PURPOSES: The national highways and expressways in Korea constitute a total length of 17,951 km. Of this total length of pavement, the asphalt pavement has significantly deteriorated, having been in service for over 10 years. Currently, hot in-place recycling (HIR) is used as the rehabilitation method for the distressed asphalt pavement. The deteriorated pavement becomes over-heated, however, owing to uncontrolled heating capacity during the pre-heating process of HIR in the field. METHODS: In order to determine the appropriate heating method and capacity of the pre-heater at the HIR process, the heating temperature of asphalt pavement is numerically simulated with the finite element software ABAQUS. Furthermore, the heating transfer effects are simulated in order to determine the inner temperature as a function of the heating system (IR and wire). This temperature is ascertained at 300 ℃, 400℃, 500℃, 600℃, 700°℃, and 800℃ from a slab asphalt specimen prepared in the laboratory. The inner temperature of this specimen is measured at the surface and five different depths (1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm) by using a data logger. RESULTS: The numerical simulation results of the asphalt pavement heating temperature indicate that this temperature is extremely sensitive to increases in the heating temperature. Moreover, after 10 min of heating, the pavement temperature is 36%~38% and 8%~10% of the target temperature at depths of 25 mm and 50 mm, respectively, from the surface. Therefore, in order to achieve the target temperature at a depth of 50 mm in the slab asphalt specimen, greater heating is required of the IR system compared to that of the gas. CONCLUSIONS : Numerical simulation, via the finite element method, can be readily used to analyze the appropriate heating method and theoretical basis of the HIR method. The IR system would provide the best heating method and capacity of HIR heating processes in the field.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the early adhesive characteristic of asphalt emulsions, including polymer-modified emulsions, for chip seals using the surface energy concept, the bitumen bond strength (BBS) test, and the Vialit test. METHODS : Two general methods, the BBS test and Vialit test, were applied to investigate the bond strength and the aggregate loss, respectively. A new theory, the surface free energy (SFE) theory, was used to evaluate the adhesive characteristic between the emulsion and the aggregate. Based on the theory, the contact angles were measured, and then the surface energy components were calculated. Using those components, the work of adhesion (Wa) was calculated for each emulsion. To ensure reliable results, all the tests were performed under the same conditions, i.e., at 25 ℃ for 240 minutes of curing time. For the materials, three emulsions (CRS-2, CRS-2L, and CRS-2P) and one aggregate type (granite) were employed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Under the same conditions, the modified emulsions showed better adhesive characteristics and curing behaviors than the unmodified emulsions. In addition, there was no significant difference between the various modified emulsions. One of the important findings is that the analysis by Wa presents more sensitive results than other methods. The results of the Wa showed that the CRS-2P emulsion has the best adhesive characteristics. Consequently, the use of modified emulsions for chip seals could prevent aggregate loss and allow open traffic earlier.

