• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.164-171
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• 2019

Nano-sized $SnO_2$ powders were synthesized via a solvent thermal reaction using $SnClO_4$, NaOH, and ethylene glycol at $150^{\circ}C$. TGA, SEM, FT-IR, XRD, and Potentiostat/Galvanostat were employed to investigate the chemical and electrochemical characteristics of the synthesized $SnO_2$. The structure of $SnO_2$ was amorphous, and when heat treated at $500^{\circ}C$, it was transformed into a crystalline structure. The morphology obtained by SEM micrographs of the as-synthesized $SnO_2$ showed powder features that had diameters ranging 100 to 200 nm. The electrochemical performance of the crystalline $SnO_2$ as a Li-air battery cathode was better than that of the amorphous $SnO_2$. The specific capacity of the crystalline $SnO_2$ was at least 350 mAh/g at 10 mA/g discharge rate. However, there was some capacity loss of all the cells during the consecutive cycles. Keywords : Lithium-Air Battery.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.129-143
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• 2016

The present work reports a facile, rapid and an eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Luffa acutangula (L. acutangula) leaves extract and their antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. The synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Additionally the topography, morphology and the elemental composition of the particles were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive spectrophotometric (EDS) technique and the measured particle sizes from SEM micrographs are in the range of 12.5 to 24.5nm. The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was high against gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and moderate against gram negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Further, the cytotoxic effects of synthesized AgNPs were evaluated against Human Breast Cancer (MCF 7) cell line.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.401-406
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• 2018

We investigated the effect of ZnO seed layer thickness on the density of ZnO nanorod arrays. ZnO has been deposited using two distinct processes consisting of the seed layer deposition using ALD and subsequent hydrothermal ZnO growth. Due to the coexistence of the growth and dissociation during ZnO hydrothermal growth process on the seed layer, the thickness of seed layer plays a critical role in determining the nanorod growth and morphology. The optimized thickness resulted in the regular ZnO nanorod growth. Moreover, the introduction of ALD to form the seed layer facilitates the growth of the nanorods on ultrathin seed layer and enables the densification of nanorods with a narrow change in the seed layer thickness. This study demonstrates that ALD technique can produce densely packed, virtually defect-free, and highly uniform seed layers and two distinctive processes may form ZnO as the final product via the initial nucleation step consisting of the reaction between $Zn^{2+}$ ions from respective zinc precursors and $OH^-$ ions from $H_2O$.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.218-227
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• 2022

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a new green energy, that have various potential applications, such as energy harvesters and self-powered sensors. The output performance of TENGs has been improving rapidly, and their output power significantly increased since they were first reported owing to improved triboelectrification materials and interfacial material engineering. Because the operation of a TENG is based on contact electrification in which electric charges are exchanged at the interface between two materials, its output can be increased by increasing the contact area and charge density. Material surface modification with microstructures or nanostructures has increased the output performance of TENGs significantly because not only does the sharp micro/nano morphology increases the contact area during friction, but it also increases the charge density. Chemical treatment in which ions or functional groups are added has also been used to improve the performance of TENGS by modifying the work functions, charge densities, and dielectric constants of the triboelectric materials. In addition, ultrahigh output power from TENGs without using new materials or treatments has been obtained in many studies in which special structures were designed to control the current release or to collect the charge current directly. In this review, we discuss physical and chemical treatments, bulk modifications, and interfacial engineering for enhancing TENG performance by improving contact electrification and electrostatic induction.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.387-403
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• 2022

Silica nanoparticles, which have a broad range of sizes and specific surface features, have been used in many industrial applications. This study was conducted to synthesize monodispersed silica nanoparticles directly from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) with an alkaline catalyst (NH₃) based on the sol-gel process and the Stöber method. A central composite design (CCD) is used to build a second-order (quadratic) model for the response variables without requiring a complete three-level factorial experiment. The process was then optimized to achieve the minimum particle size with the lowest concentration of TEOS. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the size, dispersity, and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. After optimization, a confirmation test was carried out to evaluate the confidence level of the software prediction. The results revealed that the predicted optimization is consistent with experimental procedures, and the model is significant at the 95% confidence level.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.345-349
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• 2021

The continued environmental pollution caused by fossil fuel consumption has prompted researchers around the world to develop environmentally friendly energy technologies. Electrochemical energy storage is the significant area of research in this development process, and the research significance of supercapacitors in this field is increasing. Herein, a simple electrodeposition synthetic route was explored to develop the MoP layered cathode material. The layered structure provided a highly ion-accessible surface for smooth and faster ion adsorption/desorption. After Fe was doped into MoP, the morphology of MoP changes and the electrochemical performance was significantly improved. Specific capacitance value of the binder-free FeMoP electrode was found to be 269 F g^-1 at 2 A g^-1 current density in 6 M aqueous KOH electrolyte. After adding Fe to MoP, an additional redox contribution was observed in the redox conversion from Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ redox pair, and the charge transfer kinetics of MoP was effectively improved. This research can provide guidance for the development of supercapacitor electrode materials through simple electrodeposition technology.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.348-352
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• 2022

