To meet the current demand in the fields of permanent magnets for achieving a high energy density, it is imperative to prepare nano-to-microscale rare-earth-based magnets with well-defined microstructures, controlled homogeneity, and magnetic characteristics via a bottom-up approach. Here, on the basis of a microstructural study and qualitative magnetic measurements, optimized reduction conditions for the preparation of nanostructured Sm-Co magnets are proposed, and the elucidation of the reduction-diffusion behavior in the binary phase system is clearly manifested. In addition, we have investigated the microstructural, crystallographic, and magnetic properties of the Sm-Co magnets prepared under different reduction conditions, that is, H2 gas, calcium, and calcium hydride. This work provides a potential approach to prepare high-quality Sm-Co-based nanofibers, and moreover, it can be extended to the experimental design of other magnetic alloys.

This study focused on the development of Fe–Co/kaolin catalyst by a wet impregnation method. Response surface methodology was used to study the influence of operating variables such as drying temperature, drying time, mass of support and stirring speed on the yield of the catalyst. The catalyst composite at best synthesis conditions was then calcined in an oven at varied temperature and time using 22 factorial design of experiment. The catalyst with optimum surface area was then utilized to grow carbon nanofiber (CNF) in a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) reactor. Both the catalyst and CNF were characterized using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. On the influence of operating variables on the yield of catalyst, the results showed that an optimum yield of 96.51% catalyst was obtained at the following operating conditions: drying time (10 h), drying temperature (110 °C), stirring speed (100 rpm) and mass of support (9 g). Statistical analysis revealed the existence of significant interactive effects of the variables on the yield of the catalyst. The HRSEM/XRD/BET/TGA analysis revealed that the particles are well dispersed on the support, with high surface area (376.5 m2/g) and thermally stable (330.88 °C). The influence of operating parameters on the yield of CNF was also investigated and the results revealed an optimum yield of 348% CNF at the following operating conditions: reaction temperature (600 °C), reaction time (40 min), argon flow rate (1416 mL/min) and acetylene/hydrogen flow rate (1416 mL/ min). It was found from statistical analysis that the reaction temperature and acetylene/hydrogen flow rates exerted significant effect on the CNF yield than the other factors. The contour and surface plots bi-factor interaction indicated functional relationship between the response and the experimental factors. The characterization results showed that the synthesized CNF is thermally stable, twisted and highly crystalline and contain surface functional groups. It can be inferred from the results of various analyses that the developed catalyst is suitable for CNF growth in a CVD reactor.

For electrodes in electrochemical double-layer capacitors, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared by thermal treatment of precursor polymer nanofibers, fabricated by electrospinning. Poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinylimidazole) (PAV) was employed as a precursor polymer of carbon nanofibers due to the effective cyclization of PAV polymer chains during thermal treatment compared to a typical precursor, polyacrylonitrile (PAN). PAV solutions with different comonomer compositions were prepared and electrospun to produce precursor nanofibers. Surface images obtained from scanning electron microscopy showed that their nanofibrous structure was well preserved after carbonization. It was also confirmed that electrospun PAV nanofibers were successfully converted to carbon nanofibers after the carbonization step by Raman spectroscopy. Carbon nanofiber electrodes derived from PAV showed higher specific capacitances and energy/power densities than those from PAN, which was tested by coin-type cells. It was also shown that PAV with an acrylonitrile/vinylimidazole composition of 83:17 is most promising for the carbon nanofiber precursor exhibiting a specific capacitance of 114 F/g. Their energy and power density are 70.1 Wh/kg at 1 A/g and 9.5 W/kg at 6 A/g, respectively. In addition, pouch cells were assembled to load the higher amount of electrode materials in the cells, and a box-like cyclic voltammetry was obtained with high capacitances.

본 연구에서는 고분자인 polyacrylonitrile (PAN) 고분자에 산화 그래핀(Graphene Oxide, GO)을 첨가하여 전기방사법을 통해 나노섬유 복합막(GO-PAN)을 제조하였으며, 과량의 GO를 첨가하기 위해 표면개질 전략을 사용하였다. 계면활성제를 사용하여 GO의 표면을 간단히 변형하면 GO의 안정성 및 분산도 증가로 인해 최종적으로 분리막에 필러의 함량을 3wt%까지 증가시켰다. 이렇게 변형된 GO(mGO)의 PAN 나노섬유막으로의 도입은 원래의 PAN 나노섬유막과 GO-PAN 막에 비해 향상된 친수성과 기계적 강도를 가진다. 따라서 나노필러의 표면 개질은 최종 복합막의 성능에 영향을 미치며 이는 GO의 분산도와 상관관계가 있는 것으로 보인다.

