• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.183-186
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• 2003

In a PEM fuel cell electrode, backing layer has tremendous impact on electrode performance. The backing layer provides structural support for the porous electrode, distributes the reactants to the other layers and acts as a current collector. It has major influence on the water management in a PEM fuel cell. Selection of suitable backing layer material for the fabrication of electrode is thus very important to achieve high performance. In this paper we have compared the performance of PEM fuel cell electrodes fabricated using carbon paper EC-TPI-060T, carbon cloth EC-CCI-060T, (ElectroChem Inc.USA) and Carbon cloth from Textron, USA (CPW 003 grade). Mass transport problem was observed under non-pressurized condition, at high current densities, in the caie of EC-CC1-060T carbon cloth electrode (at $50^{\circ}C$), due to its higher thickness. The performance of carbon paper electrode was higher than EC-CCI-060T carbon cloth electrode. The performance of Textron carbon cloth was comparable to EC-TPI -060T carbon paper.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.8 no.3 s.24
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• pp.43-51
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• 2004

In this study, gas permeation and separation characteristics of $CO_2$ and $N_2$ on nano-porous TPABr(Tetrapropylammoniumbromide) templating silica/alumina composite membrane were studied by using GMS (Generalized Maxwell Stefan) model. Since the transport mechanisms of meso-porous alumina support are Knudsen diffusion and viscous diffusion(or poiseulle flow), they can be identified by DGM (dusty gas model). The transport mechanism of TPABr templating silica layer, which would contribute mainly to the separation of $N_2/CO_2$ mixture, showed surface diffusion rather than pore diffusion. Therefore, the oermeationjseparation mechanisms in multi-component suface diffusion were successfully analyzed by the GMS model. In the separation of $N_2/CO_2$ mixture using the composite membrane, $CO_2$, the strongadsorbate, was permeated through the membrane more than Na due to the pore-blocking phenomena of $CO_2$ by adsorption isotherm and solace diffusion.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.343-347
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• 2007

Novel composite membranes, which delivered high separation performance for propylene/propane mixtures, were developed by coating inert poly(ethylene-co-propylene) rubber (EPR) onto a porous polyester substrate, followed by the physical distribution of $AgBF_4$. Scanning electron microscopy-wavelength dispersive spectrometer (SEM-WDS) revealed that silver salts were uniformly distributed in the EPR layer. The physical dispersion of the silver salts in the inert polymer matrix, without specific interaction, was characterized by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The high separation performance was presumed to stem from the in-situ dissolution of crystalline silver ionic aggregates into free silver ions, which acted as an active propylene carrier within a propylene environment, leading to facilitated propylene transport through the membranes. The membranes were functional at all silver loading levels, exhibiting an unusually low threshold carrier concentration (less than 0.06 of silver weight fraction). The separation properties of these membranes, i.e. the mixed gas selectivity of propylene/propane ${\sim}55$ and mixed gas permeance ${\sim}7$ GPU, were stable for several days.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.900-909
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• 2018

A $ZnO/TiO_2$ photocatalyst decorated with PbS quantum dots (QDs) was synthesized to achieve high photocatalytic efficiency for the decomposition of dye in aqueous media. A $TiO_2$ porous layer, as a precursor photocatalyst, was fabricated using micro-arc oxidation, and exhibited irregular porous cells with anatase and rutile crystalline structures. Then, a ZnO-deposited $TiO_2$ catalyst was fabricated using a zinc acetate solution, and PbS QDs were uniformly deposited on the surface of the $ZnO/TiO_2$ photocatalyst using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. For the PbS $QDs/ZnO/TiO_2$ photocatalyst, ZnO and PbS nanoparticles are uniformly precipitated on the $TiO_2$ surface. However, the diameters of the PbS particles were very fine, and their shape and distribution were relatively more homogeneous compared to the ZnO particles on the $TiO_2$ surface. The PbS QDs on the $TiO_2$ surface can induce changes in band gap energy due to the quantum confinement effect. The effective band gap of the PbS QDs was calculated to be 1.43 eV. To evaluate their photocatalytic properties, Aniline blue decomposition tests were performed. The presence of ZnO and PbS nanoparticles on the $TiO_2$ catalysts enhanced photoactivity by improving the absorption of visible light. The PbS $QDs/ZnO/TiO_2$ heterojunction photocatalyst showed a higher Aniline blue decomposition rate and photocatalytic activity, due to the quantum size effect of the PbS nanoparticles, and the more efficient transport of charge carriers.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.386-392
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• 2014

The effective water management in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of the key strategies for improving cell performance and durability. In this work, an ex situ measurement was carried out to understand the water droplet behavior on the surface of gas diffusion layer (GDL) as a fundamental study for establishing novel water management. For that purpose, simplified cell including one rib and two flow channels was designed and fabricated. Using this ex situ device, the water droplet emergence through the GDL of the PEMFC was emulated to understand liquid water transport through the porous diffusion medium. Through the visualization experiment, the emergence and growth of water droplets at the channel/GDL interface are mainly observed with the surface characteristics of GDL (SGL 10BA, 24BA) and rib when the liquid water passes through the GDL and is expelled to the flow channel. It is expected that the results obtained from this study can contribute to the better understanding on the water droplet behavior (emergence and removal) in the flow channels of PEMFC.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.273-281
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• 2020

