• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.41 no.11
• /
• pp.318-327
• /
• 2017

Background: A typical sewage treatment plant is designed for organic and nutrient removal from municipal sewage water and not targeted to eliminate micropollutants such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and nano-sized metals which become a big concern for sustainable human and ecological system and are mainly discharged from sewage treatment plant. Therefore, despite contaminant removal by wastewater treatment processes, there are still remaining environmental risks by untreated pollutants in STP (sewage treatment plant) effluents. This study performed aquatic toxicity tests of raw wastewater and treated effluents in two sewage treatment plants to evaluate toxicity reduction by wastewater treatment process and analyze concentration of contaminants to reveal potential toxic factors in STP effluents. Methods: Water samples were collected from each treatment steps of two STPs, and acute and chronic toxicity tests were conducted following USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) and OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. Endpoints were immobility for mortality and reproduction effect for estrogenicity. Results: Acute $EC_{50}s$ (median effective concentration) of influents for Seungki (SK) and Jungnang (JN) STPs are $54.13{\pm}32.64%$ and $30.38{\pm}24.96%$, respectively, and reduced to $96.49{\pm}7.84%$ and 100%. Acute toxicity reduction was clearly correlated with SS (suspended solids) concentration because of filter feeding characteristics of test organisms. Chronic toxicity tests revealed that lethal effect was reduced and low concentration of influents showed higher number of neonates. However, toxicity reduction was not related to nutrient removal. Fecundity effect positively increased in treated wastewater compared to that in raw wastewater, and no significant differences were observed compared to the control group in JN final effluent implying potential effects of estrogenic compounds in the STP effluents. Conclusions: Conventional wastewater treatment process reduced some organics and nutritional compounds from wastewater, and it results in toxicity reduction in lethal effect and positive reproductive effect but not showing correlation. Unknown estrogenic compounds could be a reason causing the increase of brood size. This study suggests that pharmaceutical residues and nanoparticles in STP effluents are one of the major micropollutants and underline as one of estrogenic effect factors.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 2016

In this study, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP)-based gel polymer electrolyte incorporating nano-size $Al_2O_3$ ceramic particle was prepared by electrospinning. The gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) incorporated with $Al_2O_3$ ceramic particle showed higher ionic conductivity of $9.5{\times}10^{-2}Scm^{-1}$ than pure PVdF-HFP GPE without ceramic particle and improved the electrochemical stability up to 5.2 V. The GPEs were assembled with $LiNi_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}Co_{1/3}O_2$ (NMC) cathode for electrochemical test. The GPE batteries at 0.1 C-rate delivered $168.2mAh\;g^{-1}$ for pure GPE and $189.6mAh\;g^{-1}$ for hybrid GPE, respectively. Therefore, the incorporation of high dielectric constant ceramic particle will be good strategy to enhance the stability and electrochemical properties of lithium ion gel polymer batteries.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.238-244
• /
• 2009

We investigated the electrochemical properties of lithium/molybdenum sulfide(Li/MoS$_2$) using tetra (ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether(TEGDME) electrolyte. The Li/TEGDME/MoS$_2$ cell showed the first discharge capacity of 288mAhg$^{-1}$. From the XRD, SEM results of the MOS$_2$ electrode in various cut-off voltage during charge-discharge process, MoS$_2$ partly changed into Li$_2$S and Mo during discharge and Li$_2$S partly recovered into MOS$_2$ and Li during charge. Full charged MOS$_2$ electrode showed lump shape of big size, which might be related to agglomerate of MoS$_2$ particles. Therefore, the degradation might be related to decrease of active material for electrochemical reaction by agglomeration of MOS$_2$.

