• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2001

New WC-CrN superlattice film was deposited on Si substrate (500$\mu\textrm{m}$) using cathodic arc ion plating system. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the film depend on the superlattice period (λ). In the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), preferred orientation of microstructure was changed according to various superlattice periods(λ). During the Transmission Electron Microscope analysis (TEM), microstructure and superlattice period (λ) of the WC - CrN superlattice film was confirmed. Hardness and adhesion of the deposited film was evaluated by nanoindentation test and scratch test, respectively. As a result of nanoindentation test, the hardness of WC - CrN superlattice film was gained about 40GPa at superlattice period (λ) with 7nm. Also residual stress with various superlattice period (λ) was measured on Si wafer (100$\mu\textrm{m}$) by conventional beam-bending technique. The residual stress of the film was reduced to a value of 0.2 GPa by introducing Ti - WC buffer layers periodically with a thickness ratio ($t_{buffer}$/$t_{buffer+superlattice}$ ). To the end, for the evaluation of oxidation resistance at the elevated temperature, CrN single layer and WC - CrN superlattice films with various superlattice periods on SKD61 substrate was measured and compared with the oxidation resistance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2015

A retinal prosthesis is being developed for the restoration of vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Determining optimal electrical stimulation parameters for the prosthesis is one of the most important elements for the development of a viable retinal prosthesis. Here, we investigated the effects of different charge-balanced biphasic pulses with regard to their effectiveness in evoking retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses. Retinal degeneration (rd1) mice were used (n=17). From the ex-vivo retinal preparation, retinal patches were placed ganglion cell layer down onto an $8{\times}8$ multielectrode array (MEA) and RGC responses were recorded while applying electrical stimuli. For asymmetric pulses, 1st phase of the pulse is the same with symmetric pulse but the amplitude of 2nd phase of the pulse is less than $10{\mu}A$ and charge balanced condition is satisfied by lengthening the duration of the pulse. For intensities (or duration) modulation, duration (or amplitude) of the pulse was fixed to $500{\mu}s$($30{\mu}A$), changing the intensities (or duration) from 2 to $60{\mu}A$(60 to $1000{\mu}s$). RGCs were classified as response-positive when PSTH showed multiple (3~4) peaks within 400 ms post stimulus and the number of spikes was at least 30% more than that for the immediate pre-stimulus 400 ms period. RGC responses were well modulated both with anodic and cathodic phase-1st biphasic pulses. Cathodic phase-1st pulses produced significantly better modulation of RGC activity than anodic phase-1st pulses regardless of symmetry of the pulse.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.13 no.5 s.58
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• pp.327-335
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• 2006

In the development of new hydrogen absorbing materials for a next generation of metal hydride electrodes for rechargeable batteries, metastable Mg-Ni-based compounds find currently special attention. Amor phous-nanocrystalline $Mg_{63}Ni_{30}Y_7$ and $Mg_{50}Ni_{30}Y_{20}$ alloys were produced by mechanical alloying and melt-spinning and characterized by means of XRD, TEM and DSC. On basis of mechanically alloyed Mg-Ni-Y powders, complex hydride electrodes were fabricated and their electrochemical behaviour in 6M KOH (pH=14,8) was investigated. The electrodes made from $Mg_{63}Ni_{30}Y_7$ powders, which were prepared under use of a SPEX shaker mill, with a major fraction of nanocrystalline phase reveal a higher electrochemical activity far hydrogen reduction and a higher maximum discharge capacity (247 mAh/g) than the electrodes from alloy powder with predominantly amorphous microstructure (216 mAh/g) obtained when using a Retsch planetary ball mill at low temperatures. Those discharge capacities are higher that those fur nanocrystalline $Mg_2Ni$ electrodes. However, the cyclic stability of those alloy powder electrodes was low. Therefore, fundamental stability studies were performed on $Mg_{63}Ni_{30}Y_7$ and $Mg_{50}Ni_{30}Y_{20}$ ribbon samples in the as-quenched state and after cathodic hydrogen charging by means of anodic and cathodic polarisation measurements. Gradual oxidation and dissolution of nickel governs the anodic behaviour before a passive state is attained. A stabilizing effect of higher fractions of yttrium in the alloy on the passivation was detected. During the cathodic hydrogen charging process the alloys exhibit a change in the surface state chemistry, i.e. an enrichment of nickel-species, causing preferential oxidation and dissolution during subsequent anodization. The effect of chemical pre-treatments in 1% HF and in $10\;mg/l\;YCl_3/1%\;H_2O_2$ solution on the surface degradation processes was investigated. A HF treatment can improve their anodic passivation behavior by inhibiting a preferential nickel oxidation-dissolution at low polarisation, whereas a $YCl_3/H_2O_2$ treatment has the opposite effect. Both pre-treatment methods lead to an enhancement of cathodically induced surface degradation processes.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.570-576
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• 2002

