Min Il Kim

Novel reforming of pyrolized fuel oil by electron beam radiation for pitch production

Pyrolized fuel oil (PFO) was reformed by novel electron beam (E-beam) radiation, and the elemental composition, chemical bonds, average molecular weight, solubility, softening point, yields, and density of the modified patches were characterized. These properties of modified pitch were dependent on the reforming method (heat or E-beam radiation treatment) and absorbed dose. Aromaticity (Fa), average molecular weight, solubility, softening point, and density increased in proportion to the absorbed dose of E-beam radiation, with the exception of the highest absorbed dose, due to modification by free radical polymerization and the powerful energy intensity of E-beam treatment. The H/C ratio and yield exhibited the opposite trend for the same reason. These results indicate that novel E-beam radiation reforming is suitable for the preparation of aromatic pitch with a high β-resin content.

CO2 adsorption characteristics of slit-pore shaped activated carbon prepared from cokes with high crystallinity

High crystallinity coke-based activated carbon (hc-AC) is prepared using a potassium hydroxide solution to adsorb carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 adsorption characteristics of the prepared hc-AC are investigated at different temperatures. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that pitch-based cokes prepared under high temperature and pressure have a high crystal structure. The textural properties of hc-AC indicate that it consists mainly of slit-like pores. Compared to other textural forms of AC that have higher pore volumes, this slit-poreshaped hc-AC exhibits higher CO2 adsorption due to the similar shape between its pores and CO2 molecules. Additionally, in these high-crystallinity cokes, the main factor affecting CO2 adsorption at lower temperature is the pore structure, whereas the presence of oxygen functional groups on the surface has a greater impact on CO2 adsorption at higher temperature.

Improvement of Thermal Stability of Electrospun PAN Fibers by Various Additives

In order to improve the thermal stability of PAN-based electrospun fibers, AP-PER-MEL and TiO2 were added in to the fibers as additives. The polymer composite with uniformly mixed additional agents was obtained. In case of non-treated sample, the fibers were burn off completely with high rate within 620oC. But in case of treated samples (EF-M and EF-MT), it is sure that the thermal stability was improved by studying TGA data and ISO flammability test about 20 and 30%, respectively. A synergy effect of adding two kinds of agents (AP-PER-MEL and TiO2) into PAN-based electrospun fibers was confirmed. Through SEM images, it is confirmed that the fiber shape can be kept even after addition of agents (AP-PER-MEL and TiO2). Finally the thermal stability of fibers was largely developed with keeping the nature of PAN-based fibers effectively. Keywords : Thermal stability, Fiber, Electrospinning

Cellulose-based carbon fibers prepared using electron-beam stabilization

Abstract Cellulose fibers were stabilized by treatment with an electron-beam (E-beam). The proper-ties of the stabilized fibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier trans-form infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric anal-ysis. The E-beam-stabilized cellulose fibers were carbonized in N 2 gas at 800°C for 1 h, and their carbonization yields were measured. The structure of the cellulose fibers was deter-mined to have changed to hemicellulose and cross-linked cellulose as a result of the E-beam stabilization. The hemicellulose decreased the initial decomposition temperature, and the cross-linked bonds increased the carbonization yield of the cellulose fibers. Increasing the absorbed E-beam dose to 1500 kGy increased the carbonization yield of the cellulose-based carbon fiber by 27.5% upon exposure compared to untreated cellulose fibers. Key words: electron-beam stabilization, carbonization yield, cellulose fiber, cross-linked bond 1. Introduction