• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.561-569
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• 2014

Ceria ($CeO_2$) was used to increase the durability of the membrane in the polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) circumstance. The sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) as polymer matrix was prepared in the sulfonation reaction of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) to improve electrochemical characteristics. After sulfonation reaction, the organic-inorganic blended composite membranes were prepared by means of sol-gel casting method with loading the highly dispersed $CeO_2$ and Cs-substituted molybdophosphoric acid (Cs-MoPA) with cross-linking agent (tetrapropyl orthosilicate). Consequently, the composite membrane CL-SPEEK/Silane 4wt%/Cs-MoPA/Ceria(1%) showed the improved characteristics such as 82% of water content, 0.11136 S/cm of proton conductivity at $80^{\circ}C$, 55.50 MPa of tensile strength and 4.37% of breeding out of MoPA.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.121-130
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• 2015

The micro emulsion method has been successfully used for preparing perovskite LaCoO₃ with uniform, fine-shaped nanoparticles showing high activity as electro catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). They are, therefore, promising candidates for the air-cathode in metal-air rechargeable batteries. Since the activity of a catalyst is highly dependent on its specific surface area, nanoparticles of the perovskite catalyst are desirable for catalyzing both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. Herein, LaCoO₃ powder was also prepared by sol-gel method for comparison, with a broad particle distribution and high agglomeration. The electro catalytic properties of LaCoO₃ and LaCoO₃-carbon Super P mixture layers toward the ORR were studied comparatively using the rotating disk electrode technique in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte to elucidate the effect of carbon Super P. Koutecky-Levich theory was applied to acquire the overall electron transfer number (n) during the ORR, calculated to be ~3.74 for the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, quite close to the theoretical value (4.0), and ~2.7 for carbon-free LaCoO₃. A synergistic effect toward the ORR is observed when carbon is present in the LaCoO₃ layer. Carbon is assumed to be more than an additive, enhancing the electronic conductivity of the oxide catalyst. It is suggested that ORRs, catalyzed by the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, are dominated by a 2+2-electron transfer pathway to form the final, hydroxyl ion product.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.304-308
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• 2008

Noble Poly (lithium 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonate) and its copolymer with N-vinyl formamide based on trihexyl (tetradecyl) phosphonium acetate [$(C_6H_{13})_3$ P ($C_{14}H_{29}$) $CH_3COO$; $P_{66614}$ $CH_3COO$] and trihexyl (tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) amide ([$(C_6H_{13})_3P(C_{14}H_{29})$] [TFSA];$P_{66614}TFSA$) were prepared and analyzed to determine their characteristics and properties. The ionic conductivity of a copolymer based $P_{66614}TFSA$ ionic liquid system exhibits a higher conductivity ($8.9{\times}10^{-5}Scm^{-1}$) than that of a copolymer based $P_{66614}CH_3COO$ system ($1.57{\times}10^{-5}Scm^{-1})$. The charge on the TFSA anion is spread very diffusely through the S-N-S core and particularly in the trifluoromethane groups, and this diffusion results in a decreased interaction between the cation and the anion. The viscosity of $P_{66614}TFSA$ (39 cP at 343 K) and $P_{66614}CH_3COO$ (124 cP at 343 K), which is very hydrophobic, was fairly high. High viscosity leads to a slow rate of diffusion of redox species. The ionic conductivity of copolymer of a phosphonium ionic liquid system also exhibits higher conductivity than that of a homopolymer system. Phosphonium ionic liquids were thermally stable at temperatures up to $400^{\circ}C$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.75-75
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• 2011

Recently, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) attracts great attention as a promising alternative to conventional silicon solar cells. One of the key components for the DSSC would be the nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode, and the control of interface between TiO2 and TCO is a highly important issue in improving the photovoltaic conversion efficiency. In this work, we applied various interfacial layers, and analyzed their effect in enhancing photovoltaic properties. In overall, introduction of interfacial layers increased both the Voc and Jsc, since the back-reaction of electrons from TCO to electrolyte could be blocked. First, several metal oxides with different band gaps and positions were employed as interfacial layer. SnO2, TiO2, and ZrO2 nanoparticles in the size of 3-5 nm have been synthesized. Among them, the interfacial layer of SnO2, which has lower flat-band potential than that of TiO2, exhibited the best performance in increasing the photovoltaic efficiency of DSSC. Second, long-range ordered cubic mesoporous TiO2 films, prepared by using triblock copolymer-templated sol-gel method via evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) process, were utilized as an interfacial layer. Mesoporous TiO2 films seem to be one of the best interfacial layers, due to their additional effect, improving the adhesion to TCO and showing an anti-reflective effect. Third, we handled the issues related to the optimum thickness of interfacial layers. It was also found that in fabricating DSSC at low temperature, the role of interfacial layer turned out to be a lot more important. The self-assembled interfacial layer fabricated at room temperature leads to the efficient transport of photo-injected electrons from TiO2 to TCO, as well as blocking the back-reaction from TCO to I3-. As a result, fill factor (FF) was remarkably increased, as well as increase in Voc and Jsc.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.413-421
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• 2004

Sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (SPPESK) membranes and sol-gel derived SPPESK/silica hybrid membranes have been investigated as potential polymer electrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. In comparison with the SPPESK membrane, the SPPESK/silica membranes exhibited higher water content, improved proton conductivity, and lower methanol permeability. Notably, the silica embedded in the membrane acted as a material for reducing the fraction of free water and as a barrier for methanol transport through the membrane. From the results of proton conductivity and methanol permeability studies, we suggest that the fractions of bound and free water should be optimized to obtain desirable proton conductivities and methanol permeabilities. The highly sulfonated PPESK hybrid membrane (HSP-Si) displayed higher proton conductivity (3.42 ${\times}$ 10$^2$ S/cm) and lower methanol permeability (4.15 ${\times}$ 10$\^$7/ $\textrm{cm}^2$/s) than those of Nafion 117 (2.54 ${\times}$ 10$^2$ S/cm; 2.36 ${\times}$ 10$\^$6/ $\textrm{cm}^2$/s, respectively) at 30$^{\circ}C$. This characteristic of the SPPESK/silica membranes is desirable for future applications related to DMFCs.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

Ceria ($CeO_2$) was used to scavenge free radicals which attack the membrane in the polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) circumstance and to increase the duration of the membrane. In order to improve the electrochemical, mechanical and electrocatalytic characteristics, engineering plastic of the sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) as polymer matrix was prepared in the sulfonation reaction of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and the organic-inorganic blended composite membranes were prepared by sol-gel casting method with loading the highly dispersed ceria and cesium-substituted phophomolybdic acid(Cs-MoPA) with cross-linking agent contents of 0.01mL. In conclusion, CL-SPEEK/$Cs_{(2.5)}$-MoPA/ceria(1%) membrane showed the optimum results such as 0.1095S/cm of proton conductivity at $80^{\circ}C$, 2.906meq./g-dry-membrane of ion exchange capacity and mechanical characteristics, and 49.73MPa of tensile strength which were better than Nafion 117 membrane.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.437-447
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• 2012

Ceria ($CeO_2$) was used to scavenge free radicals which attack the membrane in the polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) circumstance and to increase the duration of the membrane. In order to improve the electrochemical, mechanical and electrocatalytic characteristics, engineering plastic of the sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) as polymer matrix was prepared in the sulfonation reaction of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and the organic-inorganic blended composite membranes were prepared by sol-gel casting method with loading the highly dispersed ceria and cesium-substituted tungstophosphoric acid (Cs-TPA) with cross-linking agent contents of 0.01 mL. In conclusion, CL-SPEEK/Cs-TPA/ceria (1%) membrane showed the optimum results such as 0.130 S/cm of proton conductivity at $80^{\circ}C$, 2.324 meq./g-dry-membrane of ion exchange capacity and mechanical characteristics, and 65.03 MPa of tensile strength which were better than Nafion 117 membrane.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2019

We report a supercapacitor cable, which consists of three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene coated onto the surface of carbon thread. The 3D porous framework of graphene was constructed by microwave-activated process using a graphene oxide-coated carbon thread. The use of microwave irradiation enabled to convert graphene oxide into reduced graphene oxide without any reducing agents and activate graphene sheets into exfoliated and porous graphene sheets. Combining two wire electrodes with a polymer gel electrolyte successfully completed supercapacitor device in a form of cable construction. The supercapacitor cables were highly flexible, and thus can be transformed into various shapes of devices and be integrated into textile items. A high area-capacitance of 38.1 mF/cm was obtained at a scan rate of 10 mV/s. This capacitance was retained 88% of its original value at 500 mV/s. The cycle life was also demonstrated by repeating a charge/discharge process during 10,000 cycles even under bent states, showing a high capacitance retention of 96.5%.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2021

In this study, a thin and flexible planar supercapacitor (PSC) was fabricated by coating polyaniline (PANI) on a screen-printed carbon electrode. Carbon ink was coated onto the flexible polyethylene terephthalate using a screen-printing method; subsequently, a thin film of PANI was coated onto the carbon surface using a dilute polymerization method. A thin flexible PANI electrode in an interdigitated structure was assembled with a polymer gel electrolyte that resulted in planar-shaped supercapacitor (PSC) devices. The as-obtained PANI/PSC was very thin and flexible, exhibiting a high areal capacitance of 409 µF/cm was obtained at a rate of 10 mV/s. This capacitance retains 46% of its original value at 500 mV/s. The flexible PANI/PSC exhibited an excellent capacitance retention of 82% even under bent states of 180° and 100 repetitive bent cycles.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.58-64
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• 2001

YSZ ($8mol\%$ yttria-stabilized zirconia)-modified LSM $(La_{0.85}Sr_{0.15}MnO_3)$ composite cathodes were fabricated by formation of YSZ film on triple phase boundary (TPB) of LSM/YSZ/gas. The YSZ coating film greatly enlarged electrochemical reaction sites from the increase of additional TPB. The composite cathode was formed on thin YSZ electrolyte (about 30 Um thickness) supported on an anode and then I-V characterization and AC impedance analyses were performed at temperature between $700^{\circ}C\;and\;800^{\circ}C$. As results of the impedance analysis on the cell at $800^{\circ}C$ with humidified hydrogen as the fuel and air as the oxidant, R1 around the frequency of 1000 Hz represents the anode Polarization. R2 around the frequency of 100Hz indicates the cathode polarization, and R3 below the frequency of 10 Hz is the resistance of gas phase diffusion through the anode. The cell with the composite cathode produced power density of $0.55\;W/cm^2\;and\;1W/cm^2$ at air and oxygen atmosphere, respectively. The I-V curve could be divided into two parts showing distinctive behavior. At low current density region (part I) the performance decreased steeply and at high current density region (part II) the performance decreased gradually. At the part I the performance decrease was especially resulted from the large cathode polarization, while at the part H the performance decrease related to the electrolyte polarization.