• Carbon letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.224-234
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• 2010

Four activated carbons were produced by two-stage process as followings; semi-carbonization of indigenous biomass waste, i.e. cotton stalks, followed by chemical activation with KOH under various activation temperatures and chemical ratios of KOH to semi-carbonized cotton stalks (CCS). The surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter were evaluated by $N_2$-adsorption at 77 K. The surface morphology and oxygen functional groups were determined by SEM and FTIR, respectively. Batch equilibrium and kinetic studies were carried out by using a basic dye, methylene blue as a probe molecule to evaluate the adsorption capacity and mechanism over the produced carbons. The obtained activated carbon (CCS-1K800) exhibited highly microporous structure with high surface area of 950 $m^2/g$, total pore volume of 0.423 $cm^3/g$ and average pore diameter of 17.8 ${\AA}$. The isotherm data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm with monolayer adsorption capacity of 222 mg/g for CCS-1K800. The kinetic data obtained at different concentrations were analyzed using a pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion equations. The pseudo-second-order model fitted better for kinetic removal of MB dye. The results indicate that such laboratory carbons could be employed as low cost alternative to commercial carbons in wastewater treatment.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.459-462
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• 2006

Formic acid recently attracted attention as an alternative fuel for direct liquid fuel cells(DLFCs) due to its high theoretical open circuit voltage(1.45V). In this paper, a novel chemical strategy is described for the preparation and characterization of carbon-supported and surface-alloys, which were prepared by using a successive reduction process. After preparing Au colloid nanoparticles, the deposition of Au colloid nanoparticles occurred spontaneously in the carbon black-dispersed aqueous solution. Then nano-scaled Pt layer were formed on the surface of carbon-supported Au nanoparticles. The Au-Pt[x] showed the higher electrocatalytic activity than those of the particle-alloys and commercial one (Johnson-Matthey) for the reaction of formic acid oxidation when the mass-specific currents were compared. The increased electrocatalytic activity might be attributed to the effective surface structure of surface-alloys, which have a high utilization of active materials for the surface reaction of electrode.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.34-41
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• 2001

It is well known that bioassay on the low organic matters in water have developed from the two methods. One is assimilable organic carbon(AOC) that makes use of the maximum growth biomass of the pure strains for the standard substrates, the other is biodegradable dissolved organic carbon(BDOC) that determines the fraction of dissolved organic carbon(DOC) available for microbial utilization. The purpose of this study was to upgrade the measurement method of BDOC in natural water or drinking water. BBOC was determined by means of the bacterial growth and the DOC decrease at the same time. The origin inoculums were used to the suspended bacteria from Han River water, The initial optimum biomass and incubation time for initial DOC were induced by variation of nutrient repression and inoculums. The time reached to minimum DOC was selected as incubation time. The initial optimum biomass for Han river water was about 1000~5000 CFU/mL, respectively. In a sufficient biomass, suitable incubation time was about 3~5 day. It was indirectly calculated BDOC on maximum growth rate by measuring growth yield of indigenous bacteria. But it was difficult to adapt growth yield coefficient because of irregular bacterial growth. The measured 3 day BDOC was close to BDOC calculated with our proposed experimental equation between DOC and BDOC. It shows that the quantification of BDOC with this experimental equation can be used indirectly.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.2343-2347
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• 2013

In this work, manganese dioxide ($Mn_3O_4$)/carbon black (CB) composites (Mn-CBs) were prepared by an in situ coating method as electrical fillers and the effect of the Mn-CBs on the electrical performance of activated carbon (AC)-based electrodes was investigated. Structural features of Mn-CBs produced via in situ coating using a $KMnO_4$ solution were confirmed by XRD and TEM images. The electrical performances, including cv curves, charge-discharge behaviors, and specific capacitance of the ACs/Mn-CBs, were determined by cyclic voltammograms. It was found that the composites of $Mn_3O_4$ and CBs were successfully formed by in situ coating method. ACs/Mn-CBs showed higher electrical performance than that of AC electrodes fabricated with conventional CBs due to the pesudocapacitance reaction of manganese oxides in the aqueous electrolyte. Consequently, it is anticipated that the incorporation of $Mn_3O_4$ into CBs could facilitate the utilization of CBs as electrical filler, leading to enhanced electrochemical performance of AC electrodes for supercapacitors.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.559-567
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• 2018

Technological innovations in sustainable materials for soil improvement have attracted considerable interest due to energy crisis and environmental concerns in recent years. This study presents results of a comprehensive investigation on utilization of nanocarbons in reinforcement of a residual soil mixed with 0, 10 and 20% bentonite. Effects of adding proportionate quantities (0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.2%) of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers to soil samples of different plasticities were evaluated. The investigation revealed that the inclusion of nanocarbons into the soil samples significantly improved unconfined compressive strength, Young's modulus and indirect tensile strength. It was observed that carbon nanofibers showed better performance as compared to carbon nanotubes. The nanosized diameter and high aspect ratio of nanocarbons make it possible to distribute the reinforcing materials on a much smaller scale and bridge the inter-particles voids. As a result, a better 'soil-reinforcing material' interaction is achieved and desired properties of the soil are improved at nanolevel.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.355-364
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• 2018

