• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.481-485
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• 2005

The response of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis to high salt stress was investigated by incubating the cells in light of moderate intensity in the presence of 0.8 M NaCl. NaCl caused a decrease in photosystem II (PSII) mediated oxygen evolution activity and increase in photosystem I (PSI) activity and the amount of P700. Similarly maximal efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and variable fluorescence (Fv/Fo) were also declined in salt-stressed cells. Western blot analysis reveal that the inhibition in PSII activity is due to a 40% loss of a thylakoid membrane protein, known as D1, which is located in PSII reaction center. NaCl treatment of cells also resulted in the alterations of other thylakoid membrane proteins: most prominently, a dramatic diminishment of the 47-kDa chlorophyll protein (CP) and 94-kDa protein, and accumulation of a 17-kDa protein band were observed in SDS-PAGE. The changes in 47-kDa and 94-kDa proteins lead to the decreased energy transfer from light harvesting antenna to PSII, which was accompanied by alterations in the chlorophyll fluorescence emission spectra of whole cells and isolated thylakoids. Therefore we conclude that salt stress has various effects on photosynthetic electron transport activities due to the marked alterations in the composition of thylakoid membrane proteins.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.486-491
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• 2004

Dimensionally stable anode(DSA) can be used for the hydro-metallurgy of non-ferrous metals like as Zn, and the electrolysis of sea water. MnO$_2$ electrode satisfies the requirements of DSA, and has a good cycle life and a low overpotential for oxygen evolution. MnO$_2$ electrodes based on Ti matrix were prepared by using thermal decomposition method and also MnO$_2$ was coated on Ti and Pb matrix with DMF and PVDF compositions. The MnO$_2$ electrodes prepared by thermal decomposition method had very weak adhesive strength onto Ti matrix and MnO$_2$ layer was removed out so that electrochemical properties for MnO$_2$ were not investigated. The viscosity of solvent used as a binder of MnO$_2$ Powder increased with the increasing PVDF contents. The thickness of the MnO$_2$ layer on Pb matrix in DSA, which was prepared with 5 times dipping at the solution mixed with PVDF : DMF = 1 : 9, was 150${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. When the ratio of PVDF to MnO$_2$ was lower than 1 : 6, the Pb electrode didn't show any reaction irrespective of the concentrations of DMF. However, When the ratio of PVDF to MnO$_2$ was higher than 1: 6, the Pb electrode showed constant current reactions and homogeneous cyclic voltammetry even though at a high cycle. The reason for the high current and homogeneous cyclic voltammetry is the good catalytic reactions of MnO$_2$ powder in electrode.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2012

Zn-Air energy storage cell is an attractive type of batteries due to its theoretical gravimetric energy density, cost-effective structure and environmental-friendly characteristics. The chargeability is the most critical in various industrial applications such as smart portable device, electric vehicle, and power storage system. Thus, it is necessary to reduce large overpotential of oxygen reduction/evolution reaction, the irreversibility of Zn anode, and carbonation in alkaline electrolyte. In this review, we try to introduce recent studies and developments of bi-functional air cathode, enhanced charge efficiency via modification of Zn anode structure, and blocking side reactions applying hybrid organic-aqueous electrolyte for high power density rechargeable Zn-Air energy storage cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2018.06a
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• pp.28-28
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• 2018