최근 기후변화로 인한 집중호우의 강도와 빈도가 증가하면서 아스팔트 포장의 포트홀 발생이 급격히 증가하고 있다. 포트홀은 아스팔트 포장에 침투된 수분이 교통하중과 함께 간극수압을 야기하여 아스팔트 포장의 골재 표면과 아스팔트 바인더 사이의 점착력을 약화시켜 박리가 발생하여 포장이 파손되는 것을 말한다. 이로 인해 아스팔트 포장체의 조기 파손이 발생하게 되면 아스팔트 포장의 공용성을 감소시키고 유지·보수비용을 증가시키므로 사용재료에 대한 점착력 특성을 파악하는 작업이 반드시 필요하다. 본 연 구에서는 아스팔트 포장시공에 많이 사용되는 3가지 종류의 아스팔트 바인더(PG58-22, PG64-22, PG76-22)를 선정해서 동적수침시험(Dynamic Immersion Test)과 바인더 점착력 시험(Bitumen Bond Strength, BBS Test)을 수행하여 각 아스팔트 바인더의 점착력을 평가하였다. 동적수침시험은 EN 12697-11 기준에 의해 수행되었으며, 주관적인 결과분석방법(육안평가)의 개선을 위해 DIA(Digital Image Analysis)를 통해 객관적인 평가를 수행하였다. 각 시편은 기존에 적용되던 육안조사와 무게변화 의 방법을 수행하는 동시에 객관적인 평가를 위해 Mesh Analysis 방법을 적용하였다. 각 시편을 동일한 조건에서 스캔하여 얻어진 이미지 파일을 총 400(20×20)개의 mesh로 나뉘어 각 cell에 대한 피복율을 5 단계의 가중치를 적용하여 계산하였다(Equation 1). Mesh Analysis의 결과를 적용하여 얻어진 기준값 (Threshold Value) 36을 기준으로 DIA를 수행하여 최종 점착력을 비교 ․ 분석하였다. Fig. 1은 동적수침 시험과 BBS Test로 얻어지는 수분민감성과 상온에서의 점착력결과를 나타낸 것이다. 본 연구에서는 DIT의 각 평가 방법을 비교하였고, 그 결과를 BBS 시험과 비교하여 아스팔트 바인더의 점착력을 평가하였으며, 도출된 결론은 다음과 같다. 기존의 DIT 육안평가 방법은 평가자 간의 차이가 크 기 때문에 주관적인 결과를 도출할 가능성이 있으며, DIA를 이용하여 보다 객관적인 평가를 수행할 수 있 을 것으로 판단된다. BBS 시험결과 PG등급이 높을수록 상온에서의 점착력이 좋다는 것을 확인할 수 있 었고, DIT 시험결과 또한 동일한 경향을 보이는 것으로 나타났다.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the SDAR (solvent deasphaltene residue), which is obtained from the solvent deasphalting (SDA) process, as a pavement material. METHODS : The physical properties of the SDAR were evaluated based on its chemical composition, and asphalt mixtures with the SDAR were fabricated and used for the evaluation of mechanical properties. Firstly, the chemical composition of SARA (saturate, aromatic, resin and asphaltene) was analyzed using the TLC-FID (thin-layer chromatography-flame ionization detector). Moreover, the basic material properties of the asphalt binder with the SDAR were evaluated by the penetration test, softening point test, ductility test, and PG (performance grade) grade test. The rheological properties of the asphalt binder with the SDAR were evaluated by the dynamic shear modulus (G*) obtained using the time-temperature superposition (TTS) principle. Secondly, the mechanical properties of the asphalt mixtures with the SDAR were evaluated. The compactibility was evaluated using the gyratory compacter. Moreover, the tensile strength ratio (TSR) was used for evaluating the moisture susceptibility of the asphalt mixtures (i.e., susceptibility to pothole damage). The dynamic modulus E*, which is a fundamental property of the asphalt mixture, obtained at different temperatures and loading cycles, was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the asphalt mixtures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION : The SDAR shows stiffer and more brittle behavior than the conventional asphalt binder. As the application of the SDAR directly in the field may cause early failures, such as cracks on pavements, it should be applied with modifiers that can favorably modify the brittleness property of the SDAR. Therefore, if appropriate additives are applied on the SDAR, it can be used as a pavement material because of its low cost and strong resistance to rutting.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance properties of chip seals and fog seals with polymer-modified emulsions. METHODS : The performance of chip seals and fog seals was evaluated on the basis of common issues in surface treatments. Granite aggregate and four types of asphalt emulsions (one of the unmodified and three of the modified emulsions) were used considering the usage in field. A Vialit test was performed to determine the aggregate retention, and the MMLS3 (Third Scale Model Mobile Load Simulator) test was conducted to determine the aggregate retention, bleeding, and rutting. In addition, the fog seal specimens were tested by the BPT (British Pendulum Test) to evaluate skid resistance. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Overall, the polymer-modified emulsions (PMEs) showed better aggregate retention and bleeding resistance for both chip seals and fog seals. When comparing the performance of the PMEs, the difference was not considerable. In addition, PMEs present significantly better rutting resistance than unmodified emulsions. For skid resistance, if the recommended mix design is applied, the specimens do not cause issues with skid resistance. Although all of the fog seal specimens were over the criteria for skid resistance, the specimen fabricated by the high emulsion application rate (EAR) of the unmodified emulsion was nearly equivalent to the skid value criteria. Therefore, the use of an unmodified emulsion with a high EAR should be carefully applied in the field.

