• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 1997.11a
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• pp.146-153
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• 1997

An experimental study was performed of natural-convection downward smolder spread across a sawdust bed peripherally enclosed with an insulating container, to examine the effect of the open- ing condition at the top end on downward smolder spread. Experiments were conducted by using relatively coarse sawdust and 25-cm-long cylindrical container The variations of temperature profiles along the bed axis with time were determined far different opening conditions and were com-pared with those in smolder spread from open top to open bottom. It was shown that the smolder zone initiated from open top toward closed bottom penetrates the bed with keeping high peak temperature like the case of open top to open bottom spread, although mean spread rate is smaller. This indicates that the downward smolder zone can be sustained stably if sufficient air or oxygen Is supplied from the back of it by natural convection even if upward draft entering from the bottom of the bed is absent. When the top end was partially closed by mounting a cover after stable smolder spread had begun from open top toward open bottom, the temperature at the peak decreased more than 200 K and the smolder zone became to spread with thickening residue. In this case, the shape of temperature profiles continuously changed or decayed until end-effect at the open bottom end enhanced the reaction. The temperature at the shrunk peak, free from the end-effect, was almost identical with the temperature at the exothermic oxidative-degradation zone in smolder spread from open top to open bottom. from these results, it can be inferred for natural-convection downward smolder spread that the oxidation reaction of the char is very sensitive to the oxygen supply by natural convection in the space above the smolder zone, and that the top end opening condition strongly alters the completeness of reactions, structure, and behavior of the smolder zone.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.395-404
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• 2019

Aluminum nitride (AlN) has excellent electrical insulation property, high thermal conductivity, and a low thermal expansion coefficient; therefore, it is widely used as a heat sink, heat-conductive filler, and heat dissipation substrate. However, it is well known that the AlN-based materials have disadvantages such as low sinterability and poor mechanical properties. In this study, the effects of addition of various amounts (1-6 wt.%) of sintering additives $Y_2O_3$ and $Sm_2O_3$ on the thermal and mechanical properties of AlN samples pressureless sintered at $1850^{\circ}C$ in an $N_2$ atmosphere for a holding time of 2 h are examined. All AlN samples exhibit relative densities of more than 97%. It showed that the higher thermal conductivity as the $Y_2O_3$ content increased than the $Sm_2O_3$ additive, whereas all AlN samples exhibited higher mechanical properties as $Sm_2O_3$ content increased. The formation of secondary phases by reaction of $Y_2O_3$, $Sm_2O_3$ with oxygen from AlN lattice influenced the thermal and mechanical properties of AlN samples due to the reaction of the oxygen contents in AlN lattice.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.425-431
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• 2019

As rechargeable metal-air batteries will be ideal energy storage devices in the future, an active cathode electrocatalyst is required with bi-functionality on both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) during discharge and charge, respectively. Here, a class of perovskite cathode catalyst with a micro-tubular structure has been developed by controlling bi-functionality from different Ru and Ni dopant ratios. A micro-tubular structure is achieved by the activated carbon fiber (ACF) templating method, which provides uniform size and shape. At the perovskite formula of $LaCrO_3$, the dual dopant system is successfully synthesized with a perfect incorporation into the single perovskite structure. The chemical oxidation states for each Ni and Ru also confirm the partial substitution to B-site of Cr without any changes in the major perovskite structure. From the electrochemical measurements, the micro-tubular feature reveals much more efficient catalytic activity on ORR and OER, comparing to the grain catalyst with same perovskite composition. By changing the Ru and Ni ratio, the $LaCr_{0.8}Ru_{0.1}Ni_{0.1}O_3$ micro-tubular catalyst exhibits great bi-functionality, especially on ORR, with low metal loading, which is comparable to the commercial catalyst of Pt and Ir. This advanced catalytic property on the micro-tubular structure and Ru/Ni synergy effect at the perovskite material may provide a new direction for the next-generation cathode catalyst in metal-air battery system.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2021