수전해(electrochemical water splitting)는 연료전지의 가역적 역반응을 이용하여 물로부터 수소와 산소를 발생시키는 기술이다. 산소는 음극에서 발생하는데, 이 때 음극 표면은 고농도의 산소 음이온 및 라디칼에 장시간 노출된다. 때문에 기계적, 화학적 내구성이 우수한 전극재를 사용할 필요가 있다. 불용성 전극 (dimensionally stable anode, DSA)은 이러한 기술적 요구사항을 잘 만족하는 상용화 된 전극이다. 티타늄이나 티타늄 합금 표면에 촉매를 미량 반복 살포하여 산화물 형태의 매우 견고한 표면을 형성함으로서 내구성을 확보한다. 그러나, 보통 DSA 제조 기법의 특징에 따라 다공성 표면 구조를 사용하지는 않기 때문에 생산 과정이 복잡하고 비용이 많이 발생하는 문제를 여전히 나타내고 있다. 본 연구는 상기 문제를 개선하기 위한 수전해용 음극 제조 기술에 관한 연구이다. 티타늄과 티타늄 합금은 동일한 양극산화 기술 적용이 가능하다는 점을 이용하여 티타늄 기판으로부터 다공성 구조를 형성함으로써 바인더의 사용을 배제하였다. 단일공정양극산화기법 (single-step anodization)을 이용하여 $IrO_2$와 $RuO_2$를 도핑함으로써 TiO2에 촉매능을 부여하였다. 제조된 나노튜브들의 구조적 특징을 HR-TEM (High-resolution transmission electron microscope)과 FE-SEM (Field-emission scanning electron microscope)으로 분석하고 SAED (selective area electron diffraction) 패턴을 분석하여 전극재의 결정성을 확인하였다. 알칼라인 분위기에서 일으킨 산소발생반응 (oxygen evolution reaction, OER)의 LSV (linear sweep voltammetry) 결과를 XPS (X-ray photoelectron microscoscopy) 결과와 연관지어 촉매 표면 구조와 과전압의 관계를 해석하였다. LSV 결과로부터 Tafel 분석을 연달아 수행함으로써 전극의 속도결정단계를 정의하였다. 최종적으로 사이클 테스트 통하여 DSA로써의 성능을 평가하였다.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.360-365
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• 2004

Ti$_3$SiC$_2$ material was synthesized via the powder metallurgical route, and oxidation tested between 900 and $1200^{\circ}C$ in air for up to 100 hr. The oxidation of $Ti_3$$SiC_2$ material resulted in the formation of $TiO_2$and $SiO_2$, accompanying the evolution of CO or $CO_2$ gases from the initial stage of oxidation. The oxidation resistance of $Ti_3$$SiC_2$ mainly owes the protectiveness of highly stoichiometric $SiO_2$. During the initial stage of oxidation, the dominant reaction was the inward transport of oxygen into the matrix. As the oxidation progressed, an outer $TiO_2$ layer and an inner ( $TiO_2$ + $SiO_2$) mixed layer formed. Between these layers and inside the oxide scale, numerous fine voids formed. Numerous, fine oxide grains formed at $900^{\circ}C$ developed into the outer coarse $TiO_2$ grains and an inner fine ($TiO_2$ + $SiO_2$) mixed grains at the higher temperatures. The oxidation resistance of$ Ti_3$SiC$_2$ progressively deteriorated as the oxidation temperature increased, forming thick scales above $1000^{\circ}C$. The outer coarse $TiO_2$ grains formed above $1100^{\circ}C$ grew rapidly mainly along (211).

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.82-84
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• 2002

Dimensionally stable anode(DSA) can be used for the electrowinning of non-ferrous metal like as a Zn, and electrolysis of sea water. $MnO_2$ electrode satisfies the requirements of DSA, and has a good cycle life and a low overpotential for oxygen evolution. $MnO_2$ electrodes coated with DMF and PVDF based on Pb alloy produced at several compositions and dry temperatures. The viscosity of solvent used as a binder of $MnO_2$ powder increased with the increasing PVDF contents. When the ratio of PVDF to BMF with the 5 times dipping at the solution mixed with PVDF and DMF was 1/9, the coating thickness was $150{\mu}m$. When the ratio of PVDF to $MnO_2$ was lower than 1/6, the electrode didn't show any reaction irrespective of the concentrations of DMF. However, When the ratio of PVDF to $MnO_2$ was higher than 1/6, the electrode showed a constant current reactions and homogeneous cyclic voltammetry even though at a high cycle. The reason for the high current and homogeneous cyclic voltammetry is the good catalytic reactions of $MnO_2$ powder in electrode. The reactions of Pb electrode coated with $MnO_2$ and PVDF based on the pure Pb electrode.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2022

