• Composites Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.104-110
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• 2016

This paper reports a novel method for simultaneous exfoliation of graphene and dispersion of carbon nanotube by using intercalation method. In common, graphene flake and carbon nanotubes can be produced through individual exfoliation or debundling process, but the process require significant amount of time. Here, potassium sodium tartrate was thermally intercalated into graphite and carbon nanotube bundle for simultaneous exfoliation and dispersion of graphene and carbon nanotubes. We confirmed expansion of interlayer distance via XRD, and also found that oxidation level of the exfoliated materials were significantly low (below 8.3 at%). The produced materials are fabricated in to conductive composite film via vacuum filtration and spray deposition to show enhancement of conductive properties.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2012

In vivo nicotine is associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and lung cancer. Diagnostic assays of these diseases depend on very low analytical detection limits. In this study, a sensitive analytical method was examined using a voltammetric graphite pencil electrode (GPE) and a modified carbon nanotube paste electrode (CNE). The optimum analytical conditions for both electrodes were compared using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SW) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) obtaining 400 sec accumulation time and oxidation peak. Under optimum parameters, the stripping working range of GPE was $5.0-40.0{\mu}g/L$, CNE: 0.1-0.8 and $5-50{\mu}g/L$. Quantification limits were $5.0{\mu}g/L$ for GPE and $0.1{\mu}g/L$ for CNE, while detection limits were $0.6{\mu}g/L$ for GPE and $0.07{\mu}g/L$ for CNE. A standard deviation of $10.0{\mu}g/L$ was observed for 0.064 GPE and 0.095 CNE (n = 12) using 400 sec accumulation time. The results obtained can be applied to non.treated urine and ex vivo biological diagnostics.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 1997

Anodic regeneration of PCB enchant and cathodic deposition of copper using electrochemical method has been studied. Cu(I)/Cu(II) concentration ratio as a function of Cu(I) oxidation at the anode was measured from the potential difference between platinum and Ag/AgCl/4M KCl electrodes. Chlorine gas evolution was minimized by maintaining Cu(I) concentration above a specific concentration and using non-porous graphite electrode. Dendritic copper deposition was observed at the cathode and the optimum conditions for Cu deposition was identified as the current density of $360mA/cm^2$, and copper concentration of 12 g/l. Titanium was the most effective cathode material which showed a higher current efficiency and copper recovery. The current efficiency decreased with increasing temperature, but the highest power efficiency was achieved at $50^{\circ}C$.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.565-573
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• 2011

The nanocomposites containing graphene oxide (GO) were prepared in order to improve the mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)/aluminum hydroxide (PMMA/AH) composites. GO was prepared from graphite by oxidation of Hummers method followed by exfoliation with thermal treatment. The surface of GO was modified by oxygen plasma in various exposure times from 0 to 70 min to improve interfacial compatibility. Compared with PMMA/AH composites, the nanocomposites containing GO modified with oxygen plasma for the exposure time up to 50 min showed significant increases in flexural strength, flexural modulus, Rockwell hardness, Barcol hardness, and Izod impact strength. The morphology of fracture surface showed an improved interfacial adhesion between PMMA/AH composites and GO, which was properly treated with oxygen plasma. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were deteriorated by increasing the content of GO above 0.07 phr due to the nonuniform dispersion of GO.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.357-362
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• 2010

Poly(ethyleneglycol diacrylate)(PEGDA) or 2-ethylhexyl acrylate(2EHA)-based gel polymer electrolytes(GPEs) which have a solid content in the range of 8～54 wt% were synthesized and their ionic conductivity and electrochemical properties were measured at room temperature. It was observed that the ionic conductivity over $1\times10^{-3}$ S/cm was obtained in a homogeneous PEGDA-based GPE with 21 wt% of solid content. However the electrochemical stability of the GPE was lower than that of a liquid electrolyte. The presence of AIBN initiator which can produce a N2 gas during polymerization process might be the reason of this low oxidation decomposition potential. As an alternative, benzoyl peroxide was used as an initiator and GPE with enhanced electrochemical stability was obtained. Finally, the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphase on a graphite anode was evidenced by cyclic voltammetry measurement.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.220-228
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• 2018

The internal resistance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) using stainless steel skein for oxidizing electrode was investigated and the factors affecting the voltage generation were identified. We also investigated the effect of power management system (PMS) on the usability for MFC and the removal efficiency of organic pollutants. The performance of a stack microbial fuel cell connected with (PMS) or PMS+LED was analyzed by the voltage generation and organic matter reduction. The maximum power density of the unit cells was found to be $5.82W/m^3$ at $200{\Omega}$. The maximum current density was $47.53A/m^3$ without power overshoot even under $1{\Omega}$. The ohmic resistance ($R_s$) and the charge transfer resistance ($R_{ct}$) of the oxidation electrode using stainless steel skein electrode, were $0.56{\Omega}$ and $0.02{\Omega}$, respectively. However, the sum of internal resistance for reduction electrode using graphite felts loaded Pt/C catalyst was $6.64{\Omega}$. Also, in order to understand the internal resistance, the current interruption method was used by changing the external resistance as $50{\Omega}$, $300{\Omega}$, $5k{\Omega}$. It has been shown that the ohm resistance ($R_s$) decreased with the external resistance. In the case of a series-connected microbial fuel cell, the reversal phenomenon occurred even though two cells having the similar performance. However, the output of the PMS constantly remained for 20 hours even when voltage reversal occurred. Also the removal ability of organic pollutants (SCOD) was not reduced. As a result of this study, it was found that buffering effect for a certain period of time when the voltage reversal occurred during the operation of the microbial fuel cell did not have a serious effect on the energy loss or the operation of the microbial fuel cell.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.251-261
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• 2012

