• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.46-51
• /
• 2013

In order to monitor in situ electrochemical reaction we prepared the gold microshells on silica microspheres of $2{\mu}m$ in diameter which were able to not only work as electrodes but also surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrates. Previously reported gold microshell using polystyrene as core material have a few serious problems, mostly coming from solubility in organic solvent, nonuniform distribution in size and toxicity of the polystyrene. Here we prepared silica core-gold microshell to obtain a strong SERS active platform benefitting from the physicochemical stability, uniformity and non-toxicity of silica. Varying the concentration of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES), the surfaces of silica beads were modified and the optimal condition was determined to be 1% APTES that made the SERS activity of gold microshell strongest. The gold microshells as made were characterized by homemade Micro-Raman system spectrometer, Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.1669-1678
• /
• 2011

Six new binuclear copper(II) complexes have been prepared by template condensation of the dialdehydes 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl)benzyl]-l,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (PC-a) and 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-bromo)benzyl]-l,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (PC-b) with appropriate aliphatic diamines, and copper(II) perchlorate. The structural features of the complexes have been confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis and mass spectra etc. The electrochemical behavior of all the copper(II) complexes show two irreversible one electron reduction process. The room temperature magnetic moment studies depict the presence of an antiferromagnetic interaction in the binuclear complexes. The catechol oxidation and hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenylphosphate were carried out by using the complexes as catalyst. The antimicrobial screening data show good results. The binding of the complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been investigated with absorption and emission spectroscopy. The complex [$Cu_2L^{1a}$] displays significant cleavage property of circular plasmid pBR322 DNA in to linear form. Spectral, electrochemical, magnetic and catalytic studies support the distortion of the copper ion geometry that arises as the macrocyclic ring size increases.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.194-201
• /
• 2009

The e1ectrocatalytic properties of heteropolyacids(HPAs) entrapped in covalently cross-linked sulfonated polyetheretherketone(CL-SPEEK/HPA) membranes have been studied for water electrolysis. The HPAs, including tungstophosphoric acid(TPA), molybdophosphoric acid(MoPA), and tungstosilicic acid(TSiA) were used as additives in the composite membranes. The MEA was prepared by a non-equilibrium impregnation-reduction(I-R) method, using reducing agent, sodium borohydride(NaBH4) and tetraamineplatinum(II) chloride(pt(NH$_3$)$_4$Cl$_2$). The electrocatalytic properties of composite membranes such as the cell voltage were in the order of magnitude CL-SPEEKlMoPA40 (wt%) > /TPA30 > /TSiA40. In the optimum cell applications for water electrolysis, the cell voltage of PtlPEM/Pt-Ru MEA with CL-SPEEKlTPA30 membrane was 1.75 V at 80$^{\circ}$C and I A/cm$^2$ and this voltage carried lower than that of 1.81 V of Nafion 117. Consequently, in regards of electrochemical and mechanical characteristics and oxidation durability, the newly developed CL-SPEEKITPA30 composite membrane exhibited a better performance than the others, but CLSPEEKlMoPA40 showed the best electrocatalytic activity (1.71 Vat 80$^{\circ}$C and 1 A/cm$^2$) among the composite membranes.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.273-281
• /
• 2020

Constructing and making highly active and stable nanostructured Pt-based catalysts with ultralow Pt loading are still electrifying for electrochemical applications such as water electrolysis and fuel cells. In this study, MoO₃ ribbons (RBs) of few micrometer in length is successfully synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis. Subsequently, 3-dimentional (3D)-silicate layer for about 10 to 15 nm is introduced via chemical deposition onto the pre-formed MoO₃ RBs; to setup the platform for Pt metaldots (MDs) deposition. In comparison with the bare MoO₃ RBs, the MoO₃-Si has served as a efficient solid-support for stabilizing and accommodating the uniform deposition of sub-2 nm Pt MDs. Such a structural design would effectively assist in improving the electronic conductivity of a fabricated MoO₃-Si-Pt catalyst towards MOR; the interfaced, porous and 3D silicate layer has assisted in an efficient mass transport and quenching the poisonous CO_ads species leading to a significant electrocatalytic performance for MOR in alkaline medium. Uniformly decorated, sub-2 nm sized Pt MDs has synergistically oxidized the MeOH in association with the MoO₃-Si solid-support hence, synergistic catalytic activity has been achieved. Present facile approach can be extended for fabricating variety of highly efficient Metal Oxide-Metal Nanocomposite for energy harvesting applications.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2010.05a
• /
• pp.37.1-37.1
• /
• 2010

The multi-component olivine cathode material, $LiMn_{1/3}Fe_{1/3}Co_{1/3}PO_4$, was prepared via a novel coprecipitation method of the mixed transition metal oxalate, $Mn_{1/3}Fe_{1/3}Co_{1/3}(C_2O_4){\cdot}2H_2O$. The stoichiometric ratio and distribution of transition metals in the oxalate, therefore, in the olivine product, was affected sensitively by the environments in the coprecipitation process, while they are the important factors in determining the electrochemical property of electrode materials with multiple transition metals. The effect of the pH, atmosphere, temperature, and aging time was investigated thoroughly with respect to the atomic ratio of transition metals, phase purity, and morphology of the mixed transition metal oxalate. The electrochemical activity of each transition metal in the olivine synthesized through this method clearly was enhanced as indicated in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement. Three distinctive contributions from Mn, Fe, and Co redox couples were detected reversibly in multiple charge and discharge processes. The first discharge capacity at the C/5 rate was $140.5\;mAh\;g^{-1}$ with good cycle retention. The rate capability test showed that the high capacity still is retained even at the 4C and 6C rates with 102 and $81\;mAh\;g^{-1}$, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2020

