• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.231-244
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• 2020

As a way of finding value-added materials from waste medium density fiberboard (MDF), this study characterized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) isolated by ammonium persulfate (APS) oxidation using recycled MDF fibers. Chemical composition of the recycled MDF fibers was done to quantify α-cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, nitrogen, ash and extractives. The APS oxidation was performed at 60 ℃ for 16 h, followed by ultrasonication, which resulted in a CNC yield of 11%. Transmission electron microscope images showed that rod-like CNCs had an average length and diameter of 167±47 nm and 8.24±2.28 nm, respectively, which gave an aspect ratio of about 20. The conductometric titration of aqueous CNCs suspension resulted in a carboxyl content of 0.24 mmol/g and the degree of oxidation was 0.04. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy clearly showed the presence of carboxyl group on the CNCs prepared by the APS oxidation. The change of pH of the aqueous CNC suspension from 4 to 7 converted the carboxyl group to sodium carboxylate group. These results showed that the APS oxidation was facile and CNCs had a one-step preparation method, and thus suggested an optimization of the oxidation condition in future.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.597-606
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• 2019

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully isolated from oil palm fronds (OPFs) using different concentrations of ammonium persulfate (APS), and their characteristics were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). APS oxidation effectively isolated CNCs with rod-like morphology in nanometer scale. The dimensions of the CNCs decreased with increasing APS concentration. FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that all the CNCs showed crystals in the form of cellulose I without crystal transformation occurring during APS treatment. The relative crystallinity of the CNCs increased with increasing APS concentration, whereas their thermal stability decreased. An APS concentration of 2 M was found to be optimal for isolating the CNCs.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2013

ETA (ethanolamine), a pH control agent, has been used as an ammonia substitute in the secondary system of nuclear power plants since 2001. It is impossible to remove ETA from the wastewater treatment system in the nuclear power plant operating currently, because it is the non-biodegradable organics in terms of the environmental. The optimum process and chemicals for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) & N with the field sample were investigated. More than 95% of Ammonium ions, contained much in wastewater, was removed with a diffused aeration system. COD could be removed over 90% through the process that includes the oxidation with mixed peroxidants (sodium persulfate/sodium percarbonate) followed by the physicochemical treatment with coagulants.