• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.166-176
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• 2022

Banana peels are also widely used as bio-adsorbent in the removal of chemicals contaminants and heavy metals from water and soil. GC-MS plays an essential role in the phytochemical analysis and chemo taxonomic studies of medicinal plants containing biologically active components. Intrinsically, with the use of the flame ionization detector and the electron capture detector which have very high sensitivities, Gas chromatography can quantitatively determine materials present at very low concentrations and most important application is in pollution studies. In the present study banana peels were used as bio-adsorbent to remediate the heavy metal contaminated water taken from three different stations located around the industrial belts of Ranipet, Tamilnadu, India. The AAS analysis of the samples shows a decrement of chromium concentration of 98.93%, 96.16% and 96.5% in Station 1, 2 and 3 respectively which proves the efficiency of the powdered peels of Musa paradisiaca. The GC-MS analysis of the control and treated peels of Musa paradisiaca reveals the presence of phytochemicals like Acetic Acid, 1-Methylethyl Ester, DL-Glyceraldehyde Dimer, N-Hexadecanoic Acid, 3-Decyn-2-Ol, 26-Hydroxy, Cholesterol, Ergost-25-Ene-3,5,6,12-Tetrol, (3.Beta.,5.Alpha.,6.Beta.,12.Beta.)-, 1-Methylene-2b-Hydroxymethyl-3, and 3-Dimethyl-4b-(3-Methylbut-2-Enyl)-Cyclohexane in the control banana peels. The banana peels which were used for the treatment reveals the changes and alteration of the phytochemicals. It is concluded that the alteration in phytochemicals of the experimental banana peels were due to adsorption of chromium heavy metal from the sample.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.435-441
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• 2022

We report the synthesis and gas sensing properties of bare and ZnO decorated TeO₂ nanowires (NWs). A catalyst assisted-vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth method was used to synthesize TeO₂ NWs and ZnO decoration was performed using an Au-catalyst assisted-VLS growth method followed by a subsequent heat treatment. Structural and morphological analyses using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning/transmission electron microscopies, respectively, demonstrated the formation of bare and ZnO decorated TeO₂ NWs with desired phase and morphology. NO₂ gas sensing studies were performed at different temperatures ranging from 50 to 400 ℃ towards 50 ppm NO₂ gas. The results obtained showed that both sensors had their best optimal sensing temperature at 350 ℃, while ZnO decorated TeO₂ NWs sensor showed much better sensitivity towards NO₂ relative to a bare TeO₂ NWs gas sensor. The reason for the enhanced sensing performance of the ZnO decorated TeO₂ NWs sensor was attributed to the formation of ZnO (n)/ TeO₂ (p) heterojunctions and the high intrinsic gas sensing properties of ZnO.

• Proceedings of the Korea Association of Crystal Growth Conference
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• 1999.06a
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• pp.419-431
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• 1999

InP, III-V binary compound semiconductor, single crystal was grown by VGF (vertical gradient freeze) method using quartz ampoule and its electrical optical properties were investigated. Phosphorous powders were put in the bottom of quartz ampoule and Indium metal changed in conical quartz crucible hat was attached at the upper side position inside the quartz ampoule. It was vacuous under the pressure of 10-5 Torr and sealed up. In metal in the quartz crucible was melted at 1070$^{\circ}C$ and phophorous sublimated at 450$^{\circ}C$, there after it was diffused in In melt and so InP composition was formed. By cooling the InP composition melt (2$^{\circ}C$∼5$^{\circ}C$/hr of cooling rate) in range of 1070$^{\circ}C$∼900$^{\circ}C$, InP crystal was grown. the grown InP single crystals were investigated by X-ray analysis and polarized optical microscopy. Electrical properties of them were measured by Van der Pauw method. At the cooling rate of 2$^{\circ}C$/hr, its direction was (111), quality of the ingot ws better upper side of the ingot than lower. It was found that the InP crystals were n-type semiconductor and the carrier concentration, electron mobility and relative resistivity were 1015∼1016/㎤, 2x103∼3x104$\textrm{cm}^2$/Vsec and 2x10-1∼2x10-3Ωcm in the range of 150K∼300K, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.7-16
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the sulfate removal capacity of the enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) technique through the chemical precipitation of sulfate with calcium ions. The optimal EICP recipe was obtained to retain the excess calcium cations in the solution for the generation of a sufficient amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) mineral. The effect of gypsum precipitation on the EICP-treated sand specimen was investigated by measuring the shear wave velocity and by visual inspection via scanning electron microscopy. The EICP solution using soybean crude urease, as an alternative to laboratory-grade purified urease, exhibited a lower sulfate removal efficiency at a similar CaCO₃ production rate compared with the optimal EICP recipe because of soybean impurities.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.226-233
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• 2023

