• Ceramist
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.312-330
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• 2018

Energy storage/conversion has become crucial not only to meet the present energy demand but also more importantly to sustain the modern society. Particularly, electrical energy storage is critical not only to support electronic, vehicular and load-levelling applications but also to efficiently commercialize renewable energy resources such as solar and wind. While Li-ion batteries are being intensely researched for electric vehicle applications, there is a pressing need to seek for new battery chemistries aimed at stationary storage systems. In this aspect, Zn-ion batteries offer a viable option to be utilized for high energy and power density applications since every intercalated Zn-ion yields a concurrent charge transfer of two electrons and thereby high theoretical capacities can be realized. Furthermore, the simplicity of fabrication under open-air conditions combined with the abundant and less toxic zinc element makes aqueous Zn-ion batteries one of the most economical, safe and green energy storage technologies with prospective use for stationary grid storage applications. Also, Zn-ion batteries are very safe for next-generation technologies based on flexible, roll-up, wearable implantable devices the portable electronics market. Following this advantages, a wide range of approaches and materials, namely, cathodes, anodes and electrolytes have been investigated for Zn-ion batteries applications to date. Herein, we review the progresses and major advancements related to aqueous. Zn-ion batteries, facilitating energy storage/conversion via $Zn^{2+}$ (de)intercalation mechanism.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2021

Through a simple filtration process, followed by carbonization within a reductive environment, coffee waste grounds can be transformed into a non-porous hard carbon for use in multiple contexts. This resulting coffee-waste carbon has been evaluated as an eco-friendly and cost-effective replacement for conventional graphite. When compared with different types of carbon, our study found that the coffee-waste carbon fell into the category of hard carbon, as verified from the galvanostatic charge/discharge profiles. The coffee-waste carbon showed a superior rate capability when compared to that of graphite, while compromising smaller capacity at low C rates. During electrochemical reactions, it was also found that the coffee-waste carbon is well exposed to electrolytes, and its disordered characteristic is advantageous for ionic transport which leads to the low tortuosity of Li ions. Finally, the high irreversible capacity (low initial Coulombic efficiency) of the coffee-waste carbon, which if also often observed in amorphous carbon, can be adequately resolved through a solution-based prelithiation process, thereby proving that the coffee-waste carbon material is quite suitable for commercial use as an anode material for quickly-chargeable electrodes.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.345-353
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• 2018

This paper summarizes results of research on the electrochemical (EC) degradation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) and iodine-containing contrast media (ICMs), with the focus on EC reductive dehalogenation. The efficiency of EC dehalogenation of DBPs increases with the number of halogen atoms in an individual DBP species. EC reductive cleavage of bromine from parent DBPs is faster than that of chlorine. EC data and quantum chemical modeling indicate that the EC reduction of iodine-containing DBPs (I-DBPs) is characterized by the formation of active iodine that reacts with the organic substrate. The occurrence of ICMs has attracted attention due to their association with the generation of I-DBPs. Indirect EC oxidation of ICMs using anodes that produce reactive oxygen species can result in a complete degradation of these compounds yet I-DBPs are formed in the process. Reductive EC deiodination of ICMs is rapid and its overall rate is diffusion-controlled yet I-DBPs are also produced in this reaction. Further progress in practically feasible EC methods to remove DBPs, ICMs and other trace-level organic contaminants requires the development of novel electrocatalytic materials, elimination of mass transfer limitations via innovative design of 3D electrodes and EC reactors, and further progress in the understanding of intrinsic mechanisms of EC reactions of DBPs and TrOC at EC interfaces.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.339-346
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• 2019

In this research, applicability of electrochemical technology in removing nitrogenous compounds from solid waste landfill leachate was examined. Novel cathode material was developed at laboratory by introducing a Cu layer on Al substrate (Cu/Al). Al and mild steel (MS) anodes were investigated for the efficiency in removing nitrogenous compounds from actual leachate samples collected from two open dump sites. Al anode showed better performances due to the effect of better electrocoagulation at Al surface compared to that at MS anode surface. Efficiency studies were carried out at a current density of $20mA/cm^2$ and at reaction duration of 6 h. Efficiency of removing nitrate-N using Al anode and developed Cu/Al cathode was around 90%. However, for raw leachate, total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency was only around 30%. This is due to low ammonium-N removal as a result of low oxidation ability of Al. In addition to the removal of nitrogenous compounds, reactor showed about 30% removal of total organic carbon. Subsequently, raw leachate was diluted four times, to simulate pre-treated leachate. The diluted leachate was treated and around 88% removal of TN was achieved. Therefore, it can be said that the reactor would be good as a secondary or tertiary treatment step in a leachate treatment plant.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.272-278
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• 2018

