• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.356-359
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• 2010

Glass transition phenomena in nine Korean pure honeys (moisture content 18.3~20.1%) and honey-water mixtures by different water contents (0, 2, 5, and 10% w/w) were investigated with modulated different scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The total, reversing, and non-reversing heat flows were quantified during heating using MDSC. Glass transition was observed from reversing heat flow separated from the total heat flow. The glass transition temperatures ($T_g$) of pure honeys, which are in the range of $-42.7^{\circ}C$ to $-50.0^{\circ}C$, varied a lot with low determination coefficient ($R^2$=0.63), whereas those of honey-water mixtures decreased with a decrease in honey content. The $T_g$ values were also more significantly different among honey-water mixtures when compared to pure honeys, indicating that in the honey-water mixture system the $T_g$ values appear to be greatly dependent on moisture content. The measured heat capacity change (${\Delta}C_p$) was not influenced by moisture content.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.239-242
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• 2001

Melting and crystallization are not reversible because supercooling is always needed for crystal growth. But, recently reversible melting and crystallization phenomena in semi-crystalline polymers, based on modulated differential scanning calorimetry(MDSC) with quasi-isothermal experiment mode were observed in the melting range and continuously proved by others. (omitted)

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2012

This study investigated the effects of layered clay on the thermal curing behavior and tensile properties of resole phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin/clay/cellulose nanocomposites. The thermal curing behavior of the nanocomposite was characterized using conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and temperature modulated (TMDSC). The addition of clay was found to accelerate resin curing, as measured by peak temperature ($T_p$) and heat of reaction (${\Delta}H$) of the nanocomposite’ curing reaction increasing clay addition decreased $T_p$ with a minimum at 3~5% clay. However, the reversing heat flow and heat capacity showed that the clay addition up to 3% delayed the vitrification process of the resole PF resin in the nanocomposite, indicating an inhibition effect of the clay on curing in the later stages of the reaction. Three different methods were employed to determineactivation energies for the curing reaction of the nanocomposite. Both the Ozawa and Kissinger methods showed the lowest activation energy (E) at 3% clay content. Using the isoconversional method, the activation energy ($E_{\alpha}$) as a function of the degree of conversion was measured and showed that as the degree of cure increased, the $E_{\alpha}$ showed a gradual decrease, and gave the lowest value at 3% nanoclay. The addition of clay improved the tensile strengths of the nanocomposites, although a slight decrease in the elongation at break was observed as the clay content increased. These results demonstrated that the addition of clay to resole PF resins accelerate the curing behavior of the nanocomposites with an optimum level of 3% clay based on the balance between the cure kinetics and tensile properties.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2007

Biodegradable polymeric blends are expected to be widely used by industry due to their environmental friendliness and comparable mechanical and thermal properties. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) are such biodegradable polymers which aim to replace commodity polymers in future applications. Since cost and brittleness of PLA is quite high, it is not economically feasible to use it alone for day to day use as a packaging material without blending. In this study, blends of PLA and PBS with various compositions were prepared by using a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder at $180^{\circ}C$. Morphological, thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were investigated on the samples obtained by compression molding to explore suitability of these compositions for packaging applications. Morphology of the blends was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Morphology showed a clear phase difference trend depending on blend composition. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) thermograms of the blends indicated that the glass transition temperature ($T_g$) of PLA did not change much with the addition of PBS, but analysis showed that for PLA/PBS blend of up to 80/20 composition there is partial miscibility between the two polymers. The tensile strength and modulus were measured by the Instron Universal Testing Machine. Tensile strength, modulus and percentage (%) elongation at break of the blends decreased with PBS content. However, tensile strength and modulus values of PLA/PBS blend for up to 80/20 composition nearly follow the mixing rule. Rheological results also show miscibility between the two polymers for PBS composition less than 20% by weight. PBS reduced the brittleness of PLA, thus making it a contender to replace plastics for packaging applications. This work found a partial miscibility between PBS and PLA by investigating thermal, mechanical and morphological properties.