• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.105-108
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• 2018

Transparent $TiO_2$ nanotube arrays are successfully prepared by a two-step approach involving electrochemical anodization and RF magnetron sputtering. First, a Ti film is deposited on an FTO substrate by RF magnetron sputtering at room temperature. The morphologies of the Ti film are controlled by the working distance, Ar flow, and DC power. Second, an anodization treatment is electrochemically performed for the formation of nanotube arrays from the deposited Ti film, followed by post-annealing treatment in air for the formation of $TiO_2$ crystallization. The back side of the crystallized $TiO_2$ nanotube arrays is illuminated with solar light to characterize the photoelectrochemical reaction, and their photoelectrochemical properties are investigated. This work provides information on application of a thin film deposited by RF sputtering in the field of photoelectrochemical water splitting.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.507-515
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• 2015

HI decomposition reaction requires a catalyst for the efficient production of hydrogen as a key reaction for hydrogen production in sulfur-iodine thermochemical water-splitting (SI) cycle. As a catalyst used in the reaction, the performance of platinum catalyst is excellent. While, the platinum catalyst is not economical. Therefore, studies of a nickel catalyst that could replace platinum have been carried out. In this study, the characteristics of the catalytic HI decomposition on the amount of loaded nickel (Ni = 0.1, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 10 wt%) were investigated. As the supported Ni amount increased up to 3 wt%, HI decomposition was found to increase in linear proportion. However, the conversion of $Ni/Al_2O_3$ catalyst loaded above 3 wt% was not linear. It was thought that the different HI decomposition characteristics was caused in the size and metal dispersion of Ni particles of catalyst. The physical property of catalyst before and after HI decomposition reaction was characterized by BET, chemisorption, XRD and SEM analysis.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.306-310
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• 2015

In this research, hematite nanoparticles were synthesized by DC thermal plasma process to increase the overall surface area. The effect of binders on hematite electrodes was investigated by changing the type and composition of binders when preparing electrodes. Nitrogen gas was also added to the DC thermal plasma process in order to dope the hematite with N for enhancing photoelectrochemical properties of hematite nanoparticles. The efficiency of water splitting reaction was measured by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) under solar simulator. In LSV measurements, the onset potential and maximum current density at a fixed voltage were measured. The durability of electrodes was checked by repeating LSV measurements. CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) binder with 50 : 1 composition exhibits the highest current density of $12mA/cm^2$ and CMC binder with 20 : 1 composition, showing the initial current density of $3mA/cm^2$, endures 20 times of repetitive LSV measurements. Effects of nitrogen doping on hematite nanoparticles were proven to be insignificant.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.265-273
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• 2017

Solid-state alkaline water electrolysis is a promising method for producing hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Despite active investigations of component development for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE), understanding of the device performance remains insufficient for the commercialization of AEMWE. The study of assembled AEMWE devices is essential to validate the activity and stability of developed catalysts and electrolyte membranes, as well as the dependence of the performance on the device operating conditions. Herein, we review the development of catalysts and membranes reported by different AEMWE companies such as ACTA S.p.A. and Proton OnSite and device operating conditions that significantly affect the AEMWE performance. For example, $CuCoO_x$ and $LiCoO_2$ have been studied as oxygen evolution catalysts by Acta S.p.A and Proton OnSite, respectively. Anion exchange membranes based on polyethylene and polysulfone are also investigated for use as electrolyte membranes in AEMWE devices. In addition, operation factors, including temperature, electrolyte concentration and acidity, and solution feed methods, are reviewed in terms of their influence on the AEMWE performance. The reaction rate of water splitting generally increases with increase in operating temperature because of the facilitated kinetics and higher ion conductivity. The effect of solution feeding configuration on the AEMWE performance is explained, with a brief discussion on current AEMWE performance and device durability.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.113-117
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• 2016

Recently, hydrogen is regarded as important energy in the future, because it is clean and renewable. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) system, which produce hydrogen using water splitting by solar energy, is one of the most promising energy systems because it has abundant energy sources and good theoretical efficiency. GaN has recently been regarded as suitable photoelectrode that could be used to split water to generate hydrogen without extra bias because its band edge position include water redox potential ($V_{redox}=1.23$ vs. SHE). GaN also shows considerable corrosion resistance in aqueous solutions and it is possible to control its properties, such as structure, band gap, and catalyst characteristics, in order to improve solar energy conversion efficiency. But, even if the band edge position of GaN make PEC reaction facilitate without bias, the overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction could reduce the efficiency of system. One of the ways to decrease overpotential is introduction of co-catalyst on photoelectrode. In this paper, we will investigate the effect of manganese dioxide ($MnO_2$) as a co-catalyst. $MnO_2$ particles were dispersed on GaN photoelectrode by spincoater and analyzed properties of the PEC system using potentiostat (PARSTAT4000). After coating $MnO_2$, the flat-band potential ($V_{fb}$) and the onset voltage ($V_{onset}$) were moved negatively by 0.195 V and 0.116 V, respectively. The photocurrent density increased on $MnO_2$ coated sample and time dependence was also improved. These results showed $MnO_2$ has an effect as a co-catalyst and it would enhance the efficiency of overall PEC system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09b
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• pp.926-927
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• 2006

