• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.91-95
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• 2020

In this study, we report a hydrothermal synthesis in which BaTiO₃ nanoparticles (NPs) with enhanced size uniformity and dispersibility are synthesized by increased time and temperature, increasing nucleation and diffusion rates. The formation process of an uniform size of 20 nm BaTiO₃ NPs, which has not been extensively researched, was optimized through hydrothermal synthesis at 180℃. Simultaneous increase in the nucleation rate of TiO₂ and diffusion length of Ba²⁺ ions, resulting from a higher temperature, allowed for the synthesis of BaTiO₃ NPs (20 nm) with significantly enhanced size-uniformity. The size and crystallinity of BaTiO₃ NPs which exhibit excellent dispersibility in hexane solvent were investigated using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results presented herein provide insights into improving the size uniformity and dispersibility of BaTiO₃ NPs by hydrothermal synthesis for applications to variety of electronic devices.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.141-144
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• 2011

We report the synthesis of $SrTiO_3$, $BaTiO_3$ and $Ba_xSr_{1-x}TiO_3$ (BST) nanoparticles (NPs) in various compositions (x = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75) by an inorganic sol-gel method under a basic condition. Highly crystalline nanoparticles were formed at the reaction temperature of 25 - $100^{\circ}C$ from a stabilized titanium alkoxide in tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and barium or strontium acetate in aqueous solution. Morphology and particle structure of the synthesized BST NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The BST nanoparticles in various compositions were monodispersed without mutual aggregation, and their average sizes were in the range of 70 - 80 nm. Furthermore, they showed highly crystallized perovskite phase over the whole composition range from $SrTiO_3$ to $BaTiO_3$. We also proposed a mechanism for the low-temperature formation of BST NPs.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2020

Characterization and in vitro inhibition studies of protease inhibitor from the mushroom Pleurotus floridanus (PfTI) towards the pest Papilio demoleus is studied. The addition of 1 mM Mn²⁺, Na²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Ni ²⁺ enhanced the PfTI activity. The ICP-atomic emission spectrum showed the presence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in the PfTI. Surfactants SDS and CTAB at a concentration of 1% reduced the PfTI activity whereas, the nonionic detergents Triton X and Tween 80 increased the activity. The inhibitory activity gradually decreased with increase in concentration of DMSO and H₂O₂. The activity was increased by dithiothreitol up to a concentration of 80 μM and inactivated at 140 μM. The activity of PMSF modified PfTI was drastically reduced to 0.234 U/mL at 4 mM concentration and similar results were obtained for modification of cysteine by N-Ethylmaleimide at slightly higher concentrations. The complex of trypsin and PfTI showed complete loss in fluorescence intensity at 343 nm compared with control. In vitro inhibition studies of PfTI with midgut proteases isolated from citrus pest P. demoleus with protease activity of 1.236 U was decreased to 0.613 U by 50 μL (0.1 mg/mL) of the inhibitor. Inhibitor was stable up to 0.04 M concentration of HCl.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2024

Composite-based piezoelectric devices are extensively studied to develop sustainable power supply and self-powered devices owing to their excellent mechanical durability and output performance. In this study, we design a lead-free piezoelectric nanocomposite utilizing (Ba_0.85 Ca_0.15)(Ti_0.9Zr_0.1)O₃ (BCTZ) nanomaterials for realizing highly flexible energy harvesters. To improve the output performance of the devices, we incorporate porous BCTZ nanowires (NWs) into the nanoparticle (NP)-based piezoelectric nanocomposite. BCTZ NPs and NWs are synthesized through the solid-state reaction and sol-gel-based electrospinning, respectively; subsequently, they are dispersed inside a polyimide matrix. The output performance of the energy harvesters is measured using an optimized measurement system during repetitive mechanical deformation by varying the composition of the NPs and NWs. A nanocomposite-based energy harvester with 4:1 weight ratio generates the maximum open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of 0.83 V and 0.28 ㎂, respectively. In this study, self-powered devices are constructed with enhanced output performance by using piezoelectric energy harvesting for application in flexible and wearable devices.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2022

Piezoelectric energy harvesting technologies, which can be used to convert the electricity from the mechanical energy, have been developed in order to assist or power the wearable electronics. To realize non-toxic and biocompatible electronics, the lead-free (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Ti_0.90Zr_0.10)O₃ (BCTZ) nanoparticles (NPs) are being studied with a great attention as flexible energy harvesting device. Herein, piezoelectric hybrid nanocomposites were fabricated using BCTZ NPs-embedded poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] matrix to improve the performance of flexible energy harvester. Output performance of the fabricated energy device was investigated by the well-optimized measurement system during the periodically bending and releasing motions. The generated open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current of the piezoelectric hybrid nanocomposite-based energy harvester reached up to ~15 V and ~1.1 ㎂, respectively; moreover, the instantaneous power of 3.5 ㎼ is determined from load voltage and current at the external load of 20 MΩ. This research is expected to cultivate a new approach to high-performance wearable self-powering electronics.