To create an environmentally sustainable fuel with a low sulfur concentration, requires alternative sulfur removal methods. During the course of this study, a high surface gamma alumina-supported ZnO nanocatalyst with a ZnO/-Al₂O₃ ratio of 12% was developed and tested for its ability to improve the activity of the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process for the desulfurization of kerosene fuel. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) were used to characterize the produced nanocatalyst. In a digital batch baffled reactor (20~80 min), the effectiveness of the synthesized nanocatalyst was tested at different initial concentrations of dibenzothiophene (DBT) of 300~600 ppm, oxidation temperatures (25~70 ℃), and oxidation periods (0.5, 1, and 2 hours). The baffles included in the digital baffled batch reactor resist the swirling of the reaction mixture, thus facilitating mixing. The ODS procedure yielded the maximum DBT conversion (95.5%) at 70 ℃ with an 80-minute reaction time and an initial DBT level of 600 ppm. The most precise values of kinetic variables were subsequently determined using a mathematical modelling procedure for the ODS procedure. The average absolute error of the simulation findings was less than 5%, demonstrating a good degree of agreement with the experimental results acquired from all runs. The optimization of the operating conditions revealed that 99.1% of the DBT can be removed in 140 minutes.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.125-128
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• 2023

Recently, as the process of the MOS device becomes more detailed, and the degree of integration thereof increases, many problems such as leakage current due to an increase in electron tunneling due to the thickness of SiO₂ used as a gate oxide have occurred. In order to overcome the limitation of SiO₂, many studies have been conducted on HfO₂ that has a thermodynamic stability with silicon during processing, has a higher dielectric constant than SiO₂, and has an appropriate band gap. In this study, HfO₂, which is attracting attention in various fields, was doped with Al and the change in properties according to its concentration was studied. Al-doped HfO₂ thin film was deposited using Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (PEALD), and the structural and electrical characteristics of the fabricated MIM device were evaluated. The results of this study are expected to make an essential cornerstone in the future field of next-generation semiconductor device materials.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.183-196
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• 2023

Recently, the morphological and molecular features of five stain fungi infecting rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), namely Paecilomyces maximus, Paecilomyces formosus, Penicillium crustosum, Paecilomyces lecythidis and Aspergillus chevalieri, have been studied. Prior to this study, the authors revealed that catechin from gambir (Uncaria gambir) could inhibit the growth of the white-rot fungus Schizophyllum commune, and it was important to determine the bioactivity of the aforementioned agent against A. chevalieri. The efficacy of the biocidal agent was examined using a laboratory wooden block test. Rubberwood blocks, 8 mm in thickness, 20 mm in width, and 30 mm in length, were impregnated with catechin solution at concentrations of 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15% (w/v) using the vacuum-pressure method, and their bioactivity was monitored over three weeks through visual and scanning electron microscope assessment of fungal growth as well as the discoloration intensity of the wood samples. The results showed that catechin treatment increased the resistance of wood samples to A. chevalieri. Overall, the higher the catechin concentration, the lower the fungal growth. The lowest fungal growth was observed in the wood samples treated with 12% and 15% catechin (score of 0), demonstrating no discoloration. In contrast, the fungal growth score of the untreated wood samples reached 4, indicating severe discoloration. Catechins appear to be adequate biofungicides against stain fungi in rubberwood.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.11
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• 2022

