• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 2001

Placing a hydrogen conducting, methanol impermeable metallic barrier like palladium (Pd) is a well-known method for preventing methanol crossover through solid polymer electrolyte for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). Applying a bias potential between the anode and the barrier can further develop this concept so that the hydrogen transfer rate is enhanced. Since hydrogen diffuses in Pd as atomic form while it moves through nafion electrolyte as ion, it has to be reduced or oxidized whenever it passes the interface formed by Pd and the electrolyte. We performed experiments to measure the hydrogen transport through the Pd membrane placed in Nafion electrolyte of hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell (PEMFC). Applying a bias potential between the hydrogen electrode of the cell and the Pd membrane facilitated the hydrogen passage through the Pd membrane. The results show that the cell current measured with the Pd membrane placed reached almost 40 % the value measured with the cell without Pd membrane. It was found that the current flown through the bias path is only a few percent of the cell current.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.207-211
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• 2013

In this research, the pH sensor was developed using CNT nanosheet with Nafion coating for the advanced medical sensor such as a blood gas analyzer. The CNT nanosheet was formed by dielectrophoresis and water-meniscus between cantilever-type electrodes. Then, the process of the heat annealing and the Nafion coating was conducted for reducing contact resistance and giving proton selectivity respectively. We measured the response of the pH sensor as the electrolyte-gated CNT-nanosheet field effect transistor. The sensor showed a linear current ratio in a similar range of the normal blood pH. A calibration method for decreasing of the response variation among sensors has also been introduced. Coefficient of variance of the pH sensor was decreased by applying the calibration method. A linear relation between the calibrated response of the sensors and pH variance was also obtained. Finally, the pH sensor with a high resolution was fabricated and we verify the feasibility of the sensor by applying the calibration method.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.568-571
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• 2008

A novel self-humidifying composite membrane for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) at low humidity condition was developed. The Pt/$TiO_2$ catalyst particles were synthesized via supercritical impregnation methods. Pt precursor was dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide and impregnated onto $TiO_2$ particles. Pt precursors were platinum(II) acetylacetonate, Dimethyl(1,5-cyclooctadiene) platinum(II) and we controlled the ratio of Pt to $TiO_2$. The impregnated Pt precursor was converted to $TiO_2$ supported Pt nanoparticle under various reducing conditions. Pt/$TiO_2$ catalyst particles were dispersed uniformly into the Nafion solution, and then Pt/$TiO_2$/Nafion composite membrane was prepared using solution-cast method. The self-humidifying composite membrane could minimize membrane conductivity loss under dry conditions due to the presence of catalyst and hydrophilic Pt/$TiO_2$ particles. To optimize the performance of MEA, amount of ionomer loading was controlled. And mixed catalysts were used. The cell performance of MEA was obviously improved under dry conditions at $65^{\circ}C$.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.329-331
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• 2006

연료전지용으로 많이 사용되는 전불소계 고분자인 Nafion은 좋은 기계적, 화학적 안정성 및 높은 이온전도도에도 불구하고 고가의 생산단가, 높은 메탄올 투과도, 그리고 MEA 재활용 문제 등으로 인해 상업적 응용에 제한이 있다. 본 연구는 불소그룹을 함유한 술폰화된 아릴렌이서계 블록 공중합체 고분자 전해질막의 제조 및 연료전지 특성에 관한 것이다. 이러한 고분자를 제조하기 위하여 양말단에 불소계 비닐기를 가지면서, 상온에서 술폰화 가능한 biphenyl계 단량체와 술폰화가 불가능한 sulfonyl계 단량체를 각각 합성하였으며, 이들로부터 다양한 몰조성과 분자량을 갖는 올리고머를 포함한 일련의 perfluorocyclobutane기를 포함하는 블록 공중합체를 열적 고리화 부가중합을 사용하여 합성하였다. 제조된 블록 공중합체를 상온에서 술폰화제인 chlorosulfonic acid를 이용하여 선택적으로 후술폰화시켜 강산 이온기인 sulfonic acid를 블록 올리고머에 도입하였다. 합성된 고분자들의 연료전지 특성을 Nafion-115와 비교하였다. 술폰화가 되는 올리고머 블록의 비율 증가에 따라 이온교환능력이 증가하였고, 그에 따라 높은 함수율과 이온 전도도를 나타내었으며 건조 및 습윤 상태에서도 기계적 강도가 우수하였다. 최적화된 블록공중합체를 대상으로 MEA를 제조하여 연료전지 초기성능을 측정한 결과 Nafion과 유사한 전기화학적 성능을 나타내었다.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.257-257
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• 2006

We chose three synthetic polymers, poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVFHFP), and $Nafion^{(R)}$ that reveal different chemical and physical characteristics, and investigate their biocompatibilities to five different bacteria (that are most notorious for opportunistic and iatrogenic infections) and a human cell (HEp-2). The bacteria chosen in this study found to adhere onto the PPC and Nafion films but not to adhere on the PVFHFP film. On the other hand, both PVFHFP and Nafion films revealed good compatibility to HEp-2 and allowed the growth of the HEp-2 on the film surface but PPC showed poor compatibility to HEp-2. All results will be discussed with taking into account the surface characteristics of the polymers.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.109-118
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• 1995

