• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-34
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• 2021

Water supplies are decreasing in comparison to increasing clean water demands. Using nanofiltration is one of the most effective and economical methods to meet the need for clean water. Common methods for desalination are reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. However, pristine membranes lack the essential features which are, stability, economic efficiency, antibacterial and antifouling performances. To enhance the properties of the pristine membranes, graphene oxide (GO) is a promising and widely researched material for thin film composites (TFC) membrane due to their characteristics that help improve the hydrophilicity and anti-fouling properties. Modification of the membrane can be done on different layers. The thin film composite membranes are composed of three different layers, the top filtering active thin polyamide (PA) layer, supporting porous layer, and supporting fabric. Forward osmosis (FO) process is yet another energy efficient desalination process, but its efficiency is affected due to biofouling. Incorporation of GO enhance antibacterial properties leading to reduction of biofilm formation on the membrane surface. Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is an excellent process to generate clean energy from sea water and the biofouling of membrane is reduced by introduction of GO into the active layer of the TFC membrane. Different modifications on the membranes are being researched, each modification with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this review, modifications of nanofiltration membranes and their composites, characterization, and performances are discussed.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.177-185
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• 2021

Clinical applications of translucent zirconia as well as traditional zirconia (3 mol% yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal, 3Y-TZP) are increasing. For this reason, studies on factors affecting the optical properties of dental zirconia have been continuously reported. The optical effect of dental zirconia may vary depending on the yttria content, the thickness of the prosthesis, the sintering process, polishing, glazing and cementation in laboratory and clinical procedures. Increasing the yttria concentration can reduce the masking effect. Translucency decreases as the thickness of the restoration increases, but the required thickness may vary depending on the properties of the zirconia block. The high-speed sintering method can shorten the manufacturing time, but in some cases, the translucency of the prosthesis may decrease. In addition, the optical properties can be affected by the surface roughness of zirconia and the polishing process. The use of an appropriate colored cement can help with the masking effect of zirconia and can be useful for color matching for more esthetic results.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.624-629
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• 2022

Formaldehyde is an indoor pollutant that is harmful to humans, such as causing respiratory and skin diseases. Nitrogen plasma treatment was performed to introduce nitrogen groups on the surface of the activated carbon fibers (ACFs), and the adsorption characteristics of formaldehyde for the surface-modified ACFs were considered. As the nitrogen gas flow rate increased, the content of nitrogen functional groups introduced to the surface of the ACFs increased by about 7%, and the ratio of nitrogen functional groups to each type present was similar. Ultramicropores increased on the ACFs surface due to the etching effect of plasma treatment. The adsorption efficiency of formaldehyde on the modified ACFs surface was also enhanced. However, under the nitrogen flow rate of 120 sccm or more, the surface of the ACFs was excessively etched, and the specific surface area and the formaldehyde adsorption capacity decreased. Therefore, the content of the nitrogen groups is the main factor in the adsorption of formaldehyde on the nitrogen plasma-treated ACFs, but it can be found that the adsorption efficiency of formaldehyde is improved when the ACFs have a suitable pore structure.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2022

The hydrogen reduction behavior of molybdenum oxides was studied using a horizontal-tube reactor. Reduction was carried out in two stages: MoO₃ → MoO₂ and MoO₂ → Mo. In the first stage, a mixed gas composed of 30 vol% H₂ and 70 vol% Ar was selected for the MoO₃ reduction because of its highly exothermic reaction. The temperature ranged from 550 to 600 ℃, and the residence time ranged from 30 to 150 min. In the second step, pure H₂ gas was used for the MoO₂ reduction, and the temperature and residence time ranges were 700-750 ℃ and 30-150 min, respectively. The hydrogen reduction behavior of molybdenum oxides was found to be somewhat different between the two stages. For the first stage, a temperature dependence of the reaction rate was observed, and the best curve fittings were obtained with a surface reaction control mechanism, despite the presence of intermediate oxides under the conditions of this study. Based on this mechanism, the activation energy and pre-exponential were calculated as 85.0 kJ/mol and 9.18 × 10⁷, respectively. In addition, the pore size within a particle increases with the temperature and residence time. In the second stage, a temperature dependence of the reaction rate was also observed; however, the surface reaction control mechanism fit only the early part, which can be ascribed to the degradation of the oxide crystals by a volume change as the MoO₂ → Mo phase transformation proceeded in the later part.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 2023

Increased nitrogen in the water system has become an important environmental problem around the world, as it causes eutrophication, algae bloom, and red tide, destroys the water system, and undermines water's self-purification. The most common form of nitrogen in the water system is ammonium ion (NH₄⁺), and the largest portion of ammonium ions comes from wastewater. NH₄⁺ is a major contributor to eutrophication, which calls for appropriate treatment and measures for ammonium removal. This study produced biochar by applying Sorghum × drummondii, a type of biomass with a great growth profile, analyzed the adsorption capacity of Sorghum × drummondii biochar produced from the changing carbonization temperature condition of 200 to 400℃ in the ammonium ion range of 10 to 100 ppm, and used the results to evaluate its potential as an adsorbent. Carbonization decomposed the chemical structure of Sorghum × drummondii and increased the content of carbon and fixed carbon in the biochar. The biochar's pH and electrical conductivity showed high adsorption potential for cations due to electrical conductivity as its pH and electrical conductivity increased along with higher carbonization temperature. Based on the results of an adsorption experiment, the biochar showed 54.5% and 17.4% in the maximum and minimum NH₄-N removal efficiency as the concentration of NH₄-N increased, and higher carbonization temperature facilitated the adsorption of pollutants due to the biochar's increased pores and specific surface area and subsequently improved NH₄-N removal efficiency. FT-IR analysis showed that the overall surface functional groups decreased due to high temperature from carbonization.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.479-486
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the effect of the Ce_xZr_1-xO₂ (CZ) addition onto Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts on the catalytic performance in methane steam reforming. In the reaction results, the CZ-added Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst showed higher CH₄ conversion and H₂ yield under the same reaction conditions than Ni/Al₂O₃. From the characterization data, the two catalysts had similar support porosity and Ni dispersion, confirming that the two properties could not determine the catalytic performance. However, the oxygen vacancy over the CZ-added Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst induced an efficient steam activation at low reaction temperatures, resulting in an increase in the catalytic activity and H₂ yield.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.180-185
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• 2023

