• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.183-196
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• 2017

The research efforts directed at advancing water electrolysis technology continue to intensify together with the increasing interest in hydrogen as an alternative source of energy to fossil fuels. Among the various water electrolysis systems reported to date, systems employing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane are known to display both improved safety and efficiency as a result of enhanced separation of products: hydrogen and oxygen. Conducting water electrolysis in an alkaline medium lowers the system cost by allowing non-platinum group metals to be used as catalysts for the complex multi-electron transfer reactions involved in water electrolysis, namely the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER, respectively). We briefly review the anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and electrocatalysts developed and applied thus far in alkaline AEM water electrolysis (AEMWE) devices. Testing the developed components in AEMWE cells is a key step in maximizing the device performance since cell performance depends strongly on the structure of the electrodes containing the HER and OER catalysts and the polymer membrane under specific cell operating conditions. In this review, we discuss the properties of reported AEMs that have been used to fabricate membrane-electrode assemblies for AEMWE cells, including membranes based on polysulfone, poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phylene) oxide, polybenzimidazole, and inorganic composite materials. The activities and stabilities of tertiary metal oxides, metal carbon composites, and ultra-low Pt-loading electrodes toward OER and HER in AEMWE cells are also described.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2016

The effect of initial electrolyte loading (IEL) on cell performance in a coin-type molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) was investigated in this work. Since the material of MCFC depends on the manufacturer, optimisation requires experimental investigation. In total, four IEL values, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 g, were used, corresponding to a pore filling ratio (PFR) of 38, 51, 77, and 102%, respectively. The cell performance with respect to the PFR was analysed via steady-state polarisation, step-chronopotentiomtery, and impedance methods. The electrochemical analyses revealed that internal resistance and overpotential of the cell decreased with increasing PFR, and a large overpotential was observed when the PFR was 102%, probably due to the flooding phenomenon. After operation, cross-section of the cell was analysed via surface analysis of SEM and EDS methods, and the remaining electrolyte was estimated by dissolution of the cell in 10 wt% acetic acid. A linear relationship between IEL and the weight reduction ratio by dissolution was obtained. Thus, the remaining amount of electrolyte could be measured after operation. The results of SEM and EDS showed that a PFR of 38 and 102% showed a lack and flooding of electrolytes at the cell, respectively, which led to a large overpotential. This work reports that MCFC performance is allowed only in the narrow range of PFR.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.68.2-68.2
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• 2010

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) show great promise as an inexpensive alternative to conventional p-n junction solar cells. Investigations into the various factors influencing the photovoltaic efficiency have recently been intensified. The conventional absorber electrode in DSSC is composed of compacted or sintered $TiO_2$ nanopowder that carries an anchored organic dye. The absorbance of incident light in the DSC is realized by specifically engineered dye molecules placed on the semiconductor electrode surface ($TiO_2$). The dye absorbs light at wavelengths up to about 920nm, the energy of the exited state of the molecule should be about 1.35eV above the electronic ground state corresponding to the ideal band gap of a single band gap solar cell. The dye molecules ar adhered onto the nanostrutured $TiO_2$ electrode by immersing the sintered electrode into a dye solution, typically 3mM in alcohol, for a long enough period to fully impregnate the electrode. However, the concentrations of the dye is slightly changed due to the evaporation of the alcohol. The dye is more expensive than other materials in DSSC and related to the efficiency of DSSC. Therefore, the concentrations of the dye should be carefully measured. In this study, we investigated to the dye loading on fired $TiO_2$ powder as a function of temperature by the TG-DTA and the dye solution by UV-visible spectroscopy after the impregnation process. The dye loading is related to the porosity of the nanostructured $TiO_2$ electrode.

• 대한공업교육학회지
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.188-198
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• 2007

Platinum nanoparticles loading on carbon nanotube was carried out by impregnation of hexachloro platinate(IV) from hydrogen hexachloro platinate(IV) hydrate dissolved solution without using reduction agents, and heating the hexachloro platinate(IV) impregnated carbon nanotube up to $400^{\circ}C$. The amounts of impregnated hexachloro platinate(IV) on to carbon nanotube were measured with UV-visible spectrophotometer. The TG, XRD, and TEM analysis were performed to confirm the platinum particles loading and distribution on carbon nanotube. The average platinum particles size on carbon nanotube was under 2 nm by heating the hexachloro platinate(IV) up to $400^{\circ}C$ in spite of non-using reduction agents, while the average size increased due to the agglomeration of some particles by heating them up to $800^{\circ}C$. Therefore, uniformly distributed platinum nanoparticles loading on carbon nanotube can be obtained from simple impregnation of hexachloro platinate(IV) from solution and heating it up to $400^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Coastal and Ocean Engineers
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.230-234
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• 2010

This study examined the effect of wall friction on deformation characteristics of the cellular bulkhead, in terms of artificial wall friction based on the results of model tests according to the existing penetration ratio and loading height. 1. The effect of wall friction on deformation characteristics of the cellular bulkhead turned out to be less as the loading height decreases and the penetration ratio increases. The yield load also becomes less as wall friction decreases. 2. The ratio of the rotational displacement to the horizontal displacement of the cellular bulkhead becomes less as the loading height decreases and the penetration ratio increases. Hence it is concluded that the effect of wall friction has close relationship with the rotational displacement.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.9-17
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• 1997

