• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.330-334
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• 2013

Mixtures of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) and silica nanoparticles are coated on the surface of a silk fabrics separator. The coated separators are finally prepared by injecting an electrolyte solution and then characterized for use of lithium-ion battery separator/electrolyte. In the preparation, various contents of dibutylphthalate (DBP) as a plasticizer are used to enhance the formation of micropores within the coated membrane. The coated silk fabrics separators are characterized in terms of ionic conductivity, drenching rate, and electrochemical stability, and the charge-discharge profiles of lithium-ion batteries adopting the coated separators are also examined. As a result, the coated silk fabrics separator prepared using DBP 40~50 wt% and silica shows the superior separator properties and high-rate capability. This is due to (i) high sustainability of silk fabrics, (ii) the formation of micropores with the coated layer membrane by DBP, (iii) increase in drenching rate by silica nanoparticles to involve great enhancements in specific surface area and ionic conductivity.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.406-414
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• 2015

In this study, partially fluorinated cation exchange membranes were prepared by direct sulfonation of Poly(VDF-co-hexafluoropropylene) copolymers (PVDF-co-HFP) followed by a casting method for application in the Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI). The structure of sulfonated PVDF-co-HFP (SPVDF) was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and $^1H$ Nuclear magnetic resonance ($^1H$ NMR) analysis. For quantitative analysis of the chemical composition, the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used. The membrane properties such as water uptake, ion exchange capacity and electrical resistance were measured. It was suggested that the optimum direct sulfonation condition of PVDF-co-HFP ion exchange membranes was $60^{\circ}C$ and 7 hours for temperature and duration of sulfonation, respectively. The water uptake of the SPVDF ion exchange membrane was 21.5%. The ion exchange capacity and electrical resistance were 0.89 meq/g and $3.70{\Omega}{\cdot}cm^2$, respectively. It was investigated that if it is feasible to apply these membranes in MCDI at various cell potentials (0.9~1.5 V) and initial flow rates (10~40 mL/min). In the MCDI process, the maximum salt removal rate was 62.5% in repeated absorption-desorption cycles.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.257-257
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• 2006

We chose three synthetic polymers, poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVFHFP), and $Nafion^{(R)}$ that reveal different chemical and physical characteristics, and investigate their biocompatibilities to five different bacteria (that are most notorious for opportunistic and iatrogenic infections) and a human cell (HEp-2). The bacteria chosen in this study found to adhere onto the PPC and Nafion films but not to adhere on the PVFHFP film. On the other hand, both PVFHFP and Nafion films revealed good compatibility to HEp-2 and allowed the growth of the HEp-2 on the film surface but PPC showed poor compatibility to HEp-2. All results will be discussed with taking into account the surface characteristics of the polymers.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2006

A new porous separator based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro-propylene) (P(VdF-co-HFP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was prepared by a phase inversion method. To enhance mechanical property, the membrane was stretched uniaxially at high temperature. Tensile strength and ionic conductivity were measured for various draw ratios. The tensile strength and ionic conductivity were increased with increasing draw ratio. The tensile strength of the separator reached 52MPa after stretching to draw ratio of 5, and the ionic conductivity of the separator was increased from $1.9Xs10^{-4}S/cm\;to\;4.6X10^{-4}S/cm\;at\;25^{\circ}C$. The stretched separator immersed in liquid electrolyte was electrochemically stable up to 4.7 V. The cell based on the stretched separator was maintained at about 99% of the initial discharge capacity after 10th cycle operation at 0.2C rate.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2007

New porous separators based on non-polyolefin materials including the blend of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC)/poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VdF-co-HFP)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and the porous separator based on poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) were prepared by phase inversion method. The porosity and morphology were controlled with phase inversion rate, which is governed by the relative content of non-solvent and solvent in coagulation bath. To enhance tensile strength, the solvent pre-evaporation and uni-axial stretching processes were applied. The ionic conductivity was increased with increasing stretching ratio, and tensile strength was increased with increasing solvent pre-evaporation time and stretching ratio. The 200% stretched PVdF separator showed 56 MPa of tensile strength, and the ionic conductivity of the stretched PVdF separator was $8.6{\times}10^{-4}\;S\;cm^{-1}\;at\;25^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2010

The plasticized polymer electrolytes based on polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (P(VdF-co-HFP)), tetra (ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (TEGDME), and lithium perchlorate ($LiClO_4$) are prepared for the lithium sulfur batteries by solution casting with a doctor-blade. The polymer electrolyte with EO : Li ratio of 16 : 1 shows the maximum ionic conductivity, $6.5\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;S/cm$ at room temperature. To understand the effect of the salt concentration on the electrochemical performance, the polymer electrolytes are characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), viscometer, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The optimum concentration and mobility of the charge carriers could lead to enhance the utilization of sulfur active materials and the cyclability of the Li/S unit cell.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.198-203
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• 2011

