• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.458-464
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• 2014

Light scattering enhancement is widely used to enhance the optical absorption efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. In this work, we systematically analyzed the effects of spherical voids distributed as light-scattering centers in photoanode films made of an assembly of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Spherical voids in electrode films were formed using a sacrificial template of polystyrene (PS) spheres. The diameter and volume concentration of these spheres was varied to optimize the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. The effects of film thickness on this efficiency was also examined. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed to study electron transport in the electrodes. The highest power conversion efficiency of 4.07 % was observed with $12{\mu}m$ film thickness. This relatively low optimum thickness of the electrode film is due to the enhanced light absorption caused by the light scattering centers of voids distributed in the film.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.550-554
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• 2010

This work presents a fabrication procedure to make large-area, size-tunable, periodically different shape metal arrays using nanosphere lithography (NSL) combined with ashing and annealing. A polystyrene (PS, 580 ${\mu}m$) monolayer, which was used as a mask, was obtained with a mixed solution of PS in methanol by multi-step spin coating. The mask morphology was changed by oxygen RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) ashing and temperature processing by microwave heating. The Au or Pt deposition resulted in size tunable nano patterns with different morphologies such as hole and dots. These processes allow outstanding control of the size and morphology of the particles. Various sizes of hole patterns were obtained by reducing the size of the PS sphere through the ashing process, and by increasing the size of the PS sphere through annealing treatment, which resulted in tcontrolling the size of the metallic nanoparticles from 30 nm to 230 nm.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.437-444
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• 2006

Reactive hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (reactive HPMCP) was synthesized by using a stepwise urethane reaction with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2-hydroxyethyl moth acrylate (HEMA). Molecular weight, acid number, and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the synthesized reactive HPMCP and pristine HPMCP were measured and used as a polymeric surfactant in the emulsion polymerizations of styrene. In the preparation of HPMCP-hybrid poly styrene nanoparticles, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 wt% of HPMCPs were introduced, and the maximum rate of polymerization ($R_{p,max}$), the average number of radicals per particle (n), particle size distribution were investigated. In addition, core - shell morphology of the nanoparticles were observed by using TEM and their thermal stabilities were measured by using TGA. Reactive HPMCP showed higher $R_{p,max}$, smaller particle size, larger values of n and gel contents as compared with pristine HPMCP, due to the vinyl groups from HEMA, which can be reacted with styrene oligomers, in the reactive HPMCP.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.754-757
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• 2012

In this report, we fabricate the porous graphene films through embossing process and vacuum filtration method and demonstrate their superior electrochemical properties as supercapacitor electrode materials. Insertion/removal of polystyrene nanoparticles between the graphene sheets allows to provide pore structures, leading to the effective prevention of restacking in graphene films. As-prepared porous graphene films have a large surface area, a bicontinuous porous structures, high electrical conductivity, and excellent mechanical integrity. The electrochemical properties of the porous graphene films as electrode materials of supercapacitor are investigated by using aqueous $H_2SO_4$ and ionic liquid solution under three-electrode system. The porous graphene films exhibit a high specific capacitance (284.5 F/g), which is two-fold higher than that of packing graphene films (138.9 F/g). In addition, the rate capability (98.7% retention) and long-term cycling stability (97.2%) for the porous graphene films are significantly enhanced, due to the facilitated ion mobility between the graphene layers.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.144-149
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• 2010

Ag/polystyrene(PS) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ reduction of silver 2-ethylhexylcarbamate (Ag-CB) complex and follwing radical polymerization only by heating at 110 $^{\circ}C$. In contrast to this conventional heating method, the microwave irradiation afforded well-dispersed silver nanoparticles(NPs) in styrene monomer without polymerization. The synthesis of Ag NPs proceeded uniformly throughout the reaction vessel only under microwave irradiation, completing the reaction simultaneously in the whole reaction solution. Successive polymerization of the monomer containing the resultant NPs has successfully produced a hybrid of the silver NPs dispersed in PS matrix. Ag/PS (0.1/100) nanocomposites were prepared successfully by melt-mixing process using Ag/PS(4.0/100) as a master-batch. UV-VIS spectroscopy, TEM, and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to investigate the process of formation of Ag/PS nanocomposites.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2005