In this study, high temperature wetting analysis and AZ80/Ti interfacial structure observation are performed for the mixture of AZ80 and Ti, and the effect of Al on wetting in Mg alloy is examined. Both molten AZ80 and pure Mg have excellent wettability because the wet angle between molten droplets and the Ti substrate is about 10° from initial contact. Wetting angle decreases with time, and wetting phenomenon continues between droplets and substrate; the change in wetting angle does not show a significant difference when comparing AZ80-Ti and Mg-Ti. As a result of XRD of the lower surface of the AZ80-Ti sample, in addition to the Ti peak of the substrate, the peak of TiAl3, which is a Ti-Al intermetallic compound, is confirmed, and TiAl3 is generated in the Al enrichment region of the Ti substrate surface. EDS analysis is performed on the droplet tip portion of the sample section in which pure Mg droplets are dropped on the Ti substrate. Concentration of oxygen by the natural oxide film is not confirmed on the Ti surface, but oxygen is distributed at the tip of the droplet on the Mg side. Molten AZ80 and Ti-based compound phases are produced by thickening of Al in the vicinity of Ti after wetting is completed, and Al in the Mg alloy does not affect the wetting. The driving force of wetting progression is a thermite reaction that occurs between Mg and TiO2, and then Al in AZ80 thickens on the Ti substrate interface to form an intermetallic compound.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• v.67
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• pp.358-364
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• 2018

An isotropic pitch precursor for fabricating carbon fibres was prepared by co-carbonization of ethylene bottom oil(EBO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Various pre-treatments of EBO and PVC, and a high heating rate of $3^{\circ}C/min$ with no holding time, were evaluated for their effects on the oxidative stabilization process and the mechanical stability of the resulting fibres. Our stabilization process enhanced the volatilization, oxidative reaction and decomposition properties of the precursor pitch, while the addition of PVC both decreased the onset time and accelerated the oxidative reaction. Aliphatic carbon groups played a critical role in stabilization. Microstructural characterization indicated that these were first oxidised to carbon-oxygen single bonds and then converted to carbon-oxygen double bonds. Due to the higher heating rate and lack of a holding step during processing,the resulting thermoplastic fibers did not completely convert to thermoset materials, allowing partially melted, adjacent fibres to fuse. Fiber surfaces were smooth and homogeneous. Of the various methods evaluated herein, carbon fibers derived from pressure-treated EBO and PVC exhibited the highest tensile strength. This work shows that enhancing the naphthenic component of a pitch precursor through the co-carbonization of pre-treated EBO with PVC improves the oxidative properties of the resulting carbon fibers.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.59-86
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• 2021

Landfilling is the most commonly adopted method for a large quantity of waste disposal. But, the main concern related to landfills is the generation of leachate. The leachate is high strength wastewater that is usually characterized by the presence of high molecular recalcitrant organics. Several conventional methods are adopted for leachate treatment. However, these methods are only suitable for young leachate, having high biodegradability and low toxicity levels. The mature and stabilized leachate needs advanced technologies for its effective treatment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are very suitable for such complex wastewater treatment as reported in the literature. After going through the literature survey, it can be concluded that Fenton-based approaches are effective for the treatment of various high/low strength wastewaters treatment. The applications of the Fenton-based approaches are widely adopted and well recognized due to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reliability for the reduction of high chemical oxygen demand (COD) as reported in several studies. Besides, the process is relatively economical due to fewer chemical, non-sophisticated instruments, and low energy requirements. In this review, the conventional and advanced Fenton's approaches are explained with their detailed reaction mechanisms and applications for landfill leachate treatment. The effect of influencing factors like pH, the dosage of chemicals, nature of reaction matrix, and reagent ratio on the treatment efficiencies are also emphasized. Furthermore, the discussion regarding the reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color, increase in biodegradability, removal of humic acids from leachate, combined processes, and the pre/post-treatment options are highlighted. The scope of future studies is summarized to attain sustainable solutions for restrictions associated with these methods for effective leachate treatment.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.102-106
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• 2022

