• 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 the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2014

Mesoporous tin oxide (meso-$SnO_2$) with 5 nm mesopore and well-aligned $SnO_2$ nanowire-bundles with 5~7 nm diameters were prepared by template synthesis method. In addition to meso-$SnO_2$, meso-$SnO_2$/$SiO_2$, which has almost the same structure as meso-$SnO_2$ including $SiO_2$ used as the template were prepared by the modification of template synthesis. X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy observed structures of meso-$SnO_2$ and meso-$SnO_2$/$SiO_2$. Although the meso-$SnO_2$/$SiO_2$ showed some positive evidences to suppress the volume change of meso-$SnO_2$ through cyclic voltammogram, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and voltage profiles during cycling, its cycle life was not improved highly to address modified structural effects. Thus, further study might be done to control the nanostructure of meso-$SnO_2$/$SiO_2$ for enhanced cycle performance.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 2021

A supercapacitor, also called an ultracapacitor or an electrochemical capacitor, stores electrochemical energy by the adsorption/desorption of electrolytic ions or a fast and reversible redox reaction at the electrode surface, which is distinct from the chemical reaction of a battery. A supercapacitor features high specific power, high capacitance, almost infinite cyclability (~ 100,000 cycle), short charging time, good stability, low maintenance cost, and fast frequency response. Supercapacitors have been used in electronic devices to meet the requirements of rapid charging/discharging, such as for memory back-up, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Also, their use is being extended to transportation and large industry applications that require high power/energy density, such as for electric vehicles and power quality systems of smart grids. In power generation using intermittent power sources such as solar and wind, a supercapacitor is configured in the energy storage system together with a battery to compensate for the relatively slow charging/discharging time of the battery, to contribute to extending the lifecycle of the battery, and to improve the system power quality. This article provides a concise overview of the principles, mechanisms, and classification of energy storage of supercapacitors in accordance with the electrode materials. Also, it provides a review of the status of recent research and patent, product, and market trends in supercapacitor technology. There are many challenges to be solved to meet industrial demands such as for high voltage module technologies, high efficiency charging, safety, performance improvement, and competitive prices.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2005

The characteristics of heavy metal biosorption on the seaweeds were investigated to develop a biological treatment technology for wastewater polluted with heavy metals. The heavy metal biosorption on seaweeds ranked in the tallowing order: U. pinnatifida$\geq$E. stolonifera$\geq$Laminaria sp.>G. amansii. The Pb was biosorbed in the range of $93{\sim}99%$, and the Cu and Cd were biosorbed in the range of $70{\sim}80%$ at the concentration of the heavy metal of $100mg/{\ell}$ respectively. The seaweed which was pretreated with $CaCl_2$ solution improved the biosorption of the heavy metals. The temperature and pH didn't affect the biosorption of heavy metals. The Langmuir isotherm reasonably fit the data of heavy metal biosorption compared to the Freundlich isotherm. The affinity of metals on the biosorption ranked in the following order: Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd. The biosorption efficiency of the heavy metals on the U. pinnatifida decreased in the multi-component rather than the single component. The heavy metals adsorbed on the U. pinnatifida were recovered using 0.3%-NTA. U. pinnatifida among the seaweed used in this work showed the best performance for the biosorption of the heavy metals.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.259-269
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• 2013

Applicability of ammonium molybdophosphate/iron oxides-polyacrylonitrile (AMP/IO-PAN) composites on the removal of radionuclides in the radioactive wastewater generated from nuclear power plants was investigated. The composites were characterized using the following analytical techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourior transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analyzer (PSA), nitrogen adsorption-desorption and magnetic property measurement system (MPMS). 10wt% of AMP/IO-PAN composite has a saturation magnetization of 2.038 emu/g. Single-solute sorptions of Co, Sr and Cs onto 10wt% of AMP/IO-PAN composite were investigated. The maximum sorption capacities ($Q^0$) predicted by the Langmuir model on 10wt% of AMP/IO-PAN composite were 0.097, 0.086 and 0.66 mmol/g for Co, Sr and Cs, respectively. The maximum sorption capacities ($Q^0$) of Cs predicted by Langmuir model on 0, 10, 20 and 30wt% of AMP/IO-PAN composites were 0.702, 0.655, 0.602 and 0.559 mmol/g, respectively. The maximum sorption capacities ($Q^0$) of Cs decreased with increasing the iron oxide content in the AMP/IO-PAN composites.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.432-441
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• 2001

An automated on-line portable preconcentration-short column gas chromatograph was developed, which used preconcentrator using adsorption tube with Tenax-GR and Curie-point heating. The developed system operated with 3 steps of processing, preconcentration, thermal desorption, and analysis and cleaning, and could continued operating within 1~2 min cycle. The recoveries of preconcentrator for toluene was ranged between $94.7{\pm}6.6%$ and $103.8{\pm}3.1%$ with less than 7% of RSD. For benzene, toluene and xylene(BTX) standard gas test, IDL was 41, 49, $472ng/m^3$ benzene, toluene and o-xylene, respectively. The BTX mixture was analyzed within 30 sec with baseline separation by the system equipped with 4 m long capillary column. The deficiency of separation power caused by short column was solved by the control of sample injection volume and inlet/outlet pressure ratio. The automated portable preconcentration-short column gas chromatograph system was found to be useful for the continuous air monitoring of BTX at ppb levels in ambient air.