22 research outputs found

    Robust Co-catalytic Performance of Nanodiamonds Loaded on WO3 for the Decomposition of Volatile Organic Compounds under Visible Light

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    Proper co-catalysts (usually noble metals), combined with semiconductor materials, are commonly needed to maximize the efficiency of photocatalysis. Search for cost-effective and practical alternatives for noble-metal co-catalysts is under intense investigation. In this work, nanodiamond (ND), which is a carbon nanomaterial with a unique sp(3)(core)/sp(2)(shell) structure, was combined with WO3 (as an alternative co-catalyst for Pt) and applied for the degradation of volatile organic compounds under visible light. NDs-loaded WO3 showed a highly enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of acetaldehyde (similar to 17 times higher than bare WO3), which is more efficient than other well-known co-catalysts (Ag, Pd, Au, and CuO) loaded onto WO3 and comparable to Pt-loaded WO3. Various surface modifications of ND and photoelectochemical measurements revealed that the graphitic carbon shell (sp(2)) on the diamond core (spa) plays a crucial role in charge separation and the subsequent interfacial charge transfer. As a result, ND/WO3 showed much higher production of OH radicals than bare WO3 under visible light. Since ND has a highly transparent characteristic, the light shielding that is often problematic with other carbon-based co-catalysts was considerably lower with NDs-loaded WO3. As a result, the photocatalytic activity of NDs/WO3 was higher than that of WO3 loaded with other carbon-based co-catalysts (graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide). A range of spectroscopic and photo(electro)chemical techniques were systematically employed to investigate the properties of NDs-loaded WO3. ND is proposed as a cost-effective and practical nanomaterial to replace expensive noble-metal co-catalysts.1124Ysciescopu

    Distribution Map of Frost Resistance for Cement-Based Materials Based on Pore Structure Change

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    This paper presents a prediction method and mathematical model based on experimental results for the change in pore structure of cement-based materials due to environmental conditions. It focuses on frost damage risk to cement-based materials such as mortar. Mortar specimens are prepared using water, ordinary Portland cement, and sand and the pore structure is evaluated using mercury intrusion porosimetry. New formulas are proposed to describe the relationship between the pore structure change and the modified maturity and to predict the durability factor. A quantitative prediction model is established from a modified maturity function considering the influences of environmental factors like temperature and relative humidity. With this model, the frost resistance of cement-based materials can be predicted based on weather data. Using the prediction model and climate data, a new distribution map of frost damage risk is created. It is found that summer weather significantly affects frost resistance, owing to the change in pore structure of cement-based mortar. The model provides a valuable tool for predicting frost damage risk based on weather data and is significant for further research

    Analysis of CO2 Emission Reduction Effect of On-Site Production Precast Concrete Member according to Factory Production Environment

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    Precast concrete (PC) method of construction is preferred for excellence in the reduction of construction period, lightweight, and durability and for PC member to be mostly transported to a site after its production in the in-plant production because the in situ production of the PC member is negatively perceived because of the limitation of space or production process being complex and difficult. However, if the PC member is produced on site and installed, it is possible to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that are generated during shipping and loading and unloading, which are indirectly required for in-plant production. Carbon dioxide emission reduction effect due to the difference between the in situ production and in-plant production process of the PC member was confirmed by the existing studies, but the study of the carbon dioxide reduction effect according to various production environments of the in-plant production has not been performed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the CO2 emission reduction effect of the PC member produced in site according to the in-plant production environment. As a result, it was found that when PC members were produced on site, there was an effect of reducing CO2 emissions by an average of 25.64% compared to factory production. In future, the results of this study will be used as basic data for establishing a CO2 emission reduction plan at construction sites

    Analysis of the Impact of Building Shape on Safety Management Cost

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    Even if a building has the same building area or number of floors, the effect on construction safety varies depending on the building shape, and thus, safety management cost (SMC) should be calculated differently. If the effect of the building shape on the SMC is clearly analyzed and reflected, a reasonable SMC could be calculated. This study analyzes building shape’s impact on SMC, including apartment buildings’ impact. Following the data collection from 21 projects for this study, an analysis was conducted using the independent variables of the building perimeter (BP), building floor area (BA), and the building shape factor (BSF), and the dependent variable of SMC. As a result of analyzing the correlation between the three main factors and SMC, it was found that the BP, BSF, and BA have a very strong positive Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.876, 0.801, and 0.792, respectively. In the future, the results of this study can be used as supporting data for improving the safety management cost-related system and will develop into a more reliable model through continuous data accumulation and utility verification

    Experimental Investigation of Material Properties and Self-Healing Ability in a Blended Cement Mortar with Blast Furnace Slag

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    This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the material properties and self-healing ability of a blended cement mortar incorporating blast furnace slag (BFS). The effect of different types and Blaine fineness of BFS on the material properties and self-healing was investigated. Thirteen cement mixtures with BFS of different types and degrees of Blaine fineness are tested to evaluate the mechanical properties, namely compressive strength, bending strength, freeze-thaw, and accelerated carbonation. The pore structure is examined by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry. Seven blended mortar mixtures incorporating BFS for cement are used to evaluate the mechanical properties after applying freeze-thaw cycles until the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity reached 60%. The experimental results reveal that incorporating BFS improves the mechanical properties and self-healing ability. In the investigation of self-healing, smaller particle and high replacement ratios of BFS contribute to increasing the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and decreasing the carbonation coefficient in the mortar after re-water curing. Moreover, BFS\u27s larger particles and high replacement ratio are found to provide better self-healing ability. A regression equation is created to predict the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity in mortar considering the Blaine fineness, BFS replacement ratio, and curing conditions

    Experimental Investigation of Material Properties and Self-Healing Ability in a Blended Cement Mortar with Blast Furnace Slag

    No full text
    This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the material properties and self-healing ability of a blended cement mortar incorporating blast furnace slag (BFS). The effect of different types and Blaine fineness of BFS on the material properties and self-healing was investigated. Thirteen cement mixtures with BFS of different types and degrees of Blaine fineness are tested to evaluate the mechanical properties, namely compressive strength, bending strength, freeze–thaw, and accelerated carbonation. The pore structure is examined by means of mercury intrusion porosimetry. Seven blended mortar mixtures incorporating BFS for cement are used to evaluate the mechanical properties after applying freeze–thaw cycles until the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity reached 60%. The experimental results reveal that incorporating BFS improves the mechanical properties and self-healing ability. In the investigation of self-healing, smaller particle and high replacement ratios of BFS contribute to increasing the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and decreasing the carbonation coefficient in the mortar after re-water curing. Moreover, BFS’s larger particles and high replacement ratio are found to provide better self-healing ability. A regression equation is created to predict the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity in mortar considering the Blaine fineness, BFS replacement ratio, and curing conditions

    Influence of ROI selection on Resting Functional Connectivity: An Individualized Approach for Resting fMRI Analysis

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    The differences in how our brain is connected are often thought to reflect the differences in our individual personalities and cognitive abilities. Individual differences in brain connectivity has long been recognized in the neuroscience community however it has yet to manifest itself in the methodology of resting state analysis. This is evident as previous studies use the same region of interest (ROIs) for all subjects. In this paper we demonstrate that the use of ROIs which are standardized across individuals leads to inaccurate calculations of functional connectivity. We also show that this problem can be addressed by taking an individualized approach by using subject-specific ROIs. Finally we show that ROI selection can affect the way we interpret our data by showing different changes in functional connectivity with ageing
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