• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.908-916
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• 2010

Fullerene-60 nanoparticles were used for studying their effect on the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation efficiency of two potential polymer-degrading consortia comprising three bacterial strains each. At a concentration of 0.01% (w/v) in minimal broth lacking dextrose, fullerene did not have any negative influence upon the consortia growth. However, fullerene was found to be detrimental for bacterial growth at higher concentrations (viz., 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%). Although addition of 0.01% fullerene into the biodegradation assays containing 5mg/ml LDPE subsided growth curves significantly, subsequent analysis of the degraded products revealed an enhanced biodegradation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed breakage and formation of chemical bonds along with the introduction of ${\nu}C$-O frequencies into the hydrocarbon backbone of LDPE. Moreover, simultaneous thermogravimetric-differential thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTG-DTA) revealed a higher number of decomposition steps along with a 1,000-fold decrease in the heat of reactions (${\Delta}H$) in fullerene-assisted biodegraded LDPE, suggesting the probable formation of multiple macromolecular byproducts. This is the first report whereby fullerene-60, which is otherwise considered toxic, has helped to accelerate the polymer biodegradation process of bacterial consortia.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.45-49
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• 2016

In order to mitigate oxidative degradation of polymer membrane during fuel cell operation, an organic radical quencher was introduced. Rutin was selected as a radical quencher and mixed with sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) to prepare composite membrane. Physicochemical properties of the composite membranes such as water uptake and proton conductivity were characterized. Hydrogen peroxide exposure experiment, which can mimic accelerated oxidative stability test during fuel cell operation, was adopted to evaluate the oxidative stability of the membranes. The composite membranes containing Rutin showed similar proton conductivity and enhanced oxidative stability compared to pristine ones.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.465-477
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• 2015

Recently membrane-based gas separation has attracted a lot of attention due to the growing demands on energy efficient separation processes. Current membrane-based gas separation is dominant by polymer membranes and limited mostly to non-condensable gases rather than condensable gases such as hydrocarbon isomers due to the limitation s of polymer materials. Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, consisting of metal ions and organic ligands, have received a tremendous attention as membrane materials due to high surface area, controllable pore structure, and functionality. In this review, we provide a recent development of MOF membrane preparation methods and their gas separation applications.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.192-196
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• 2008

The generation of high purity hydrogen from reformed hydrocarbon fuels, or syngas, is essential for efficient operation of the fuel cell (PEMFC, Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell). Usually, major components of reformed gas are $H_2$, CO, $CO_2$ and $H_2O$. Especially a major component, CO poisons the electrode of fuel cells. The water gas shifter (WGS) that shifts CO to $CO_2$ and simultaneously produces $H_2$, was developed to a two stage catalytic conversion process involving a high temperature shifter (HTS) and a low temperature shifter (LTS). Also, experiments were carried out to reduce the carbon monoxide up to $3{\sim}4%$ in the HTS and lower than 5,000 ppm via the LTS.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.14.1-14.1
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• 2009

We found a high yield synthetic route to organic-soluble metal nanoparticles in the concentrated organic phase. The organic phase contains metal salt, amines, fatty acids, nonpolar solvent, and reducing agent. Even using only generic chemicals, organic-soluble silver and copper nanoparticles could be easily obtained by this simple and rapid reaction scheme at large scale. The hydrocarbon-protected metal nanoparticles showed excellent dispersion properties and were successfully printed onto polymer substrates. The printed pattern was heated at $200^{\circ}C$, which showed very low specific electrical resistance (< 10 uOhm$\cdot$cm), sufficient for conducting line of various printable devices.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1167-1172
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• 1995