Application of the aged Inconel 718 in hydrogen environment is seriously restraint by its high hydrogen embrittlement (HE) sensitivity. m previous researches, we have suggested the possibility and applicability of the laser surface annealing (LSA) process in improving the HE resistance of this alloy. Sequentially, a study on the effects of the precipitates in the Inconel 718 on its HE sensitivity was conducted in this research. Firstly, flat bar specimens were heat-treated to obtain various kinds of precipitation microstructures concerning the ${\gamma}$" phase and the 6 phase. Hydrogen was charged into the specimen by a cathodic charging process. The loss in reduction of area (RA) caused by hydrogen charging was used to assess the HE sensitivity. The HE sensitivity of the alloy was lowered with decreasing the volume fraction of ${\gamma}$". Moreover, it was possible to increase the HE resistance of the aged alloy by dissolving the $\delta$ phase, keeping the strength at the same level as that of the common aged alloy. Thus, we concluded that both the $\delta$ phase and the ${\gamma}$" phase affected the HE sensitivity of Inconel 718. Next, two kinds of notch tensile specimens were fabricated, one kind having $\delta$ phase and the other having no $\delta$ phase. All these specimens were aged via the same aging heat treatment process. The LSA process annealed a thin layer of the notch bottom of each specimen. One specimen of each kind was charged with hydrogen by the cathodic hydrogen charging process. Loss in the notch tensile strength (NTS) caused by hydrogen was used to evaluate the HE sensitivity. It was found that while the HE sensitivity of conventionally aged Inconel 718 was decreased by the LSA process, the HE sensitivity of the $\delta$-free aged Inconel 718 could further be decreased. Therefore, for applications in hydrogen environments, it is possible to fabricate alloys with both good HE resistance and high strength by controlling the precipitation conditions, and to improve HE resistance further via applying the LSA process.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.183-195
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• 2014

In order to study the mineralogical characteristics of a cathodic deposition-metallic powder, electrowinning experiments were carrier out on different electrolytic solutions at varying electric distances and electric currents. Under the same experimental conditions, Cu recovery was obtained much more effectively using a sodium chloride electrolyte than with a sulfuric acid electrolyte. In XRD analysis, copper ($Cu^0$), chalcanthite and cuprite were identified in the sulfuric acid electrolyte, while copper, nantokite and chalcanthite were observed in the sodium chloride electrolyte. In the sodium chloride electrolyte solution, increasing the electric distance and the electric current increased the Cu recovery rate, anode weight and anodic corrosion. The results of XRD analysis with non-pulverized cathodic deposition-metallic powder showed the average copper crystallite size was increased by increasing the electric current and decreasing the electric distance. It is suggested that the mass transfer was controlled with diffusion on the boundary between the electrode and the electrolytic solution due to the formation of dendrite copper.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2006

The phase-shift method for determining the Langmuir, Frumkin, and Temkin adsorption isotherms ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$) of H for the cathodic $H_2$ evolution reaction (HER) at a Pt/0.1 M KOH solution interface has been proposed and verified using cyclic voltammetric, differential pulse voltammetric, and electrochemical impedance techniques. At the Pt/0.1 M KOH solution interface, the Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherms ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$), the equilibrium constants ($K_H=2.9X10^{-4}mol^{-1}$ for the Langmuir and $K_H=2.9X10^{-3}\exp(-4.6\theta_H)mol^{-1}$ for the Temkin adsorption isotherm), the interaction parameters (g=0 far the Langmuir and g=4.6 for the Temkin adsorption isotherm), the rate of change of the standard free energy of $\theta_H\;with\;\theta_H$ (r=11.4 kJ $mol^{-1}$ for g=4.6), and the standard free energies (${\Delta}G_{ads}^{\circ}=20.2kJ\;mol^{-1}$ for $k_H=2.9\times10^{-4}mol^{-1}$, i.e., the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, and $16.7<{\Delta}G_\theta^{\circ}<23.6kJ\;mol^{-1}$ for $K_H=2.9\times10^{-3}\exp(-4.6\theta_H)mol^{-1}$ and $0.2<\theta_H<0.8$, i.e., the Temkin adsorption isotherm) of H for the cathodic HER are determined using the phase-shift method. At intermediate values of $\theta_H$, i.e., $0.2<\theta_H<0.8$, the Temkin adsorption isotherm ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$) corresponding to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm ($\theta_H\;vs.\;E$), and vice versa, is readily determined using the constant conversion factors. The phase-shift method and constant conversion factors are useful and effective for determining the Langmuir, Frumkin, and Temkin adsorption isotherms of intermediates for sequential reactions and related electrode kinetic and thermodynamic data at electrode catalyst interfaces.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2014

