• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2022

Herein a rich, Se-nanoparticle modified Mo-W₁₈O₄₉ nanocomposite as efficient hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst is reported via hydrothermal synthesized process. In this work, Na₂SeSO₃ solution and selenium powder are used as Se precursor material. The structure and composition of the nanocomposites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), EDX spectrum analysis and the corresponding element mapping. The improved electrochemical properties are studied by current density, and EIS analysis. The as-prepared Se modified Mo-W₁₈O₄₉ synthesized via Na₂SeSO₃ is investigated by FE-SEM analysis and found to exhibit spherical particles combined with nanosheets. This special morphology effectively improves the charge separation and transfer efficiency, resulting in enhanced photoelectric behavior compared with that of pure Mo-W₁₈O₄₉. The nanomaterial obtained via Na₂SeSO₃ solution demonstrates a high HER activity and low overpotential of -0.34 V, allowing it to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm^-2.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.377-384
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• 2023

Exploring earth-abundant, highly effective and stable electrocatalysts for electrochemical water splitting is urgent and essential to the development of hydrogen (H₂) energy technology. Iron-cobalt layered double hydroxide (FeCo-LDH) has been widely used as an electrocatalystfor OER due to its facile synthesis, tunable components, and low cost. However, LDH synthesized by the traditional hydrothermal method tends to easily agglomerate, resulting in an unstable structure that can change or dissolve in an alkaline solution. Therefore, studying the real active phase is highly significant in the design of electrochemical electrode materials. Here, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are used as template precursors to derive FeCo-LDH from different iron sources. Iron salts with different anions have a significant impact on the morphology and charge transfer properties of the resulting materials. FeCo-LDH synthesized from iron sulfate solution (FeCo-LDH-SO₄) exhibits a hybrid structure of nanosheets and nanowires, quite different from other electrocatalysts that were synthesized from iron chloride and iron nitrate solutions. The final FeCo-LDH-SO₄ had an overpotential of 247 mV with a low Tafel-slope of 60.6 mV dec^-1 at a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 and delivered a long-term stability of 40 h for the OER. This work provides an innovative and feasible strategy to construct efficient electrocatalysts.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) RuO₂ nanosheets with nanometer thickness were synthesized using a chemical exfoliation method. The synthesized 2D-RuO₂ was hybridized with Ag-nanowire (NW), which is attracting attention as a next-generation transparent electrode material. After coating Ag-NW on the substrate, 2D-RuO₂ was subsequently coated on the Ag-NW. Although there was a decrease in optical transmittance, the hybridization of 2D-RuO₂ confirmed the effect of reducing sheet resistance. Furthermore, the flexibility of the fabricated transparent electrodes was also studied. It was confirmed by the change in sheet resistance after bending. The additional coating of 2D-RuO₂ improved the flexibility of the transparent electrodes.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.25-38
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• 2020

Photoelectrochemical water splitting has been considered as the most promising technology for generating hydrogen energy. Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) compounds have currently attracted tremendous attention due to their outstanding ability towards the catalytic water-splitting hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we report the synthesis method of various transition metal dichalcogenide including MoS₂, MoSe₂, WS₂, and WSe₂ nanosheets as excellent catalysts for solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen evolution. Photocathodes were fabricated by growing the nanosheets directly onto Si nanowire (NW) arrays, with a thickness of 20 nm. The metal ion layers were formed by soaking the metal chloride ethanol solution and subsequent sulfurization or selenization produced the transition metal chalcogenide. They all exhibit excellent PEC performance in 0.5 M H₂SO₄; the photocurrent reaches to 20 mA cm^-2 (at 0 V vs. RHE) and the onset potential is 0.2 V under AM1.5 condition. The quantum efficiency of hydrogen generation is avg. 90%. The stability of MoS₂ and MoSe₂ is 90% for 3h, which is higher than that (80%) of WS₂ and WSe₂. Detailed structure analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for before/after HER reveals that the Si-WS₂ and Si-WSe₂ experience more oxidation of Si NWs than Si-MoS₂ and Si-MoSe₂. This can be explained by the less protection of Si NW surface by their flake shape morphology. The high catalytic activity of TMDs should be the main cause of this enhanced PEC performance, promising efficient water-splitting Si-based PEC cells.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2020

