Activated carbons (ACs) have been used as EDLC (electric double-layer capacitor) electrode materials due to their high specific area, stability, and ecological advantages. In order to prepare ACs with high density and crystallinity, coal tar pitch (CTP) was activated by K2CO3 and the textural and electrochemical properties of the obtained ACs were investigated. Although the CTP ACs formed by K2CO3 activation had much smaller specific surface area and pore volume than did the CTP ACs formed by KOH activation, their volumetric specific capacitance (F/cc) levels as electrode materials for EDLC were comparable due to their higher density and micro-crystallinity. Structural characterization and EDLC-electrode performance were studied with different activation conditions of CTP/K2CO3 ratio, activation temperature, and activation period.

In order to use coal tar pitch (CTP) as a raw material for carbon fibers, it should have suitable properties such as a narrow range of softening point, suitable viscosity and uniform optical properties. In this study, raw CTP was modified by heat treatment with three types of polymer additives (PS, PET, and PVC) to make a spinnable pitch for carbon fibers. The yield, softening point, C/H ratio, insoluble yield, and meso-phase content of various modified CTPs with polymer additives were analyzed by changing the type of polymer additive and the heat treatment temperature. The purpose of this study was to compare the properties of CTPs modified by polymer addition with those of a commercial CTP. After the pitch spinning, the obtained green fibers were stabilized and carbonized. The properties of the respective fibers were analyzed to compare their uniformity, diameter change, and mechanical properties. Among three polymer additives, PS220 and PET261 pitches were found to be spinnable, but the carbon fibers from PET261 showed mechanical properties comparable with those of a commercial CTP produced by an air-blowing method (OCI284). The CTPs modified with polymer additive had higher β-resin fractions than the CTP with only thermal treatment indicating a beneficial effect of carbon fiber application.

In order to prepare anode materials for high power lithium ion secondary batteries, carbon composites were fabricated with a mixture of petroleum pitch and coke (PC) and a mixture of petroleum pitch, coke, and natural graphite (PCNG). Although natural graphite has a good reversible capacity, it has disadvantages of a sharp decrease in capacity during high rate charging and potential plateaus. This may cause difficulties in perceiving the capacity variations as a function of electrical potential. The coke anodes have advantages without potential plateaus and a high rate capability, but they have a low reversible capacity. With PC anode composites, the petroleum pitch/cokes mixture at 1:4 with heat treatment at 1000 oC (PC14-1000C) showed relatively high electrochemical properties. With PC-NG anode composites, the proper graphite contents were determined at 10~30 wt.%. The composites with a given content of natural graphite and remaining content of various petroleum pitch/cokes mixtures at 1:4~4:1 mass ratios were heated at 800~1200 oC. By increasing the content of petroleum pitch, reversible capacity increased, but a high rate capability decreased. For a given composition of carbonaceous composite, the discharge rate capability improved but the reversible capacity decreased with an increase in heat treatment temperature. The carbonaceous composites fabricated with a mixture of 30 wt.% natural graphite and 70 wt.% petroleum pitch/cokes mixture at 1:4 mass ratio and heat treated at 1000 oC showed relatively high electrochemical properties, of which the reversible capacity, initial efficiency, discharge rate capability (retention of discharge capacity in 10 C/0.2 C), and charge capacity at 5 C were 330 mAh/g, 79 %, 80 %, and 60 mAh/g, respectively.

Coal-tar pitch, a feedstock which can be heat-treated to create graphite, is composed of very complex molecules. Coal-tar pitch is a precursor of many useful carbon materials (e.g., graphite, carbon fibers, electrodes and matrices of carbon/carbon composites). Modified coal-tar pitch (MCTP) was prepared using two different heat-treatment methods and their properties were characterized and compared. One was prepared using heat treatment in nitrogen gas; the other was prepared under a pressure of 350 mmHg in air. The MCTPs were investigated to determine several properties, including softening point, C/H ratio, coke yield, formation of anisotropic mesophase and viscosity. The MCTPs were subject to considerable changes in chemical composition due to condensation and polymerization in the used-as-received coal-tar pitch after heat-treatment under different conditions. The MCTPs showed considerable increases in softening point, C/H ratio, and coke yield, compared to those of as-received coal-tar pitch. The MCTP formed by heat-treatment in nitrogen showed isotropic phases below 350˚C for 1 h of soaking time. However, MCTP heat-treated under high pressure (350 mmHg) showed isotropic phases below 300˚C, and showed anisotropic phases above 350˚C, for 1 h of soaking time. The viscosity of the MCTPs increased with increase in their softening points.

