• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.74-81
• /
• 2021

Silicon (Si) is recognized as a promising anode material for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. However, under a condition of electrode comparable to commercial graphite anodes with low binder content and a high electrode density, the practical use of Si is limited due to the huge volume change associated with Si-Li alloying/de-alloying. Here, we report a novel core-shell composite, having a reversible capacity of ~ 500 mAh g-1, by forming a shell composed of a mixture of nano-Si, graphite nanosheets and a pitch carbon on a spherical natural graphite particle. The electrochemical measurements are performed using electrodes with 2 wt % styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and 2 wt.% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder in an electrode density of ~ 1.6 g cm-3. The core-shell composites having the reversible capacity of 478 mAh g-1 shows the outstanding capacity retention of 99% after 100 cycles with the initial coulombic efficiency of 90%. The heterostructure of core-shell composites appears to be very effective in buffering the volume change of Si during cycling.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.126-131
• /
• 2023

Growing environmental concerns regarding pollution caused by conventional plastics have increased interest in biodegradable polymers as alternative materials. The purpose of this study is to develop a 100% biodegradable nanocomposite material by introducing organic nucleating agents into the biodegradable and thermoplastic resin, poly(lactic acid), to improve its properties. Accordingly, cellulose nanofibers, an eco-friendly material, were adopted as a substitute for inorganic nucleating agents. To achieve a uniform dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) within PLA, the aqueous solution of nanofibers was lyophilized to maintain their fibrous shape. Then, they were subjected to primary mixing using a twin-screw extruder. Test specimens with double mixing were then produced by injection molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to confirm the reinforced physical properties, and it was found that the addition of 1 wt% CNFs acted as a reinforcing material and nucleating agent, reducing the cold crystallization temperature by approximately 14℃ and increasing the degree of crystallization. This study provides an environmentally friendly alternative for developing plastic materials with enhanced properties, which can contribute to a sustainable future without consuming inorganic nucleating agents. It serves as a basis for developing 100% biodegradable green nanocomposites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.179-182
• /
• 2003

Chitin is the most abundant natural amino polysaccharide and is estimated to be produced annually almost as much as cellulose. It has become of great interest not only as an under utilized resource, but also as a new functional material of high potential in various fields. In addition, chitin and chitosan are recommended as suitable functional materials, because these natural polymers have excellent properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity and adsorption properties, etc. (omitted)

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.56-60
• /
• 2018

There have been a lot of study to improve the performance of membrane filters as the removal of particulate matter has been of great interest due to the negative effects. Among the membrane fabrication techniques, the electrospinning technique is the most promising because it can produce uniform fibers ranging from nano to micrometer size. The electrospun membranes will greatly improve the filtration performance due to the high ratio of surface area to volume and the high porosity. In the present study, polystyrene (PS) and cellulose acetate (CA) polymers were used to produce the membranes with carbon nanotube (CNT), showing the filtration performances were improved with the optimal amounts of CNT.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.1.1-1.11
• /
• 2022

Background: The poor bioadhesion capacity of tilmicosin resulting in treatment failure for Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants (SASCVs) mastitis. Objectives: This study aimed to increase the bioadhesion capacity of tilmicosin for the SASCVs strain and improve the antibacterial effect of tilmicosin against cow mastitis caused by the SASCVs strain. Methods: Tilmicosin-loaded chitosan oligosaccharide (COS)-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite nanogels were formulated by an electrostatic interaction between COS (positive charge) and CMC (negative charge) using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) (ionic crosslinkers). The formation mechanism, structural characteristics, bioadhesion, and antibacterial activity of tilmicosin composite nanogels were studied systematically. Results: The optimized formulation was comprised of 50 mg/mL (COS), 32 mg/mL (CMC), and 0.25 mg/mL (TPP). The size, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the optimized tilmicosin composite nanogels were 357.4 ± 2.6 nm, 65.4 ± 0.4%, 21.9 ± 0.4%, 0.11 ± 0.01, and -37.1 ± 0.4 mV, respectively; the sedimentation rate was one. Scanning electron microscopy showed that tilmicosin might be incorporated in nano-sized crosslinked polymeric networks. Moreover, adhesive studies suggested that tilmicosin composite nanogels could enhance the bioadhesion capacity of tilmicosin for the SASCVs strain. The inhibition zone of native tilmicosin, tilmicosin standard, and tilmicosin composite nanogels were 2.13 ± 0.07, 3.35 ± 0.11, and 1.46 ± 0.04 cm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of native tilmicosin, tilmicosin standard, and tilmicosin composite nanogels against the SASCVs strain were 2, 1, and 1 ㎍/mL, respectively. The in vitro time-killing curves showed that the tilmicosin composite nanogels increased the antibacterial activity against the SASCVs strain. Conclusions: This study provides a potential strategy for developing tilmicosin composite nanogels to treat cow mastitis caused by the SASCVs strain.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.304-311
• /
• 2010

