• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.401-409
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• 2013

Numerical analysis on RF (Radio-Frequency) thermal plasma treatment of micro-sized Ni metal was carried out to understand the synthesis mechanism of nano-sized Ni powder by RF thermal plasma. For this purpose, the behaviors of Ni metal particles injected into RF plasma torch were investigated according to their diameters ($1{\sim}100{\mu}m$), RF input power (6 ~ 12 kW) and the flow rates of carrier gases (2 and 5 slpm). From the numerical results, it is predicted firstly that the velocities of carrier gases need to be minimized because the strong injection of carrier gas can cool down the central column of RF thermal plasma significantly, which is used as a main path for RF thermal plasma treatment of micro-sized Ni metal. In addition, the residence time of the injected particles in the high temperature region of RF thermal plasma is found to be also reduced in proportion to the flow rate of the carrier gas In spite of these effects of carrier gas velocities, however, calculation results show that a Ni metal particle even with the diameter of $100{\mu}m$ can be completely evaporated at relatively low power level of 10 kW during its flight of RF thermal plasma torch (< 10 ms) due to the relatively low melting point and high thermal conductivity. Based on these observations, nano-sized Ni metal powders are expected to be produced efficiently by a simple treatment of micro-sized Ni metal using RF thermal plasmas.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.207-212
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• 2014

An ultrathin sheet-like carbon nanostructure provides an important model of a two-dimensional graphite structure with strong anisotropy in physical properties. As an easy and cheap route for mass production, RF thermal plasma synthesis of freestanding carbon nanosheet from $CH_4$ (Methane) and $C_3H_8$ (Propane) is presented. Using vapor synthesis process with RF inductively thermal plasma, carbon nanosheets were obtained without catalysts and substrates. The synthesized carbon nanosheets were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The carbon nanosheets synthesized using methane and propane generally showed 5~6 and 15~16 layers with a wrinkled morphology and size of approximately 100 nm.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2012

As interest has increased in the interaction between low-temperature plasmas and materials, the role of modeling and simulation of processing in plasma has become important in understanding the effects of charged particles and radicals in plasma applications. Thus in this presentation, we present the theoretical and experimental studies of electron impact cross section for plasma processing gas, such as plasma etching and deposition processes. Also, here the work conducted at the Data Center for Plasma Properties (DCPP) over last 7 years on the systematic synthesis and assessment of fundamental knowledge on low-energy electron interactions with plasma processing gases is briefly summarized and discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2011

Silicon carbide (SiC) has recently drawn an enormous industrial interest because of its useful mechanical properties such as thermal resistance, abrasion resistance and thermal conductivity at high temperature. RF Thermal plasma (PL-35 Induction Plasma, Tekna CO., Canada) has been utilized for synthesis of high purity SiC powder from cheap inorganic solution (Tetraethyl Orthosilicate, TEOS). It is found that the powders by thermal plasma consist of SiC with free carbon and amorphous silica ($SiO_2$) and, by thermal treatment and HF treatment, the impurities are driven off resulting high purity SiC nano-powder. The synthesized SiC powder lies below 30 nm and its properties such microstructure, phase composition, specific surface area and free carbon content have been characterized by X-ay diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET).

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.352-358
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• 2008

The present study focused on the synthesis of a bismuth-antimony-tellurium-based thermoelectric nanopowders using plasma arc discharge process. The chemical composition, phase structure, particle size of the synthesized powders under various synthesis conditions were analyzed using XRF, XRD and SEM. The powders as synthesized were sintered by the plasma activated sintering. The thermoelectric properties of sintered body were analyzed by measuring Seebeck coefficient, specific electric resistivity and thermal conductivity. The chemical composition of the synthesized Bi-Sb-Te-based powders approached that of the raw material with an increasing DC current of the are plasma. The synthesized Bi-Sb-Te-based powder consist of a mixed phase structure of the $Bi_{0.5}Sb_{1.5}Te_{3}$, $Bi_{2}Te_{3}$ and $Sb_{2}Te_{3}$ phases. This powder has homogeneous mixing state of two different particles in an average particle size; about 100nm and about 500nm. The figure of merit of the sintered body of the synthesized 18.75 wt.%Bi-24.68 wt.%Sb-56.57 wt.%Te nanopowder showed higher value than one of the sintered body of the mechanically milled 12.64 wt.%Bi-29.47 wt.%Sb-57.89 wt.%Te powder.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.315-322
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• 2023

