• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.759-764
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• 2018

3D porous carbon electrodes (cNPIM), prepared by solution casting of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1) followed by nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) and carbonization are presented. In order to effectively control the pore size of 3D porous carbon structures, cNPIM was prepared by varying the THF ratio of mixed solvents. The SEM analysis revealed that cNPIMs have a unique 3D macroporous structure having a gradient pore structure, which is expected to grant a smooth and easy ion transfer capability as an electrode material. In addition, the cNPIMs presented a very large specific surface area ($2,101.1m^2/g$) with a narrow micropore size distribution (0.75 nm). Consequently, the cNPIM exhibits a high specific capacitance (304.8 F/g) and superior rate capability of 77% in an aqueous electrolyte. We believe that our approach can provide a variety of new 3D porous carbon materials for the application to an electrochemical energy storage.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.903-913
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• 2021

Three-type PVC membranes denoted by AEM-1, AEM-2, and AEM-3 with a cross-linked anion-exchange group were prepared by substitution reaction of PVC with triethyldiamine (TEDA), 1,4-dimethylpiperazine (DMP), and 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (BIB) in cyclohexanone, respectively. We confirmed the successful preparation of the AEM-1, AEM-2, and AEM-3 via ionic conductivity (S/cm), water uptake (%), contact angle, ion-exchange capacity (m_eq/g), thermal properties, SEM and XPS analysis, respectively. The electrochemical capacitor experiments using PVC membrane with cross-linked anion-exchange group in organic electrolytes were performed. The prepared AEM-1, AEM-2 AEM-3 have a good stability by charge and discharge performance in organic electrolyte. As a result, the AEM-2 and AEM-3 membrane based on PVC prepared by the solvent casting method after substituent reaction is suitable for the use as a separator in organic electrochemical capacitor (supercapacitor).

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2023

Wastewater purification is one of the most important techniques for controlling environmental pollution and fulfilling the demand for freshwater supply. Various technologies, such as different types of distillations and reverse osmosis processes, need higher energy input. Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an alternative method in which power consumption is deficient and works on the supercapacitor principle. Research is going on to improve the electrode materials to improve the efficiency of the process. A reverse electrodialysis (RED) is the most commonly used desalination technology and osmotic power generator. Among many studies conducted to enhance the efficiency of RED, MXene, as an ion exchange membrane (IEM) and 2D nanofluidic channels in IEM, is rising as a promising way to improve the physical and electrochemical properties of RED. It is used alone and other polymeric materials are mixed with MXene to enhance the performance of the membrane further. The maximum desalination performances of MXene with preconditioning, Ti₃C₂T_x, Nafion, and hetero-structures were respectively measured, proving the potential of MXene for a promising material in the desalination industry. In terms of osmotic power generating via RED, adopting MXene as asymmetric nanofluidic ion channels in IEM significantly improved the maximum osmotic output power density, most of them surpassing the commercialization benchmark, 5 Wm^-2. By connecting the number of unit cells, the output voltage reaches the point where it can directly power the electronic devices without any intermediate aid. The studies around MXene have significantly increased in recent years, yet there is more to be revealed about the application of MXene in the membrane and osmotic power-generating industry. This review discusses the electrodialysis process based on MXene composite membrane.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.211-221
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• 2023

This study presents a comprehensive study on the synthesis and characterization of PVI-PGMA/LiTFSI polymeric membrane electrolytes and CxNy-C flexible electrodes for energy storage applications. The dual-functional PVI-PGMA copolymer exhibited excellent ionic conductivity, with the PVI-PGMA73/LiTFSI200 membrane electrolyte achieving the highest conductivity of 1.0 × 10^-3 S cm^-1. The electrochemical performance of the CxNy-C electrodes was systematically investigated, with C3N2-C demonstrating superior performance, achieving the highest specific capacitance of 958 F g^-1 and lowest charge transfer resistance (R_ct) due to its highly interconnected hybrid structure comprising nanowires and polyhedrons, along with binary Co/Ni oxides, which provided abundant redox-active sites and facilitated ion diffusion. The presence of a graphitic carbon shell further contributed to the enhanced electrochemical stability during charge-discharge cycles. These results highlight the potential of PVI-PGMA/LiTFSI polymeric membrane electrolytes and CxNy-C electrodes for advanced energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, paving the way for further advancements in sustainable and high-performance energy storage technologies.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.426-433
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• 2023

Capacitor performance was considered using coffee grounds-based activated carbon produced through oil extraction and KOH activation to increase the utilization of boiwaste. Oil extraction from coffee grounds was performed by solvent extraction using n-Hexane and isopropyl alcohol solvents. The AC_CG-Hexane/IPA produced by KOH activation after oil extraction increased the specific surface area by up to 16% and the average pore size by up to 2.54 nm compared to AC_CG produced only by KOH activation without oil extraction. In addition, the pyrrolic/pyridinic N functional group of the prepared activated carbon increased with the extraction of oil from coffee grounds. In the cyclic voltage-current method measurement experiment, the specific capacitance of AC_CG-Hexane/IPA at a voltage scanning speed of 10 mV/s is 133 F/g, which is 33% improved compared to the amorphous capacity of AC_CG (100 F/g). The results show improved electrochemical properties by improving the size and specific surface area of the mesopores of activated carbon by removing components from coffee grounds oil and synergistic effects by increasing electrical conductivity with pyrrolic/pyridinic N functional groups. In this study, the recycling method and application of coffee grounds, a bio-waste, is presented, and it is considered to be one of the efficient methods that can be utilized as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2023

In this study, coffee waste was recycled into nitrogen-doped porous carbon fibers as an active material for high-energy EDLC (Electric Double Layer Capacitors). The coffee waste was mixed with polyvinylpyrrolidone and dissolved into dimethylformamide. The mixture was then electrospun to fabricate coffee waste-derived nanofibers (Bare-CWNF), and carbonization process was followed under a nitrogen atmosphere at 900℃. Similar to Bare-CWNF, the as-synthesized carbonized coffee waste-derived nanofibers (Carbonized-CWNF) maintained its fibrous form while preserving the composition of nitrogen. The electrochemical performance was analyzed for carbonized coffee waste (Carbonized-CW)-, carbonized PAN-derived nanofibers (Carbonized-PNF)-, and Carbonized-CWNF-based electrodes in the operating voltage window of -1.0-0.0V, Among the electrodes, Carbonized-CWNF-based electrodes exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 123.8F g^-1 at 1A g^-1 owing to presence of nitrogen and porous structure. As a result, nitrogen-contained porous carbon fibers synthesized from coffee waste showed excellent electrochemical performance as electrodes for high-energy EDLC. The experimental designed in this study successfully demonstrated the recycling of the coffee waste, one of the plant-based biomass that causes the environmental pollution into high-energy materials, also, attaining the ecofriendliness.