• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.301-308
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• 2006

Pitch-coated anatase $TiO_2$ typed was prepared by $CCl_4$ solvent mixing method with different mixing ratios. Since the carbon layers derived from pitch on the $TiO_2$ particles were porous, the pitch-coated $TiO_2$ sample series showed a good adsorptivity and photo decomposition activity. The BET surface area depends on the pitch contents, which was made by changing the mixing ratios of the pitch with the raw $TiO_2$. The SEM results present to the characterization of porous texture on the pitch-coated $TiO_2$ sample and pitch distributions on the surfaces for all the materials used. From XRD data, a weak and broad carbon peak of graphene with pristine anatase peaks were observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns for the pitch-coated $TiO_2$. The EDX spectra show the presence of C, O and S with strong Ti peaks. Most of these samples are richer in carbon and major Ti metal than any other elements. Finally, the excellent photocatalytic activity of pitchcoated $TiO_2$ with Uv/Vis spectra between absorbance and time could be attributed to the homogeneous coated pitch on the external surface by $CCl_4$ solvent method.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.4A
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• pp.761-766
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• 2006

Polymer composite are increasingly considered as structural components for use in civil engineering, on account of their enhanced strength-to-weight ratios. Unsaturated polyester (UP) resin have been widely used for the matrix of composites such as FRP and polymer composite, due to its excellent adhesive. Polymer nanocomposites are new class of composites derived from the nano scale inorganic particles with dimensions typically in the range of 1 to 1000 nm that are dispersed in the polymer matrix homogeneously. Owing to the high aspect ratio of the fillers, mechanical, thermal, flame, retardant and barrier properties are enhanced without significant loss of clarity, toughness or impact strength. To prepare the MMT (Montmorillonite)-UP exfoliated nanocomposites, UP was mixed with MMT at $60^{\circ}C$ for 3 hours by using pan mixer. XRD (X-ray diffraction) pattern of the composites and TEM (Transmission Electron Micrographs) showed that the interlayer spacing of the modified MMT were exfoliated in polymer matrix. The mechanical properties also supported these findings, since in general, tensile strength, modulus with modified MMT were higher than those of the composites with unmodified MMT. The thermal stability of MMT-UP nanocomposite is better than that of pure UP, and its glass transition temperature is higher than that of pure UP. The polymer concrete made with MMT-UP nanocomposite has better mechanical properties than of pure UP. Therefore, it is suggested that strength and elastic modulus of polymer concrete was found to be positively tensile strength and tensile modulus of the MMT-UP nanocomposites.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.260-266
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• 2023

In recent years, excessive emissions of carbon dioxide(CO₂) have become the cause of global climate change. Consequently, there has been significant research activity aimed at both removing and utilizing CO₂. This study assesses the potential utilization of railway tie concrete waste, generated from railway infrastructure, as a CO₂ absorption material and investigates the physicochemical properties before and after CO₂ absorption to understand the CO₂ removal mechanisms. Railway tie concrete waste primarily consists of Si(26.60 %) and contains 9.82 % of Ca. Compared to samples of Cement and Normal concrete waste, it demonstrated superior potential for use as a CO₂ absorption material, with approximately 98 % of the Ca content participating in CO₂ absorption reactions. Through Thermogravimetric Analysis(TGA) and X-ray Diffraction(XRD) analysis, it was confirmed that the carbonate reaction, where the Ca in railway tie concrete waste converts into CaCO₃ through reaction with CO₂ gas, is the primary mechanism for CO₂ removal. Furthermore, Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) analysis revealed the formation of numerous CaCO₃ particles with sizes less than 0.1 ㎛ after the CO₂ absorption reaction. This transformation of large internal voids in the CO₂ absorption material into mesopores resulted in an increase in the specific surface area of the material.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.581-588
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• 2023

