• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3835-3839
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• 2013

A new synthesis route for Pt nanoparticles by direct electrochemical reduction of a solid-state Pt ion precursor ($K_2PtCl_6$) is demonstrated. Solid $K_2PtCl_6$-supported polyethyleneimine (PEI) coatings on the surface of glassy carbon electrode were prepared by simple mixing of solid $K_2PtCl_6$ into a 1.0% PEI solution. The potential cycling or a constant potential in a PBS (pH 7.4) medium were applied to reduce the solid $K_2PtCl_6$ precursor. The reduction of Pt(IV) began at around -0.2 V and the reduction potential was ca. -0.4 V. A steady state current was achieved after 10 potential cycling scans, indicating that continuous formation of Pt nanoparticles by electrochemical reduction occurred for up to 10 cycles. After applying the reduction potential of -0.6 V for 300 s, Pt nanoparticles with diameters ranging from $0.02-0.5{\mu}m$ were observed, with an even distribution over the entire glassy carbon electrode surface. Characteristics of the Pt nanoparticles, including their performance in electrochemical reduction of $H_2O_2$ are examined. A distinct reduction peak observed at about -0.20 V was due to the electrocatalytic reduction of $H_2O_2$ by Pt nanoparticles. From the calibration plot, the linear range for $H_2O_2$ detection was 0.1-2.0 mM and the detection limit for $H_2O_2$ was found to be 0.05 mM.

• Composites Research
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.52-57
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• 2004

In this study, mechanical tensile properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymeric (CFRP) composite cycled with thermo-mechanical loading under cryogenic temperature (CT) were measured using cryogenic environmental chamber. Thermo-mechanical tensile cyclic loading (up to 10 times) was applied to graphite/epoxy unidirectional laminate composites far room temperature (RT) to $-50^{\circ}C$, RT to $-100^{\circ}C$ and RT to $-150^{\circ}C$. Results showed that tensile stiffness obviously increased as temperature decreased while the thermo-mechanical cycling has little influence on it. Tensile strength, however, decreased as temperature down to CT while the reduction of strength showed little after CT-cycling. For the analysis of the test results, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of laminate composite specimen at both RT and CT were measured and the interface between fiber and matrix was observed using SEM images.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 1984

Aflatoxins are toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites which are produced by trains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus during their growth on foods and feedstuffs. Aflatoxins are a group of closely related heterocyclic compounds of which $B_1$, $B_2$, and $G_2$ are the major members. Aflatoxins are synthesized via a polyketide pathway in which the general steps are acetate, an-thraquinones, xanthone and aflatoxins. Aflatoxin formation is favored by high moisture or high $a_w$(0.95${\sim}$0.99). The limiting $a_w$ for aflatoxin production on agricultural commodities is 0.83. Optimum temperature for aflatoxin production by the molds is $25{\sim}30^{\circ}C$ and the incubation time for the maximum production of the toxin is 7${\sim}$15 days. The limiting temperatures for aflatoxin production are ${\leq}7.5^{\circ}C\;and\;\geq40^{\circ}C$. Cycling temperatures may or may not stimulate aflatoxin production depending on the amplitude of cycling, substrate and strains of molds. Aflatoxin pro-ducing molds are aerobic organisms and thus have a requirement for oxygen. A decreasing $O_2$ concentration and/or increasing concentrations of $CO_2$ or $N_2$ depress the mold growth and aflatoxin formation. A. flavus grows competitively or associatively in the presence of other microorganisms and occasionally loses the competition with other microorganisms. Some lactic acid bacteria have been shown to reduce growth and aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. Carbon source is the most important nutritional factors affecting aflatoxin formation by the molds. Sucrose, fructose and glucose are the most favorable carbon sources. Food substrates of plant derived products which have high carbohydrate content such as agricultural commodities and their products are most vulnerable to contamination by aflatoxins.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.277-277
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• 2010