Coal tar is the primary feedstock of premium graphitizable carbon precursor. Coal tars are residues formed as byproducts of thermal treatments of coal. Coal tar pitches were prepared through two different heat treatment schedules and their properties were characterized. One was prepared with argon and oxidation treatment with oxygen; the other was prepared with oxygen treatment at low temperature and then argon treatment at high temperature; both used coal tar to prepare coal tar pitches. To modulate the properties, different heat treatment temperatures (300~400˚C) were used for the coal tar pitches. The prepared coal tar pitches were investigated to determine several properties, such as softening point, C/H ratio, coke yield, and aromaticity index. The coal tar pitches were subject to considerable changes in chemical composition that arose due to polymerization after heat treatment. Coal tar pitch showed considerable increases in softening point, C/H ratio, coke yields, and aromaticity index compared to those characteristics for coal tar. The contents of gamma resin, which consists of low molecular weight compounds in the pitches and is insoluble in toluene, showed that the degree of polymerization in the pitches was proportional to C/H ratio. Using an oxidizing atmosphere like air to prepare the pitches from coal tar was an effective way to increase the aromaticity index at relatively low temperature.

1-D ZnO nanowires have been attractive for their peculiar properties and easy growth at relatively low temperature. The length, diameter, and density of ZnO nanowires were determined by the several synthetic parameters, such as PEI concentration, growth time, temperature, and zinc salt concentration. The ZnO nanowires were grown on the<001> oriented seed layer using the hydrothermal process with zinc nitrate and HMTA (hexamethylenetetramine) and their structure and optical properties were characterized. The morphology, length and diameter of the nanowires were strongly affected by the relative and/or absolute concentration of Zn2+ and OH-1 and the hydrothermal temperature. When the concentrations of the zinc nitrate HMTA were the same as 0.015 M, the length and diameter of the nanowires were 1.97μm and 0.07μm, respectively, and the aspect ratio was 28.1 with the preferred orientation along the<001> direction. XRD and TEM results showed a high crystallinity of the ZnO nanowires. Optical measurement revealed that ZnO nanowires emitted intensive stimulated UV at 376 nm without showing visible emission related to oxygen defects.

OXI-PAN fibers, Kynol fibers and rayon fibers were used as precursorsfor the preparation of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) by chemical activation with KOH at 800℃. The effects of different precursorfibers and fiber/KOH ratios on the final ACFs are discussed. The precursor fibers used are appropriate for the ACFs in a single stage pyrolysis process. The OXI-PAN fibers which were activated with KOH of 2.0M showed a specific surface area of 2328m2/g however, loosed the fiber shape because of low yields. The Kynol fibers and Rayon fibers showed the high yields but the lower specific surface area of 900m2/g and 774m2/g, respectively, at KOH of 1.5M. The OXI-PAN fibers which were activated with KOH of 1.5M have a specific surface area of 1028m2/g and higher micro-pore volumes and lower yields rather than Kynol-1.5 and Rayon-1.5 samples. This phenomenon is because of higher chemical resistance of the Kynol and Rayon fibers rather than OXI-PAN fibers. However, the Kynol fibers were the best precursors on KOH activation at 800℃ considered carbon yields, surface areas and micropore volumes.

Although the structure of carbon nanotubes is important factor characterizing its properties, it is very difficult to control the structure of carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and to predict the range of their diameter, which is the primary factor of MWNTs' physical properties. We tried to control the diameter of MWNTsby governing the feed injection temperature of floating catalyst method. The structure of MWNTs was influenced by the phase change of ferrocene fed as the catalyst,. The carbon nanotubes were very narrow at injection temperatures close to the sublimation pt. of ferrocene, in which most MWNTs had diameters in the range of 20~30 nm. At injection temperatures between the boiling pt. and melting pt. of ferrocene, the diameters became larger and had broad distribution. However, at injection temperatures higher than the boiling pt., the diameters became narrow again and had very uniform distribution.

The effect of La promoter on the carbon deposition and catalytic activity in the synthesis gas production with supported Ni catalysts was investigated. Active component was Ni and support was CeO2 and the promoter used was La. The reaction was carried out in a fixed bed reactor at 1 atm and 650~800℃. The catalysts were prepared by two methods, the impregnation method and urea method. The catalysts prepared by the urea method showed 10 times higher surface area than those of prepared by the impregnation method. By the introduction of La promoter in the catalyst system, carbon deposition was remarkably reduced from 16% to 2%. It appears that the promoter facilitates the formation of a stable fluoride-type phase, which reduces the carbon deposition. The best catalytic activity and CO and H2 selectivities were obtained with 2.5wt% Ni/Ce(La)Ox catalyst at 750℃, giving 90% methane conversion, 93 and.80% of CO and H2 selectivities, respectively.