This paper investigates the impact of fiber dispersion on the internal structure and mechanical strength of SiC_f/SiC composites manufactured using spread SiC fibers. The fiber volume ratio of the specimen to which spread SiC fiber was applied decreased by 9%p compared to the non-spread specimen, and the resin slurry impregnated between the fibers more smoothly, resulting in minimal matrix porosity. In order to compare the fiber dispersion of each specimen, a method was proposed to quantify and evaluate the separation distance between fibers in composite materials. The results showed that the distance between fibers in the spread specimen increased by 2.23 ㎛ compared to the non-spread specimen, with a significant 42.6% increase in the distance between fiber surfaces. Furthermore, the 3pt bending test demonstrated a 49.3% higher flexural strength in the spread specimen, accompanied by a more uniform deviation in test data. These findings highlight the significant influence of SiC fiber dispersion on achieving uniform densification of the SiC_f/SiC matrix and increasing mechanical strength.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 2024

In order to increase the utilization of biomass, an electrochemical performance was considered after manufacturing a carbon anode material (SV-C) for a Setaria viridis-based lithium ion secondary battery through a heat treatment process. When the heat treatment temperature of the Setaria viridis is as low as 750 ℃, the capacitance (1003.3 mAh/g, at 0.1 C) is high due to the negative (-) charge of oxygen present on the surface attracting lithium, along with the low crystallinity and high specific surface area (126 m²/g), but the capacity retention rate is believed to be as low as 61.0% (at 500 cycles and 1 C). In addition, it was confirmed that when the heat treatment temperature increased to 1150 ℃, the carbon layer was condensed to be excellent in arrangement, and the structural defects were reduced, resulting in a significant reduction in the specific surface area (32 m²/g) of the pores. Furthermore, when the surface defects of the anode material are reduced and the crystallinity is increased, the capacity retention rate is as high as 89.7% (at 500 cycles and 1 C), but the degree of defects is small, the active point is reduced, and the specific capacity is considered to be very low at 471.7 mAh/g. In the scope of this study, it was found that in the case of the Setaria viridis-based carbon anode material manufactured according to the heat treatment temperature, the surface oxygen content and crystallinity have higher reliability on the electrochemical properties of the anode material than the specific surface area.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2024

The most critical aspect of full-arch prosthodontic treatment is evaluating whether the patient's vertical occlusal dimension is appropriate, and if necessary, restoring it through increasing vertical dimension. If the vertical occlusal dimension is too low, it can lead to reduced chewing efficiency, as well as not only aesthetic concerns but also potential issues like hyperactivity of muscles and posterior displacement of the mandible. This report is about the patient dissatisfied with pronunciation and aesthetics due to an inappropriate vertical occlusal dimension resulting from prior prosthetic interventions, underwent full-arch prosthodontic restoration treatment. Through the utilization of digital diagnostic apparatus, a comprehensive evaluation was undertaken for patient's vertical occlusal dimension, occlusal plane orientation, and the condition of prosthetic restorations. Through 3D facial scanning, the facial landmarks were discerned, and subsequently, the new occlusal plane was established. This provided the foundation for a digitally guided diagnostic wax-up. An elevation of 5 mm from the incisor was determined. Comprehensive dental rehabilitation was then executed for all remaining teeth, excluding the maxillary four incisors. The treatment protocol followed a systematic approach by initially creating implant-supported restorations on both sides of the dental arch to establish a stable occlusal contact. Subsequently, prosthetic restorations for the natural dentition were generated. Diagnostic and treatment planning were established through the utilization of facial scanning. This subsequently led to a reduction in treatment complexity and an expedited treatment timeline.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2024

Cesium is a potential toxic contaminant due to its high solubility, which allows it to easily penetrate the human body and potentially induce cancer or DNA mutations. In this study, oxygen functional groups were introduced on activated carbons (ACs) by ozone treatment to enhance the cesium adsorption capacity. As the ozone treatment time increased, the oxygen content on the ACs surface increased. Subsequently, the electrostatic interaction between ACs and cesium enhanced, resulting in higher cesium ion adsorption efficiency across all samples. In particular, the sample treated with ozone for 7 minutes at an internal ozone concentration of 50000 ppm had roughly 12% greater oxygen functional group content and the highest cesium removal effectiveness (97.6%). Meanwhile, samples treated for 5 minutes showed a 0.3% cesium removal rate difference compared to those treated for 7 minutes, which was caused by the surface chemical similarity of the two samples due to the reactive characteristics of ozone gas. However, the cesium adsorption performance of ozonated activated carbon seems to be mainly influenced by the amount of oxygen functional groups introduced to the surface, although the specific surface area and pore structure of the activated carbon are also important.