• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
• /
• v.67
• /
• pp.358-364
• /
• 2018

An isotropic pitch precursor for fabricating carbon fibres was prepared by co-carbonization of ethylene bottom oil(EBO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Various pre-treatments of EBO and PVC, and a high heating rate of $3^{\circ}C/min$ with no holding time, were evaluated for their effects on the oxidative stabilization process and the mechanical stability of the resulting fibres. Our stabilization process enhanced the volatilization, oxidative reaction and decomposition properties of the precursor pitch, while the addition of PVC both decreased the onset time and accelerated the oxidative reaction. Aliphatic carbon groups played a critical role in stabilization. Microstructural characterization indicated that these were first oxidised to carbon-oxygen single bonds and then converted to carbon-oxygen double bonds. Due to the higher heating rate and lack of a holding step during processing,the resulting thermoplastic fibers did not completely convert to thermoset materials, allowing partially melted, adjacent fibres to fuse. Fiber surfaces were smooth and homogeneous. Of the various methods evaluated herein, carbon fibers derived from pressure-treated EBO and PVC exhibited the highest tensile strength. This work shows that enhancing the naphthenic component of a pitch precursor through the co-carbonization of pre-treated EBO with PVC improves the oxidative properties of the resulting carbon fibers.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.28-33
• /
• 2009

Carbon nanotube supported molybdenum carbide catalysts were prepared as a function of various preparation conditions and characterized, and their catalytic activities were compared through electrochemical oxidation of methanol. To overcome the low activity of a transition metal catalyst, carbon nanotube was used as a support, and the amount and the kind of precursors, acid treatment method, and carburization temperature were varied for the catalyst preparation. ICP-AES, XRD and TEM were used for the catalyst characterization. Based on the various preparation methods of carbon nanotube supported molybdenum carbide catalysts ($Mo_2C/CNT$), the size and the amount of supported catalysts could be controlled, and their effects on the electrochemical oxidation could be explained.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.31 no.9
• /
• pp.525-531
• /
• 2021

Carbon-encapsulated Ni catalysts are synthesized by an electrical explosion of wires (EEW) method and applied for CO₂ methanation. We find that the presence of carbon shell on Ni nanoparticles as catalyst can positively affect CO₂ methanation reaction. Ni@5C that is produced under 5 % CH₄ partial pressure in Ar gas has highest conversions of 68 % at 350 ℃ and 70 % at 400 ℃, which are 73 and 75 % of the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion, respectively. The catalyst of Ni@10C with thicker carbon layer shows much reduced activity. The EEW-produced Ni catalysts with low specific surface area outperform Ni catalysts with high surface area synthesized by solution-based precipitation methods. Our finding in this study shows the possibility of utilizing carbon-encapsulated metal catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis reaction including CO₂ methanation. Furthermore, EEW, which is a highly promising method for massive production of metal nanoparticles, can be applied for various catalysis system, requiring scaled-up synthesis of catalysts.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.329-335
• /
• 2020

In this study, the thermo-rheological behaivors of petroleum pitches with different softening points were studied, and a B-stage phenolic resins/petroleum pitches blends were prepared by adding petroleum pitches to the phenolic resins. As a result, the petroleum pitch with different softening points decreased the fluidity of the petroleum pitch as the Quinoline insoluble (QI) content increased and showed the viscous properties of the solid. In addition, the effect of adding petroleum pitches having different softening points on the thermo-rheological properties of phenolic resins was investigated. When petroleum pitch with a high softening point was added, the fluidity of the phenolic resin was reduced, and the hardening behavior was fast. It was possible to control the curing rate and curing behavior of the phenolic resin by adding petroleum pitches of different softening points. Among them, the phenolic resin mixture to which P-Pitch 2 was added has a higher fluidity than other blends under the same curing temperature condition.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.535-538
• /
• 2017