This study reports depth-dependent elemental distribution and mineral abundance of the oceanic sediment sample (WP21GPC04) near the Mariana Trench collected during the WP21 expedition in 2021. The elemental distribution determined by μ-XRF shows no significant differences with varying depth, with an average SiO₂ 53.91 wt%, FeO 4.48 wt%, Al₂O₃ 16.56 wt%, MgO 2.56 wt%, CaO 4.79 wt%, Na₂O 3.52 wt%, K₂O 5.48 wt%, similar to the average chemical composition of global subducting sediments (GLOSS). The mineral abundances analyzed using synchrotron XRD, however, vary with depth. While quartz, mica, and plagioclase were identified at all depths, chlorite was found at shallow depths, and zeolite group minerals, phillipsite and heulandite, showed a gradual change in phase fraction with depth. This suggests a change in sedimentation and alteration environments in the region, or the potential for coexistence emerges due to similar sediment stability. Overall, this study will provide a basis for the future investigations on the evolution of sedimentary environment near the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean and the phase distribution and the behavior of subducting oceanic sediments, which will affect the lithological and geochemical characteristics of the Mariana susduction system.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.799-816
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• 2023

Mineralogical and geochemical studies of shales within the Lower Anambra Basin was conducted to unravel the depositional environment, provenance, maturity, paleo-weathering conditions, and tectonic settings. Mineralogical studies conducted using X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the samples were composed of kaolinite, montmorillonite, chlorite, and illite. KaolinIite is the dominant mineral, constituting approximately 41.5% of the bulk composition, whereas the non-clay minerals are quartz, ilmenite, and sillimanite. Geochemical analysis showed a predominance of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃ contents of the shale samples with mean values of 52.29%, 14.09%, and 6.15% for Imo Shale (IS); 52.31%, 16.70%, and 7.39% for Mamu Shale (MS); 43.21%, 21.33%, and 10.36% for Enugu Shale (ES); 53.35%, 15.64%, and 7.17% for Nkporo Shale (NS); and 51.24%, 17.25%, and 7.78% for Agwu Shale (AS). However, the shales were depleted in Na₂O, MgO, K₂O, MnO, TiO₂, CaO, and P₂O₅. The trace element ratios of Ni/Co and Cu/Zn of the shale suggest an oxic depositional environment. The average SiO₂ vs. Al₂O₃ ratio of the shales indicated textural maturity. Compared to the PAAS standard, the shales plot below the PAAS value of 0.85, suggesting a high degree of maturity and intensive chemical weathering, further confirmed on a CIA vs. PIA plot. On log (K₂O/Na₂O) against SiO₂ and tectonic setting discriminant function diagrams, the shales plot mostly in the field of passive continental margin tectonic setting. The discriminant function diagrams as well as Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratio of the shales showed that they were derived from a mixed source (mafic and intermediate igneous rocks).

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.63-69
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• 2022

Vanadium dioxide shows a unique and interesting property of metal-insulator transition, which has attracted great attention from the viewpoints of fundamental materials science and industrial applications. In this study, the effect of Mg and W addition on the metal-insulator transition of VO₂ were investigated for the bulk materials that are prepared by spark plasma sintering. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the sintered specimens revealed that the lattice parameters barely change, and the secondary phases are present. The transition temperature of MIT appears in the range of 64.2-64.6℃, regardless of the impurity element and content. On the other hand, the addition of Mg and W alters the electrical conductivity, i.e., the electrical conductivity increases by a factor of up to 2.4 or decrease by a factor of up to 57.4 depending on the impurity type and its content. The thermal conductivity showed the values of 1.8~2.5 W/m·K below the transition temperature, and the values of 1.9~2.8 W/m·K above the transition temperature. These changes in electrical and thermal conductivities can be attributed to the combination of the change in charge carrier density, the impurities as scattering centers, and the change in microstructures.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.349-354
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• 2023

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a conjugated polymer that is highly soluble in organic solvents and is readily available. However, its electrical properties as an active channel in electronic devices are not enough for practical applications, necessitating further improvement in the properties. In this study, we demonstrate that the blending of two P3HT polymers (i.e., regio-regular (RR) P3HT and regio-random (RRa) P3HT) with different regioregularities can significantly improve charge transport characteristics of the blend films. The morphological and electrical properties of the blend films were systematically investigated by varying the ratio between two P3HT polymers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis) were employed to evaluate the morphological and optoelectronic properties of the blend films. The crystallinity of the blend films increased with increasing the content of RRa-P3HT to 20 wt% and gradually decreased as the content increased to 80%. Consistently, the highest charge carrier mobility was obtained from the blend films containing 20 wt% RRa-P3HT, which value was measured to be 0.029 cm²/V·s. The values gradually decreased to 0.0007 cm²/V·s with increasing the content of RRa-P3HT to 80 wt%.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.703-714
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• 2023