Polystyrene (PS) particles containing the phase change material (PCM) were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. The polymer particles prepared with different parameters were investigated in terms of average particle size, particle distribution, and latent heat storage of encapsulated paraffin wax (PW) as PCM. The morphology and particle features of PS particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and particle size analyzer, respectively. As a result, the diameters of PS particles were adjusted with manufacturing conditions. The stable and spherical PS particles of nanosize were obtained by miniemulsion polymerization, which could be attributed to the prevention of Ostwald ripening by cosurfactant. Thermal properties of PS particle containing PCM were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. From DSC freeze-thaw cycle, PCM coated with PS exhibited the thermal energy storage and release behaviors, and the latent heat was found to be a maximum 145 J/g. It was noted that PS particles containing PCM showed a good potential as a thermal energy storage medium.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2021

Findings of microplastics and nanoplastics from diverse natural environments have increased demand for research of the fate and transport of the potentially toxic plastic particles in soils and groundwater. Weathering of microplastics would generate a significant amount of nanoplastics, but nanoplastics research is scarce because of technical difficulties in detecting nanoplastics in environments and analyzing nanoplastics adsorption to mineral surfaces. In the current study, we tested a possibility using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for application to nanoplastics adsorption analysis on mineral surfaces. In silica (SiO₂)-packed column experiments, a measurable adsorption capacity for polystyrene nanoparticles often requires injection of unrealistically high ionic strengths or concentrated nanoplastic particles. The current test shows that QCM can measure polystyrene nanoplastics adsorbed onto SiO₂ surface under the low ionic strengths and nanoplastics concentrations, where typical column experiments cannot. QCM is a promising tool for understanding the interaction between nanoplastics and mineral surfaces and thus transport of nanoplastics in soils and groundwater.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.194-198
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• 2006

Polystyrene, PS, particles of 450 nm diameter and poly(styrene-co-styrene sulfonate), PSS, particles of 140-160 nm diameter were prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization. The surfaces of the PS and PSS particles were coated with Ag nanoparticles for the application of antimicrobial agents by reduction of Ag ions using ${\gamma}$-irradiation. The Ag-PS and Ag-PSS were characterized by High-Resolution Transmittance Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDXS). The HR-TEM and EDXS data showed that the Ag nanoparticles were loaded on the surface of the PS and PSS particles, respectively. The antimicrobial efficiency of the Ag-PS and Ag-PSS particles (0.4 g) with ca. 100 ppm Ag, which was coated onto yam (KS K 0905-1996 rule), was tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 4352 after 100 washing cycles (KS K 0432-1999 rule). The antimicrobial efficiency of the Ag-PS particles against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 4352 was 99.9% after 100 cycles washing., confirming that the Ag-PS particles can be used as antimicrobial agents.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.290-293
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• 2017

In this study, the fundamental behavior of microdomains in block copolymer/nanoparticle composite thin films was examined. In this experiment, polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer and CdSe nanoparticles having a noncentrosymmetric property were employed. Composite hybrid thin films were produced by a spin coating method, and changes in the internal structure of composite thin films were monitored mainly by transmission electron microscopy. In summary, nanoparticles resided inside the thin film relatively intact, however, the block copolymer microdomains rotated parallel to the electric field direction. This study will be very helpful for future research activities regarding behaviors of heterogeneous composite materials under external fields.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.196.2-196.2
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• 2014

Nanostructuring the electrode surface is an emerging technology to improve the performance of supercapacitors since it can facilitate charge transfer, ion diffusion and electron propagation during electrochemical process. Fabrication of the electrode consisting of two or more materials together has also been focused on since it can provide synergetic effect such as broader working potential range and enhanced capacitance. In this work, we have used polyaniline (PANi) and manganese oxide (MnO2) as electrode materials. PANi is one of the promising electrode materials due to its high electrochemical activity, high doping level and stability. MnO2 is also widely studied material for supercapacitors since it is relatively cheap and environmentally friendly. Firstly, we synthesized polystyrene nanospheres on MnO2 nanoparticles. MnO2-incorporated PANi hollow nanospheres were then fabricated by polymerizing aniline monomers on these PS nanospheres and dissolving the inner PS spheres. The surface morphology, electronic absorption and electrical conductivity of the electrode were analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), UV-visible spectrometer, and sheet resistivity meter, respectively. The electrochemical properties such as capacitance of the supercapacitors were also estimated using cyclic voltammetry.