• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1889-1899
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• 2010

This study examines the preparation and characterization of Kenaf/Starch bio-composites used as filler and a matrix. Kenaf was cultivated in Chung-ju in Korea, and the Kenaf/Starch bio-composites were prepared under various conditions of kenaf fiber length (1-5 centimeters); the content of Kenaf fiber was 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%, and the number of composite layers (one-four). Depending on the formation conditions of Kenaf/Starch composites, the physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, and the young modulus of the Kenaf/Starch composites were measured. In addition, we measured the SEM cross-section images in order to investigate the interfacial adhesion properties of fractured surfaces. As a result, the tensile strength and elongation of the Kenaf/Starch composites were highest in the molding conditions of a hot press at $120^{\circ}C$, 3000PSI of pressure, and for 30 minute periods. The result of measuring the physical properties of the composites manufactured by varying the content of Kenaf fiber when the content of Kenaf fiber was 30% as well the physical properties of the Kenaf/Starch composite was found desirable. It was found that the physical properties improved with more overlapped layers in the composites manufactured by varying the number of overlapped layers. Through the measuring of the SEM cross-section images, we found that the interfacial adhesion state between the filler and matrix of Kenaf/Starch composite greatly affects the physical properties.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.299-314
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• 2007

In the present study, natural fibers (jute, kenaf and henequen) reinforced thermoplastic (poly(lactic acid) and polypropylene) and thermosetting (unsaturated polyester) matrix composites were well fabricated by a compression molding technique using all chopped natural fibers of about 10 mm long, respectively. Prior to green composite fabrication, natural fiber bundles were surface-treated with tap water by static soaking and dynamic ultrasonication methods, respectively. The interfacial shear strength, flexural properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of each green composite system were investigated by means of single fiber microbonding test, 3-point flexural test, and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The result indicated that the properties of the polymeric resins were significantly improved by incorporating the natural fibers into the resin matrix and also the properties of untreated green composites were further improved by the water treatment done to the natural fibers used. Also, the property improvement of natural fiber-reinforced green composites strongly depended on the treatment method. The interfacial and mechanical results agreed with each other.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.224-232
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• 2002

CdS-$TiO_2$ nano-composite sol was prepared by the sol-gel method in organic solvents at room temperature and further hydrothermal treatment at various temperatures to control the physical properties of the primary particles. Again, CdS-$TiO_2$ composite particulate films were made by casting CdS-$TiO_2$ sols onto $F:SnO_2$ conducting glass and then heat-treatment at $400^{\circ}C$. Physical properties of these 61ms were further controlled by the surface treatment with $TiCl_4$, aqueous solution. The photo currents and hydrogen production rates measured under the experimental conditions varied according to the $CdS/[CdS+TiO_2]$ mole ratio and the mixed-sol preparation method. For $CdS-TiO_2$ composite sols prepared in IPA, CdS particles were homogeneously surrounded by $TiO_2$ particles. Also, the surface treatment with $TiCl_4$ aqueous solution caused a considerable improvement in the photocatalytic activity, probably as a result of close contacts between the primary particles by the etching effect of $TiCl_4$. It was found that the photoelectrochemical performance of these particulate films could be effectively enhanced by this approach.

• Composites Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.196-200
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• 2014

A novel, simple and totally recyclable method has been developed for the synthesis of nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable bio-composite films from soy protein and silk protein. Bio films are defined as flexible films prepared from biological materials such as protein. These materials have potential application in medical and food as a packaging material. Their use depends on various parameters such as mechanical (strength and modulus), thermal, among others. In this study, prepare and characterization of bio films made from Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) (matrix) and Silk Fiber (SF) (reinforcement) through solution casting method by the addition of plasticizer and crosslinking agent. The obtained SPI and SPI/SF composites were subsequently subjected to evaluate their mechanical and thermal properties by using Universal Testing Machine and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer respectively. The tensile testing showed significant improvements in strength with increasing amount of SF content and the % elongation at break of the composites of the SPI/SF was lower than that of the matrix. Though the interfacial bonding was moderate, the improvement in tensile strength and modulus was attributed to the higher tensile properties of the silk fiber.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2009

This study examined the thermal stability of PLA-WF bio-composites. Wood flour (WF)-filled PLA bio-composites were reinforced with the flame retardants, Melamine pyrophosphate (MPP), resorcinol bis (diphenyl phosphate) (RDP) and zinc borate (ZB). The flame retardant was compounded with PLA and natural biodegradable filler. The thermal properties of the biodegradable polymer and bio-composites reinforced with the flame retardant were measured and analyzed by DSC, DMA and TGA. The results showed that the flame retardant-reinforced biodegradable bio-composite exhibited improved thermal properties.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.852-863
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• 2016

