• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.677-684
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• 1995

The effect of catalytic graphitization of petroleum cokes by the addition of aluminum were investigated. The degree of graphitization carbon body only fired at 230$0^{\circ}C$ was 0.5. But when the aluminum additive was added, the degree of graphitization was increased to 0.93. And Ts-effect was appeared as the catalytic effect. This effect was occurred by the formation-decomposition of aluminum carbide through the reaction of aluminum and cokes.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.162-169
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• 2024

In this study, PAN(polyacrylonitrile)-based precursor fibers were produced through a wet-spinning process, and their morphologies and graphitization behavior were investigated in the presence of two graphitization catalysts (Ca, Ni). The graphitization catalysts were introduced into the formed pores during hot-water stretching of wet-spun PAN-based precursor fibers. The catalytic effects of graphitization catalysts were examined through crystal structure and Raman analysis. At a relatively low temperature of 1500℃, the graphitization was not significantly affected, whereas at a high temperature of 2400℃, the obtained I_D/I_G value of graphite fiber (GF-Ni100) was decreased by about twice (~0.28) compared to the untreated fibers (GF-AS~0.54). By comparing the I_D/I_G values (GF-Ca100~0.42: GF-Ni100~0.28) of Ca and Ni graphitization catalyst, it was found that the degree of graphitization of Ni graphitization catalyst showed higher influence than that of Ca graphitization catalyst. Moreover, 2D band was also observed, indicating that the graphite plane structures composed of multiple layers were developed. XRD results confirmed that the crystal inter-planar distance (d₀₀₂) of the graphite crystal was slightly decreased after the treatment with the graphitization catalyst, But, the crystal size of Ca-treated graphite fiber (GF-Ca100) was increased by up to ~5 nm.

• Carbon letters
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2004

Chop molding composites and 2D carbon/carbon composites were manufactured by hot press molding method. Phenol resin of novolac type was used for matrix precursor and PAN-based carbon, PAN-based graphite and pitch-based carbon fiber were used for reinforcement and boron oxide was used for oxidation retardant. All of the composites were treated by $2000^{\circ}C$ and $2400^{\circ}C$ graphitization process, respectively. After graphitization process, amount of a boron residue in carbon/carbon composites is much according to irregularity of used raw materials. Under the presence of boron in carbon/carbon composites, catalytic effect of boron was a little at $2000^{\circ}C$ graphitization temperature. However, it was quite at $2400^{\circ}C$ graphitization.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.420-425
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• 2016

N-doped carbon nanofibers as catalysts for oxygen-reduction reactions are synthesized using electrospinning and carbonization. Their morphologies, structures, chemical bonding states, and electrochemical performance are characterized. The optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers exhibit graphitization of carbon nanofibers and an increased nitrogen doping as well as a uniform network structure. In particular, the optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers show outstanding catalytic activity for oxygen-reduction reactions, such as a half-wave potential ($E_{1/2}$) of 0.43 V, kinetic limiting current density of $6.2mAcm^{-2}$, electron reduction pathways (n = 3.1), and excellent long-term stability after 2000 cycles, resulting in a lower $E_{1/2}$ potential degradation of 13 mV. The improvement in the electrochemical performance results from the synergistic effect of the graphitization of carbon nanofibers and the increased amount of nitrogen doping.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.649-655
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• 2016

Ni nanoparticles (NPs)-graphitic carbon nanofiber (GCNF) composites were fabricated using an electrospinning method. The amounts of Ni precursor used as catalyst for the catalytic graphitization were controlled at 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt% to improve the photovoltaic performances of the nanoparticles and make them suitable for use as counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As a result, Ni NPs-GCNF composites that were fabricated with 8 wt% Ni precursors showed a high circuit voltage (0.73 V), high photocurrent density ($14.26mA/cm^2$), and superb power-conversion efficiency (6.72%) when compared to those characteristics of other samples. These performance improvements can be attributed to the reduced charge transport resistance that results from the synergetic effect of the superior catalytic activity of Ni NPs and the efficient charge transfer due to the formation of GCNF with high electrical conductivity. Thus, Ni NPs-GCNF composites may be used as promising counter electrodes in DSSCs.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.672-677
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• 2015