PURPOSES: The objectives of this study were to develop a new polymer-modified emulsion for application to tack coats and to evaluate its properties by comparing it with other types of asphalt emulsions, with the goal of providing an enhanced tack coat material for use in construction. METHODS: Modified asphalt binders were developed from using SBS and SBR latex in the laboratory, and their fundamental properties, such as their penetration index and PG grade, were evaluated. Based on the properties, a new tack coat material was developed. To evaluate the newly developed asphalt emulsion, the bonding strength between the two layers of HMA was measured by applying a uniaxial tensile test and shear test. For the tests, a total of four different conditions were applied to the specimens, including the developed asphalt emulsion, latex modified asphalt emulsion, conventional asphalt emulsion, and non-tack coating. RESULTSAND CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the developed asphalt emulsion exhibits the best bonding strength behavior among all of the three types. Also, the two types of polymer-modified emulsions were found to be better for application for use as a tack coat than a conventional emulsion. Especially, at a high temperature (50℃), the conventional asphalt emulsion no longer acts as a tack coating material. Therefore, the polymer-modified emulsion should be considered for application to tack coat construction during the summer.

PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to compare the densities of asphalt pavements measured both in the field and in the laboratory, and also to evaluate the applicability of field density measuring equipment, such as the pavement quality indicator (PQI), by using statistical analysis. METHODS: For the statistical analysis of the density measured from asphalt pavement, student t-tests and a coefficient of correlation are investigated. In order to compare the measured densities, two test sections are prepared, with a base layer and an intermediate layer constructed. Each test section consists of 9 smaller sections. During construction, the field densities are measured for both layers (base and intermediate) in each section. Core samples are extracted from similar regions in each section, and moved to the laboratory for density measurements. All the measured densities from both the field and laboratory observations are analyzed using the selected statistical analysis methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION : Based on an analysis of measured densities, analysis using a correlation coefficient is found to be more accurate than analysis using a student t-test. The correlation coefficient (R) between the field density and the core density is found to be very low with a confidence interval less than 0.5. This may be the result of inappropriate calibration of the measuring equipment. Additionally, the correlation coefficient for the base layer is higher than for the intermediate layer. Finally, we observe that prior to using the density measuring equipment in the field, a calibration process should be performed to ensure the reliability of measured field densities..

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to develop new pothole repair materials using polyurethane-modified asphalt binder, and to evaluate them relative to current pothole repair materials in order to improve the performance of repaired asphalt pavement. METHODS : In the laboratory, polyurethane-modified asphalt binder is developed, and then asphalt binder is added to produce pothole repair materials. In order to evaluate the properties of this new pothole repair material, both an indirect tension strength test and a direct tension strength test are performed to measure the material strength and bond strength, respectively. Additionally, the basic material properties are evaluated using the asphalt cold mix manual. The strength characteristics based on curing times are evaluated using a total of 7 types of materials (3 types of current materials, 2 types of new materials, and 2 types of moisture conditioned new materials). The indirect tension strength tests are conducted at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days of curing time. The bond strength between current HMA(Hot Mix Asphalt) and the new materials is evaluated by the direct tension strength test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Overall, the new materials show better properties than current materials. Based on the test results, the new materials demonstrate less susceptibility to moisture, faster curing times, and an improved bond strength between HMA and the new materials. Therefore, the use of the new materials reported in this study may lead to enhanced performance of repairs made to asphalt pavement potholes.

