• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.211-217
• /
• 2022

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is a disinfectant widely used in hospitals and food industries because of its antimicrobial activity against not only bacteria but also fungi and virus. The antibacterial activity of NaClO lies in the maintenance of a stable hypochlorous acid (HClO) concentration, which is regulated by pH of the solution. HClO can easily penetrate bacterial cell membrane due to its chemical neutrality and the antibacterial activity of NaClO is thought to depend on the concentration of HClO in solution rather than hypochlorite ions (ClO^-). In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of NaClO according to pH adjustment by means of time kill test and assays of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration changes before and after NaClO treatment. We also investigated that the degree of cell wall destruction through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) exposed to 5 ppm NaClO at pH 5 exhibited 99.9% mortality. ROS production at pH 5 was 48% higher than that produced at pH 7. In addition, the ATP concentration in E. coli and S. aureus exposed to pH 5 decreased by 94% and 91%, respectively. As a result of FE-SEM, it was confirmed that the cell wall was destroyed in the bacteria by exposing to pH 5 NaClO. Taken together, our results indicate that the antibacterial activity of 5 ppm NaClO can be improved simply by adjusting the pH.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.81-91
• /
• 2022

The use of lithium-ion batteries increases significantly with the rapid spread of electronic devices and electric vehicle and thereby an increase in the amount of waste batteries is expected in the near future. Therefore, studies are continuously being conducted to recover various resources of cathode active material (Ni, Co, Mn, Li) from waste battery. In order to recover the cathode active material, black mass is generally recovered from waste battery. The general process of recovering black mass is a waste battery collection - discharge - dismantling - crushing - classification process. This study focus on the crushing/classification process among the processes. Specifically, the particle size distribution of various samples at each crushing/classification step were evaluated, and the particle shape of each particle fraction was analyzed with a microscope and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy)-EDS(Energy Dispersive Spectrometer). As a result, among the black mass particle, fine particle less than 74 ㎛ was the mixture of cathode and anode active material which are properly liberated from the current metals. However, coarse particle larger than 100 ㎛ was present in a form in which the current metal and active material were combined. In addition, this study developed a PBM(Population Balance Model) system that can simulate two-species mixture sample with two different crushing properties. Using developed model, the breakage parameters of two species was derived and predictive performance of breakage distribution was verified.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.58-63
• /
• 2008

Nano-sized ZnO crystals were successfully incorporated using ion exchange method in TMA-A zeolite synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The optimal composition for the synthesis of TMA-A zeolite was resulted in a solution of $Al(i-pro)_3$ : 2.2 TEOS : 2.4 TMAOH : 0.3 NaOH : 200 $H_2O$. 0.3 g of TMA-A zeolite and 5 mol of $ZnCl_2$ solution were employed for the preparation of ZnO incorporated TMA-A zeolite. The crystallization process of ZnO incorporated TMA-A zeolite was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The incorporated nano-sized ZnO crystals and the crystallinity of TMA-A zeolite were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The size of the incorporated nano-sized ZnO crystals was 3~5 nm, while the TMA-A zeolite was 60~100 nm. The bonding structure and absorption of the ZnO incorporated TMA-A zeolite were compared with the ZnO and TMA-A zeolite by the FT-IR analysis. Subsequentlly, the ZnO incorporated TMA-A zeolite showed the photoluminescent characteristics on the wavelengths of 330~260 nm and 260~230 nm by measurement of UV spectrophotometer.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.523-528
• /
• 2023

