• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.543-548
• /
• 2015

Si/C/CNF composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were examined to improve the capacity and cycle performance. Si/C/CNF composites were prepared by the fabrication process including the synthesis and magnesiothermic reduction of SBA-15 to obtain Si/MgO by ball milling and the carbonization of phenol resin with CNF and HCl etching. Prepared Si/C/CNF composites were then analysed by BET, XRD, FE-SEM and TGA. Among SBA-15 samples synthesized at reaction temperatures between 50 and $70^{\circ}C$, the SBA-15 at $60^{\circ}C$ showed the largest specific surface area. Also the electrochemical performances of Si/C/CNF composites as an anode electrode were investigated by constant current charge/discharge test, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests in the electrolyte of LiPF6 dissolved in mixed organic solvents (EC : DMC : EMC = 1 : 1 : 1 vol%). The coin cell using Si/C/CNF composites (Si : CNF = 97 : 3 in weight) showed better capacity (1,947 mAh/g) than that of other composition coin cells. The capacity retention ratio decreased from 84% (Si : CNF = 97 : 3 in weight) to 77% (Si : CNF = 89 : 11 in weight). It was found that the Si/C/CNF composite electrode shows an improved cycling performance and electric conductivity.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.787-792
• /
• 2022

In winter, the excessive use of deicing salt deteriorates concrete pavement durability. To reduce the amount of deicing salt used, phase-change materials (PCMs) potentially offer an alternative way to melt snow through their latent heat storage characteristics. In this research, thermal energy storage concrete was developed by using PCM-impregnated expanded clay as 50 % replacement to normal aggregate by volume. In addition, to improve the thermal efficiency of PCM lightweight aggregate (PCM-LWA)-incorporated concrete, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated in proportions of 0.10 %, 0.15 %, and 0.20 % by binder weight. Compressive strength testing and programmed thermal cycling were performed to evaluate the mechanical and thermal responses of the PCM-LWA concrete. Results showed a significant strength reduction of 54 % due to the PCM-LWA; however, the thermal performance of the PCM-LWA concrete was greatly improved with the addition of MWCNTs. Thermal test results showed that 0.10 % MWCNT-incorporated concrete had high thermal fatigue resistance as well as uniform heat flow, whereas specimens with 0.15 % and 0.20 % MWCNT content had a reduced thermal response due to supercooling when the ambient temperature was varied between -5℃ and 10℃.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.339-347
• /
• 2023

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a key component in the biogeochemical cycling in freshwater ecosystem. However, it has been rarely explored, particularly complex river watershed dominated by natural and anthropogenic sources, such as various effluent facility and livestock. The current research developed a new analytical method for TOC/TN (Total Organic Carbon/Total Nitrogen) stable isotope ratio, and distinguish DOM source using stable isotope value (δ¹³C-DOC) and spectroscopic indices (fluorescence index [FI] and biological index [BIX]). The TOC/TN-IR/MS analytical system was optimized and precision and accuracy were secured using two international standards (IAEA-600 Caffein, IAEA-CH-6 Sucrose). As a result of controlling the instrumental conditions to enable TOC stable isotope analysis even in low-concentration environmental samples (<1 mgC L^-1), the minimum detection limit was improved. The 12 potential DOM source were collected from watershed, which includes top-soils, groundwater, plant group (fallen leaves, riparian plants, suspended algae) and effluent group (pig and cow livestock, agricultural land, urban, industry facility, swine facility and wastewater treatment facilities). As a result of comparing characteristics between 12 sources using spectroscopic indices and δ¹³C-DOC values, it were divided into four groups according to their characteristics as a respective DOM sources. The current study established the TOC/TN stable isotope analyses system for the first time in Korea, and found that spectroscopic indices and δ¹³C-DOC are very useful tool to trace the origin of organic matter in the aquatic environments through library database.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2024

Silicon and carbon composite (SiC) is considered one of the most promising anode materials for the commercialization of Si-based anodes, as it could simultaneously satisfy the high theoretical capacity of Si and the high electronic conductivity of carbon. However, SiC active material undergoes repeated volumetric changes during charge/discharge processes, leading to continuous electrolyte decomposition and capacity fading, which is still considered an issue that needs to be addressed. To solve this issue, we suggest a 4,4'-Methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) (H₁₂MDI)-based waterborne polyurethane binder (HPUD), which forms a 3D network structure through thermal cross-linking reaction. The cross-linked HPUD (denoted as CHPU) was prepared using an epoxy ring-opening reaction of the cross-linker, triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC), via simple thermal treatment during the SiC anode drying process. The SiC anode with the CHPU binder, which exhibited superior mechanical and adhesion properties, not only demonstrated excellent rate and cycling performance but also alleviated the volume expansion of the SiC anode. This work implies that eco-friendly binders with cross-linked structures could be utilized for various Si-based anodes.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.33-44
• /
• 2012