In the present work, we address the new route for the green synthesis of manganese dioxide (MnO₂) by an innovative method named the solution plasma process (SPP). The reaction mechanism of both colloidal and nanostructured MnO₂ was investigated. Firstly, colloidal MnO₂ was synthesized by plasma discharging in KMnO₄ aqueous solution without any additives such as reducing agents, acids, or base chemicals. As a function of the discharge time, the purple color solution of MnO₄^- (oxidation state +7) was changed to the brown color of MnO₂ (oxidation state +4) and then light yellow of Mn²⁺ (oxidation state +2). Based on the UV-vis analysis we found the optimal discharging time for the synthesis of stable colloidal MnO₂ and also reaction mechanism was verified by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis. Secondly, MnO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by SPP with a small amount of reducing sugar. The precipitation of brown color was observed after 8 min of plasma discharge and then completely separated into colorless solution and precipitation. It was confirmed layered type of nanoporous birnessite-MnO₂ by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and electron microscopes. The most important merits of this approach are environmentally friendly process within a short time compared to the conventional method. Moreover, the morphology and the microstructure could be controllable by discharge conditions for the appropriate potential applications, such as secondary batteries, supercapacitors, adsorbents, and catalysts.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2017

We investigated the effect of graphite electrode geometry and combination on nanocarbon material synthesis using underwater discharge plasma(UDP). The UDP system consists of two graphite electrodes and beaker filled with de-ionized water. A high voltage of 15 kV with a frequency of 25 kHz is applied to produce UDP using an alternating-current power source. The UDP system with conical electrodes produced the largest amount of products due to the concentration of electrical fields between electrodes. In addition, hollow-shaped stationary electrode and conical-shaped moving electrode stores discharge-induced bubbles and maintains longer reaction time. We found from Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy that high quality carbon nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes are synthesized by the UDP system.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.332-336
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• 2018

Alkaline oxygen electrocatalysis, targeting anion exchange membrane alkaline-based metal-air batteries has become a subject of intensive investigation because of its advantages compared to its acidic counterparts in reaction kinetics and materials stability. However, significant breakthroughs in the design and synthesis of efficient oxygen reduction catalysts from earth-abundant elements instead of precious metals in alkaline media still remain in high demand. One of the most inexpensive alternatives is carbonaceous materials, which have attracted extensive attention either as catalyst supports or as metal-free cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction. Also, carbon composite materials have been recognized as the most promising because of their reasonable balance between catalytic activity, durability, and cost. In particular, heteroatom (e.g., N, B, S or P) doping on carbon materials can tune the electronic and geometric properties of carbon, providing more active sites and enhancing the interaction between carbon structure and active sites. Here, we focused on boron and nitrogen doped nanocarbon composit (BNC nanocarbon) catalysts synthesized by a solution plasma process using the simple precursor of pyridine and boric acid without further annealing process. Additionally, guidance for rational design and synthesis of alkaline ORR catalysts with improved activity is also presented.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2003

To investigate the effect of the parameters of the plasma arc discharge process on the particle formation and particle characteristics of the iron nano powder, the chamber pressure, input current and the hydrogen volume fraction in the powder synthesis atmosphere were changed. The particle size and phase structure of the synthesized iron powder were studied using the FE-SEM, FE-TEM and XRD. The synthesized iron powder particle had a core-shell structure composed of the crystalline $\alpha$-Fe in the core and the crystalline $Fe_3O_4$ in the shell. The powder generation rate and particle size mainly depended on the hydrogen volume fraction in the powder synthesis atmosphere. The particle size increased simultaneously with increasing the hydrogen volume fraction from 10% to 50%, and it ranged from about 45nm to 130 nm.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.833-837
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• 2015

Li-air batteries have a promising future for because of their high energy density, which could theoretically be equal to that of gasoline. However, substantial Li-air cell performance limitations exist, which are related to the air cathode. The cell discharge products are deposited on the surfaces of the porous carbon materials in the air electrode, which blocks oxygen from diffusing to the reaction sites. Hence, the real capacity of a Li-air battery is determined by the carbon air electrode, especially by the pore volume available for the deposition of the discharged products. In this study, a simple and fast method is reported for the large-scale synthesis of carbon nanoballs (CNBs) consisting of a highly mesoporous structure for Li-air battery cathodes. The CNBs were synthesized by the solution plasma process from benzene solution, without the need for a graphite electrode for carbon growth. The CNBs so formed were then annealed to improve their electrical conductivity. Structural characterization revealed that the CNBs exhibited both an pore structure and high conductivity.