• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.695-701
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• 2013

To understand how reactivity between reinforcing nanoparticles and aqueous solution affects electrodeposited Cu thin films, two types of commercialized cerium oxide (ceria, $CeO_2$) nanoparticles were used with copper sulfate electrolyte to form in-situ nanocomposite films. During this process, we observed variation in colors and pH of the electrolyte depending on the manufacturer. Ceria aqueous solution and nickel sulfate ($NiSO_4$) aqueous solutions were also used for comparison. We checked several parameters which could be key factors contributing to the changes, such as the oxidation number of Cu, chemical impurities of ceria nanoparticles, and so on. Oxidation number was checked by salt formation by chemical reaction between $CuSO_4$ solution and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. We observed that the color changed when $H_2SO_4$ was added to the $CuSO_4$ solution. The same effect was obtained when $H_2SO_4$ was mixed with ceria solution; the color of ceria solution changed from white to yellow. However, the color of $NiSO_4$ solution did not show any significant changes. We did observe slight changes in the pH of the solutions in this study. We did not obtain firm evidence to explain the changes observed in this study, but changes in the color of the electrolyte might be caused by interaction of Cu ion and the by-product of ceria. The mechanical properties of the films were examined by nanoindentation, and reaction between ceria and electrolyte presumably affect the mechanical properties of electrodeposited copper films. We also examined their crystal structures and optical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Vis spectroscopy.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.394-401
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• 2022

Two polymer precursors, polyvinylidene chloride-resin (PVDC-resin) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), are assembled into the microporous carbon by pyrolysis. Microporous carbon is advantageous as an electrode for supercapacitors that store electric charges through ion adsorption/desorption. The pyrolysis also turns the various heteroatoms of two precursors into functional groups, contributing to the additional charge storage. The analysis of the porous structure and function group during carbonization are important to develop the carbon for energy storage. Here, we analyzed the functional groups of two polymer-derived carbons through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties of the functional groups were explored in various pH electrolytes. The specific capacitance of two carbons in the acidic electrolyte (1 M H₂SO₄) was improved compared to that in the neutral electrolyte (0.5 M Na₂SO₄) due to the faradaic charge/discharge reaction of the quinone functional group. In particular, the carbon electrode derived from PVDC-resin exhibits a lower capacity than the carbon from PVDF due to the small micropores. In the alkaline electrolyte (6 M KOH), the highest specific capacitance and rate capability were obtained among the three electrolytes for both electrodes based on the facile adsorption of the constituent electrolyte ions (K⁺, OH^-).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2011

This study was conducted to establish the optimal electrolyte and bismuth concentrations using bismuth film electrode in laboratory and to confirm the possibilities of using this operational condition for heavy metals monitoring in field. In lab test, heavy metal measurement was not accurate more than 600 ppb when heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Zn) range 100~1,000 ppb was measured with bismuth 2,000 ppb. So, bismuth and heavy metal was reacted about 1:1 with ASV method. In electrolyte test, 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.5), 0.1 M chloroacetate buffer (pH 2.0), 0.1 M HCl (pH 2.0), 0.1 M $HNO_3$ (pH 2.0) was tested. As a results, 0.1 M acetate buffer was most suitable in ASV measurement with bismuth film electrode. In field application, Pb, Cd and Zn was measured respectively 36~45 ppb, 84~91 ppb, 90~98 ppb when heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Zn) 100 ppb was spiked in field sample. These results were identified of matrix effect in field sample, So relationship between heavy metal measurement and matrix effects will be studied.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 2013

Four types of electrolyte were tested for the application as an electrolyte in the Zn-Br redox flow battery. Electrolyte was consist of $ZnBr_2$ (electrolyte number 1), $ZnBr_2+KCl$ (electrolyte number 2), $ZnBr_2+KCl+NH_4Br$ (electrolyte number 3) and $ZnBr_2+KCl+EMPBr(C_7H_{16}BF_4N)$ (electrolyte number 4). The each electrolyte property was measured by CV (cyclic voltammetry) method. The different between the potential of anodic and cathodic maximum current density in a CV experiment (${\Delta}E_P$) was 0.89V, 0.89V, 1.06V and 0.61V for the electrolyte number 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The electrolyte involved KCl increased conductivity which was appeared by anodic and cathodic maximum current density in a CV experiment. It was estimated that the electrolyte of number 3 ($ZnBr_2+KCl+NH_4Br$) and number 4 ($ZnBr_2+KCl+EMPBr$) could be suitable as an electrolyte in the Zn-Br redox flow battery with non-appeared bubble, non-Br formation and high anodic-cathodic maximum current density.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.559-564
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• 2001

A method for calculating the main characteristics of a potentiometric titration curve in a carboxylic ion exchanger has been investigated. The potentiometric titration curves of simple electrolyte and ion exchangers (polyelectrolytes) showed a great difference between them. The acidity parameters of the ion exchangers, the thermodynamic constant (pK0), apparent equilibrium constant (K), and correction for the apparent equilibrium constant (b), were introduced and used to express the characteristics of the carboxylic ion exchanger. A characteristic equation related to the acidity parameters of the ion exchangers systems was derived. A fibrous carboxylic cation exchanger was used and potentiometric titration curves at different concentrations of the supporting electrolyte were obtained . To prove the validity of the characteristic equation, the concentration of the supporting electroyte was varied. In the present study, good agreement between the data points and the fitted curves was found in all the cases. The g (number of moles of alkali to 1 g of ion exchanger) of carboxylic ion exchanger was calculated from the concentration of supporting electrolyte (C), pH of the solution, and degree of neutralization of ion exchanger (x).

