• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.228-233
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• 2013

In this work, we report in-situ observations of changes in catalyst morphology, and of growth termination of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs), by complete loss of the catalyst particle attached to it. The observations strongly support the growth-termination mechanism of CNT forests or carpets by dynamic morphological evolution of catalyst particles induced by Ostwald ripening, and sub-surface diffusion. We show that in the tip-growth mode, as well as in the base-growth mode, the growth termination of CNT by dissolution of catalyst particles is plausible. This may allow the growth termination mechanism by evolution of catalyst morphology to be applicable to not only CNT forest growth, but also to other growth methods (for example, floating-catalyst chemical vapor deposition), which do not use any supporting layer or substrate beneath a catalyst layer.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2004

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with uniform diameter and controlled size were prepared from catalytic decomposition of $\textrm{C}_{2}\textrm{H}_{2}$ with Ni-MgO catalyst treated by mechanochemical (MC) process. The properties of Ni catalyst, such as size, distribution and morphology, can be governed by tuning grinding time in MC process. As a result, size and structure of CNFs can be tailored. The effect of grinding time to the as-grown CNFs was studied. CNFs with diameter from 10-70 nm were synthesized. CNFs with bundle formation sharing one tip and twisted CNFs were also synthesized with catalyst treated by MC process.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.137-141
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• 2008

Copolymerization of ethylene and ${\alpha}$-olefin using $rac-Et[Ind]_2ZrCl_2/MAO$ catalyst embedded onto polysty-rene was examined. The embedded catalyst was prepared by polymerizing a small amount of styrene with $rac-Et[Ind]_2ZrCl_2$. The catalytic activities of the embedded catalyst were higher than those of the homogeneous catalystregardless of comonomer type and the characteristic of the active sites of the embedded catalyst was not affected duringthe embedding process. Based on the DSC and NMR analyses of the produced copolymers, it was thought that theembedded catalyst had similar or slightly better comonomer incorporation ability. Furthermore, the copolymers produced by the embedded catalyst had higher bulk densities and better particle morphology than those by the homogeneous catalyst.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.290-296
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• 2009

The morphology and mechanical properties of epoxy/polyamide/MPD/2E4MZ-CN reactive blends with various amount of catalyst were investigated. The cure behaviors, mechanical strengths, and morphological changes of the epoxy blend systems were analyzed by using DSC, UTM, and SEM, respectively. The amount of catalyst ranged from 0 to 3 phr, and the cure reaction occurred at $170^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. The maximum peaks in heat flow during cure reactions appeared at slightly lower temperature with increasing catalyst content, indicating that the cure reactions start at lower temperature by adding catalyst and polyamide rarely hinders the cure reaction paths. The co-continuous morphology was found in epoxy/polyamide(20 phr) blends and by adding catalyst to the blends much clearer and uniform co-continuous phase was observed. The surface tension of the mechanical test specimen was increased due to the AP plasma surface treatment, and then adhesion strength was increased by over 20% by adding 2 phr of catalyst to the blends. When considering morphological tuning of the blends by means of catalyst incorporation, it is expected that the increased elongation and adhesion strength can be achieved in the structural adhesive systems.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2001

Carbon nanotubes were prepared by catalytic decomposition of $CH_4$ using Ni-MgO catalyst at various temperatures. $H_2$ effect on crystallinity and morphology during the synthesis of carbon nanotubes was investigated. The crystallinity and morphology were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the hydrogen adsorption properties were evaluated by PCT measurement in a hydrogen pressure range between 1 and 120 bar. The optimal synthesis temperature of carbon nanotubes was elevated in the presence of $H_2$, although significant difference of carbon nanotube morphology was not found. It is believed that hydrogen served as self-cleaner mops the amorphous carbon on the catalyst surface. It is proved that the carbon nanotubes have multi-walled structure, short length with a outer diameter of 20 ~40nm and open tips after elimination of the catalyst. The amount of hydrogen adsorbed in carbon nanotubes is increased as the pressure of hydrogen is increased and reaches 1.3 wt % under the hydrogen pressure of 120 bar at room temperature.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.207-219
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• 2024

