• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2022

The development of advanced materials to improve the efficiency of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting paves the way for widespread renewable energy technologies. Efficient photoanodes with strong absorbance in visible light increases the effectiveness of solar energy conversion systems. MoS₂ in a two-dimensional semiconductor that has excellent absorption performance in visible light and high catalytic activity, showing considerable potential as an agent of PEC water splitting. In this study, we successfully modulated the MoS₂ morphology on indium tin oxide substrate by using the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition method, and applied the PEC application. The PEC photocurrent of the vertically grown MoS₂ nanosheet structure significantly increased relative to that of MoS₂ nanoparticles because of the efficient transfer of charge carriers and high-density active sites. The enhanced photocurrent was attributed to the efficient charge separation and improved light absorption of the MoS₂ nanosheet structure. Meanwhile, the photocurrent property of thick nanosheets decreased because of the limit imposed by the diffusion lengths of carriers. This study proposes a valuable photoelectrode design with suitable nanosheet morphology for efficient PEC water splitting.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.377-389
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• 2022

The current global energy supply depends heavily on fossil fuels. This makes technology such as direct water splitting from harvesting solar energy in photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems potentially attractive due to its a promising route for environmentally benign hydrogen production. In this study, undoped and nickel-doped molybdenum oxide photoanodes (called photoanodes S₁ and S₂ respectively) were synthesized through electrodeposition by applying -1.377 V vs Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl) for 3 hours on an FTO-coated glass substrate immersed in molibdatecitrate aqueous solutions at pH 9. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for microstructural and compositional characterizations of the photoanodes. In addition, the optical and photoelectrochemical characterizations of these photoanodes were performed by UV-Visible spectroscopy, and linear scanning voltammetry (LSV) respectively. The results showed that all the photoanodes produced exhibit conductivity and catalytic properties that make them attractive for water splitting application in a photoelectrochemical cell. In this context, the photoanode S₂ exhibited better photocatalytic activity than the photoanode S₁. In addition, photoanode S₂ had the lowest optical band-gap energy value (2.58 eV), which would allow better utilization of the solar spectrum.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2023

Physical exercise, especially intense exercise and high intensity interval training (HIIT) by trampoline, can lead to muscle injuries. These effects can be reduced with intelligent products made of nanocomposite materials. Most of these nanocomposites are polymers reinforced with silicon dioxide, alumina, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. This study presents a polymer nanocomposite reinforced with silica. As a result of the rapid reaction between tetraethyl orthosilicate and ammonia in the presence of citric acid and other agents, silica nanostructures were synthesized. By substituting bis (4-amino phenoxy) phenyl-triptycene in N, N-dimethylformamide with potassium carbonate, followed by catalytic reduction with hydrazine and Pd/C, the diamine monomer bis (4-amino phenoxy) phenyl-triptycene is prepared. We synthesized a new polyaromatic (imide) with triptycene unit by sol-gel method from aromatic diamines and dianhydride using pyridine as a condensation reagent in NMP. PI readily dissolves in solvents and forms robust and tough polymer films in situ. The FTIR and NMR techniques were used to determine the effects of SiO₂ on the sol-gel process and the structure of the synthesized nanocomposites. By using a simultaneous thermal analysis (DTA-TG) method, the appropriate thermal operation temperature was also determined. Through SEM analysis, the structure, shape, size, and specific surface area of pores were determined. Analysis of XRD results is used to determine how SiO₂ affects the crystallization of phases and the activation energy of crystallization.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.130-135
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• 2012

We present a method of graphene synthesis with high thickness uniformity using the thermal chemical vapor deposition (TCVD) technique; we demonstrate its application to a grid supporting membrane using transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation, particularly for nanomaterials that have smaller dimensions than the pitch of commercial grid mesh. Graphene was synthesized on electron-beam-evaporated Ni catalytic thin films. Methane and hydrogen gases were used as carbon feedstock and dilution gas, respectively. The effects of synthesis temperature and flow rate of feedstock on graphene structures have been investigated. The most effective condition for large area growth synthesis and high thickness uniformity was found to be $1000^{\circ}C$ and 5 sccm of methane. Among the various applications of the synthesized graphenes, their use as a supporting membrane of a TEM grid has been demonstrated; such a grid is useful for high resolution TEM imaging of nanoscale materials because it preserves the same focal plane over the whole grid mesh. After the graphene synthesis, we were able successfully to transfer the graphenes from the Ni substrates to the TEM grid without a polymeric mediator, so that we were able to preserve the clean surface of the as-synthesized graphene. Then, a drop of carbon nanotube (CNT) suspension was deposited onto the graphene-covered TEM grid. Finally, we performed high resolution TEM observation and obtained clear image of the carbon nanotubes, which were deposited on the graphene supporting membrane.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1660-1670
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• 2024