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are formed by aggregation of polysaccharide products excreted by phytoplankton and have sticky character like gel. They play important role in the production of marine snow in water column. To study the distribution pattern of TEP concentration and its role in carbon cycle in the surface ocean, we measured pH, Total alkalinity (TA), and chlorophyll-a in addition to physical characteristics of seawater within the surface water column. TEP concentrations ranged from nearly undetectable values to $338{\mu}g\;Xeq\;l^{-1}$. They were considerably lower than previously reported values from costal sites, but showed similar values observed in other oceanic region during phytoplankton bloom periods. The spatial distribution of TEP concentrations were similar to those of chlorophyll-a, which indicate that the production of TEP were closely related to phytoplankton. Calculated total dissolved inorganic carbon ($TCO_2$) from the pH and TA was normalized to 35 psu of salinity ($NTCO_2$) and showed negative linear relationship with temperature. Biological drawdown of $NTCO_2$ ($NTCO_{2bio}$) was estimated from the difference between theoretical $NTCO_2$ values and observed $NTCO_2$. In the warm region located south of $40^{\circ}N$ along the $132.5^{\circ}N$ meridional lines, $NTCO_{2bio}$ showed negative value and TEP concentrations were high. This suggested that negative $NTCO_{2bio}$ may be attributed to the biological processes. At the stations located between 44 and $46^{\circ}N$, TEP concentrations showed high concentration at the chlorophyll-a maximum layer within the water column while they showed low concentration in the surface layer. Carbon content of TEP constituted about 40% of $NTCO_{2bio}$ at the chlorophylla maximum layer. In this study, we could not observe any positive and negative relationship between TEP concentration and $NTCO_2$ or pH. It is obvious that we should consider the importance of TEP in the biological carbon cycling processes within surface layer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.108 no.1
• /
• pp.40-49
• /
• 2019

Coarse woody debris (CWD), which is a component of the forest ecosystem, plays a major role in forest energy flow and nutrient cycling. In particular, CWD isolates carbon for a long time and is important in terms of slowing the rate of carbon released from the forest to the atmosphere. Therefore, this study measured the physiochemical characteristics and respiration rate ($R_{CWD}$) of CWD for Larix kaempferi and Pinus rigida in temperate forests in central Korea. In summer 2018, CWD samples from decay class (DC) I to IV were collected in the 14 forest stands. $R_{CWD}$ and physiochemical characteristics were measured using a closed chamber with a portable carbon dioxide sensor in the laboratory. In both species, as CWD decomposition progressed, the density ($D_{CWD}$) of the CWD decreased while the water content ($WC_{CWD}$) increased. Furthermore, the carbon concentrations did not significantly differ by DC, whereas the nitrogen concentration significantly increased and the C/N ratio decreased. The respiration rate of L. kaempferi CWD increased significantly up to DC IV, but for P. rigida it increased to DC II and then unchanged for DC II-IV. Accordingly, except for carbon concentration, all the measured characteristics showed a significant correlation with $R_{CWD}$. Multiple linear regression showed that $WC_{CWD}$ was the most influential factor on $R_{CWD}$. $WC_{CWD}$ affects $R_{CWD}$ by increasing microbial activity and is closely related to complex environmental factors such as temperature and light conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to study their correlation and estimate the time-series pattern of CWD moisture.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2015

Composition-controlled ternary components chalcogenides germanium tin sulfide ($Sn_xGe_{1-x}S$) nanoparticles were synthesized by a novel gas-phase laser photolysis reaction of tetramethyl germanium, tetramethyl tin, and hydrogen sulfide mixture. Subsequent thermal annealing of as-grown amorphous nanoparticles produced the crystalline orthorhombic phase nanoparticles. All these composition-tuned nanoparticles showed excellent cycling performance of the lithium ion battery. The germanium sulfide nanoparticles exhibit a maximum capacity of 1200 mAh/g after 70 cycles. As the tin composition (x) increases, the capacity maintains better at the higher discharge/charge rate. This novel synthesis method of tin germanium sulfide nanoparticles is expected to contribute to expand their applications in high-performance energy conversion systems.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.83-87
• /
• 2018

