• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.193-197
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• 2007

In this study, the effect of metal treatment on granular activated carbon (GAC) was investigated in the context of phenol adsorption. Cobalt(II) nitrate, and zinc(II) nitrate solution were used for metal treated. The specific surface area and the pore structure were evaluated from nitrogen adsorption data at 77 K. The phenol adsorption rates onto GAC were measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Iodine adsorption capacity of Co-GAC is much better then that of the GAC. The Co-GAC with mesopore is more efficient than other adsorbents for the adsorption of polymer such as methyleneblue. The adsorption capacity of reference-GAC and metal-GAC were increased in order of Co-GAC>Zn-GAC>Reference-GAC, in spite of a decrease in specific surface area which was resulted from pore blocking by metal.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.315-322
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• 2023

In the present work, we address the new route for the green synthesis of manganese dioxide (MnO₂) by an innovative method named the solution plasma process (SPP). The reaction mechanism of both colloidal and nanostructured MnO₂ was investigated. Firstly, colloidal MnO₂ was synthesized by plasma discharging in KMnO₄ aqueous solution without any additives such as reducing agents, acids, or base chemicals. As a function of the discharge time, the purple color solution of MnO₄^- (oxidation state +7) was changed to the brown color of MnO₂ (oxidation state +4) and then light yellow of Mn²⁺ (oxidation state +2). Based on the UV-vis analysis we found the optimal discharging time for the synthesis of stable colloidal MnO₂ and also reaction mechanism was verified by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis. Secondly, MnO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by SPP with a small amount of reducing sugar. The precipitation of brown color was observed after 8 min of plasma discharge and then completely separated into colorless solution and precipitation. It was confirmed layered type of nanoporous birnessite-MnO₂ by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and electron microscopes. The most important merits of this approach are environmentally friendly process within a short time compared to the conventional method. Moreover, the morphology and the microstructure could be controllable by discharge conditions for the appropriate potential applications, such as secondary batteries, supercapacitors, adsorbents, and catalysts.

• 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.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.58-70
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• 2023

The improper management of radioactive waste or accidents caused by natural disasters can result in the release of radioactive materials into the surrounding environment, potentially leading to soil and groundwater contamination by radionuclides. In this study, adsorption-desorption behaviors of the radionuclides (cobalt and strontium) in natural soil, montmorillonite, Mn-PILC, Fe-PILC, and fishbone were investigated. Several models were used to predict adsorption isotherms of radionuclides on various absorbents. Adsorption isotherms of cobalt and strontium in several adsorbents were examined at pH 5.5. The amount of sorbed cobalt and strontium were represented fishbone > natural soil > Mn-PILC > Fe-PILC > montmorillonite and natural soil > Mn-PILC > fishbone > Fe-PILC > montmorillonite, respectively. Adsorption datas were fitted with several models such as Freundlich, Langmuir, Sips, Redlich-Peterson, Khan, and Generalized model. The results of curve fitting showed R²> 0.98 in all of adsorption models, except Sr²⁺ adsorption onto montmorillonite. For modified clays (Mn-PILC, Fe-PILC), it is suggested that, unlike natural soils and fish bones, there are not only single adsorption mechanisms but also adsorption mechanisms based on chemical adsorption and surface charge. In the case of fish bones, due to the relatively higher adsorption capacity than modified clays and its characteristic of significant desorption, it is expected more suitable for the removal of radionuclides in aquatic environments than for the immobilization of radionuclides in soil.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.596-602
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• 2023