The peculiar feature of cathodic protection in seawater has the capability to form mineral calcareous deposits such as magnesium and calcium on metal surfaces. It is assumed that $OH^-$ ions are generated close to the metal surface as a result of cathodic protection and generated $OH^-$ ions increases the pH of the metal/seawater interface outlined as the following formulae. (1) $O_2+2H_2O+4e{\rightarrow}4OH^-$, or (2) $2H_2O+2e{\rightarrow}H_2+2OH^-$. And high pH causes precipitation of $Mg(OH)_2$ and $CaCO_3$ in accordance with the following formulae. (1) $Mg^{2+}+2OH^-{\rightarrow}Mg(OH)_2$, (2) $Ca^{2+}+CO{_3}^{2-}{\rightarrow}CaCO_3$. The focus of this study was to increase the amount of $CO{_3}^{2-}$ with the injection of $CO_2$ gas to the solution for accelerating process of the following formulae. (1) $H_2O+CO_2{\rightarrow}H_2CO_3$, (2) $HCO^{3-}{\rightarrow}{H^+}+CO{_3}^{2-}$. Electrodeposit films were formed by an electro-deposition technique on steel substrates in solutions of both natural seawater and natural seawater dissolved $CO_2$ gas with different current densities, over different time periods. The contents of films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). The adhesion and corrosion resistance of the coating films were evaluated by anodic polarization. From an experimental result, only $CaCO_3$ were found in solution where injected $CO_2$ gas regardless of current density. In case of injecting the $CO_2$ gas, weight gain of electrodeposits films hugely increased and it had appropriate physical properties.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.269-278
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• 2005

In order to produce only a pH-controlled solution without discharging any unwanted solution, this work has developed a continuous electrolytic system with a pH-adjustment reservoir being placed before an ion exchange membrane-equipped electrolyzer, where as a target solution was fed into the pH-adjustment reservoir, some portion of the solution in the pH-adjustment reservoir was circulated through the cathodic or anodic chamber of the electrolyzer depending on the type of the ion exchange membrane used, and some other portion of the solution in the pH-adjustment reservoir was discharged from the electrolytic system through the other counter chamber with its pH being controlled. The internal circulation of the pH-adjustment reservoir solution through the anodic chamber in the case of using a cation exchange membrane and that through the cathodic chamber in the case of using an anion exchange membrane could make the solution discharged from the other counter chamber effectively acidic and basic, respectively. The phenomena of the pH being controlled in the system could be explained by the electro-migration of the ion species in the solution through the ion exchange membrane under a cell potential difference between anode and cathode and its consequently-occurring non-charge equilibriums and electrolytic water- split reactions in the anodic and cathodic chambers.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.1075-1082
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• 1999

Composite air electrodes of 50/50 vol% LSM- YSZ where LSM =$\textrm{La}_{1-x}\textrm{Sr}_{x}\textrm{MnO}_{3}$(0$\leq$x$\leq$0.5) were prepared by colloidal deposition technique. The electrodes were then examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and studied by ac impedance spectroscopy in order to improve the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Reproducible impedance spectra were confirmed by using the improved cell, consisting of LSM- YSZ/YSZ/LSM-YSZ. These spectra were a strong function of operating temperature and the stable conditions for the cells were typically reached at $900^{\circ}C$. The typical spectra measured for an air//air cell at $900^{\circ}C$ were composed of two arcs. Addition of YSZ to the LSM electrode led to a pronounced decrease in cathodic resistivity of LSM-YSZ composite electrodes. Polishing the electrolyte surface to eliminate the influences of surface impurities could further reduce cathode resistivity. The cathodic resistivity of the LSM-YSZ electrodes with catalytic interlayer (Ni or Sr) was much smaller than that of LSM-YSZ electrodes without catalytic interlayer. In addition, the cathodic resistivity of the LSM-YSZ electrodes was a strong function of composition of electrode materials, the electrolyte geometry, and applied current.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.352-359
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• 2005

This work has studied the changes of pH in both of anodic and cathodic chambers of a divided cell due to the electrolytic split of water during the ammonia decomposition to nitrogen, and has studied the continuous decomposition characteristics of ammonia in a multi-cell stacked electrolyzer. The electrolytic decomposition of ammonia was much affected by the change of pH of ammonia solution which was caused by the water split reactions. The water split reaction occurred at pH of less than 8 in the anodic chamber with producing proton ions, and occurred at pH of more than 11 in the cathodic chamber with producing hydroxyl ions. The pH of the anodic chamber using an anion exchange membrane was sustained to be higher than that using a cation exchange membrane, which resulted in the higher decomposition of ammonia in the anodic chamber. By using the electrolytic characteristics of the divided cell, a continuous electrolyzer with a self-pH adjustment function was newly devised, where a portion of the ammonia solution from a pHadjustment tank was circulated through the cathodic chambers of the electrolyzer. It enhanced the pH of the ammonia solution fed from the pH-adjustment tank into the anodic chambers of the electrolyzer, which caused a higher decomposition yield of ammonia. And then, based on the electrolyzer, a salt-free ammonia decomposition process was suggested. In that process, ammonia solution could be continuously decomposed into the environmentally-harmless nitrogen gas up to 83％, when chloride ion was added into the ammonia solution.