• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.290-290
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• 2006

The toughening mechanisms of polypropylene (PP) containing 9.2 vol % of calcium carbonate ($CaCO_{3}$) nanoparticles were investigated using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Double-notch four-point bending (DN-4PB) Charpy impact specimens were utilized to study the fracture mechanism(s) responsible for the observed toughening effect. A detailed investigation reveals that the $CaCO_{3}$ nanoparticles act as stress concentrators to initiate massive crazes, followed by shear banding in PP matrix. These toughening mechanisms are responsible for the observed improved impact strength.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.386-393
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• 2022

In this study, the surface modification of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles by a silane coupling agent, octyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS), was investigated and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis. Both floating tests and contact angle measurements were also conducted to study the effect of OTMS concentration on the hydrophobicity of CaCO₃ nanoparticles. It was found that the active ratio for the CaCO₃ nanoparticles modified by 1 wt% of OTMS was 97.0 ± 0.5%, indicating that OTMS is a very effective silane coupling agent in enhancing the hydrophobicity of the CaCO₃ nanoparticle surface. The most stable foam was generated with 1 wt% of CaCO₃ nanoparticles in aqueous solutions at 1 wt% of OTMS, where the contact angle of water was found to be 91.8 ± 0.7°. It was also found that the most stable emulsion drops were formed at the same OTMS concentration. These results suggest that CaCO₃ nanoparticles modified by a silane coupling agent OTMS are a powerful candidate for a foam stabilizer or an emulsifier in many industrial applications.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.714-719
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• 2017

The controlled synthesis of inorganic materials with a specific size and morphology is an important factor in the development of new materials in many fields, such as nanoparticles, medicine, electronics, semiconductors, pharmaceutical sand cosmetics. Solution crystallization is one of the most widely used separation processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Calcium carbonate has attracted a great deal of attention in industry because of its numerous applications. The mean crystal size, crystal size distribution and morphology are important factors in the continuous crystallization process. In this study, the continuous crystallization of calcium carbonate by the calcium chloride process was investigated. The mean crystal size and crystal size distribution data were obtained by a particle size analyzer. The morphological imaging of the crystalswasper formed by SEM. Under steady state operation, the mean crystal size change was small, but increasing the input concentration and mixing rate increased the crystal size. In this operation, some aragonite was found, but the main crystal phase was calcite.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2023

This study investigated the effects of nanoparticles on the fracture toughness of cement mortar. Three-point bending tests, compressive tests, and slump tests were conducted on cement mortars reinforced with carbon nanotubes(CNTs), nanosilica(NS), and nano calcium carbonate(NC), respectively. Cement mortar with a water-to-cement ratio and a sand-to-cement ratio of 0.45 and 1.5, respectively, and reinforced with 0 and 2 vol.% of 19.5 mm steel fibers, respectively, was used. Reinforcement with nanoparticles partially improved the fracture toughness and compressive strength of the cement mortar. However, in the case of cement mortar reinforced with steel fibers, the reinforcement with nanoparticles was found to reduce the flowability of the mortar, adversely affecting the dispersion of steel fibers, and ultimately leading to a decrease in fracture toughness, contrary to the intended enhancement. Additional research is needed to improve the decrease in mortar fluidity caused by the reinforcement with nanoparticles.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2016

In an attempt to reach a balance of performances in homo-polypropylene based system, the effects of single and hybrid reinforcements inclusions comprising calcium carbonate nanoparticles (2, 4 and 6 phc) and glass fibers (10 wt.%) on the mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. Different samples were prepared by employing twin-screw extruder and injection molding machine. In morphological studies, the uniform distribution of glass fibers in PP matrix, relative adhesion between glass fibers and polymer, and existence of nanoparticles in polymer matrix were observed. $PP/CaCO_3$ (6 phc) as compared to pure PP and PP/GF had superior tensile and flexural strengths, impact resistance and deformation temperature under load (DTUL). $PP/GF/CaCO_3$ (6 phc) composite displayed comparable tensile and flexural strengths and impact resistance to neat PP, while its tensile and flexural moduli and deformation temperature under load (DTUL) were 436%, 99% and $26^{\circ}C$greater respectively. The maximum impact resistance was observed in $PP/CaCO_3$(6 phc). The highest DTUL was perceived in PP hybrid nanocomposite containing 10 wt.% glass fiber and 4 phc $CaCO_3$ nanoparticle.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2007