• Tribology and Lubricants
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.237-242
• /
• 2006

Surfaces found in nature, including biological surfaces have been providing inspiration to modify/fabricate artificial surfaces as solutions for tribological applications. As an example, the concept of 'lotus-effect' has motivated tribologists world wide to modify/fabricate surfaces for enhanced tribological performance. These was done by creating nano/micro-scale asperities on various surfaces using ion beam milling and ion-beam assisted roughening. In order to understand the attributes of natural surfaces, which are inspirational to tribologists, we characterized the surface of two natural surfaces-Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) and Colocasia esculenta leaves. Further, we evaluated their micro-scale friction property, both in their fresh and dried conditions. The characterization of surfaces was conducted using a confocal microscope and SEM, which involved the evaluation of size and distribution of protuberances. The micro-scale friction property was evaluated using a ball-on-flat type micro-tribo tester, under reciprocating motion. A soda lime glass ball (2 mm diameter) was used in these tests. Tests were conducted at the applied normal load of $3000{\mu}N$, at a sliding speed of 1 mm/sec for a scan length of 3 mm. All experiments were conducted at ambient temperature ($24{\pm}1^{\circ}C}$) and relative humidity ($45{\pm}5%$). It was observed that the friction behaviour of the natural surfaces was influenced by their surface characteristics (morphology and distribution of protuberances) and also by the condition (fresh or dried) in which they were tested.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2001

Magnetic Fe-Co(C) nanocapsules and Fe-Co nanoparticles were prepared by arc-discharge in two kinds of atmospheres, i.e. methane and a mixture of ($H_2$+Ar), respectively. Characterization and magnetic properties of this two kinds of ultrafine particles were investigated systematically by means of X-ray diffraction, Mssbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy disperse spectroscopy analysis, chemical analysis, oxygen determination and magnetization measurement. Effects of carbon element, decomposed from a methane atmosphere in carbon arc process, on phase structures, magnetic states and surface characterization were studied in comparison to that of Ar element. Two ultrafine particles showed a little difference in the weight ratio of (Fe/co) and the size for Fe-Co nanoparticles was about two times bigger than Fe-Co(C) nanocapsules. The saturation magnetization of Fe-Co (C) nanocapsules was about 8% higher than that of Fe-Co nanoparticles while their phase constitutions were similar. Although no carbon could be detected by XRD measurement because of extremely thin shells on the surfaces of the cores, it is still believed that they are carbon and oxygen layers.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.258-265
• /
• 2016

Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The morphologies, crystal structures, chemical bonding states, and electrochemical properties of the nanoparticles are investigated. The FTO nanoparticles show uniform morphology and size distribution in the range of 6-10 nm. The FTO nanoparticles exhibit excellent electrochemical performance with high discharge specific capacity and good cycling stability ($620mAhg^{-1}$ capacity retention up to 50 cycles), as well as excellent high-rate performance ($250mAhg^{-1}$ at $700mAg^{-1}$) compared to that of commercial $SnO_2$. The improved electrochemical performance can be explained by two main effects. First, the excellent cycling stability with high discharge capacity is attributed to the nano-sized FTO particles, which are related to the increased electrochemical active area between the electrode and electrolyte. Second, the superb high-rate performance and the excellent cycling stability are ascribed to the increased electrical conductivity, which results from the introduction of fluorine doping in $SnO_2$. This noble electrode structure can provide powerful potential anode materials for high-performance lithiumion batteries.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.22 no.9
• /
• pp.465-469
• /
• 2012

This paper focuses on the after synthesis of CdTe quantum dots(QDs) in aqueous solution. CdTe nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous solution using mercaptocarboxylic acid or thioglycolic acid(TGA) as stabilizing agents. QDs emit light smaller than the nano size. The contents of the mercaptocarboxylic acid, and a kind of raw material, were revealed for a period of time. We succeeded in synthesizing a very high quality QDs solution; we discussed how to make QDs better and to keep them stabilized. TGA is known as one of the best stabilizing agents. Many papers have mentioned that TGA is a good stabilizing agent. We dramatically confirmed the state of QDs after the experiments. The QDs solution can be influenced by several factors. Different content of TGA can influence the stability of the CdTe solution. Most papers deal with the synthesis of CdTe, so we decided to discuss the after synthesis process for the stability of the CdTe solution.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.323-328
• /
• 2004