A coverage of about 1 μm-sized pores of a membrane filter by four monolayers of maleic acids copolymers and poly(allylamine) (PAA) was attained by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique through a covalent cross-linking followed a polyion complexation at the air-water interface. The copolymers were prepared to have side chains of hydrocarbon tail, carboxyl, and/or oligoether in the repeat unit. The surface pressure-area isotherms showed that the monolayers on an aqueous PAA have more expanded area than on pure water. The monolayers were transferable on a calcium fluoride substrate and a fluorocarbon membrane filter as Y deposition type, and the resulting LB films were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A polymer network produced through interchain amide formation was confirmed in as-deposited films. The films were heat-treated in order to complete the cross-linking. SEM observation of the heat-treated film on a porous membrane filter showed that the four layer film was sufficiently stable to cover the filter pore of about 1 μm. Immersion of the film in water or in chloroform did not cause any change in its appearance on SEM and in FT-IR spectra.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.886-893
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• 2009

Surface modifications using a radio frequency Ar-plasma treatment were performed on a polypropylene (PP) blend used for automotive bumper fascia. The surface characterization and morphology were examined. With increasing aging time, there was an increase in wettability, oxygen containing polar functional groups (i.e., C-O, C=O and O-C=O) due to oxidation, the amount of tale, and bearing depth and roughness on the PP surface, while there was a decrease in the number of hydrocarbon groups (i.e., C-C and C-H). AFM indicated that the Ar-plasma-treatment on a PP blend surface transforms the wholly annular surface into a locally dimpled surface, leading to an improvement in wettability. SEM showed that the PP layer observed in the non-plasma-treated sample was removed after the Ar-plasma treatment and the rubber particles were exposed to the surface. The observed surface characterization and morphologies are responsible for the improved wettability and interfacial adhesion between the PP blend substrate and bumper coating layers.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.669-680
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• 1994

DMA-co-DAMA were synthesized from 2-diethylaminoethyl metacrylate and dodecyl-metacrylate containing long chain hydrocarbon group with hydrophilic and hydrophobic radicals. To facilitate water emulsification,acrylic copolymer was cationized by acetic acid to produce acetated acrylic copolymer. The structures of the synthesized copolymer and acetated copolymers were confirmed by IR, NMR, and molecular weight was measured by GPC, and C. H. N elemental analysis. Acetated acrylic copolymers were perfectly emulsified in water and showed increased emulsion stability. Polymer dispersion for cement modifier(PDCM-PDD) was prepared by blending of the guaternized acrylic copolymer synthesized above sodium silicate sodium gluconate oleic acid and triethanol amine. The result with prepared polymer dispersion of cement modfier was examined, and it was found that excellent waterproffing effect; Water permeability ratio is 0.44 under the water pressure of $100g/cm^2$ and 0.55 under $3kg/cm^2$, and water absorption ratio is 0.36~0.47 and 1.02 compressive strength ratio at mixed ratio of water/PDCM-PDD is 45 times.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.456-463
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• 2015

In this study, we synthesize novel silane based inorganics for preparation of the polymer electrolyte membrane with high proton conductivity under high temperature condition and developed membranes are characterized. SPAES, hydrocarbon based polymer are synthesized and used as main polymeric material. We used sol-gel method to prepare inorganic material with high performance using silica, phosphate and zirconium. Three types of inorganics were prepared by control of the mole ration of each component. As a result of EDX analysis, the inorganic materials are well dispersed in the polymer membrane. The water uptake of the composite membrane is increased by introduction of the hydrophilic inorganic material in the membrane. When the content of the zirconium in the membrane is increased, the proton conductivity of the composite membrane shows the higher value than pure SPAES membrane at the high temperature. And the silica based inorganics effect to increase the proton conductivity under low temperature condition.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.389-398
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• 2019

Hydrogen energy is not only a solution to climate change problems caused by the use of fossil fuels, but also as an alternative source for the industrial power generation and automotive fuel. Among hydrogen production methods, electrolysis of water is considered to be one of the most efficient and practical methods. Compared to that of the fossil fuel production method, the method of producing hydrogen directly from water has no emission of methane and carbon dioxide, which are regarded as global environmental pollutants. In this paper, the alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) and polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), which are one of the hydrogen production methods, were discussed. Recent research trends of hydrocarbon electrolyte membranes and the crossover phenomenon of electrolyte membranes were also described.