and between CO gas and $O^{[-10]}$ are active due to the formation of many reaction sites. The porous BaTiO$_3$-based ceramics could be promising as a sensing material for CO gas sensors.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.481-485
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• 2005

The response of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis to high salt stress was investigated by incubating the cells in light of moderate intensity in the presence of 0.8 M NaCl. NaCl caused a decrease in photosystem II (PSII) mediated oxygen evolution activity and increase in photosystem I (PSI) activity and the amount of P700. Similarly maximal efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and variable fluorescence (Fv/Fo) were also declined in salt-stressed cells. Western blot analysis reveal that the inhibition in PSII activity is due to a 40% loss of a thylakoid membrane protein, known as D1, which is located in PSII reaction center. NaCl treatment of cells also resulted in the alterations of other thylakoid membrane proteins: most prominently, a dramatic diminishment of the 47-kDa chlorophyll protein (CP) and 94-kDa protein, and accumulation of a 17-kDa protein band were observed in SDS-PAGE. The changes in 47-kDa and 94-kDa proteins lead to the decreased energy transfer from light harvesting antenna to PSII, which was accompanied by alterations in the chlorophyll fluorescence emission spectra of whole cells and isolated thylakoids. Therefore we conclude that salt stress has various effects on photosynthetic electron transport activities due to the marked alterations in the composition of thylakoid membrane proteins.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.486-491
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• 2004

Dimensionally stable anode(DSA) can be used for the hydro-metallurgy of non-ferrous metals like as Zn, and the electrolysis of sea water. MnO$_2$ electrode satisfies the requirements of DSA, and has a good cycle life and a low overpotential for oxygen evolution. MnO$_2$ electrodes based on Ti matrix were prepared by using thermal decomposition method and also MnO$_2$ was coated on Ti and Pb matrix with DMF and PVDF compositions. The MnO$_2$ electrodes prepared by thermal decomposition method had very weak adhesive strength onto Ti matrix and MnO$_2$ layer was removed out so that electrochemical properties for MnO$_2$ were not investigated. The viscosity of solvent used as a binder of MnO$_2$ Powder increased with the increasing PVDF contents. The thickness of the MnO$_2$ layer on Pb matrix in DSA, which was prepared with 5 times dipping at the solution mixed with PVDF : DMF = 1 : 9, was 150${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. When the ratio of PVDF to MnO$_2$ was lower than 1 : 6, the Pb electrode didn't show any reaction irrespective of the concentrations of DMF. However, When the ratio of PVDF to MnO$_2$ was higher than 1: 6, the Pb electrode showed constant current reactions and homogeneous cyclic voltammetry even though at a high cycle. The reason for the high current and homogeneous cyclic voltammetry is the good catalytic reactions of MnO$_2$ powder in electrode.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2012

Zn-Air energy storage cell is an attractive type of batteries due to its theoretical gravimetric energy density, cost-effective structure and environmental-friendly characteristics. The chargeability is the most critical in various industrial applications such as smart portable device, electric vehicle, and power storage system. Thus, it is necessary to reduce large overpotential of oxygen reduction/evolution reaction, the irreversibility of Zn anode, and carbonation in alkaline electrolyte. In this review, we try to introduce recent studies and developments of bi-functional air cathode, enhanced charge efficiency via modification of Zn anode structure, and blocking side reactions applying hybrid organic-aqueous electrolyte for high power density rechargeable Zn-Air energy storage cells.