• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.2049-2056
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• 2014

A simple method for exfoliating pristine graphite to yield mono-, bi-, and multi-layers of graphene sheets as a highly concentrated (5.25 mg/mL) and yielded solution in an organic solvent was developed. Pre-thermal treatment of pristine graphite at $900^{\circ}C$ in a sealed stainless steel bath under high pressures, followed by sonication in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone solvent at elevated temperatures, produced a homogeneous, well-dispersed, and non-oxidized graphene solution with a low defect density. The electrical conductivities of the graphene sheets were very high, up to 848 S/cm. These graphene sheets were used to fabricate graphene-polyimide nanocomposites, which displayed a higher electrical conductivity (1.37 S/m) with an improved tensile strength (95 MPa). The synthesized graphene sheets and nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics A
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• v.30A no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 1993

Thermal behavior and $O_{2}$ plasma effects on residue and penetrated impurities formed by reactive ion etching (RIE) in CHF$_{3}$/C$_{2}$F$_{6}$ have been investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) techniques. Decomposition of polymer residue film begins between 200-300.deg. C, and above 400.deg. C carbon compound as graphite mainly forms by in-situ resistive heating. It reveals that thermal decomposition of residue can be completed by rapid thermal anneal above 800.deg. C under nitrogen atmosphere and out-diffusion of penetrated impurities is observed. The residue layer has been removed with $O_{2}$ plasma exposure of etched silicon and its chemical bonding states have been changed into F-O, C-O etc.. And $O_{2}$ plasma exposure results in the decrease of penetrated impurities.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.235-243
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of incorporating supercritical carbon dioxide ($scCO_2$) into twin screw extrusion process for the production of polypropylene-clay nanocomposite (PPCN). The $CO_2$ is used as a reversible plasticizer which is expected to rapidly transport polymeric chains into the galleries of clay layers in its supercritical condition inside the extruder barrel and to expand the gallery spacings in its sub-critical state upon emerging from die. The structure and properties of the resulting PPCNs are characterized using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), rheometry, thermogravimetry and mechanical testing. In the processing of the PPCNs with $scCO_2$, optimum $scCO_2$ concentration and screw speed which maximized the degree of intercalation of clay layers were observed. The WAXD result reveals that the PP/PP-g-MA/clay system treated with $scCO_2$ has more exfoliated structure than that without $scCO_2$ treatment, which is supported by TEM result. $scCO_2$ processing enhanced the thermal stability of PPCN hybrids. From the measurement of linear viscoelastic property, a solid-like behavior at low frequency was observed for the PPCNs with high concentration of PP-g-MA. The use of $scCO_2$ generally increased Young's modulus and tensile strength of PPCN hybrids.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.831-840
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• 2020

The β-class of carbonic anhydrases (β-CAs) are zinc metalloenzymes widely distributed in the fungal kingdom that play essential roles in growth, survival, differentiation, and virulence by catalyzing the reversible interconversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and bicarbonate (HCO₃^-). Herein, we report the biochemical and crystallographic characterization of the β-CA CafA from the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, the main causative agent of invasive aspergillosis. CafA exhibited apparent in vitro CO₂ hydration activity in neutral to weak alkaline conditions, but little activity at acidic pH. The high-resolution crystal structure of CafA revealed a tetramer comprising a dimer of dimers, in which the catalytic zinc ion is tetrahedrally coordinated by three conserved residues (C119, H175, C178) and an acetate anion presumably acquired from the crystallization solution, indicating a freely accessible "open" conformation. Furthermore, knowledge of the structure of CafA in complex with the potent inhibitor acetazolamide, together with its functional intolerance of nitrate (NO₃^-) ions, could be exploited to develop new antifungal agents for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.193-217
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• 2022

The Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha Triad and Altarpiece have not been the subjects of definitive species identification and scientific analysis. In this study, visual investigation, portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), species identification, and lacquer layer observations were carried out to determine the original materials and conservation status. Cracks, exfoliation and discoloration were detected during the visual investigation. The p-XRF data indicated that chrome oxide green, malachite, gold, cadmium red, cinnabar, minium, hematite, lead white, ink stick (Carbon), and copper were used for pigments and the coronet accessory. Tilia spp., Abies spp., and Pinus spp. were identified from both the Buddha Triad and Altarpiece. Finally, lacquer layer analyses of the base layer, lacquer layer, orange pigment layer, and gold leaf layer observed modern synthetic pigments likely used in previous conservation. As the Korean Cultural Heritage Charter and the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites clearly state that objects of cultural heritage must be conserved using their original materials, future conservation of these objects should utilize the data obtained in this study to employ traditional materials. Furthermore, a deterioration map diagnosis can be applied together with the obtained analysis data to understand the conservation status of and inform an appropriate and authentic conservation treatment for the Buddha Triad and Altarpiece.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.749-763
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• 2001

Osseointegrated titanium implants have become an integral therapy for the replacement of teeth lost. For dental implant materials, titanium, hydroxyapatite and alumina oxide have been used, which of them, titanium implants are in wide use today. Titanium is known for its high corrosion resistance and biocompatability, because of the high stability of oxide layer mainly consists of $TiO_2$. With the development of peri-implantitis, the implant surface is changed in surface topography and element composition. None of the treatments for cleaning and detoxification of implant surface is efficient to remove surface contamination from contaminated titanium implants to such extent that the original surface elemental composition. In this sights, the purpose of this study was to evaluate rough surface titanium implants by means of scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) with respect to surface appearance and surface elemental composition. Moreover, it was also the aim to get the base for treatments of peri-implantitis. For the SEM and XPS study, rough surface titanium models were fabricated for control group. Six experimental groups were evaluated: 1) long-time room exposure, 2 ) air-powder abrasive cleaning for 1min, 3) burnishing in citric acid(pH1) for 1min, 4) burnishing in citric acid for 3min, 5) burnishing in tetracycline for 1min, 6) burnishing in tetracycline for 3min. All experimental treatments were followed by 1min of rinsing with distilled water. The results were as follows: 1. SEM observations of all experimental groups showed that any changes in surface topography were not detected when compared with control group. (750 X magnification) 2. XPS analysis showed that in all experimental groups, titanium and oxygen were increased and carbon was decreased, when compared with control group. 3. XPS analysis showed that the level of titanium, oxygen and carbon in the experimental group 3(citric acid treatment for 1min, followed by 1min of distilled water irrigation) reached to the level of control group. 4. XPS analysis showed that significant differences were not detected between the experimental group 1 and the other experimental groups except of experimental group 3. The Ti. level of experimental group 2, airpowder abrasive treatment for lmin followed by 1min of saline irrigation, was lower than the Ti. level of tetracycline treated groups, experimental group 5 and 6. From the result of this study, it may be concluded that the 1min of citric acid treatment followed by same time of rinsing with distilled water gave the best results from elemental points of view, and can be used safely to treat peri-implantitis.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.68.1-68.1
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• 2012

