• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.317.2-317.2
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• 2013

Ultrathin oxide encapsulated metal-oxide hybrid nanocatalysts have been fabricated by a soft chemical and facile route. First, SiO2 nanoparticles of 25~30 nm size have been synthesized by modified Stobber's method followed by amine functionalization. Metal nanoparticles (Ru, Rh, Pt) capped with polymer/citrate have been deposited on functionalized SiO2 and finally an ultrathin layer of TiO2 coated on surface which prevents sintering and provides high thermal stability while maximizing the metal-oxide interface for higher catalytic activity. TEM studies confirmed that 2.5 nm sized metal nanoparticles are well dispersed and distributed throughout the surface of 25 nm SiO2 nanoparticles with a 3-4 nm TiO2 ultrathin layer. The metal nanoparticles are still well exposed to outer surface, being enabled for surface characterization and catalytic activity. Even after calcination at $600^{\circ}C$, the structure and morphology of hybrid nanocatalysts remain intact confirm the high thermal stability. XPS spectra of hybrid nanocatalyst suggest the metallic states as well as their corresponding oxide states. The catalytic activity has been evaluated for high temperature CO oxidation reaction as well as photocatalytic H2 generation under solar simulation. The design of hybrid structure, high thermal stability, and better exposure of metal active sites are the key parameters for the high catalytic activity. The maximization of metal-TiO2 interface interaction has the great role in photocatalytic H2 production.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2021

In order to address many issues associated with large volume changes of silicon, which has very low electrical conductivity but offers about 10 times higher theoretical capacity than graphite (Gr), a silicon nanoparticles/hollow carbon (SiNP/HC) composite having bimodal-mesopores was prepared using silica nanoparticles as a template. A control SiNP/C composite without a hollow structure was also prepared for comparison. The physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of SiNP/HC were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements for surface area and pore size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, galvanostatic cycling, and cyclic voltammetry tests to compare them with those of the SiNP/C composite. The SiNP/HC composite showed significantly better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/C, with minimal increase in electrode thickness after long cycles. A hybrid composite, SiNP/HC@Gr, prepared by physical mixing of the SiNP/HC and Gr at a 50:50 weight ratio, exhibited even better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/HC at low capacity. Thus, silicon/carbon composites designed to have hollow spaces capable of accommodating volume expansion were found to be highly effective for long cycle life of silicon-based composites. However, further study is required to improve the low initial coulombic efficiency of SiNP/HC and SiNP/HC@Gr, which is possibly because of their high surface area causing excessive electrolyte decomposition for the formation of solid-electrolyte-interface layers.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.532-537
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• 2011

Thermally stable $TiO_2$/Pt/$SiO_2$ core-shell nanocatalyst has been synthesized by chemical processes. Citrated capped Pt nanoparticles were deposited on amine functionalized silica produced by Stober process. Ultrathin layer of titania was coated on Pt/$SiO_2$ for preventing sintering of the metal nanoparticles at high temperatures. Thermal stability of the metal-oxide hybrid catalyst was demonstrated heating the sample up to $600^{\circ}C$ in air and by investigating the morphology and integrity of the structure by transmission electron spectroscopy. The surface analysis of the constituent elements was performed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the hybrid catalysts was investigated by CO oxidation reaction with oxygen as a model reaction.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.151-153
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• 2008

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2013

The present work has been devoted to the catalytic reduction of $N_2O$ by $H_2$ with $Pt/SiO_2$ catalysts at very low temperatures, such as $110^{\circ}C$, and their nanoparticle sizes have been determined by using $H_2-N_2O$ titration, X-ray diffraction(XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) measurements. A sample of 1.72% $Pt/SiO_2$, which had been prepared by an ion exchange method, consisted of almost atomic levels of Pt nanoparticles with 1.16 nm that are very consistent with the HRTEM measurements, while a $Pt/SiO_2$ catalyst possessing the same Pt amount via an incipient wetness technique did 13.5 nm particles as determined by the XRD measurements. These two catalysts showed a noticeable difference in the on-stream $deN_2O$ activity maintenance profiles at $110^{\circ}C$. This discrepancy was associated with the nanoparticle sizes, i.e., the $Pt/SiO_2$ catalyst with the smaller particle size was much more active for the $N_2O$ reduction. When repeated measurements of the $N_2O$ reduction with the 1.16 nm Pt catalyst at $110^{\circ}C$ were allowed, the catalyst deactivation occurred, depending somewhat on regeneration excursions.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2023

Physical exercise, especially intense exercise and high intensity interval training (HIIT) by trampoline, can lead to muscle injuries. These effects can be reduced with intelligent products made of nanocomposite materials. Most of these nanocomposites are polymers reinforced with silicon dioxide, alumina, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. This study presents a polymer nanocomposite reinforced with silica. As a result of the rapid reaction between tetraethyl orthosilicate and ammonia in the presence of citric acid and other agents, silica nanostructures were synthesized. By substituting bis (4-amino phenoxy) phenyl-triptycene in N, N-dimethylformamide with potassium carbonate, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C, the diamine monomer bis (4-amino phenoxy) phenyl-triptycene is prepared. We synthesized a new polyaromatic (imide) with triptycene unit by sol-gel method from aromatic diamines and dianhydride using pyridine as a condensation reagent in NMP. PI readily dissolves in solvents and forms robust and tough polymer films in situ. The FTIR and NMR techniques were used to determine the effects of SiO₂ on the sol-gel process and the structure of the synthesized nanocomposites. By using a simultaneous thermal analysis (DTA-TG) method, the appropriate thermal operation temperature was also determined. Through SEM analysis, the structure, shape, size, and specific surface area of pores were determined. Analysis of XRD results is used to determine how SiO₂ affects the crystallization of phases and the activation energy of crystallization.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.27.1-27.1
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• 2011

