• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2018

We report on the fabrication and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of a ZnO nanorod array structure as an efficient photoelectrode for hydrogen production from sunlight-driven water splitting. Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods were grown on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method with the use of a ZnO nanoparticle seed layer, which was formed by thermally oxidizing a sputtered Zn metal thin film. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized ZnO nanorods were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, as well as Raman scattering. The PEC properties of the fabricated ZnO nanorod photoelectrode were evaluated by photocurrent conversion efficiency measurements under white light illumination. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior, the vertically aligned ZnO nanorod photoelectrode was found to exhibit a negligible dark current and high photocurrent density, e.g., $0.65mA/cm^2$ at 0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl in a 1 mM $Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte. In particular, a significant PEC performance was observed even at an applied bias of 0 V vs Ag/AgCl, which made the device self-powered.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.962-967
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• 1998

Block copolymers consisting of poly(rbenzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) as the hydrophobic part and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the hydrophilic part were synthesized and characterized. Polymeric micelles of the block copolymers (abbreviated GEG) were prepared by a dialysis method. The GEG block copolymers were associated in water to form polymeric micelles, and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the block copolymers decreased with increasing PBLG chain length in the block copolymers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations revealed polymeric micelles of spherical shapes. From dynamic light scattering (DLS) study, sizes of polymeric micelles of GEG-1, GEG-2, and GEG-3 copolymer were 106.5±59.2 nm, 79.4±46.0 nm, and 37.9±13.3 nm, respectively. The drug loading contents of GEG-1, GEG-2 and GEG-3 polymeric micelles were 12.6, 11.9, and 11.0 wt %, respectively. These results indicated that the drugloading contents were dependent on PBLG chain length in the copolymer; the longer the PBLG chain length, the more the drug-loading contents. Release of norfloxacin (NFX) from the nanoparticles was slower in higher loading contents of NFX than in lower loading contents due to the hydrophobic interaction between PBLG core and NFX.

• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.251-256
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• 2020

The biocompatibility and plasmonic properties of Au nanoparticles make them useful for photothermal therapy, drug delivery, imaging, and many other fields. This study demonstrated a novel, facile, economic, and green synthetic method to produce gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with spherical and triangular shapes were effectively synthesized using only Schisandra chenesis fruit extract as the capping and reducing agent. The shape of the AuNPs could be engineered simply by adjusting the molar concentration of HAuCl4 in the reaction mixture. The as-synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). This study revealed that by using the HAuCl4 concentration in the AuNP synthesis, the shape and size of the AuNPs could be controlled by the concentration of HAuCl4 and Schisandra chinensis fruit extract as a surfactant. The as-synthesized AuNPs samples had sufficient colloidal stability without noticeable aggregation and showed the predominant growth of the (111) plane of face-centered cubic gold during the crystal growth. The catalytic efficiency of the AuNPs synthesized using Schisandra chenesis fruit extract was examined by monitoring the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol using Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis spectroscopy). The synthesized AuNPs showed good catalytic activity to reduce 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, revealing their practical usefulness.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.6
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• pp.733-741
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• 2022

The amount of natural gas that is used on a worldwide scale is continuously going up. Natural gas and acidic components, such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, cause significant corrosion damage to transmission lines and equipment in various quantities. One of the fundamental processes in natural gas processing is the separation of acid gases, among which the safety and environmental needs due to the high toxicity of hydrogen sulfide and also to prevent wear and corrosion of pipelines and gas transmission and distribution equipment, the necessity of sulfide separation Hydrogen is more essential than carbon dioxide and other compounds. Given this problem's significance, this endeavor aims to extend the lifespan of the transmission lines' pipes for gas and oil. Zinc oxide nanoparticles made from the environmentally friendly source of Allium scabriscapum have been employed to accomplish this crucial purpose. This is a simple, safe and cheap synthesis method compared to other methods, especially chemical methods. The formation of zinc oxide nanoparticles was shown by forming an absorption peak at a wavelength of about 355 nm using a spectrophotometric device and an X-ray diffraction pattern. The size and morphology of synthesized nanoparticles were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscope, and the range of size changes of nanoparticles was determined by dynamic light scattering device.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.810-814
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• 2017

