• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.635-653
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• 1999

The present work considers work considers research strategies to address global warming. Specifically, this work considers the development of technologies of importance for the reduction of greenhouse gas emission and, especially, the materials that are critical to these technologies. It is argued that novel materials that are essential for the production of environmentally friendly energy may be developed through a special kind of engineering: interface engineering, rather than through classical bulk chemistry. Progress on the interface engineering requires to increase the present state of understanding on the local properties of materials interfaces and interfaces processes. This, consequently, requires coordinated international efforts in order to establish a strong background in the science of materials interfaces. This paper considers the impact of interfaces, such as surfaces and grain boundaries, on the functional properties of materials. This work provides evidence that interfaces exhibit outstanding properties that are not displayed by the bulk phase. It is shown that the local interface chemistry and structure and entirely different than those of the bulk phase. In consequence the transport of both charge and matter along and across interfaces, that is so important for energy conversion, is different than that in the bulk. Despite that the thickness of interfaces is of an order to a nanometer, their impact on materials properties is substantial and, in many cases, controlling. This leads to the conclusion that the development of novel materials with desired properties for specific industrial applications will be possible through controlled interface chemistry. Specifically, this will concern materials of importance for energy conversion and environmental monitoring. Therefore, there is a need to increase the present state of understanding of the local properties of materials interfaces and the relationship between interfaces and the functional properties of materials. In order to accomplish this task coordinated international efforts of specialized research centres are required. These efforts are specifically urgent regarding the development of materials of importance for the reduction of greenhouse gases. Success of research in this area depends critically on financial support that can be provided for projects on materials of importance for a sustainable environment, and these must be considered priorities for all of the global economies. The authors of the present work represent an international research group economies. The authors of the present work represent an international research group that has entered into a collaboration on the development of the materials that are critical for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.675-681
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• 2012

We aimed to examine the co-doping effects of 1/6 mol% $Mn_3O_4$ and 1/4 mol% $Cr_2O_3$ (Mn:Cr = 1:1) on the reaction, microstructure, and electrical properties, such as the bulk defects and grain boundary properties, of ZnO-$Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (ZBS; Sb/Bi = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) varistors. The sintering and electrical properties of Mn,Cr-doped ZBS, ZBS(MnCr) varistors were controlled using the Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore ($Zn_2Bi_3Sb_3O_{14}$), ${\alpha}$-spinel ($Zn_7Sb_2O_{12}$), and ${\delta}-Bi_2O_3$ (also ${\beta}-Bi_2O_3$ at Sb/Bi ${\leq}$ 1.0) were detected for all of the systems. Mn and Cr are involved in the development of each phase. Pyrochlore was decomposed and promoted densification at lower temperature on heating in Sb/Bi = 1.0 system by Mn rather than Cr doping. A more homogeneous microstructure was obtained in all systems affected by ${\alpha}$-spinel. In ZBS(MnCr), the varistor characteristics were improved dramatically (non-linear coefficient, ${\alpha}$ = 40~78), and seemed to form ${V_o}^{\cdot}$(0.33 eV) as a dominant defect. From impedance and modulus spectroscopy, the grain boundaries can be seen to have divided into two types, i.e. one is tentatively assigned to ZnO/$Bi_2O_3$ (Mn,Cr)/ZnO (0.64~1.1 eV) and the other is assigned to the ZnO/ZnO (1.0~1.3 eV) homojunction.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.682-688
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• 2012

In this study we aimed to examine the co-doping effects of 1/6 mol% $Co_3O_4$ and 1/4 mol% $Cr_2O_3$ (Co:Cr = 1:1) on the reaction, microstructure, and electrical properties, such as the bulk defects and the grain boundary properties, of ZnO-$Bi_2O_3-Sb_2O_3$ (ZBS; Sb/Bi = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) varistors. The sintering and electrical properties of Co,Cr-doped ZBS, ZBS(CoCr) varistors were controlled using the Sb/Bi ratio. Pyrochlore ($Zn_2Bi_3Sb_3O_{14}$), ${\alpha}$-spinel ($Zn_7Sb_2O_{12}$), and ${\delta}-Bi_2O_3$ were formed in all systems. Pyrochlore was decomposed and promoted densification at lower temperature on heating in Sb/Bi = 1.0 by Cr rather than Co. A more homogeneous microstructure was obtained in all systems affected by ${\alpha}$-spinel. In ZBS(CoCr), the varistor characteristics were improved (non-linear coefficient, ${\alpha}$ = 20~63), and seemed to form ${Zn_i}^{{\cdot}{\cdot}}$(0.20 eV) and ${V_o}^{\cdot}$(0.33 eV) as dominant defects. From impedance and modulus spectroscopy, the grain boundaries were found to be composed of an electrically single barrier (0.94~1.1 eV) that is, however, somewhat sensitive to ambient oxygen with temperature. The phase development, densification, and microstructure were controlled by Cr rather than by Co but the electrical and grain boundary properties were controlled by Co rather than by Cr.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.237-241
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• 2008