The applicability as a material to improve solar cell performance was reviewed by synthesizing a phosphor that emits red wavelengths by a liquid synthesis method using a metal salt aqueous solution and a polymer medium as a starting material. An aqueous solution was prepared using nitrate of metals such as Ca, Zn, Al, and Eu, and a precursor impregnated with starch, a natural polymer, was sintered to synthesize CaZnAlO:Eu phosphor powder. The surface structure and composition analysis of the synthesized CaZnAlO:Eu phosphor powder were analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and energy-dispersed X-ray spectroscopy(EDS). The crystal structure of CaZnAlO:Eu phosphor particles was analyzed by an X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD). As a result of measuring the photoluminescence(PL) characteristics of the phosphor, it was confirmed that a red phosphor with a light emitting wavelength of 650-780nm was successfully synthesized. According to SEM and EDS analysis, the synthesized Ca₁₄Zn₆Al_9.93O₃₅:Eu³⁺_0.07 phosphor powder has a uniform particle size, and Eu ions used as an activator are present. The synthesized CZA:Eu³⁺ phosphor can be used as a material that can increase the light absorption efficiency of the solar cell by converting ultraviolet or visible light down conversion into a wavelength in the near-infrared region.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine characteristics of implant surface with RBM and anodizing treatments, and to evaluate the responses of osteoblast-like cell (MG-63 cell). Materials and methods: Grade IV titanium disks were fabricated (Diameter 10 mm, thickness 3 mm). Anodizing treatment (ASD) group, RBM and anodizing treatment (RBM/ASD) group, control (machined surface) group were divided. In this study, osteoblast-like cell was used for experiments. The experiments consist of surface characteristics evaluation by FE-SEM images, energy dispersive spectroscopy and stereo-SEM. In order to evaluate cell adhesion evaluation by crystal violet assay and observe cells form by confocal laser microscopy. To assess cell proliferation by XTT assay, cell differentiation by RT-PCR and mineralization by Alizarin red S stain assay. ELISA analyzer was used for Quantitative evaluation. Comparative analysis was run by one-way ANOVA (SPSS version 18.0). Differences were considered statistically significant at P<.05. Results: In ASD group and RBM/ASD group, the surface shape of the crater was observed and components of oxygen and phosphate ions in comparison with the control group were detected. The surface average roughness was obtained $0.08{\pm}0.04{\mu}m$ in the control group, $0.52{\pm}0.14{\mu}m$ in ASD group and $1.45{\pm}0.25{\mu}m$ in RBM/ASD group. In cell response experiments, ASD group and RBM/ASD group were significantly higher values than control group in cell adhesion and mineralization phase, control group was the highest values in the proliferative phase. In RT-PCR experiments, RBM/ASD group was showed higher ALP activity than other groups. RBM/ASD group in comparison with ASD group was significantly higher value for cell adhesion and proliferation phase. Conclusion: In the limitation of this study, we are concluded that the surface treatment with RBM/ASD seems more effective than ASD alone or machined surface on cellular response.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.184-205
• /
• 1995

Background: Pulmonary toxicity by bleomycin has multiple mechanisms including direct tissue toxicity due to oxygen-derived free radicals and indirect toxicity through amplification of pulmonary inflammation. To evaluate the effect of chelators or free radical scavenger to lung damage induced by bleomycin, penicillamine as a copper chelator, deferoxamine as an iron chelator and vitamin E as a free radical scavenger were administered. Methods: Two hundred Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control, bleomycin treated, bleomycin-penicillamine treated, bleomycin-deferoxamine treated, and bleomycin-vitamin E treated groups. Rats sacrificed on day 1, day 3, day 4, day 7, day 14, and day 28 after treatment. Bronchoalveolar lavage, light microscopic and immunohistologic studies for type I, III, IV collagens, fibronectin, laminin and NBD phallicidin were evaluated. Results: There was a significant increase in the total cell counts of bronchoalveolar lavage on day 1 from all treated animals and vitamin treated group showed an abrupt decrease in total cell counts with decrease of neutrophils on day 3. Bleomycin-vitamin E treated group had the least histologic changes such as pulmonary fibrosis. The alveolar basement membranes were positive for type IV collegen and laminin. Basement membranes of bleomycin, bleomycin-penicillamine, or bleomycin-deferoxamine treated groups were disrupted and fragmented on day 4 or 7. The bleomycin-vitamin E treated group had intact basement membranes until day 28. Conclusion: Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis was related to the severity of acute injury to oxygen radicals or activation of neutrophils and disruption of basement membrane. Vitamin E seemed to be the most effective antioxidant in the inhibition of bleomycin-induced pulmonary injury and fibrosis.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.399-410
• /
• 1985