An object in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is affected by many environmental conditions unlike earth's surface such as, Atomic oxygen (AO), Ultraviolet Radiation (UV), thermal cycling, High Vacuum and Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris (MMOD) impacts. The effect of all these parameters have to be carefully considered when designing a space structure, as it could be very critical for a space mission. Polybenzimidazole (PBI) is a high performance thermoplastic polymer that could be a suitable material for space missions because of its excellent resistance to these environmental factors. A thin coating of PBI polymer on the carbon epoxy composite laminate (referred as CFRP) was found to improve the energy absorption capability of the laminate in event of a hypervelocity impact. However, the overall efficiency of the shield also depends on other factors like placement and orientation of the laminates, standoff distances and the number of shielding layers. This paper studies the effectiveness of using a PBI coating on the front bumper in a multi-shock shield design for enhanced hypervelocity impact resistance. A thin PBI coating of 43 micron was observed to improve the shielding efficiency of the CFRP laminate by 22.06% when exposed to LEO environment conditions in a simulation chamber. To study the effectiveness of PBI coating in a hypervelocity impact situation, experiments were conducted on the CFRP and the PBI coated CFRP laminates with projectile velocities between 2.2 to 3.2 km/s. It was observed that the mass loss of the CFRP laminates decreased 7% when coated by a thin layer of PBI. However, the study of mass loss and damage area on a witness plate showed CFRP case to have better shielding efficiency than PBI coated CFRP laminate case. Therefore, it is recommended that PBI coating on the front bumper is not so effective in improving the overall hypervelocity impact resistance of the space structure.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.155-159
• /
• 2004

In order to gain a better understanding of how forests participate in the cycling of carbon, effects of nitrogen addition on soil respiration were investigated on the oak forest in Kongju, Korea. Study site was divided into control, treatment f and treatment 2 plots, with 5 replication in each plot. In each replicate of treatment 1 and treatment 2 were fertilized with ammonium nitrate (NH$_4$NO$_3$), 30 g/$m^2$ and 60 g/$m^2$, respectively. Soil respiration, soil temperature, ammonium-N and nitrate-N were measured during the experimental period. Ammonium-N and nitrate-N in Ta were higher than those in control and T$_1$. Ammonium-N and nitrate-N in top-soil and sub-soil decreased sharply in August after bi9 rainfall in July in T$_1$ and T$_2$, however, those in control plot increased. Soil respiration in T$_2$ Plot showed consistently higher than those in control and T$_1$ until the end of July. However, soil respiration was similar among the control, T$_1$ and T$_2$ in mid-August and September The amount of Co$_2$ released from soil respiration in control, T$_1$ and T$_2$ in mid-August was 8.0$\pm$0.4, 9.3$\pm$0.6 and 10.2$\pm$0.5 $\mu$mol$^{-1}$ ㆍm$^{-2}$ ㆍs$^{-1}$ , respectively. However, those in control, T$_1$ and T$_2$in mid-August was 13.0$\pm$0.4, 13.5$\pm$0.5, 13.3$\pm$0.6 $\mu$mol$^{-1}$ ㆍm$^{-2}$ ㆍ$^{-1}$ , respectively. The results suggest that nitrogen addition in this oak forest has a positive effect on soil respiration.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.32-36
• /
• 2014

The $0.3Li_2MnO_3{\cdot}0.7LiMn_{0.55}Ni_{0.30}Co_{0.15}O_2$ cathode material was prepared via a co-precipitation method. The vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) was used as a conductive material and its effects on electrochemical properties of the $0.3Li_2MnO_3{\cdot}0.7LiMn_{0.55}Ni_{0.30}Co_{0.15}O_2$ cathode material were investigated. From the XRD pattern, the typical complex layered structure was confirmed and a solid solution between $Li_2MnO_3$ and $LiMO_2$ (M = Ni, Co and Mn) was formed without any secondary phases. The VGCF was properly distributed between cathode materials and conductive sources by a FE-SEM. In voltage profiles, the electrode with VGCF showed higher discharge capacity than the pristine electrode. At a 5C rate, 146 mAh/g was obtained compared with 232 mAh/g at initial discharge in the electrode with VGCF. Furthermore, the impedance of the electrode with VGCF did not changed much around $9-10{\Omega}$ while the pristine electrode increased from 21.5${\Omega}$ to $46.3{\Omega}$ after the $30^{th}$ charge/discharge cycling.