Chromium-based metal-organic frameworks (MIL-101(Cr)) were synthesized, and their potential use as a filling material for gas masks or protective clothing was assessed through adsorption experiments using diisopropyl methyl phosphate (DIMP) as a simulant for chemical warfare agents. MIL-101(Cr) was prepared using acetic acid (MIL-101(Cr)-A) and sodium hydroxide (MIL-101(Cr)-N) as modulators. The use of acetic acid as a modulator resulted in a larger specific surface area and a higher DIMP adsorption capacity. MIL-101(Cr)-A absorbed approximately 160% of its own weight of moisture when exposed to an environment with a relative humidity of 90% for 10 days, surpassing other adsorbents such as activated carbon. The DIMP adsorption capacity of MIL-101(Cr)-A decreased to about 40% of its initial adsorption capacity after 24 hours of exposure to an environment with a relative humidity of 90%. However, this capacity is still higher compared to that of activated carbon used in commercial gas masks, suggesting a high potential for future use as a filling material for gas masks or protective clothing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.601-607
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• 2024

The discharge of oily wastewater into water bodies and soil poses a serious hazard to the environment and public health. Various conventional techniques have been employed to treat oil-water mixtures and emulsions; Unfortunately, these approaches are frequently expensive, time-consuming, and unsatisfactory outcomes. Porous materials and adsorbents are commonly used for purification, but their use is limited by low separation efficiencies and the risk of secondary contamination. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have driven the development of innovative materials and technologies for oil-contaminated wastewater treatment. Nanomaterials can offer enhanced oil-water separation properties due to their high surface area and tunable surface chemistry. The fabrication of nanofiber membranes with precise pore sizes and surface properties can further improve separation efficiency. Notably, novel technologies have emerged utilizing nanomaterials with special surface wetting properties, such as superhydrophobicity, to selectively separate oil from oil-water mixtures or emulsions. These special wetting surfaces are promising for high-efficiency oil separation in emulsions and allow the use of materials with relatively large pores, enhancing throughput and separation efficiency. In this study, we introduce a facile and scalable method for fabrication of superhydrophobic-superoleophilic felt fabrics for oil/water mixture and emulsion separation. AlN nanopowders are hydrolyzed to create the desired microstructures, which firmly adhere to the fabric surface without the need for a binder resin, enabling specialized wetting properties. This approach is applicable regardless of the material's size and shape, enabling efficient separation of oil and water from oil-water mixtures and emulsions. The oil-water separation materials proposed in this study exhibit low cost, high scalability, and efficiency, demonstrating their potential for broad industrial applications.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.375-382
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• 2023

The binary oxide adsorbent using Fe and Mn (Fe-Mn) has been prepared by precipitation method to enhance the removal of phosphate. Different amounts of chitosan, a natural organic polymer, were used during preparation of Fe-Mn as a stabilizer to protect an aggregation of Fe-Mn particles. The optimal amount of chitosan has been determined considering the separation of the Fe-Mn particles by gravity from solution and highest removal efficiency of phosphate (Fe-Mn10). The application of Fe-Mn10 increased removal efficiency at least 15% compared to bare Fe-Mn. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum uptake (q_m) and affinity coefficient (b) were calculated to be 184 and 240 mg/g, and 4.28 and 7.30 L/mg for Fe-Mn and Fe-Mn10, respectively, indicating 30% and 70% increase. The effect of pH showed that the removal efficiency of phosphate was decrease with increase of pH regardless of type of adsorbent. The enhanced removal efficiency for Fe-Mn10 was maintained in entire range of pH. In the kinetics, both adsorbents obtained 70% removal efficiency within 5 min and 90% removal efficiency was achieved at 1 h. Pseudo second order (PSO) kinetic model showed higher correlation of determination (R²), suggesting chemisorption was the primary phosphate adsorption for both Fe-Mn and Fe-Mn10.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.177-186
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• 2023