The recent extensive research of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures such as nanowires (NWs) and nanotubes (NTs) has been the driving force to fabricate new kinds of nanoscale devices in electronics, optics and bioengineering. We attempt to produce silicon oxide nanowires (SiOxNWs) in a simple way without complicate deposition process, gaseous Si containing precursors, or starting material of $SiO_2$. Nickel (Ni) nanoparticles (NPs) were applied on Si wafer and thermally treated in a furnace. The temperature in the furnace was kept in the ranges between 900 and $1,100^{\circ}C$ and a mixture of nitrogen ($N_2$) and hydrogen ($H_2$) flowed through the furnace. The SiOxNWs had widths ranging from 100 to 200 nm with length extending up to ~10 ${\mu}m$ and their structure was amorphous. Ni NPs were acted as catalysts. Since there were no other Si materials introduced into the furnace, the Si wafer was the only Si sources for the growth of SiOxNWs. When the Si wafer with deposition of Ni NPs was heated, the liquid Ni-Si alloy droplets were formed. The droplets as the nucleation sites induce an initiation of the growth of SiOxNWs and absorb oxygen easily. As the droplets became supersaturated, the SiOxNWs were grown, by the reaction between Si and O and continuously dissolving Si and O onto NPs. Photoluminescence (PL) showed that blue emission spectrum was centered at the wavelength of 450 nm (2.76 eV). The details of growth mechanism of SiOxNWs and the effect of Ni NPs on the formation of SiOxNWs will be presented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.2-2
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• 2011

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been considered as a promising candidate for nextgeneration electronics due to its extraordinary electrical properties associated with one-dimensional structure. Since diversity in electronic structure depends on geometrical features, the major concern has been focused on obtaining the diameter, chirality, and density controlled SWNTs. Despite huge efforts, the controlled synthesis of SWNTs has not been achieved. There have been various approaches to synthesize controlled SWNTs by preparation of homogeneously sized catalyst because the SWNTs diameter highly depends on catalyst nanoparticles size. In this study, geometrically controlled SWNTs were synthesized using designed catalytic layers: (a) morphologically modified Al2O3 supporting layer (Fe/Al2O3/Si), (b) Mo capping layer (Mo/Fe/Al/Si), and (c) heat-driven diffusion and subsequent evaporation process of Fe catalytic nanoparticles (Al2O3/Fe/Al2O3/Si). These results clearly revealed that (a) the grain diameter and RMS roughness of Al2O3 supporting layer play a key role as a diffusion barrier for obtaining Fe nanoparticles with a uniform and small size, (b) a density and diameter of SWNTs can be simultaneously controlled by adjusting a thickness of Mo capping layer on Fe catalytic layer, and (c) SWNTs diameter was successfully controlled within a few A scale even with its fine distribution. This precise control results in bandgap manipulation of the semiconducting SWNTs, determined by direct comparison of Raman spectra and theory of extended tight binding Kataura plot. We suggest that these results provide a simple and possible way for the direct growth of diameter, density, and bandgap controlled SWNTs by precise controlling the formation of catalytic films, which will be in demand for future electronic applications.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.116-122
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• 2012

As an effort to address the chronic capacity fading of Si anodes and thus achieve their robust cycling performance, herein, we develop a unique electrode in which silicon nanoparticles are embedded in the carbon nanotubes network. Utilizing robust contacts between silicon nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, the composite electrodes exhibit excellent electrochemical performance : 95.5% capacity retention after 140 cycles as well as rate capability such that at the C-rate increase from 0.1C to 1C to 10C, the specific capacities of 850, 698, and 312 mAh/g are obtained, respectively. The present investigation suggests a useful design principle for silicon as well as other high capacity alloying electrodes that undergo large volume expansions during battery operations.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.402-407
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• 2018

Molybdenum silicide has gained interest for high temperature structural applications. However, poor fracture toughness at room temperatures and low creep resistance at elevated temperatures have hindered its practical applications. This study uses a novel powder metallurgical approach applied to uniformly mixed molybdenum silicide-based composites with silicon carbide. The degree of powder mixing with different ball milling time is also demonstrated by Voronoi diagrams. Core-shell composite powder with Mo nanoparticles as the shell and ${\beta}-SiC$ as the core is prepared via chemical vapor transport. Using this prepared core-shell composite powder, the molybdenum silicide-based composites with uniformly dispersed ${\beta}-SiC$ are fabricated using pressureless sintering. The relative density of the specimens sintered at $1500^{\circ}C$ for 10 h is 97.1%, which is similar to pressure sintering owing to improved sinterability using Mo nanoparticles.