• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.273-286
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• 2017

We present a simple and easy-to-implement lumped stiffness model to elucidate the load transfer mechanism among all individual tube shells and intertube van der Waals (vdW) interactions in transversely compressed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Our model essentially enables theoretical predictions to be made of the relevant transverse mechanical behaviors of multi-walled tubes based on the transverse stiffness properties of single-walled tubes. We demonstrate the validity and accuracy of our model and theoretical predictions through a quantitative study of the transverse deformability of double- and triple-walled CNTs by utilizing our recently reported nanomechanical measurement data. Using the lumped stiffness model, we further evaluate the contribution of each individual tube shell and intertube vdW interaction to the strain energy absorption in the whole tube. Our results show that the innermost tube shell absorbs more strain energy than any other individual tube shells and intertube vdW interactions. Nanotubes of smaller number of walls and outer diameters are found to possess higher strain energy absorption capacities on both a per-volume and a per-weight basis. The proposed model and findings on the load transfer and the energy absorption in multi-walled CNTs directly contribute to a better understanding of their structural and mechanical properties and applications, and are also useful to study the transverse mechanical properties of other one-dimensional tubular nanostructures (e.g., boron nitride nanotubes).

• Carbon letters
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• v.18
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• pp.24-29
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• 2016

High pollutant-loading capacities (up to 319 times its own weight) are achieved by three-dimensional (3D) macroporous, slightly reduced graphene oxide (srGO) sorbents, which are prepared through ice-templating and consecutive thermal reduction. The reduction of the srGO is readily controlled by heating time under a mild condition (at 1 10⁻² Torr and 200℃). The saturated sorption capacity of the hydrophilic srGO sorbent (thermally reduced for 1 h) could not be improved further even though the samples were reduced for 10 h to achieve the hydrophobic surface. The large meso- and macroporosity of the srGO sorbent, which is achieved by removing the residual water and the hydroxyl groups, is crucial for achieving the enhanced capacity. In particular, a systematic study on absorption parameters indicates that the open porosity of the 3D srGO sorbents significantly contributes to the physical loading of oils and organic solvents on the hydrophilic surface. Therefore, this study provides insight into the absorption behavior of highly macroporous graphene-based macrostructures and hence paves the way to development of promising next-generation sorbents for removal of oils and organic solvent pollutants.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.253-261
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• 2022

Numerical modelling of an integrated Carbon NanoTube (CNT) membrane is only achievable if probable deformations and realistic alterations from a perfect CNT membrane are taken into account. Considering the possible forms of CNTs, bending is one of the most probable deformations in these high aspect ratio nanostructures. Hence, investigation of effect associated with bent CNTs are of great interest. In the present study, molecular dynamics simulation is utilized to investigate fluid flow dynamics in deformed CNT membranes, specifically when the tube cross section is not affected. Bending in armchair (5,5) CNT was simulated using Tersoff potential, prior to flow rate investigation. Also, to study effect of inclined entry of the CNT to the membrane wall, argon flow through generated inclined CNT membranes is examined. The results show significant variation in both cases, which can be interpreted as counter-intuitive, since the cross section of the CNT was not deformed in either case. The distribution of fluid-fluid and fluid-wall interaction potential is investigated to explain the anomalous behavior of the flow rate versus bending angle.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2022

In the present study, we compared the adsorption capacity of Pb (II) from contaminated water of used cardboard (UC) and a commercial powdered activated carbon (PAC), the latter has been characterized by different techniques, namely X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), wavelength dispersion x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and surface area B.E.T analyzer. The effect of various parameters, such as the pH, the contact time, the amount of adsorbent, and the temperature on the adsorption of Pb (II) on both materials was investigated. The Pb (II) adsorptions are perfectly described by a pseudo-second-order model, while the intraparticle diffusion is a decisive step after the first minutes of contact. The fit to the Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson models seems perfect for these adsorption reactions. (PAC) showed a greater affinity for Pb (II) compared to (UC) and the adsorption of Pb (II) ions is strongly pH-dependent, on the other hand, the increase in temperature doesn't have much influence on the two solids. This study showed that the capacity of (UC) to adsorb Pb (II) from an aqueous solution is greater than two-thirds of that of (PAC).

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2012

The properties of carbon nanotube-metal hybrid nanostructures are critically dependent on the structure and chemistry of the metal-carbon nanotube interface. In this study, the interface between nickel and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been investigated using physical vapor-deposited (sputter-deposited) nickel onto the surface of freestanding carbon nanotube arrays processed by nano-imprint lithography (NIL). These interfaces have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy and 3D atom probe tomography. In the nickel nanocrystals growing on the CNT surface, a metastable hexagonal $Ni_3C$-types phase appears to be stabilized. The structural stability of the nickel-CNT interface is also discussed and related to potential implications for the properties of these nanocomposites.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.237-242
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• 2012

