• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.292-303
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• 2022

An eco-friendly energy conversion device without the emission of pollutants has gained much attention due to the rapid use of fossil fuels inducing carbon dioxide emissions ever since the first industrial revolution in the 18th century. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) that can produce water during the reaction without the emission of carbon dioxide are promising devices for automotive and residential applications. As a key component of PEMFCs, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) need to have high proton conductivity and physicochemical stability during the operation. Currently, perfluorinated sulfonic acid-based PEMs (PFSA-PEMs) have been commercialized and utilized in PEMFC systems. Although the PFSA-PEMs are found to meet these criteria, there is an ongoing need to improve these further, to be useful in practical PEMFC operation. In addition, the well-known drawbacks of PFSA-PEMs including low glass transition temperature and high gas crossover need to be improved. Therefore, this review focused on recent trends in the development of high-performance PFSA-PEMs in three different ways. First, control of the side chain of PFSA copolymers can effectively improve the proton conductivity and thermal stability by increasing the ion exchange capacity and polymer crystallinity. Second, the development of composite-type PFSA-PEMs is an effective way to improve proton conductivity and physical stability by incorporating organic/inorganic additives. Finally, the incorporation of porous substrates is also a promising way to develop a thin pore-filling membrane showing low membrane resistance and outstanding durability.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.22-34
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• 2016

We developed a biologically-derived substance naphthoquinone (NQ) derivate for the eco-safe mitigation of harmful cyanobacteria blooms such as Microcystis and Dolichospermum. NQ was reacted with various substituents ($R_n$) to produce different NQ derivatives. We tested a total of 92 algicidal compounds based on the algicidal activity of Microcystis and Dolichospermum. 22 compounds of NQ were selected as candidates (algicidal activity >80% at $1{\mu}M$). Among them, NQ 40 compound showed the highest algicidal activity of 99.6% and 100% at the optimal concentration of $1{\mu}M$ on Microcystis and Dolichospermum, respectively. No algicidal effects of NQ 40 ($1{\mu}M$) were observed against non-target algae such as Stephanodiscus, Cyclotella and Peridinium. According to the results of acute eco-toxicity assessment, the $EC_{50}$ values of NQ 40 compound for Selenastrum capricornutum and Daphnia magna were 3.2 and $14.5{\mu}M$, respectively, and the $LC_{50}$ for Danio rerio was $15.7{\mu}M$. In addition, for D. magna chronic eco-toxicity assessment, no toxicity toward survival, growth and reproduction was observed. Therefore, we suggested the NQ 40 ($1{\mu}M$) compound as an alternative eco-safe algicidal substance to effectively mitigate harmful cyanobacteria blooms.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.153-159
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• 2021

In recent years, polymer membranes, which are actively used in various industrial fields, have the advantage of being able to impart unique properties through the control of chemical structures and physical properties in the film-fabrication process, as well as through fabricating blend membranes mixed with various materials. In this study, the solubility parameter, which can be used as an index of miscibility with other materials, was calculated using molecular dynamics using a silkworm (Bombyx mori) silk polymer which has a wide potential to be used as an eco-friendly natural material. When the solubility parameter of polyvinylalcohol (PVA), which is also environmentally friendly and biocompatible, was calculated by molecular dynamics and compared with each other, it was confirmed that the two polymer materials had similar solubility parameter values. In conclusion, it was theoretically proved that the two polymers could blend well with each other, which was confirmed through experiments.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.251.2-251.2
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• 2010

Plant biomass has been proposed to be an alternative source for petroleum-based chemical compounds. Especially, phenolic chemical compounds can be obtained from lignin by chemical depolymerization processes because lignin consists of complex aromatic polymer such as trans-p-coumaryl, coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols, etc. Phenolic chemical compounds from lignin were usually produced in super critical water. However, we applied Near-critical water (NCW) system because NCW is known as a good solvent for lignin depolymerization. Organic matter like lignin can be solved in NCW system and the system has a unique acid-base property without conventional non-eco-friendly chemicals such as sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. In this work, we tried to optimize the NCW depolymerization system by adjusting the processing variables such as reaction time, temperature and pressure. Moreover, the amount of additional phenol was optimized by changing the molar ratio between water and phenol. Phenol was used as capping agent to prevent re-polymerization of active fragment such as formaldehyde. Alkali-lignin was used as a starting material and characterized by a Solid State 13C-NMR, FT-IR and EA (Elemental Analysis). GC-MS analysis confirmed that o-cresol, p-cresol, anisole and 4-hydroxyphathalic acid were the main product and they were quantitatively analyzed by HPLC.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.627-627
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• 2013

