• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.470-477
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• 2021

Energy storage systems should address issues such as power fluctuations and rapid charge-discharge; to meet this requirement, CoFe₂O₄ (CFO) spinel nanoparticles with a suitable electrical conductivity and various redox states are synthesized and used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. In particular, CFO electrodes combined with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) can provide long-term cycling stability by fabricating binder-free three-dimensional electrodes. In this study, CFO-decorated CNFs are prepared by electrospinning and a low-cost hydrothermal method. The effects of heat treatment, such as the activation of CNFs (ACNFs) and calcination of CFO-decorated CNFs (C-CFO/ACNFs), are investigated. The C-CFO/ACNF electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 142.9 F/g at a scan rate of 5 mV/s and superior rate capability of 77.6% capacitance retention at a high scan rate of 500 mV/s. This electrode also achieves the lowest charge transfer resistance of 0.0063 Ω and excellent cycling stability (93.5% retention after 5,000 cycles) because of the improved ion conductivity by pathway formation and structural stability. The results of our work are expected to open a new route for manufacturing hybrid capacitor electrodes containing the C-CFO/ACNF electrode that can be easily prepared with a low-cost and simple process with enhanced electrochemical performance.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.406-410
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• 2016

Carbon-coated sodium iron pyrophosphate ($Na_2FeP_2O_7$) was prepared by a simple and low-cost pyro-synthesis route for further use as the cathode for Na-ion batteries. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the sample annealed at $650^{\circ}C$ confirmed the pure triclinic phase of $Na_2FeP_2O_7$. Electron microscopy studies revealed a cross linked plate shape morphology of the $Na_2FeP_2O_7$ sample. When tested for application in Na-ion battery, the $Na_2FeP_2O_7$ cathode showed two redox pairs in the potential window of 2.0-4.0 V. The cathode registered initial discharge and charge capacities of 80.85 and 90 mAh/g, respectively, with good cycling performance.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.353-365
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• 2000

After their first appearance on Earth, bacteria have exerted significant influence on geochemical behavior of elements. Numerous evidence of their control on geochemistry through geologic history has been observed in a variety of natural environments. They have mediated weathering rate, formation of secondary minerals, redox transformation of metals and metalloids, and thus global cycling of elements. Such ability of bacteria receives so considerable attention from microbiologists, mineralogists, geologists, soil scientists, limnologists, oceanographers, and atmospheric scientists as well as geochemists that a new and interdisciplinary field of research called 'geomicrobiology' is currently expanding. Some recent subjects of geomicrobiology which are studied extensively are as follows: 1) Functional groups distributed on bacterial cell walls adsorb dissolved cations onto cell surfaces by electrostatic surface complexation, which is followed by hydrous mineral formation. 2) Dissimilatory metal reducing bacteria conserve energy to support growth by oxidation of organic matter coupled to reduction of some oxidized metals and/or metalloids. They can be effectively used in remediating environments contaminated with U, As, Se, and Cr. 3) Bacteria increase the rate of mineral dissolution by excreting proton and ligands such as organic acids into aqueous system. 4) Thorough investigation on the effects of biofilm on geochemical processes is needed, because most bacteria are adsorbed on solid substrates and form biofilms in natural settings.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2018

Sn-based lithium-ion batteries have low cost and high theoretical specific capacity. However, one of major problem is the capacity fading caused by volume expansion during lithiation/delithiation. In this study, 3-dimensional foam structure of Cu-Sn alloy is prepared by co-electrodeposition including large free space to accommodate the volume expansion of Sn. The Cu-Sn foam structure exhibits highly porous and numerous small grains. The result of EDX mapping and XPS spectrum analysis confirm that Cu-Sn foam consists of $SnO_2$ with a small quantity of CuO. The Cu-Sn foam structure electrode shows high reversible redox peaks in cyclic voltammograms. The galvanostatic cell cycling performances show that Cu-Sn foam electrode has high specific capacity of 687 mAh/g at a current rate of 50 mA/g. Through SEM observation after the charge/discharge processes, the morphology of Cu-Sn foam structure is mostly maintained despite large volume expansion during the repeated lithiation/delithiation reactions.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.466-474
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• 2018

