In this study, phase-pure titanium dioxide TiO2 ceramics are sintered using standard high-temperature solid-state reaction technique at different temperatures (1,000, 1,100, 1,200, 1,300, 1,400 oC). The effect of sintering temperature on the densification and impedance properties of TiO2 ceramics is investigated. The bulk density and average grain size increase with the increase of sintering temperature. Impedance spectroscopy analysis (complex impedance Z * and complex modulus M *), performed in a broad frequency range from 100 Hz to 10 MHz, indicates that the TiO2 ceramics are dielectrically heterogeneous, consisting of grains and grain boundaries. The complex impedance Z *-plane indicates the resistance of grains of the TiO2 ceramics increases with increasing sintering temperature, while that of grain boundaries develops in the opposing direction. The complex modulus M *-plane shows a grain capacitance that seems to be independent of the sintering temperature, while that of the grain boundaries decreases with increasing sintering temperature. These results suggest that different sintering temperatures have effects on the microstructure, leading to changes in the impedance properties of TiO2 ceramics.
Collagen is one of the most widely used biological materials in medical design. Collagen extracted from marine organisms can be a good biomaterial for tissue engineering applications due to its suitable properties. In this study, collagen is extracted from fish skin of Ctenopharyngodon Idella; then, the freeze drying method is used to design a porous scaffold. The scaffolds are modified with the chemical crosslinker N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) to improve some of the overall properties. The extracted collagen samples are evaluated by various analyzes including cytotoxicity test, SDS-PAGE, FTIR, DSC, SEM, biodegradability and cell culture. The results of the SDS-PAGE study demonstrate well the protein patterns of the extracted collagen. The results show that cross-linking of collagen scaffold increases denaturation temperature and degradation time. The results of cytotoxicity show that the modified scaffolds have no toxicity. The cell adhesion study also shows that epithelial cells adhere well to the scaffold. Therefore, this method of chemical modification of collagen scaffold can improve the physical and biological properties. Overall, the modified collagen scaffold can be a promising candidate for tissue engineering applications.
In this study, lenses are fabricated using various nanomaterials as additives to a silicone polymer made with an optimum mixing ratio and short polymerization time. In addition, PVP is added at a ratio of 1% to investigate the physical properties according to the degree of dispersion, and the compatibility with hydrophobic silicone and the possibility of application as a functional lens material are confirmed. The main materials are SIU as a silicone monomer, DMA, a hydrophilic copolymer, EGDMA as a crosslinking agent, and 2H2M as a photoinitiator. Holmium (III) oxide, Europium (III) oxide, aluminum oxide, and PVP are used. When Holmium (III) oxide and Europium (III) oxide are added based on the Ref sample, the characteristics of the lens tend to be similar overall, and the aluminum oxide shows a tendency slightly different from the previous two oxides. This material can be used as a silicone lens material with various nano oxides and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) acting as a dispersant.
In this study, defects generated in the YSZ coating layer of the IN738LC turbine blade are investigated using an optical microscope and SEM/EDS. The blade YSZ coating layer is composed of a Y-Zr component top coat layer and a Co component bond coat layer. A large amount of Cr/Ni component that diffused from the base is also measured in the bond coat. The blade hot corrosion is concentrated on the surface of the concave part, accompanied by separation of the coating layer due to the concentration of combustion gas collisions here. In the top coating layer of the blade, cracks occur in the vertical and horizontal directions, along with pits in the top coating layer. Combustion gas components such as Na and S are contained inside the pits and cracks, so it is considered that the pits/cracks are caused by the corrosion of the combustion gases. Also, a thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer of several μm thick composed of Al oxide is observed between the top coat and the bond coat, and a similar inner TGO with a thickness of several μm is also observed between the bond coat and the matrix. A PFZ (precipitate free zone) deficient in γ' (Ni3Al) forms as a band around the TGO, in which the Al component is integrated. Although TGO can resist high temperature corrosion of the top coat, it should also be considered that if its shape is irregular and contains pore defects, it may degrade the blade high temperature creep properties. Compositional and microstructural analysis results for hightemperature corrosion and TGO defects in the blade coating layer used at high temperatures are expected to be applied to sound YSZ coating and blade design technology.
