• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1767-1778
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• 2010

This study investigates applying $TiO_2$ (titanium dioxide) nanoparticles to polypropylene nonwoven fabrics via electrospinning for the development of UV-protective materials. To fabricate uniform nanocomposite fibers, three types of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were applied: powder, colloid, and $TiO_2$ coated polymer pellets. $TiO_2$/polyurethane (PU) and $TiO_2$/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite fibers were electrospun and the morphology was examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. Layered fabric systems with electrospun $TiO_2$ nanocomposite fiber webs were developed at various concentrations of $TiO_2$ in a range of the web area density. The effects of $TiO_2$ concentration and web area density on UV-protective properties were examined. When $TiO_2$ colloid was added into a PVA polymer solution, uniform nanocomposite fiber webs in which $TiO_2$ particles were evenly dispersed were produced. Water-soluble PVA nanofiber webs were given a heat treatment to stabilize the electrospun PVA fibrous structure against dissolution in water. $TiO_2$/PVA nanoeomposite fiber webs with 2wt% $TiO_2$ and 3.0g/$m^2$ web area density exhibited an ultraviolet protection factor of greater than 50, indicating excellent UV protection.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.326-332
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• 2000

The effects of sizing agent on the final mechanical properties of the glass fiber/unsaturated polyester composites were investigated by contact angle measurements at room temperature. In this work, glass fibers were coated by poly(vinyl alcohol), polyester, and epoxy type sizing agent and each property was compared. Contact angles of the sized glass fiber were measured by the wicking method based on Washburn equation using deionized water and diiodomethane as testing liquids. As an experimental result, the surface free energy calculated from contact angle showed the highest value in case of the glass fiber coated by epoxy sizing agent. From measurements of interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and fracture toughness ( $K_{IC}$ ) of the composites, it was found that the sizing treatment on fibers could improve the fiber/matrix interfacial adhesion, resulting in growing the final mechanical properties. This was due to the enhanced surface free energy of glass fibers in a composite system.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2005.05b
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• pp.321-324
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• 2005

This paper presents a preliminary study on the influence of material ductility on diagonal tension behavior of shear-wall panels. There have been a number of previous studies, which suggest that the use of high ductile material such as ECC (Engineered Cementitious Composite) significantly enhanced shear capacity of structural elements even without shear reinforcements involved. The present study emphasizes increased shear capacity of shear-wall panels by employing a unique strain-hardening ECC reinforced with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) short random fibers. Normal concrete was adopted as the reference material. Experimental investigation was performed to assess the failure mode of shear-wall panels subjected to knife-edge loading. The results from experiments show that ECC panels exhibit a more ductile failure mode and higher shear capacity when compared to ordinary concrete panels. The superior ductility of ECC was clearly reflected by micro-crack development, suppressing the localized drastic fracture typically observed in concrete specimen. This enhanced structural performance indicates that the application of ECC for a in-filled frame panel can be effective in enhancing seismic resistance of an existing frame in service.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.205-209
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• 2011

Zinc oxide has semi-conductivity and super conductivity characteristics. It can be used optically and is applied on many areas such as gas sensor, solar cell and optical waveguide. In this paper, to improve optical characteristics of ZnO, aluminum was added on zinc oxide. Zinc oxide and aluminum zinc oxide was fabricated as nano fiber form. ZnO solution was created by mixing poly vinyl pyrrolidone, ethyl alcohol, and zinc acetate. An Al doped ZnO was created by adding aluminum solution to ZnO sol. By applying these sols on electro spinning method, nano fibers were fabricated. These fibers are heat treated at 300, 500, and $700^{\circ}C$ degrees and were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the nano structures. TGA and DSC measurement was also used to measure the change of mass and calorie upon temperature change. The absorbance of ZnO and Al-doped ZnO was carried out by UV-vis measurement.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.274-278
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• 2012

$TiO_2$ can be used optically and is applied on many areas such as gas sensor, solar cell and photocatalysis. Electrospun nanofibers have received great interest for development and utilization in some novel applications, such as chemical sensors, dye-sensitized solar cell and photo catalysis. In this study, pure $TiO_2$ and Ga-doped $TiO_2$ nanofibers synthesized by a modified electrospinning method. The Ga doped $TiO_2$ solution is prepared by mixing poly vinyl pyrrolidone, ethyl alcohol, and titanium (IV) isopropoxide. By electrospinning these sols, nanofibers were fabricated. These fibers are heat-treated at $800^{\circ}C$ in air. The prepared pure $TiO_2$ and Ga-doped $TiO_2$ nanofibers samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.134-141
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• 2017

Many studies have been conducted with respect to the materials to replace the cement in order to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions during the cement production. Activated hwangtoh as cement replacement material goes through calcination process of $850^{\circ}C$. PVA fibers and GFRP bars are used in order to compensate for the cracks of activated hwangtoh concrete(AHC). This paper presents an experimental study investigating the bond characteristic of GFRP bars in PVA fiber reinforced AHC under tensile loads. Experimental results showed that average bond strength factor of specimens with and without PVA fiber was 2.27~2.48 and was not significantly affected by the ratio of PVA fiber andactivated hwangtoh. In addition, as the bond length was increased, the bond strength was reduced.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2012

In this study, the physical, mechanical, structural, and environmental performances based on field measured data were evaluated to check the suitability of concrete for ecological preservation and cultivation of a hydrophilic environment. More specifically, the study is focused on developing an environmentally friendly functional concrete with river ecology restoration and natural river early formation capabilities. The mechanical performance evaluation results showed that the increase in mix rate of the PVA (Poly Vinyl Alcohol) reinforcement fibers and silica fume caused an increase in the strength. The optimal mix rate was found to be 0.05 volume % PVA fiber and approximately 10% silica fume. The frost resistance evaluation showed that superior performance was gained when 0.05 volume % PVA fiber and 15% silica fume was mixed simultaneously. In the structural performance evaluation, the bending strength was improved by 47.7% compared to plain concrete when mixed with 0.05 volume % PVA fiber. The flexural toughness also saw significant improvement. The environmental monitoring of field performance showed that grasses germinated most rapidly, but the growth of red poppies, a plant that germinates in the spring, was most active with passing of time. Coverage measurements in all of the monitoring locations found favorable coverage of over 95% after 12 weeks. The study results showed that the environmentally friendly functional concrete had outstanding environmental performance.