Hot-press sintering of AlN ceramics were carried out with $Y_2O_3$ as sintering additive at a sintering temperature $1,750{\sim}1,850^{\circ}C$. The effect of $Y_2O_3$ addition and sintering time on sintering behavior and thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics was investigated. $Y_2O_3$ added AlN showed noticeably higher denazification rate than pure AlN. The thermal conductivity of AlN specimens was promoted by the addition of $Y_2O_3$ in spite of the formation of YAG secondary phase in AlN grain boundaries and grain boundary triple junction because $Y_2O_3$ addition could reduced the oxygen contents in AlN lattice which is primary factor of thermal conductivity. Typically, the thermal conductivity of 5 wt% $Y_2O_3$ added specimen was dramatically improved by the increase of sintering time because the elimination of YAG secondary phases from the grain boundary due to the evaporation, as well as the grain-growth of AlN grains.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.313-319
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• 2018

This study introduces a new investigation report on the microstructural and electrical property changes of $ZnO-Zn_2BiVO_6-Mn_3O_4$ (ZZMn), where 0.33 mol% of $Mn_3O_4$ and 0.5 mol% of $Zn_2BiVO_6$ were added to ZnO (99.17 mol%) as liquid phase sintering aids. $Zn_2BiVO_6$ contributes to the decrease of sintering temperatures by up to $800^{\circ}C$, and segregates its particles at the grain boundary, while $Mn_3O_4$ enhances ${\alpha}$, the nonlinear coefficient, of varistor properties up to ${\alpha}=62$. In comparison, when the sintering temperature is increased from $800^{\circ}C$ to $1,000^{\circ}C$, the resistivity of ZnO grains decreases from $0.34{\Omega}cm$ to $0.16{\Omega}cm$, and the varistor property degrades. Oxygen vacancy ($V_o^{\bullet}$) (P1, 0.33~0.36 eV) is formed as a dominant defect. Two different kinds of grain boundary activation energies of P2 (0.51~0.70 eV) and P3 (0.70~0.93 eV) are formed according to different sintering temperatures, which are tentatively attributed to be $ZnO/Zn_2BiVO_6$-rich interface and ZnO/ZnO interface, respectively. Accordingly, this study introduces a progressive method of manufacturing ZnO chip varistors by way of sintering ZZMn-based varistor under $900^{\circ}C$. However, to procure a higher reliability, an in-depth study on the multi-component varistors with double-layer grain boundaries should be executed.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2009

Electrolessly deposited Co (Re,P) was investigated as a possible capping layer for Cu wires. 50 nm Co (Re,P) films were deposited on Cu/Ti-coated silicon wafers which acted as a catalytic seed and an adhesion layer, respectively. To obtain the optimized bath composition, electroless deposition was studied through an electrochemical approach via a linear sweep voltammetry analysis. The results of using this method showed that the best deposition conditions were a $CoSO_4$ concentration of 0.082 mol/l, a solution pH of 9, a $KReO_4$ concentration of 0.0003 mol/l and sodium hypophosphite concentration of 0.1 mol/L at $80^{\circ}C$. The thermal stability of the Co (Re,P) layer as a barrier preventing Cu was evaluated using Auger electron spectroscopy and a Scanning calorimeter. The measurement results showed that Re impurities stabilized the h.c.p. phase up to $550^{\circ}C$ and that the Co (Re,P) film efficiently blocked Cu diffusion under an annealing temperature of $400^{\circ}C$ for 1hr. The good barrier properties that were observed can be explained by the nano-sized grains along with the blocking effect of the impurities at the fast diffusion path of the grain boundaries. The transformation temperature from the amorphous to crystal structure is increased by doping the Re.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.890-899
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• 2014