A polymer electrolyte was prepared by using polyvinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) or poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) as polymer matrices, succinonitrile as an additive, and lithium perchlorate as a lithium salt. Compared to the polymer electrolyte employing PVdF-HFP, the PEGDMA-based polymer electrolyte exhibits substantially superior thermal stability when exposed to high temperatures. Nonetheless, the ionic conductivity of the PEGDMA-based polymer electrolyte was preserved in a wide temperature range between $-20^{\circ}C$ and $80^{\circ}C$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.281-281
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• 2012

연꽃잎 효과(Lotus effect)라 불리는 자가 세정 효과(self cleaning effect)는 연꽃이 항상 깨끗한 상태를 유지하는 것이 관찰되면서 꾸준히 관심에 대상이 되어 왔었다. 자가 세정 효과는 접촉각 $150^{\circ}$ 이상의 초소수성 표면에서 구현이 가능하며 이런 표면을 일상생활부터 산업분야까지 응용하고자 하는 많은 노력들이 있었다. 물질의 친수성 또는 소수성은 표면의 거칠기(roughness)와 표면에너지(surface energy)의 두 가지 특성에 의해 결정된다. 하지만 낮은 표면에너지 물질을 사용해도 접촉각 $150^{\circ}$ 이상의 초소수성 표면을 얻긴 힘들며, 표면의 거칠기를 증가시켜야 한다. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)는 낮은 표면에너지를 가진 소수성 물질로 bulk일 경우 접촉각이 약 $108^{\circ}$이지만 거친 표면을 가진 박막으로 만들 경우 접촉각이 $150^{\circ}$ 이상의 값을 가지는 초수수성 표면이 가능한 물질이다. 특히, 초소수성 표면 이외에 우수한 내열성 및 내화학성 특성을 가지고 있어 디스플레이 및 태양전지 등의 자가세정(self cleaning) 보호막으로써 응용이 기대되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 HFPO (hexafluoropropylene)를 원료 가스로 이용하여, Si(100)과 유리 기판위에 Cat-CVD (Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition)법으로 PTFE 박막을 증착하였다. 텅스텐(W)을 촉매로 사용하였으며, 촉매온도가 $850^{\circ}C$이상인 조건에서 접촉각이 $150^{\circ}$ 이상인 초소수성 PTFE 표면을 쉽게 얻을 수 있었다. 특히 본 연구에서는 제막압력을 300 mTorr에서 700 mTorr까지 변화시켜 가며 유리와 Si 기판위에 증착하였다. Cat-CVD 제막압력을 변화시켜가며 증착된 PTFE 박막의 접촉각을 측정한 결과, 제막압력이 300 mTorr일 때 glass와 Si 기판위에 증착된 PTFE박막 표면에서의 접촉각은 각각 133, $117^{\circ}$였지만, 제막압력이 400 mTorr이상일 땐 $150^{\circ}$ 이상의 높은 접촉각을 갖는 초소수성 표면을 얻을 수 있었다.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.170-174
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• 2008

ZnS-polymer gel films were prepared with incorporating mesoporous ZnS synthesized by surfactant-assisted templating process and poly (vinylidene fluoride)-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (P(VDF-HFP)) in order to observe the variation of ionic conductivities according to the various weight ratios between ZnS and P(VDF-HFP). Ionic conductivities for each gel electrolyte were measured with increasing temperature. As a result, ionic conductivities increased with increasing the amount of ZnS and temperature. In particular, the films with 20 and 25 wt% ZnS were found that they possessed the high ionic conductivity of approximately $10^{-4}Scm^{-1}$ at room temperature. However, above 20 wt% of ZnS, the enhancement of ionic conductivity was not observed. For the characterization of ZnS and the gel electrolyte, XRD (x-ray diffractometer), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), FT-IR (fourier transform-infrared spectrometer), SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) were employed. Ionic conductivities were measured by a.c. impedance method.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.287-298
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• 2019

Lotus leaf has a special dual micro and nano surface structure which gives its highly hydrophobic surface characteristics and so-called self cleaning effect. In order to endow PVDF hollow fiber membrane with this special structure and improve the hydrophobicity of membrane surface, PVDF hollow fiber composite membranes was obtained through the immersion coating of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) dilute solution on the outside surface of PVDF support membrane. The prepared PVDF composite membranes were used in the vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) for the desalination. The effects of PVDF-HFP dilute solution concentration in the dope solution and coating time on VMD separation performance was studied. Membranes were characterized by SEM, WCA measurement, porosity, and liquid entry pressure of water. VMD test was carried out using $35g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ NaCl aqueous solution as the feed solution at feed temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ and the permeate pressure of 31.3 kPa. The vapour flux reached a maximum when PVDF-HFP concentration in the dilute solution was 5 wt% and the coating time was kept in the range of 10-60 s. This was attributed to the well configuration of micro-nano rods which was similar with the dual micro-nano structure on the lotus leaf. Compared with the original PVDF membrane, the salt rejection can be well maintained which was greater than 99.99 % meanwhile permeation water conductivity was kept at a low value of $7-9{\mu}S{\cdot}cm^{-1}$ during the continuous testing for 360 h.