The aim of this study was to modify phytase YiAPPA via protein surficial residue mutation to obtain phytase mutants with improved thermostability and activity, enhancing its application potential in the food industry. First, homology modeling of YiAPPA was performed. By adopting the strategy of protein surficial residue mutation, the lysine (Lys) and glycine (Gly) residues on the protein surface were selected for site-directed mutagenesis to construct single-site mutants. Thermostability screening was performed to obtain mutants (K189R and K216R) with significantly elevated thermostability. The combined mutant K189R/K216R was constructed via beneficial mutation site stacking and characterized. Compared with those of YiAPPA, the half-life of K189R/K216R at 80℃ was extended from 14.81 min to 23.35 min, half-inactivation temperature (T₅₀³⁰) was increased from 55.12℃ to 62.44℃, and T_m value was increased from 48.36℃ to 53.18℃. Meanwhile, the specific activity of K189R/K216R at 37℃ and pH 4.5 increased from 3960.81 to 4469.13 U/mg. Molecular structure modeling analysis and molecular dynamics simulation showed that new hydrogen bonds were introduced into K189R/K216R, improving the stability of certain structural units of the phytase and its thermostability. The enhanced activity was primarily attributed to reduced enzyme-substrate binding energy and shorter nucleophilic attack distance between the catalytic residue His28 and the phytate substrate. Additionally, the K189R/K216R mutant increased the hydrolysis efficiency of phytate in food ingredients by 1.73-2.36 times. This study established an effective method for the molecular modification of phytase thermostability and activity, providing the food industry with an efficient phytase for hydrolyzing phytate in food ingredients.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.105-111
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• 2012

Manganese (Mn) catalysts were generated using $CeO_2$ and $ZrO_2$supports synthesized by the supercritical hydrothermal method and two different Mn precursors, aimed at an application for a low-temperature selective catalytic reduction process. Manganese acetate (MA) and manganese nitrate (MA) were used as Mn precursors. Effects of the kind and the concentration of the Mn precursor used for catalyst generation on the NOx removal efficiency were investigated. The characteristics of the generated catalysts were analyzed using $N_2$ adsorption-desorption, thermo-gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. De-NOx experiments were carried out to measure NOx removal efficiencies of the catalysts. NOx removal efficiencies of the catalysts generated using MA were superior to those of the catalysts generated using MN at every temperature tested. Analyses of the catalyst characteristics indicated that the higher NOx removal efficiencies of the MA-derived catalysts stemmed from the higher oxygen mobility and the stronger interaction with support material of $Mn_2O_3$ produced from MA than those of $MnO_2$ produced from MN.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.4672-4678
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• 2013

Aluminum dross is formation at the surface of the molten metal as the latter reacts with the furnace atmosphere and it was an unavoidable by-product of the aluminum production process. However aluminum dross was usually landfilled or disposed without treatment, causing much environmental damage. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of ceramic catalyst support using recycled Al dross. The recycled Al dross was made into SCR catalyst by mixing with $WO_3$, $V_2O_5$ and $TiO_2$. The $V_2O_5-WO_3/TiO_2-Al_2O_3$ SCR catalyst was observed with XRF, XRD and BET. $V_2O_5-WO_3/TiO_2-Al_2O_3$ SCR strength was measured by Universal Testing Machine(UTM). As the added $Al_2O_3$, streagth is increased. And the NOx removal activity was observed by MR(Micro-Reactor). The temperatures ranging from $350^{\circ}C$ and $400^{\circ}C$, $V_2O_5-WO_3/TiO_2-Al_2O_3$ SCR catalyst De-NOx performance result of showed excellent activity over 90% at application condition.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.398-402
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• 2012

The catalytic performance of some metal oxides in the vapor phase selective oxidation of $H_2S$ in the stream containing ammonia and water was investigated. Among the catalysts tested $Fe_2O_3/SiO_2$ was the most promising catalyst for practical application. It showed higher than 90% $H_2S$ conversion and very small amount of $SO_2$ emission over a temperature range of $240{\sim}280^{\circ}C$. The effects of reaction temperature, $O_2/H_2S$ ratio, amount of ammonia and water vapor on the catalytic activity of $Fe_2O_3/SiO_2$ were discussed to better understand the reaction mechanism. The $H_2S$ conversion showed a maximum at $260^{\circ}C$ and it decreased with increasing temperature over $280^{\circ}C$. With an increase of $O_2/H_2S$ ratio from 0.5 to 4, the conversion was slightly increased, but the selectivity to elemental sulfur was remarkably decreased. The increase of ammonia amount favored the conversion and the selectivity to elemental sulfur with a decrease in $SO_2$ production. The presence of water vapor decreased both the activity and the selectivity to sulfur, but increased the ATS selectivity.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.412-417
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• 2015

The IMO MEPC has been increasingly strengthening the emission standard for marine environment protection. In particular, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of all ocean-going ships built from 2016 will be required to comply with the Tier-III regulation. In this study, a vanadia based SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system developed for ship application was installed on a diesel engine for power generation of the training ship T/S SAENURI in Mokpo National Maritime University. For the present study, the exhaust pipeline of the generator diesel engine was modified to fit the urea SCR system. This study investigated the NOx reduction performance according to the two kind of injection method of urea solution (40%): Auto mode through the PLC (Programable Logic Control) and Manual mode. We were able to find the ammonia slip conditions when in manual mode method. So, the optimal urea injection quantity can be controlled at each engine load (25, 35, 50%) condition. It was achieved 80% reduction on nitrogen oxide. Furthermore, we found that the NOx reduction performance was better with the load up-down (while down to 25% from 50%) than the load down-up (while up to 50% from 25%) test.