Austenitic stainless steel is widely used in various industries due to its excellent corrosion resistance. However, Cr carbides precipitation along the grain boundaries after heat treatment or welding may develop Cr depleted zone, which acts as a preferential site for intergranular corrosion attack. To resolve this, carbon stabilizing element such as Ti or Nb are added to suppress formation of Cr carbides. However, there are few reports on corrosion characteristics under seawater environment of the stabilized stainless steel. This study investigated the effects of alloying contents on the electrochemical characteristics in seawater of stainless steel containing stabilizing element(Ti and Nb). To achieve this, the changes on the microstructure due to alloying were observed with microscope, and the electrochemical characteristics were determined by measurement of natural potential and potentiodynamic polarization experiments. The microscopic observation revealed that all specimens had inclusions other than the austenite matrix phase due to the addition of alloying elements. Such inclusions are considered to have different electrochemical characteristics from those of the matrix, and thus a clear distinction was found according to the type of stabilizers and the contents. The results of this study suggest that it is important to consider the effects of alloying contents on the electrochemical characteristics in seawater with the addition of Ti or Nb into austenitic stainless steel.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2017

This study focuses on the effects of doping $Zn_2BiVO_6$ and $Co_3O_4$ on the sintering and electrical properties of ZnO; where, ZZ consists of 0.5 mol% $Zn_2BiVO_6$ in ZnO, and ZZCo consists of 1/3 mol% $Co_3O_4$ in ZZ. As ZnO was sintered at about $800^{\circ}C$, the liquid phases, which are composed of $Zn_2BiVO_6$ and $Zn_2BiVO_6$-rich phases, were found to be segregated at the grain boundaries of sintered ZZ and ZZCo, respectively, which demonstrates that $V_o^{\cdot}$(0.33~0.36 eV) are formed as dominant defects according to the analysis of admittance spectroscopy. As $Co_3O_4$ is doped to ZZ, the resistivity of ZnO decreases to ~38%, while donor density ($N_d$), interface state density ($N_t$), and barrier height (${\Phi}_b$) increase twice higher than those of ZZ, according to C-V characteristics. This result harbingers that ZZCo and its derivative compositions will open the gate for ZnO to be applied as more progressive varistors in the future, as well as the advantageous opportunity of manufacturing ZnO chip varistors at lower sintering temperatures below $900^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.478-481
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• 2000

Single phase $Pb(Mg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3$ ceramics doped by 10 mol% of electron donors such as $La^3,\; Pr^{3+,4+},\; Nd^{3+},\; Sm^{3+}$, were synthesized and their B-site cationic ordering structures were investigated by XRD and TEM. In the XRD patterns, only fundamental reflections were observed for the undoped $Pb(Mg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3$, while the (h/2 $\textsc{k}$/2ι/2)(h,$\textsc{k}$,ι all odd) superlattice reflections resulting from the 1:1 ordering induced unit cell doubling were also observed for the donor-doped $Pb(Mg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3$. In the TEM selected area diffraction patterns, the (h/2 k/2 l/2)(h,k,l all odd) superlattice reflection spots as well as the fundamental reflection spots were observed for all the samples, but the relative intensities of the superlattice reflection spots to the fundamental reflection spots were significantly enhanced by the donor-doping. In the TEM dark-field images, antiphase boundaries were observed only for the donor-doped $Pb(Mg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3$. It was therefore experimentally verified that doping by electron donors such as $La^3,\; Pr^{3+,4+},\; Nd^{3+},\; Sm^{3+}$, enhances the B-site cationic 1:1 ordering in $Pb(Mg_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})O_3$. These experimental results were interpreted in terms of the charge compensation mechanism.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.24-30
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• 2009

Rare earth based calcium aluminate phosphor ($CaAl_2O_4:Eu^{2+}$, $Nd^{3+}$) supported $TiO_2$ nanoparticles are synthesized by using sol-gel method, which are further characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance UV-Visible spectroscopy (DRS UV-Vis) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD pattern of as-prepared and sintered phosphor supported $TiO_2$ does not show the tendency to change the crystal structure from anatase to rutile phase up to $600^{\circ}C$. This indicates that the phosphor support might inhibit the densification and crystallite growth by providing dissimilar boundaries. The diffuse reflectance spectral (DRS) measurements showed shift towards longer wavelength indicating reduction in the band-gap energy as compared to free $TiO_2$. The FT-IR spectra of phosphor supported $TiO_2$ nanoparticles show shift in the peak positions to lower wavelengths. This indicates that the $TiO_2$ nanoparticles are not free, but covalently bonded to the phosphor support. TEM micrographs show presence of crystalline and spherical $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (8 - 15 nm diameter) dispersed uniformly on the surface of phosphor.