• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.459-465
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• 2022

A pitch coating method was proposed for the purpose of improving the electrochemical properties of natural graphite. The synthesis conditions of pitch coating were optimized via measuring electrochemical properties of pitch-coated graphite anodes. As the synthesis temperature increased, the thermal stability was improved in addition to an increase in the softening point and residual carbon weight. However, the synthesis temperature of 430 ℃ resulted in the synthesis of a large amount of NI (NMP Insoluble) due to excessive condensation reaction. As the surface uniformity and coating thickness increased due to high thermal stability, the initial coulombic efficiency and rate capability of the pitch-coated graphite were improved. However, the graphite coated with the pitch containing excessive NI showed lower electrochemical properties than the uncoated graphite. NI had low dispersibility and formed spheres after heat treatment, so it formed the heterogeneous and thicker SEI layer. The optimum conditions for forming a uniform surface and an appropriate coating layer were investigated.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.106-112
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• 2021

Catalyst poisoning by ionomers in membrane electrode assemblies of alkaline membrane fuel cells has been reported recently. We tried to improve the membrane electrode assembly's performance by controlling the solvent's ratio during electrode manufacturing. 4 Different mixing ratios of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and ethylene glycol (EG) gave four different cathode electrodes with platinum and Fuma-Tech ionomers. The electrode with higher EG improved polarization performance by about 36% compared to the NMP-based commercial ionomer. The dependence of the ionomer's dispersibility on the solvent seems responsible for the difference, which means that the non-uniform distribution of ionomers improves the performance of the electrode. High-frequency resistance, internal resistance corrected polarization curve, Tafel slope, mass activity, and impedance spectroscopy characterized the electrode. We can find that the existence of poor solvent improves cathode electrode performance. It seems to be the result of reduced poisoning of the catalyst according to the particle size distribution of the ionomer.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2023

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) composite films containing calcined oyster shell powder (OSP) were evaluated for the applicability of antimicrobial packaging. PLA/PBAT-OSP composite films were prepared using twin-screw extruder. The OSP composite was incorporated into PLA/PBAT blend with different ratios (0, 1, 3, 5 and 10%) and the effect of OSP in the PLA/PBAT matrix was evaluated. The PLA/PBAT-OSP composite films were evaluated for properties using FT-IR, SEM, TGA, DSC, UTM, UV-vis, and Contact angle, as well as antimicrobial property was examined according to ISO 22196 - Antimicrobial Plastic Test. As OSP was added, it showed high antimicrobial activities for both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. On the other hand, it was found that mechanical properties decreased as OSP was added. For the application of PLA/PBAT-OSP composite films as an antimicrobial packaging material, it is necessary to improve the dispersibility of OSP in the PLA/PBAT composite films and their physical properties at the same time.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.289-298
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• 2023

In this study, the development of a self-healing concrete waterproofing agent was examined, focusing on its manufacturing and waterproofing properties. The optimal ratio using microcapsules for the concrete waterproofing agent was determined through assessments of flow, compressive strength, and permeability conducted during the mortar stage. These findings aimed to provide fundamental data for evaluating the self-healing properties of the concrete waterproofing agent designed for use in concrete structures. The self-healing concrete waterproofing agent was comprised of three types of inorganic materials commonly used for repair purposes. From experimental results, a composition ratio with a high potassium silicate content, referred to as SIM-2, was found suitable. A surfactant mixing ratio of 0.03 % was identified to enhance the dispersibility of the concrete waterproofing agent, while a mixing ratio of 0.2 % distilled water was deemed suitable for viscosity adjustment. For the magnetic self-healing concrete waterproofing agent's healing agent, using microcapsules in the range of 0.5 % to 0.7 % met the KS F 4949 and KS F 4926 standards.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.670-678
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• 1994

The effects of amylase addition during extrusion cooking of rice on the physico-chemical properties of the extrudates were investigated in order to develop rice-based Korean style weaning food products. A laboratory-built single screw extruder was used, the enzymes used were Termamyl 120LS(amylase from Bacillus licheniformis, NOVO Co.), BAN 240L(amylase from Bacillus amylolichuefaciens, NOVO Co.) and malt powder. By the addition of enzymes, the water soluble index of the extrudates increased by 3 times compared to that of the extrudates without enzyme and the concentration of reducing sugar in the extrudates increased drastically at 28 feed moisture. The gel permeation chromatographic pattern showed that the large molecular starch fractions diminished by the addition of enzyme during extrusion and the low molecular fraction increased. The residual enzyme activity in the extrudate were 27% for the most thermo-resistance enzyme by treating at $140^{\circ}C$ in the metering section of the extruder. The sediment volume of the extrudate dispersion increased as the metering section temperature increased to $140^{\circ}C$ . By the addition of enzymes the viscosity of extrudate dispersion was redused $1/4{\sim}1/200$ of that of the extrudates without enzyme. It allowed to use 1.8 times of solid material to the weaning food formulation to attain the same level of consistency as the commercial products. It proves that the addition of amylase during rice extrusion is effective to increase the energy density of weaning food by starch degradation, which results in the increases of water solubility, reducing sugar content, dispersibility and fluidability.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.241-248
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• 2021

As the electric vehicle market grows, there is an issue of light weight vehicles to increase battery efficiency. Therefore, it is going to replace the battery module cover that protects the battery module of electric vehicles with high strength/high heat-resistant polymer composite material which has lighter weight from existing aluminum materials. It also aims to respond to the early electric vehicle market where technology changes quickly by combining 3D printing technology that is advantageous for small production of multiple varieties without restrictions on complex shapes. Based on the composite material mechanics, the critical length of glass fibers in short glass fiber (GF)/polycarbonate (PC) composite materials manufactured through extruder was derived as 453.87 ㎛, and the side feeding method was adopted to improve the residual fiber length from 365.87 ㎛ and to increase a dispersibility. Thus, the optimal properties of tensile strength 135 MPa and Young's modulus 7.8 MPa were implemented as GF/PC composite materials containing 30 wt% of GF. In addition, the filament extrusion conditions (temperature, extrusion speed) were optimized to meet the commercial filament specification of 1.75 mm thickness and 0.05 mm standard deviation. Through manufactured filaments, 3D printing process conditions (temperature, printing speed) were optimized by multi-optimization that minimize porosity, maximize tensile strength, and printing speed to increase the productivity. Through this procedure, tensile strength and elastic modulus were improved 11%, 56% respectively. Also, by post-processing, tensile strength and Young's modulus were improved 5%, 18% respectively. Lastly, using the FEA (finite element analysis) technique, the structure of the battery module cover was optimized to meet the mechanical shock test criteria of the electric vehicle battery module cover (ISO-12405), and it is satisfied the battery cover mechanical shock test while achieving 37% lighter weight compared to aluminum battery module cover. Based on this research, it is expected that 3D printing technology of polymer composite materials can be used in various fields in the future.