페놀은 보통 대기로 배출되며 반감기가 비교적 짧은 물질로서 환경에 농축되는 경우는 드물다. 하지만, 누출사고가 발생되어 수계나 토양에 오염될 경우 페놀에 오염된 농수산물의 안전성을 확보하기 위하여 페놀을 정확하게 검출할 수 있는 시험법을 확립하고자 하였다. 식품 중 페 놀을 초음파추출기로 추출하고 GPC로 정제하여 GC/MS 로 분석하는 시험법을 확립하였으며, 시험법의 유효성 확인을 위한 실험 결과들이 AOAC 가이드라인에서 제시하 는 Criteria를 만족함으로써 시험법의 신뢰성을 확보할 수 있었다. 확립된 시험법은 식품 중 페놀의 오염조사 및 이행률 조사에 활용될 수 있다.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the curing and adhesive behavior of asphalt emulsions including polymer-modified emulsions for chip seals and fog seals. METHODS : For the laboratory testing, the evaporation test, the bitumen bond strength (BBS) test, and the Vialit test are used. Also, the rolling ball test and the damping test are employed to evaluate the curing properties of the fog seal emulsions. In order to conduct all the tests in controled condition, all test procedures are performed in the environmental chamber. The CRS-2L and the SBS CRS-2P emulsions are used as a polymer-modified emulsion, and then unmodified emulsion, the CRS-2, is compared for the evaluation of chip seal performance. For the fog seal performance evaluation, two types of polymer-modified emulsions (FPME-1 and FPME-2) and one of unmodified emulsion, the CSS-1H, are employed. All the tests are performed at different curing times and temperatures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Overall, PMEs show better curing and adhesive behavior than non-PMEs regardless of treatments types. Especially, the curing and adhesive behavior of PMEs is much better than non-PMEs before 120 minutes of curing time. Since all the test results indicate that after 120 minutes of curing time the curing adhesive behavior of emulsions, the early curing time, i.e., 120 minutes, plays an important role in the performance of chip seals and fog seals.

The study discusses remote control torch system that is equipped with CO2 double wire reel. The welding machine is 30m away from the wire feeder at the industrial site and the feeder is three to five meters away from the torch. Accordingly, the welders cannot control the current and voltage that meets the welding condition during work when they are working at a place that prevents them from seeing the control panel such as inside a vehicle or tank or at a far work site. They also have no choice but to stop working to change the wire reel when it is completely burned out. Such work suspension resulting from frequent moves to adjust current and voltage as well as replace the wire and subsequent cooling causes welding defects. The study produced a remote control torch equipped with double wire reel by simplifying and streamlining the existing CO2 functions to reduce the troubling issue. The remote control torch equipped with double wire reel and the existing CO2 /MAG welding torch were applied as V-groove butt in the vertical position using 9mm rolled steel for SM50A welding structure. After completion of welding, the condition of welded surface beads went through visual inspection as well as radiographic inspection to analyze the welding quality inside the welded part. The study also evaluated reduction of welding defects, cost saving, the replacing performance against the existing commercial welders and the effect on possible compatibility

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the bond strength of asphalt emulsions including polymer-modified emulsions for chip seals and fog seals using the bitumen bond strength (BBS) test. METHODS : For the laboratory testing, the Pneumatic Adhesion tensile Testing Instrument(PATTI) device is used to measure the bond strength between the asphalt emulsion and aggregate substrate based on the AASHTO TP-91. In order to conduct all the tests in controled condition, all test procedures are performed in the environmental chamber. The CRS-2L and the SBS CRS-2P emulsions are used as a polymermodified emulsion, and then unmodified emulsion, the CRS-2, is compared for the evaluation of chip seal performance. For the fog seal performance evaluation, two types of polymer-modified emulsions and one of unmodified emulsion, the CSS-1H, are employed. For chip seal study, the BBS tests are performed at 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes of curing times with curing and testing temperatures of 15℃, 25℃, and 35℃. The fog seal tests are conducted at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 minutes, and 24 hours with curing and testing temperatures of 25℃, 30℃, and 35℃. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : Overall, chip seal emulsions and fog seal emulsions show the similar bond strength trend. At the same testing condition, polymer-modified emulsions show better bond strength than unmodified emulsions. Also, there is no significant difference between polymer-modified emulsions. One of important findings is that the most bond strength reaches their final bond strength within one hour of curing time. Therefore, the early curing time plays a vital role in the performance of chip seals and fog seals.