Synthesis gas is produced commercially by a steam reforming process. However, the process is highly endothermic and energy intensive. Thus, this study was conducted to produce synthesis gas by the partial oxidation of methane to cut down the energy cost. Supported Ni catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method. To examine the activity of the catalysts, a differential fixed bed reactor was used, and the reaction was carried out at 750~850℃ and 1 atm. The fresh and used catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, TGA and AAS. The highest catalytic activity was obtained with the 13wt% Ni/MgO catalyst, with which methane conversion was 81%, and H2 and CO selectivities were 94% and 93%, respectively. 13wt% Ni/MgO catalyst showed the best MgNiO2 solid solution state, which can explain the highest catalytic activity of the 13wt% Ni/MgO catalyst.

Due to its low density, good mechanical properties and chemical inertness, glassy carbon(GC) has been studied for appications in several fields. A raw thermosetting resin of furanic resin was polymerized with a curing agent of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate. The maximum yield of GC was obtained at the curing agent content of 1.0 wt% in furanic resin. In order to make thick GC, the affect of graphite filler addition to the furanic resin was investigated. The density and electrical resitivity of GC after graphitization were 1.45 g/cm3 and 47 ×10-4 Ω · cm respectively and the amorphous structure of GC was confirmed by XRD profiles with very broad peaks comparable to those of graphite at 206˚ and 45˚.

탄소/페놀릭 복합재의 삭마 미세구조와 특성에 대하여 설명하였다. 삭마현상은 추진제와 산화제 사이의 반응에 의한 수증기와 탄산가스의 몰분율에 의해 좌우된다. 그러나, 이 연구논문은 삭마현상이 탄소섬유의 직조형태, 직조밀도, tow크기에 의해서도 변화될 수 있음을 주사전자현미경, 밀도, 열전도도. 삭마표면등을 통해 설명했다. 3가지의 직조형태중, 3K8HS 직조구조가 3K twill구조나 12K8HS구조보다 우수한 내삭마성을 보임을 설명했다.

PAN계 탄소섬유 roving 및 fabric을 2170˚C에서 열처리 하였다. 열처리를 행하지 않은 탄소섬유 fabric과 행한 것을 사용하고, Autoclave를 이용하여, CFRP와 CFRP의 성형체를 제조하였다. 열처리를 행한 탄소섬유 roving과 행하지 않은것 및 두종류의 성형체의 분석을 통하여, 열처리에 따른 탄소섬유 및 탄소복합재의 물리적. 기계적 특성변화를 연구하였다. 열처리 후 성유의 단면을 주사전자현미경으로 관찰한 결과 탄소섬유의 직경이 6.8μ m에서 6.4μ m으로 감소하였으며, 열중량분석을 행한 결과 내산화성이 증진되었음을 알았다. 단섬유인장실험 결과 인장강도는 탄소섬유의 (3.11± 0.32)× 103 MPa 에서 열처리 섬유의 (1.87± 0.26)× 103MPa으로 감소되었으나, 탄성율은 탄소섬유의 (1.94± 0.06)× 105 MPa에서 열처리 섬유의 (2.02± 0.11)× 105MPa으로 증가하였다. 층간전단강도 측정 실험을 한 결과 그 값이 CFRP(148.8±1.6Mpa)가 CFRP(82.2±1.1Mpa)에 비하여 높음을 알 수 있었고, torch test 결과 CFRP는 층간분리 없이 매끄러운 삭마가 일어나나, GFRP는 층간분리가 발생함을 알 수 있었다.

본 연구에서는 탄소/탄소복합재료의 마모특성에 대한 탄소섬유 길이의 영향을 고찰하였다. 매트릭스 precursor로 레졸형의 페놀수지와 강화재로 표면처리를 하지않은 PAN계 단섬유형 탄소섬유를 사용하여 액상함침법으로 1회의 고온열처리 공정과 4회의 탄화공정을 통하여 탄소/탄소복합재료를 제조하였다. Disk-on-disk형의 마모시험기를 통하여 상대 마찰재로 AISI 304 stainliss steel을 사용하여 0.6MPa(61 ×103Kg/m2)의 압력과 0.71m/sec의 미끄러짐 속도하에서 측정된 탄소/탄소복합재료의 마찰계수는 0.2-0.3이었다. 마찰계수에 대한 섬유의 길이의 영향은 크게 나타나지 않았지만, 마모 속도는 섬유의 길이가 증가함에 따라 증가하는 경향이 나타났다. 본 실헙 결과를 섬유 강화 플라스틱의 마모 모델을 적용하여 고찰하여 본 결과, 섬유의 길이가 증가함에 따라 탄소/탄소복합재료의 마모 속도가 증가되는 경향은 생성된느 마모조각의 크기가 커기기 때문에 나타난 현상으로 판단되었다.