Transition metal chalcogenides are promising cathode materials for next-generation battery systems, particularly sodium-ion batteries. Ni₃Co₆S₈-pitch-derived carbon composite microspheres with a yolk-shell structure (Ni₃Co₆S₈@C-YS) were synthesized through a three-step process: spray pyrolysis, pitch coating, and post-heat treatment process. Ni₃Co₆S₈@C-YS exhibited an impressive reversible capacity of 525.2 mA h g^-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g^-1 over 50 cycles when employed as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries. However, Ni₃Co₆S₈ yolk shell nanopowder (Ni₃Co₆S₈-YS) without pitch-derived carbon demonstrated a continuous decrease in capacity during charging and discharging. The superior sodium-ion storage properties of Ni₃Co₆S₈@C-YS were attributed to the pitchderived carbon, which effectively adjusted the size and distribution of nanocrystals. The carbon-coated yolk-shell microspheres proposed here hold potential for various metal chalcogenide compounds and can be applied to various fields, including the energy storage field.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a promising technology for the uniform deposition of thin films. ALD is based on a self-limiting mechanism, which can effectively deposit thin films on the surfaces of powders of various sizes. Numerous studies are underway to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials by forming core-shell structures in which various materials are deposited on the powder surface using ALD. Thermoelectric materials are especially relevant as clean energy storage materials due to their ability to interconvert between thermal and electrical energy by the Seebeck and Peltier effects. Herein, we introduce a surface and interface modification strategy based on ALD to control the performance of thermoelectric materials. We also discuss the properties of the interface between various deposition materials and thermoelectric materials.

Here, we report the development of a new and low-cost core-shell structure for lithium-ion battery anodes using silicon waste sludge and the Ti-ion complex. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the raw waste silicon sludge powder to be pure silicon without other metal impurities and the particle size distribution is measured to be from 200 nm to 3 μm by dynamic light scattering (DLS). As a result of pulverization by a planetary mill, the size of the single crystal according to the Scherrer formula is calculated to be 12.1 nm, but the average particle size of the agglomerate is measured to be 123.6 nm. A Si/TiO₂ core-shell structure is formed using simple Ti complex ions, and the ratio of TiO₂ peaks increased with an increase in the amount of Ti ions. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed that TiO₂ coating on Si nanoparticles results in a Si-TiO₂ core-shell structure. This result is expected to improve the stability and cycle of lithium-ion batteries as anodes.

Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/YVO₄:Eu³⁺ multifunctional nanoparticles are successfully synthesized by facile stepwise sol-gel processes. The multifunctional nanoparticles show a spherical shape with narrow size distribution (approximately 40 nm) and the phosphor shells are well crystallized. The Eu³⁺ shows strong photoluminescence (red emission at 619 nm, absorbance at 290 nm) due to an effective energy transfer from the vanadate group to Eu. Core-shell structured multifunctional nanoparticles have superparamagnetic properties at 300 K. Furthermore, the core-shell nanoparticles have a quick response time for the external magnetic field. These results suggest that the photoluminescence and magnetic properties could be easily tuned by either varying the number of coating processes or changing the phosphor elements. The nanoparticles may have potential applications for appropriate fields such as laser systems, optical amplifiers, security systems, and drug delivery materials.

Core-shell structured nanoparticles are garnering attention because these nanoparticles are expected to have a wide range of applications. The objective of the present study is to improve the coating efficiency of gold shell formed on the surface of silica nanoparticles for SiO₂@Au core-shell structure. For the efficient coating of gold shell, we attempt an in-situ synthesis method such that the nuclei of the gold nanoparticles are generated and grown on the surface of silica nanoparticles. This method can effectively form a gold shell as compared to the conventional method of attaching gold nanoparticles to silica particles. It is considered possible to form a dense gold shell because the problems caused by electrostatic repulsion between the gold nanoparticles in the conventional method are eliminated.

Cost-effective functional phosphor nanoparticles are prepared by introducing low-cost SiO₂ spheres to rareearth phosphor (YVO₄:Eu³⁺, YVO₄:Er³⁺, and YVO₄:Nd³⁺) shells using a sol-gel synthetic method. These functional nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and general photoluminescence spectra. The SiO₂ sphere occupying the interior of the conventional phosphor is advantageous in significantly reducing the cost of expensive rare-earth phosphor nanoparticles. The sol-gel process facilitates the core–shell structure formation; the rare-earth shell phosphor has strong interactions with chelating agents on the surfaces of SiO₂ nanoparticles and thus forms layers of several nanometers in thickness. The photoluminescence wavelength is simply tuned by replacing the active materials of Eu³⁺, Er³⁺, and Nd³⁺. Moreover, the photoluminescent properties of the core–shell nanoparticles can be optimized by manipulating the specific contents of active materials in the phosphors. Our simple approach substitutes low-cost SiO₂ for expensive rare-earth-based phosphor materials to realize cost-effective phosphor nanoparticles for various applications.

