The Korean Society of Surface Science and Engineering

The plastic plating process refers to coating a thin metal film onto a plastic surface. This technique has become essential for replacing costly metal products while maintaining equivalent performance, making plastic plating a critical technology. This paper presents an overview of the methods and future prospects of plastic plating.

Plastic plating; Electroplating; Electroless plating; 3D printing

As the population ages, the importance of effective bone disease treatments is increasing, highlighting the role of bone grafts. Bone grafts are categorized into natural (autografts, allografts, xenografts) and synthetic (ceramics, polymers). Natural grafts have excellent regenerative abilities but pose biological risks, while synthetic grafts are biocompatible but less effective in regeneration. Various studies aim to enhance the safety and efficacy of bone grafts, significantly altering their surface properties. This review examines these studies and the resulting surface changes, aiming to guide future research and clinical applications.

Bone graft, Surface characteristic, Surface effectiveness, Bone regeneration, Biomaterials

This paper reviews the dielectric breakdown resistance and behavior of anodic oxide films in air environment. It begins with a description of the dielectric breakdown mechanisms of dielectric materials. The paper then introduces different types of dielectric materials and compares them in terms of dielectric strength, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength and cost. Next, the paper summarizes various fabrication methods for dielectric aluminum oxide layers, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Finally, it provides an overview of current studies on the dielectric breakdown properties of anodic aluminum oxide films formed on different aluminum alloys in various electrolytes.

Aluminum alloys, Anodic oxide film, Dielectric breakdown, Dielectric material

An amperometric sensor for measuring indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was studied based on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) coated with a reduced graphene oxide composite electrocatalyst. The PEI-GO dispersion is uniformly formed through a nucleophilic substitution reaction between the active amine group of Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and the epoxide group exposed on the surface of graphene oxide. And The 3-dimensional PEI-rGO AG (Polyethyleneimine-reduced graphene oxide aerogel) complex was easily prepared through simple heat treatment of the combined PEI-GO dispersion. The proposed composite catalyst electrode, PEI-rGO AG/SPCE, showed a two linear relationship in the low and high concentrations in IAA detection, and the linear equation was I_pa = 0.2883C + 0.0883 (R²=0.9230) at low concentration and Ipa = 0.00464C + 0.6623 (R²=0.9894) at high concentration was proposed, and the detection limit was calculated to be 203.5nM±33.2nM. These results showed the applicability of the PEI-rGO AG composite catalyst as an electrode material for electrocatalysts for the detection of IAA.

Indole-3-Acetic Acid, Electrochemical sensor, Reduced graphene oxide aerogel, Conducting polymer composite, Polyethyleneimine

In this study, copper foil was electroplated under high current density conditions. We used Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), known for its thermal stability and low decomposition rate, as an inhibitor to form a stable and smooth copper layer on the titanium cathode. The electrolyte was composed of 50 g/L CuSO₄ and 100 g/L H₂SO₄, MPSA as an accelerator, JGB as a leveler, and PEG as a suppressor, and HCl was added as chloride ions for improving plating efficiency. The copper foil electroplated in the electrolyte added PEG which induced to inhibit the growth of rough crystals. As a result, the surface roughness value was reduced, and a uniform surface was formed over a large area. Moreover, the addition of PEG led to priority growth to the (111) plane and the formation of polygonal crystals through horizontal and vertical growth of crystals onto the cathode. In addition, the grains became fine when more than 30 ppm of PEG was added. As the microcrystalline structure changed, mechanical and electrical properties were altered. With the addition of PEG, the tensile strength increased due to grain refinement, and the elongation was improved due to the uniform surface. However, as the amount of PEG added increased, the corrosion rate and resistivity increased due to grain refinement. Finally, it was possible to manufacture a copper foil with excellent electrical and mechanical properties and the best surface properties when electroplating was carried out under the condition of additives with Cl^- 20 ppm, MPSA 10 ppm, JGB 5 ppm, and PEG 10 ppm.