Although Lithium metal battery (LMB) has a very large theoretical capacity, it has a critical problem such as formation of dendrite which causes short circuit and short cycle life of the LMB. In this study, PDMS/GO composite with evenly dispersed graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets in poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was synthesized and coated into a thin film, resulting in the effect that can physically suppress the formation of dendrite. However, PDMS has low ion conductivity, so that we attained improved ion conductivity of PDMS/GO thin film by etching technic using 5wt% hydrofluoric acid (HF), to facilitate the movement of lithium (Li) ions by forming the channel of Li ions. The morphology of the PDMS/GO thin film was observed to confirm using SEM. When the PDMS/GO thin film was utilized to lithium metal battery system, the columbic efficiency was maintained at 87.4% on average until the 100^th cycles. In addition, voltage profiles indicated reduced overpotential in comparison to the electrode without thin film.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.601-608
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• 2020

In this work, Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃ nanocomposites with low loading of In₂S₃ (5-15 wt %) are fabricated by two step chemical precipitation approach. The microstructure, composition and improved photoelectrochemical properties of the as-prepared composites are studied by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photocurrent density, EIS and amperometric i-t curve analysis. It is found that most of In₂S₃ nanoparticles are deposited on the surfaces of Ag₃PO₄. The as-prepared Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃ composite (10 wt%) is selected and investigated by SEM and TEM, which exhibits special morphology consisting of lager size substrate (Ag₃PO₄), particles and some nanosheets (In₂S₃). The introduction of In₂S₃ is effective at improving the charge separation and transfer efficiency of Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃, resulting in an enhancement of photoelectric behavior. The origin of the enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of the In₂S₃-modified Ag₃PO₄ may be due to the improved charge separation, photocurrent stability and oriented electrons transport pathways in environment and energy applications.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.574-581
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• 2022

Nanofibers comprising reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Mo₂C/Mo₂N nanoparticles (Mo₂C/Mo₂N rGO NFs) were prepared for a functional interlayer of Li-S batteries (LSBs). The well-dispersed Mo₂C and Mo₂N nanoparticles in the nanofiber structure served as active polar sites for efficient immobilization of dissolved lithium polysulfide. The rGO nanosheets in the structure also provide conductive channels for fast ion/electron transport during charging-discharging and ensured reuse of lithium polysulfide during redox reactions through a fast charge transfer process. As a result, the cell assembled with Mo₂C/Mo₂N rGO NFs-coated separator and pure sulfur electrode (70 wt% of sulfur content and 2.1 mg cm^-2 of sulfur loading) showed a stable discharge capacity of 476 mA h g^-1 after 400 charge-discharge cycles at 0.1 C. Furthermore, it exhibited a discharge capacity of 574 mA h g^-1 even at a high current density of 1.0 C. Therefore, we believe that the proposed unique nanostructure synthesis strategy could provide new insights into the development of sustainable and highly conductive polar materials as functional interlayers for high performance LSBs.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of MnO₂-diatom microbubbler (DM) on the surface of prosthetic materials as a mouthwash by comparing the biofilm removal effect with those previously used as a mouthwash in dental clinic. Materials and methods: DM was fabricated by doping manganese dioxide nanosheets to the diatom cylinder surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of DM and to analyze the composition of doped MnO₂. Stereomicroscope was used to observe the reaction of DM in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Non-precious metal alloys, zirconia and resin specimens were prepared to evaluate the effect of biofilm removal on the surface of prosthetic materials. And then Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms were formed on the specimens. When 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and DM were treated on the biofilms, the decontamination effect was compared with chlorhexidine gluconate and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution by crystal violet staining. Results: Manganese dioxide was found on the surface of the diatom cylinder, and it was found to produce bubble of oxygen gas when added to 3% hydrogen peroxide. For all materials used in the experiments, biofilms of the DM-treated groups got effectively removed compared to the groups used with chlorhexidine gluconate or 3% hydrogen peroxide alone. Conclusion: MnO₂-diatom microbubbler can remove bacterial membranes on the surface of prosthetic materials more effectively than conventional mouthwashes.