Wood-plastic composite (WPC) is a promising and sustainable material, and refers to a combination of wood and plastic along with some binding (adhesive) materials. In comparison to pure wood material, WPCs are in general have advantages of being cost effective, high durability, moisture resistance, and microbial resistance. The properties of WPCs come directly from the concentration of different components in composite; such as wood flour concentration directly affect mechanical and physical properties of WPCs. In this study, wood powder concentration in WPC was determined by Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The reflectance spectra from WPC in both powdered and tableted form with five different concentrations of wood powder were collected and preprocessed to remove noise caused by several factors. To correlate the collected spectra with wood powder concentration, multivariate calibration method of partial least squares (PLS) was applied. During validation with an independent set of samples, good correlations with reference values were demonstrated for both FT-NIR and FT-IR data sets. In addition, high coefficient of determination (${R^2}_p$) and lower standard error of prediction (SEP) was yielded for tableted WPC than powdered WPC. The combination of FT-NIR and FT-IR spectral region was also studied. The results presented here showed that the use of both zones improved the determination accuracy for powdered WPC; however, no improvement in prediction result was achieved for tableted WPCs. The results obtained suggest that these spectroscopic techniques are a useful tool for fast and nondestructive determination of wood concentration in WPCs and have potential to replace conventional methods.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.264-269
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• 2023

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are a ubiquitous byproduct of coffee consumption, representing a significant waste management challenge, as well as an untapped resource for economic development and sustainability. Improper disposal of SCG can result in environmental problems such as methane emissions and leachate production. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical properties of SCG and their potential as a reinforcement material in polypropylene (PP) to fabricate an eco-friendly composite via extrusion and injection molding, with SCG filler ratios ranging from 5-20%. To evaluate the effect of SCG on the morphological and mechanical properties of the bio- composite, thermogravimetric analysis, SEM, tensile, flexural, and impact tests were conducted. The results demonstrated that the addition of SCG lead to a slight increase in brittleness of the composite but did not significantly affect its mechanical properties. Impressively, the presence of a significant organic component in SCG contributed to the enhanced thermal performance of PP/SCG composites. This improvement was evident in terms of increased thermal stability, delayed onset of degradation, and higher maximum degradation temperature as compared to pure PP. These findings suggest that SCG has potential as a filler material for PP composites, with the ability to enhance the material's properties without compromising overall performance.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.112-120
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• 2023

Herein, we propose a facile water-processible method to develop an eggshell membrane (ESM)-embedded waterborne polyurethane (WPU)-based bio-degradable and bio-compatible coating material that exhibits attractive tactile properties. Virgin ESM is not dispersible in water. Hence, to develop the ESM-based WPU composite, soluble ESM (S-ESM) was first extracted by de-crosslinking the ESM. The extracted S-ESM at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 wt %) was mixed with WPU. Compared to virgin WPU, the viscosity of S-ESM/WPU dispersion and the in-plane coefficient of friction (COF) of the composite film surfaces decreased with an increase in the S-ESM content. In addition, an increase in the S-ESM content improved the tribo-positive characteristics of the film. Different good touch-feeling biomaterials, such as fur, feather, and human skin exhibit tribo-positivity. Thus, the enhanced tribo-positive characteristics of the S-ESM/WPU and the decrease in their COF owing to an increase in the S-ESM content imply the enhancement of its touch-feeling performance. The S-ESM embedded WPU composites have potential applications as coating materials in various fields, including automobile interiors and artificial leather.

• Ceramist
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.216-232
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• 2018

The average life span is over 80 years of age, and various biomaterials have being studied. Many research institutes and companies around the world have been commercializing bioactive glass through R&D, however, there is not much research in Korea. Most bioactive glass is applied to bone regeneration in powder form due to its excellent bio-compatibility. Recently, new applications such as scaffolds for tissue engineering and nerve regeneration have been found in composite form. The global market size is not as large as US $ 556 million in 2019, but the growth rate is very high at a CAGR of 14.35 %. This field is waiting for the challenge of new researchers.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.E2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2008

This work investigated the methodology to simultaneously optimize the ozone and relative humidity composition for the $NO_x$ degradation using soil biofilter. Experiments were made as a function of inlet ozone concentration ($0{\sim}1,770\;ppb$) and relative humidity ($38{\sim}81%$). Factorial design ($2^2+3$) and response surface methodology by central composite designs were used to examine the role of two factors and optimal response condition on $NO_x$ degradation. It was found that a second-order response surface model can properly interpret the experimental data with an $R^2$-value of 0.9730 and F-value of 71.83, based on which the maximum $NO_x$ degradation was predicted up to 92.8% within our experimental conditions.