폴리사카이드 기반 나노파이버는 신체 독성이 없고 수분 흡수성이 우수하다. 폴리사카이드 소재를 나노파이버로 적층시키면 표면적의 증가로 인하여 혈액흡습량이 증가하고 피부 알러지를 최소화 할 수 있으며 공기 투과성이 증가하여 상처 치료 소재로 적합하다. 폴리사카이드 나노파이버의 약한 물리적 성질을 보완하기 위하여 흡습성과 기계적 성질이 우수한 폴리아마이드 계열의 나노파이버를 지지층으로 사용하여 국소 상처 치료용 혈액지혈 패치를 개발하였다.

Carbon nanofibers (CNF) are widely used as active agents for electrodes in Li-ion secondary battery cells, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. Nanoscale coatings on CNF electrodes can increase the output and lifespan of battery devices. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can control the coating thickness at the nanoscale regardless of the shape, suitable for coating CNFs. However, because the CNF surface comprises stable C–C bonds, initiating homogeneous nuclear formation is difficult because of the lack of initial nucleation sites. This study introduces uniform nucleation site formation on CNF surfaces to promote a uniform SnO2 layer. We pretreat the CNF surface by introducing H2O or Al2O3 (trimethylaluminum + H2O) before the SnO2 ALD process to form active sites on the CNF surface. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy both identify the SnO2 layer morphology on the CNF. The Al2O3-pretreated sample shows a uniform SnO2 layer, while island-type SnOx layers grow sparsely on the H2Opretreated or untreated CNF.

본 연구에서는 그래핀 함량에 따른 고분자 나노섬유의 물리적 특성 변화에 대해 연구하였다. 전기방사법으로 GO PAN 나노섬유 복합체 막을 제조하였으며, 접촉각⋅SEM⋅인장강도에 관한 실험을 진행하였다. GO+계면활성제를 이용 하여 나노섬유에 존재하는 GO의 함량을 증가시켰다. 제조한 나노섬유의 경우 기존의 나노섬유보다 강한 기계적 강도를 나타내었다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 수처리 분리막의 연구 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

본 연구에서는 전기방사법을 이용해 다양한 고분자에 nanofiller인 clay를 복합시켜 나노섬유 복합막을 제조하였다. 나노섬유에 clay를 첨가함으로써 일반적인 나노섬유가 가지는 취약한 물리적 특성을 증가시키고 수처리 막으로의 활용 가능성을 확인하였다. 또한 고분자의 친⋅소수성에 따라 발생하는 고분자와 clay간의 interaction을 고찰해보았다. 따라서 본 연구에서 나타난 결과를 통해 clay를 활용한 나노섬유 복합막의 제조 및 나노섬유의 특성 보완 연구의 기초자료로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a source of air pollution and are harmful to both human health and the environment. In this study, we fabricated polyurethane/rare earth (PU/RE) composite nanofibrous membranes via electrospinning with the aim of removing VOCs from air. The morphological structure of PU/RE nanofibrous mats were investigated using FE-SEM, EDX, and XRD experimental analyses. A certain amount of RE (up to 50 wt% compared to PU pellets) particles could be loaded on/into PU fibers. The PU nanofiber containing 50 wt% RE powder had the smallest fiber diameter of 356 nm; it also showed the highest VOCs absorption capacity compared with other composite membranes, having an absorption capacity about 3 times greater than pure PU nanofibers. In addition, all of the PU/RE nanofibrous membranes readily absorbed styrene the most, followed by xylene, toluene, benzene and chloroform. Therefore, the PU/RE nanofibrous membrane can play an important role in removing VOCs from the air, and its development prospects are impressive because they are emerging materials.

본 연구에서는 복합막의 물성향상을 위해 clay를 도입한 polysulfone 나노섬유 복합막을 제조하였다. Polysulfone/clay 복합막은 clay가 들어간 N,N-dimethyl acetamide와 acetone 혼합용매에 polysulfone을 첨가한 후 전기방사법 을 이용하여 제조하였으며, 제조된 나노섬유 복합막은 적층수를 변화해 기공크기를 조절한 후 사용하였다. 전반적인 분리막 의 특성은 SEM, contact angle, 기공특성, tensile strength, water flux 분석을 사용하여 고찰하였다. 특히 SEM image로 clay의 도입을 확인하였으며 contact angle 측정을 통해 표면이 개질된 결과를 확인할 수 있었다. 그리고 clay의 도입량에 따른 복합 막의 기계적 물성을 확인하였다. 따라서 본 연구에서 제조된 분리막은 수처리용 분리막으로 충분히 활용 가능할 것으로 판단 된다.