Indole-3-Acetic Acid, Electrochemical sensor, Reduced graphene oxide aerogel, Conducting polymer composite, Polyethyleneimine

PVDC-resin transforms into porous carbon through the removal of heteroatoms during heat treatment. When PVDC-resin mixed with chemical agent undergoes heat treatment, it transforms into porous carbon with a significant surface area. In this study, we aim to produce porous carbon using PVDC-resin as a precursor by mixing it with an inexpensive CuO agent in various ratios (1:1, 1:2) and varying the process temperatures (750°C, 950°C). To utilize the developed porous carbon as electrode for supercapacitors, this study explored the formation of micropores and mesopores during the activation process. The porous characteristics and specific surface area of the synthesized porous carbon were estimated using N₂ isotherm. The specific capacitance and rate capability required for supercapacitor electrodes were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry. Experimental results demonstrated that when the precursor and agent were mixed in a 1:2 ratio, a high surface areal carbon with numerous micropores and mesopores was obtained. When the activation was performed at 950°C, no impurities remained from the agent, resulting in high rate performance. The porous carbon synthesized using PVDC-resin and CuO demonstrated high specific surface area and excellent rate capability, indicating its potential as an electrode material for supercapacitors.

Porous carbon; PVDC-resin; CuO; Rate capability, Supercapacitor

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the changes in the roughness and weight of titanium discs treated with 3 different types of magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler tip. Eighty identical disks (10 mm in diameter), 50 for surface roughness and 30 for weight change, were investigated in this study. For this study, 3 types of scaler tip were used as follows; Powerline(FSI-PWR-1000), Slimline(FSI-SLI-1000), and Thinsert(-16 00037374). The power was set to high power(HP), medium power(MP), and low power(LP), in the blue zone recommended by the manufacturer. Surface topography analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Surface roughness measurements, the average surface roughness (Ra) and mean roughness profile depth (Rz), were compared between treated and non-treated surfaces with a profilometer. A PowerLINE-MP of magnetostrictive ultrasonic scalers for implant patients might be recommended when considering changes in the roughness and weight of titanium discs.

Titanium alloy, Ultrasonic therapy, Dental scaling

We conducted experiments to control the hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties by adjusting line and grid patterns on the surface of medical bone fixation plates using a femtosecond laser. Basic experiments were conducted using pure titanium and titanium alloy (6% alumina, 4% vanadium). The spacing of the line and grid patterns was adjusted, and surface properties were confirmed using contact angle measurement equipment. We demonstrated the feasibility of controlling hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties through the patterns of lines and grids. Based on the results of the basic experiments, surface treatment was applied to medical bone fixation plates currently used in clinical practice. Through laser processing, we confirmed a contact angle of approximately 9.18° for hydrophilicity and approximately 101.07° for hydrophobicity. We confirmed that easy control of hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties is achievable using laser processing technology and anticipate its application in various medical component fields.

Medical bone fixation plate; Hydrophobic; Hydrophilic; Surface treatment; Femtosecond laser

We demonstrate a direct growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surface of LiFePO₄ (LFP) powders for use in lithium-ion batteries (LIB). LFP has been widely used as a cathode material due to its low cost and high stability. However, there is a still enough room for development to overcome its low energy density and electrical conductivity. In this study, we fabricated novel structured composites of LFP and CNTs (LFP-CNTs) and characterized the electrochemical properties of LIB. The composites were prepared by direct growth of CNTs on the surface of LFP using a rotary chemical vapor deposition. The growth temperature and rotation speed of the chamber were optimized at 600 °C and 5 rpm, respectively. For the LIB cell fabrication, a half-cell was fabricated using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and carbon black as binder and conductive additives, respectively. The electrochemical properties of LIBs using commercial carbon-coated LFP (LFP/C), LFP with CNTs grown for 10 (LFP/CNTs-10m) and 30 min(LFP/CNTs-30m) are comparatively investigated. For example, after the formation cycle, we obtained 149.3, 160.1, and 175.0 mAh/g for LFP/C, LFP/CNTs-10m, and LFP/CNTs-30m, respectively. In addition, the improved rate performance and 111.9 mAh/g capacity at 2C rate were achieved from the LFP/CNTs-30m sample compared to the LFP/CNTs-10m and LFP/C samples. We believe that the approach using direct growth of CNTs on LFP particles provides straightforward solution to improve the conductivity in the LFP-based electrode by constructing conduction pathways.

