• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.415-420
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• 2020

The interfacial properties in carbon fiber composites, which control the overall mechanical properties of the composites, are very important. Effective interface enhancement work is conducted on the modification of the carbon fiber surface with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Nonetheless, most surface modifications methods do have their own drawbacks such as high temperatures with a range of 600~1000℃, which should be implemented for CNT growth on carbon fibers that can cause carbon fiber damages affecting deterioration of composites properties. This study includes the use of in-situ interfacial polymerization of polyamide 610/CNT to fabricate the carbon fiber composites. The process is very fast and continuous and can disperse CNTs with random orientation in the interface resulting in enhanced interfacial properties. Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to investigate the CNT dispersion and composites morphology, and the thermal stability of the composites was analyzed via thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, fiber pull-out tests were used to assess interfacial strength between fiber and matrix.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.151-163
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• 2021

The main target of this study is to investigate nonlinear transient responses of moving polymer nano-size plates fortified by means of Graphene Platelets (GPLs) and resting on a Winkler-Pasternak foundation under a transverse pressure force and a temperature variation. Two graphene spreading forms dispersed through the plate thickness are studied, and the Halpin-Tsai micro-mechanics model is used to obtain the effective Young's modulus. Furthermore, the rule of mixture is employed to calculate the effective mass density and Poisson's ratio. In accordance with the first order shear deformation and von Karman theory for nonlinear systems, the kinematic equations are derived, and then nonlocal strain gradient scheme is used to reflect the effects of nonlocal and strain gradient parameters on small-size objects. Afterwards, a combined approach, kinetic dynamic relaxation method accompanied by Newmark technique, is hired for solving the time-varying equation sets, and Fortran program is developed to generate the numerical results. The accuracy of the current model is verified by comparative studies with available results in the literature. Finally, a parametric study is carried out to explore the effects of GPL's weight fractions and dispersion patterns, edge conditions, softening and hardening factors, the temperature change, the velocity of moving nanoplate and elastic foundation stiffness on the dynamic response of the structure. The result illustrates that the effects of nonlocality and strain gradient parameters are more remarkable in the higher magnitudes of the nanoplate speed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.2556-2566
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• 2023

A first-principle approach within the framework of density functional theory was employed to study the effect of vacancy defects and fission products (FPs) doping on the mechanical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of uranium monocarbide (UC). Firstly, the calculated vacancy formation energies confirm that the C vacancy is more stable than the U vacancy. The solution energies indicate that FPs prefer to occupying in U site rather than in C site. Zr, Mo, Th, and Pu atoms tend to directly replace U atom and dissolve into the UC lattice. Besides, the results of the mechanical properties show that U vacancy reduces the compressive and deformation resistance of UC while C vacancy has little effect. The doping of all FPs except He has a repairing effect on the mechanical properties of U_1-xC. In addition, significant modifications are observed in the phonon dispersion curves and partial phonon density of states (PhDOS) of UC_1-x, Zr_xU_1-xC, Mo_xU_1-xC, and Rh_xU_1-xC, including narrow frequency gaps and overlapping phonon modes, which increase the phonon scattering and lead to deterioration of thermal expansion coefficient (α_V) and heat capacity (C_p) of UC predicted by the quasi harmonic approximation (QHA) method.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.437-442
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• 2023

This research aims to enhance the efficiency of Pt/C catalysts due to the limited availability and high cost of platinum in contemporary fuel cell catalysts. Nano-sized platinum particles were distributed onto a carbon-based support via the polyol process, utilizing the metal precursor H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O. Key parameters such as pH, temperature, and RPM were carefully regulated. The findings revealed variations in the particle size, distribution, and dispersion of nano-sized Pt particles, influenced by temperature and pH. Following sodium hydroxide treatment, heat treatment procedures were systematically executed at diverse temperatures, specifically 120, 140, and 160 ℃. Notably, the thermal treatment at 140 ℃ facilitated the production of Pt/C catalysts characterized by the smallest platinum particle size, measuring at 1.49 nm. Comparative evaluations between the commercially available Pt/C catalysts and those synthesized in this study were meticulously conducted through cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM EDS) methodologies. The catalyst synthesized at 160 ℃ demonstrated superior electrochemical performance; however, it is imperative to underscore the necessity for further optimization studies to refine its efficacy.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.51-63
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• 2024

Polypropylene (PP) is a commodity plastic that is widely used owing to its cost-effectiveness, lightweight nature, easy processability, and outstanding chemical and thermomechanical characteristics. However, the imperative to address energy and environmental crises has spurred global initiatives toward a circular economy, necessitating sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil-fuel-derived plastics. In this study, we conducted a series of comparative investigations of bio-based polypropylene (bio-PP) blends with current PP of the same and different grades. An extrusion-based processing methodology was employed for the bio-PP composites. Talc was used as an active filler for the preparation of the composites. A comparative analysis with the current petroleum-based PP indicated that the thermal properties and tensile characteristics of the bio-PP blends and composites remained largely unaltered, signifying the feasibility of bio-PP as a potential substitute for the current PP. To achieve a higher Young's modulus, elongation at break (EAB), and melt flow index (MFI), we prepared different composites of PP of different grades and bio-PP with varying talc contents. Interestingly, at higher biomass contents, the composites exhibited higher MFI and EAB values with comparable Young's moduli. Notably, the impact strengths of the composites with various biomass and talc contents remained unaltered. In-depth investigations through surface analysis confirmed the uniform dispersion of talc within the composite matrix. Furthermore, the moldability of the bio-PP composites was substantiated by comprehensive rheological property assessments encompassing shear rate and shear viscosity. Thus, from these outcomes, the fabricated bio-PP-based composites could be an alternative to petroleum-based PP composites for sustainable automobile applications.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.88-98
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• 2015

