• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 2011

Five natural rubber (NR) composites with different reinforcing systems of unfilled, carbon black, carbon black with silane coupling agent, silica, and silica with silane coupling agent were thermally aged and change of the crosslink densities by the accelerated thermal aging was investigated. The crosslink densities on the whole increased as the aging time elapsed irrespective of the reinforcing systems. The crosslink density changes became noticeable by increasing the aging temperature. For carbon black-filled composites, the silane coupling agent made the crosslink density change to be increased. For silica-filled composites, however, the silane coupling agent made the crosslink density increment reduced at 60 and $70^{\circ}C$ and it hardly affect the degree of the crosslink density change at 80 and $90^{\circ}C$. The activation energies for the crosslink density changes of the carbon black-filled samples increased continuously in a logarithmic fashion, whereas that of the silica-filled one showed a quasi-steady state ranges at aging times of 30-150 days. The activation energy of the unfilled sample increased exponentially with the aging time. The experimental results were explained with sulfur donation from the silane coupling agent, surface modification of the filler by the silane coupling agent, adsorption of curative residues on the silica surface, and release of the adsorbed curative residues.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 1981

The purpose of this study aimed to study effects of fire on vegetation and soil properties after the first growing season in Mt. Chiak. 1. With the basis of importance value of species in each stand, status of species was assessed for three categories; Increaser species, Decreaser species, and Neutral species. 2. Biomass was 2.2 times higher on burned area than unburned. This indicates that biomass was remarkably increased after fire. 3. To evaluate similarity, coefficients of similarity among communities were obtained, and correlation coefficients were also estimated. These indices showed that burned and unburned community were markedly different.. $B_1$-stand and $B_1$-stand appeared most similar to each other among stands. 4. Species diversity was greater in burned than unburned stands. 5. Soil pH value and organic matter content in burned area were significantly higher than those in unburned area. However, soil water content was lower in burned area. There was no effect of burning on soil pH value and water content at 15~20 cm depth of soil. 6. All chemical compositions except sodium were much higher in soil surface. The decreases in sodium levels at surface were probably resulted from the rapid leaching due to the increased solubility and decreased capacity for adsorption of sodium in comparison with potassium or calcium. Among chemical compositions of soil amount of nitrogen showed least difference between the burneb and unburned surfaces soil.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2004

The electrochemical behaviors of dissolved hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide at a platinum disk electrode were investigated in boric acid solution by potentiostatic polarization method at the temperature of 25 and $200^{\circ}C$. The oxidation of dissolved hydrogen at $25^{\circ}C$ was kinetically controlled reaction, the rate of which depends upon the electron transfer on the electrode surface. As temperature was raised, however, the electrochemical characteristics of dissolved hydrogen were changed from a kinetically controlled reaction to a diffusion controlled one. One notable feature, with dissolved hydrogen at high temperature, is that an abnormal potential range was observed, where the oxidation rate of dissolved hydrogen rapidly decreased just before starting potential of water oxidation. We think it is caused by the deactivation of the electrode that results from the adsorption of hydroxyl ion on the surface of the platinum disk. On the contrary, a definite change with temperature was not identified in the case of the hydrogen peroxide except for the increase in current density that was due to the increasing diffusion coefcient with an increase of temperature.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2021

In this study, bio-carbons were produced by activation process from unused biomass (Grade 3 wood pellet and spent coffee grounds) to determine the removal performance of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The activation experiments were conducted in a fixed bed reactor using CO₂ as an activation agent. The temperature of the activation reactor and input of CO₂ were 900 ℃ and 1 L min^-1 for all the experiments. The maximum BET surface area of about 788 m² g^-1 was obtained for bio-carbon produced from Grade 1 wood pellet, whereas about 544 m² g^-1 was achieved with bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds. In all the experiments, the bio-carbons produced were mainly found to have micro-porous nature. A lower ash amount in raw material was favored for the high surface area of bio-carbons. In the removal test of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, the bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds showed excellent adsorption performance compared with woody biomass (Grade 1 wood pellet and Grade 3 wood pellet). In addition, the comparative experiment of commercial impregnated activated carbon and bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds was conducted. In terms of formaldehyde removal performance, the commercial impregnated bio-carbon was excellent, while bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds was excellent in acetaldehyde removal.

• 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 Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2019

The accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) resulted in the deposition of large quantities of radionuclides over parts of eastern Japan. Radioactive contaminants have been observed over a large area including forests, cities, rivers and lakes. Due to the strong adsorption of radioactive cesium by soil particles, radioactive cesium migrates with the eroded soil, follows the surface flow paths, and is delivered downstream of population-rich regions and eventually to coastal areas. In this study, we developed a model to simulate the transport of contaminated sediment in a watershed hydrological system and this model was compared with observation data from eroded soil observation instruments located at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Two methods were applied to analyze the soil particle size distribution of the collected soil samples, including standardized sieve analysis and image analysis methods. Numerical models were developed to simulate the movement of soil along with actual rainfall considering initial saturation, rainfall infiltration, multilayer and rain splash. In the 2019 study, a numerical model will be used to add rainfall shield effect by trees, evaporation effect and shield effects of surface water. An eroded soil observation instrument has been installed near the Wolsong nuclear power plant since 2018 and observation data are being continuously collected. Based on these observations data, we will develop the numerical model to analyze long-term behavior of radionuclides on land as they move from land to rivers, lakes and coastal areas.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.379-387
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• 2018