The high theoretical energy density ($2600Wh\;kg^{-1}$) of Lithium-sulfur batteries and the high theoretical capacity of elemental sulfur ($1672mAh\;g^{-1}$) attract significant research attention. However, the poor electrical conductivity of sulfur and the polysulfide shuttle effect are chronic problems resulting in low sulfur utilization and poor cycling stability. In this study, we address these problems by coating a polyethylene separator with a layer of activated carbon powder. A lithium-sulfur cell containing the activated carbon powder-coated separator exhibits an initial specific discharge capacity of $1400mAh\;g^{-1}$ at 0.1 C, and retains 63% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, whereas the equivalent cell with a bare separator exhibits a $1200mAh\;g^{-1}$ initial specific discharge capacity, and 50% capacity retention under the same conditions. The activated carbon powder-coated separator also enhances the rate capability. These results indicate that the microstructure of the activated carbon powder layer provides space for the sulfur redox reaction and facilitates fast electron transport. Concurrently, the activated carbon powder layer traps and reutilizes any polysulfides dissolved in the electrolyte. The approach presented here provides insights for overcoming the problems associated with lithium-sulfur batteries and promoting their practical use.

• Electrical & Electronic Materials
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 1994

In this study, new preparation method of LiCoO$_{2}$ was applied to develop cathode active material for Li rechargeable cell, and followed by X-ray diffraction analysis, electrochemical properties and initial charge/discharge characteristics as function of current density. HC8A72- and CC9A24-LiCoO$_{2}$ were prepared by heating treatment of the mixture of LiOH H$_{2}$O/CoCO$_{3}$(1:1 mole ratio) and the mixture of Li$_{2}$CO$_{3}$/CoCO$_{3}$(1:2 mole ratio) at 850 and 900.deg. C, respectively. Two prepared LiCoO$_{2}$s were identified as same structure by X-ray diffraction analysis. a and c lattice constant were 2.816.angs. and 14.046.angs., respectively. The electrochemical potential of CFM-LiCoO$_{2}$(Cyprus Foote Mineral Co.'s product), HC8A72-LiCoO$_{2}$ and CC9A24 LiCoO$_{2}$ electrode were approximately between 3.32V and 3.42V vs. Li/Li reference electrode. Stable cycling behavior was obtained during the cyclic voltammetry of LiCoO$_{2}$ electrode. According as scan rate increases, cathodic capacity decreases, but redox coulombic efficiency was about 100% at potential range between 3.6V and 4.2V vs. Li/Li reference electrode. Cathodic capacity of HC8A72-LiCoO$_{2}$ was 32% higher than that of CFM-LiCoO$_{2}$ and that of CC9A24-LiCoO$_{2}$ was 47% lower than that of CFM-LiCoO$_{2}$ at 130th cycle in the condition of lmV/sec scan rate. Constant cur-rent charge/discharge characteristics of LiCoO$_{2}$/Li cell showed increasing Ah efficiency with initial charge/discharge cycle. Specific discharge capacities of CFM and HC8A72-LiCoO$_{2}$ cathode active materials were about 93mAh/g correspondent to 34% of theretical value, 110mAh/g correspondent to 40% of theretical value, respectively. In the view of reversibility, HC8A72-LiCoO$_{2}$ was also more excellent than CFM- and CC9A24-LiCoO$_{2}$.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.163-167
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• 2002

Improved optical switching property of electrochromic nickel hydroxide/nickel glass thin film is reported. Nickel metal film was deposited on glass by e-beam evaporation before following electrochemical redox cycling to form nickel hydroxide for electrochromic activation. Without ITO (indium tin oxide) layer as electrical conductor, this electrode showed more rapid coloration rate than nickel hydroxide film on ITO substrate in the change of the electric voltage and optical transmittance. XPS analysis confirmed the existence of ultra-thin nickel metal layer (${\sim}10{\AA}$) between electrochemically grown nickel hydroxide and the glass substrate. It is concluded that the remained nickel metal nano-layer attribute to the conduction layer and the enhanced response time.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.109-109
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• 1997

