PURPOSES : Recently, air pollution due to fine particulate matter has been increasing in Korea. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are particulate matter precursors significantly contributing to air pollution. Increasing efforts have been dedicated to NOx removal from air, since it is particularly harmful. Application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) for concrete road structures is a suitable alternative to remove NOx. As the photocatalytic reaction of TiO2 is the mechanism that eliminates NOx, the ultraviolet rays in sunlight and TiO2 in existing concrete structures need to be contacted for the reaction process. For the application of vertical concrete road structures such as retaining walls, side ditches, and barriers, a pressurized TiO2 fixation method has been developed considering the pressure and pressurization time. In this study, longterm serviceability and repeatability were investigated on concrete specimens applying the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method. Additionally, the environmental hazards of nitrate adsorbed on TiO2 particles were evaluated. METHODS : Concrete specimens to simulate roadside vertical concrete structures were manufactured and used to evaluate the long-term serviceability and repeatability of the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method. The NOx removal efficiency was measured using NOx evaluation equipment based on ISO 22197-1. In addition, the nitrate concentration was measured using a comprehensive water quality analyzer for evaluating environmental hazards. RESULTS : As the experiment to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method progressed from one to seven cycles, the nitrate concentration increased from 2.35 mg/L to 3.06 mg/L, and the NOx removal efficiency decreased from 53% to 25%. After seven cycles of NOx removal efficiency evaluation, the average nitrate concentration was 3.06 mg/L. The nitrate concentration collected immediately after the NOx removal efficiency test for each cycle was in the range of 2.51 to 2.57 mg/L. By contrast, it was confirmed that the nitrate concentration was lowered to approximately 2.1 mg/L when the surface was washed with water. CONCLUSIONS : The NOx removal efficiency was maintained at over 25% even after seven cycles of NOx removal efficiency evaluation, securing long-term serviceability. In addition, the harmful effects on the environment and human health are insignificant, since the nitrate concentration was less than 10 mg/L, in accordance with domestic and foreign standards. Practical applicability of the pressurized TiO2 fixation method was established by evaluating the long-term serviceability, repeatability, and environmental hazards.

YSZ (Y2O3-stabilized zirconia)-based ceramics have excellent mechanical properties, such as high strength and wear resistance. In the application, YSZ is utilized in the bead mill, a fine-grinding process. YSZ-based parts, such as the rotor and pin, can be easily damaged by continuous application with high rpm in the bead mill process. In that case, adding WC particles improves the tribological and mechanical properties. YSZ-30 vol.% WC composite ceramics are manufactured via hot pressing under different pressures (10/30/60 MPa). The hot-pressed composite ceramics measure the physical properties, such as porosity and bulk density values. In addition, the phase formation of these composite ceramics is analyzed and discussed with those of physical properties. For the increased applied pressure of hot pressing, the tetragonality of YSZ and the crystallinity of WC are enhanced. The mechanical properties indicate an improved tendency with the increase in the applied pressure of hot pressing.

High-temperature and high-pressure post-processing applied to sintered thermoelectric materials can create nanoscale defects, thereby enhancing their thermoelectric performance. Here, we investigate the effect of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) as a post-processing treatment on the thermoelectric properties of p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3.0 compounds sintered via spark plasma sintering. The sample post-processed via HIP maintains its electronic transport properties despite the reduced microstructural texturing. Moreover, lattice thermal conductivity is significantly reduced owing to activated phonon scattering, which can be attributed to the nanoscale defects created during HIP, resulting in an ~18% increase in peak zT value, which reaches ~1.43 at 100oC. This study validates that HIP enhances the thermoelectric performance by controlling the thermal transport without having any detrimental effects on the electronic transport properties of thermoelectric materials.

PURPOSES : Advancements in science and technology caused by industrialization have led to an increase in particulate matter emissions and, consequently, severity of air pollution. Nitrogen oxide (NOx), which accounts for 58% of road transport pollutants, adversely affects both human health and the environment. A test-bed was constructed to determine NOx removal efficiency at the roadside. TiO2, a material used to reduce particulate matter, was used to remove NOx. It was applied to a vertical concrete structure using the dynamic pressurized penetration TiO2 fixation method, which can be easily applied to vertical concrete structures. This study was conducted to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of the dynamic pressurized-penetration TiO2 fixation method in a test-bed under real roadside conditions. METHODS : A test-bed was constructed in order to determine the NOx removal efficiency using the dynamic pressurized penetration TiO2 fixation method on the roadside. The dynamic pressurized-penetration TiO2 fixation method was applied by installing a vertical concrete structure. NOx was injected into the test-bed using an exhaust gas generator. By installing a shading screen, the photocatalytic reaction of TiO2 was suppressed to a maximum concentration of 1000 ppb along the roadside. The removal efficiency was evaluated by measuring NOx concentrations. In addition, illuminance was measured using an illuminance meter. RESULTS : From the results of the analysis of the NOx removal efficiency in the test-bed which the dynamic pressurized type TiO2 fixation method was applied to, an average removal efficiency ranging from 18% to 40% was achieved, depending on the illuminance. Similarly, according to the results of the evaluation of the NO removal efficiency, an average of removal efficiency ranging from 20% to 62% was achieved. Thus, the NOx removal efficiency increased when the illuminance was high. CONCLUSIONS : From the results of the experiment conducted, the efficiency of NOx removal per unit volume was obtained according to the illuminance of TiO2 concrete along an actual road. Field applicability of the dynamic pressurized-penetration-type TiO2 fixation method to vertical concrete structures along roads was confirmed.