Perfluorooctanoic acid(PFOA) was one of widely used per- and poly substances(PFAS) in the industrial field and its concentration in the surface and groundwater was found with relatively high concentration compared to other PFAS. Since various processes have been introduced to remove the PFOA, adsorption using GAC is well known as a useful and effective process in water and wastewater treatment. Surface modification for GAC was carried out using Cu and Fe to enhance the adsorption capacity and four different adsorbents, such as GAC-Cu, GAC-Fe, GAC-Cu(OH)₂, GAC-Fe(OH)₃ were prepared and compared with GAC. According to SEM-EDS, the increase of Cu or Fe was confirmed after surface modification and higher weight was observed for Cu and Fe hydroxide(GAC-Cu(OH)₂ and GAC-Fe(OH)₃, respectively). BET analysis showed that the surface modification reduced specific surface area and total pore volumes. The highest removal efficiency(71.4%) was obtained in GAC-Cu which is improved by 17.9% whereas the use of Fe showed lower removal efficiency compared to GAC. PFOA removal was decreased with increase of solution pH indicating electrostatic interaction governs at low pH and its effect was decreased when the point of zero charges(pzc) was negatively increased with an increase of pH. The enhanced removal of PFOA was clearly observed in solution pH 7, confirming the Cu in the surface of GAC plays a role on the PFOA adsorption. The maximum uptake was calculated as 257 and 345 ㎍/g for GAC and GAC-Cu using Langmuir isotherm. 40% and 80% of removal were accomplished within 1 h and 48 h. According to R², only the linear pseudo-second-order(pso) kinetic model showed 0.98 whereas the others obtained less than 0.870.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of combining acidification with adsorbents (zeolite and biochar) to mitigate the environmental impacts of pig slurry, focusing on ammonia (NH₃) emission and nitrate (NO₃^-) leaching. The four treatments were applied: 1) pig slurry (PS) alone as a control, 2) acidified PS (AP), 3) acidified pig slurry with zeolite (APZ), and 4) acidified pig slurry with biochar (APB). The AP mitigates NH₃ emission and NO₃^- leaching compared to PS alone. Acidification reduced the cumulative NH₃ emission and its emission factor by 35.9% and 12.5%, respectively. The APZ and APB increased NH₄⁺-N concentration, with the highest level in APB, compared to AP. The NH₄⁺ adsorption capacity of APB (0.90 mg g^-1) was higher than that of APZ (0.63 mg g^-1). The APB and APZ treatments induced less NH₃ emission compared to AP. The cumulative NH₃ emission was reduced by 12.2% and 27.6% in APZ and APB, respectively, compared to AP treatment. NO₃^- leaching began to appear on days 12 and 13, and its peak reached on days 16 and 17, which were later than AP. The cumulative NO₃^- leaching decreased by 17.7% and 25.0% in APZ and APB, respectively, compared to AP treatment. These results suggest that combining biochar or zeolite with acidified pig slurry is an effective method to mitigate NH₃ emission and NO₃^- leaching, with biochar being particularly effective.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2024

Accidents at nuclear facilities and nuclear power plants led to leaks of large amounts of radioactive substances. Of the various radioactive nuclides released, ¹³⁷Cs are radioactive substances generated during the fission of uranium. Therefore, due to the high fission yield (6.09%), strong gamma rays, and a relatively long half-life (30 years), a rapid and efficient removal method and a study of adsorbents are needed. Accordingly, an adsorbent was prepared using Prussian blue (PB), a material that selectively adsorbs radioactive cesium. As a result of evaluating the adsorption performance with the prepared adsorbent, it was confirmed that 82% of the removal efficiency was obtained, and most of the cesium was rapidly adsorbed within 10 to 15 minutes. The purpose of this study was to adsorb cesium using the Prussian blue alginate bead and to compare the change in detection efficiency according to the amount of adsorbent added for quantitative evaluation. However, in this case, it is difficult to determine the detection efficiency using a standard source with the same conditions as the measurement sample, so the efficiency change of the HPGe detector according to the different heights of Prussian blue was calculated through MCNP simulation using certified standard materials (1 L, Marinelli beaker) for radioactivity measurement. It is expected to derive a relational equation that can calculate detection efficiency through an efficiency curve according to the volume of Prussian blue, quantitatively evaluate the activity at the same time as the adsorption of radioactive nuclides in actual contaminated water and use it in the field of nuclear facility operation and dismantling in the future.