Resistive switching behaviors of a co-sputtered zinc silicate thin film (ZnO and SiO₂ targets) have been investigated. We fabricated an Ag/ZnSiO_x/highly doped n-type Si substrate device by using an RF magnetron sputter system. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) indicated that the Zn₂SiO₄ was formed by a post annealing process. A unique morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). As a result of annealing process, 50 nm sized nano clusters were formed spontaneously in 200~300 nm sized grains. The device showed a unipolar resistive switching process. The average value of the ratio of the resistance change between the high resistance state (HRS) and the low resistance state (LRS) was about 106 when the readout voltage (0.5 V) was achieved. Resistance ratio is not degraded during 50 switching cycles. The conduction mechanisms were explained by using Ohmic conduction for the LRS and Schottky emission for the HRS.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.15-18
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• 2006

REBCO coated conductors (RE: rare earth elements) have recently drawn great attention since they are known to possess stronger flux pinning centers in high magnetic fields compared with YBCO coated conductors. In this study, $GdBa_2Cu_3O_{7-d}(GdBCO)$ was selected to investigate the influence of the distance between target and substrate and substrate temperature on the superconducting properties of GdBCO films on the $SrTiO_3(100)$ substrate. Samples were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) with a Nd:YAG laser (355nm). Under a given oxygen pressure of 800mTorr, we changed the distance between target and substrate from 5.5cm to 7.0cm and the substrate temperature from $750^{\circ}C\;to\;850^{\circ}C$. The crystallinity and texture of GdBCO films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the surface morphology was observed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tc and Jc values were measured by the four point probe method. High quality GdBCO films with Tc of 89.7K and Jc over $1MA/cm^2$ at 77 K in self field were successfully fabricated by optimizing processing parameters. The detailed processing conditions, microstructure and superconducting properties will be presented for a discussion.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.385-392
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• 2023

A solution combustion process for the synthesis of hollandite (BaAl₂Ti₆O₁₆) powders is described. SYNROC (synthetic rock) consists of four main titanate phases: perovskite, zirconolite, hollandite and rutile. Hollandite is one of the crystalline host matrices used for the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes because it immobilizes Sr and Lns elements by forming solid solutions. The solution combustion synthesis, which is a self-sustaining oxi-reduction reaction between a nitrate and organic fuel, generates an exothermic reaction and that heat converts the precursors into their corresponding oxide products in air. The process has high energy efficiency, fast heating rates, short reaction times, and high compositional homogeneity. To confirm the combustion synthesis reaction, FT-IR analysis was conducted using glycine with a carboxyl group and an amine as fuel to observe its bonding with metal element in the nitrate. TG-DTA, X-ray diffraction analysis, SEM and EDS were performed to confirm the formed phases and morphology. Powders with an uncontrolled shape were obtained through a general oxide-route process, confirming hollandite powders with micro-sized soft agglomerates consisting of nano-sized primary particles can be prepared using these methods.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.353-363
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• 2024

The incorporation of nanoplatelets in composite and polymeric materials represents a recent and innovative approach, holding substantial promise for diverse property enhancements. This study focuses on the application of nanocomposites in the production of sports equipment, particularly soccer balls, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical implications. Addressing the longstanding challenge of suboptimal interaction between carbon nanofillers and epoxy resin in epoxy composites, this research pioneers inventive solutions. Furthermore, the investigation extends into unexplored territory, examining the integration of glass fiber/epoxy composites with nanoparticles. The incorporation of nanomaterials, specifically expanded graphite and graphene, at a concentration of 25.0% by weight in both the epoxy structure and the composite with glass fibers demonstrates a marked increase in impact resistance compared to their nanomaterial-free counterparts. The research transcends laboratory experiments to explore the practical applications of nanocomposites in the design and production of sports equipment, with a particular emphasis on soccer balls. Analytical techniques such as infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are employed to scrutinize the surface chemical structure and morphology of the epoxy nanocomposites. Additionally, an in-depth examination of the thermal, mechanical, viscoelastic, and conductive properties of these materials is conducted. Noteworthy findings include the efficacy of surface modification of carbon nanotubes in preventing accumulation and enhancing their distribution within the epoxy matrix. This optimization results in improved interfacial interactions, heightened thermal stability, superior mechanical properties, and enhanced electrical conductivity in the nanocomposite.