The capacity of the carbonaceous materials reached ca. $350\;mAhg^{-1}$ which is close to theorestical value of the carbon intercalation composition $LiC_6$, resulting in a relatively low volumetric Li capacity. Notwithstanding the capacities of carbon, it will not adjust well to the need so future devices. Silicon shows the highest gravimetric capacities (up to $4000\;mAhg^{-1}$ for $Li_{21}Si_5$). Although Si is the most promising of the next generation anodes, it undergoes a large volume change during lithium insertion and extraction. It results in pulverization of the Si and loss of electrical contact between the Si and the current collector during the lithiation and delithiation. Thus, its capacity fades rapidly during cycling. We focused on electrode materials in the multiphase form which were composed of two metal compounds to reduce the volume change in material design. A combination of electrochemically amorphous active material in an inert matrix (Si-M) has been investigated for use as negative electrode materials in lithium ion batteries. The matrix composited of Si-M alloys system that; active material (Si)-inactive material (M) with Li; M is a transition metal that does not alloy with Li with Li such as Ti, V or Mo. We fabricated and tested a broad range of Si-M compositions. The electrodes were sputter-deposited on rough Cu foil. Electrochemical, structural, and compositional characterization was performed using various techniques. The structure of Si-M alloys was investigated using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Surface morphologies of the electrodes are observed using a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical properties of the electrodes are studied using the cycling test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is found that the capacity is strongly dependent on Si content and cycle retention is also changed according to M contents. It may be beneficial to find materials with high capacity, low irreversible capacity and that do not pulverize, and that combine Si-M to improve capacity retention.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.305-320
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• 2023

The mechanical properties of polymeric composites are degraded under elevated temperatures due to the effect of temperature on the mechanical behavior of the resin and resin fiber interfaces. In this study, the effect of temperature on the impact response of the carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) was investigated at low-velocity impact (LVI) using a drop-weight impact tester machine. All the composite plates were fabricated using a vacuum infusion process with a stacking sequence of [45/0_2/-45/90_2]s, and a thickness of 2.9 mm. A group of the specimens was exposed to an environment with a temperature cycling at the range of -30 ℃ to 65 ℃. In addition, three other groups of the specimens were aged at ambient (28 ℃), -30 ℃, and 65 ℃ for ten days. Then all the conditioned specimens were subjected to LVI at three energy levels of 10, 15, and 20 J. To assess the behavior of the damaged composite plates, the force-time, force-displacement, and energy-time diagrams were analyzed at all temperatures. Finally, radiography, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the effect of the temperature and damages at various impact levels. Based on the results, different energy levels have a similar effect on the LVI behavior of the samples at various temperatures. Delamination, matrix cracking, and fiber failure were the main damage modes. Compared to the samples tested at room temperature, the reduction of temperature to -30 ℃ enhanced the maximum impact force and flexural stiffness while decreasing the absorbed energy and the failure surface area. The temperature increasing to 65 ℃ increased the maximum impact force and flexural stiffness while decreasing the absorbed energy and the failure surface area. Applying 200 thermal cycles at the range of -30 ℃ to 65 ℃ led to the formation of fine cracks in the matrix while decreasing the absorbed energy. The maximum contact force is recorded under cyclic temperature as 5.95, 6.51 and 7.14 kN, under impact energy of 10, 15 and 20 J, respectively. As well as, the minimum contact force belongs to the room temperature condition and is reported as 3.93, 4.94 and 5.71 kN, under impact energy of 10, 15 and 20 J, respectively.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2007

Due to the strong influence of nitrogen(N) on plant productivity, a vast amount of N fertilizers is used to maximize crop yield. Over-use of N fertilizers leads to severe pollution of the environment, especially the aquatic ecosystem, as well as reducing farmer's income. Growing of N-efficient cultivars is an important prerequisite for integrated nutrient management strategies in both low- and high-input agriculture. Taking maize as a sample crop, this paper reviews the response of plants to low N stress, the physiological processes which may control N-use efficiency in low-N input conditions, and the genetic and molecular biological aspects of N-use efficiency. Since the harvest index(HI) of modern cultivars is quite high, further improvement of these cultivars to adapt to low N soils should aim to increase their capacity to accumulate N at low N levels. To achieve this goal, establishment and maintenance of a large root system during the growth period may be essential. To reduce the cost of N and carbon for root growth, a strong response of lateral root growth to nitrate-rich patches may be desired. Furthermore, a large proportion of N accumulated in roots at early growth stages should be remobilized for grain growth in the late filling stage to increase N-utilization efficiency. Some QTLs and genes related to maize yield as well as root traits have been identified. However, their significance in improving maize NUE at low N inputs in the field need to be elucidated.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2019

Electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) which are fabricated using carbon based electrodes have been emerging at an alarming rate to fulfill the energy demand in the present day world. Activated charcoal has been accepted as a very suitable candidate for electrodes but its cost is higher than natural graphite. Present study is about fabrication of EDLCs using composite electrodes with activated charcoal and Sri Lankan natural graphite as well as a gel polymer electrolyte which is identified as a suitable substitute for liquid electrolytes. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Cyclic Voltammetry and Galvanostatic Charge Discharge test were done to evaluate the performance of the fabricated EDLCs. Amount of activated charcoal and natural graphite plays a noticeable role on the capacity. 50 graphite : 40 AC : 10 PVdF showed the optimum single electrode specific capacity value of 15 F/g. Capacity is determined by the cycling rate as well as the potential window within which cycling is being done. Continuous cycling resulted an average single electrode specific capacity variation of 48 F/g - 16 F/g. Capacity fading was higher at the beginning. Later, it dropped noticeably. Initial discharge capacity drop under Galvanostatic Charge Discharge test was slightly fast but reached near stable upon continuous charge discharge process. It can be concluded that initially some agitation is required to reach the maturity. However, the results can be considered as encouraging to initiate studies on EDLCs using Sri Lankan natural graphite.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.423-428
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• 2010

To reduce polarization of electrochemical capacitor based on carbon nanotube, titanium oxide nanoparticles were deposited by ultrasound. The pore distribution of $TiO_2$/CNT nanoparticle exhibited surface area of $341\;m^2g^{-1}$ when $TiO_2$ content was 4 wt %, which was better than that of pristine CNT with surface area of $188\;m^2g^{-1}$. The analyses indicated that titanium oxide (particle diameter < 20 nm) was deposited on the CNT surface. The electrochemical performance was evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), impedance measurement, and constant-current charge/discharge cycling techniques. The $TiO_2$/CNT composite electrode showed relatively better electrochemical behaviors than CNT electrode by increasing the specific capacitance from $22\;Fg^{-1}$ to $37\;Fg^{-1}$ in 1 M $H_2SO_4$ solution. A symmetric cell assembled with the composite electrodes showed the specific capacitance value of $11\;Fg^{-1}$ at a current loading of $0.5\;mAcm^{-2}$ during initial cycling.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1850136.1-1850136.12
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• 2018

Three-dimensional (3D) mixed phases NiSe nanoparticles growing on the nickel foam were synthesized via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. A series of experiments were carried out to control the morphology by adjusting the amount of selenium in the synthetic reaction. Meanwhile, the as-prepared novel column-acicular structure NiSe exist three advantages including ideal electrical conductivity, high specific capacity and high cycling stability. It delivered a high capacitance of $10.8F\;cm^{-2}$ at a current density- of $5mA\;cm^{-2}$. An electrochemical capacitor device operating at 1.6 V was then constructed using NiSe/NF and activated carbon (AC) as positive and negative electrodes. Moreover, the device showed high energy density of $31W\;h\;kg^{-1}$ at a power density of $0.81kW\;kg^{-1}$, as well as good cycling stability (77% retention after 1500 cycles).

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.507-513
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• 2018

This study investigates the viability of using a Na-ion battery with a tin(Sn) anode to mitigate the vulnerability caused by volume changes during discharge and charge cycling. In general, the volume changes of carbon material do not cause any instability during intercalation into its layer structure. Sn has a high theoretical capacity of $847mAh\;g^{-1}$. However, it expands dramatically in the discharge process by alloying Na-Sn, placing the electrode under massive internal stress, and particularly straining the binder over the elastic limit. The repeating strain results in loss of active material and its electric contact, as well as capacity decrease. This paper expands the scope of fabrication of Na-ion batteries with Sn by fabricating the binder as an auxetic structure with a unique feature: a negative Poisson ratio (NPR), which increases the resistance to internal stress in the Na-Sn alloying/de-alloying processes. Electrochemical tests and micrograph images of auxetic and common binders are used to compare dimensional and structural differences. Results show that the capacity of an auxetic-structured Sn electrode is much larger than that of a Sn electrode with a common-structured binder. Furthermore, using an auxetic structured Sn electrode, stability in discharge and charge cycling is obtained.