Inhibitory effect on DNA topoisomerase-I, rate of glutathione conjugation and cytotoxicity of naphthoquinone derivatives were correlated. During 5 min exposure of the derivatives to glutathione (GSH), it was found that 14% of 5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone(DMNQ) was converted into a GSH-conjugate, whereas 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone(DHNQ) did not interact with GSH, implying that DMNQ exerted higher electrophilicity than DHNQ. However, DHNQ (IC$\_$50/, 0.15 ${\mu}$M) showed stronger cytotoxicity in L1210 cells than DMNQ(IC$\_$50/, 0.45 ${\mu}$M). The stronger cytotoxicity of DHNQ, compared to DMNQ, could be ascribed to more rapid redox cycling. Both naphthoquinones (IC$\_$50/, 60-65 ${\mu}$M) exhibiting about the same inhibitory effect on DNA topoisomerase-I were more potent than 1,4-naphthoquinone(1,4-NQ, IC$\_$50/, 134 ${\mu}$M). Thus, 5,8-oxy groups in the structure seem to be important for the inhibition of the enzyme. DMNQ showed a broader dose range while maintaining a good antitumor activity against S-180 fluid tumor. For these reasons, DMNQ was taken as useful pharmacophore for structural modification. Introduction of 1-hydroxyalkyl groups at C-2 of DMNQ lowered all of the activities mentioned above, while acetylation of 1-hydroxyalkyl moiety enhanced the activities by 4-5 times. Introduction of the same side chains at C-6 exhibited stronger activities than 2-substituted ones. Based on these results it was suggested that the quinonoid moiety in 6-substituted DMNQ was more exposed to cellular nucleophiles such as DNA, thiols of enzymes and so on. The synthesis of DHNQ or DMNQ derivatives are going on, and the corelationship between structure-activity will be discussed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.104-109
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• 2003

Enhancement of the production of benzoylformate reductase (BFR) was attempted under oxidative stress established by natural electron carriers. -lipoic acid (LA), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and ubiquinone (UQ) did not inhibit growth of E. faecalis when their concentrations were as high as $10{\mu}M$, while $H_2O_2$ and methyl viologen ($MV^2+$) inhibited the bacterial growth. BFR activity in the bacterial extract had increased rapidly after 1 h of cultivation after the addition of $4{\mu}M$ of natural electron carriers, and the activity was maintained during further cultivation. BFR activity of the cells treated with the natural electron carriers was $40\%$ higher than that of the control. In the presence of $4{\mu}M\;H_2O_2\;and\;MV^2+$, BFR activity increased, reaching the highest activity at about 5 h cultivation, and then decreased with further cultivation. It seems that natural electron carriers not only stimulate the induction of BFR, but also stabilize the enzyme. BFR was hardly affected by LA, FAD, and UQ, while $H_2O_2\;and\;MV^2+$ inactivated the crude enzyme. The decrease of BFR activity in the presence of $H_2O_2\;and\;MV^2+$ might be ascribed to inactivation of the enzyme by the oxidants.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.295-302
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• 1995

Menadione-ghitathione conjugate (MEN-SG), a metabolite of menadione, is known to be a redoxcycler in rat hepatocyte subcellular fraction. Therefore, it was assumed that MEN-SG could exert cytotoxlclty to ral platelets, another target tissue of menadione. We first synthesized MEN-SG, the identity of which was verified by mass, $^1{H}$-NMR and UV-visible spectra. In addition, the stability of MEN-SG was investigated in biological assay system. MEN-SG was degraded in a time-dependent manner in DMSO which had been used as a vehicle and thus, tris-HCl buffer was used as a vehicle of MEN-SG despite the low solubility in it. Perchloric acid as well as platelets itself did not affect the stability of MEN-SG. Our next attempt was the evaluation of cytotoxicity of MEN-SG in rat platelets. MEN-SG did not induce cytotoxicity to rat platelets measured by two different methods, LDH release and turbidity changes. The extents of oxygen consumption by MEN-SG in intact platelets were significantly lower than those by menadione, though it had been observed that oxygen consumptions by menadione and MENSG were similar in subcellular fractioas of platelets. These results suggest that MEN-SG is not toxic to rat platelets despite its redox cycling capacity and glutathione conjugation reaction of menadione could be regarded as a detoxification process.