N-type semi-conducting oxides such as $SnO_{2}$, ZnO, and $ZrO_{2}$ have been known for the detecting materials of inflammable or toxic gases. Of those materials, $SnO_{2}$-based sensors are well known as high sensitive materials to detect toxic gases. And the sensitivity is improved if catalysts are added. Detecting toxic gases, especially DMMP (di-methyl-methyl-phosphonate) and DPGME (Dipropylene glycol methyl ether), was performed by a mixture of Tin oxide ($SnO_{2}$) and Zirconia ($ZrO_{2}$). The films consist of each three different mass% of Zr (from 1 mass% to 5 mass%), and they were tested by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET. Nano-structure, pore and particle size was controlled to verify the sensor's sensing mechanism. The sensors was evaluated at five different degrees (from $200^{\circ}C$ to $400^{\circ}C$) and three different concentrations (from 500 ppb to 1500 ppb). The sensors had good sensitivity of both simulants, and high selectivity of DMMP.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.312-315
• /
• 2011

The effect of slurry composition and wafer flatness on a material removal rate (MRR) and resulting surface roughness which are evaluation parameters to determine the CMP characteristics of the on-axis 6H-SiC substrate were systematically investigated. 2-inch SiC wafers were fabricated from the ingot grown by a conventional physical vapor transport (PVT) method were used for this study. The SiC substrate after the CMP process using slurry added oxidizers into slurry consisted of KOH-based colloidal silica and nano-size diamond particle exhibited the significant MRR value and a fine surface without any surface damages. SiC wafers with high bow value after the CMP process exhibited large variation in surface roughness value compared to wafer with low bow value. The CMPprocessed SiC wafer having a low bow value of 1im was observed to result in the Root-mean-square height (RMS) value of 2.747 A and the mean height (Ra) value of 2.147 A.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2003.03a
• /
• pp.134-134
• /
• 2003

SnO$_2$를 모물질로 하는 가스센서는 n형 산화물 반도체로서 공기중의 산소의 흡탈착 및 전자의 수수에 의해 전기전도도의 변화로 특정 가스를 감지한다. 지금까지 반도체식 가스센서의 모물질로 가장 많이 연구되어 왔지만 아직도 선택성, 안정성 등 여러 가지 문제를 안고 있다. 그리고 개선방안으로 귀금속 촉매의 첨가 및 입자의 크기의 조절 등이 흔히 연구되어 왔다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 순수한 SnO$_2$ 를 이용하여 소결 온도 및 입자 크기에 의한 영향을 CO가스 및 수분에 대한 감도, 반응 시간을 통해 알아보았다. 수열 합성 및 침전 법으로 나노 크기의 SnO$_2$ 분말을 합성하여 스크린 인쇄법으로 후막 가스센서를 제조하였다 침전법에서 SnCl$_4$에 암모니아수로 pH=10.5로 적정하여 SnO$_2$ 분말을 얻었다. 그리고 입자 크기를 조절하기 위해 수열 합성 시 autoclave 내의 수열처리 온도를 100, 150, 20$0^{\circ}C$로 조절하여 SnO$_2$ 분말을 제조하고 입자 크기와 성분분석을 위해 XRD, SEM, TEM, BET 측정을 하였다. 그 결과 침전법으로 제조한 입자의 크기는 20nm 정도였으며 수열 처리한 SnO$_2$ 입자는 10nm이하의 미세한 입자를 얻을 수 있었다. 수열 합성 시 온도가 높아질수록 더 작은 입자 크기를 얻을 수 있었고 600, 7()0, 80$0^{\circ}C$ 열처리 후 입자성장이 침전법에 의한 SnO$_2$ 분말보다 더 작게 일어났다. 이렇게 제조한 나노크기의 SnO$_2$ 분말을 이용하여 습도 및 CO 가스에 대한 그 특실을 평가하였다. CO 20ppm에 대하여 40%정도의 감도를 보였으며 입자가 작아질수록 높은 감도를 보이는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 반면 CO 가스와 반응 후 회복 시 입자 의기가 작아질수록 회복이 늦어짐을 알 수 있었다. 그리고 15$0^{\circ}C$에서 습도에 대한 반응 후 회복시간을 조사해보니 같은 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 이것은 입자 필기가 작아질수록 많은 흡착 사이트를 제공함으로써 높은 감도를 가지지만 반면 다량의 흡착된 가스들이 탈착 하는데 더 많은 시간이 소요되었기 때문이다.