본 연구는 아민화 셀룰로오스 나노섬유(CNF)를 시멘트 복합체에 적용하여 기계적 및 미세구조적 성능 향상을 도모하고자 하였다. CNF는 (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES)를 활용해 화학적으로 개질하였으며, 이는 시멘트 수화 생성물과의 계면 결합력 및 분산성을 향상시키기 위한 목적이다. 표면 개질의 성공 여부는 주사전자현미경(SEM)과 X-선 회절 분석(XRD)을 통해 확인 하였다. 다양한 함량의 개질 및 비개질 CNF를 혼입한 모르타르를 제작하여 압축강도 및 휨강도를 평가하였다. 그 결과, 아민화 CNF는 0.2% 혼입 시 압축강도 향상 효과가 가장 두드러졌으며, 휨강도는 0.3%에서 가장 우수한 성능을 나타내었다. 미세구조 분석을 통해, 아민화 CNF가 시멘트 수화물과의 상호작용을 통해 내부 조직을 치밀하게 형성하고 공극률을 저감시키는 것으로 확인되었다. 본 연구는 화학적으로 개질된 CNF가 지속가능하고 고성능인 시멘트 복합재료 개발에 있어 유효한 기능성 첨가제로 활용될 수 있음을 시사한다.

The pursuit of sustainable and durable cementitious composites has led to a growing interest in alternative materials that can improve mechanical performance while reducing CO2 emissions. Nanomaterials, in particular, offer promising avenues due to their unique properties, including high surface area to volume ratio and increased reactivity. This study investigates the efficacy of Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF) in enhancing the durability of mortar exposed to sulfate attacks and alkali-silica reactions (ASR). Both MgSO4 and Na2SO4 solutions were employed to simulate sulfate attacks, while the role of CNF in mitigating ASR was also evaluated. Results indicate that CNF incorporation positively impacts the resistance of mortar against sulfate attacks and ASR, paving the way for eco-friendly and durable cement-based structures with extended service life.

Carbon supported electrocatalysts are commonly used as electrode materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs). These kinds of electrocatalysts provide large surface area and sufficient electrical conductivity. The support of typical PEM fuel cell catalysts has been a traditional conductive type of carbon black. However, even though the carbon particles conduct electrons, there is still significant portion of Pt that is isolated from the external circuit and the PEM, resulting in a low Pt utilization. Herein, new types of carbon materials to effectively utilize the Pt catalyst are being evaluated. Carbon nanofiber/activated carbon fiber (CNF/ACF) composite with multifunctional surfaces were prepared through catalytic growth of CNFs on ACFs. Nickel nitrate was used as a precursor of the catalyst to synthesize carbon nanofibers(CNFs). CNFs were synthesized by pyrolysising CH4 using catalysts dispersed in acetone and ACF(activated carbon fiber). The as-prepared samples were characterized with transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM). In TEM image, carbon nanofibers were synthesized on the ACF to form a three-dimensional network. Pt/CNF/ACF was employed as a catalyst for PEMFC. As the ratio of prepared catalyst to commercial catalyst was changed from 0 to 50%, the performance of the mixture of 30 wt% of Pt/CNF/ACF and 70wt% of Pt/C commercial catalyst showed better perfromance than that of 100% commercial catalyst. The unique structure of CNF can supply the significant site for the stabilization of Pt particles. CNF/ACF is expected to be promising support to improve the performance in PEMFC.