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are some of the most efficient electrochemical energy sources for transportation applications because of their clean, green, and high efficiency characteristics. The optimization of catalyst layer morphology is considered a feasible approach to achieve high performance of PEMFC membrane electrode assembly (MEA). In this work, we studied the effect of the solvent on the catalyst layer of PEMFC MEAs fabricated using the electrostatic spray deposition method. The catalyst ink comprised of Pt/C, a Nafion ionomer, and a solvent. Two types of solvent were used: isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and dimethylformamide (DMF). Compared with the catalyst layer prepared using IPA-based ink, the catalyst layer prepared with DMF-based ink had a dense structure because the DMF dispersed the Pt/C-Nafion agglomerates smaller and more homogeneously. The size distribution of the agglomerates in catalyst ink was confirmed through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and the microstructure of the catalyst layer was compared using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). In addition, the electrochemical investigation was performed to evaluate the solvent effect on the fuel cell performance. The catalyst layer prepared with DMF-based ink significantly enhanced the cell performance (1.2 A cm-2 at 0.5 V) compared with that fabricated using IPA-based ink (0.5 A cm-2 at 0.5 V) due to the better dispersion and uniform agglomeration on the catalyst layer.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.214-220
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• 2018

We report on the fabrication and photoelectrochemical(PEC) properties of a $Cu_2O$ thin film/ZnO nanorod array oxide p-n heterojunction structure with ZnO nanorods embedded in $Cu_2O$ thin film as an efficient photoelectrode for solar-driven water splitting. A vertically oriented n-type ZnO nanorod array was first prepared on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via a seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method and then a p-type $Cu_2O$ thin film was directly electrodeposited onto the vertically oriented ZnO nanorods array to form an oxide semiconductor heterostructure. The crystalline phases and morphologies of the heterojunction materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy as well as Raman scattering. The PEC properties of the fabricated $Cu_2O/ZnO$ p-n heterojunction photoelectrode were evaluated by photocurrent conversion efficiency measurements under white light illumination. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior, the $Cu_2O/ZnO$ photoelectrode was found to exhibit a negligible dark current and high photocurrent density, e.g., $0.77mA/cm^2$ at 0.5 V vs $Hg/HgCl_2$ in a $1mM\;Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte, revealing an effective operation of the oxide heterostructure. In particular, a significant PEC performance was observed even at an applied bias of 0 V vs $Hg/HgCl_2$, which made the device self-powered. The observed PEC performance was attributed to some synergistic effect of the p-n bilayer heterostructure on the formation of a built-in potential, including the light absorption and separation processes of photoinduced charge carriers.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2001

This study were carried out to investigate cytotoxicity of paraquat and bentazon that is scattering to farm products were essensial for human diet and compensatory effects of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, The 5.0$\times$$10^4$ cell/ml of NIH 3T3 fibroblast in each well of 24 multidish were cultured. After 24 hours, the cells were treated with solution of paraquat and bentazon (1, 25, 50, 100 pM respectively). After the NIH 3T3 fibroblast of all groups were cultured in same condition for 48 hours, Sulfohordamin B Protein (SRB) assay were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of cell organelles. Paraquat and bentazon $SRB_50$ were 1860.73 $\mu\textrm{M}$, 1913.38 $\mu$M respectively. In vivo, Sprague Dawley male rats divided into paraquat and bentazon only administered group and simultaneous application group of paraquat and bentazon and 3-MC. At 30 min. and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hrs. interval after each treatment, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation and kidney were immediately removed, immersed in fixatives, and processed with routine method for light microscopic study. Paraffin sections were stained with H-E, PAM, and PAS. Under the light microscope, atrophic change of renal corpuscles were frequently observed from 3 hrs after paraquat and bentazon treatment. The increase of the mesangium was apparent from 12 hrs later after paraquat and bentazon treatment. Necrotic changes of the epithelium and loss of brush border of proximal tubules were most severe at 48 hrs after paraquat and bentazon treatment, respectively. In contrast there were no evidences of the toxic effects on renal tissues at 48hrs in paraquat and bentazon plus 3-MC treated groups.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.93-93
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• 2018

