• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.139-142
• /
• 2018

Silicon (Si) is a promising anode material for next-generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high capacity of 4,200 mAh/g ($Li_{4.4}Si$ phase). However, the large volume expansion of Si during lithiation leads to electrical failure of electrode and rapid capacity decrease. Generally, a binder is homogeneously mixed with active materials to maintain electrical contact, so that Si needs a particular binding system due to its large volume expansion. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is known to form a hydrogen bond with partially hydrolyzed silicon oxide layer on Si nanoparticles. However, the decrease of its cohesiveness followed by the repeated volume change of Si still remains unsolved. To overcome this problem, we have introduced the electrospinning method to weave active materials in a stable nanofibrous PVA structure, where stresses from the large volume change of Si can be contained. We have confirmed that the capacity retention of Si-based LIBs using electrospun PVA matrix is higher compared to the conservative method (only dissolving in the slurry); the $25^{th}$ cycle capacity retention ratio based on the $2^{nd}$ cycle was 37% for the electrode with electrospun PVA matrix, compared to 27% and 8% for the electrodes with PVdF and PVA binders.

• Journal of Powder Materials
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.114-118
• /
• 2008

Functional nanomaterial is expected to have improved capacities on various fields. Especially, metal nanoparticles dispersed in polymer matrix and metal nanofiber, one of the functional nanomaterials, are able to achieve improvement of property in the electric and other related fields. In this study, the fabrication of metal (Ag) nanoparticle dispersed nanofibers were attempted. The Ag nanoparticle dispersed polymer nanofiber and Ag nanofiber were fabricated by electrospinning method using electric force. First, PVP/$AgNO_3$ nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning in $18{\sim}22kV$ voltage with the starting materials (Ag-nitrate) added polymer (PVP; poly (vinylpyrrolidone)). Then Ag nanoparticle dispersed polymer nanofibers were fabricated to reduce hydrogen reduction at $150^{\circ}C$ for 3hr. And Ag nanofibers were synthesized by the decomposited of PVP at $300{\sim}500^{\circ}C$ for 3hr. The nanofibers were analyzed by XRD, TGA, FE-SEM and TEM. The experimental results showed that the Ag nanofibers could be applied in many fields as an advanced material.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2024

This study reports a direct growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surface of LiCoO₂ (LCO) powders to apply as highly efficient cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIB). The CNT synthesis was performed using a thermal chemical vapor deposition apparatus with temperatures from 575 to 625 ℃. Ferritin molecules as growth catalyst of CNTs were mixed in deionized (DI) water with various concentrations from 0.05 to 1.0 mg/mL. Then, the LCO powders was dissolved in the ferritin solution at a ratio of 1g/mL. To obtain catalytic iron nanoparticles on the LCO surface, the LCO-ferritin suspension was dropped in silicon dioxide substrates and calcined under air at 550℃. Subsequently, the direct growth of CNTs on LCO powders was performed using a mixture of acetylene (10 sccm) and hydrogen (100 sccm) for 10 min. The growth behavior was characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The optimized condition yielding high structural quality and amount of CNTs was 600 ℃ and 0.5 mg/mL. The obtained materials will be developed as cathode materials in LIB.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.10-21
• /
• 2023

Hydrogels that are made of natural polymer-based double networks have excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and high water content, assuring that the material has the properties required for a variety of biomedical applications. However, hydrogels also have limitations due to their relatively weak mechanical properties. In this study, hydrogels based on an alginate di-aldehyde (ADA) and gelatin (Gel) double network that is reinforced with additional hydrogen bonds formed between the hydroxyl (-OH) groups of the hyperbranched polymer (HPG) and the functional groups present inside of the hydrogels were successfully synthesized. The enhanced mechanical properties of these synthesized hydrogels were evaluated by varying the amount of HPG added during the hydrogel synthesis from 0 to 25%. In addition, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) were synthesized within the hydrogels and the structures and the magnetic properties of the hydrogels were also characterized. The hydrogels that contained 15% HPG and Fe₃O₄ NPs exhibited superparamagnetic behaviors with a saturation magnetization value of 3.8 emu g^-1. These particular hydrogels also had strengthened mechanical properties with a maximum compressive stress of 1.1 MPa at a strain of 67.4%. Magnetic hydrogels made with natural polymer-based double networks provide improved mechanical properties and have a significant potential for drug delivery and biomaterial application.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.231-240
• /
• 2002

Microbial metal reduction influences the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and metals as well as plays an important role in the bioremediation of metals, radionuclides, and organic contaminants. The use of bacteria to facilitate the production of magnetite nanoparticles and the formation of carbonate minerals may provide new biotechnological processes for material synthesis and carbon sequestration. Metal-reducing bacteria were isolated from a variety of extreme environments, such as deep terrestrial subsurface, deep marine sediments, water near Hydrothemal vents, and alkaline ponds. Metal-reducing bacteria isolated from diverse extreme environments were able to reduce Fe(III), Mn(IV), Cr(VI), Co(III), and U(VI) using short chain fatty acids and/or hydrogen as the electron donors. These bacteria exhibited diverse mineral precipitation capabilities including the formation of magnetite ($Fe_3$$O_4$), siderite ($FeCO_3$), calcite ($CaCO_3$), rhodochrosite ($MnCO_3$), vivianite [$Fe_3$($PO_4$)$_2$ .$8H_2$O], and uraninite ($UO_2$). Geochemical and environmental factors such as atmospheres, chemical milieu, and species of bacteria affected the extent of Fe(III)-reduction as well as the mineralogy and morphology of the crystalline iron mineral phases. Thermophilic bacteria use amorphous Fe(III)-oxyhydroxide plus metals (Co, Cr, Ni) as an electron acceptor and organic carbon as an electron donor to synthesize metal-substituted magnetite. Metal reducing bacteria were capable of $CO_2$conversion Into sparingly soluble carbonate minerals, such as siderite and calcite using amorphous Fe(III)-oxyhydroxide or metal-rich fly ash. These results indicate that microbial Fe(III)-reduction may not only play important roles in iron and carbon biogeochemistry in natural environments, but also be potentially useful f3r the synthesis of submicron-sized ferromagnetic materials.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.596-601
• /
• 2009

