• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.429-446
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• 2009

Three-scale homogenization procedure is proposed in this paper to provide estimates of the effective thermal conductivities of porous carbon-carbon textile composites. On each scale - the level of fiber tow (micro-scale), the level of yarns (meso-scale) and the level of laminate (macro-scale) - a two step homogenization procedure based on the Mori-Tanaka averaging scheme is adopted. This involves evaluation of the effective properties first in the absence of pores. In the next step, an ellipsoidal pore is introduced into a new, generally orthotropic, matrix to make provision for the presence of crimp voids and transverse and delamination cracks resulting from the thermal transformation of a polymeric precursor into the carbon matrix. Other sources of imperfections also attributed to the manufacturing processes, including non-uniform texture of the reinforcements, are taken into consideration through the histograms of inclination angles measured along the fiber tow path together with a particular shape of the equivalent ellipsoidal inclusion proposed already in Sko ek (1998). The analysis shows that a reasonable agreement of the numerical predictions with experimental measurements can be achieved.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.27-34
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• 2023

In this study, various plant-based biomass are recycled into carbon materials to employ as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Firstly, various biomass of rice husk, chestnut, tea bag, and coffee ground are collected, washed, and ground. The carbonization process is followed under a nitrogen atmosphere at 850℃. The morphological and chemical properties of materials are investigated using FE-SEM, EDS, and FT-IR to compare the characteristic differences between various biomass. It is noticeable that biomass-derived carbon materials vary in shape and degree of carbonization depending on their precursor materials. These materials are applied as anode materials to measure the electrochemical performance. The specific capacities of rice husk-, chetnut-, tea bag-, and coffee ground-derived carbon materials are evaluated as 65.8, 80.2, 90.6, and 104.7 mAh g^-1 at 0.2C. Notably, coffee ground-based carbon exhibited the highest specific capacity owing to the difference in elemental composition and the degree of carbonization. Conclusively, this study suggests the possibility of utilizing as energy storage devices by employing various plant-based biomass into active materials for anodes.

• Carbon letters
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• v.25
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• pp.14-24
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• 2018

Electrochemical properties and performance of composites performed by incorporating metal oxide or metal hydroxide on carbon materials based on graphene and carbon nanotube (CNT) were analyzed. From the surface analysis by field emission scanning electron microscopy and field emission transmission electron microscopy, it was confirmed that graphene, CNT and metal materials are well dispersed in the ternary composites. In addition, structural and elemental analyses of the composite were conducted. The electrochemical characteristics of the ternary composites were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 6 M KOH, or $1M\;Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte solution. The highest specific capacitance was $1622F\;g^{-1}$ obtained for NiCo-containing graphene with NiCo ratio of 2 to 1 (GNiCo 2:1) and the GNS/single-walled carbon $nanotubes/Ni(OH)_2$ (20 wt%) composite had the maximum specific capacitance of $1149F\;g^{-1}$. The specific capacitance and rate-capability of the $CNT/MnO_2/reduced$ graphene oxide (RGO) composites were improved as compared to the $MnO_2/RGO$ composites without CNTs. The $MnO_2/RGO$ composite containing 20 wt% CNT with reference to RGO exhibited the best specific capacitance of $208.9F\;g^{-1}$ at a current density of $0.5A\;g^{-1}$ and 77.2% capacitance retention at a current density of $10A\;g^{-1}$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.215-216
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• 2007

Semiconducting layers are thin rubber film between electrical cable wire and insulating polymer layers having a volume resistivity of ${\sim}10^2{\Omega}cm$. A new semiconducting material was suggested in this study based on the carbon nanotube(CNT)-reinforced polymer nanocomposites. CNT-reinforced polymer nanocomposites were prepared by solution mixing with various polymer type and dual filler system. The mechanical, thermal and electrical properties were investigated as a function of polymer type and dual filler system based on CNT and carbon black. The volume resistivity of composites was strongly related with the crystallinity of polymer matrix. With decreased crystallinity, the volume resistivity decreased linearly until a critical point, and it remained constant with further decreasing the crystallinity. Dual filler system also affected the volume resistivity. The CNT-reinforced nanocomposite showed the lowest volume resistivity. When a small amount of carbon black(CB) was replaced the CNT, the crystallinity increased considerably leading to a higher volume resistivity.

