• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.535-542
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• 2010

In this study, we used coal-based activated carbons and charcoal as startingmaterials, phenolic resin (PR) as a binder, and TOS as a titanium source to prepare $TiO_2$ combining spherical shaped activated carbon photocatalysts. The textural properties of the activated carbon photocatalysts (SACP) were characterized by specific surface area (BET), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), iodine adsorption, strength intensity, and pressure drop. The photocatalytic activities of the SACPs were characterized by degradation of the organic dyes Methylene Blue (MB), Methylene Orange (MO), and Rhodamine B (Rh. B) and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) experiment. The surface properties are shown by SEM. The XRD patterns of the composites showed that the SACP composite contained a typical single, clear anatase phase. The EDX spectro for the elemental indentification showed the presence of C and O with Ti peaks. According to the results, the spherical activated carbon photocatalysts sample of AOP prepared with activated carbon formed the best spherical shape, a high BET surface area, iodine adsorption capability and strength value, and the lowest pressure drop, and the photocatalytic activity was better than samples prepared with charcoal. We compared the degradation effects among three kinds of dyes. MB solution degraded with the SACP is better than any other dye solutions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.621-627
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng (ginseng) is a traditional medicine that is reported to have cardioprotective effects; ginsenosides are the major bioactive compounds in the ginseng root. Methods: Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) nanoparticles might be useful for both the extraction of the targeted (imprinted) molecules, and for the delivery of those molecules to cells. In this work, plant growth regulators were used to enhance the adventitious rooting of ginseng root callus; imprinted polymeric particles were synthesized for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from root extracts, and then employed for subsequent particle-mediated delivery to cardiomyocytes to mitigate hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Results: These synthesized composite nanoparticles were first characterized by their specific surface area, adsorption capacity, and magnetization, and then used for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from a crude extract of ginseng roots. The ginsenoside-loaded MMIPs were then shown to have protective effects on mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular viability for H9c2 cells treated with CoCl₂ to mimic hypoxia injury. The protective effect of the ginsenosides was assessed by staining with JC-1 dye to monitor the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: MMIPs can play a dual role in both the extraction and cellular delivery of therapeutic ginsenosides.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2017

In this study, a catalyst based on $Pt/Al_2O_3$ supported on Mg was prepared by a wet impregnation method to investigate the $CH_4-SCR$ reaction characteristics of various alumina supports. Alumina supported on $Pt/Al_2O_3$ catalyst was converted to an $Al_2O_3$ composite, and when Mg was added, oxygen species of the active metal Pt were controlled due to electrophobic characteristics. Oxygen-controlled Pt used as a reducing agent inhibited the oxidation of $CH_4$ to $CO_2$. The addition of Mg also promoted the adsorption of NO species and the conversion of NO to $NO_2$ due to the NOx storage property on the catalyst surface.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.357-366
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• 2022

Biochar can be obtained by using various types of biomass under an oxygen-limited condition. Biochar can be utilized for various applications such as soil improvement, waste management, growth promotion, and adsorption. Wood vinegar is produced by the process of pyrolysis wood biomass and is used as a growth promoter, for soil improvement, and as a feed additive. When wood vinegar is treated on soil, it acts to control soil pH, improve nutrient availability, and alleviate N₂O and NH₃ volatilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biochar and wood vinegar on the growth of perilla and soil quality. The experiment was conducted by using a Wagner pot (1·5,000 a^-1) in a glass greenhouse. The biochar was produced by pyrolysis at 450℃ for 30 minutes using rice husk and rice straw. Wood vinegar was diluted to 1 : 500 (v·v^-1) and used in this experiement. In the results of a cultivation experiment, co-application of biochar and wood vinegar enhanced the growth of perilla. In particular, rice husk biochar affected the leaves of the perilla, and rice straw biochar influenced the stems of the perilla. In addition, soil quality after treatment with biochar and wood vinegar applied together was highest compared to other units. Therefore, it is anticipated that co-application of biochar and wood vinegar will be more productive and improve soil quality compared to individual utilization of biochar and wood vinegar.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2021

In this study, bio-carbons were produced by activation process from unused biomass (Grade 3 wood pellet and spent coffee grounds) to determine the removal performance of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. The activation experiments were conducted in a fixed bed reactor using CO₂ as an activation agent. The temperature of the activation reactor and input of CO₂ were 900 ℃ and 1 L min^-1 for all the experiments. The maximum BET surface area of about 788 m² g^-1 was obtained for bio-carbon produced from Grade 1 wood pellet, whereas about 544 m² g^-1 was achieved with bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds. In all the experiments, the bio-carbons produced were mainly found to have micro-porous nature. A lower ash amount in raw material was favored for the high surface area of bio-carbons. In the removal test of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, the bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds showed excellent adsorption performance compared with woody biomass (Grade 1 wood pellet and Grade 3 wood pellet). In addition, the comparative experiment of commercial impregnated activated carbon and bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds was conducted. In terms of formaldehyde removal performance, the commercial impregnated bio-carbon was excellent, while bio-carbon produced from spent coffee grounds was excellent in acetaldehyde removal.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.49-62
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• 2022

