• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.167.1-167.1
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• 2014

We report a facile method to fabricate superhydrophobic, transparent and conductive film using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) which are coated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). In order to prepare a film, PDMS coated MWCNTs were dispersed in solvents and the solution was drop-casted on substrates. It was demonstrated that the PDMS coating enhanced the dispersion of MWCNTs in diverse solvents such as dimethyl formamide(DMF) and acetone without the use of acids or surfactants, which are the common methods. In the case of DMF solvent, dispersion of MWCNT was improved by 40 % upon PDMS-coating of MWCNT. Enhanced dispersion of MWCNTs made it possible to fabricate transparent and conductive film homogeneously on the substrate and PDMS-coating on MWCNTs also made the surface hydrophobic. We can fabricate a uniform and multifunctional MWCNT film (transparent, conductive, superhydrophobic and flexible) which is applicable on large area without any physical damage and expensive equipment.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.113-116
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• 2021

In this study, we report a facile fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-CuO composites synthesized by a microwave method using MWCNTs and copper oxide (CuO). The number of copper hydrate precursors affect the size and number of CuO domains formed along the MWCNTs in the composites. The domain size is controllable from 239 nm to 348 nm. The composites are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The CuO produced in the composites is confirmed to be tenorite with a monoclinic crystal structure through the XRD patterns of (-111), (111) and (-202).

• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2013

A supercritical carbon dioxide (SCC) process of dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into epoxy resin has been developed to achieve MWCNT/epoxy composites (CECs) with improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The synthesis of CECs has been executed at a MWCNT (phr) concentration ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 into epoxy resin (0.1 mol) at 1800 psi, $90^{\circ}C$, and 1500 rpm over 1 h followed by curing of the MWCNT/epoxy formulations with triethylene tetramine (15 phr). The effect of SCC treatment on the qualitative dispersion of MWCNTs at various concentrations into the epoxy has been investigated through spectra analyses and microscopy. The developed SCC assisted process provides a good dispersion of MWCNTs into the epoxy up to a MWCNT concentration of 0.2. The effects of SCC assisted dispersion at various concentrations of MWCNTs on modification of mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical thermal, and tribological properties and the electrical conductivity of CECs have been investigated.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.1.1-1.8
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• 2015

Objectives In this study, the effect of tube length and outer diameter (OD) size of hydroxylated-multi walled carbon nanotubes (OH-MWCNTs) on their uptake and toxicity was investigated in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans using a functional mutant analysis. Methods The physicochemical properties of three different OH-MWCNTs were characterized. Uptake and toxicity were subsequently investigated on C. elegans exposed to MWCNTs with different ODs and tube lengths. Results The results of mutant analysis suggest that ingestion is the main route of MWCNTs uptake. We found that OH-MWCNTs with smaller ODs were more toxic than those with larger ODs, and OH-MWCNTs with shorter tube lengths were more toxic than longer counterparts to C. elegans. Conclusions Overall the results suggest the aspect ratio affects the toxicity of MWCNTs in C. elegans. Further thorough study on the relationship between physicochemical properties and toxicity needs to be conducted for more comprehensive understanding of the uptake and toxicity of MWCNTs.

• Carbon letters
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• v.20
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• pp.53-61
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• 2016

The reportedly synergistic effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene hybrids have prompted strong demand for an efficient modifier to enhance their dispersion. Here, we investigated the ability of poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) to overcome the van der Waals interaction of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) and graphene by employing a simple wrapping process involving ultrasonication and subsequent centrifugation of PAN/MWCNT/graphene solutions. The physical wrapping of MWCNTs and graphene with PAN was investigated for various PAN concentrations, in an attempt to simplify and improve the polymer-wrapping process. Transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the wrapping of the MWCNTs and graphene with PAN layers. The interaction between the graphitic structure and the PAN molecules was examined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The obtained results revealed that the cyano groups of the PAN molecules facilitated adhesion of the PAN molecules to the MWCNTs and graphene for polymer wrapping. The resulting enhanced dispersion of MWCNTs and graphene was verified from zeta potential and shelf-life measurements.

