• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.375-385
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• 2014

NaA zeolite/${\alpha}$-alumina composite membranes were hydrothermally synthesized at $100^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr by using nanosize seed of 100 nm in diameter and an ${\alpha}$-alumina support of $0.1{\mu}m$ in pore diameter, and then effect of seed coating layer on the microstructure of NaA zeolite separation layer was systematically investigated. In cases when nanosize seed was coated with a monolayer, increment in seed coverage induced small grained and thick NaA zeolite separation layer. On the other hand, in case when nanosize seed was coated with a multilayer, much small grained and thick separation layer was formed. It was clear that an uniform monolayer seed coating is required to grow hydrothermally a thin and defect-free NaA zeolite separation layer. In the present study, it was clearly announced that seed coating layer is a key factor to determine the microstructure of NaA zeolite layer, secondary grown on a porous support.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.263-275
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• 2019

In the present study, thickness of MOR zeolite membranes was controlled by changing seed size, seeding amount, and aging time of hydrothermal solution, and then effect of membrane thickness on pervaporative ethanol dehydration for 90 wt.% ethanol-water mixture was investigated. First, nanosize MOR zeolite seeds with a diameter of 20 to 30 nm was successfully prepared by planetary milling a laboratory synthesized MOR zeolites and the coating amount was controlled by seed concentration and infiltration volume of coating solution during vacuum-assisted seeding. As seeding amount decreased, membrane thickness was reduced up to around $4{\mu}m$. The MOR zeolite membrane having a thickness of $4{\mu}m$ showed a water/ethanol separation factor of 760 and water flux of $1.0kg/m^2h$. The excellent water flux was due to the reduced membrane thickness which was derived from the nanosize seed. Therefore, it could be concluded that membrane thickness control by using nanosize seed can be a crucial factor to improve pervaporative water flux of MOR zeolite membrane.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 2018

Certain agrochemicals may be tuned for increased effectiveness when downsized to nanoparticles (NPs), where one dimension is less than 100 nm. The NPs may function as fertilizers, pesticides and products to improve plant health through seed priming, growth promotion, and induction of systemic tolerance to stress. Formulations will allow targeted applications with timed release, reducing waste and pollution when compared to treatments with bulk-size products. The NPs may be a single component, such as nano-ZnO as a fertilizer, or be composites of compatible materials, for example where N, P, and K plus micronutrients are available. The active materials could be loaded into porous carriers or tethered to base nanostructures. Coatings could include such natural products alginate, chitosan, zein, or silica. Certain NPs are taken up and transported in the plant's phloem and xylem so systemic effects are feasible. Timed and targeted release of the active product could be achieved in response to changes in pH or availability of ligands within the plant or the rhizosphere. Global research has revealed the many potentials offered by NP formulations to aid sustainability in agriculture. Current work will provide information needed by regulatory agencies to assess their safety in the agricultural setting.