In this study, a graphite block is fabricated using artificial graphite processing byproduct and phenolic resin as raw materials. Mechanical and electrical property changes are confirmed due to the preforming method. After fabricating preforms at 50, 100, and 150 MPa, CIP molding at 150 MPa is followed by heat treatment to prepare a graphite block. 150UP-CIP shows a 12.9% reduction in porosity compared with the 150 MPa preform. As the porosity is decreased, the bulk density, flexural strength, and shore hardness are increased by 14.9%, 102.4%, and 13.7%, respectively; and the deviation of density and electrical resistivity are decreased by 51.9% and 34.1%, respectively. Therefore, as the preforming pressure increases, the porosity decreases, and the electrical and mechanical properties improve.

A new clamped mechanical splice system was proposed to develop structural performance and constructability for precast concrete connections. The proposed mechanical splice resists external loading immediately after the engagement. The mechanical splices applicable for both large-scale rebars for plants and small-scale rebars for buildings were developed with the same design concept. Quasi-static lateral cyclic loading tests were conducted with reinforced and precast concrete members to verify the seismic performance. Also, shaking table tests with three types of seismic wave excitation, 1) random wave with white noise, 2) the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake, and 3) the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, were conducted to confirm the dynamic performance. All tests were performed with real-scale concrete specimens. Sensors measured the lateral load, acceleration, displacement, crack pattern, and secant system stiffness, and energy dissipation was determined by lateral load-displacement relation. As a result, the precast specimen provided the emulative performance with RC. In the shaking table tests, PC frames’ maximum acceleration and displacement response were amplified 1.57 - 2.85 and 2.20 - 2.92 times compared to the ground motions. The precast specimens utilizing clamped mechanical splice showed ductile behavior with energy dissipation capacity against strong motion earthquakes.

Zirconia has excellent mechanical properties, such as high fracture toughness, wear resistance, and flexural strength, which make it a candidate for application in bead mills as milling media as well as a variety of components. In addition, enhanced mechanical properties can be attained by adding oxide or non-oxide dispersing particles to zirconia ceramics. In this study, the densification and mechanical properties of YSZ-TiC ceramic composites with different TiC contents and sintering temperatures are investigated. YSZ - x vol.% TiC (x=10, 20, 30) system is selected as compositions of interest. The mixed powders are sintered using hot pressing (HP) at different temperatures of 1300, 1400, and 1500oC. The densification behavior and mechanical properties of sintered ceramics, such as hardness and fracture toughness, are examined.

페로브스카이트 태양전지는 빠른 속도로 효율 개선이 이루어지며 차세대 친환경 에너지원으로 각광받고 있다. 가공 매개변수의 영향을 강하게 받는 유-무기 혼합 페로브스카이트 태양전지에서 고품질의 광 활성층을 제조하는 것은 매우 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 Methylammonium Lead Iodide(MAPbI3) 광 활성층 제작 시, 결정화가 이루어지는 열처리 과정에서 압력을 가함으로써 용매가 증발하는 속도를 조절할 수 있는 가압열처리 공정방법(pressure assisted annealing process, PA method)을 개발하였다. 본 연구에서 개발한 광 활성층 제조방법은 보다 오래 용매를 활성층 내에 머물게 할 수 있어서 MAPbI3의 중간단계에서 그레인의 성장을 극대화 할 수 있으며, 이를 통해 고품질 페로브스카이트 광 활성층의 제조를 가능하게 한다. 또한 본 가압열처리 방법으로 형성시킨 페로브스카이트 광 활성층을 도입하여 태양전지를 제조하였을 경우, 소자의 최고 성능은 기존의 방법으로 제조된 소자와 비교하여 24.4 mA cm-2의 높은 단락 전류밀도, 0.96 V의 개방전압, 0.75의 필 팩터를 나타내며 17.3 %의 에너지 전환효율을 나타내었다.