4-Amino-N-hexadecylbenzamide-graphene sheets (AHB-GSs), used in the preparation of the polyimide (PI) nanocomposite films, were synthesized by mixing a dispersion of graphite oxide with a solution of the ammonium salt of AHB. The atomic force microscope image of functionalized-GS on mica and a profile plot revealed the average thickness of AHB-GS to be ~3.21 nm. PI films were synthesized by reacting 4,4'-biphthalic anhydride and bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfide. PI nanocomposite films containing various contents of AHB-GS over the range of 0-10 wt% were synthesized using the solution intercalation method. The PI nanocomposite films under different thermal imidization temperatures, 250 and $350^{\circ}C$, were examined. The graphenes, for the most part, were well dispersed in the polymer matrix despite some agglomeration. However, micrometer-scale particles were not detected. The average thickness of the particles was <10 nm, as revealed from the transmission electron microscope images. Only a small amount of AHB-GS was required to improve the gas barrier, and electrical conductivity. In contrast, the glass transition and initial decomposition temperatures of the PI hybrid films continued to decrease with increasing content of AHB-GS up to 10 wt%. In general, the properties of the PI hybrid films heat treated at $350^{\circ}C$ were better than those of films heat treated at $250^{\circ}C$.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2005

Montmorillonite (MMT) modified with siloxane diamine was reacted with a reactant obtained from 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate (MDI) and polyester type polyol, $Nippollan4010(\bar{M}_n2000)$. Finally, polyurethane (PU)/MMT composites were prepared by using 1,4-butane diol as a chain extender in $25\;wt\%$ solution of N,N-dimethyl acetamide (DMAc). It was expected that these nanocomposites had superior exfoliation property to that of MMT dispersed polyurethanes produced by simple mixing due to insertion of siloxane main chain to the silicate interlayer of MMT. Extent of reaction and formation of final products were analysed by using FT-IR spectroscopy. Dispersion into the PU and intercalation of MMT were identified by applying X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tensile data were acquired by universal test machine (UTM). Thermal stability and variation of surface energy were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) method and measurement of contact angle on the synthesized composites, respectively. As the results the organo-MMT modified with siloxane diamine in the PU composites has an intercalated structure relatively well-expanded rather than a completely exfoliated structure. The tensile strengths and the moduli for the PU/organo-MMT composites were drastically enhanced in comparison to those of $PU/Na^+-MMT$ composites.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.757-767
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• 2018

In the propane dehydrogenation reaction proceeding at high temperature, the main cause of deactivation of the catalyst is coke deposition and sintering. In order to investigate the catalysts for reducing such inactivation, we have investigated the applicability of $MgAl_2O_4$ as a carrier for the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction. $MgAl_2O_4$ was prepared by Alcohthermal method at calcination temperature of 800, 900, $1000^{\circ}C$, and $Pt-Sn/MgAl_2O_4$ catalyst was prepared by supporting Pt and Sn by co-impregnation method. The reaction temperature was conducted at a high temperature of 650, $600^{\circ}C$ to confirm the thermal stability. As a result of the reaction experiment, it was confirmed that the conversion rate and yield of propane dehydrogenation reaction test were higher than that of the carrier-applied catalyst having a carrier calcination temperature of 900 and $1000^{\circ}C$, when the carrier-applied catalyst having a calcination temperature of $800^{\circ}C$ was used, It was found that the yield was higher than that of $Pt-Sn/{\theta}-Al_2O_3$ at $650^{\circ}C$. TGA, BET, XRD, CO-chemisorption, and SEM-EDS analyzes were performed for characterization. $MgAl_2O_4-800^{\circ}C$ was correlated with the relationship between good yield, Pt dispersion and low deactivation rate.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.164-170
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• 2011

In this study, silicone rubber filled with environmentally-friendly perlite was prepared by mechanical mixing in order to improve thermal properties, such as heat and fire resistances. We found that the properties of silicone rubber composites depended on perlite concentration by various characterization methods. Thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) indicated that the initial degradation temperature of silicone/perlite composite was higher than that of pristine silicone rubber. The gas torch test showed that the opposite side temperature of composite materials was remarkably low as compared to that of pristine silicone rubber. In addition, the composites containing 5 wt% and 10 wt% of perlite showed remarkable thermal stability at elevated temperatures according to the results of both fireproof furnace tests under the RABT condition and carbonization furnace tests. The images from a scanning electron microscope(SEM) showed the degree of dispersion of perlite in silicone rubber. Finally, it was confirmed that limited oxygen index(LOI) was increased with perlite concentration.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

The effect of nanoclay (Cloisite 20A) on the self-adhesion behavior of uncured brominated-isobutylene-isoprene rubber (BIIR) has been studied. The dispersion state of nanoclay into the rubber matrix was examined by SEM, TEM and XRD analysis. The thermal degradation behavior of the filled and unfilled samples was examined by TGA and improvement in the thermal stability of the nanocomposites occurred based on the weight loss (%) measurements. Also, addition of nanoclay enhanced the cohesive strength of the material by reinforcement action thereby reducing the degree of molecular diffusion across the interface of butyl rubber. However, the average depth of penetration of the inter-diffused chains was still adequate to form entanglement on either side of the interface, and thus offered greater resistance to peeling, resulting in high tack strength measurements. The improvement in tack strength was only achieved at critical nanoclay loading above 8 phr. Contact angle measurement was also made to examine the surface characteristics. There was no significant interfacial property change by employing the nanoclay.