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• Enhanced Energy-Transfer Properties in Core-Shell Photoluminescent Nanoparticles Using Mesoporous SiO₂ Intermediate Layers
  Woo Hyeong Sim, Seyun Kim, Weon Ho Shin, Hyung Mo Jeong
  Korean Journal of Metals and Materials.2020; 58(2): 137.     CrossRef

In this study, we investigate the optical properties of InP/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) by controlling the synthesis temperature of InP. The size of InP determined by the empirical formula tends to increase with temperature: the size of InP synthesized at 140oC and 220oC is 2.46 nm and 4.52 nm, respectively. However, the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of InP is not observed because of the formation of defects on the InP surface. The growth of InP is observed during the deposition of the shell (ZnS) on the synthesized InP, which is ended up with green-red PL spectrum. We can adjust the PL spectrum and absorption spectrum of InP/ZnS by simply adjusting the core temperature. Thus, we conclude that there exists an optimum shell thickness for the QDs according to the size.

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• Study on Surface-defect Passivation of InP System Quantum Dots by Photochemical Method
  Doyeon Kim, Hyun-Su Park, Hye Mi Cho, Bum-Sung Kim, Woo-Byoung Kim
  Journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2017; 24(6): 489.     CrossRef

The formation mechanism and photocatalytic properties of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/TiO₂- based nanotube (TNTs) composite are investigated. The CNT/TNT composite is synthesized via a solution chemical route. It is confirmed that this 1-D nanotube composite has a core-shell nanotubular structure, where the TNT surrounds the CNT core. The photocatalytic activity investigated based on the methylene blue degradation test is superior to that of with pure TNT. The CNTs play two important roles in enhancing the photocatalytic activity. One is to act as a template to form the core-shell structure while titanate nanosheets are converted into nanotubes. The other is to act as an electron reservoir that facilitates charge separation and electron transfer from the TNT, thus decreasing the electronhole recombination efficiency.

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• Low-Dimensional Carbon and Titania Nanotube Composites via a Solution Chemical Process and Their Nanostructural and Electrical Properties for Electrochemical Devices
  Sunghun Eom, Sung Hun Cho, Tomoyo Goto, Myoung Pyo Chun, Tohru Sekino
  ACS Applied Nano Materials.2019; 2(10): 6230.     CrossRef

This study investigates the main growth mechanism of InP during InP/ZnS reaction of quantum dots (QDs). The size of the InP core, considering a synthesis time of 1-30 min, increased from the initial 2.56 nm to 3.97 nm. As a result of applying the proposed particle growth model, the migration mechanism, with time index 7, was found to be the main reaction. In addition, after the removal of unreacted In and P precursors from bath, further InP growth (of up to 4.19 nm (5%)), was observed when ZnS was added. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the synthesized InP/ZnS quantum dots was found to be relatively uniform, measuring about 59 nm. However, kinetic growth mechanism provides limited information for InP / ZnS core shell QDs, because the surface state of InP changes with reaction time. Further study is necessary, in order to clearly determine the kinetic growth mechanism of InP / ZnS core shell QDs.

In this work, we synthesize brilliant yellow color α-FeOOH by controlling the rod length and core-shell structure. The characteristics of α-FeOOH nanorods are controlled by the reaction conditions. In particular, the length of the α-FeOOH rods depends on the concentration of the raw materials, such as the alkali solution. The length of the nanorods is adjusted from 68 nm to 1435 nm. Their yellowness gradually increases, with the highest b^* value of 57 based on the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) Lab system, by controlling the nanorod length. A high quality yellow color is obtained after formation of a silica coating on the α-FeOOH structure. The morphology and the coloration of the nal products are investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and the CIE Lab color parameter measurements.

Electrical wire explosion in liquid media is a promising method for producing metallic nanopowders. It is possible to obtain high-purity metallic nanoparticles and uniform-sized nanopowder with excellent dispersion stability using this electrical wire explosion method. In this study, Ni-Fe alloy nanopowders with core-shell structures are fabricated via the electrical explosion of Ni-Fe alloy wires 0.1 mm in diameter and 20 mm in length in de-ionized water. The size and shape of the powders are investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and laser particle size analysis. Phase analysis and grain size determination are conducted by X-ray diffraction. The result indicate that a core-shell structured Ni-Fe nanopowder is synthesized with an average particle size of approximately 28 nm, and nanosized Ni core particles are encapsulated by an Fe nanolayer.

Waste oyster shells create several serious problems; however, only some parts of them are being utilized currently. The ideal solution would be to convert the waste shells into a product that is both environmentally beneficial and economically viable. An experimental study is carried out to investigate the recycling possibilities for oyster shell waste. Bulk ceramic bodies are produced from the oyster shell powder in three sequential processes. First, the shell powder is calcined to form calcium oxide CaO, which is then slaked by a slaking reaction with water to produce calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)₂. Then, calcium hydroxide powder is formed by uniaxial pressing. Finally, the calcium hydroxide compact is reconverted to calcium carbonate via a carbonation reaction with carbon dioxide released from the shell powder bed during firing at 550°C. The bulk body obtained from waste oyster shells could be utilized as a marine structural porous material.

