• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.801-809
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• 2013

We investigate sensitivity and limit of detection (LOD) of trace copper (Cu) metal using pristine carbon nanotube (CNT) and acidified CNT (ACNT) electrodes. Squarewave based anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) is used to determine the stripped Cu concentration. Prior to performing the SWASV measurements, its optimal conditions are determined and with that, effects of potential scan rate and $Cu^{2+}$ concentration on stripping current are evaluated. The measurements indicate that (1) ACNT electrode shows better results than CNT electrode and (2) stripping is controlled by surface reaction. In the given $Cu^{2+}$ concentration range of 25-150 ppb, peak stripping current has linearity with $Cu^{2+}$ concentration. Quantitatively, sensitivity and LOD of Cu in ACNT electrode are 9.36 ${\mu}A\;{\mu}M^{-1}$ and 3 ppb, while their values are 3.99 ${\mu}A\;{\mu}M^{-1}$ and 3 ppb with CNT electrode. We evaluate the effect of three different water solutions (deionized water, tap water and river water) on stripping current and the confirm types of water don't affect the sensitivity of Cu. It turns out by optical inspection and cyclic voltammetry that superiority of ACNT electrode to CNT electrode is attributed to exfoliation of CNT bundles and improved interfacial adhesion occurring during oxidation of CNTs.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.545-551
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• 2006

Aqueous dispersions of pristine and functionalized (COOH- and $NH_2$-) multi-walled, carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by using three types of surf act ants: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS, anionic), PEO-PPO-PEO (Pluronic P84, non-ionic), and poly(styrene/$\alpha-methyl$ styrene/acrylic acid) random terpolymer, i.e., alkali-soluble resin (ASR). The aggregate size, $\zeta-potential$, and storage stability of the MWNT aqueous dispersions were investigated by using dynamic light scattering and the turbidity method at room temperature. The exfoliation of the MWNT aggregates was determined by a UV-visible spectrophotometer and the morphology of the surfactant-coated MWNTs was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In all cases, ASR showed better dispersion stability with the smallest aggregate size, compared with the other surfactants, because of its unique molecular structure, i.e., randomly incorporated carboxylic acid groups and planar phenyl groups that can be irreversibly and effectively adsorbed on the MWNT surface. A predominantly-exfoliated morphology of MWNTs was observed in the presence of ASR from the strong intensity of the UV-vis spectrum at 263 nm.

• Carbon letters
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2012

Successful application of graphene requires development of various tools for its chemical modification. In this paper, we present a Raman spectroscopic investigation of the effects of UV light on single layer graphene with and without the presence of $O_2$ molecules. The UV emission from a low pressure Hg lamp photolyzes $O_2$ molecules into O atoms, which are known to form epoxy on the basal plane of graphene. The resulting surface epoxy groups were identified by the disorder-related Raman D band. It was also found that adhesive residues present in the graphene samples prepared by micro-mechanical exfoliation using adhesive tape severely interfere with the O atom reaction with graphene. The UV-induced reaction was also successfully applied to chemical vapor deposition-grown graphene. Since the current method can be readily carried out in ambient air only with UV light, it will be useful in modifying the surfaces of graphene and related materials.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.15-21
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• 2003

Polysulfone/organophilic layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared in the range of 0.25 to 9 wt% of organophilic-layered silicate by solution blend. Nano-hybridized films were cast from the blend solution. Exfoliation and intercalation of the polysulfone/organophiliclayered silicate nanocomposite films were confirmed by an X-ray diffractometer and a transmission electron microscope. Surface morphologies of polysulfone/organophilic layered silicate nanocomposite films were determined by a scanning electronic microscope and an atomic force microscope. When the organophilic layered silicate was added more than 1.5 wt%, the surface roughness (RMS) was rapidly increased because clusters of intercalated organophilic layered silicate particles existed on the polysulfone/organophilic-layered silicate film surface. Surface tension revealed an upward tendency over the contents of 1.5 wt% organophilic layered silicate in polysulfone/organophilic layered silicate nanocomposite. The change of surface morphology in polysulfone/organophilic layered silicate nanocomposite were affected by nano scale dispersed and intercalated organophilic layered silicate particles.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2009