The best part of graphene is - charge-carriers in it are mass less particles which move in near relativistic speeds. Comparing to other materials, electrons in graphene travel much faster - at speeds of $10^8cm/s$. A graphene sheet is pure enough to ensure that electrons can travel a fair distance before colliding. Electronic devices few nanometers long that would be able to transmit charge at breath taking speeds for a fraction of power compared to present day CMOS transistors. Many researches try to check a possibility to make it a perfect replacement for silicon based devices. Graphene has shown high potential to be used as interconnects in the field of high frequency electrical devices. With all those advantages of graphene, we demonstrate characteristics of electrical and optical properties of graphene such as the effect of graphene geometry on the microwave properties using the measurements of S-parameter in range of 500 MHz - 40 GHz at room temperature condition. We confirm that impedance and resistance decrease with increasing the number of graphene layer and w/L ratio. This result shows proper geometry of graphene to be used as high frequency interconnects. This study also presents the optical properties of graphene oxide (GO), which were deposited in different substrate, or influenced by oxygen plasma, were confirmed using different characterization techniques. 4-6 layers of the polycrystalline GO layers, which were confirmed by High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electron diffraction analysis, were shown short range order of crystallization by the substrate as well as interlayer effect with an increase in interplanar spacing, which can be attributed to the presence of oxygen functional groups on its layers. X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of the $sp^2$ and $sp^3$ hybridization due to the disordered crystal structures of the carbon atoms results from oxidation, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and XPS analysis shows the changes in oxygen functional groups with nature of substrate. Moreover, the photoluminescent (PL) peak emission wavelength varies with substrate and the broad energy level distribution produces excitation dependent PL emission in a broad wavelength ranging from 400 to 650 nm. The structural and optical properties of oxygen plasma treated GO films for possible optoelectronic applications were also investigated using various characterization techniques. HRTEM and electron diffraction analysis confirmed that the oxygen plasma treatment results short range order crystallization in GO films with an increase in interplanar spacing, which can be attributed to the presence of oxygen functional groups. In addition, Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of the $sp^2$ and $sp^3$ hybridization due to the disordered crystal structures of the carbon atoms results from oxidation and XPS analysis shows that epoxy pairs convert to more stable C=O and O-C=O groups with oxygen plasma treatment. The broad energy level distribution resulting from the broad size distribution of the $sp^2$ clusters produces excitation dependent PL emission in a broad wavelength range from 400 to 650 nm. Our results suggest that substrate influenced, or oxygen treatment GO has higher potential for future optoelectronic devices by its various optical properties and visible PL emission.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.537-542
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• 2016

In this study, we have prepared mesophase pitch from pyrolysis fuel oil (PFO) by heterogeneous reforming process. This process was conducted by direct fluorination at various temperature and followed by the heat treatment at $390^{\circ}C$. The reformed pitch was then investigated by softening point analysis, elemental analysis, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, high resolution X-ray diffraction and polarization microscope analysis. Carbon contents of reformed pitch increased according to increasing the reaction temperature of fluorination, while oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur contents were completely eliminated. As the fluorination temperature increased, the creation, growth, coalescence and alignment process of mesophase spheres were observed. Also the interlayer spacing of carbon hexagonal planar structure decreased, while its crystalline size increased. In addition, aromatic ring compound contents increased by the condensation polymerization of aliphatic compound. These results can be attributed to the radical reactivity of the fluorine increased as the reaction temperature increased. It was considered that the fluorination reaction could help PFO to generate aromatic compounds, via promoting polymerization by radical reaction.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2000

Garbon steel(SM35C) was gas nitrocarburized at $580^{\circ}C$ in $55%N_2-40%NH_3-5%CO_2$ mixed gas atmosphere, and then the steel was induction hardened at $850^{\circ}C$. The microstructure of gas nitrocarburized surface layer was observed by optical microscope and SEM. The phase analysis was carried out by X-ray diffraction method. The mechanical properties of gas nitrocarburized SM35C steel was evaluated by hardness, wear and fatigue test. The thickness of compound and diffusion layer were increased with increasing the gas nitrocarburizing time and the densest compound layer was obtained at 3 hours gas nitrocarburizing time. In case of 15sec induction hardening after gas nitrocarburizing, the surface hardness was decreased from 800Hv to 630Hv owing to the decomposition of compound layer, but wear resistance was increased because of increased hardness of diffusion layer. The fatigue strength of induction hardened steel after gas nitrocarburizing, $58kgf/mm^2$, was higher than $41.5kg/mm^2$ of gas nitrocarburized steel and $45kg/mm^2$ of induction hardened steel, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2014

Poly vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP) membrane were prepared by the electrospinning technique. We had applied a DLC coating process and then the surface of the membrane and the contact angle change was investigated. Electrospun fibrous PVdF-HFP membrane surface became to wrinkled shape by Ar plasma treatment and treatment conditions. The wrinkled surface of PVdF-HFP membrane became super-hydrophilic. However, after DLC coating process, it became super-hydrophobic. The resulting surfaces were characterized by water contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Resultantly it was recognized that the wettability characteristics of the membrane surfaces depended on the chemical composition and surface morphology.