Metal-N-C (MNC) catalysts have been anticipated as promising candidates for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to achieve low-cost polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The structure of the M-N_x moiety enabled a high catalytic activity that was not observed in previously reported transition metal nanoparticle-based catalysts. Despite progress in non-precious metal catalysts, the low density of active sites of MNCs, which resulted in lower single-cell performance than Pt/C, needs to be resolved for practical application. This review focused on the recent studies and methodologies aimed to overcome these limitations and develop an inexpensive catalyst with excellent activity and durability in an alkaline environment. It included the possibility of non-precious metals as active materials for ORR catalysts, starting from Co phthalocyanine as ORR catalyst and the development of methodologies (e.g., metal-coordinated N-containing polymers, metal-organic frameworks) to form active sites, M-N_x moieties. Thereafter, the motivation, procedures, and progress of the latest research on the design of catalyst morphology for improved mass transport ability and active site engineering that allowed the promoted ORR kinetics were discussed.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.810-814
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• 2017

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are some of the most efficient electrochemical energy sources for transportation applications because of their clean, green, and high efficiency characteristics. The optimization of catalyst layer morphology is considered a feasible approach to achieve high performance of PEMFC membrane electrode assembly (MEA). In this work, we studied the effect of the solvent on the catalyst layer of PEMFC MEAs fabricated using the electrostatic spray deposition method. The catalyst ink comprised of Pt/C, a Nafion ionomer, and a solvent. Two types of solvent were used: isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and dimethylformamide (DMF). Compared with the catalyst layer prepared using IPA-based ink, the catalyst layer prepared with DMF-based ink had a dense structure because the DMF dispersed the Pt/C-Nafion agglomerates smaller and more homogeneously. The size distribution of the agglomerates in catalyst ink was confirmed through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the microstructure of the catalyst layer was compared using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). In addition, the electrochemical investigation was performed to evaluate the solvent effect on the fuel cell performance. The catalyst layer prepared with DMF-based ink significantly enhanced the cell performance (1.2 A cm-2 at 0.5 V) compared with that fabricated using IPA-based ink (0.5 A cm-2 at 0.5 V) due to the better dispersion and uniform agglomeration on the catalyst layer.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.08a
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• pp.670-673
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• 2002

We have investigated the catalyst effect on the growth and structure of CNTs using thermal chemical vapor deposition. The respective growth rate of CNTs shows that the performance of catalysts is in the order of nickel (Ni)>cobalt (Co)>iron (Fe). The average diameter of CNTs follows the sequence of Fe, Co, and Ni catalysts. The structure of CNTs reveals almost same morphology regardless of catalyst but the crystallinity of CNTs is largely dependent on catalyst. The crystallinity of CNTs synthesized from Fe catalyst is higher than that from Ni or Co catalyst. We demonstrate that the growth rate, the diameter, and the crystallinity of CNTs can be manipulated by selecting the catalysts.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.471-476
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• 2008

The thermal and mechanical properties and morphology of epoxy/polyamide/DDS/2E4MZ-CNS reactive blends with various amounts of polyamide were investigated. The amount of polyamide was 10, 20, and 30 phr and 2 phr of catalyst was added to the blend to cure at $180^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. By adding the catalyst, 2E4MZ-CNS, to the blend, the cure reaction occurred at a lower temperature. From the SEM images, it was found that the boundary of separated-phase was unclear and the phase was co-continuous. Without the catalyst, however, the boundary of separated-phase was clear. The control of cure temperature and morphology could be achieved by using a proper catalyst and consequently the mechanical strength increased by 20% compared to the blend without the catalyst due to the strong interaction between epoxy matrix and phase-separated polyamide at the interface.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.220-237
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• 2020

Modern electrochemical energy devices involve generation and reduction of fuel gases through electrochemical reactions of water splitting, alcohol oxidation, oxygen reduction, etc. Initially, these processes were executed in the presence of noble metal-based catalyst that showed low overpotential and high current density. However, its high cost, unavailability, corrosion and related toxicity limited its application. The search for alternative with high stability, durability, and efficiency led scientists towards carbon nanoparticles supported catalysts which has high surface area, good electrical conductivity, tunable morphology, low cost, ease of synthesis and stability. Carbon nanoparticles are classified into two groups based on morphology, one and zero dimensional particles. Carbon nanoparticles at zero dimension, denoted as carbon dots, are less used carbon support compared to other forms. However, recently carbon dots with improved electronic properties have become popular as catalyst as well as catalyst support. This review focused on the recent advances in electrocatalytic activities of carbon dots. The mechanisms of common electrocatalytic reactions and the role of the catalysts are also discussed. The review also proposed future developments and other research directions to overcome current limitations.