Bentonites from the Janggi Group of the Lower Miocene age from the Geumgwangdong area, Korea, have been studied for mineralogical and genetic characterization. The Janggi Group is subdivided, in ascending order, into the Janggi Conglomerate, the Nuldaeri Tuff, the Geumgwangdong Shale, the Lower Coal-bearing Formation, the Basaltic Tuff, and the Upper Coalbearing Formation. Bentonites occur as thin or thick beds in all sedimentary units of the Janggi Group, except for the Janggi Conglomerate. Significant bentonite deposits are found in the Nuldaeri Tuff, the Lower Coal-bearing Formation and the Basaltic Tuff. Bentonites consist mainly of smectite (mainly montmorillonite), with minor quartz, cristobalite, opal-CT and feldspar. Occasionally, kaolinite, clinoptilolite or gypsum is associated with bentonites. Bentonites were studied by the methods of petrographic microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (DT A and TG), infrared absorption spectroscopic analysis, SEM, intercalation reaction, and chemical analysis. Smectites commonly occur as irregular boxwork-like masses with characteristic curled thin edges, but occasionally as smoothly curved to nearly flat thin flakes. Most of smectites have layer charge of 0.25-0.42, indicating typical montmorillonite. Crystal-chemical relations suggest that Fe is the dominant substituent for Al in the octahedral layer and there are generally no significant substituents for Si in the tetrahedral layer. Ca is the dominant interlayer cation in montmorillonite. Therefore, montmorillonite from the study area is dioctahedral Ca-montmorillonite. Occurrence and fabrics of bentonites suggest that smectites as well as cristobalite, opal-CT and zeolites have been formed diagenetically from tuffaceous materials. The precursor of smectites is trachytic or basaltic tuff. Smectites derived from the former contain relatively more $Al_2O$ a and less $Fe_2O_3$ than those from the latter.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.137-148
• /
• 2010

The Myoungbong mine located in Boseong-gun, Jellanamdo consists of Au-Ag bearing quartz veins which filled the fissures of Bulguksa granitic rocks of Cretaceous. The tailings obtained from the Myungbong mine were used to investigate the effects of various processes, such as oxidation of primary sulfides and formation(alteration) of secondary and/or tertiary minerals, on arsenic immobilization in tailings. This study was conducted via both mineralogical and chemical methods. Mineralogical methods used included gravity and magnetic separation, ultrasonic cleaning, and instrumental analyses(X-ray diffractometry, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and electron probe microanalyzer) and aqua regia extraction technique for soils was applied to determine the elemental concentrations in the tailings. Iron (oxy)hydroxides formed as a result of oxidation of tailings were identified as three specific forms. The first form filled in rims and fissures of primary pyrites. The second one precipitated and coated the surfaces of gangue minerals and the final form was altered into yukonites. Initially, large amounts of acid-generating minerals, such as pyrite and arsenopyrite, might make the rapid progress of oxidation reactions, and lots of secondary minerals including iron (oxy)hydroxides and scorodite were formed. The rate of pH decrease in tailings diminished, in addition, as the exposure time of tailings to oxidation environments was prolonged and the acid-generating minerals were depleted. Rather, it is speculated that the pH of tailings increased, as the contribution of pH neutralization reactions by calcite contained in surrounding parental rocks became larger. The stability of secondary minerals, such as scorodite, were deteriorated due to the increase in pH, and finally arsenic might be leached out. Subsequently, calcimn and arsenic ions dissociated from calcites and scorodites were locally concentrated, and yukonite could be grown tertiarily. It is confirmed that this tertiary yukonite which is one of arsenate minerals and contains arsenic in high level plays a crucial role in immobilizing arsenic in tailings. In addition to immobilization of arsenic in yukonites, the results indicate that a huge amount of iron (oxy)hydroxides formed by weathering of pyrite which is one of typical primary minerals in tailings can strongly control arsenic behavior as well. Consequently, this study elucidates that through a sequence of various processes, arsenic which was leached out as a result of weathering of primary minerals, such as arsenopyrite, and/or redissolved from secondary minerals, such as scorodite, might be immobilized by various sorption reactions including adsorption, coprecipiation, and absorption.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.448-454
• /
• 2000