현재 아스팔트 도로 분야에서 신규건설 수요는 점차 감소되고 있으며, 기존 공용중인 도로의 사용기간 이 증가함에 따라 도로포장의 파손이 증가하기 때문에 도로의 재포장 및 유지보수의 수요가 증가하는 실 정이다. 기존 도로의 유지보수 적용 시 교통통제가 야기하는 도로 사용자의 불편 및 경제적 손실을 고려 해야하며, 또한 유지보수를 위한 비용을 시공 후 공용성과 비교하여 고려해야 한다. 미국 주 교통국에서 는 이러한 문제점들을 고려하여 현장 상황에 적합한 유지보수 공법을 선정하여 적용하고 있으며, 칩실과 포그실로 대표되는 아스팔트 표면처리공법(Asphalt Surface Treatments)의 사용이 증가하고 있다. 칩실 은 여러 유지보수 공법 중 경제적이고 효과적인 공법으로 시공 후 3~4시간 후에 교통을 개방한다. 때문 에 칩실의 초기 양생시간(3~4시간)이 칩실의 충분한 공용성 발현에 중요한 역할을 한다. 본 연구에서는 칩실의 초기 공용성을 평가하기 위하여 CRS-2 일반 유화아스팔트와 5 종의 폴리머 개질 유화아스팔트 (PME-A, -B, -C, -D, -E)를 사용하여 칩실 시편을 제작한 후 증발 시험(Evaporation Test), 점착력 시험(Bitumen Bond Strength, BBS Test), Vialit Test, MMLS3 골재 탈리 시험을 통하여 칩실의 초기 골재 부착력 특성을 평가하였다. 그림 1에서 Vialit Test의 골재 탈리 결과와 BBS Test로 얻어지는 각 유 화아스팔트의 점착력을 비교하였고, 미국 알래스카 주 교통국에서 칩실의 공용성 판단 요소로 제시한 10% 골재 탈리율 기준을 MMLS3 시험 결과와 Vialit Test 시험결과 사이의 관계식을 통하여 13%로 수정 하여 실험 결과에 적용하여 평가하였다

In GMAW welding used mostly at the scene of a welding industry, welders can not see control panels in internal welds of vehicles and tanks, and can not adjust the current and voltage properly during the welding, which is caused by distance from the working area. Therefore, welders have to move to control the current and voltage by stopping welding. This, however, can result in the welding defects by momentary cooling. In this research related to the existing GMAW welding methods and the manners with the remote control torch their performances were evaluated by comparing and analyzing the welds of V-type butt using SM50A 6 mm and welding structural rolled steels. As the result of conducting the visual inspection and bending test one by one against the V-type butt welds, the amount of spatter by the remote control torch method showed reducing effects about five times lower and it had a performance that did not affect the weld defects by displaying suitable effects on the bending test of welds. Consequently, the experimental study on the possibility of replacement and compatibility with the existing commercial welder for the remote control torch was performed.

PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of asphalt and geotextile interlayer on the fracture behavior of unbonded concrete overlay through a laboratory composite beam test. METHODS: In order to evaluate the effect of interlayer materials on the fracture behavior of unbonded concrete overlay, a laboratory test of composite beam was conducted with different types of interlayer. The test results of the composite beam using two types of geotextile interlayer with different thicknesses were compared to the test results of the composite beam using the tradition type of asphalt interlayer. The unbonded concrete overlay on the existing concrete pavement without interlayer was set for the control condition. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION : Overall, the laboratory composite beam test results did show the effect of asphalt and geotextile interlayer on the fracture behavior of composite concrete beams. The three-layer geotextile interlayer and HMA layer both increase the peak load when the first macrocrack occurs in the top concrete beam, while the HMA interlayer causes the smallest load drop percentage after the first macrocrack. The three-layer geotextile did show better performance than the single-layer geotextile through the greater peak load and smaller load drop percentage. It indicates that the thickness of geotextile interlayer will affect the fracture behavior of unbonded concrete overlay and the thicker geotextile interlayer is recommended.