Recently, most studies concerning inorganic CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD)-polymer hybrid LEDs have been concentrated on the structure with multiple layers [1,2]. The QD LEDs used almost CdSe materials for color reproduction such as blue, green and red from the light source until current. However, since Cd is one of six substances banned by the Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive and classified into a hazardous substance for utilization and commercialization as well as for use in life, it was reported that the use of CdSe is not suitable to fabricate a photoelectronic device. In this work, we demonstrate a novel, simple and facile technique for the synthesis of ZnO-graphene quasi-core.shell quantum dots utilizing graphene nanodot in order to overcome Cd material including RoHS materials. Also, We investigate the optical and structural properties of the quantum dots using a number of techniques. In result, At the applied bias 10 V, the device produced bluish-white color of the maximum brightness 1118 cd/$m^2$ with CIE coordinates (0.31, 0.26) at the bias 10 V.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.154-163
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• 2015

Because of acute or chronic intoxication by carbon disulfide, viscose rayon industry is strictly subjected to environment regulatory approval. Recently, non-wood fibers are frequently considered as a raw materials for the manufacture of specialty paper for the higher physical strength and functionality. Among the non-wood fibers, hemp bast fiber is one of the most widely used materials in viscose rayon yarn industries. In this study, the handsheet for manufacturing the viscose rayon yarn was prepared with wood pulp fibers and hemp bast fibers. The proper mixing ratio of wood fibers and hemp bast fibers with dry-strength agent and nano-celluloses was analysed in terms of physical and mechanical strength of sheet for viscose rayon yarn. The papermaking conditions for high mechanical strength of sheet were obtained by mixing the SwBKP and HwBKP fibers with freeness level of 200 mL CSF. The dual polymer system by controlling the addition ratio of PVAm and anionic PAM was also important. The addition of nano-cellulose into wet-end furnishes increased the physical strength of sheet, and improved the paper structure for the production of viscose rayon yarn.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2020

4,4'-Methylenebis(2-chlorobenzenamine) (MOCA)-free fast curing polyurethanes were prepared. In this study, the processibility of a fast curing polyurethane system was characterized by assessing the pot life. The obtained pot life of the polyurethane was 6-8 s, indicating that this prepolymer-curative system is appropriate for ribbon flow casting. The influence of the NCO index on the viscosity and mechanical properties was evaluated. The viscosity, tensile strength, tear strength, and hardness of the as-prepared polyurethanes showed an increasing trend, with an increase in the NCO index, whereas the elongation at break increased initially and then decreased with an increase in the NCO index. The gel fraction and crosslink density showed a direct correlation with the NCO index, which substantiated the improved mechanical properties at the higher NCO index. The coefficients of friction and abrasion deteriorated with an increase in the NCO index.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2019.11a
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• pp.62-63
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• 2019

Currently, polymer-based tile cement (Thin-bed method) and epoxy adhesive (Thick-bed method) are mainly used as tile adhesive for polishing and porcelain. In the case of epoxy adhesive, there is a low economic efficiency, there is a problem that the work efficiency is reduced by mixing the resin and the hardener. In particular, the epoxy contains a bisphenol A and amine component, there is a risk of workable disease when a worker is exposed to odor and harmful gases generated in the epoxy adhesive for a long time. Against this background, it is necessary to analyze the hazards of using epoxy adhesives indoors, and develop cementitious high performance tile adhesive products with significantly lower hazards than epoxy adhesives.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.435-450
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• 2021

The interest in eco-friendly energy is increasing, and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is attracting attention as alternative power sources. Research on metallic bipolar plates, a fuel cell component, is being actively conducted. However, since the operating conditions of PEMFC, in which sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and hydrofluoric acid (HF) are mixed, are strong acidity, the durability of the metallic bipolar plate is very important. In this research, the electrochemical characteristics and corrosion damage behavior of 316L stainless steel, a material for metallic bipolar plates, were analyzed through potentiostatic corrosion tests with test times and chloride concentrations. As the test times and chloride concentrations increased, the current density and corrosion damage increased. As a result of observation with scanning electron microscope(SEM) and 3D microscope, both the depth and width of pitting corrosion increased with increases in test times and chloride concentrations. In particular, the pitting corrosion damage depth at test conditions of 6 hours and 1000 ppm chloride increased the most. The growth of the pitting corrosion damage was not directly proportional to time and increased significantly after a certain period.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.347-360
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• 2021

Currently, the demand for eco-friendly energy sources is high, which has prompted research on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Both aluminum alloys and nickel alloys, which are commonly considered as materials of bipolar plates in fuel cells, oxide layers formed on the metal surface have excellent corrosion resistance. In this research, the electrochemical characteristics of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and Inconel 600 were investigated with chloride concentrations in an acid environment that simulated the cathode condition of the PEMFC. After potentiodynamic polarization experiments, Tafel analysis and surface analysis were performed. Inconel 600 presented remarkably good corrosion resistance under all test conditions. The corrosion current density of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy was significantly higher than that of Inconel 600 under all test conditions. Also, 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and Inconel 600 presented uniform corrosion and intergranular corrosion, respectively. The Ni, Cr, and Fe, which are the main chemical compositions of Inconel 600, are higher than Al in the electromotive force series. And a double oxide film of NiO-Cr₂O₃, which is more stable than Al₂O₃, is formed. Thus, the corrosion resistance of Inconel 600 is better.