In this paper, we presented a hybrid composite of graphene quantum dots (GQDs)-modified three-dimensional graphene nanoribbons (3D GNRs) composite linked by Fe3O4 and CoO nanoparticles through reflux and ultrasonic treatment with GQDs, denoted as 3D GQDs-Fe3O4/CoO@GNRs (3D GFCG). In this hybrid, the 3D GNRs framework strengthened the electrical conductivity and the synergistic effects between GQDs and 3D GFCG enhanced the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of the nanocomposite. The results imply that decorating GQDs with other electro-catalysts is an effective strategy to synergistically improve their ORR activity.

The estimation of heat source model is very important for heat transfer analysis with finite element method. Part I of this study used adaptive simulated annealing which is one of the global optimization algorithm for anticipating the parameters of the Goldak model. Although the analysis with 3D model which depicted the real situation produced the correct answer, that took too much time with moving heat source model based on Fortran and Abaqus. This research suggests the procedure which can reduce time with maintaining quality of analysis. The lead time with 2D model is reduced by 90% comparing that of 3D model, the temperature distribution is similar to each other. That is based on the saturation of heat transfer among the direction of heat source movement. Adaptive simulated annealing with 2D model can be used to estimate more proper heat source model and which could enhance to reduce the resources and time for experiments.

The design of non-precious electrocatalysts with low-cost, good stability, and an improved oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) to replace the platinium-based electrocatalyst is significant for application of fuel cells and metal-air batteries with high energy density. In this study, we synthesize iron-carbide(Fe3C) embedded nitrogen(N) doped carbon nanofiber(CNF) as electrocatalysts for ORRs using electrospinning, precursor deposition, and carbonization. To optimize electrochemical performance, we study the three stages according to different amounts of iron precursor. Among them, Fe3C-embedded N doped CNF-1 exhibits the most improved electrochemical performance with a high onset potential of −0.18 V, a high E1/2 of −0.29 V, and a nearly four-electron pathway (n = 3.77). In addition, Fe3C-embedded N doped CNF-1 displays exellent long-term stabillity with the lowest ΔE1/2= 8 mV compared to the other electrocatalysts. The improved electrochemical properties are attributed to synergestic effect of N-doping and well-dispersed iron carbide embedded in CNF. Consequently, Fe3C-embedded N doped CNF is a promising candidate for non-precious electrocatalysts for high-performance ORRs.

Fe-Si-Cr ferroalloy is predominantly produced by carbothermic reduction. In this study, silicothermic and carbothermic mixed reduction of chromite ore to produce Fe-Si-Cr alloy is suggested. As reductants, silicon and silicon carbide are evaluated by thermochemical calculations, which prove that silicon carbide can be applied as a raw material. Considering the critical temperature of the change from the carbide to the metallic form of chromium, thereduction experiments were carried out. In these high temperature reactions, silicon and silicon carbide act as effective reductants to produce Fe-Si-Cr ferroalloy. However, at temperatures lower than the critical temperature, silicon carbide shows a slow reaction rate for reducing chromite ore. For the proper implementation of a commercial process that uses silicon carbide reductants, the operation temperature should be kept above the critical temperature. Using equilibrium calculations for chromite ore reduction with silicon and silicon carbide, the compositions of reacted metal and slag were successfully predicted. Therefore, the mass balance of the silicothermic and carbothermic mixed reduction of chromite ore can be proposed based on the calculations and the experimental results.

In this study, we fabricated Nd2Fe14B hard magnetic powders with various sizes via spray drying combined with reduction-diffusion process. Spray drying is widely used to produce nearly spherical particles that are relatively homogeneous. Thus, the precursor particles were prepared by spray drying using the aqueous solution containing Nd salts, Fe salts and boric acid with the target stoichiometric composition of Nd2Fe14B. The mean particle sizes of the spray-dried powders are in the range from one to seven micrometer, which are adjusted by controlling the concentra- tions of precursor solutions. After debinding the as-prepared precursor particles, ball milling was also conducted to con- trol the particle sizes of Nd-Fe-B oxide powders. The resulting particles with different sizes were subjected to subsequent treatments including hydrogen reduction, Ca reduction and washing for CaO removal. The size effect of Nd-Fe-B oxide particles on the formation of Nd2Fe14B phase and magnetic properties was investigated.

A novel route to prepare Nd-Fe-B magnetic particles by utilizing both spray drying and reduction/diffu- sion processes was investigated in this study. Precursors were prepared by spray drying method using the aqueous solu- tions containing Nd salt, Fe salt and boric acid with stoichiometric ratios. Precursor particles could be obtained with various sizes from 2 to 10 µm by controlling concentrations of the solutions and the average size of 2 µm of precursors were selected for further steps. After heat treatment of precursors in air, Nd and Fe oxides were formed through desalt- ing procedure, followed by reduction processes in Hydrogen (H2) atmosphere and with Calcium (Ca) granules in Argon (Ar) successively. Moreover, diffusion between Nd and Fe occurred during Ca reduction and Nd2Fe14B particles were formed. With Ca amount added to particles after H2 reduction, intrinsic coercivity was changed from 1 to 10 kOe. In order to remove and leach CaO and residual Ca, de-ionized water and dilute acid were used. Acidic solutions were more effective to eliminate impurities, but Fe and Nd were dissolved out from the particles. Finally, Nd2Fe14B magnetic particles were synthesized after washing in de-ionized water with a mean size of 2 µm and their maximum energy prod- uct showed 9.23 MGOe.