Currently, the demand for real-time monitoring of water quality has increased dramatically. Total organic carbon (TOC) analysis is a suitable method for real-time analysis compared with conventional biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) methods in terms of analysis time. However, this method is expensive because of the complicated internal processes involved. The photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based TOC method is simpler as it omits more than three preprocessing steps. This is because it reacts only with organic carbon (OC) without extra processes. We optimized the rate between the TiO2 photocatalyst and binder solution and the TiO2 concentration. The efficiency was investigated under 365 nm UV exposure onto a TiO2 coated substrate. The optimized conditions were sufficient to apply a real-time monitoring system for water quality with a short reaction time (within 10 min). We expect that it can be applied in a wide range of water quality monitoring industries.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.377-384
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• 2023

Exploring earth-abundant, highly effective and stable electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting is urgent and essential to the development of hydrogen (H₂) energy technology. Iron-cobalt layered double hydroxide (FeCo-LDH) has been widely used as an electrocatalystfor OER due to its facile synthesis, tunable components, and low cost. However, LDH synthesized by the traditional hydrothermal method tends to easily agglomerate, resulting in an unstable structure that can change or dissolve in an alkaline solution. Therefore, studying the real active phase is highly significant in the design of electrochemical electrode materials. Here, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are used as template precursors to derive FeCo-LDH from different iron sources. Iron salts with different anions have a significant impact on the morphology and charge transfer properties of the resulting materials. FeCo-LDH synthesized from iron sulfate solution (FeCo-LDH-SO₄) exhibits a hybrid structure of nanosheets and nanowires, quite different from other electrocatalysts that were synthesized from iron chloride and iron nitrate solutions. The final FeCo-LDH-SO₄ had an overpotential of 247 mV with a low Tafel-slope of 60.6 mV dec^-1 at a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 and delivered a long-term stability of 40 h for the OER. This work provides an innovative and feasible strategy to construct efficient electrocatalysts.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.543-553
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• 1996

Oxygen reduction in an alkaline fuel cell was studied by using perovskite type oxides as an oxygen electrode catalyst. The high surface area catalysts were prepared by malic acid method and had a formula of $La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}Co_{1-x}Fe_xO_3$(x=0.00, 0.01, 0.10, 0.20, 0.35 and 0.50). From the result of XRD pattern and specific surface area due to the amount of Fe substitution and the consumption of ammonia-water, the complex formation of Fe ion with $NH_3$ was the main factor for both the phase stability of perovskite and the increase of specific surface area. Multi-step calcination was necessary to give a single phase of perovskite in catalyst precursor. The crystal structure of the catalysts was simple cubic perovskite, which was verified from the XRD patterns of the catalysts. The activity of oxygen reduction was monitored by the techniques of cyclic voltammetry, static voltage-current method, and current interruption method. The activity(current density) of oxygen reduction showed its minimum at x=0.01 and its maximum between 0.20 and 0.35 of x-value in $La_{0.6}Sr_{0.4}Co_{1-x}Fe_xO_3$. This tendency was independent of the change of surface area.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.259-266
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• 1974

Isotopic experiments using $H_2O^{18}$ on the oxidation of V(III) in acid perchlorate by molecular oxygen were performed in the range pH 1.0 to 3.0. At pH < 2, where a rate equation of the form TEX>$ -\frac{d[V(III)]}{dt}=k_1\frac{[O_2][V(III)]}{[H^+]}$ is adequate, the tracer study clearly indicated that all the product vanadyl ion's ($VO^{2+}$) oxygen originated from the molecular oxygen. At pH > ~2, where a different rate expression of the form $-\frac{d[V(III)]}{dt}=K_2\frac{[O_2][V(III)]^2}{[Ht]^2}$is required, the isotopic experiment showed that half the vanadyl oxygen originated from the molecular oxygen. Considering the results of the isotopic study, a mechanism for the V(Ⅲ)-O2 reaction at pH < ~2, may be suggested as follows: The tracer results at pH > ~2 imply that the rate determining step may be $$ V_2(OH)_2^{4+} + O_2 \rightarrow 2VO^{2+} + H_2O_2$$ followed by $$V_2(OH)_2^{4+} + H_2O_2 \rightarrow 2VO^{2+} + 2H_2O$$ after establishing the equilibria V^{3+} + H_2O \leftrightarrow VOH^{2+} + H^+, and 2VOH^{2+}\leftrightarrow V_2(OH)_2^{4+}$$