PURPOSES: The objective of this study is to investigate the current state of the practice, examining the steps in the process recommended by various agencies and the Asphalt Recycling and Reclaiming Association (ARRA)-namely mix design, structural design, structural capacity evaluation, and material characterization-in order to better understand the implications of hot in-place recycling (HIR). METHODS: In addition, the current practice of state departments of transportation (DOTs) is here reviewed with the purpose of learning from successful past experiences so as to forestall any difficulties that may emerge under similar circumstances. Also, HIR benefits, including reduced costs, improved construction processes, and environmental friendliness are presented, as well as advantages and disadvantages of HIR application. RESULTS: Most of the United States highway system is now deteriorating so that rehabilitation or reconstruction techniques are required for the most distressed roads, taking into account ways to increase the effectiveness of existing budgets. Several options are available in rehabilitating distressed roads, and the choice among these depends on many factors, including pavement distress condition, funding, and design life. Among these techniques, Hot In-Place Recycling (HIR) has emerged as a cost-effective treatment for deteriorated pavements, and has been proven an effective long-term strategy for pavement rehabilitation.

PURPOSES : The first generation of wide base tires introduced in the early 1980s was found to cause a significant increase in pavement damage compared to dual-tire assemblies. However, wide base tires have evolved considerably, and a new generation of wide base tire is thought to be comparable to conventional dual tires for pavement damage. A challenge associated with using wide base tires is the accurate quantification of pavement damage induced by these tires. The objective of this study was to investigate the responses of flexible pavement to continuously moving vehicular loading under various tire configurations. METHODS : The comparison of the strain/stress responses of full-depth pavement caused by conventional dual tire assembly and new generation of wide-base tires was performed. The FE model incorporates linear viscoelasticity of asphalt material and continuous moving load using implicit dynamic analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : The result demonstrates that the new wide-base tires caused slightly more fatigue damage and less primary rutting damage in HMA layer than a dual-tire assembly, but caused more secondary rutting damage in subgrade than a dual tire assembly.

항산화 기능은 암이나 심혈관질환 발생을 억제하는 것으로 보고되고 있어서 다양한 식물들에 대해서 항산화 효 과가 연구되고 있다. 그러나, 채소류에 대해서는 항산화 효과에 대한 광범위한 조사는 이루어지지 않아 단지 몇몇 천연 항산화제만이 식품 산업에서 이용되고 있다. 따라서, 본 연구에서는 식품 산업에서 다양한 천연 항산화제를 이용 할 수 있도록, 여러 가지 채소류에 대해 항산화 활성을 조사하여 채소류 중 항산화 효과에 대한 과학적 자료를 제공하기 위해 수행되었다. 24 품목의 채소류를 대상으로 총 275개의 시료를 구입하여 항산화 효과를 측정하였다. 총 페놀 함량(TPCs)은 gallic acid를 대조 표준용액으로 Folin- Ciocalteu 시약을 사용하여 비색법으로 측정하였으며 DPPH 라디컬 소거능은 IC50(DPPH 라디칼을 50% 저해하는데 필요한 추출물의 농도) 농도로 측정하였다. 조사 결과 여러 가지 채소류에 대한 총 페놀 함량은 0.32~49.26 μg/kg 였으며 DPPH 라디컬 소거 활성은 0.0~2.43 mg/mL로 조사 되었다. 본 연구에서 조사된 채소류 중 항산화 효과가 가장 좋은 채소는 2가지 항산화 측정 방법에서 모두 마늘 이였다.

Photoelectrochemical cells have been used in photolysis of water to generate hydrogen as a clean energy source. A high efficiency electrode for photoelectrochemical cell systems was realized using a ZnO hierarchical nanostructure. A ZnO nanofiber mat structure was fabricated by electrospinning of Zn solution on the substrate, followed by oxidation; on this substrate, hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanorods on the ZnO nanofibers was carried out to form a ZnO hierarchical structure. The thickness of the nanofiber mat and the thermal annealing temperature were determined as the parameters for optimization. The morphology of the structures was examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The performance of the ZnO nanofiber mat and the potential of the ZnO hierarchical structures as photoelectrochemical cell electrodes were evaluated by measurement of the photoelectron conversion efficiencies under UV light. The highest photoconversion efficiency observed was 63 % with a ZnO hierarchical structure annealed at 400˚C in air. The morphology and the crystalline quality of the electrode materials greatly influenced the electrode performance. Therefore, the combination of the two fabrication methods, electrospinning and hydrothermal synthesis, was successfully applied to fabricate a high performance photoelectrochemical cell electrode.