This research conducts a series of tests to investigate the setting retarding properties and strength development in cement pastes incorporating various types and dosages of sugar-based super retarding agents. Six such agents, including Sucrose, Sugar powder, Saccharin, Aspartame, Stevioside, and Mogroside, commercially available, were selected for evaluation. The study also examines the micro-structural properties of these cement pastes. The test mixtures were prepared using a 27.5% water-to-cement ratio and ordinary Portland cement. Micro-structural analyses were conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), X-Ray Diffraction(XRD), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy(EDS). The findings reveal that the incorporation of sucrose, sugar powder, and stevioside significantly retards the setting time. Particularly, adding 0.1% sucrose extended the setting time by approximately two-fold compared to the control(Plain) mixture. Most mixtures, barring those with sugar powder and stevioside, exhibited compressive strength comparable to the Plain mixture. Notably, with 0.2% sucrose, strength measurements were not feasible at 1 day, but at 3 days, the strength gains aligned with the Plain mixture. XRD, SEM, and EDS analyses confirmed the hydration delay(set retarding) of C3S due to sucrose, with further quantitative corroboration provided by EDS. SEM was used to verify the presence or absence of hydration products. The study concludes that sucrose, as a sugar-based retarder, offers effective set retarding capabilities and compressive strength development in concrete.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.693-702
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• 2023

This research explores the potential application of Liquid Red Mud(LRM), a byproduct of industrial processes, in the construction sector. We neutralized LRM(pH 10-12) using nitric acid, aiming to understand its viability in construction applications. The study involved substituting LRM(pH 7-8) in mortar formulations, varying by cement type. We assessed the properties of these mixtures by measuring flow, setting time, and compressive strength. Additionally, X-ray Diffraction(XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) analyses were conducted to examine the chemical properties. Results indicated a reduction in flow value for LRM and LN(neutralized LRM) compared to the control (Plain ) across different cement types. The setting times(initial and final) for LRM and LN were notably shorter than Plain. In compressive strength tests, LRM replaced with slag cement showed enhanced initial strength, though long-term strength gains were marginal across different cement types. SEM analysis revealed distinct voids in Plain and LN, with LRM exhibiting a fibrous microstructure. XRD patterns in SN(slag neutralized) resembled those in OR(original red mud) and ON(original neutralized), with a notable peak at a 2θ value of 22°. The study concludes that unneutralized LRM, when substituted for slag cement in mortar, yields superior initial strength compared to its neutralized counterpart.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.393-402
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• 2024

The Korean Industrial Standard(KS) KS F 2527("Aggregates for Concrete") does not explicitly define criteria for clay mineral content in aggregates. This lack of clear quality standards and testing methodologies is further compounded by a scarcity of relevant research within both academic and industrial spheres. Consequently, the construction industry, encompassing both aggregate production and utilization, often overlooks the management of clay mineral content due to its perceived economic implications. This study addresses this gap by investigating the current state of regulations concerning clay mineral content in aggregates, exploring the causes of its occurrence, and evaluating its impact on concrete performance. The chemical composition of the clay minerals was determined to primarily consist of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and SiO₂, which are commonly found in clay. X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis revealed that the predominant clay minerals were montmorillonite and illite, both known for their high absorption capacity. An examination of domestic and international standards for clay mineral content in aggregates demonstrated that the density and absorption rate specifications outlined in KS F 2527("Aggregates for Concrete") only offer indirect estimations of clay mineral levels. Furthermore, the investigation into the influence of clay mineral content on concrete performance suggests that a higher clay mineral content necessitates a corresponding increase in the unit quantity of aggregates to maintain adequate workability. This, however, has a detrimental effect on the compressive strength of the concrete.