Co-embedded graphitic porous carbon nanofibers(Co-GPCNFs) are synthesized by using an electrospinning method. Their morphological, structural, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties are investigated. To obtain the optimum condition of Co-GPCNFs for dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs), the amount of cobalt precursor in an electrospinning solutuion are controlled to be 0 wt%(conventional CNFs), 1 wt%(sample A), and 3 wt%(sample B). Among them, sample B exhibited a high degree of graphitization and porous structure compared to conventional CNFs and sample A, which result in the performance improvement of DSSCs. Therefore, sample B showed a high current density(JSC, $12.88mA/cm^2$) and excellent power conversion efficiency(PCE, 5.33 %) than those of conventional CNFs($12.00mA/cm^2$, 3.78 %). This result can be explained by combined effects of the increased contact area between the electrode and elecytolyte caused by improved porosity and the increased conductivity caused by the formation of a high degree of graphitization. Thus, the Co-GPCNFs may be used as a promising alternative of Pt-free counter electrode in DSSCs.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.250-257
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• 2016

Octahedral $Co_3O_4$/carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites are fabricated using electrospinning and hydrothermal methods. Their morphological characteristics, chemical bonding states, and electrochemical properties are used to demonstrate the improved photovoltaic properties of the samples. Octahedral $Co_3O_4$ grown on CNFs is based on metallic Co nanoparticles acting as seeds in the CNFs, which seeds are directly related to the high performance of DSSCs. The octahedral $Co_3O_4$/CNFs composites exhibit high photocurrent density ($12.73mA/m^2$), superb fill factor (62.1 %), and excellent power conversion efficiency (5.61 %) compared to those characteristics of commercial $Co_3O_4$, conventional CNFs, and metallic Co-seed/CNFs. These results can be described as stemmnig from the synergistic effect of the porous and graphitized matrix formed by catalytic graphitization using the metal cobalt catalyst on CNFs, which leads to an increase in the catalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide ions. Therefore, octahedral $Co_3O_4$/CNFs composites can be used as a counter electrode for Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.521-528
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• 2005

Electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were carbonized with or without iron (III) acetylacetonate to induce catalytic graphitization within the range of 900-1,500$^{circ}C$, resulting in ultrafine carbon fibers with a diameter of about 90-300 nm. Their structural properties and morphologies were investigated. The carbon nanofibers (CNF) prepared without a catalyst showed amorphous structures and very low surface areas of 22-31 $m^{2}$/g. The carbonization in the presence of the catalyst produced graphite nanofibers (GNF). The hydrogen storage capacities of these CNF and GNF materials were evaluated through the gravimetric method using magnetic suspension balance (MSB) at room temperature and 100 bar. The CNFs showed hydrogen storage capacities which increased in the range of 0.16-0.50 wt$\%$ with increasing carbonization temperature. The hydrogen storage capacities of the GNFs with low surface areas of 60-253 $m^{2}$/g were 0.14-1.01 wt$\%$. Micropore and mesopore, as calculated using the nitrogen gas adsorption-desorption isotherms, were not the effective pore for hydrogen storage.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.212-220
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• 2003

Electrical properties of carbon filler/PVdF [poly(vinylidene fluoride)] composite were investigated as a funtion of carbon filler/PVdF ratio in the range of 0.2${\sim}$0.5. Three kinds of comercialzied conductive carbon blacks such as Hiblack 41Y, KE300J, and KE600J, and carbon nanofibers prepared by the catalytic chemical vapor deposition of $C_2H_4$ over Ni-Cu catalysts were used as the carbon fillers. The electrical conductivity of carbon filler/PVdF composites were in the range of 0.65 to 13.5 S/cm depending the fillers' electrical conductivity ranging from 5.6 to 23.1 S/cm. Among the carbon fillers used, the KE600J carbon black showed the highest conductivity both in the composite and filler itself because of its high degree of graphitization due to the high-temperature thermal treatment and its high surface area due to the activation treatment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1243-1251
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• 2020

Irradiation-induced damage of binderless nanoporous-isotropic graphite (NPIG) prepared by isostatic pressing of mesophase carbon microspheres for molten salt reactor was investigated by 3.0 MeV He⁺ irradiation at room temperature and high temperature of 600 ℃, and IG-110 was used as the comparation. SEM, TEM, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum are used to characterize the irradiation effect and the influence of temperature on graphite radiation damage. After irradiation at room temperature, the surface morphology is rougher, the increase of defect clusters makes atom flour bend, the layer spacing increases, and the catalytic graphitization phenomenon of NPIG is observed. However, the density of defects in high temperature environment decreases and other changes are not obvious. Mechanical properties also change due to changes in defects. In addition, SEM and Raman spectra of the cross section show that cracks appear in the depth range of the maximum irradiation dose, and the defect density increases with the increase of irradiation dose.