The production of hydrogen via water electrolysis (i.e., green hydrogen) using renewable energy is key to the development of a sustainable society. However, most current electrocatalysts are based on expensive precious metals and require the use of highly purified water in the electrolyte. We demonstrated the preparation of a non-precious metal catalyst based on CuCo₂O₄ (CCO) via simple electrodeposition. Further, an optimization process for electrodeposition potential, solution concentration and electrodeposition method was develop for a catalyst-substrate integrated electrode, which indicated the highly electrocatalytic performance of the material in electrochemical tests and when applied to an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.306-310
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• 2015

In this research, hematite nanoparticles were synthesized by DC thermal plasma process to increase the overall surface area. The effect of binders on hematite electrodes was investigated by changing the type and composition of binders when preparing electrodes. Nitrogen gas was also added to the DC thermal plasma process in order to dope the hematite with N for enhancing photoelectrochemical properties of hematite nanoparticles. The efficiency of water splitting reaction was measured by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) under solar simulator. In LSV measurements, the onset potential and maximum current density at a fixed voltage were measured. The durability of electrodes was checked by repeating LSV measurements. CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) binder with 50 : 1 composition exhibits the highest current density of $12mA/cm^2$ and CMC binder with 20 : 1 composition, showing the initial current density of $3mA/cm^2$, endures 20 times of repetitive LSV measurements. Effects of nitrogen doping on hematite nanoparticles were proven to be insignificant.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.342-348
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• 2009

Zn/Air secondary batteries are high energy density type and environment-friendly. Also, they have safer properties than batteries of other type by low manufacturing cost and using the electrolyte solution. But, they have a weak concerning large output discharge. Oxygen evolution reaction(OER) and oxgen reduction reaction(ORR) in aqueous solution make a result of a decrease of cell efficiency and life span. Therefore, to minimize the voltage drop from between OCV and charge/discharge voltage is key point. The problem should be solved through developing catalysts of high efficiency. In this study, we synthesized $Pr_{1-x}(Sr,\;Ca)_x\;CoO_3$ powders by citric method and then measured physical characteristics of each powder by XRD, SEM, TGA etc. We examined its electrochemical properties by the cathodic polarization, anodic polarization and cyclic voltammogram. We achieved results that new catalysts showed better performances than existing $La_{1-x}Sr_xCoO_3$, $La_{1-x}Ca_xCoO_3$, ect. catalysts prepared in our lab.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.601-606
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• 2000

Nickel mono-silicide(NiSi) shows no increase of resistivity as the line width decreases below 0.15$\mu\textrm{m}$. Furthermore, thin silicide can be made easily and restrain the redistribution of dopants, because NiSi in created through the reaction of one nickel atom and one silicon atom. Therefore, we investigated the deposition condition of Ni films, heat treatment condition and basic properties of NiSi films which are expected to be employed for sub-0.15$\mu\textrm{m}$ class devices. The nickel silicide film was deposited on the Si wafer by using a dc-magnetron sputter, then annealed at the temperature range of $150~1000^{\circ}C$. Surface roughness of each specimen was measured by using a SPM (scanning probe microscope). Microstructure and qualitative composition analysis were executed by a TEM-EDS(transmission electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscope). Electrical properties of the materials at each annealing temperature were measured by a four-point probe. As the results of our study, we may conclude that; 1. SPM can be employed as a non-destructive process to monitor NiSi/NiSi$_2$ transformation. 2. For annealing temperature over $800^{\circ}C$, oxygen pressure $Po_2$ should be kept below $1.5{\times}10^{-11}torr$ to avoid oxidation of residual Ni. 3. NiSi to $NiSi_2$ transformation temperature in our study was $700^{\circ}C$ from the four-point probe measurement.