We synthesized polyester-diol containing Cloisite 30B which is exfoliated during the synthesis. First, esterification was conducted with excess adipic acids and two 2-hydroxyethyl groups of the tertiary ammonium tethered to Cloisite 30B silicate layer. Due to the small molecular size of adipic acid ($d{\approx}3.0\;{\AA}$, $L{\approx}9.3\;{\AA}$), it penetrated into the interlayer of Cloisite 30B, reacted with the 2-hydroxyethyl groups, and produced the tertiary ammonium that has the two ethyl-ester adipic acid groups, one methyl group, and one hydrogenated alkyl group. Through the esterification, the molecular size of the tertiary ammonium increased and as the result, the basal space of Cloisite 30B increased from $18.4\;{\AA}$ to more than $58.3\;{\AA}$. The produced ethyl-ester adipic acid and unreacted adipic acid reacted with excess diethylene glycol ([COOH]/[OH]${\approx}0.6$) to be polyester-diol. The COOH conversion calculated from the acid value of the reactant mixture was 94%. The number average molecular weight and PDI of the produced polyester-diol were 830 g/mol and 1.2, respectively.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.248-252
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• 2005

PP/MMT nanocomposites having a various compositions were prepared by melt blending with a twin screw extruder. In this study, maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MAH-g-PP) was used as a compatibilizer in order to assist the exfoliation or hen in the pp matrix. from the results or x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements for the nanocomposites, we confirmed that MMT was exfoliated. PPM nanocomposites have shown good flame retardancy by synergistic effect between MMT and flame retardant. The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites showed significant enhancement compared with those of neat PP, The excellent flame retardancy of the PP/MMT nanocomposites, UL94 V-0 value, was successfully obtained with reduced amount of the flame retardant.

• Carbon letters
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2011

To investigate new applications for illite as an additive for carbon-based composites, the composites were prepared with and without illite at different heat-treatment temperatures. The effects of the heat-treatment temperature on the chemical structure, microstructure, and thermal oxidation properties of the resulting composites were studied. As the heat-treatment temperature was increased, silicon carbide SiC formation via carbothermal reduction increased until all the added illite was consumed in the case of the samples heat-treated at $2,300^{\circ}C$. This is attributed to the intimate contact between the $SiO_2$ in the illite and the phenol carbon precursor or the carbon fibers of the preform. Among composites prepared at all temperatures, those with illite addition exhibited fewer pores, voids, and interfacial cracks, resulting in larger bulk densities and lower porosities. A delay of oxidation was not observed in the illite-containing composites prepared at $2,300^{\circ}C$, suggesting that the illite itself absorbed energy for exfoliation or other physical changes. Therefore, if the illite-containing C/C composites can reach a density generally comparable to that of other C/C composites, illite may find application as a filler for C/C composites. However, in this study, the illite-containing C/C composites exhibited low density, even when prepared at a high heat-treatment temperature of $2300^{\circ}C$, although the thermal oxidation of the resulting composites was improved.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2007

Pulverization characteristics of H-kenyaite in vibration mill and exfoliation property in epoxy of pulverized H-kenyaite was investigated by using XRD, SEM, TEM. and particle size analyzer. Pulverization was conducted for 0.5~5 h. The particle morphology of sample pulverized for 1 h preserved plate-shape. However, this plate-shape disappeared in the sample pulverized for 3 h. The XRD pattern of sample pulverized for 1 h showed the characteristic peak of H-kenyaite. However, the peak disappeared in samples pulverized above 3 h, indicating severe destruction of H-kenyaite structure. TEM analysis for the kenyaite/epoxy nanocomposites exhibited only gallery expansion of 3~5 nm in non-pulverized sample, but dramatical large expansion of 5~10 nm in the samples pulverized during 1 h. This results confirm that the pulverization of wide plates composed of H-kenyaite particle have largely affect on the formation of an exfoliated kenyaite-polymer nanocomposite.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.118-127
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• 2012

TiN or Ti/TiN was coated on stainless steel as bipolar plate in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) to improve their corrosion resistance and electric conductivity, and their properties were examined under fuel cell operating condition. After 200 hours operation, the behaviors for the corrosion, crack and dissolution of coating layer were investigated by various techniques. The corrosion and exfoliation of coating layer were considerably generated except for SUS316L-Ti/TiN after fuel cell operation even if the electric conductivity and corrosion resistance of coated stainless steel bipolar plates were improved. The adoption of Ti layer between TiN layer and the surface of stainless steel enhanced the adhesion of TiN layer and decreased the possibility of corrosion by the increase of coating layer.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2011

In this study, illite, an environmental friendly, low cost, and high aspect ratio additive, was used to improve flame retardant property of epoxy and it was fluorinated to enhance dispersion of hydrophilic illite in hydrophobic epoxy by introducing hydrophobic functional groups. Fluorination of illite enhanced illite dispersion ill epoxy solution before curing and that in the complex after curing. These enhanced dispersions were attributed to the increased affinity of illite to hydrophobic epoxy solution induced by fluorination of illite and the increased intercalation of epoxy polymer or exfoliation of illite by epoxy curing. Hence, limited oxygen index(LOI) of fluorinated illite/epoxy complex increased by 24%, compared to that of epoxy, suggesting that the preparation of fluorinated illite/epoxy complex increased their flame retardant properties.