Carbon supports for dispersed platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are being continuously developed to improve electrochemical performance and catalyst stability. However, carbon supports still require solutions to reduce costs and improve catalyst efficiency. In this study, we prepare well-dispersed Pt electrocatalysts by introducing titanium dioxide (TiO₂) into biomass based nitrogen-doped carbon supports. In order to obtain optimized electrochemical performance, different amounts of TiO₂ component are controlled by three types (Pt/TNC-2 wt%, Pt/TNC-4 wt%, and Pt/TNC-6 wt%). Especially, the anodic current density of Pt/TNC-4 wt% is 707.0 mA g^-1_pt, which is about 1.65 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C (429.1 mA g^-1_pt); Pt/TNC-4wt% also exhibits excellent catalytic stability, with a retention rate of 91 %. This novel support provides electrochemical performance improvement including several advantages of improved anodic current density and catalyst stability due to the well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles on the support by the introduction of TiO₂ component and nitrogen doping in carbon. Therefore, Pt/TNC-4 wt% may be electrocatalyst a promising catalyst as an anode for high-performance DMFCs.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.262-267
• /
• 2016

In this study, we present an excellent approach for easily and uniformly immobilizing Pt, Au and bimetallic PtAu nanoparticles (NPs) on a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-coated layer through dry plasma reduction. The NPs are stably and uniformly immobilized on the surface of MWNTs and the nanohybrid materials are applied to counter electrode (CE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The electrochemical properties of CEs are examined through cyclic voltammogram, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel measurements. As a result, both electrochemical catalytic activity and electrical conductivity are highest for PtAu/MWNT electrode. The DSC employing PtAu/MWNT CE exhibits power conversion efficiency of 7.9%. The efficiency is better than those of devices with MWNT (2.6%), AuNP/MWNT (2.7%) and PtNP/MWNT (7.5%) CEs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1446-1451
• /
• 2012

Levodopa or L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is the precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. L-DOPA is a famous treatment for Parkinson's disease symptoms. In this study, electroenzymatic synthesis of L-DOPA was performed in a three-electrode cell, comprising a Ag/AgCl reference electrode, a platinum wire auxiliary electrode, and a glassy carbon working electrode. L-DOPA had an oxidation peak at 376 mV and a reduction peak at -550 mV. The optimum conditions of pH, temperature, and amount of free tyrosinase enzyme were pH 7, $30^{\circ}C$, and 250 IU, respectively. The kinetic constant of the free tyrosinase enzyme was found for both cresolase and catacholase activity to be 0.25 and 0.4 mM, respectively. A cyclic voltammogram was used to investigate the electron transfer rate constant. The mean heterogeneous electron transfer rate ($k_e$) was $5.8{\times}10^{-4}$ cm/s. The results suggest that the electroenzymatic method could be an alternative way to produce L-DOPA without the use of a reducing agent such as ascorbic acid.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.196-205
• /
• 2019

Ni-rich layered oxides $Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_z)O_2$ (x + y + z = 1) have been extensively studied in recent times owing to their high capacity and low cost and can possibly replace $LiCoO_2$ in the near future. However, these layered oxides suffer from problems related to the capacity fading, thermal stability, and safety at high voltages. In this study, we use surface coating as a strategy to improve the thermal stability at higher voltages. The uniform and conformal $Al_2O_3$ coating on prefabricated electrodes using atomic layer deposition significantly prevented surface degradation over prolonged cycling. Initial capacity of 190, 199, 188 and $166mAh\;g^{-1}$ is obtained for pristine, 2, 5 and 10 cycles of ALD coated samples at 0.2C and maintains 145, 158, 151 and $130mAh\;g^{-1}$ for high current rate of 2C in room temperature. The two-cycle $Al_2O_3$ modified cathode retained 75% of its capacity after 500 cycles at 5C with 0.05% capacity decay per cycle, compared with 46.5% retention for a pristine electrode, at an elevated temperature. Despite the insulating nature of the $Al_2O_3$ coating, a thin layer is sufficient to improve the capacity retention at a high temperature. The $Al_2O_3$ coating can prevent the detrimental surface reactions at a high temperature. Thus, the morphology of the active material is well-maintained even after extensive cycling, whereas the bare electrode undergoes severe degradation.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.67-95
• /
• 2024

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) have gained much attention as promising energy conversion devices due to their ability to utilize alcohol as a fuel source. In this regard, Molybdenum-based electrocatalysts (Mo-ECs) have emerged as a substitution for expensive Pt and Ru-based co-catalyst electrode materials in DAFCs, owing to their unique electrochemical properties useful for alcohol oxidation. The catalytic activity of Mo-ECs displays an increase in alcohol oxidation current density by several folds to 1000-2000 mA mg_Pt^-1, compared to commercial Pt and PtRu catalysts of 10-100 mA mg_Pt^-1. In addition, the methanol oxidation peak and onset potential have been significantly reduced by 100-200 mV and 0.5-0.6 V, respectively. The performance of Mo-ECs in both acidic and alkaline media has shown the potential to significantly reduce the Pt loading. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the bifunctional mechanism involved in the oxidation of alcohols and factors affecting the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohol, such as synthesis method, structural properties, and catalytic support materials. Furthermore, the challenges and prospects of Mo-ECs for DAFCs anode materials are discussed. This in-depth review serves as valuable insight toward enhancing the performance and efficiency of DAFC by employing Mo-ECs.