• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.464-469
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• 2021

A reforming catalyst for hydrogen production from ammonia is being studied. Non-novel metal based Ni catalysts for use in ammonia reforming processes are being developed. In this study, the ammonia reforming characteristics according to Ni content of the alumina pellet supported catalyst in the mid-temperature region were investigated under different space velocity. 20 Ni and 3,000 h^-1 showed the best catalytic activity with ammonia conversion of 63% among all conditions.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2022

The development of advanced materials to improve the efficiency of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting paves the way for widespread renewable energy technologies. Efficient photoanodes with strong absorbance in visible light increases the effectiveness of solar energy conversion systems. MoS₂ in a two-dimensional semiconductor that has excellent absorption performance in visible light and high catalytic activity, showing considerable potential as an agent of PEC water splitting. In this study, we successfully modulated the MoS₂ morphology on indium tin oxide substrate by using the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition method, and applied the PEC application. The PEC photocurrent of the vertically grown MoS₂ nanosheet structure significantly increased relative to that of MoS₂ nanoparticles because of the efficient transfer of charge carriers and high-density active sites. The enhanced photocurrent was attributed to the efficient charge separation and improved light absorption of the MoS₂ nanosheet structure. Meanwhile, the photocurrent property of thick nanosheets decreased because of the limit imposed by the diffusion lengths of carriers. This study proposes a valuable photoelectrode design with suitable nanosheet morphology for efficient PEC water splitting.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2022

With rapid growth in light-harvesting efficiency from 3.8 to 25.8%, organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted great attention as promising photovoltaic devices. However, despite of their outstanding performance, the commercialization of PSCs has been suffered from severe stability issues, especially for UV and humidity: (i) UV irradiation towards PSCs is able to lead UV-induced decomposition of perovskite films or catalytic reactions of charge-transporting layers, and (ii) exposure to surrounding humidity causes irreversible hydration of perovskite layers by the penetration of water molecules, resulting considerable decrease in their power-conversion efficiency (PCE). This review investigates current status of strategies to enhance UV and humidity stability of PSCs in terms of UV-management and moisture protection, respectively. Furthermore, the multifunctional approach to increase long-term stability as well as performance is discussed as advanced research directions for the commercialization of PSCs.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.231-242
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• 2023

Li₂O-based cathodes utilizing oxide-peroxide conversion are innovative next-generation cathodes that have the potential to surpass the capacity of current commercial cathodes. However, these cathodes are exposed to severe cathode-electrolyte side reactions owing to the formation of highly reactive superoxides (O^x-, 1 ≤ x < 2) from O^2- ions in the Li₂O structure during charging. Succinonitrile (SN) has been used as a stabilizer at the cathode/electrolyte interface to mitigate cathode-electrolyte side reactions. SN forms a protective layer through decomposition during cycling, potentially reducing unwanted side reactions at the interface. In this study, a composite of Li₂O and Ni-embedded reduced graphene oxide (LNGO) was used as the Li₂O-based cathode. The addition of SN effectively thinned the interfacial layer formed during cycling. The presence of a N-derived layer resulting from the decomposition of SN was observed after cycling, potentially suppressing the formation of undesirable reaction products and the growth of the interfacial layer. The cell with the SN additive exhibited an enhanced electrochemical performance, including increased usable capacity and improved cyclic performance. The results confirm that incorporating the SN additive effectively stabilizes the cathode-electrolyte interface in Li₂O-based cathodes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Cobalt silicide was used as a counter electrode in order to confirm its reliability in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) devices. 100 nm-Co/300 nm-Si/quartz was formed by an evaporator and cobalt silicide was formed by vacuum heat treatment at $700^{\circ}C$ for 60 min to form approximately 350 nm-CoSi. This process was followed by etching in $80^{\circ}C$-30% $H_2SO_4$ to remove the cobalt residue on the cobalt silicide surface. Also, for the comparison against Pt, we prepared a 100 nm-Pt/glass counter electrode. Cobalt silicide was used for the counter electrode in order to confirm its reliability in DSSC devices and maintained for 0, 168, 336, 504, 672, and 840 hours at $80^{\circ}C$. The photovoltaic properties of the DSSCs employing cobalt silicide were confirmed by using a simulator and potentiostat. Cyclic-voltammetry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry analyses were used to confirm the catalytic activity, microstructure, and composition, respectively. The energy conversion efficiency (ECE) as a function of time and ECE of the DSSC with Pt and CoSi counter electrodes were maintained for 504 hours. However, after 672 hours, the ECEs decreased to a half of their initial values. The results of the catalytic activity analysis showed that the catalytic activities of the Pt and CoSi counter electrodes decreased to 64% and 57% of their initial values, respectively(after 840 hours). The microstructure analysis showed that the CoSi layer improved the durability in the electrolyte, but because the stress concentrates on the contact surface between the lower quartz substrate and the CoSi layer, cracks are formed locally and flaking occurs. Thus, deterioration occurs due to the residual stress built up during the silicidation of the CoSi counter electrode, so it is necessary to take measures against these residual stresses, in order to ensure the reliability of the electrode.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.15 no.1 s.69
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• pp.37-45
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• 2006