This study was to examine the physicochemical characteristics of coagulation reaction between ignited oyster shell powder (IOSP) and red tide organisms (RTO), and its feasibility, in developing a technology for the removal of RTO bloom in coastal sea,IOSP was made from oyster shell and its physicochemical characteristics were examined for particle size distribution, surface characteristic by scanning electron microscope, zeta potential, and alkalinity and pH variations in sea water. Two kinds of RTO that were used in this study, Cylindrotheca closterium and Skeletonema costatum, were sampled in Masan bay and were cultured in laboratory. Coagulation experiments were conducted using various c(Incentrations of IOSP, RTO, and a jar tester. The supernatant and RTO culture solution were analyzed for pH, alkalinity, RTO cell number, IOSP showed positive zeta potentials of $11.1{\~}50.1\;mV\;at\;pH\;6.2{\~}12.7$, A positive zeta potential of IOSP slowly decreased with decreasing pNa 4,0 to 2,0. When pNa reached zero, the zeta potential approached zero, When a pMg value was decreased, the positive zeta potential of IOSP increased until pMg 3.0 and decreased below pMg 3.0. IOSP showed 4.8 mV of positive zeta potential while RTO showed -9.2 mV of negative zeta potential in sea water. A positive-negative EDL (electrical double-layer) interaction occurred between $Mg(OH)_2$ adsorption layer of IOSP and RTO in sea water so that EDL attractive force always worked between them. Hence, their coagulation reaction occurred at primary minimum on which an extreme attractive force acted because of charge neutralization by $Mg(OH)_2$ adsorption layer of IOSP. As a result, the coagulation reaction was rapidly processed and was irreversible according to DLVO (Deriaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) theory. Removal rates of RTO were exponentially increased with increasing both IOSP concentration and G-value. The removal rates were steeply increased until 50 mg/l of IOSP and reached $100{\%}\;at\;400\;mg/l$ of IOSP. Removal rates of RTO were $70.5,\;70.5,\;81.7,\;85.3{\%}$ for G-values of $1,\;6,\;29,\;139\;sec^(-1)$at IOSP 100 mg/l, respectively. This indicated that mixing (i.e., collision among particles) was very important for a coagulation reaction.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.12
• /
• pp.1660-1668
• /
• 2007

The non-ionic surfactant (NIS) Tween 80 was evaluated for its ability to influence invitro cumulative gas production, dry matter digestibility, cellulolytic enzyme activities, anaerobic microbial growth rates, and adhesion to substrates by mixed rumen microorganisms on rice straw, alfalfa hay, cellulose filter paper and tall fescue hay. The addition of NIS Tween 80 at a level of 0.05% increased significantly (P<0.05) in vitro DM digestibility, cumulative gas production, microbial growth rate and cellulolytic enzyme activity from all of substrates used in this study. In vitro cumulative gas production from the NIS-treated substrates; rice straw, alfalfa hay, filter paper and tall fescue hay was significantly (P<0.05) improved by 274.8, 235.2, 231.1 and 719.5% compared with the control, when substrates were incubated for 48 hr in vitro. The addition of 0.05% NIS Tween 80 to cultures growing on alfalfa hay resulted in a significant increase in CMCase (38.1%), xylanase (121.4%), Avicelase (not changed) and amylase (38.2%) activities after 36 h incubation. These results indicated that the addition of 0.05% Tween 80 could greatly stimulate the release of some kinds of cellulolytic enzymes without decreasing cell growth rate in contrast to trends reported with aerobic microorganism. Our SEM observation showed that NIS Tween. 80 did not influence the microbial adhesion to substrates used in the study. Present data clearly show that improved gas production, DM digestibility and cellulolytic enzyme activity by Tween 80 is not due to increased bacterial adhesion on the substrates.