Here we report the tunable electrical properties and chemical sensor of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) network-based devices with a functionalization technique. Formation of highly aligned SWCNT structures is made on $SiO_2/Si$ substrates using a template-based fluidic assembly process. We present a Platinum (Pt)-nanocluster decoration technique that reduces the resistivity of SWCNT network-based devices. This indicates the conversion of the semiconducting SWCNTs into metallic ones. In addition, we present the Hydrogen Sulfide ($H_2S$) gas detection by a redox reaction based on SWCNT networks functionalized with 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) as a catalyst. We summarize current changes of devices resulting from the redox reactions in the presence of $H_2S$. The semiconducting (s)-SWCNT device functionalized with TEMPO shows high gas response of 420% at 60% humidity level compared to 140% gas response without TEMPO functionalization, which is about 3 times higher than bare s-SWCNT sensor at the same RH. These results reflect promising perspectives for real-time monitoring of $H_2S$ gases with high gas response and low power consumption.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.1028-1041
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the potential of school meals in South Korea as a sustainable tool to reduce carbon emissions by focusing on animal- vs. plant-based protein foods. MATERIALS/METHODS: By using a stratified proportional allocation method, 536 out of the 11,082 schools nationwide were selected including 21 kindergartens, 287 elementary-, 120 middle- and 108 high schools. A total of 2,680 meals served for 5 consecutive days (June 21-25, 2021) were collected. We analyzed the average serving amounts of protein foods (animal- vs. plant-based) per meal and then, calculated the estimated average amounts of carbon emission equivalents per meal by applying the conversion coefficients. The t-test and analysis of variance were used for statistical analyses (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The average serving amount of animal-based protein foods per meal was 12.5 g, which was approximately 3 times higher than that of plant-based ones (3.8 g) (P < 0.001); the Meat-group had the highest average amount of 17.0 g, followed by Egg-group (9.6 g), Fish-group (7.6 g), and Beans-and-Nuts-group (3.8 g) (P < 0.05). Specifically, pork (25.1 g) was ranked first, followed by poultry (19.6 g), processed meat products (18.0 g). The estimated average amount of carbon emission equivalents of animal-based protein foods per meal was 80.1 g CO₂e, which was approximately 31 times higher than that of plant-based ones (2.6 g CO₂e) (P < 0.001); the Meat-group had the highest average amount of 120.3 g CO₂e, followed by Fish-group (44.5 g CO₂e), Egg-group (25.9 g CO₂e), and Beans-and-Nuts-group (2.6 g CO₂e) (P < 0.05). Specifically, processed meat products (270.8 g CO₂e) were ranked first, followed by pork (91.7 g CO₂e), and processed fish products (86.6 g CO₂e). CONCLUSIONS: The results implied that school meals with plant-based alternatives could be a sustainable tool to improve carbon footprint.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.60-65
• /
• 2011

In order to maximize the performance of polymer nano-composites, it is essential to understand an effect of a dispersion state on material properties as well as to achieve highly dispersed composites. In this work, a simple quantitative approach to evaluate the degree of dispersion was suggested for carbon nanotube (CNT) embedded polymer nano-composites. Through UV-visible spectroscopy analysis, the transmittance of nano-composites was measured at various dispersion states and it was found that the transmittance reduced as the dispersion state of CNT improved. Based on the results, an effective concentration factor for quantitative evaluation of dispersion state was introduced into the Beer-Lambert transmittance law. The proposed method and parameter to evaluate the degree of dispersion were verified by analyzing the transmittances at different dispersion states of CNT, concentrations of CNT and sample thicknesses.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.277-282
• /
• 2008

The effects of the field emission property in relation to the surface morphology and adhesion force were investigated. The single-wall-nanotube-based cathode was obtained by use of an in-situ arc discharge synthesis method, a screen-printing method and a spray method. The morphologies of the formed emitter layers were very different. The emission stability and uniformity were dramatically improved by employing an in-situ arc discharge synthesis method. In this study, it was confirmed that the current stability and uniformity of the field emission of the cathode depend on the surface morphology and adhesion force of the emitters. The current stability of the field emission device was also studied through an electrical aging process by varying the current and electric field.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.29 no.12
• /
• pp.803-808
• /
• 2016

In this work, one dimension $In_2O_3$ nanostructures as detecting materials for indoor toxic gases were synthesized by an electrospinning process. The morphology of electrospun $In_2O_3$ nanofibers was controlled by electrolyte composition, applied voltage and working distance between a nozzle and a substrate. The synthesized $In_2O_3$ nanofibers-based paste with/without carbon black additives was prepared for the integration on a sensor device. The integration of $In_2O_3$ sensing materials was conducted by a hand-printing of the paste into the interdigit Au electrodes patterned on Si wafer. Gas sensing properties on CO and HCHO gases were characterized at $300^{\circ}C$. The evaluated sensing properties such as sensitivity, response time and recovery time were improved in $In_2O_3$ nanofiber pastes with carbon black, compared to the paste without carbon black.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2020

Recently, applications of biomass-based plastics have increased according to the eco-friendly policy of the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in domestic and foreign government. In this study, a paper plastic composite was produced by compounding polypropylene and micronized paper powder that was prepared using dry pulverization technology. Subsequently, the specimen of paper plastic was verified with mechanical properties, formability and product safety test to confirm the suitable packaging materials for food packaging. Paper plastics showed slightly lower mechanical properties than currently commercialized PP composites. However, paper plastics are valuable materials as environmentally friendly carbon-reducing material because of high biocarbon content, light weight features and applicability of existing manufacturing machines or system.