We prepared nanoparticles containing insoluble aceclofenac by the method of solid dispersions using spray dryer to improve solubility of aceclofenac. We used PVP-K30 as a water soluble carrier for the solid dispersion and poloxamer as a surfactant. Characterization of aceclofenac solid dispersion was performed by SEM, DSC, XRD and FT-IR. The results of SEM, DSC and XRD demonstrated that aceclofenac is amorphous in solid dispersion. The formation of salt by hydrogen bond between aceclofenac and PVP K-30 was confirmed by FT-IR. The dissolution rate measured in intestinal juice showed the method of solid dispersion improved aceclofenac solubility as compared with a conventional drug($Airtal^{(R)}$). In conclusion, the method of solid dispersion using spray dryer would improve solubility of aceclofenac in oral administration.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2010

We introduce a novel and versatile approach for preparing self-assembled nanoporous multilayered films with antireflective properties. Protonated polystyrene-block-poly (4-vinylpyrine) (PS-b-P4VP) and anionic polystyrene-block-poly (acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) block copolymer micelles (BCM) were used as building blocks for the layer-by-layer assembly of BCM multilayer films. BCM film growth is governed by electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the oppositely BCMs. Both film porosity and film thickness are dependent upon the charge density of the micelles, with the porosity of the film controlled by the solution pH and the molecular weight (Mw) of the constituents. PS7K-b-P4VP28K/PS2K-b-PAA8K films prepared at pH 4 (for PS7K-b-P4VP28K) and pH 6 (for PS2K-b-PAA8K) are highly nanoporous and antireflective. In contrast, PS7K-b-P4VP28K/PS2K-b-PAA8K films assembled at pH 4/4 show a relatively dense surface morphology due to the decreased charge density of PS2K-b-PAA8K. Films formed from BCMs with increased PS block and decreased hydrophilic block (P4VP or PAA) size (e.g., PS36K-b-P4VP12K/PS16K-b-PAA4K at pH 4/4) were also nanoporous. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the nanostructured electrochemical sensors based on patterning methods show the electrochemical activities. Anionic poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) layers were selectively and uniformly deposited onto the catalase (CAT)-coated surface using the micro-contact printing method. The pH-induced charge reversal of catalase can provide the selective deposition of consecutive PE multilayers onto patterned PSS layers by causing the electrostatic repulsion between next PE layer and catalase. Based on this patterning method, the hybrid patterned multilayers composed of platinum nanoparticles (PtNP) and catalase were prepared and then their electrochemical properties were investigated from sensing $H_2O_2$ and NO gas. This study was based on the papers reported by our group. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 9935 (2006); Adv. Mater. 19, 4364 (2007); Electro. Mater. Lett. 3, 163 (2007)).

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.115-123
• /
• 2021

This study demonstrates a new method for the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid particles composed of an inorganic silica shell and organic core particles. The organic core particles are prepared with a uniform size using droplet-based microfluidic technology. In the process of preparing the organic core particles, uniform droplets are generated by independently controlling the flow rates of the dispersed phase containing photocurable resins and the continuous phase. After the generation of droplets in a microfluidic device, the droplets are photo-polymerized as particles by ultraviolet irradiation at the ends of microfluidic channels. The core particle is coated with a nano complex composed of polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and phosphate ion (Pi) through strong non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction under optimized pH conditions. The polyamine nano complex rapidly induces the condensation reaction of silicic acid through the arranged amine groups of the main chain of PAH. Therefore, this method enabled the preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid particles coated with inorganic silica nanoparticles on the organic core. Finally, we demonstrated the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid particles in a short time under ambient and environmentally friendly conditions, and this is applicable to the production of organic-inorganic hybrid particles having various sizes and shapes.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.313-320
• /
• 2023

In order to increase the usability of H₂-SCR, the NOx removal characteristics with catalyst powder of PtNi/CeO₂-W-TiO₂ using Ce as a co-catalyst was synthesized and coated on a porous metal structure (PMS) were evaluated. Catalyst powder of PtNi/CeO₂-W-TiO₂(PtNi nanoparticles onto W-TiO₂, with the incorporation of ceria (CeO₂) as a co-catalysts) was synthesized and coated onto a porous metal structure (PMS) to produce a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst. H₂-SCR with CeO₂ as a co-catalyst exhibited higher NOx removal efficiency compared to H₂-SCR without CeO₂. Particularly, at a 10wt% CeO₂ loading ratio, the NOx removal efficiency was highest at 90℃. As the amount of catalyst coating on PMS increased, the NOx removal efficiency was improved below 90℃, but it was decreased above 120℃. When the space velocity was changed from 4,000 h^-1 to 20,000 h^-1, the NOx removal efficiency improved at temperatures above 120℃. It was expected that the use of the catalyst could be reduced by applying the PMS with excellent specific surface area as a support.