Background: The poor bioadhesion capacity of tilmicosin resulting in treatment failure for Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants (SASCVs) mastitis. Objectives: This study aimed to increase the bioadhesion capacity of tilmicosin for the SASCVs strain and improve the antibacterial effect of tilmicosin against cow mastitis caused by the SASCVs strain. Methods: Tilmicosin-loaded chitosan oligosaccharide (COS)-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite nanogels were formulated by an electrostatic interaction between COS (positive charge) and CMC (negative charge) using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) (ionic crosslinkers). The formation mechanism, structural characteristics, bioadhesion, and antibacterial activity of tilmicosin composite nanogels were studied systematically. Results: The optimized formulation was comprised of 50 mg/mL (COS), 32 mg/mL (CMC), and 0.25 mg/mL (TPP). The size, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the optimized tilmicosin composite nanogels were 357.4 ± 2.6 nm, 65.4 ± 0.4%, 21.9 ± 0.4%, 0.11 ± 0.01, and -37.1 ± 0.4 mV, respectively; the sedimentation rate was one. Scanning electron microscopy showed that tilmicosin might be incorporated in nano-sized crosslinked polymeric networks. Moreover, adhesive studies suggested that tilmicosin composite nanogels could enhance the bioadhesion capacity of tilmicosin for the SASCVs strain. The inhibition zone of native tilmicosin, tilmicosin standard, and tilmicosin composite nanogels were 2.13 ± 0.07, 3.35 ± 0.11, and 1.46 ± 0.04 cm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of native tilmicosin, tilmicosin standard, and tilmicosin composite nanogels against the SASCVs strain were 2, 1, and 1 ㎍/mL, respectively. The in vitro time-killing curves showed that the tilmicosin composite nanogels increased the antibacterial activity against the SASCVs strain. Conclusions: This study provides a potential strategy for developing tilmicosin composite nanogels to treat cow mastitis caused by the SASCVs strain.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.74.1-74.15
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• 2023

Background: Antibiotic beads are used to treat local bacterial infections by delivering high drug concentrations to infected tissue. Objectives: This study examined the elution characteristics of metronidazole from metronidazole-calcium sulfate (MCa) and metronidazole-calcium-potassium sulfate (MCaK) beads over 20 days and the antibacterial efficacy of the beads after storage. Methods: The MCa and MCaK beads were prepared by mixing 250 mg of metronidazole and 10 g of calcium sulfate hemihydrate with water and a 3% potassium sulfate solution, respectively. The beads were placed in phosphate-buffered saline for the elution study. The metronidazole eluents were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by a microbioassay. Results: For the 20-day study, the total amount of metronidazole released was greater in the MCa beads than in the MCaK beads by 6.61 ± 0.48 mg (89.11% ± 3.04%) and 4.65 ± 0.36 mg (73.11% ± 4.38%), respectively. The amounts of eluted drugs from the MCa and MCaK beads were higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration at 0.5 ㎍/mL against anaerobic bacteria at both 20 days and 14 days. SEM showed that calcium crystals on the outer surface had dissolved after elution, and thinner calcium crystals were prominent in the MCaK beads. The MCa and MCaK beads exhibited antibacterial activity after setting, followed by storage at room temperature or 4℃ for 21 days. Conclusions: The MCa beads could release more drug than the MCaK beads, but all eluted metronidazole amounts were effective in controlling bacterial infections. Both metronidazole beads could be stored at ambient temperature or in a refrigerator.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.441-449
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• 2023

Heavy metals, widely present in the environment, have become significant pollutants due to their excessive use in industries and technology. Their non-degradable nature poses a persistent environmental problem, leading to potential acute or chronic poisoning from prolonged exposure. Recent research has focused on separating heavy metals, particularly from industrial and mining sources. Industries such as metal plating, mining operations, tanning, wood and chipboard production, industrial paint and textile manufacturing, as well as oil refining, are major contributors of heavy metals in water sources. Therefore, removing heavy metals from water is crucial, especially for safe water supply in swimming and water sports. Iron oxide nanoparticles have proven to be highly effective adsorbents for water contaminants, and efforts have been made to enhance their efficiency and absorption capabilities through surface modifications. Nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts can effectively bind with heavy metal ions by modifying the nanoparticle surface with plant components, thereby increasing the efficiency of heavy metal removal. This study focuses on removing lead from industrial wastewater using environmentally friendly, cost-effective iron nanoparticles synthesized with Genovese basil extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles is confirmed through analysis using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction, validating their spherical shape and nanometer-scale dimensions. The method used in this study has a low detection limit of 0.031 ppm for measuring lead concentration, making it suitable for ensuring water safety in swimming and water sports.