PURPOSES : Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the main precursors to generate fine particulate matter, which significantly contribute to air pollution. NOx gases are transmitted into the atmosphere in large quantities, especially in areas with a high volume of traffic. Titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is a photocatalytic reaction material, is very efficient for removing NOx. The application of TiO2 to concrete road structures is a good alternative to remove NOx. Generally, TiO2 concrete is produced by mixing concrete with TiO2 . However, a significant amount of TiO2 in concrete cannot be exposed to air pollutants or UV. Therefore, an alternative method of penetrating TiO2 into horizontal concrete structures using a surface penetration agent was proposed in a previous study. This method may not only be economical but also applicable to various types of horizontal concrete structures. However, the TiO2 penetration method may not be applied to vertical structures because it has a mechanism for the penetration of TiO2-containing penetration agents via gravity and capillary forces. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the applicability of the pressurized TiO2 fixation method for existing vertical road structures. METHODS : For the application of vertical concrete structures — such as retaining walls, side ditches, and barriers — the applicability of a static and dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method was evaluated according to the experimental conditions, considering the amount of pressure and time. The penetration depth and distribution of TiO2 particles in the concrete specimen were measured using SEM/EDAX. In addition, the NOx removal efficiencies of TiO2 concrete were evaluated using the NOx analysis system. RESULTS : As a result of measuring the penetration depth and distribution of TiO2 in the concrete, it was found that the surface-predicted mass ratio increased with increasing pressure and time. In the case of the static pressurized fixation method, it was confirmed that a pressure time of at least 10 s at a pressure of 0.2 MPa and 5 s at a pressure higher than 0.3 MPa were required to achieve a NOx removal efficiency higher than 40 %. Conversely, for the dynamic pressurized fixation method applying a hitting energy of 16.95 J, NOx removal efficiencies higher than 50 % were secured in a pressure time of more than 3 s. CONCLUSIONS : The results of this study showed that the static and dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method was advantageous in penetrating and distributing TiO2 particles into the concrete surface to effectively remove NOx. It was confirmed that the proposed method to remove NOx was sufficiently applicable to existing vertical concrete road structures.

The change in the open porosity of bulk graphite as a function of the uniaxial molding pressure during manufacturing is studied using artificial graphite powder. Subsequently, the graphite is impregnated to determine the effect of the open porosity on the impregnation efficiency and to improve the density of the final bulk graphite. Bulk graphite is manufactured with different uniaxial molding pressures after mixing graphite powder, which is the by-product of processing the final graphite products and phenolic resin. The bulk density and open porosity are measured using the Archimedes method. The bulk density and open porosity of bulk graphite increase as the molding pressure increases. The open porosity of molded bulk graphite is 25.35% at 30 MPa and 29.84% at 300 MPa. It is confirmed that the impregnation efficiency increases when the impregnation process is performed on a specimen with large open porosity. In this study, the bulk density of bulk graphite molded at 300 MPa is 11.06% higher than that before impregnation, which is the highest reported increase. Therefore, it is expected that the higher the uniaxial pressure, the higher the density of bulk graphite.

In this study, factors considered to be causes of promotion of densification of sintered pellets identified during phase change are reviewed. As a result, conclusions shown below are obtained for each factor. In order for MA powder to soften, a temperature of 1,000 K or higher is required. In order to confirm the temporary increase in density throughout the sintered pellet, the temperature rise due to heat during phase change was found not to have a significant effect. While examining the thermal expansion using the compressed powder, which stopped densification at a temperature below the MA powder itself, and the phase change temperature, no shrinkage phenomenon contributing to the promotion of densification is observed. The two types of powder made of Ti-silicide through heat treatment are densified only in the high temperature region of 1,000 K or more; it can be estimated that this is the effect of fine grain superplasticity. In the densification of the amorphous powder, the dependence of sintering pressure and the rate of temperature increase are shown. It is thought that the specific densification behavior identified during the phase change of the Ti-37.5 mol.%Si composition MA powder reviewed in this study is the result of the acceleration of the powder deformation by the phase change from non-equilibrium phase to equilibrium phase.

본 연구에서는 가압식 분리막 여과에서 무기입자의 존재가 유기파울링에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. 유기파울링의 유발을 위해 알긴산나트륨(sodium alginate, SA)를 이용한 정밀여과 실험에서 무기 실리카(SiO2) 입자의 존재 유무와 상관 없이 분리막 파울링은 여과초기 완전공극막힘에서 여과시간이 경과할수록 케이크 형성에 의해 주로 지배되었다. 그러나 무기 입자의 존재 시 정압여과에서 알긴산나트륨 파울링 케이크 비저항값과 압축성은 상대적으로 낮게 관찰되었고 이로 인해 낮은 파울링 속도가 관찰되었다. 동일한 시료를 이용한 정량여과 실험을 수행한 결과 정압여과에 비해 정량여과에서 여과초기 공극막힘현상 및 파울링 속도는 더욱 증가하였다. 이와 같은 현상은 파울링층이 지닌 압축성으로 막간차압의 증가 시 케이크 비저항값이 함께 증가하였기 때문인 것으로 판단된다. 알긴산나트륨과 실리카 입자가 함께 존재 시 알긴산나트륨이 단독으로 존재하는 것보다 수리학적 세정을 통한 파울링 제거효과는 더욱 좋은 것으로 관찰되었다.