In the present study, we systematically investigated the effect of Mn addition on nitrogenation behavior and magnetic properties of Sm-Fe powders produced by reduction-diffusion process. Alloy powders with only single phase were successfully produced by the reduction-diffusion process. The coercivity of powder rapidly increased during nitrogenation and reached the maximum of 637 Oe after 16 hours. After further nitrogenation, it decreased. In contrast, the coercivity of powder gradually increased during nitrogenation for 24 hours. The coercivity of powder was higher than that of powder at the same condition of nitrogenation. It was considered that the Mn addition facilitates the nitrogenation of powder and enhances the coercivity.

To produce alloy powders with only SmFe single phase by reduction-diffusion (R-D) method, the effect of excess samarium oxide on the preparation of Sm-Fe alloy powder during R-D heat treatment was studied. The quantity of samarium oxide was varied from 5% to 50% whereas iron and calcium were taken 0% and 200% in excess of chemical equivalent, respectively. The pellet type mixture of samarium, iron powders and calcium granulars was subjected to heat treatment at 1100 for 5 hours. The R-D treated pellet was moved into deionized water and agitated to separate Sm-Fe alloy powders. After washing them in deionized water several times, the powders were washed with acetic acid to remove the undesired reaction products such as CaO. By these washing and acid cleaning treatment, only 0.03 wt% calcium remained in Sm-Fe alloy powders. It was also confirmed that the content of unreacted -Fe in SmFe matrix gradually decreased as the percentage of samarium oxide is increased. However, there was no significant change above 40% excess samarium oxide.

The present investigation has attemped to optimize hydrogen reduction process for the mass production of Fe-8wt%Ni nanoalloy powder from ball milled powder. In-situ hygrometry study was performed to monitor the reduction behavior in real time through measurement of water vapor outflowing rate. It was found that the reduction process can be optimized by taking into account the apparent influence of water vapor trap in the reactor on reduction kinetics which strongly depends on gas flow rate, reactor volume and reduction.

Magnetic properties of nanostructured materials are affected by the microstructures such as grain size (or particle size), internal strain and crystal structure. Thus, it is necessary to study the synthesis of nanostructured materials to make significant improvements in their magnetic properties. In this study, nanostructured Fe-20at.%Co and Fe-50at.%Co alloy powders were prepared by hydrogen reduction from the two oxide powder mixtures, and . Furthermore, the effect of microstructure on the magnetic properties of hydrogen reduced Fe-Co alloy powders was examined using XRD, SEM, TEM, and VSM.

In this study, chemical solution mixing and hydrogen reduction method was used to fabricate nanostructured alloy powders. Fe-Co chloride mixture, FeCl and COCI with 99.9％ purity, were reduced in hydrogen atmosphere. Nanostructured Fe-Co alloy powders with a grain size of 50 nm were successfully fabricated. Magnetic properties of fabricated (x=0, 10, 30, 50, 70, 100) alloy powders with the same grain size were measured because size factor can affect magnetic properties. Coercivity of Fe-Co alloy powders were increased with increasing Co contents. Maximum value of coercivity in various Co contented Fe-Co alloy powders with similar grain size was 125 Oe at Fe. Saturation magnetization value at FeCo composition showed maximum value of 219 emu/g and saturation magnetization value decreased with increasing Co contents and minimum value of 155 emu/g was observed at Co.

The magnetic Nd-Fe-B powders were prepared by a thermochemical method, consisting of the processes of spray-drying, debinding, milling, H-reduction, Ca-reduction, and washing. The optimum process conditions were studied by microstructural and thermal analysis. The resultant Nd-Fe-B powder was spherical with the size of 1 . Effects of the process parameters of each step on the microstructure of the powders were investigated, and their magnetic properties were evaluated

The purpose of this study is the fabrication of nano-sized Fe-Co alloy powders with soft magnetic properties by the slurry mixing and hydrogen reduction (SMHR) process. 0 and powders with 99.9% purities were used for synthesizing nanostructured Fe-Co alloy powder. Nano-sized Fe-Co alloy powders were successfully fabricated using SMHR, which was performed at 50 for 1 h in H atmosphere. The fabricated Fe-Co alloy powders showed ' phase (ordered body centered cubic) with the average particle size of 45 nm. The SMHR powder exhibited low coercivity force of 32.5 Oe and saturation magnetization of 214 emu/g.