In this study, cell resistivity and membrane resistivity were measured in Fe-Cr redox-fiow battery system using commercial ion-exchange membranes. Cell resistivity and membrane resistivity at charging periods are higher than at discharging periods. And at the same membrane the resistivity were increased with increasing SOC. The resistivity of hydrocarbon type Seiemion CMV membrane was smaller than perfluoro type Nafion 117 and Nafion 551. The cell resistivity and membrne resistivity of CMV membrane at 0 % SOC was $12.864\Omega \textrm{cm}^2$ and $8.751\Omega \textrm{cm}^2$, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.62-68
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• 2003

Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) using nafion-coated glassy carbon electrodes modified with Tetren(tetraethylene pentamine)-glycerol showed sensitivity for determining lead (II) at low concentration. The Lead (II) was accumulated on the electrode surface by the formation of the complex in an open circuit, and the resulting surface was characterized by medium exchange, electrochemical reduction, and differential pulse voltammetry. Various experimental parameters, such as the composition of modifier, preconcentration time, pH of electrolyte (0.1 M acetate buffer), and parameters of differential pulse voltammetry, were optimized. The initial potential was applied for 50 s, the electrode was scanned from -0.9 to -0.3 V, and the anodic peak current was measured at -0.604 V $\pm$ 0.015 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The calibration plot was obtained in the range 1.0$\times$10$^{-8}$ M~l.0$\times$10$^{-6}$ M with pH 4.5 buffer solution. The detection limit (3$\sigma$) it as low as 5.0$\times$ 10$^{-9}$ M. This method is applied to the determination of lead(II) in a certified reference material and the result agrees satisfactorily with the certified value.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.360-366
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• 2013

For conventional electrical actuators, the materials are mainly made up of metals, which mean they are prone to corrosion and electrical sparking. Replacing these systems with polymer metal composite based materials can be solved both problems. Considering their excellent electromechanical property, low device fabrication cost, light weight, and good electrical conductivity, the actuator based on ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) was fabricated using Nafion film, NaOH 0.1 molar solution, and Au electrode. IPMCs exhibit good electrostatic property which means they can in principle be used in making actuators based on electromechanical motions. The resistance measurements of Nafion film after soaking in NaOH and deionized water were demonstrated and compared each other. The result of sample soaked in NaOH showed better electrical conductivity than in deionized water. The fabricated IPMC actuator exhibits a large deformation of bending displacement of approximately 9 mm with applied low AC voltage 6.89 V at 2.84 Hz. The result of computer simulation was also very similar and shown as a bending displacement of 8.6085 mm.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.449-455
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• 2006

Ionic cluster mimic, polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared using polymer composites of crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with sulfated-${\beta}$-cyclodextrins (${\beta}-CDSO_3H$) or phosphated-${\beta}$-cyclodextrins (${\beta}-CDPO(OH)_2$). When Nafion, developed for a fuel cell using low temperature, polymer electrolyte membranes, is used in a direct methanol fuel cell, it has a methanol crossover problem. The ionic inverted micellar structure formed by micro-segregation in Nafion, known as ionic cluster, is distorted in methanol aqueous solution, resulting in the significant transport of methanol through the membrane. While the ionic structure formed by the ionic sites in either ${\beta}-CDSO_3H$ or ${\beta}-CDPO(OH)_2$ in this composite membrane is maintained in methanol solution, it is expected to reduce methanol transport. Proton conductivity was found to increase in PVA membranes upon addition of ionized cyclodextrins. Methanol permeability through the PVA composite membrane containing cyclodextrins was lower than that of Nafion. It is thus concluded that the structure and fixation of ionic clusters are significant barriers to methanol crossover in direct methanol fuel cells.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.87.1-87.1
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• 2011

For commercial applications, MEA development must be optimized in order to achieve high performance and low cost. There are many factors that affect the performance of MEA. Especially, the optimization of the method for preparing catalyst layer has great effect on the performance of MEA. Various methods have been used to prepare the catalyst layer of MEA. Among them, spraying method has a merit in that catalysis lay can be prepared with very flexible changes in catalyst layer as well as in the solvent composition of catalyst ink. In addition, in order to reduce the time required for manufacturing catalyst layer, an effort has been made to change the nozzle size and injection pressure of spray system. Further, the operation condition of spray system was changed in various ways in an effort to prepare optimum catalyst layer of MEA. Having optimized the operation condition of spraying system, comprehensive and diverse experiments were carried out concerning various factors that affect the performance of MEA. The present research report describes the results of more sub-categorized and more detailed experiments about the important factors (Nafion$^{(R)}$ ionomer, Relative humidity) which have been shown in previous experiments to exert greater effect on the performance of MEA.