The magnesium and iron-based layered double hydroxide (Mg-Fe LDH) was synthesized by the co-precipitation process and the bead type LDH (BLDH, 5~6 mm in diameter) was manufactured by using the Mg-Fe LDH and the starch as a binder. To evaluate the feasibility of the BLDH as the As stabilizer in the soil, various experiments were performed and the As stabilization efficiency of the BLDH was compared to that of powdered type LDH (PLDH, <149 ㎛ in diameter). For the As sorption batch experiment, the As sorption efficiency of both of the PLDH and the BLDH showed higher than 99%. For the stabilization experiment with soil, the As extraction reducing efficiency of the PLDH was higher than 87%, and for the BLDH, it was higher than 80%, suggesting that the BLDH has similar the feasibility of As stabilization for the contaminated soil, compared to the PLDH. From the continuous column experiments, when more than 7% BLDH was added into the soil, the As stabilization efficiency of the column maintained at over 91% for 7 pore volume flushing (simulating about 21 months of rainfall) and slowly decreased down to 64% after that time (to 36 months) under the non-equilibrium conditions. Results suggested that more than 7% of BLDH added in As-contaminated soil could be enough to stabilize As in soil for a long time. The main As fixation mechanisms on the LDH were also identified through the X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analyses. Results showed that the LDH has enough of an external surface adsorption capacity and an anion exchange capability at the interlayer spaces. Results of SEM/EDS and BET analyses also supported that the Mg-Fe LDH used in this study has sufficient porous structures and outer surfaces to fix the As. The reduction of carbonate (CO₃^2-) and sulfate (SO₄^2-) anions in the LDH after the reaction between As and the LDH was observed through the FT-IR, the XRF, and the XRD analyses, suggesting that the exchange of some of these anions with the arsenate (H₂AsO₄^- or HAsO₄^2-) occurs at the LDH interlayers during the stabilization process in soil.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2023

Background: The existing research results on the combined toxicity of these pollutants using mammals, such as rodents, are insufficient, especially in relation to changes in the immune system. Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the cellular immune response to PE-MPs solely or when combined with Pb, which possess excellent adsorption capacity with PE-MPs and is commonly co-exposed in our daily lives. Methods: The study investigated the cellular immune function of 9-week ICR mice with 28 days exposure to PE-MPs (2 mg/mouse/day) and Pb (0.1 mM in distilled water) individually and in combination. PE-MPs were administered via gastric intubation while the lead intake was conducted via the oral drinking water route. Cellular immunity was evaluated by analyzing the production for T_H1 cytokines namely, TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 and T_H2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-6 in culture supernatants from polyclonally activated splenic mononuclear cells ex vivo. Results: Both the PE-MPs only and the PE-MPs+Pb exposure group revealed an increased T_H1 response with elevated TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 levels and downregulated T_H2 response with low IL-4, and IL-6 production levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, an increased IFN-𝛾/IL-4 ratio was found in the PE-MPs only and PE-MPs+Pb exposure groups, which indicated the skewedness to T_H1 response. Meanwhile, reduced blood hemoglobin levels and increased levels of IL-4, the dominant T_H2 cytokine in the Pb-only exposure group, were observed. Conclusions: Our current findings on the predominance of T_H1 immune response in the PE-MPs and PE-MPs+Pb groups suggest that PE-MPs could be responsible for the predominant induction of the cellular immune changes. This finding could be used as an important landmark in research related to T_H1 predominance, such as autoimmune diseases. It suggests that additional research on immune modulation using longer exposure durations or the same exposure route is required to elucidate stronger findings.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2002

The hydorgen storage alloys were produced by melting in arc melting furnace and then solution heat treated at $1,100^{\circ}C$ followed by pulverization. The chemical analysis on the samples showed that the major elements of misch metal(Mm) were La, Ce, Pr and Nd with impurity less than 1wt.%. X-ray diffraction indicated that the structure for these samples were a single phase of hexagonal with $CaCu_5$ type. Compared to the initial particle size $100{\sim}110{\mu}m$, the many fine cracks were found and particle size decreased to $14{\mu}m$ for $MmNi_{4.5}Mn_{0.5}$ after hydriding/dehydring test run. To activate the sample the vessel filled with hydrogen storage alloys was first evacuated for for at $70^{\circ}C$ and then treated for 10.5hr under hydrogen pressure of 20atm for $MmNi_{4.5}Mn_{0.5}$ alloy. The experimental data showed that the hydrogen storage alloy of $MmNi_{4.5}Mn_{0.5}$ had superior adsorption and description properties within a temperature rang of $40^{\circ}C{\sim}80^{\circ}C$ and also they had a good P-C-T curve.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.236-240
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• 2015

Previously we reported that the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus onnurineus NA1 is capable of producing hydrogen (H₂) from formate, CO or starch. In this study, we describe the immobilization of T. onnurineus NA1 as an alternative means of H₂ production. Amine-coated silica particles were effective in immobilizing T. onnurineus NA1 by electrostatic interaction, showing a maximum cell adsorption capacity of 71.7 mg-dried cells per g of particle. In three cycles of repeated-batch cultivation using sodium formate as the sole energy source, immobilized cells showed reproducible H₂ production with a considerable increase in the initial production rate from 2.3 to 4.0 mmol l⁻¹ h⁻¹, mainly due to the increase in the immobilized cell concentration as the batch culture was repeated. Thus, the immobilized-cell system of T. onnurineus NA1 was demonstrated to be feasible for H₂ production. This study is the first example of immobilized cells of hyperthermophilic archaea being used for the production of H₂.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.326-331
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• 2017

Castor oil can be used as a useful raw material for chemical industries such as intermediates of surfactants through hydrogenation reaction. In this study, effects of the preparation method and pretreatment condition on the nickel catalyst for the hydrogenation of castor oil were investigated. The nickel catalyst was supported on the silica carrier by the precipitation method with different Ni contents, solution pH values, and precipitants. Repeated pretreatments of oxidation and reduction cycles were then carried out. The activity of the nickel catalyst was measured by comparing the iodine value of the castor oil. The dispersion of nickel on the catalyst was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), $N_2$ adsorption-desorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The activity of nickel catalyst was also compared by CO oxidation experiments. The redispersion of nickel occurred on the silica by repeated oxidation and reduction cycles, and this effect contributed to promoting the castor oil hydrogenation activity.