• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

In this study, the water resistance and mechanical properties of heat-treated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films were investigated. PVA is the most commonly used synthetic biodegradable polymers owing to its excellent properties. However, the water/moisture sensitivity and relatively poor mechanical properties of PVA limits its applications. Although heat treatment is a conventionally used method to improve the mechanical strength and water resistance of PVA, the effectiveness of this method is insufficient. Therefore, CNC was used to further improve the mechanical properties and water resistance of the heat-treated PVA film. PVA/CNC nanocomposites containing CNC contents of 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 wt% were fabricated using solvent casting and subsequent heat treatment. The mechanical properties and water resistance of PVA/CNC films were significantly improved. The tensile strength and wet strength of the PVA/CNC film with a CNC content of 5 wt% (PVA/CNC 5%) were 184.5% and 136.0% higher than those of the untreated PVA, respectively. In addition, the water absorption and solubility of PVA/CNC 5% were 56.6% and 68.2% lower than those of the untreated PVA.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2018

In this work, the morphology of polyvinylidene-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-co-HFP) membranes were systemically investigated using phase inversion technique, to target membrane contactor applications. As the presence of macrovoids degrade the mechanical integrity of the membranes and jeopardize the long-term stability of membrane contactor processes (e.g. wetting), a wide range of dope compositions and casting conditions was studied to eliminate the undesired macrovoids. The type of solvent had significant effect on the membrane morphology, and the observed morphology were correlated to the physical properties of the solvent and solvent-polymer interactions. In addition, to fabricate macrovoid-free structure, the effects of different coagulation temperatures, inclusion of additives, and addition of nonsolvents were investigated. Due to the slow crystallization rate of P(VDF-co-HFP) polymer, it was found that obtaining porous membrane without macrovoids is difficult using only nonsolvent-induced phase separation method (NIPS). However, combined other phase inversion methods such as evaporation-induced phase separation (EIPS) and vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS), the desired membrane morphology can be obtained without any macrovoids.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.22-37
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• 2006

The applicability of biobarrier or in situ microbial filter technology for the remediation of groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvent was investigated through batch microcosm study. The efficiency and rates of reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) are known to be highly dependent on hydrogen concentration. In this study, the effect of electron donors on the reductive dechlorination of PCE was investigated using vermicompost (or worm casting) and peat as a biobarrier medium. The effect of organic acids (lactate, butyrate and benzoate), yeast extract and vitamin $B_{12}$ on the reductive dechlorination was investigated. In the absence of biobarrier medium (adsorbent), addition of electron donors stimulated the dechlorination rate of PCE compared to the control experiment (i.e., no electron donor added). Among the treatments, addition of lactate or lactate/benzoate as hydrogen donor exhibited the highest dechlorination rate ($k_1=0.0260{\sim}0.0266\;day^{-1}$). In case of using vermicompost as a biobarrier medium, amendment of lactate/benzoate exhibited the highest dechlorination rate following with a pseudo-first-order degradation rate constant of $k_1=0.0849\;day^{-1}$. In contrast, when Pahokee peat was used as a biobarrier medium, either butyrate or lactate addition exhibited the highest dechlorination rate with $k_1$ values of 0.1092 and $0.1067\;day^{-1}$, respectively. The results of this study showed the potential applicability of in situ biobarrier technology using vermicompost or peat as a barrier material for the remediation of groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvent.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.272-280
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• 2005

In this study, asymmetric polysulfone membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method and the casting solutions were containing N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent. Deionized water and various alcohols(methanol, ethanol, and propanol) were used as a coagulation medium in preparing asymmetric polysulfone membranes. This study investigates the effect of alcohol coagulants having different solubility parameters as a pore-former on the construction of porous structures and their pure water permeation properties. Asymmetric polysulfone membranes immersed in the pure alcohol coagulation bath solution showed the typical sponge-like structures and the reduced water permeability as compared with those of polysulfone membranes precipitated in the pure water coagulation bath solution. In the water/alcohol mixtures, asymmetric polysulfone membranes showed the finger-like structures with the sponge-like structures. Therefore, the sponge-like structure of polysulfone membrane was formed under the delayed demixing systems while the porosity of membrane was decreased significantly. The water permeability of polysulfone membrane precipitated in the pure water coagulant showed 164 [$L/m^2hr$] at 14.7 psi. In case of polysulfone membranes prepared in the pure methanol and ethanol coagulant, they showed the water permeability of 56 and 30 [$L/m^2hr$], respectively.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.413-419
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• 2019

In the recent, as a world demand of energy resources has been transformed from fossil fuels to hydrogen-based clean energy resources, a huge attention has been attracted to increase the performance and decrease a production cost of core materials in fuel cell technology. The utilization of reinforced composite membranes as electrolytes in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells can reduce the use of high cost perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA), mitigate the cell impedance, and improve the dimensional stability as well as the interfacial stability, giving rise to achieve both an improved performance and a reduction of production costs of the fuel cell devices. In this study, we investigate the effects of physical characteristics and cell performances according to the various ionomer solvents in the solution based manufacturing process of reinforced composite electrolyte membrane.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.393-398
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• 2013