Reinforced concrete (RC) has been used as a construction material in various environments, such as airports, bridges, and ocean concrete structures, etc. Over time, however, rebar in the concrete is prone to corrosion from environmental forces and structural defects of the concrete. Cathodic protection (CP) was invented to prevent problems with corrosion and is widely used for different applications. Cathodic protection is divided into two types: sacrificial anode cathodic protection (SACP) and impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP). There are several limitations to the use of sacrificial anode cathodic protection in complex reinforced concrete structures, including concrete resistivity, throwing power of the CP, and environmental conditions. These limitations can affect the protection performance of SACP. Therefore, we used impressed current cathodic protection in our study. We tested Ti-Mesh, Ti-Rod, and Ti-Ribbon anodes in slab type reinforced concrete specimens. Electrochemical tests were conducted to confirm the impressed current cathodic protection performance under different environmental conditions.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.46-52
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• 2018

Slitting, which is supposed to be one of the most critical processes in Li-Ion battery manufacturing, is supposed to cut off the uncoated parts of the foil, and cut the wide foils into the size of the Li-ion batteries. Vibrations of slitting machines are the most critical factors for uneven cut surface such as surface roughness and burr, which are the main reasons of the tearing of microporous membranes to separate the cathodes and the anodes, and eventually causing explosion of the batteries. In this study, the structure of a slitting machine has been analyzed through computer simulations to figure out the main reasons of the vibrations. The result of the study shows that simple design alterations of the supporting area and roller without modifying the main structure of the machine can suppress the vibrations effectively, and further to prevent the devastating explosion.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.505-510
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• 2019

Zn-ion supercapacitors (ZICs) show high energy densities with long cycling life for use in electronic devices. Porous Zn electrodes as anodes for ZICs are fabricated by chemical etching process using optimized conditions. The structures, morphologies, chemical bonding states, porous structure, and electrochemical behavior are examined. The optimized porous Zn electrode shows a root mean square of roughness of 173 nm and high surface area of $153{\mu}m^2$. As a result, ZIC using the optimized porous Zn electrode presents excellent electrochemical performance with high specific capacitance of $399F\;g^{-1}$ at current density of $0.5A\;g^{-1}$, high-rate performance ($79F\;g^{-1}$ at a current density of $10.0A\;g^{-1}$), and outstanding cycling stability (99 % after 1,500 cycles). The development of energy storage performance using synergistic effects of high roughness and high surface area is due to increased electroactive sites by surface functionalization of Zn electrode. Thus, our strategy will lead to a rational design and contribute to next-generation supercapacitors in the near future.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.292-300
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• 2018

The modeling of 3D finite elements based on CAD data has been used to detect sites of corrosion defects in buried pipes. The results generated sophisticated profiles of electrolytic potential and vectors of current distributions on the earth surface. To identify the location of defects in buried pipes, the current distribution on the earth surface was projected to a plane of incidence that was identical to the pipe locations. The locations of minimum electrolytic potential value were found. The results show adequate match between the locations of real and expected defects based on modeling. In addition, the defect size can be calculated by integrating the current density curve. The results show that the defect sizes were $0.74m^2$ and $0.69m^2$, respectively. This technology may represent a breakthrough in the detection of indirect damage in various cases involving multiple defects in size and shape, complex/cross pipe systems, multiple anodes and stray current.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2021

Silicon (Si) is recognized as a promising anode material for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. However, under a condition of electrode comparable to commercial graphite anodes with low binder content and a high electrode density, the practical use of Si is limited due to the huge volume change associated with Si-Li alloying/de-alloying. Here, we report a novel core-shell composite, having a reversible capacity of ~ 500 mAh g-1, by forming a shell composed of a mixture of nano-Si, graphite nanosheets and a pitch carbon on a spherical natural graphite particle. The electrochemical measurements are performed using electrodes with 2 wt % styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and 2 wt.% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder in an electrode density of ~ 1.6 g cm-3. The core-shell composites having the reversible capacity of 478 mAh g-1 shows the outstanding capacity retention of 99% after 100 cycles with the initial coulombic efficiency of 90%. The heterostructure of core-shell composites appears to be very effective in buffering the volume change of Si during cycling.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

The use of cathodic protection for metals can be achieved by sacrificial anode CP or impressed current CP, or a combination of both. Cathodic protection is a highly effective anti-corrosion technique for submerged metals or metals in soil. But because the non-immersion atmospheric automobile environment is a high resistance environment, it is limited by fundamental cathodic protection. However, the application of cathodic protection to automobiles is attractive because of the possibility of maintaining corrosion resistance while using lower-cost materials. A commercially available product for automobiles that uses both sacrificial anode CP and impressed current CP was tested in a periodic salt spray environment to investigate the performance of the devices. Experimental results show that the metal to be protected has different anti-corrosion effects depending on the distance from the anode of the device, but it is effective for the entire 120 cm long specimen exposed with one anode. The cathodic protection is effective because the conductive tape attached to the anode of the structure to be protected acts as a constant electrolyte in wet and dry conditions. The results show that the entire standard passenger car can be protected by cathodic protection with 4 anodes.