This research aims to remove nitrogen in the piggery wastewater by combined process with upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and biofilm process. For the effective denitrification. anaerobic and anoxic reactors were connected to a reactor. The effluent of aerobix reactor was recycled equally with influent in the upper filter of anaerobic reactor for denitrification and outlet of UBF reactor was connected to the settling tank with $1.5{\;}{\ell}$ capacity and the settling sludge was repeatedly recycled to UASB zone. The organic loading rate of total reactor was operated from 0.4 to $3.1kgCOD/m^{3}/d$ and it was observed that the removal rate of TCOD was 80 to 95 percentage. Ammonia nitrogen was removed over 90 percentage in the less volumetric loading rate than $0.1{\;}kgN/m^{3}/d$. But because of non-limitation of organic materials, it was reduced to 70 percentage in the more volumetric loading rate than $0.6{\;}kgN/m^{3}/d$. But denitrification rate was observed 100 percentage in the all of loading rate. This is caused by the maintenance of optimum temperature, sufficient carbon source, and competition of electron acceptors. The results of COD mass balance at the $1.21{\;}kgCOD/m^{3}/d$ was observed with the 71.7% percentage of influent COD. It was revealed that the most part of organic materials was removed in the aerobic and the anaerobic reactor because 38.4 percentage was conversed into $CH_{4}$ gas and 11 percentage was removed in the aerobic reactor with cell synthesis and metabolism. Besides, 5.7% organics was used to denitrification reaction and 3.7% organics related to sulfate reduction.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.717-724
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• 2008

In this study, we prepared all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-encapsulated, surfactant-free, PLGA nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were formed by nanoprecipitation process, after which the solvent was removed by solvent evaporation or dialysis method. When a nanoparticle was prepared by the nanoprecipitation - solvent evaporation method, the nanoparticles were bigger than the nanoparticles of the nanoprecipitation - dialysis method, despite the higher although loading efficiency. Nanoparticles from the nanoprecipitation - dialysis method were smaller than 200 nm in diameter, while the loading efficiency was not significantly changed. Especially, nanoparticles prepared from DMAc, 1,4-dioxane, and DMF had a diameter of less than 100 nm. In the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations, all of the nanoparticles showed spherical shapes. The loading efficiency of ATRA was higher than 90% (w/w) at all formulations with exception of THF. The drug content was increased with increasing drug-feeding amount while the loading efficiency was decreased. In the drug release study, an initial burst was observed for $2{\sim}6$ days according to the variations of the formulation, after which the drug was continuously released over one month. Nanoparticles from the nanoprecipitation - dialysis method showed faster drug release than those from the nanoprecipitation - solvent evaporation method. The decreased drug release kinetics was observed at lower drug contents. In the tumor cell cytotoxicity test, ATRA-encapsulated, surfactant-free, PLGA nanoparticles exhibited similar cytotoxicity with that of ATRA itself.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.625-638
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• 2016

This paper presents field study and numerical modeling results for a single-cell low-fill concrete box culvert under a flexible pavement subjected to traffic loading. The culvert in the field test was instrumented with displacement transducers to capture the deformations resulting from different combinations of static and traffic loads. A low-boy truck with a known axle configuration and loads was used to apply seven static load combinations and traffic loads at different speeds. Deflections under the culvert roof were measured during loading. Soil and pavement samples were obtained by drilling operation on the test site. The properties of the soil and pavement layers were determined in the laboratory. A 3-D numerical model of the culvert was developed using a finite difference program FLAC3D. Linear elastic models were used for the pavement layers and soil. The numerical results with the material properties determined in the laboratory were compared with the field test results. The observed deflections in the field test were generally smaller under moving loads than static loads. The maximum deflections measured during the static and traffic loads were 0.6 mm and 0.41 mm respectively. The deflections computed by the numerical method were in good agreement with those observed in the field test. The deflection profiles obtained from the field test and the numerical simulation suggest that the traffic load acted more like a concentrated load distributed over a limited area on the culvert. Elastic models for culverts, pavement layers, and surrounding soil are appropriate for numerical modeling of box culverts under loading for load rating purposes.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.137-147
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• 2007

Isotropic (instant loading) and Ko (gradual increase loading) consolidation tests were conducted in triaxial test equipment using cylindrical sample (5.0 cm in diameter and 10.0 cm in height) on two marine clay deposits. The duration of primary consolidation was estimated by two curve fitting methods using measured strain. A differential equation of consolidation for drainage in the radial and vertical direction was solved by the implicit finite difference scheme. The results of two curve fitting methods were compared with the numerical solutions to evaluate the appropriate axial loading rate of Ko consolidation and the primary consolidation periods. In addition, primary consolidation periods of the samples with a diameter of 35 mm and a height of 70 mm were calculated. The relation of radial and vertical consolidation coefficients is also presented.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.172-175
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• 2001

Nanophase catalyst layer for direct methanol fuel cell has been fabricated by magnetron sputtering method. Catalyst metal targets and carbon were sputtered simultaneously on the Nafion membrane surface at abnormally higher gas (Ar/He mixture) pressure than that of normal thin film processing. They could be coated as a novel structure of catalyst layer containing porous PtRu or Pt and carbon particles both in nanometer range. Membrane electrode assembly made with this layer led to a reduction of the catalyst loading. At the catalyst loading of 1.5mg $PtRu/cm^2$ for anode and 1mg $Pt/cm^2$ for cathode, it could provide $45 mW/cm^2$ in the operation at 2 M methanol, 1 Bar Air at 80"C. It is more than $30\%$ increase of the power density performance at the same level of catalyst loading by conventional method. This was realized due to the ultra fine particle sizes and a large fraction of the atoms lie on the grain boundaries of nanophase catalyst layer and they played an important role of fast catalyst reaction kinetics and more efficient fuel path. Commercialization of direct methanol fuel cell for portable electronic devices is anticipated by the further development of such design.