Flexible energy-storage devices (FESDs) have been studied and developed extensively over the last few years because of demands in various fields. Since electrochemical performance and mechanical flexibility must be taken into account together, different framework from composition of conventional energy-storage devices (ESDs) is required. Numerous types of electrodes have been proposed to implement the FESDs. Herein, we review the works related to the FESDs so far and focus on free-standing electrodes and, especially substrate-based ones. The way to utilize carbon woven fabric (CF) or carbon cloth (CC) as flexible substrates is quite simple and intuitive. However, it is meaningful in the point of that the framework exploiting CF or CC can be extended to other applications resulting in multifunctional composites. Therefore, summary, which is on utilization of carbon-based material and conductive substrate containing CF and CC for ESDs, turns out to be helpful for other researchers to have crude concepts to get into energy-storage multi-functional composite. Moreover, polymer electrolytes are briefly explored as well because safety is one of the most important issues in FESDs and the electrolyte part mainly includes difficult obstacles to overcome. Lastly, we suggest some points that need to be further improved and studied for FESDs.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.367-374
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• 2021

The present study investigated the effect of the combined carbonation and steam curing on the physicochemical properties and CO₂ uptake of the Portland cement concrete. Four different curing regimes were adopted during the initial 10 h of curing to evaluate the potential of carbonation curing as an alternative to conventional steam curing in the precast concrete industry from environmental and practical viewpoints. Four combinations of carbonation and steam curing conditions were applied as curing regimes to the samples at an early age. The test results indicated that the samples treated with the combined carbonation and steam curing exhibited higher early strength development compared to the other samples, signifying that carbonation curing can reduce the production time of precast concrete. Furthermore, the CO₂ uptake capacity of the samples was calculated and found to be as high as 18% with respect to the mass of the paste samples. Hence, the simultaneous utilization of steam and CO₂ for the fabrication of precast concrete members has the potential to make precast concrete greener and more cost-effective.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2019

Carbon fiber reinforced SiC composites (C/SiC) have high-temperature stability and excellent thermal shock resistance, and are currently being applied in extreme environments, for example, as aerospace propulsion parts or in high-performance brake systems. However, their low thermal conductivity, compared to metallic materials, are an obstacle to energy efficiency improvements via utilization of regenerative cooling systems. In order to solve this problem, the present study investigated the bonding strength between carbon fiber and matrix material within ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials, demonstrating the relation between the microstructure and bonding, and showing that the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity may be improved by treatment of the carbon fibers. When fiber surface was treated with a nitric acid solution, the observed segment crack areas within the subsequently generated CMC increased from 6 to 10%; moreover, it was possible to enhance the thermal conductivity from 10.5 to 14 W/m·K, via the same approach. However, fiber surface treatment tends to cause mechanical damage of the final composite material by fiber etching.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.427-440
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• 2023

The current study evaluated carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from beef and pork production and distribution chains in the South Korean meat industry. Data from industrial example farms and slaughterhouses were assessed on the basis of both the guidelines from the United Kingdom's Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2050:2011 and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute carbon footprint calculation. The main factors for our estimations were animal feeds, manure waste, transportation, energy and water, refrigerants, and package data. Our analyses show that 16.55 kg CO₂ equivalent (eq) was emitted during the production of 1 kg of live cattle. When retail yields and packing processes were considered, the CO₂-eq of 1 kg of packaged Hanwoo beef was 27.86 kg. As for pigs, emissions from 1 kg of live pigs and packaged pork meat were 2.62 and 12.75 kg CO₂-eq, respectively. While we gathered data from only two farms and slaughterhouses and our findings can therefore not be extrapolated to all meats produced in the South Korean meat industry, they indicate that manure waste is the greatest factor affecting ultimate CO₂ emissions of packaged meats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.47-48
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• 2023

In the domestic industrial sector, greenhouse gases emitted from the cement industry account for about 10%, with most of them generated during the cement clinker calcination process. During the calcination process, 57% of carbon dioxide is emitted from the decarbonation reaction of limestone, 30% from fuel consumption, and 13% from electricity usage. In response to these issues, the cement industry is making efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by developing technologies for raw material substitution and conversion, improving process efficiency by utilizing low-carbon alternative heat sources, developing CO₂ capture and utilization technologies, and recycling waste materials. In addition, due to the limitations in purchasing and storing industrial byproducts generated from industrial facilities, many studies are underway regarding the recycling of construction waste. Therefore, this study analyzes the manufacture of calcium silicate cement (CSC), which can store carbon dioxide as carbonate minerals in industrial facilities, and aims to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly regenerated cement using construction waste.