Two types of polymeric micro-needles with 250 and $750{\mu}m$ lengths were prepared by a micromolding process. The geometry of dissolving micro-needles with minoxidil was investigated and the mechanical property of polymer micro-needles was also evaluated. Water dissolving micro-needles containing minoxidil were successfully inserted into skin and delivered minoxidil to the skin layer after 30 min of insertion. The observed hair growth was less when the minoxidil treatment was not applied or used without the micro-needles than that the minoxidil was applied by micro-needles. Histologically, these hair follicles became bigger, and the hair papillae were totally encircled by the hair bulbs. In this feasibility test, we show the successful delivery of minoxidil, and effective treatment of hair loss can be possible by using dissolving micro-needles with minoxidil.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.476-480
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• 2009

A polymer composite electrolyte of a blend of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a host polymer, the ethylene carbonate as a solvent, and $LiClO_4$ as a salt was studied. The crystallinity of the polymer electrolytes was evaluated using differential scanning calorimeter(DSC). The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes was measured by frequency response analyzer(FRA) method. The effect of PEO/PMMA blend ratios on the ionic conduction in these electrolytes was investigated. The electrolyte films showed a phase separation due to immiscibility of the PMMA with the PEO. The PMMA-rich phase and the PEO-rich phase were produced during a film casting. The ionic conductivity of blend electrolyte was dependent on the content of PMMA and showed the highest value at 20 wt.%. However, when PMMA content exceeds 20 wt.%, the ionic conductivity was decreased due to the slow ionic transport through the PMMA-rich phase.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.332-332
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• 2010

We have successfully demonstrated the inkjet printing method to create $Al_2O_3$ films withouWe have successfully demonstrated the inkjet printing method to create $Al_2O_3$ films without a high temperature sintering process. In order to remove the coffee ring effect in the ink drop, we have introduced a co-solvent system in order to create Marangoni flow in the ink drop, which leads to the dense packing of ceramic powders on the substrate during inkjet process. The packing density of the Inkjet-printed $Al_2O_3$ films is around 60% (max. 70%) which is very high compared to the value obtained from the same material films by other conventional methods such as film casting, dip coating process, etc. The voids inside the films (which are around 40% of the entire film volume) are filled with the polymer resin (Cyanate ester) by the infiltration process. This resin infiltration is also implemented by the inkjet printing process right after the Ah03 film ink-jetting process. The microstructures of the printed $Al_2O_3$ films are investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to understand the degree of packing density in the printed films. The inkjet-printed $Al_2O_3$ films have been characterized to investigate its thickness and roughness. Quality factor of the printed $Al_2O_3$ film is also measured to be over 300 at 1MHz.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.204-204
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• 1999

The plasma source ion implantation(PSII) technique which is a method using high negative voltage pulse in plasma system has the potential to change the surface properties of polymer. PSII technique increase the surface free energy by introducing polar functional groups on the surface so that it improves reactivity, hydrophilicity, adhension, biocompatability, etc. However, the mobility of polymer chains enables the modified surface layers to adapt their composition to interfacial force. This hydrophobic recovery interrupts the stability of modified surfaces to keep for the long time. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA), and polu(2-hydroxypropyl methacylate)(PHPMA) for contact lens application, were modified to improve the wettability with PSII technique and were investigated the surface stabilities. Polymer film was prepared with solution casting(3 wt.% solution) and was annealed at 11$0^{\circ}C$ under vacuum oven to remove solvent completely and to eliminate physical ageing. The thickness of the film measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface profilometer was about 10${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. Polymers were treated with different kinds of gases, pulse frequency, pulse with, pulse voltage, and treatment time. Even though PMMA, PHEMA, and PHPMA have similar repeat unit structure, the optimal treatment conditions and the tendency to hydrophobic recovery were different. PHPMA, more hydrophilic polymer than PMMA and PHEMA showd better wettability and stability after mild treatment. Surface tensions were obtained by water and diiodomethane contact angle measurements to monitor the relation between hydrophobic recovery and polymer structure. Different ion species in plasma change the polar component and dispersion component of polymer surface. For better wettability surface, the increase of polar component was a dominant factor. We also characterized modified polymer surfaces using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry(SIMS), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), and SEM.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.224-232
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• 2002

CdS-$TiO_2$ nano-composite sol was prepared by the sol-gel method in organic solvents at room temperature and further hydrothermal treatment at various temperatures to control the physical properties of the primary particles. Again, CdS-$TiO_2$ composite particulate films were made by casting CdS-$TiO_2$ sols onto $F:SnO_2$ conducting glass and then heat-treatment at $400^{\circ}C$. Physical properties of these 61ms were further controlled by the surface treatment with $TiCl_4$, aqueous solution. The photo currents and hydrogen production rates measured under the experimental conditions varied according to the $CdS/[CdS+TiO_2]$ mole ratio and the mixed-sol preparation method. For $CdS-TiO_2$ composite sols prepared in IPA, CdS particles were homogeneously surrounded by $TiO_2$ particles. Also, the surface treatment with $TiCl_4$ aqueous solution caused a considerable improvement in the photocatalytic activity, probably as a result of close contacts between the primary particles by the etching effect of $TiCl_4$. It was found that the photoelectrochemical performance of these particulate films could be effectively enhanced by this approach.