• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 2019

Hierarchically porous $Fe_2O_3$ nanofibers with meso- and macro- pores are designed and synthesized by electrospinning and subsequent heat-treatment. The macro pores are generated by selectively decomposition of polystyrene as a dispersed phase in the as-spun fibers containing $Fe(acac)_3$/polyacrylonitrile continuous phases during heat-treatment. Additionally, meso-pores formed by evaporation of infiltrated water vapor during electrospinning process interconnected the macro-pores and results in the formation of hierarchically porous $Fe_2O_3$ nanofibers. The initial discharge capacity and Coulombic efficiency of the hierarchically porous $Fe_2O_3$ nanofibers at a current density of $1.0A\;g^{-1}$ are $1190mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ and 79.2%. Additionally, the discharge capacity of the nanofibers is $792mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ after 1,000 cycles. The high structural stability and morphological benefits of the hierarchically porous $Fe_2O_3$ nanofibers resulted in superior lithium ion storage performance.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.345-351
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• 2018

We employed an unprecedented technique to synthesize porous $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers exhibiting core-shell and fiber-in-tube configurations. Firstly, 2-methylimidazole was uniformly incorporated in as-spun nanofibers containing ammonium metatungstate hydrate and the sacrificial polymer (polyacrylonitrile). Secondly, the 2-methylimidazole on the surfaces of nanofibers was complexed with tin(II) chloride ($SnCl_2$) via simple impregnation of the as-spun nanofibers in ethanol containing tin(II) chloride dihydrate ($SnCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$). The presence of vacant p-orbitals in tin (Sn) and the nucleophilic nitrogen on the imidazole ring allowed for the reaction between $SnCl_2$ and 2-methylimidazole, forming adducts on the surfaces of the as-spun nanofibers. The calcination of these nanofibers resulted in porous $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers with a higher surface area ($55.3m^2{\cdot}g^{-1}$) and a better response to 1-5 ppm of acetone than pristine $SnO_2$ NFs synthesized using a similar method. An improved response to acetone was achieved upon functionalization of the $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers with catalytic palladium nanoparticles. This work demonstrates the potential application of $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers as sensing layers for chemiresistive sensory devices for the detection of acetone in exhaled breath.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2014

Well-distributed ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles decorated on porous carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized using an electrospinning method and a reduction method for use in high-performance elctrochemical capacitors. The formation mechanisms including structural, morphological, and chemical bonding properties are demonstrated by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). To investigate the optimum amount of the Ru nanoparticles decorated on the porous CNFs, we controlled three different weight ratios (0 wt%, 20 wt%, and 40 wt%) of the Ru nanoparticles on the porous CNFs. For the case of 20 wt% Ru nanoparticles decorated on the porous CNFs, TEM results indicate that the Ru nanoparticles with ~2-4 nm size are uniformly distributed on the porous CNFs. In addition, 40 wt% Ru nanoparticles decorated on the porous CNFs exhibit agglomerated Ru nanoparticles, which causes low performance of electrodes in electrochemical capacitors. Thus, proper distribution of 20 wt% Ru nanoparticles decorated on the porous CNFs presents superior specific capacitance (~280.5 F/g at 10 mV/s) as compared to the 40 wt% Ru nanoparticles decorated on the porous CNFs and the only porous CNFs. This enhancement can be attributed to the synergistic effects of well-distributed Ru nanoparticles and porous CNF supports having high surface area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

Recently, various biochip environments have been presented. In this study, a novel transparent film with porous membrane windows, which is an essential component in a co-cultured biochip environment, is fabricated using spin-coating, 3D printing, and electrospinning processes. In detail, a transparent polystyrene film was fabricated by means of the spin-coating process followed bywindow cutting, after which apolycaprolactone-chloroform solution was deposited along the window edge to introduce an adhesion layer between the PS film and the PCL nanofibers. Nanofibers were electrospun into the window region using a direct-write electrospinning method. Consequently, it was demonstrated that the fabricated window film could be used in a co-culture biochip environment.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with diameters in the submicron and nanometer range exhibit high specific surface area, hierarchically porous structure, flexibility, and super strength which allow them to be used in the electrode materials of energy storage devices, and as hybrid-type filler in carbon fiber reinforced plastics and bone tissue scaffold. Unlike catalytic synthesis and other methods, electrospinning of various polymeric precursors followed by stabilization and carbonization has become a straightforward and convenient way to fabricate continuous CNFs. This paper is a comprehensive and brief review on the latest advances made in the development of electrospun CNFs with major focus on the promising applications accomplished by appropriately regulating the microstructural, mechanical, and electrical properties of as-spun CNFs. Additionally, the article describes the various strategies to make a variety of carbon CNFs for energy conversion and storage, catalysis, sensor, adsorption/separation, and biomedical applications. It is envisioned that electrospun CNFs will be the key materials of green science and technology through close collaborations with carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.243-248
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• 2011