High-quality colloidal CdSe/ZnS (core/shell) is synthesized using a continuous microreactor. The particle size of the synthesized quantum dots (QDs) is a function of the precursor flow rate; as the precursor flow rate increases, the size of the QDs decreases and the band gap energy increases. The photoluminescence properties are found to depend strongly on the flow rate of the CdSe precursor owing to the change in the core size. In addition, a gradual shift in the maximum luminescent wave (λ_max) to shorter wavelengths (blue shift) is found owing to the decrease in the QD size in accordance with the quantum confinement effect. The ZnS shell decreases the surface defect concentration of CdSe. It also lowers the thermal energy dissipation by increasing the concentration of recombination. Thus, a relatively high emission and quantum yield occur because of an increase in the optical energy emitted at equal concentration. In addition, the maximum quantum yield is derived for process conditions of 0.35 ml/min and is related to the optimum thickness of the shell material.

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• Quantum materials made in microfluidics - critical review and perspective
  M. Wojnicki, V. Hessel
  Chemical Engineering Journal.2022; 438: 135616.     CrossRef
• Poly(methylmethacrylate) coating on quantum dot surfaces via photo-chemical reaction for defect passivation
  Doyeon Kim, So-Yeong Joo, Chan Gi Lee, Bum-Sung Kim, Woo-Byoung Kim
  Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry.2019; 376: 206.     CrossRef
• Multimodal luminescence properties of surface-treated ZnSe quantum dots by Eu
  Ji Young Park, Da-Woon Jeong, Kyoung-Mook Lim, Yong-Ho Choa, Woo-Byoung Kim, Bum Sung Kim
  Applied Surface Science.2017; 415: 8.     CrossRef

BaTiO₃-coated Fe nanofibers are synthesized via a three-step process. α-Fe₂O₃ nanofibers with an average diameter of approximately 200 nm are first prepared using an electrospinning process followed by a calcination step. The BaTiO₃ coating layer on the nanofiber is formed by a sol-gel process, and a thermal reduction process is then applied to the core-shell nanofiber to selectively reduce the α-Fe₂O₃ to Fe. The thickness of the BaTiO₃ shell is controlled by varying the reaction time. To evaluate the electromagnetic (EM) wave-absorbing abilities of the BaTiO₃@Fe nanofiber, epoxy-based composites containing the nanofibers are fabricated. The composites show excellent EM wave absorption properties where the power loss increases to the high frequency region without any degradation. Our results demonstrate that the BaTiO₃@Fe nanofibers obtained in this work are attractive candidates for electromagnetic wave absorption applications.

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• Research on Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Based on Electrospinning Technology†
  Baoding Li, Jing Qiao, Yue Liu, Haoyuan Tian, Wei Liu, Qilei Wu, Zhou Wang, Jiurong Liu, Zhihui Zeng
  Chinese Journal of Chemistry.2024; 42(7): 777.     CrossRef
• Design, synthesis, and characterization of a porous ceramic-supported CeO2 nanocatalyst for CO -free H2 evolution
  Jimin Lee, Minseob Lim, Tae Sung Kim, Kee-Ryung Park, Jong-Sik Lee, Hong-Baek Cho, Joo Hyun Park, Yong-Ho Choa
  Applied Surface Science.2021; 548: 149198.     CrossRef
• Electromagnetic wave absorption properties of Fe/MgO composites synthesized by a simple ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method
  Hyo-Ryoung Lim, Seung-Jae Jung, Tae-Yeon Hwang, Jimin Lee, Ki Hyeon Kim, Hong-baek Cho, Yong-Ho Choa
  Applied Surface Science.2019; 473: 1009.     CrossRef
• Study on the Optimization of Reduction Conditions for Samarium-Cobalt Nanofiber Preparation
  Jimin Lee, Jongryoul Kim, Yong-Ho Choa
  Journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2019; 26(4): 334.     CrossRef

In this study, effect of core-shell structure on compaction behavior of harmonic powder is investigated. Harmonic powders are made by electroless plating method on Fe powders. Softer Cu shell encloses harder Fe core, and the average size of Fe core and thickness of Cu shell are 34.3 μm and 3.2 μm, respectively. The powder compaction procedure is processed with pressure of 600 MPa in a cylindrical die. Due to the low strength of Cu shell regions, the harmonic powders show better densification behavior compared with pure Fe powders. Finite element method (FEM) is performed to understand the roll of core-shell structure. Based on stress and strain distributions of FEM results, it is concluded that the early stage of powder compaction of harmonic powders mainly occurs at the shell region. FEM results also well predict porosity of compacted materials.