In this study, loose RO hollow fiber membranes using CTA polymer were prepared by phase inversion method and their water purification properties were tested. 1,4-dioxane and LiCl was used as a skin layer formation agent and pore formation agent, respectively. Water flux, salt rejection, chlorine resistance, MWCO and membrane morphology were evaluated as a function of the dope composition. When the membrane prepared using the dope solution of CTA/NMP/1,4-dioxane = 18/72/10 (wt%) with air gap of 30 cm, it shows improved RO performance such as $20.5L/m^2hr$ of water flux, 60% of NaCl rejection, 10,000 ppm/hr of chlorine-resistance and around 5,000 Da of MWCO.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.114-119
• /
• 2016

In this study, we tried to add the conductivity to natural polymer like bacterial cellulose (BC) coated with the conductive polymer PEDOT:PEG, graphene and silver nano-wire (AgNW). Sulfuric acid of 10 to 20% was previously mixed with PEDOT:PEG and then the solution was electron spin-coated on the BC membrane. And then, additive coating with graphene and AgNW were done to improve conductivity, which was examined by hall effect. As the result, we confirmed a considerable improvement of conductivity compared to BC-coated film without sulfuric acid treatment as $2.487{\times}10^{10}$ vs $8.093{\times}10^{15}$ ($1/cm^3$), showing higher electron density with $3.25{\times}10^5$ times. Also, we identified that changed particle type to the polymer type by sulfuric acid using SEM analysis. For FT-IR analysis, it was confirmed that S-O radical ($1200cm^{-1}$) increased in the sulfuric acid treatment than non-treated sulfuric acid. As the method used very small amount of PEDOT:PEG, its transparency could be kept, and pre-treatment process of sulfuric acid will be able to simplify the production process.

• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
• /
• 2007.11a
• /
• pp.93-102
• /
• 2007

Biocomposite was organized with biodegradable polymer and natural fiber that has potential to be used as replacement for glass fiber reinforced polymer composite with the benefits of low cost, low density, acceptable specific strength, biodegradability, etc. Until now, non-wood fibers have been used as reinforcements of biocomposite which are all plant-based fibers. The present study focused on investigating the fabrication and characterization of biocomposite reinforced with red algae fiber. The bleached red algae fiber(BRAF) showed very similar crystallinity to the cellulose. It has high stability against thermal degradation (maximum thermal decomposition temperature of 359.3$^{\circ}C$) and thermal expansion. Biocomposites reinforced with BRAF have been fabricated by a compression molding method and their mechanical and thermal properties have been studied. The storage modulus and the thermomechanical stability of PBS matrix are markedly improved with reinforcing the BRAF. These results support that the red algae fiber can be used as an excellent reinforcement of biocomposites as "green-composite" or "eco-composite".

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.62-67
• /
• 2008

Biocomposite was fabricated with biodegradable polymer and natural fiber that has potential to be used as replacement for glass fiber reinforced polymer composite with the benefits of low cost, low density, acceptable specific strength, biodegradability, etc. Until now, mostly natural cellulosic fibers on land have been used as reinforcement for biocomposite. The present study focused on investigating the fabrication and the characterization of biocomposite reinforced with red algae fibers from the sea. The bleached red algae fiber (BRAF) showed very similar crystallinity to the wood cellulose. It has high stability against thermal degradation (maximum thermal decomposition temperature of 359.3$^{\circ}C$) and thermal expansion. Biocomposites reinforced with BRAF have been fabricated by a compression molding method and their mechanical and thermal properties have been studied. The storage modulus and the thermomechanical stability of PBS (polybuthylenesuccinate) matrix are markedly improved by reinforcing with the BRAF. These results indicate that red algae fiber can be used as an excellent reinforcement of biocomposites, which are sometimes called as "green-composites" or "eco-composites".

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.329-337
• /
• 2023

Wearing the right sportswear is one of the essential points in exercising, which is mainly neglected. Sportswear should be suitable for the ambient temperature and not cause more heat or cold in the athlete's body. On the other hand, increased sweating and blood circulation during exercise should not cause fatigue or heatstroke in the athlete. Nanotechnology has grown significantly in the field of producing more efficient equipment in the field of sports. The increase in demand in sports for complete sports equipment has revealed the necessity of using the highest quality materials in this sector. In the world of championship sports, a minor change in equipment can lead to significant changes in causing failure and victory. Since the sole is the most critical part of sports shoes, with the introduction of nanotechnology and nanocomposites, it is possible to help athletes rush and increase their sense of calm and satisfaction. Using nanocomposites in the soles of shoes can improve some of their characteristics, prevent the smell and sweat of shoes, and induce water repellency in these shoes. In this research, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanocomposite, along with cellulose, has been used to create antibacterial and hydrophobic properties in the soles of sports shoes. The synthesized nanocomposite has been synthesized using the least amount of chemicals, which shows this method's easy and cost-effective synthesis.