Extensive research is being carried out on Ni-rich Li(NixCoyMn1-x-y)O2 (NCM) due to the growing demand for electric vehicles and reduced cost. In particular, Ni-rich Li(NixCoyMn1-x-y-zAlz)O2 (NCMA) is attracting great attention as a promising candidate for the rapid development of Co-free but electrochemically more stable cathodes. Al, an inactive element in the structure, helps to improve structural stability and is also used as a doping element to improve cycle capability in Ni-rich NCM. In this study, NCMA was successfully synthesized with the desired composition by direct coprecipitation. Boron and tin were also used as dopants to improve the battery performance. Macro- and microstructures in the cathodes were examined by microscopy and X-ray diffraction. While Sn was not successfully doped into NCMA, boron could be doped into NCMA, leading to changes in its physicochemical properties. NCMA doped with boron revealed substantially improved electrochemical properties in terms of capacity retention and rate capability compared to the undoped NCMA.
The capacity of high nickel Li(NixCoyMn1-x-y)O2 (NCM, x ≥ 0.8) cathodes is known to rapidly decline, a serious problem that needs to be solved in a timely manner. It was reported that cathode materials with the {010} plane exposed toward the outside, i.e., a radial structure, can provide facile Li+ diffusion paths and stress buffer during repeated cycles. In addition, cathodes with a core-shell composition gradient are of great interest. For example, a stable surface structure can be achieved using relatively low nickel content on the surface. In this study, precursors of the high-nickel NCM were synthesized by coprecipitation in ambient atmosphere. Then, a transition metal solution for coprecipitation was replaced with a low nickel content and the coprecipitation reaction proceeded for the desired time. The electrochemical analysis of the core-shell cathode showed a capacity retention of 94 % after 100 cycles, compared to the initial discharge capacity of 184.74 mA h/g. The rate capability test also confirmed that the core-shell cathode had enhanced kinetics during charging and discharging at 1 A/g.
A porous photocatalyst concrete filter was successfully produced to remove NOx, by mixing TiO2 photocatalyst with lightweight aerated concrete. Ultra Fine Bubbles were used to form continuous pores inside the porous photocatalytic concrete filter, which was mixed via a bubble generation experiment. The optimal mixing condition was determined to be with 4% of the bubble generation agent B. NO removal specimens were prepared for various photocatalytic loading conditions, and the specimen containing 3% P-25 removed NO at a concentration of 1.03 μmol in 1 h. The NO removal rate of the porous photocatalytic concrete filter prepared in this study was 10.99%. This photocatalytic filter performance was more than 9 times the amount of NO removed by a general photocatalytic filter. The porous photocatalyst concrete filter for removing NOx developed in this study can be applied to various construction sites and the air quality can be solved by reducing NOx contributing to the formation of fine particles.
The formation behavior of a passive state film on the surface of STS304 in electrolytic solution was analyzed to determine its metallic ion composition. The properties of passive state films vary depending on the Fe and Cr ions in the electrolytic solution. It was observed that the passive state film surface became flat and glossy as the concentration of Fe and Cr ions in the electrolytic solution increased. The corrosion resistance property of the passive state film was proportional to the amount of Fe and Cr in the electrolytic solution. An initial passive state film with high Fe concentration was formed on the surface of STS304 during early electrolytic polishing. Osmotic pressure of Fe ions occurs between the passive state film and electrolytic solution due to the Fe ion concentration gradient. The Fe in the passive state film is dissolved into the electrolyte, and Cr fills up the Fe ion vacancies. As a result, a good corrosion-resistant floating film was formed. The more Fe ions in the electrolytic solution, the faster the film is formed, and as a result, a flat passive state film containing a large amount of Cr can be formed.