• Carbon letters
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.336-342
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• 2010

Different oxidation treatments on CNTs using diluted 4.0 M $H_2SO_4$ solution at room temperature and or at $90^{\circ}C$ reflux conditions were investigated to elucidate the physical and chemical changes occurring on the treated CNTs, which might have significant effects on their performance as catalyst supports in PEM fuel cells. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope analyses were made for the acid treated CNTs to determine the particle size and distribution of the CNT-supported Pt-Ru nanoparticles. These CNT-supported Pt-based nanoparticles were then employed as anode catalysts in PEMFC to investigate their catalytic activity and single-cell performance towards $H_2$ oxidation. Based on PEMFC performance results, refluxed Pt-Ru/CNT catalysts prepared using CNTs treated at $90^{\circ}C$ for 0.5 h as anode have shown better catalytic activity and PEMFC polarization performance than those of the commercially available Pt-Ru/C catalyst from ETEK and other Pt-Ru/CNT catalysts developed using raw CNT, thus demonstrating the importance of acid treatment in improving and optimizing the surface properties of catalyst support.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.203-213
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• 2023

Owing to carbon materials' diverse functionalization and versatility, the design and synthesis of carbon-based three-dimensional porous structures have become important foundational research topics across various fields. Among the various methods for producing porous carbon structures, laser-induced graphene (LIG) has garnered attention because of its large surface area, controllable structure, excellent electrical conductivity, scalability, and eco-friendly synthesis process. In addition, recent research results have reported more novel functionalities by advancing further from the unique characteristics of LIG through functionalization or compounding of LIG, making it an attractive material for various applications in electronic devices, sensing, catalysis, and energy storage. This review aims to update the research trends in LIG and its functionalization, providing insights to inspire more interesting studies on functional LIG to expand its potential applications ultimately. Starting with the synthesis method and material characteristics of LIG, we introduce the functionalization of LIG, which is classified into surface modification, heteroatom doping, and hybridization based on the interaction mechanism. Finally, we summarize and discuss the prospects of LIG and its functionalization.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.52
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• pp.14.1-14.10
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• 2022

An electron probe X-ray microanalyzer (EPMA) is an essential tool for studying chemical composition distribution in the microstructure. Quantifying chemical composition using standard specimens is commonly used to determine the composition of individual phases. However, the local difference in chemical composition in the standard specimens brings the deviation of the quantified composition from the actual one. This study introduces how to overcome the error of quantification in EPMA in the practical aspect. The obtained results are applied to evaluate the chemical com position of retained austenite in multi-phase steel. Film-type austenite shows higher carbon content than blocky-type one. The measured carbon contents of the retained austenite show good coherency with the calculated value from the X-ray diffraction.

• Carbon letters
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• v.28
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• pp.116-120
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• 2018

Nitrogen-doped carbons have attracted much attention due to their novel application in relation to gas storage. In this study, nitrogen-doped porous carbons were synthesized using SBA-15 as a template, polypyrrole as the carbon and nitrogen precursor, and KOH as an activating agent. The effect of the activation temperature ($600-850^{\circ}C$) on the $CO_2$ adsorption capacity of the obtained porous carbons was studied. Characterization of the resulting carbons showed that they were micro-/meso-porous carbon materials with a well-developed pore structure that varied with the activation temperature. The highest surface area of $1488m^2g^{-1}$ was achieved at an activation temperature of $800^{\circ}C$ (AC-800). The nitrogen content of the activated carbon decreased from 4.74 to 1.39 wt% with an increase in the activation temperature from 600 to $850^{\circ}C$. This shows that nitrogen is oxidized and more easily removed than carbon during the activation process, which indicates that C-N bonds are more easily ruptured at higher temperatures. Furthermore, $CO_2$ adsorption isotherms showed that AC-800 exhibited the best $CO_2$ adsorption capacity of $110mg\;g^{-1}$ at 298 K and 1 bar.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.217-221
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• 2009

The use of the carbon nanotube (CNT) is superior to the general powder state materials in their thermal and chemical properties. Because its ratio of diameter to length (aspect ratio) is very large, it is known to be a type of ideal nano-reinforcement material. Based on this advantage, the existing carbon black of the semiconductive shield materials used in power cables can acquire excellent properties by the use of a small amount of CNTs. Therefore, we fabricated specimens using a solution mixing method. We investigated the thermal properties of the CNT, such as its storage modulus, loss modulus, and its tan delta using a dynamic mechanical analysis 2980. We found that a high thermal resistance level is demonstrated by using a small amount of CNTs. We also investigated the chemical properties of the CNT, such as the oxidation reaction by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) made by Travel IR. In the case of the FT-IR tests, we searched for some degree of oxidation by detecting the carboxyl group (C=O). The results confirm a tendency for a high cross-linking density in a new network in which the CNTs situated between the carbon black constituent molecules show a bond using similar constructive properties.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.531-539
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• 2019

The development of cost-effective electrocatalysts with high durability is one of the most important challenges for the commercialization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The durability of the electrocatalyst has been studied in terms of structural change in the active metal and the support. In particular, in fuel cell vehicles, degradation of the carbon-based support is known to have a significant effect on the electrocatalyst deterioration since the start-up/shut-down cycle is frequently repeated. The requirements for the support of the electrocatalyst include high surface area, electrical conductivity, chemical stability, and so on. In this study, we propose the evaluation methods for choosing better support materials and present the physicochemical properties that promising carbon supports should have. Three kinds of carbon materials with different crystallinity are compared. From in-depth study using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and accelerated stress test, it is clearly confirmed that the durability of carbon-supported electrocatalysts is closely related to the physicochemical properties of the carbon supports.