We report on the NO gas sensing properties of Al-doped zinc oxide-carbon nanotube (ZnO-CNT) wire-like layered composites fabricated by coaxially coating Al-doped ZnO thin films on randomly oriented single-walled carbon nanotubes. We were able to wrap thin ZnO layers around the CNTs using the pulsed laser deposition method, forming wire-like nanostructures of ZnO-CNT. Microstructural observations revealed an ultrathin wire-like structure with a diameter of several tens of nm. Gas sensors based on ZnO-CNT wire-like layered composites were found to exhibit a novel sensing capability that originated from the genuine characteristics of the composites. Specifically, it was observed by measured gas sensing characteristics that the gas sensors based on ZnO-CNT layered composites showed a very high sensitivity of above 1,500% for NO gas in dry air at an optimal operating temperature of $200^{\circ}C$; the sensors also showed a low NO gas detection limit at a sub-ppm level in dry air. The enhanced gas sensing properties of the ZnO-CNT wire-like layered composites are ascribed to a catalytic effect of Al elements on the surface reaction and an increase in the effective surface reaction area of the active ZnO layer due to the coating of CNT templates with a higher surface-to-volume ratio structure. These results suggest that ZnO-CNT composites made of ultrathin Al-doped ZnO layers uniformly coated around carbon nanotubes can be promising materials for use in practical high-performance NO gas sensors.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2008.07a
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• pp.1220-1221
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• 2008

Submicron-sized conical-type tungsten(W) field-emitters based on carbon nanotubes(CNTs) are fabricated with the configuration of CNTs/catalyst(Ni)/buffer(Al/Ni/TiN)/W-tip. This study focuses on elucidating how the Al/Ni/TiN stacked buffer layer affects the structural properties of CNTs and the electron-emission characteristics of CNT-emitters. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) are used to monitor the nanostructures, surface morphologies, chemical bonds of all the catalysts and CNTs grown. The crystalline structure of CNTs is also characterized by Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the measurement of field-emission characteristics for the field-emitters fabricated shows that the emitter using the Al/Ni/TiN stacked buffer reveals the excellent performances.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2008.07a
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• pp.1224-1225
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• 2008

The results of the experiment that was conducted on the electron emission property and the long-term stability of the emission current in various carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based field emitters with a CNT/catalyst/buffer/W-tip configuration are presented herein. CNT-based field emitters were fabricated by varying the (TiN, Al/Ni/TiN) buffer layer and the (Ni, Co) catalyst material. This study aimed to elucidate how the buffer layers and catalyst materials affect the structural properties of CNTs and the long-term stability of CNT emitters. Raman spectroscopy, field emission SEM, and high-resolution TEM were used to analyze the crystalline structure, surface morphologies, and nanostructures of all the grown CNTs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to monitor the chemical bonds of all the buffer layers and catalysts. Electron emission measurement and a long-term (up to 40h) stability test were carried out using a compactly designed field emission measurement system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.24-25
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• 2011

Molecular self-assembly has several advantages over other nanofabrication methods. Molecular building blocks ensure ultrafine pattern precision, parallel structure formation allows for mass production and a variety of three-dimensional structures are available for fabricating complex structures. Nevertheless, the molecular interaction for self-assembly generally relies on weak forces such as van der Waals force, hydrogen bonding, or hydrophobic interaction. Due to the weak interaction, the structure formation is usually slow and the degree of ordering is low in a self-assembled structure. To promote self-assembly, directed assembly methods employing prepatterned substrates or external fields have been developed and gathered a great deal of technological attention as a next generation nanofabrication process. In this presentation a variety of directed assembly methods for soft nanomaterials including block copolymers, peptides and carbon nanomaterials will be introduced. Block copolymers are representative self-assembling materials extensively utilized in nanofabrication. In contrast to colloid assembly or anodized metal oxides, various shapes of nanostructures, including lines or interconnected networks, can be generated with a precise tunability over their shape and size. Applying prepatterned substrates$^{1,2}$ or introducing thickness modulation$^3$ to block copolymer thin films allowed for the control over the orientational and positional orderings of self-assembled structures. The nanofabrication processes for metals, semiconductors$^4$, carbon nanotubes$^{5,6}$, and graphene$^{6,7}$ templating block copolymer self-assembly will be presented.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.90.2-90.2
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• 2012

Graphene has recently attracted significant attention because of its unique optical and electrical properties. For practical device applications, special attention has to be paid to the synthesis of high-quality graphene on large-area substrates. Graphene has been synthesized by eloborated mechanical exfoliation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, chemical reduction of exfoliated grahene oxide, thermal decomposition of silicon carbide, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on Ni or Cu substrates. Among these techniques, CVD is superior to the others from the perspective of technological applications because of its possibility to produce a large size graphene. PECVD has been demonstrated to be successful in synthesizing various carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes and nanosheets. Compared with thermal CVD, PECVD possesses a unique advantage of additional high-density reactive gas atoms and radicals, facilitating low-temperature, rapid, and controllable synthesis. In the current study, we report results in synthesizing of high-quality graphene films on a Ni films at low temperature. Controllable synthesis of quality graphene on Cu foil through inductively-coupled plasma CVD (ICPCVD), in which the surface chemistry is significantly different from that of conventional thermal CVD, was also discussed.