• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.383-388
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• 2019

To improve the mechanical properties of aluminum, graphene has been used as a reinforcing material, yielding graphene-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (GRAMCs). Dispersion of graphene materials is an important factor that affects the properties of GRAMCs, which are mainly manufactured by mechanical mixing methods such as ball milling. However, the use of only mechanical mixing process is limited to achieve homogeneous dispersion of graphene. To overcome this problem, in this study, we have prepared composite materials by coating aluminum particles with graphene by a self-assembly reaction using poly vinylalcohol and ethylene diamine as coupling agents. The scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results confirm the coating of graphene on the Al surface. Bulk density of the sintered composites by spark plasma sintering achieved a relative density of over 99% up to 0.5 wt.% graphene oxide content.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.443-450
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• 2023

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received increased interest in reinforcing research for polymer matrix composites due to their exceptional mechanical characteristics. Its high surface area/volume ratio and aspect ratio enable polymer-based composites to make the most of its features. This study focuses on the experimental tensile testing and fabrication of carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) beams, exploring various micromechanical models. By examining the performance of these models alongside experimental results, the research aims to better understand and optimize the mechanical properties of CNTRC materials. Tensile properties of neat epoxy and 0.3%; 0.4% and 0.5% by CNT reinforced laminated single layer (0°/90°) carbon fiber composite beams were investigated. The composite plates were produced in accordance with ASTM D7264 standard. The tensile test was performed in order to see the mechanical properties of the composite beams. The results showed that the optimum amount of CNT was 0.3% based on the tensile capacity. The capacity was significantly reduced when 0.4% CNT was utilized. Moreover, the experimental results are compared with Finite Element Models using ABAQUS. Hashin Failure Criteria was utilized to predict the tensile capacity. Good conformance was observed between experimental and numerical models. More importantly is that Young' Moduli of the specimens is compared with the prediction Halpin-Tsai and Mixture-Rule. Although Halpin-Tsai can accurately predict the Young's Moduli of the specimens, the accuracy of Mixture-Rule was significantly low.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.353-363
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• 2024

The incorporation of nanoplatelets in composite and polymeric materials represents a recent and innovative approach, holding substantial promise for diverse property enhancements. This study focuses on the application of nanocomposites in the production of sports equipment, particularly soccer balls, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical implications. Addressing the longstanding challenge of suboptimal interaction between carbon nanofillers and epoxy resin in epoxy composites, this research pioneers inventive solutions. Furthermore, the investigation extends into unexplored territory, examining the integration of glass fiber/epoxy composites with nanoparticles. The incorporation of nanomaterials, specifically expanded graphite and graphene, at a concentration of 25.0% by weight in both the epoxy structure and the composite with glass fibers demonstrates a marked increase in impact resistance compared to their nanomaterial-free counterparts. The research transcends laboratory experiments to explore the practical applications of nanocomposites in the design and production of sports equipment, with a particular emphasis on soccer balls. Analytical techniques such as infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are employed to scrutinize the surface chemical structure and morphology of the epoxy nanocomposites. Additionally, an in-depth examination of the thermal, mechanical, viscoelastic, and conductive properties of these materials is conducted. Noteworthy findings include the efficacy of surface modification of carbon nanotubes in preventing accumulation and enhancing their distribution within the epoxy matrix. This optimization results in improved interfacial interactions, heightened thermal stability, superior mechanical properties, and enhanced electrical conductivity in the nanocomposite.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2018

Recently, the importance of flame retardation treatment technology has been emphasized due to the increase in urban fire accidents and fire damage incidents caused by building exterior materials. Particularly, in the utilization of wood-based building materials, the flame retarding treatment technology is more importantly evaluated. An Intumescent system is one of the non-halogen flame retardant treatment technologies and is a system that realizes flame retardancy through foaming and carbonization layer formation. To apply the Intumescent system, composite material was prepared by using Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as a matrix. To enhance the flame retardant properties of the Intumescent system, a nano-clay was applied together. Composite materials with Intumescent system and nano - clay technology were processed into sheet - like test specimens, and then a new structure of cross laminated timber with improved flame retardant properties was fabricated. In the evaluation of combustion characteristics of composite materials using Intumescent system, it was confirmed that the maximum heat emission was reduced efficiently. Depending on the structure attached to the surface, the CLT had two stages of combustion. Also, it was confirmed that the maximum calorific value decreased significantly during the deep burning process. These characteristics are expected to have a delayed combustion diffusion effect in the combustion process of CLT. In order to improve the performance, the flame retardation treatment technique for the surface veneer and the optimization technique of the application of the composite material are required. It is expected that it will be possible to develop a CLT structure with improved fire characteristics.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.502-507
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• 2016