The nanocomposites containing graphene oxide flakes were prepared in order to improve the mechanical properties of artificial marbles based on poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) matrix. Graphene oxide flakes were prepared from graphite by oxidation with Hummers method followed by exfoliation with thermal treatment. Surface of graphene oxide flakes were modified with oxyfluorination in various oxygene:fluorine compositions to improve the interfacial compatibility. The nanocomposites containing graphenes modified with oxyfluorination in the oxygen content of 50% and higher showed the significant increase in flexural strength, flexural modulus, Rockwell hardness, Barcol hardness, and Izod impact strength. The morphology of fractured surface showed the improved interfacial adhesion between PMMA matrix and the graphenes which were properly treated with oxyfluorination. The mechanical properties of nanocomposite were deteriorated by increasing the content of graphene above 0.07 phr due to the nonuniform dispersion of graphenes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.522-526
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• 2007

Structural features and electrochemical performances of cokes pyrolized from oxidized cokes were examined, and compared with KOH-activated coke. Needle cokes ($d_{002}=3.5{\AA} $), having a graphene layer structure, were changed to a single phase of graphite oxide after oxidation treatment with an acidic solution having an $NaCLO_3$/needle coke composition ratio of above 7.5, and the inter-layer distance of the oxidized coke was expanded to $6.9{\AA} $ with increasing oxygen content. After heating at $200^{\circ}C$, the oxidized coke was pyrolized to the graphene layer structure with inter-layer distance of $3.6{\AA} $. However, the change of the inter-layer distance of the needle coke was not observed in the KOH activation process. On the other hand, an intercalation of electrolyte ions into the pyrolized coke, observed at first charge, occurred at 1.0 V, in which the value was lower than that of KOH-activation coke. The cell capacitor using pyrolized coke exhibited a lower internal resistance of $0.57{\Omega}$ in 1 kHz, and a larger capacitance per weight and volume of 30.3 F/g and 26.9 F/ml at the two-electrode system in the potential range 0~2.5 V than those of the cell capacitor using KOH-activation of coke. This better electrochemical performance may be associated with structure defects in the graphene layer derived from the process of the inter-layer expansion and shrinkage.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 2019

Lithium metal anode with the highest theoretical capacity to replace graphite anodes are being reviewed. However, the dendrite growth during repeated oxidation/reduction reaction on lithium metal surface, which results in poor cycle performance and safety issue has hindered its successful implementation. In our previous work, we solved this problem by using surface modification technique whereby a surface pattern on lithium metal anode is introduced. Although the micro-patterned Lithium metal electrode is beneficial to control Li metal deposition efficiently, it is difficult to control the mossy-like Li granulation at high current density ($>2.0mA\;cm^{-2}$). In this study, we introduce vinylene carbonate (VC) electrolyte additive on micro patterned lithium metal anode to suppress the lithium dendrite growth. Owing to the synergetic effect of micro-patterned lithium metal anode and VC electrolyte additive, lithium dendrite at a high current density is dense. As a result, we confirmed that the cycle performance was further improved about 6 times as compared with the reference electrode.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.99-108
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• 2012

These days, spontaneous ignition phenomena by oxidizing heat frequently occur in the circumstances of processing and storing waste tires. Therefore, to examine the phenomena, in this work, this researcher conducted the tests of fires of fragmented waste tires (shredded tire), closely investigated components of the fire residual materials collected in the processing and storing place, and analyzed the temperature of the starting of the ignition, weight loss, and heat of reaction. For the study, this researcher conducted fire tests with fragmented waste tires in the range of 2.5 mm to 15 mm, whose heat could be easily accumulated, and performed heat analysis through DSC and TGA, DTA, DTG, and GC/MS to give scientific probability to the possibility of spontaneous ignition. According to the tests, at the 48-hour storage, rapid increase in temperature ($178^{\circ}C$), Graphite phenomenon, smoking were observed. And the result from the DTA and DTG analysis showed that at $166.15^{\circ}C$, the minimum weight loss occurred. And, the result from the test on the waste tire analysis material 1 (Unburnt) through DSC and TGA analysis revealed that at $180^{\circ}C$ or so, thermal decomposition started. As a result, the starting temperature of ignition was considered to be $160^{\circ}C$ to $180^{\circ}C$. And, at $305^{\circ}C$, 10 % of the initial weight of the material reduced, and at $416.12^{\circ}C$, 50 % of the intial weight of the material decreased. The result from the test on oxidation and self-reaction through GC/MS and DSC analysis presented that oxidized components like 1,3 cyclopentnadiene were detected a lot. But according to the result from the heat analysis test on standard materials and fragmented waste tires, their heat value was lower than the basis value so that self-reaction was not found. Therefore, to prevent spontaneous ignition by oxidizing heat of waste tires, it is necessary to convert the conventional process into Cryogenic Process that has no or few heat accumulation at the time of fragmentation. And the current storing method in which broken and fragmented materials are stored into large burlap bags (500 kg) should be changed to the method in which they are stored into small burlap bags in order to prevent heat accumulation.