Well-dispersed platinum catalysts on ruthenium oxide nanofiber supports are fabricated using electrospinning, post-calcination, and reduction methods. To obtain the well-dispersed platinum catalysts, the surface of the nanofiber supports is modified using post-calcination. The structures, morphologies, crystal structures, chemical bonding energies, and electrochemical performance of the catalysts are investigated. The optimized catalysts show well-dispersed platinum nanoparticles (1-2 nm) on the nanofiber supports as well as a uniform network structure. In particular, the well-dispersed platinum catalysts on the ruthenium oxide nanofiber supports display excellent catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reactions with a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.57 V and outstanding long-term stability after 2000 cycles, resulting in a lower E1/2 potential degradation of 19 mV. The enhanced electrochemical performance for oxygen reduction reactions results from the well-dispersed platinum catalysts and unique nanofiber supports.

Hemodialysis membrane was prepared with polyamide6 via electrospinning technology for portable or wearable hemodialysis machine. Polyamide6 polymer solution was formed nanofiber membrane with fiber diameter of 72 ㎚, pore size 140 ㎚. Polyamide6 nanofiber membrane was chemically modified to enhance hemodialysis performance. Modified polyamide6 membrane showed an excellent hemodialysis performance and antifouling resistance against protein supplements by the esterification and crosslinking reaction.

본 연구에서는 clay를 고분자와 복합하여 전기방사법을 이용해 나노섬유 복합막을 제조하였다. 다양한 친·소수성 고분자에 균일하게 clay를 nanofiller로 첨가함으로서 일반적으로 나노섬유 자체가 보여주는 취약한 물리적 기계적 특성을 증가시켜 수처리 막으로의 활용 가능성을 확인하였다. 그리고 고분자와 clay간의 interaction이 제조된 복합막들의 특성에 어떤 영향을 나타내는지 고찰해보았다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 nanofiller를 활용한 다양한 나노섬유 복합막의 제조 및 나노섬유의 물리적 특성을 보완 하는 연구의 기초자료로 활용할 수 있을 것이라 생각된다.

내열성이 우수한 polystyrene(PS)를 혈액투석용 분리막으로 사용하기 위해 생체적합성이 우수한 고분자를 블랜딩하여 나노파이버 혈액투석막을 제조하였다. 제조된 PS nanofiber mambrane은 직경(fiber meter), 표면특성, 기공크기 분석을 통해 혈액투석용 분리막으로 최적화하였다. PS nanofiber membrane을 음이온 및 친수성 고분자 용액으로 화학적 개질하여 혈액투석막의 효율을 향상시키고자 하였다. 개질 용액의 음이온기는 혈액 속 단백질 흡착을 저지시켜 내오염성을 향상시켰으며 친수성기는 혈액 속 과잉수분 및 염분을 제거하였다.

Dimensional stability of polymer electrolyte membrane stands out always important issue as well as proton conductivity. The reinforced membrane can be a good solution to enhance the dimensional stability for not only perfluorosulfonic acid polymer but also hydrocarbon based polymer. In this study, we have prepared nanofiber reinforced polymer electrolyte membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The nanofiber reinforced PEMs was impregnated by introducing hydrocarbon polymer electrolytes into web-like substrate. Due to high porosity and the intrinsic structure of reinforced PEMs, dimensional stability are improved without sacrificing membrane performance. Consequently, reinforced PEMs exhibited higher physical properties than unreinforced PEMs.

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) is used as an electrode material for electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs), and is being consistently researched to improve its electrochemical performance. However, CNF still faces important challenges due to the low mesopore volume, leading to a poor high-rate performance. In the present study, we prepared the unique architecture of the activated mesoporous CNF with a high specific surface area and high mesopore volume, which were successfully synthesized using PMMA as a pore-forming agent and the KOH activation. The activated mesoporous CNF was found to exhibit the high specific surface area of 703 m2 g−1, total pore volume of 0.51 cm3 g−1, average pore diameter of 2.9 nm, and high mesopore volume of 35.2 %. The activated mesoporous CNF also indicated the high specific capacitance of 143 F g−1, high-rate performance, high energy density of 17.9-13.0Wh kg−1, and excellent cycling stability. Therefore, this unique architecture with a high specific surface area and high mesopore volume provides profitable synergistic effects in terms of the increased electrical double-layer area and favorable ion diffusion at a high current density. Consequently, the activated mesoporous CNF is a promising candidate as an electrode material for high-performance EDLCs.