• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.159-166
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• 2012

We have introduced the Pickering emulsion systems to generate novel confining geometries for the selforganization of monodisperse polymer microspheres using nanoparticle-stabilized emulsion droplets encapsulating the building block particles. Then, through the slow evaporation of emulsion phases by heating, these microspheres were packed into regular polyhedral colloidal clusters covered with nanoparticle-stabilizers made of silica. Furthermore, polymer composite colloidal clusters were burnt out leaving nonspherical hollow micro-particles, in which the configurations of the cluster structure were preserved during calcination. The selfassembled porous architectures in this study will be potentially useful in various applications such as novel building block particles or supporting materials for catalysis or gas adsorption.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.194-194
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• 2006

Polymer light-emitting diodes(PLEDs) have great potential application in large area flat panel displays and general lighting so intense academic and industrial research, and impressive scientific and technological progress has been achieved in this field. However, the efficiency and stability of PLEDs till need to be improved in order to fully realize the advantages of low cost and ease of fabrication provided by organic materials. Here, we report our effort to enhance the PLED' s performance in two approaches : 1) Utilizing nano-structured materials such as nano particles, clay, nano porous silica in active layer 2) Modifying the device structure in nano scale to improve not only the device efficiency but also its stability.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.208-212
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• 2016

In this work, a loop sensor for Arc-Flash detections has been developed in order to trip a circuit breaker within 2.5 ms after an Arc-Flash event. For an efficient capturing of the flash light, plastic optical fibers, where light attenuations are larger than those in silica-based ones, with different diameters and surface conditions were utilized. The performance was comparatively analyzed with those of a point sensor and a commercialized product. The point sensor module was designed for hemisphere-like capturings of Arc-Flashes larger than 3 kA at 2 meters from the sensor. On the other hand, the loop sensor allowed 360-degree-detections around the fiber axis and the measurement range was dependent on the length of the fiber connected to the sensor module. The trip-level-dependent brightness measurement results showed that the fabricated point sensor and loop sensor satisfied a brightness condition, 10~40 klux, and the responses of the system to Arc-Flashes were completed within 2.5 ms.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.403-407
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• 2015

Poly-methylmetacrylate (PMMA) is mainly applied in the plastic manufacturing industry, but PMMA is weak and gradually got discolor. The strength of PMMA can be improved through organic-inorganic hybrid nano composites with inorganic nano particles such as, $SiO_2$ or ZrO. However, inorganic nano particles are mostly agglomerated spontaneously. In this study, the zeta potential is controlled using different types of organic solvent with different concentrations, dispersibillity of $SiO_2$ nano particles on the PMMA particle are analyzed. When 3 M acetic acid is used, absolute value of the zeta potential is higher, $SiO_2$ nano particle is well attached, and dispersed on the PMMA particle surface. Results indicate that the absolute value of the zeta potential affects the stability of $SiO_2$ dispersion.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.243-255
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• 2015

In this investigation, ecotoxicity of nano and micro metal oxides, namely silica ($SiO_2$) and alumina ($Al_2O_3$), on the growth of green algae (Porphyridium aerugineum Geitler) is discussed. Effects of nano and micro particles on the growth, chlorophyll content and protein content of algae are analysed using standard protocols. Results indicate that $SiO_2$ nano and micro $SiO_2$ particles are non-toxic to P. aerugineum Geitler up to a concentration of 1000 mg/L. In addition, $Al_2O_3$ microparticles are less toxic to P. aerugineum Geitler, whereas $Al_2O_3$ nanoparticles are found to be highly toxic at 1000 mg/L. Moreover, $Al_2O_3$ nanoparticles decrease the growth, chlorophyll content, and protein content of tested algae. In addition, zeta potential and contact angle are also important in enhancing the toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles in aquatic environment. This study highlights a new insight into toxicity evaluation of nanoparticles on beneficial aquatic organisms such as algae.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.159-169
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• 2013