Pt deposited porous carbon nanofibers was prepared as a highly sensitive material of hydrogen gas sensor operating at room temperature. Nanofibers was obtained by electrospinning method using polyacrylonitrile as a carbon precursor and then thermally treated for carbon nanofibers. Chemical activation of carbon nanofibers was carried out to enlarge specific surface area up to $2093m^2/g$. Sputtered Pt layer was uniformly distributed keeping the original shape of carbon nanofibers. The hydrogen gas sensing time and sensitivity were improved based on effects of high specific surface area, micropore structure and deposited Pt catalyst.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.3.1-3.1
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• 2011

Nanoengineered materials with advanced architectures are critical building blocks to modulate conventional material properties or amplify interface behavior for enhanced device performance. While several techniques exist for creating one dimensional heterostructures, electrospinning has emerged as a versatile, scalable, and cost-effective method to synthesize ultra-long nanofibers with controlled diameter (a few nanometres to several micrometres) and composition. In addition, different morphologies (e.g., nano-webs, beaded or smooth cylindrical fibers, and nanoribbons) and structures (e.g., core-.shell, hollow, branched, helical and porous structures) can be readily obtained by controlling different processing parameters. Although various nanofibers including polymers, carbon, ceramics and metals have been synthesized using direct electrospinning or through post-spinning processes, limited works were reported on the compound semiconducting nanofibers because of incompatibility of precursors. In this work, we combined electrospinning and galvanic displacement reaction to demonstrate cost-effective high throughput fabrication of ultra-long hollow semiconducting chalcogen and chalcogenide nanofibers. This procedure exploits electrospinning to fabricate ultra-long sacrificial nanofibers with controlled dimensions, morphology, and crystal structures, providing a large material database to tune electrode potentials, thereby imparting control over the composition and shape of the nanostructures that evolved during galvanic displacement reaction.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.113-118
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• 2015

To improve the methanol electro-oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells(DMFCs), Pt electrocatalysts embedded on porous carbon nanofibers(CNFs) were synthesized by electrospinning followed by a reduction method. To fabricate the porous CNFs, we prepared three types of porous CNFs using three different amount of a styrene-co-acrylonitrile(SAN) polymer: 0.2 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt%, respectively. A SAN polymer, which provides vacant spaces in porous CNFs, was decomposed and burn out during the carbonization. The structure and morphology of the samples were examined using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and their surface area were measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET). The crystallinities and chemical compositions of the samples were examined using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties on the methanol electro-oxidation were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Pt electrocatalysts embedded on porous CNFs containing 0.5 wt% SAN polymer exhibited the improved methanol oxidation and electrocatalytic stability compared to Pt/conventional CNFs and commercial Pt/C(40 wt% Pt on Vulcan carbon, E-TEK).

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2023

In this study, carbon-coated porous nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning and the performance of Li[Ni_0.93Co_0.07]O₂ (NC) synthesized by electrospinning (E-NC) and co-precipitation (C-NC) was compared. E-NC had a discharge capacity of 206 mAh g^-1 at 0.1C (17 mA/g), which is 10% higher than that of C-NC (189.2 mAh g^-1). E-NC shows a high-rate performance of 118.32 mAh g^-1 (61.7%) at 5C (850 mA/g), which is 50% higher than that of C-NC (78.22 mAh g^-1 = 45.7%). Charge transfer of the carbon-coated porous nanofiber E-NC decreased by 35% compared to C-NC after 20 cycles as observed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of this study show that the nanofiber structure with carbon coating shortens the Li-ion diffusion path, improves electrical conductivity, resulting in excellent rate performance.

• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.180-185
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• 2013

In this study, activated carbons nanofibers (ACNFs) were prepared from polyacrylonitrile-based nanofibers by physical ($H_2O$ and $CO_2$) and chemical (KOH) activation. The surface and structural characteristics of the porous carbon were observed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Pore characteristics were investigated by $N_2$/77K adsorption isotherms. The specific surface area of the physically ACNFs was increased up to $2400m^2/g$ and the ACNFs were found to be mainly composed of micropore structures. Chemical activation using KOH produced ACNFs with high specific surface area (up to $2500m^2/g$), and the micropores were mainly found in the ACNFs. The physically and chemically ACNFs showed both mainly type I from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry classification.