[ $Sr_2Ta_2O_7$ ], a layered perovskite compound, has been reported to possess most excellent photocatalytic properties among the layered perovskite materials. Recently, we have demonstrated that $Ba_5Ta_4O_{15}$ that was prepared under a mol ratio of Ba: Ta=1:1 has high photocatalytic performance as well as $Sr_2Ta_2O_7$. In this study, the photocatalyst samples with a mol ratio of Sr: Ba: Ta = (1-x): x: 1 were prepared. The maximum photocatalytic performance was obtained for x= 0.2, which is three times as high as that of undoped $Sr_2Ta_2O_7$.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.2271-2275
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• 2013

We report on the photoelectrochemical properties of partially reduced mesoporous titania thin films. The fabrication is achieved by synthesizing mesoporous titania thin films through the self-assembly of a titania precursor and a block copolymer, followed by aging and calcination, and heat-treatment under a $H_2$ (1 torr) environment. Depending on the temperature used for the reaction with $H_2$, the degree of the reduction (generation of oxygen vacancies) of the titania is controlled. The oxygen vacancies induce visible light absorption, and decrease of resistance while the mesoporosity is practically unaltered. The photoelectrochemical activity data on these films, by measuring their photocurrent-potential behavior in 1 M NaOH electrolyte under AM 1.5G 100 mW $cm^{-2}$ illumination, show that the three effects of the oxygen vacancies contribute to the enhancement of the photoelectrochemical properties of the mesoporous titania thin films. The results show that these oxygen deficient $TiO_2$ mesoporous thin films hold great promise for a solar hydrogen generation. Suggestions for the materials design for improved photoelectrochemical properties are made.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2021

We report the growth and enhanced photoelectrochemcial (PEC) water-splitting reactivity of few-layer MoS2 nanosheets on TiO2 nanowires. TiO2 nanowires with lengths of ~1.5 ~ 2.0 ㎛ and widths of ~50~300 nm are synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates at 180 ℃ using hydrothermal methods with Ti(C4H9O)4. Few-layer MoS2 nanosheets with heights of ~250 ~ 300 nm are vertically grown on TiO2 nanowires at a moderate growth temperature of 300 ℃ using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The MoS2 nanosheets on TiO2 nanowires exhibit typical Raman and ultraviolet-visible light absorption spectra corresponding to few-layer thick MoS2. The PEC performance of the MoS2 nanosheet/TiO2 nanowire heterostructure is superior to that of bare TiO2 nanowires. MoS2/TiO2 heterostructure shows three times higher photocurrent than that of bare TiO2 nanowires at 0.6 V. The enhanced PEC photocurrent is attributed to improved light absorption of MoS2 nanosheets and efficient charge separation through the heterojunction. The photoelectrode of the MoS2/TiO2 heterostructure is stably sustained during on-off switching PEC cycle.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.15 no.2 s.46
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• pp.107-117
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• 2006

The status of water splitting thermochemical cycle for hydrogen production was reviewed in this article. Mass production of hydrogen could be possible using the thermochemical process which is similar to the concept of conventional chemical reaction system if the high temperature heat source is available. The mediators (chemicals and reagents) should be used to split chemically stable water, and should be recycled in a closed cycle in order to be environmentally acceptable. Though there is no process to reach commercial stage, IS cycle, two-step cycles based on metallic oxide such as ZnO/Zn, $Fe_3O_4/FeO$ and the associated cycles are attracted due to their possibilities of application. Development of materials for high temperature and/or corrosive conditions during thermochemical process is still important topic in some thermochemical processes.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.113-121
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• 2019

In this study, self - healing microcapsules which can be mixed directly with cement composites were prepared, and the quality and crack healing performance of cement composites with self - healing microcapsules were evaluated. In the past, it has been focused on evaluating self-healing capsules and crack healing properties. Therefore, self - healing microcapsules have been studied for their effect on the quality of cement composites when mixed with cement composites. The table flow and the air flow rate of the cement composite material mixed with self-healing microcapsules were found to have no significant influence on table flow and air volume regardless of mixing ratio. Compressive strength and splitting tensile strength tended to decrease with increasing capsule mixing ratio. As a result of evaluation of crack healing properties according to water flow, initial water permeability decreased, and reaction products were generated over time and cracks were healed.