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.36-40
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• 1983

Uranium radionuclides are electrodeposited on inexpensive stainless steel cathode from a mixed oxalate-chloride electrolyte. The factors affecting the optimum condition for the deposition are determined by studying the effects of deposition time, initial current, electrode spacing, pH of electrolyte and uranium concentration in the electrolyte at fixed cathode area. The experiment which was repeated 3 times at each uranium concentration with 60 minutes of deposition time, gave an error of less than 4% standard deviation at the 90% confidence level with average yield greater than 99%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.380-390
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• 1993

Effect of interfacial electrical conditions on adhesion of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particles to PET fabric and the removal of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particles from PET fabric, were investigated as functions of pH, electrolyte and ionic strength. The ${\zeta}$ potential of PET fiber and ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particles in the electrolyte solution were measured by streaming potential and microelectrophoresis methods respectively. The potential energy of interaction between ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particles and PET fabric were calculated by using the heterocoagulation theory for a sphere-plate model. The negative ${\zeta}$ potential of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particle and PET fiber increased with pH, and then decreased certain pH and isoelectric points of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particles and PET fiber were pH 6.5 and pH 3.5, respectively. The negative ${\zeta}$ potential of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particle and PET fiber affected by electrolytes, were relatively high with polyanion electrolytes in solutions and were low with neutral salts. However, at surfactant solution, ${\zeta}$ potential was levelled off. The influence of the ionic strength on the ${\zeta}$ potential of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particle was small but the negative ${\zeta}$ potential of PET fiber increased with the ionic strength. In the presence of anionic surfactant, the ${\zeta}$ potential of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particle and PET fiber increased regardless of solution conditions. The interaction energy between ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ particle and PET fabric increased with pH. The interaction energy was relatively high with polyanion electrolytes in solution, and the influence of ionic strength on the interaction energy was small, and the effective thickness of electrical double layer increased with decreasing the ionic strength.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.655-659
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• 2012

This study elucidates the COD removal of dye (Rhodamine B) through electrochemical reaction. Effects of current density (7.2 to 43.3 $mA/cm^2$), electrolyte type (NaCl, KCl, $Na_2SO_4$, HCl), electrolyte concentration (0.5 to 2.0 g/L), air flow rate (0 to 4 L/min) and pH (3 to 11) on the COD removal of Rhodamine B were investigated. The observed results showed that the increase of pH decrease the COD removal efficiency. Whereas, the increase of current density;NaCl concentration and air flow rate caused the increase of the COD removal of Rhodamine B.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.270-273
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• 2009

A comb-like copolymer consisting of a poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoro-ethylene) backbone and poly(hydroxy ethyl acrylate) side chains, i.e. P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-PHEA, was synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using CTFE units as a macroinitiator. Successful synthesis and a microphase-separated structure of the copolymer were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), FT-IR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This comb-like polymer was crosslinked with 4,5-imidazole dicarboxylic acid (IDA) via the esterification of the -OH groups of PHEA and the -COOH groups of IDA. Upon doping with phosphoric acid ($H_3PO_4$) to form imidazole-$H_3PO_4$ complexes, the proton conductivity of the membranes continuously increased with increasing $H_3PO_4$ content. A maximum proton conductivity of 0.015 S/cm was achieved at $120^{\circ}C$ under anhydrous conditions. In addition, these P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-PHEA/IDA/$H_3PO_4$ membranes exhibited good mechanical properties (765 MPa of Young's modulus), and high thermal stability up to $250^{\circ}C$, as determined by a universal testing machine (UTM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2006

In this study, problems related with pH control in electrokinetic(EK) bioremediation of phenanthrene contaminated soil were observed, and the effects of pH control methods on the removal efficiency were investigated to search a further application strategy. In a preliminary experiment, it was found out by flask cultivation that a certain sulfate concentration was needed to degrade phenanthrene well using Sphingomonas sp. 3Y. However, when $MgSO_4$ was used as sulfate source in EK bioremediation, the bacterial activity reduced seriously due to the abrupt decrease of pHs in soil and bioreactor by the combination of magnesium and hydroxyl ions. When another strong buffering compound was used to control the pH problem, the good maintenance of the bacterial activity and pHs could be observed, but the removal efficiency decreased largely. When a low concentration of $MgSO_4$ was added, the removal efficiency decreased somewhat in spite of the good maintenance of neutral pHs. With the addition of NaOH as a neutralizing agent, the removal efficiency also decreased because of the increase of soil pH. Consequently the selection of electrolyte composition was a very important factor in EK bioremediation and some sulfate sources suitable for both bacterial activity and contaminant degradation should be investigated.