This study was conducted to develop novel antimicrobial nano-composites, with the aim of fully utilizing antimicrobial properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), nickel (Ni) and zinc oxide (ZnO). Ni coated-MWCNTs (Ni-CNT) were prepared and evaluated for their potential application as an antimicrobial material for inactivating bacteria. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the Ni coating and morphology of Ni-CNT. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coil (E. coil) were employed as the target bacterium on antimicrobial activities. Comparing with the nitric acid treated MWCNTs and Ni-CNT which have been previously reported to possess antimicrobial activity towards S. aureus and E. coil, Ni-CNT/ZnO exhibited a stronger antimicrobial ability. The nickel coating was confirmed to play an important role in the bactericidal action of Ni-CNTs/ZnO composites. Also, the addition of ZnO to the developed nanocomposite is suggested to improve the antimicrobial property.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.672-678
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• 2011

In this work, carbon fibers were electrolessly Ni-plated in order to investigate the effect of metal plating on the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMI-SE) of Ni-coated carbon fibers-reinforced epoxy matrix composites. The surfaces of carbon fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electric resistance of the composites was tested using a 4-point-probe electric resistivity tester. The EMI-SE of the composites was evaluated by means of the reflection and adsorption methods. From the results, it was found that the EMI-SE of the composites enhanced with increasing Ni plating time and content. In high frequency region, the EMI-SE didn't show further increasing with high Ni content (Ni-CF 10 min) compared to the Ni-CF 5 min sample. In conclusion, Ni content on the carbon fibers can be a key factor to determine the EMI-SE of the composites, but there can be an optimized metal content at a specific electromagnetic frequency region in this system.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.80-88
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• 2018

In this study, we prepared hybrid composites by using low temperature sol-gel process for transparent and hard coating film. The hybrid composites consist of $ZrO_2/TiO_2/organosilane$, of which organosilane was introduced 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate due to the role of a photocurable ceramic material for low temperature process. The ceramic composites with various composition ratios were coated on a polycarbonate substrate using a sol-gel process of low temperature process, and characterized optical and mechanical properties of coated thin film. The transparencies of coated thin films were 97.5 % or more, and the pencil hardness were 9H or more. In the case of the ZTS-2-1, the nano-indentation hardness was measured at the highest value of 1.14 GPa.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2012

The $Y_2O_3$ ceramics have been widely used as plasma resistant materials in the semiconductor industry. In this study, composites made of plasma resistant $Y_2O_3$ and electrically conductive carbon have been produced. The electrical properties of this composite were measured with respect to the size, volume fraction of the conductive carbon phase, and sintering temperature. When micro-sized carbon was used, the composites were insulating up to 5 wt% addition of the carbon. However, when nano-sized carbon of around 60 ~100 nm was used, the composites became conductive over threshold volume fraction of carbon, which increased with increasing sintering temperature. This behavior of electrical conductivity of the composites was discussed in terms of the percolation theory. The percolation threshold of the conductivity seemed to be affected by the grain growth and coalescences of dispersed conductive carbon phases with grain growth of matrix $Y_2O_3$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.487-487
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• 2011

Recently graphene has emerged as a fascinating 2D system in condensed-matter physics as well as a new material for the development of nanotechnology. The unusual electronic band structure of graphene allows it to exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect with high mobility. These properties lead to the possibility of its application in high-performance transparent conducting films (TCFs). Compared to indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, which have a typical sheet resistance of ${\sim}60{\Omega}$/sq and ~85 % transmittance in the visible range (400?900 nm), the CVD-grown graphene electrodes have a higher/flatter transmittance in the visible to IR region and are more robust under bending. Nevertheless, the lowest sheet resistance of the currently available CVD graphene electrodes is higher than that of ITO. Here, we report an ingenious strategy, irradiation of MeV electron beam (e-beam) at room temperature under ambient condition, for obtaining size-homogeneous gold nanoparticle decorated on graphene. The nano-particlization promoted by MeV e-beam irradiation was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy elemental mapping, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. These results clearly revealed that gold nanoparticle with 10 ~ 15 nm in mean size were decorated along the surface of the graphene after 1.5 MeV-e-beam irradiation. A chemical transformation and charge transfer for the metal gold nanoparticle were systematically explored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This approach advances the numerous applications of graphene films as transparent conducting electrodes.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2017

In this study, finite element modeling and material property tests are performed for the finite element analysis of rubber isolator parts which support the engine and isolate the vibration. As a result of the P direction analysis of the rubber isolator parts, the static stiffness in the P direction was 44.2 kg/mm, which is well within the error of 5% as compared with the test result of 46.1 kg/mm. The static stiffness of the rubber isolator parts in the Q direction was calculated to be 7.9 kg/mm, which is comparable to the test result of 8.6 kg/mm, with an error of less than 8%. As a result of the analysis on the Z direction, the static stiffness was calculated as 57.7 kg/mm, and the test results were not available. Through this study, it is expected that the time and cost for prototype development can be reduced through nonlinear finite element analysis for rubber isolator parts.