Lithium ion batteries, Direct growth, Carbon nanotubes, LiFePO4 powder, Rotary chemical vapor deposition

When seawater is used in electrochemical devices, issues arise such as the adsorption of chloride ions blocking the active sites for Oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) in seawater batteries, and the occurrence of Chlorine evolution reactions (ClER) in seawater electrolysis due to chloride anions (Cl-) competing with OH- for catalytic active sites, potentially slowing down Oxygen evolution reactions (OER). Consequently, the performance of components used in seawater battery and seawater electrolysis may deteriorate. Therefore, conventional alloys are often used by coating or plating methods to minimize corrosion, albeit at the cost of reducing electrical conductivity. This study thus designed a corrosion-resistant layer by doping carbon with Nitrogen (N) and Sulfur (S) to maintain electrical conductivity while preventing corrosion. Optimal N,S doping ratios were developed, with corrosion experiments confirming that N,S (10:90) carbon exhibited the best corrosion resistance performance.

Seawater; Chloride evolution reaction; Corrosion-resistant layer; N,S doping; Carbon

Platinum has been utilized as an excellent electrocatalyst with low overpotential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water splitting, despite of its high cost. In this study, platinum particles were produced using pulsed laser technology as a HER catalyst for water splitting. The colloidal platinum particles were synthesized by nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation (PLI) without reducing agents, not traditional polyol processes including reducing agents. The crystal structure, shape and size of the synthesized platinum particles as a function of pulsed laser irradiation time were investigated by XRD and SEM analysis. Additionally, the electrochemical properties for the HER in water splitting of the irradiation time-dependent platinum electrocatalysts were studied with the analysis of overpotentials in linear sweep voltammetry and Tafel slope.

Platinum particle; Electrocatalyst; Pulsed laser irradiation; Hydrogen evolution reaction; Water splitting

α-MnO₂ as a cathode material for Zn-ion batteries allows insertion and extraction of Zn ions within its tunnel structure during charge and discharge. The morphology and crystal structure of α-MnO₂ particles critically determine their electrochemical behavior and energy storage performance. In this study, α-MnO₂ was synthesized from precursor solutions under varying pH conditions using a hydrothermal method. The effects of pH values on the morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical performance were systematically analyzed. The analysis revealed that materials synthesized at higher pH levels exhibited elongated and narrow nanorods with a lower specific surface area. In contrast, those formed at lower pH levels showed shorter, thicker nanorods with a higher specific surface area. This increased surface area at a lower pH enhanced the specific capacitance by providing a greater electrode/electrolyte interfacial area. By contrast, the material synthesized at higher pH conditions demonstrated superior rate capability, attributed to its crystal structure with wider lattice spacings. Wide lattice parameters in the material synthesized at higher pH conditions facilitated easier ion transport than at lower pH levels. Consequently, the study confirms that adjusting the pH of the precursor solution can optimize the electrochemical properties of α-MnO₂ for Zn-ion batteries.

Hydrothermal, α-MnO₂, pH control, Specific capacitance, Rate capability

Nanocrystalline zirconium nitride (ZrN) coatings were deposited by mid-frequency direct current sputtering (mfMS) with varying pulsed plasma parameters such as pulse frequency and duty cycle to understand the effect of pulsed plasma on the microstructure, residual stress and mechanical properties. The results show that, with the increasing pulse frequency and decreasing duty cycle, the coating morphology changed from a porous columnar to a dense structure, with finer grains. Mid-frequency magnetron sputtered ZrN coatings with pulse frequency of 30 kHz showed the highest both nanoindentation hardness of 16.3 GPa, and elastic modulus of 214.4 GPa. In addition, Effect of pulse frequency on a residual stress and average crystal grain sizes was also investigated.

Mid-frequency magnetron sputtering; ZrN; Pulse frequency; Residual stress; Nanoindentation.