This study disclosed the aqueous fruits extract of Rubus coreanus as a sustainable agent for the synthesis of Rubus coreanus zinc oxide nanoparticle (Rc-ZnO Nps) using as a reducing and capping precursor for co-precipitation method. The development of Rc-ZnO was assured by white precipitated powder and analyzed by spectroscopic and analytical instruments. The UV-visible (UV-Vis) studies indicate the maximum absorbance at 357nm which confirmed the formation of ZnO Nps and the purity, functional group and monodispersity were assured by field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data revealed the Nps is 23.16 nm in size, crystalline in nature and possess hexagonal wurtzite structure. The Rc-ZnO Nps were subjected for catalytic studies. The Malachite Green dye was degraded by Rc- ZnO NPs in both dark and light (100 W tungsten) conditions and it degraded about 90% at 4 hours observation in both cases. The biodegradable, low cost Rc-ZnO NPs can be a better weapon for waste water treatment.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.165-180
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• 2019

Water quality data of 81 lakes in Korea, 2013 ~ 2017 were analyzed. Most water quality parameters showed left-skewed distribution, while dissolved oxygen showed normal distribution. pH and dissolved oxygen showed a positive correlation with organic matter and nutrients, which appeared to be a nonsense correlation mediated by the algae. The ratio of $BOD_5$ and $COD_{Mn}$ to CBOD was 21 % and 52 % in the freshwater lakes, respectively. TOC concentration appeared to be underestimated by the UV digestion method, when salinity exceeds $700{\mu}S\;cm^{-1}$. In terms of nitrogen/phosphorus ratio, the limiting factor for algal growth seemed to be phosphorus in most of the lakes. Chlorophyll ${\alpha}$ increased acutely with decrease of N/P ratio. However, it seemed to be a nonsense correlation mediated by phosphorus concentration, since the N/P ratio depended on phosphorus. The N/P ratio of brackish lakes was lower than that of the freshwater, at the same concentration of phosphorus. It is worth examining denitrification that occurs, in bottom layer and sediment, during saline stratification. $Chl.{\alpha}$ concentration decreased in the form of a power function with increase of mean depth. The primary reason is that deep lakes are mainly at the less-disturbed upstream. However, it is necessary to investigate the effect of sediment, on water quality in shallow lakes. Light attenuation in the upper layer, was dominated by tripton (non-algal suspended solids) absorption/scattering (average relative contribution of 39 %), followed by CDOM (colored dissolved organic matter) (average 37 %) and $Chl.{\alpha}$ (average 21 %).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.1062-1067
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• 2014

In the present study, a new analytical method was devised for the simultaneous determination of soluble carbohydrates in soybean seeds using high performance liquid chromatography/evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC/ELSD). The limit of quantification (LOQ) for soybean soluble carbohydrates ranged from 5.6~7.6 mg/kg using the HPLC/ELSD method and from 16.2~33.9 mg/kg using the high performance liquid chromatography/refractive index detection (HPLC/RID) method. Therefore, the HPLC/ELSD method was more sensitive than HPLC/RID. The precision values for retention time and peak area of the HPLC/ELSD method were evaluated by inter-day (n=5) and intra-day (n=10) assays using a standard solution. All precision values (CV<2.5%) for soybean soluble carbohydrates were acceptable and fulfilled international acceptance criteria. All linear calibration curves were obtained with a correlation coefficient of $R^2$ >0.999. The contents of soluble carbohydrates for the "Shingikong" (yellow soybean) and "Cheongjakong 3" (black soybean) samples were analyzed using the HPLC/RID and HPLC/ELSD methods. The difference in carbohydrate contents between the two detection methods was significant. Carbohydrate contents in the HPLC/ELSD method were higher than those in the HPLC/RID method. Overall, the HPLC/ELSD method showed satisfactory resolution with a favorable LOQ and reproducibility. Therefore, these results indicate that the HPLC/ELSD method may be applied to determine the contents of soluble carbohydrates in soybean seeds and related food stuffs.