• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-33
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• 2009

Recently, elastomer-nanocomposites reinforced with low volume fraction of nanofillers have attracted great interest due to their fascinating properties. The incorporation of nanofillers, such as, layered silicate clays, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, calcium carbonate, metal oxides or silica nanoparticles into elastomers improves significantly their mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical, barrier properties, flame retardancy, etc. The properties of nanocomposites depend greatly on the chemistry of polymer matrices, nature of nanofillers, and the method in which they are prepared. The uniform dispersion of nanofillers in elastomer matrices is a general prerequisite for achieving desired mechanical and physical characteristics. In this paper, current developments in the field of elastomer nanocomposites reinforced with layered silicates, silica, carbon nanotubes, nanofibers and various other nanoparticles have been addressed.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.2207-2219
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• 2018

Activated carbon (AC) was synthesized from Phoenix dactylifera stones and then modified by $CoFe_2O_4$ magnetic nanocomposite for use as a Cr(VI) adsorbent. Both $AC/CoFe_2O_4$ composite and AC were fully characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD, TEM, TGA, and VSM techniques. Based on the surface analyses, the addition of $CoFe_2O_4$ nanoparticles had a significant effect on the thermal stability and crystalline structure of AC. Factors affecting chromium removal efficiency like pH, dosage, contact time, temperature, and initial Cr(VI) concentration were investigated. The best pH was found 2 and 3 for Cr adsorption by AC and $AC/CoFe_2O_4$ composite, respectively. The presence of ion sulfate had a greater effect on the chromium sorption efficiency than nitrate and chlorine ions. The results illustrated that both adsorbents can be used up to seven times to adsorb chromium. The adsorption process was examined by three isothermal models, and Freundlich was chosen as the best one. The experimental data were well fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The half-life ($t_{1/2}$) of hexavalent chromium using AC and $AC/CoFe_2O_4$ magnetic composite was obtained as 5.18 min and 1.52 min, respectively. Cr(VI) adsorption by AC and $AC/CoFe_2O_4$ magnetic composite was spontaneous and exothermic. In general, our study showed that the composition of $CoFe_2O_4$ magnetic nanoparticles with AC can increase the adsorption capacity of AC from 36 mg/L to 70 mg/L.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.17-18
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• 2011

Plasma in liquid phase has attracted great attention in the last few years by the wide domain of applications in material processing, decomposition of organic and inorganic chemical compounds and sterilization of water. The plasma in liquid is characterized by three main regions which interact each - other during the plasma operation: the liquid phase, which supply the plasma gas phase with various chemical compounds and ions, the plasma in the gas phase at atmospheric pressure and the interface between these two regions. The most complex region, but extremely interesting from the fundamental, chemical and physical processes which occur here, is the boundary between the liquid phase and the plasma gas phase. In our laboratory, plasma in liquid which behaves as a glow discharge type, is generated by using a bipolar pulsed power supply, with variable pulse width, in the range of 0.5~10 ${\mu}s$ and 10 to 30 kHz repetition rate. Plasma in water and other different solutions was characterized by electrical and optical measurements. Strong emissions of OH and H radicals dominate the optical spectra. Generally water with 500 ${\mu}S/cm$ conductivity has a breakdown voltage around 2 kV, depending on the pulse width and the repetition rate of the power supply. The characteristics of the plasma initiated in ultrapure water between pairs of different materials used for electrodes (W and Ta) were investigated by the time-resolved optical emission and the broad-band absorption spectroscopy. The deexcitation processes of the reactive species formed in the water plasma depend on the electrode material, but have been independent on the polarity of the applied voltage pulses. Recently, Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy method was employed to investigate the chemistry in the liquid phase and at the interface between the gas and the liquid phases of the solution plasma system. The use of the solution plasma allows rapid fabrication of the metal nanoparticles without being necessary the addition of different reducing agents, because plasma in the liquid phase provides a reaction field with a highly excited energy radicals. We successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles using a glow discharge in aqueous solution. Nanoparticles with an average size of less than 10 nm were obtained using chlorauric acid solutions as the metal source. Carbon/Pt hybrid nanostructures have been obtained by treating carbon balls, synthesized in a CVD chamber, with hexachloro- platinum acid in a solution plasma system. The solution plasma was successfully used to remove the template remained after the mesoporous silica synthesis. Surface functionalization of the carbon structures and the silica surface with different chemical groups and nanoparticles, was also performed by processing these materials in the liquid plasma.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• v.68
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• pp.146-152
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• 2018

Due to their excellent mechanical durability and high electrical conductivity, carbon and silicon composites are potentially suitable anode materials for Li-ion batteries with high capacity and long lifespan. Nevertheless, the limitations of the composites include their poor ionic diffusion at high current densities during cycling, which leads to low ultrafast performance. In the present study, seeking to improve the ionic diffusion using hydrothermal method, electrospinning, and carbonization, we demonstrate the unique design of excavated carbon and silicon composites (EC/Si). The outstanding energy storage performance of EC/Si electrode provides a discharge specific capacity, impressive rate performance, and ultrafast cycling stability.

• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1480-1485
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• 2018

Mesoporous carbon-silica composites supported Pt nanoparticle catalysts (Pt/MCS) were firstly applied to the heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of ethyl 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyrate (EOPB). A series of different silica contents were investigated in the fabrication of this mesoporous material. When the volume of added tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) during the preparation of composites is 8 mL, Pt/MCS-8 holds carbon and silica as the main components and possesses relatively strong acidity, mesoporous structures with micropores, appropriate Pt nanoparticle size and high dispersibility showing by XRD, XPS, TPD, $N_2$ sorption and TEM. These properties cause its good catalytic performance in the heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of EOPB with the enantiomeric excess value and conversion up to 85.6% and 97.8%, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.166-166
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• 2013

Mesoporous $SiO_2$-supported Ni catalysts (Ni/$SiO_2$ and Ni/$TiO_2$/$SiO_2$) were fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD), and their catalytic activity and stability were investigated in carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CRM) reaction at $800^{\circ}C$ The Ni/$SiO_2$ catalysts showed high stability as a result of confinement of Ni particles with a mean size of ~10 nm within the pores of $SiO_2$ support. Besides, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the Ni nanoparticles were partially buried inside the $SiO_2$ support. The strong interaction between Ni and the $SiO_2$ support could also be advantageous for long-term stability of the catalyst. In case of the Ni/$TiO_2$/$SiO_2$ catalyst, it was found that the catalytic activity of 10 nm-sized Ni nanoparticles was not much influenced by $TiO_2$ addition.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.139-144
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• 2014

Activated carbon fiber (ACF) was modified with MnS nanoparticles to prepare MnS-ACF, and it was employed for preparation of MnS-$ACF/TiO_2$ composites with titanium (IV) n-butoxide (TNB). The properties of MnS-$ACF/TiO_2$ composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, and EDX. EDX results showed the presence of C, O, and Ti as major elements and traces of the metal elements Mn and S. The photocatlytic activity was evaluated by degradation of methyl blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dye. The results demonstrated that as-prepared samples could effectively photodegrade MB and MO under UV irradiation. Subsequently, the decomposition of MB solution showed the combined effects of adsorptions by ACF and enhanced photocatalytic effect by $TiO_2$. Finally, the photocatalytic effect increased due to photo-induced-electron absorption effect by ACF and electron trap effect by comodified MnS nanoparticles.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.202-208
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• 2022

Pt-Ni nanocatalysts were loaded on carbon black by spontaneous reduction reaction of platinum (II) acetylacetonate and nickel (II) acetylacetonate, and they were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), energy dispersive x-ray analyzer (EDS), BET surface area and fuel cell test station. The distribution of the Pt and Ni nanoparticles was observed by TEM, and the loading weight of Pt-Ni nanocatalysts on the carbon black was measured by TGA. The elemental ratio of Pt and Ni was estimated by EDS. It was found that the loading weight of Pt-Ni nanoparticles was 5.54 wt%, and the elemental ratio of Pt and Ni was 0.48:0.35. Specific surface area was measured by BET analysis instrument and I-V characteristics were estimated.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review clinical characteristics and working environments of sudden cardiac death (SCD) cases associated with a tire manufacturer in Korea, and review possible occupational risk factors for cardiovascular disease including nanoparticles (ultrafine particles, UFPs). Methods: We reviewed (i) the clinical course of SCD cases and (ii) occupational and non-occupational risk factors including chemicals, the physical work environment, and job characteristics. Results: Possible occupational factors were chemicals, UFPs of rubber fume, a hot environment, shift work, overworking, and noise exposure. The mean diameter of rubber fume (63-73 nm) was (larger than diesel exhaust [12 nm] and outdoor dust [50 nm]). The concentration of carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide and styrene were lower than the limit of detection. Five SCD cases were exposed to shift work and overworking. Most of the cases had several non-occupational factors such as hypertension, overweight and smoking. Conclusion: The diameter of rubber fume was larger than outdoor and the diesel exhaust, the most well known particulate having a causal relationship with cardiovascular disease. The possibility of a causal relation between UFPs of rubber fume and SCD was not supported in this study. However, it is necessary to continue studying the relationship between large sized UFPs and SCD.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.361-372
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• 2019

The silver nanoparticles/polyaniline/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (Ag/PANI/RGO/GCE) was prepared by the electrochemical method. The Ag/PANI/RGO nanocomposite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (ESI). Two electrochemical techniques namely differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to the electrochemical behaviors investigation of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and uric acid (UA). The Ag/PANI/RGO/GCE exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation reaction of AA, DA, and UA in Britton-Robinson (BR) solution (pH=4.0). Under the optimal conditions, the determinations of AA, DA, and UA were accomplished using DPV. AA-DA and DA-UA peak potential separations were 130 and 180 mV, respectively. For simultaneous detection, the linear response ranges were in the two concentration ranges of 0.05-0.8 mM and 2.0-16.0 mM with detection limit 0.412 μM (S/N = 3) for AA, 0.7-90.0 μM and 90.0-1000.0 μM with detection limit 0.023 μM (S/N = 3) for DA, and 0.8-70.0 μM and 70.0-1000.0 μM with detection limit 0.050 μM (S/N = 3) for UA. This modified electrode showed good sensitivity, selectivity, and stability with applied to determine AA, DA, and UA in human urine and drug.