• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.193-207
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• 2022

Thermodynamically, TRUO_x, REO_x, and SrO_x can be chlorinated using ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) as a chlorinating agent, whereas uranium oxides (U₃O₈ and UO₂) remain in the oxide form. In the preliminary experiments of this study, U₃O₈ and CeO₂ are reacted separately with NH₄Cl at 623 K in a sealed reactor. CeO₂ is highly reactive with NH₄Cl and becomes chlorinated into CeCl₃. The chlorination yield ranges from 96% to 100%. By contrast, U₃O₈ remains as UO₂ even after chlorination. We produced U/REO_x- and U/SrO_x-simulated fuels to understand the chlorination characteristics of the oxide compounds. Each simulated fuel is chlorinated with NH₄Cl, and the products are dissolved in LiCl-KCl salt to separate the oxide compounds from the chloride salt. The oxide compounds precipitate at the bottom. The precipitate and salt phases are sampled and analyzed via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. The analysis results indicate that REO_x and SrO_x can be easily chlorinated from the simulated fuels; however, only a few of U oxide phases is chlorinated, particularly from the U/SrO_x-simulated fuels.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2019

The metal-manufacturing method and smelting temperature of ancient metal-production processes have been studied by analyzing the principal elements and microstructures of slag. However, the microstructure of slag varies according to the solidification cooling rate and types and relative amounts of various oxides contained within the smelting materials. Hence, there is a need for accurate analysis methods that allow slag to be distinguished by more than its composition or microstructure. In this study, the microstructures of slag discharged as a result of smelting iron sands collected from Pohang and Gyeongju, as well as the slag excavated from the Ungyo site in Wanju, were analyzed by using metalloscopy, scanning election microscopy-energy dispersine X-ray spectroscopy(SEM-EDS) and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorenscence(WD-XRF). Furthermore, the microcrystals were accurately characterized by performing Raman micro-spectroscopy, which is a technique that can be used to identify the microcrystals of slags. SEM-EDS analysis of Pohang slag indicated that its white polygonal crystals could be Magnetite; however, Raman micro-spectroscopy revealed that these crystals were actually $ulv{\ddot{o}}spinel$. Raman micro-spectroscopy and SEM-EDS were also used to verify that the coarse white dendritic structures observed in the Gyeongju-slag were $W{\ddot{u}}stites$. Additionally, the Wanju slag was observed to have a glassy matrix, which was confirmed by Raman micro-spectroscopy to be Augite. Thus, we have demonstrated that Raman micro-spectroscopy can accurately identify slag microcrystals, which are otherwise difficult to distinguish as solely based on their chemical composition and crystal morphology. Therefore, we conclude that it has excellent potential as a slag analysis technique.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.7 no.s1
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• pp.37-43
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• 1998

The mechanism of interaction between low energy ions and biological organisms has been paid much attention recently. In order to clarify the microstructural response to low energy ion irradiation embryonic cells of Paeonia rockii L. implanted by $Fe^{1+}$ ions with the energy of 80KeV were investigated by Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning electron Microscopy(SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM). At the dose of 1$\times$1015 ions/$\textrm{cm}^2$, apparent cellular damage was observed in the outer several layers of the radicle. The shape of the cells was obviously deformed from regular polygon to irregular. The cell walls became obscure. SEM micrographs showed that the surface of the radicle was etched severely. It was observed by TEM that nucleus of the implanted cell was elongated and tended to fracture. Nuclear envelope lost its integrity. The implanted $Fe^{1+}$ ions were detected by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). These observations showed that low energy ions could damage to the plant organisms with the thickness of about 30~50$\mu\textrm{m}$. The possible reasons for radiation damage in the biological organisms were discussed.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.553-566
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• 2016

Fracture energy is one of the key parameters reveal cracking resistance and fracture toughness of concrete. The main purpose of this study is to determine fracture behavior, mechanical properties and microstructural analysis of high strength basalt fiber reinforced concrete (HSFRC). For this purpose, three-point bending tests were performed on notched beams produced using HSFRCs with 12 mm and 24mm fiber length and 1, 2 and $3kg/m^3$ fiber content in order to determine the value of fracture energy. Fracture energies of the notched beam specimens were calculated by analyzing load versus crack mouth opining displacement curves by the help of RILEM proposal. The results show that the effects of basalt fiber content and fiber length on fracture energy are very significant. The splitting tensile and flexural strength of HSFRC increased with increasing fiber content whereas a slight drop in flexural strength was observed for the mixture with 24mm fiber length and $3kg/m^3$ fiber content. On the other hand, there was no significant effect of fiber addition on the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the mixtures. In addition, microstructural analysis of the three components; cement paste, aggregate and basalt fiber were performed based on the Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy examinations.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.575-580
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• 2023