This study was conducted to improve the membrane characteristics and performance by increasing hydrophilicity by adding additives to the ultrafiltration polysulfone (PSf) hollow fiber membrane. The mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared by dispersing 15 nm of fumed silica (FS) in the spinning solution at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%. SEM analysis was carried out to confirm the cross-section and surface condition. It was confirmed that mean pore radius of the hollow fiber increased by 4 nm as FS was added. In addition, contact angle measurement was carried out for the hydrophilicity analysis of hollow fiber membranes, and it was confirmed that the hydrophilicity of MMMs were increased by adding of FS. In the case of water permeability, the membrane including FS showed 91~96 LMH and showed 5~11% more increase than PSf membrane. In the antifouling performance test, relative flux reduction ratios of FS mixed hollow fiber membranes were lower than that of PSf membranes, and it was confirmed that increase of hydrophilicity hinders adsorption of hydrophobic BSA on the membrane surface.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2021

In this study, effects of the physical and chemical properties of low temperature heated carbon on electrochemical behavior as a secondary battery anode material were investigated. A heat treatment at 600 ℃ was performed for coking of petroleum based pitch, and the manufactured coke was heat treated with different heat temperatures at 700~1,500 ℃ to prepare low temperature heated anode materials. The physical and chemical properties of carbon anode materials were studied through nitrogen adsorption and desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis. Also the anode properties of low temperature heated carbon were considered through electrochemical properties such as capacity, initial Coulomb efficiency (ICE), rate capability, and cycle performance. The crystal structure of low temperature (≤ 1500 ℃) heated carbon was improved by increasing the crystal size and true density, while the specific surface area decreased. Electrochemical properties of the anode material were changed with respect to the physical and chemical properties of low temperature heated carbon. The capacity and cycle performance were most affected by H/C atomic ratio. Also, the ICE was influenced by the specific surface area, whereas the rate performance was most affected by true density.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.671-687
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• 2022

It has been reported that about 47% of groundwater wells within 10 km from the coastline in the western/southern coastal areas of Korea were affected by seawater. It has been interpreted that the cause of groundwater salinization is seawater intrusion. The Gilsan stream in the Seocheon area was a tidal stream until the Geumgang estuary dam was constructed and operated. Therefore, it is likely that the Gilsan stream catchment was deposited with sediments containing high-saline formation water prior to the use of landfill farmland at this catchment area. The groundwater in this study area showed EC values ranging from 111 to 21,000 µS/cm, and the water quality types were diverse including Ca(or Na)-HCO₃, Ca(or Na)-HCO₃(Cl), Na-Cl(HCO₃), Na-Cl types. It is believed that this diversity of water quality is due to the mixing of seawater and fresh groundwater generated by infiltration of precipitation and surface water through soil and weathered part. In this study, we discussed whether this water quality diversity and the presence of saline groundwater are due to present seawater intrusion or to remnant high-saline pore water in sediments during flushing out process. For this, rain water, surface water, seawater, and groundwater were compared regarding the water quality characteristics, tritium content, oxygen/hydrogen stable isotopic composition, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio. The oxygen/hydrogen stable isotopic compositions indicated that water composition of saline groundwaters with large EC values are composed of a mixture of those of fresh groundwater and surface water. Also, the young groundwater estimated by tritium content has generally higher NO₃ content. All these characteristics showed that fresh groundwater and surface water have continued to affect the high-saline groundwater quality in the study area. In addition, considering the deviation pattern in the diagrams of Na/Cl ratio versus Cl content and SAR (sodium adsorption ratio) versus Cl content, in which two end members of fresh surface-ground water and seawater are assumed, it is interpreted that the groundwater in the study area is not experiencing present seawater intrusion, but flush out and retreating from ancient saline formation water.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.455-462
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• 2000

The objective of this study was to examine the physicochemical characteristics of coagulation reaction between loess and red tide organisms (RTO) and its feasibility, in developing a technology for the removal of RTO bloom in coastal sea. The physicochemical characteristics of loess were examined for a particle size distribution, surface characteristics by scanning electron microscope, zeta potential, and alkalinity and pH variations in sea water. Two kinds of RTO that were used in this study, Cylindrothen closterium and Skeietonema costatum, were sampled in Masan bay and were cultured in laboratory. Coagulation experiments were conducted using various concentrations of loess, RTO, and a jar tester. The supernatant and RTO culture solution were analyzed for pH, alkalinity, RTO cell number. A negative zeta potential of loess increased with increasing pH at $10^(-3)M$ NaCl solution and had -71.3 mV at pH 9.36. Loess had a positive zeta potential of +1,8 mV at pH 1.98, which resulted in a characteristic of material having an amphoteric surface charge. In NaCl and $CaCl_2$, solutions, loess had a decreasing negative zeta potential with increasing $Na^+\;and\;Ca^(+2)$ ion concentration and then didn't result in a charge reversal due to not occurring specific adsorption for $Na^+$ ion while resulted in a charge reversal due to occurring specific adsorption for $Ca^(+2)$ ion. In sea water, loess and RTO showed the similar zeta potential values of -112,1 and -9.2 mV, respectively and sea sand powder showed the highest zeta potential value of -25.7 mV in the clays. EDLs (electrical double-layers) of loess and RTO were extremely compressed due to high concentration of salts included in sea water, As a result, there didn't almost exist EDL repulsive force between loess and RTO approaching each other and then LVDW (London-yan der Waals) attractive force was always larger than EDL repulsive force to easily form a floe. Removal rates of RTO exponentially increased with increasing a loess concentration. The removal rates steeply increased until $800 mg/l$ of loess, and reached $100{\%}$ at 6,400 mg/l of loess. Removal rates of RTO exponentially increased with increasing a G-value. This indicated that mixing (i.e., collision among particles) was very important for a coagulation reaction. Loess showed the highest RTO removal rates in the clays.