The most recent developments in two areas: (a) synthesis of inorganic particles with control over size and shape by polymer additives, and (b) synthesis of inorganic-polymer hybrid materials by bulk polymerization of blends of monomers with nanosized crystals are reviewed. The precipitations of inorganics, such as zinc oxide or calcium carbonate, in presence and under the control of bishydrophilic block or comb copolymers, are relevant to the field of Biomineralization. The application of surface modified latex particles, used as controlling agents, and the formation of hybrid crystals in which the latex is embedded in otherwise perfect crystals, are discussed. The formation of nano sized spheres of amorphous calcium carbonate, stabilized by surfactant-like polymers, is also discussed. Another method for the preparation of nanosized inorganic functional particles is the controlled pyrolysis of metal salt complexes of poly(acrylic acid), as demonstrated by the syntheses of lithium cobalt oxide and zinc/magnesium oxide. Bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate blends, with for example, nanosized zinc oxide, revealed that the mechanisms of tree radical polymerization respond to the presence of these particles. The termination by radical-radical interaction and the gel effect are suppressed in favor of degenerative transfer, resulting in a polymer with enhanced thermal stability. The optical properties of the resulting polymer-particle blends are addressed based on the basic discussion of the miscibility of polymers and nanosized particles.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.71-73
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• 2008

The development of polymer/inorganic nanocomposites has attracted a great deal of interest due to the improved hybrid properties derived from the two different components. Various nanoscale fillers have been used to enhance polymer mechanical and thermal properties, such as toughness, stiffness, and heat resistance. The effects of the filler on the final properties of the nanocomposites are highly dependent on the filler shape, particle size, aggregate size, surface characteristics, polymer/inorganic interactions, and degree of dispersion. In this paper, we describe the influence of different $CaCO_3$ dispersion methods on the thermal properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/$CaCO_3$ composites: i.e., the adsorption of $CaCO_3$ on the modified PET surface, and the hydrophobic modification of the hydrophilic $CaCO_3$ surface. We prepared PET/$CaCO_3$ nanocomposites using a twin-screw extruder, and investigated their thermal properties and morphology.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2014.05a
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• pp.248-249
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• 2014

Photocatalytic cement is receiving attention due to its high oxidation power that oxidizes nitrogen oxides (NOx), thus contributing to clean atmospheric environment. However, there has not been a thorough investigation on durability of a parent material, cementitious material, as a result of photocatalytic reactions. In this study, durability of photocatalytic cementitious materials exposed to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) gas was examined. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles containing cement paste samples were exposed to cycles of NO₂ with UV light, followed by wetting and drying to simulate environmental condition. The surface of samples was characterized mechanically, chemically, and visually during the cycling. The results indicate that the photocatalytic efficiency decreased with continued NO₂ oxidation due to calcium carbonate formation. The pits found from SEM demonstrate that chemical deterioration have occurred, such as acid attack or leaching. In conclusion, the photocatalytic reactions and its product could alter cementitious materials chemically and mechanically which could further affect long-term durability.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-33
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• 2009

Recently, elastomer-nanocomposites reinforced with low volume fraction of nanofillers have attracted great interest due to their fascinating properties. The incorporation of nanofillers, such as, layered silicate clays, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, calcium carbonate, metal oxides or silica nanoparticles into elastomers improves significantly their mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical, barrier properties, flame retardancy, etc. The properties of nanocomposites depend greatly on the chemistry of polymer matrices, nature of nanofillers, and the method in which they are prepared. The uniform dispersion of nanofillers in elastomer matrices is a general prerequisite for achieving desired mechanical and physical characteristics. In this paper, current developments in the field of elastomer nanocomposites reinforced with layered silicates, silica, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers and various other nanoparticles have been addressed.