A preparation method for gadolinium compound (GdC) nanoparticles coated with silica ($GdC/SiO_2$) is proposed. GdC nanoparticles were prepared with a homogeneous precipitation method at $80^{\circ}C$ using $1.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M $Gd(NO_3)_3$, 0.5 M urea and $0-3.0{\times}10^{-4}$ M ethylenediarinnetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (ETDA) in water. As a result of preparation at various EDTA concentrations, GdC nanoparticles with a size as small as $40.5{\pm}6.2$ nm, which were colloidally stable, were prepared at an EDTA concentration of $2.0{\times}10^{-4}$ M. Silica-coating of the GdC nanoparticles was performed by a St$\ddot{o}$ber method at $35^{\circ}C$ using $1.0-10.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), 11 M $H_2O$ and $1.5{\times}10^{-3}$ M NaOH in ethanol in the presence of $1.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M GdC nanoparticles. Performance of preparation at various TEOS concentrations resulted in production of $GdC/SiO_2$ particles with an average size of $106.1{\pm}11.2$ nm at a TEOS concentration of $5.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M. The gadolinium (Gd) concentration of $1.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M in the as-prepared $GdC/SiO_2$ particle colloid solution was increased up to a Gd concentration of 0.2 M by concentrating with centrifugation. The core-shell structure of $GdC/SiO_2$ particles was undamaged, and the colloid solution was still colloidally stable, even after the concentrating process. The concentrated $GdC/SiO_2$ colloid solution showed images of X-ray and magnetic resonance with contrast as high as commercial Gd complex contrast agents.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.735-750
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: The major challenge of tissue engineering is to develop constructions with suitable properties which would mimic the natural extracellular matrix to induce the proliferation and differentiation of cells. Poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC), chitosan (CS), nano-silica ($n-SiO_2$) and nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) are biomaterials successfully applied for the preparation of 3D structures appropriate for tissue engineering. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of n-HA and $n-SiO_2$ incorporated PCEC-CS nanofibers on physical properties and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle and mechanical test were applied to evaluate the physicochemical properties of nanofibers. Cell adhesion and proliferation of hDPSCs and their osteoblastic differentiation on nanofibers were assessed using MTT assay, DAPI staining, alizarin red S staining, and QRT-PCR assay. RESULTS: All the samples demonstrated bead-less morphologies with an average diameter in the range of 190-260 nm. The mechanical test studies showed that scaffolds incorporated with n-HA had a higher tensile strength than ones incorporated with $n-SiO_2$. While the hydrophilicity of $n-SiO_2$ incorporated PCEC-CS nanofibers was higher than that of samples enriched with n-HA. Cell adhesion and proliferation studies showed that n-HA incorporated nanofibers were slightly superior to $n-SiO_2$ incorporated ones. Alizarin red S staining and QRT-PCR analysis confirmed the osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs on PCEC-CS nanofibers incorporated with n-HA and $n-SiO_2$. CONCLUSION: Compared to other groups, PCEC-CS nanofibers incorporated with 15 wt% n-HA were able to support more cell adhesion and differentiation, thus are better candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.981-987
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• 2002

Monodispersed colloidal silica was prepared by Stober process. We have synthesized monodispersed colloidal silica of carious sizes (100 nm, 200 nm, 300 nm) by controlling volume ratios of TEOS(Tetraethylorthosilicate), $NH_4OH$, Ethanol and D. I. water. Shape and monodispersity of the synthesized colloidal particles were observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) and laser light scattering particle analyzer. Self-assembled monolayer of monodispersed colloids was achieved by dipping Si substrate into a well-dispersed silica suspension. It was determined that uniformity and spatial extent of the self-assemble monolayer of monodispersed colloids are significantly influenced by the experimental parameters such as concentration, pH and surface tension of the colloidal suspension. We have observed a hexagonally well-ordered packing colloidal monolayer in a relatively large area (1.5 mm ${\times}$ 1.5 mm) as confirmed by SEM.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.598-601
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• 2014

The effects of process parameters for the formation of polypropylene film such as the polypropylene concentration in the solution, drying temperature for coating film, and variation of nano-silica content on the surface structure and property of polypropylene film have been studied. A super-hydrophobic polypropylene film with a maximum contact angle of $154^{\circ}$ was obtained at the condition of a polypropylene concentration of 30 mg/mL, a drying temperature of $30^{\circ}C$, a drying pressure of 93 mtorr for 90 min. The increase of a drying temperature reduced the contact angle by enhancing the surface smoothness of the film. The increase of nano-silica content in the composite film composed of polypropylene and silica changed the surface shape from microporous to microglobular, which led to increasing the contact angle and showed the super-hydrophobic surface property.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.295-312
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• 2022

This study investigates the effects of nano silica (NS) and micro steel fiber on the properties of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). The experimental consists of three groups, each one with five percentages of NS content (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) in addition to the 20% silica fume and 20% quartz powder proportioned according to the weight of cement added to the mixtures. In addition, three percentages of micro steel fibers (0%, 1% and 2%) were considered. Different mixtures with varying percentages of NS and micro steel fibers were prepared to set the water-to-binder ratio, such as 0.16% and 1.8% superplasticizer proportioned according the weight of the binder materials. The fresh properties, mechanical properties and elevated temperatures of the mixtures were calculated. Then, the results from the microstructure analyses were compared with that of the reference mixtureand it was found that 6% replacement of cement with NS was optimum replacement level. When the NS content was increased from 0% to 6%, the air content and permeability of the mixture decreased by 35% and 39%, the compressive and tensile strength improved by 21% and 18% and the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity increased by 20% and 11.5%, respectively. However, the effect of micro steel fibres on the compressive strength was inconclusive. The overall results indicate that micro steel fibres have the potential to improve the tensile strength, flexure strength and modulus of elasticity of the UHPC. The use of 6% NS together with 1% micro-steel fiber increased the concrete strength and reduce the cost of concrete mix.