Constructing and making highly active and stable nanostructured Pt-based catalysts with ultralow Pt loading are still electrifying for electrochemical applications such as water electrolysis and fuel cells. In this study, MoO₃ ribbons (RBs) of few micrometer in length is successfully synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis. Subsequently, 3-dimentional (3D)-silicate layer for about 10 to 15 nm is introduced via chemical deposition onto the pre-formed MoO₃ RBs; to setup the platform for Pt metaldots (MDs) deposition. In comparison with the bare MoO₃ RBs, the MoO₃-Si has served as a efficient solid-support for stabilizing and accommodating the uniform deposition of sub-2 nm Pt MDs. Such a structural design would effectively assist in improving the electronic conductivity of a fabricated MoO₃-Si-Pt catalyst towards MOR; the interfaced, porous and 3D silicate layer has assisted in an efficient mass transport and quenching the poisonous CO_ads species leading to a significant electrocatalytic performance for MOR in alkaline medium. Uniformly decorated, sub-2 nm sized Pt MDs has synergistically oxidized the MeOH in association with the MoO₃-Si solid-support hence, synergistic catalytic activity has been achieved. Present facile approach can be extended for fabricating variety of highly efficient Metal Oxide-Metal Nanocomposite for energy harvesting applications.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.276-285
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• 2012

The objective of this research is to develop the coating technique by a porous self-fluxing alloy for improving the mechanical properties of run-out table roller surface with the hot rolling. To enhance the durability of run-out table roller with the hot rolling, the high hardness of roller surface should be maintained at high temperatures, and the improvement of wear resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, burn resistance and adhesion resistance should be maintained. In order to be able to transport reliably a hot rolled steel sheet, also, the appropriate friction coefficient on the roller surface should be maintained and the slip between roller and steel should not occur. In this study, the wear resistance of roller increases after the self-fluxing alloy is changed to a cermet by adding the tungsten carbide(WC), and the coefficient of friction increases and the ability of grip is improved because the porosities are made by coating with fine iron powder on the roller surface. As a result, it is found that the ability of grip between the steel and the roller coated by a porous self-fluxing alloy contained to 5 ~ 10 wt% of Fe in the coating layer is improved compared to the roller coated by Ni-Cr. This is because the porosities are made after Fe contained in the roller is partially alloyed by heating with a furnace in the fusing process and the rest is eliminated by oxidation and dissolution.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.137-143
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• 2021

As an electrochemical water electrolysis for green hydrogen production, both polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolyte are being developed extensively in various countries. The PEM electrolyzer with high current density (above 2 A/cm²) has the advantage of being able to design a simple structure. Also, it is known that it has high response to electrical output fluctuations. However, the cost problem of major components is the most important issue that a PEM electrolyzer must overcome. Instantly, there are platinum group metal (PGM)-based electrocatalysts, fluorine-based polyfluoro sulfuric acid (PFSA) membrane, Ti felt (porous transport layer, PTL) and so on. Another challenging issue is productivity. A securing outstanding productivity brings price benefits of the electrolytic cells. From this point of view, we conducted basic studies on manufacturing electrode and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for PEM electrolyzer production.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.239-252
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• 2016

Two-dimensional materials offer unique characteristics for membrane applications to water technology. With its atomic thickness, availability and stackability, graphene in particular is attracting attention in the research and industrial communities. Here, we present a brief overview of the recent research activities in this rising topic with bringing two membrane architecture into focus. Pristine graphene in single- and polycrystallinity poses a unique diffusion barrier property for most of chemical species at broad ambient conditions. If well designed and controlled, physical and chemical perforation can turn this barrier layer to a thinnest feasible membrane that permits ultimate permeation at given pore sizes. For subcontinuum pores, both molecular dynamics simulations and experiments predict potential salt rejection to envisage a seawater desalination application. Another novel membrane architecture is a stack of individual layers of 2D materials. When graphene-based platelets are chemically modified and stacked, the interplanar spacing forms a narrow transport pathway capable of separation of solvated ions from pure water. Bearing unbeknownst permeance and selectivity, both membrane architecture - ultrathin porous graphene and stacked platelets - offer a promising prospect for new extraordinary membranes for water technology applications.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.210-219
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• 1998

Sulfonated poly(ether sulfone)(SPES) of various ion exchange capacity (IEC) was prepared by heterogeneous sulfonation with chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) to make hydrophilic ultrafiltration membrane for reducing fouling. The effects of CSA concentration, reaction temperature and reaction time has been investigated. The reaction was effective when the temperature is above 10$\circ$C and the CSA concentration is over 0.05 mol, although polymer chain has been significantly degraded. The substitution of sulfonic acid groups was characterized by FTIR and $^1$H-NMR. Transport properties and fouling test have been conducted to the modified SPES ultrafiltration rnembranrs by heterogeneors method. Membranes were obtained using DCM and PVP as a non-solvent and pore forming agent, respectively. Flux reduced and rejection increased with ion exchange capacity. Finger-like structure was disappeared and the thickness of top layer was increased. Dense membrane by non-solvent DCM and porous membrane by pore forming agent PVP was prepared. Fouling was reduced with increasing ion exchange capacity because of hydrophilicity.