For treating a huge amount of plastic waste with the environment problem, pyrolysis of plastic waste into alternative fuel oil is one or important issue in recycling methods. This study was introduced over the trend or generation of plastic waste, in Korea pyrolysis technology in domestic and foreign countries, basic technology in pyrolysis process and new technology of pyrolysis developed in KIER (Korea Institute of Energy research). The characteristics of process developed in KIER are the continuous loading treatment or mixed plastic waste with an automatic control system, the minimization of wax production by circulation pyrolysis system in non-catalytic reactor, the reuse of gas produced and the oil recovery from sludge generated in pyrolysis plant, which have greatly the advantage economically and environmetally. The experiment result data in 300 ton/yr pilot plant showed about $81\;wt\%$ liquid yield for 3 days continuous reaction time, and also the boiling point distribution of light oil (LO) and heavy oil (HO) produced in distillation tower was a little higher than that of commercial gasoline and diesel, respectively.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.543-549
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• 1997

The direct reaction of carbon dioxide($CO_2$) with butane($C_4H_{10}$) to obtain synthesis gas and hydrocarbon compounds have been studied on nickel loaded catalysts. In the reaction of $CO_2$ with $C_4H_{10}$, Ni loaded catalysts showed similar activity with Pt catalyst and Coke deposition on the catalyst was severe by dehydrogenation of butane. The main products were carbon monoxide and hydrogen, when alumina and Y type zeolite were used as a support. Instead, a great deal of aromatic hydrocarbons were obtained on the Ni loaded ZSM-5 catalyst. The conversion of $CO_2$ increased with the increasing molar ratio of $CO_2$/$C_4H_{10}$ on Ni/ZSM-5, Ni/NaY and Ni/alumina catalyst, but the conversion decreased again from the ratio of 2. The value of $CO_2$ conversion was the highest at the 5wt% of Ni loading on ZSM-5 catalyst. A part of cokes deposited on the catalysts diminished when only $CO_2$ gas or water steam flowed into the reactor. The coke deposited on the catalysts was very reactive and it may be an important intermediate for the carbon dioxide reforming reaction.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.731-736
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• 2019

In this article, Pt/TiO₂ was manufactured in the form of powder and honeycomb, and the influence of SO₂, which is a poisonous substance to catalyst, and regeneration method were investigated. The catalytic activity of Pt/TiO₂ before and after the exposure to SO₂ was also compared. The initial activity of Pt/TiO₂ was proportional to the injected H₂ concentration (1~5%). And the optimum temperature of the catalyst and conversion rate of H₂ were 183 ℃ and 95%, respectively. It was confirmed that when exposing 2,800 ppm of SO₂ to the powder and honeycomb Pt/TiO₂, the performance of catalyst was not measurable and also 0.69% sulfur (S) remained on the catalyst surface. As a result of the cleaning and heat treatment for the poisoning catalyst, the activity of the powder catalyst exhibited a conversion rate of H₂ greater than 96%. Whereas, the honeycomb catalyst showed a conversion rate of H₂ greater than 95% when it was regenerated through the heat treatment of H₂ or air atmosphere.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

The catalytic behavior of $Ni/Ce_XZr_{(1-X)}O_2$ loaded on the alumina coated honeycomb monolith was studied for the autothermal reforming reaction of methane. Among the catalysts with the different Ce/Zr ratios, the $Ni/Ce_{0.80}Zr_{0.20}O_2$ Catalyst showed the highest conversion of methane. By investigating the effect of Ni content on the $Ni/Ce_{0.80}Zr_{0.20}O_2$ catalysts, the catalyst loaded with 15wt% Ni had the highest activity. Also, $H_2$ yield was increased as $H_2O/CH_4$ ratio increased. Methane conversion was improved as $O_2/CH_4$ ratio was increased, whereas the yield of $H_2$ was decreased. Among the catalysts tested for 30 hours, $Ni(15wt%)/Ce_{0.80}Zr_{0.20}O_2$ showed the excellent conversion(${\geq}99%$) of methane and the stability at the condition of $GHSV=30,000h^{-1}$, feed ratio S/C/O=2/1/0.5 and reaction temperature $800^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.121-129
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• 2017

Pd based catalysts were prepared by impregnating palladium precursor using incipient wetness method on $TiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, $ZrO_2$, and $SiO_2$ and were applied for the selective oxidation of $H_2$ in the presence of CO. Their physicochemical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), $N_2$-sorption, temperature programmed desorption of CO (CO-TPD) and (CO+$H_2O$)-TPD, temperature programmed reduction of CO (CO-TPR) and XPS a. The results of CO- and (CO+$H_2O$)-TPD showed the correlation between peak temperature of TPD and catalytic activities for $H_2$ and CO conversion. The $Pd/ZrO_2$ catalyst exhibited the highest conversion of $H_2$. The addition of $H_2O$ vapor promotes the conversion of $H_2$ and CO by inducing easy desorption of CO and $H_2$ in the competitive adsorption of $H_2O$, CO and $H_2$.