An electrode was prepared by dip-coating NiFe₂O₄ powder on stainless steel (SUS) support for the application in the alkaline water electrolysis. The prepared electrode was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and was evaluated for the voltage properties with the change of current density in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrgen evolution reaction (HER) using 1, 3 and 7 M KOH solution. From the SEM and EDXS analysis, it was confirmed that the prepared electrode had NiFe₂O₄ on the SUS support. In OER and HER, the voltage in the 7 M KOH solution had a value of 1.35 and -1.90 V at 0.2 and -0.2 A/cm² of the current density, respectively. It was considered that the prepared electrode could be use as an electrode in the alkaline water electrolysis from the experimental results.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2015

To compare the microstructure and electrochemical properties between two binary alloys (Cr-Si, Ni-Si), two composition of binary alloys with the same capacity were selected using phase-diagram and prepared by matrix-stabilization method to suppress the volume expansion of Si by inactive-matrix. Master alloys were made by Arc-melting followed by fine structured ribbon sample preparation by Rapid Solidification Process (RSP, Melt-spinning method) under the same conditions. Also powder samples were produced by wet grinding for X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and electrochemical measurements. As predicted from the phase diagram, only active-Si and inactive-matrix ($CrSi_2$, $NiSi_2$) were detected. The results of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (TEM-EDS) show that Cr-Si alloy has finer microstructure than Ni-Si alloy, which was also predictable through phase diagram. The electrochemical properties related to microstructure were evaluated by coin type full- and half-cells. Separately, self-designed test-cells were used to measure the volume expansion of Si during reaction. Volume expansion of Cr-Si alloy electrode with finer microstructure was suppressed significantly and improved in cycle capability, in comparison Ni-Si alloy with coarse microstructure. From these, we could infer the correlation of microstructure, volume expansion and electrochemical degradation and these properties might be predicted by phase diagram.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2018

In aqueous rechargeable lithium ion batteries, $LiV_3O_8$ exhibits obviously enhanced electrochemical performance after $AlF_3$ surface modification owing to improved surface stability to fragile aqueous electrolyte. The cycle life of $LiV_3O_8$ is significantly enhanced by the presence of an $AlF_3$ coating at an optimal content of 1 wt.%. The results of powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements confirm that the electrochemical improvement can be attributed mainly to the presence of $AlF_3$ on the surface of $LiV_3O_8$. Furthermore, the $AlF_3$ coating significantly reduces vanadium ion dissolution and surface failure by stabilizing the surface of the $LiV_3O_8$ in an aqueous electrolyte solution. The results suggest that the $AlF_3$ coating can prevent the formation of unfavorable side reaction components and facilitate lithium ion diffusion, leading to reduced surface resistance and improved surface stability compared to bare $LiV_3O_8$ and affording enhanced electrochemical performance in aqueous electrolyte solutions.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1997.07d
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• pp.1252-1254
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• 1997

Direct methanol fuel cell based on a proton-exchange membrane electrolyte was investigated. 60% Pt-Ru/C and 60%Pt/C catalysts were employed for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction, respectively. Morphologies of the catalysts were investigated by x-ray power diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and transmission microscopy. Electrochemical characteristics of the catalysts were tested by using cyclic voltametry technique. I-V characteristics of the fuel cell were tested by changing methanol concentration, temperature, and Nafion type as a proton-exchange membrane electrolyte. AC impedance technique was used to investigate the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell. The performance of single cell was enhance with increasing cell temperature. High operation temperature attributed to the combined effects of the reduction of ohmic resistance and polarization. High cell voltage was obtained from the concentration of 205M methanol. With Nafion 112, a current density of $230mA/cm^2$ at 0.55V was obtained from the concentration of 2.5M methanol.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.376-382
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• 2004

Nanoscale Cu-Ni alloy nanopowders have been produced by a pulsed wire evaporation method in an inert gas. The effect of Cu-Ni alloy nanopowders as additives to motor oil on the tribological properties was studied at room temperature. The worn surfaces were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Cu-Ni alloy nanopowders as additives lowered coefficient of friction and wear rate. It was found that a copper containing layer on the worn surface was formed, and deposited layers of the metal cladding acted as lubricant on the worn surface, reducing the friction coefficient. It was clearly demonstrated that Cu-Ni alloy nanopowders as additives are able to restore the worn surface and to preserve the friction surfaces from wear.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.270-275
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• 2016

A simple solid state incorporation method was employed in order to incorporate Pd nanocatalyst into a Nafion film for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) via the reduction of palladium (II) bis (acetylacetonate), $Pd(acac)_2$. It was sublimed, penetrated into Nafion film and then reduced to Pd nanoparticles simultaneously in a glass reactor of N2 atmosphere at $180^{\circ}C$ for 1, 3 and 5 min. This reaction was took place without any reducing agent and any solvent. The morphology of the Pd nanoparticles was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Pd distribution was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). And 23% modification of tensile strength of Pd/Nafion composite film was measured by universal testing machine and I-V curve was estimated by using a unit cell with $5{\times}5cm^2$ active area.