• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.836-844
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• 2009

A denitrification bacterium was isolated from riverbed soil and identified as Ochrobactrum sp., whose specific enzymes for denitrification metabolism were biochemically assayed or confirmed with specific coding genes. The denitrification activity of strain G3-1 was proportional to glucose/nitrate balance, which was consistent with the theoretical balance (0.5). The modified graphite felt cathode with neutral red, which functions as a solid electron mediator, enhanced the electron transfer from electrode to bacterial cell. The porous carbon anode was coated with a ceramic membrane and cellulose acetate film in order to permit the penetration of water molecules from the catholyte to the outside through anode, which functions as an air anode. A non-compartmented electrochemical bioreactor (NCEB) comprised of a solid electron mediator and an air anode was employed for cultivation of G3-1 cells. The intact G3-1 cells were immobilized in the solid electron mediator, by which denitrification activity was greatly increased at the lower glucose/nitrate balance than the theoretical balance (0.5). Metabolic stability of the intact G3-1 cells immobilized in the solid electron mediator was extended to 20 days, even at a glucose/nitrate balance of 0.1.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.169-182
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• 2017

Iron and nitrogen codoped carbon (Fe-N/C) catalysts have emerged as one of the most promising replacements for state-of-the-art platinum-based electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. During the last decade, significant progress has been achieved in Fe-N/C catalysts in terms of ORR activity improvement and active site identification. In this review, we focus on recent efforts towards advancing our understanding of the structure of active sites in Fe-N/C catalysts. We summarize the spectroscopic and electrochemical methods that are used to analyze active site structure in Fe-N/C catalysts, and the relationship between active site structure and ORR activity in these catalysts. We provide an overview of recently reported synthetic strategies that can generate active sites in Fe-N/C catalysts preferentially. We then discuss newly suggested active sites in Fe-N/C catalysts. Finally, we conclude this review with a brief future outlook.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.372-377
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• 2016

The carbon felt used as the electrode of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) requires imprived electrochemical activity for better battery performance and efficiencies. Many efforts have been tried to improve electrochemical activity of the carbon felt as electrodes. In this study the alkali solution, KOH, is applied on surface treatment of the carbon felt electrode. The carbon felts were treated with KOH under room temperature and $80^{\circ}C$. The isopropyl alcohol was applied to improve wettability of the carbon felt during KOH treatment. The KOH treated carbon felt was analyzed by using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS analysis of carbon felt electrode revealed on increase in the overall surface oxygen content of the carbon felts after KOH treatment. Also, cyclic voltametry tests showed electrochemical characteristics enhancement of the carbon felt.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.08a
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• pp.206-206
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• 2011

Nanoparticles have been received great attention from many researchers for several decades because of their good and unique properties. In particular, researches in the field of synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles showed good results for the past ten years. In this research, Pd thinlayer on Au nanoparticles were synthesized by electrochemical deposition method. Well-defined Au(111) nanoparticles were synthesized by solution based reduction method. Electrochemical deposition conditions for Pd thinlayer on Au(111) nanoparticles surface were carefully regulated by controlling parameters of cyclic voltammetry. To calculate exact mass and surface area catalytic activities of deposited Pd thinlayer on Au(111) nanoparticle, electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) and mass of the deposited Pd thinlayer were measured by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M HClO4 solution. Afterward, catalytic activities of the deposited Pd thinlayer were measured in 0.1 M HClO4 + 0.2 M formic acid solution. In case of less negative deposition potential, the amounts of deposited Pd mass and surface area were small. However, mass and ECSA activity of the deposited Pd to oxidize formic acid were increased.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2010

Controlled electrodeposition of dendritic nano-structured gold-platinum (AuPt) alloy onto an electrochemically pretreated carbon paper substrate was conducted in an attempt to improve catalyst utilization and to secure an electronic percolation network toward formic acid (FA) fuel cell application. The AuPt catalysts were obtained by potentiostatic deposition. AuPt catalysts synthesized as bimetallic alloys with 60% Au content exhibited the highest catalytic activity towards formic acid electro-oxidation. The origin of this high activity and the role of Au were evaluated, in particular, by XPS analysis. Polarization and stability measurements with 1 mg $cm^{-2}$ AuPt catalyst (only 0.4 mg $cm^{-2}$ Pt) showed 52 mW $cm^{-2}$ and sustainable performance using 3M formic acid and dry air at $40^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2013

Platinum is a well known element which shows a significant electrocatalytic activity in many important applications. In glucose sensor, because of the poisoning effect of reaction intermediates and the low surface area, the electrocatalytic activity towards the glucose oxidation is low which cause the low sensitivity. So, we fabricate a nanoporous PtZn alloy electrode by deposition-dissolution method. It provides a high active surface and a large enzyme encapsulating space per unit area when it used for an enzymatic glucose sensor. Glucose oxidase was immobilized on the electrode surface by capping with PEDOT composite and PPDA. The composite and PPDA also can exclude the interference ion such as ascorbic acid and uric acid to improve the selectivity. The surface area was determined by cyclic voltametry method and the surface structure and the element were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. The sensitivity is $13.5{\mu}A/mM\;cm^2$. It is a remarkable value with such simply prepared senor has high selectivity.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.356-358
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• 2011

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.1305-1311
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• 2014

The nickel oxide, the most widely used cathode material for the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), has several disadvantages including NiO dissolution, poor mechanical strength, and corrosion phenomena during MCFC operation. The surface modification of NiO with lanthanum maintains the advantages, such as performance and stability, and suppresses the disadvantages of NiO cathode because the modification results in the formation of $LaNiO_3$ phase which has high conductivity, stability, and catalytic activity. As a result, La-modified NiO cathode shows low NiO dissolution, high degree of lithiation, and mechanical strength, and high cell performance and catalytic activity in comparison with the pristine NiO. These enhanced physico-chemical and electrochemical properties and the durability in marine environment allow MCFC to marine application as a auxiliary propulsion system.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.49-52
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• 2014

Graphene nanosheets (GNS), nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (N-GNS), and sulfur-doped graphene nanosheets (S-GNS) were successfully synthesized, and their catalytic effects on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in $Li-O_2$ batteries were compared. The S-GNS electrode exhibited the highest ORR catalytic activity, resulting in enhanced discharge capacity and power capability. We attributed the enhanced ORR catalytic activity to the increased defect sites on graphene.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.65-72
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• 2014

The use of nanoscale electrocatalysts is a promising strategy for achieving high catalyst activity due to their large surface area. However, catalyst activity is not directly correlated to particle size. To understand this discrepancy, many studies have been conducted, but a full understanding has still not been achieved, despite the importance of particle size effects in designing an active catalyst. In this review, we focus on the discussion of particle size effects on the oxygen reduction reaction, and also discussed the nanoscale design beyond the nanoparticle to the meso and macroscale design.