• Carbon letters
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• v.21
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• pp.33-50
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• 2017

In this study, Fe-Ni bimetallic catalyst supported on kaolin is prepared by a wet impregnation method. The effects of mass of kaolin support, pre-calcination time, pre-calcination temperature and stirring speed on catalyst yields are examined. Then, the optimal supported Fe-Ni catalyst is utilised to produce multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) method. The catalysts and MWCNTs prepared using the optimal conditions are characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), high-resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM), electron diffraction spectrometer (EDS), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD/EDS patterns of the prepared catalyst confirm the formation of a purely crystalline ternary oxide ($NiFe_2O_4$). The statistical analysis of the variance demonstrates that the combined effects of the reaction temperature and acetylene flow rate predominantly influenced the MWCNT yield. The $N_2$ adsorption (BET) and TGA analyses reveal high surface areas and thermally stable MWCNTs. The HRTEM/HRSEM micrographs confirm the formation of tangled MWCNTs with a particle size of less than 62 nm. The XRD patterns of the MWCNTs reveal the formation of a typical graphitized carbon. This study establishes the production of MWCNTs from a bi-metallic catalyst supported on kaolin.

• Carbon letters
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• v.22
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• pp.36-41
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• 2017

Biodegradable epoxy (B-epoxy) was prepared from diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and epoxidized linseed oil. The mechanical properties of B-epoxy composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs/B-epoxy) were examined by employing dynamic mechanical analysis, critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$) tests, and impact strength tests. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI-SE) of the composites was evaluated using reflection and absorption methods. Mechanical properties of MWCNTs/B-epoxy were enhanced with an increase in the MWCNT content, whereas they deteriorated when the MWCNT content was >5 parts per hundred resin (phr). This can likely be attributed to the entanglement of MWCNTs with each other in the B-epoxy due to the presence of an excess amount of MWCNTs. The highest EMI-SE obtained was ~16 dB for the MWCNTs/B-epoxy composites with a MWCNT content of 13 phr at 1.4 GHz. The composites (13 phr) exhibited the minimum EMI-SE (90%) when used as shielding materials at 1.4 GHz. The EMI-SE of the MWCNTs/B-epoxy also increased with an increase in the MWCNT content, which is a key factor affecting the EMI-SE.

• Carbon letters
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2007

The effect of cobalt precursor on the structure of Co supported multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). MWCNTs were treated with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids and decorated with cobalt and/or cobalt oxides via aqueous impregnation solutions of cobalt nitrate or cobalt acetate followed by reduction in hydrogen. XPS was mainly used to investigate the phase of cobalt on MWCNTs after reduction with $H_2$ flow at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. Higher cobalt-nanoparticle dispersion was found in the MWCNTS prepared via cobalt nitrate decomposition. A typical XPS spectrum of Co 2p showed the peaks at binding energy (BE) values equal to 781 and 797 eV, respectively. It is found that cobalt nitrate supported MWCNTs is more dispersive and have catalytic activity than that of cobalt acetate supported MWCNTs at same preparation condition such as concentration of precursor solution and reduction environment.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2013

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the nanomaterials that were discovered by Iijima in 1991 for the first time. CNTs have long cylindrical and axi-symmetric structures. CNTs are made by rolling graphene sheets. Because of their large length-to-diameter ratio, they are called nanotubes. CNTs are categorized as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based on the shell structures. CNTs are broadly used in various fields, such as scanning probe microscopy, ultra fine nano balance and medicine, due to their extraordinary thermal conductivity, electrical and mechanical properties. Because long, straight CNTs have the same shape as asbestos, which cause cancer in cells lining the lung, there have been many studies on the effects of MWCNTs on human health that have been conducted. Stable atomization of CNTs is very important for the estimation of inhalation toxicity. In the present study, electro-static assisted axial atomizer (EAAA), which is the instrument that uses MWCNTs and aerosolizes them by transforming the single fiber shape using ultrasonic dispersion and electric field, was invented. EAAA consists of a ultrasonic bath for dispersion of MWCNTs and a particle generator for atomizing single fibers. The performance evaluation was conducted in order to assess the possibilities of 6-hour straight atomization with stability, which is the suggested exposure time in a day for the estimation of inhalation toxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2012

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) incorporated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers were synthesized using electronspinning method. Effects of polymer concentration and applied voltage on the synthesis of PAN and PMMA nanofibers were systematically investigated. The structural characterization of PAN/MWCNTs and PMMA/MWCNTs composited nanofibers synthesized as a function of the MWCNTs concentration was performed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. 5 wt% MWCNTs incorporated PAN and PMMA electrospun nanofiber exhibit best strength and stiffness.