• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.453-457
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• 2007

Interest in use of ink-jet printing for pattern-on-demand fabrication of metal interconnects without complicated and wasteful etching process has been on rapid increase. However, ink-jet printing is a wet process and needs an additional thermal treatment such as an annealing process. Since a metal ink is a suspension containing metal nanoparticles and organic capping molecules to prevent aggregation of them, the microstructure of an ink-jet printed metal interconnect 'as dried' can be characterized as a stack of loosely packed nanoparticles. Therefore, during being treated thermally, an inkjet-printed interconnect is likely to evolve a characteristic microstructure, different from that of the conventionally vacuum-deposited metal films. Microstructure characteristics can significantly affect the corresponding electrical and mechanical properties. The characteristics of change in microstructure and electrical resistivity of inkjet-printed silver (Ag) films when annealed isothermally at a temperature between 170 and $240^{\circ}C$ were analyzed. The change in electrical resistivity was described using the first-order exponential decay kinetics. The corresponding activation energy of 0.44 eV was explained in terms of a thermally-activated mechanism, i.e., migration of point defects such as vacancy-oxygen pairs, rather than microstructure evolution such as grain growth or change in porosity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.408-420
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• 2016

This study proposes an alternative approach for the use of chitosan silver-based dressing for the control of foot infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria. Sixty-five bacterial isolates were isolated from 40 diabetic patients. Staphylococcus aureus (37%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.5%) were the predominant isolates in the ulcer samples. Ten antibiotics were in vitro tested against diabetic foot clinical bacterial isolates. The most resistant S. aureus and P. aeruginosa isolates were then selected for further study. Three chitosan sources were tested individually for chelating silver nanoparticles. Squilla chitosan silver nanoparticles (Sq. Cs-Ag⁰) showed the maximum activity against the resistant bacteria when mixed with amikacin that showed the maximum synergetic index. This, in turn, resulted in the reduction of the amikacin MIC value by 95%. For evaluation of the effectiveness of the prepared dressing using Artemia salina as the toxicity biomarker, the LC₅₀ was found to be 549.5, 18,000, and 10,000 μg/ml for amikacin, Sq. Cs-Ag⁰, and dressing matrix, respectively. Loading the formula onto chitosan hydrogel dressing showed promising antibacterial activities, with responsive healing properties for the wounds in normal rats of those diabetic rats (polymicrobial infection). It is quite interesting to note that no emergence of any side effect on either kidney or liver biomedical functions was noticed.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2016

A new nano-composite carbon ink for the development of disposable dopamine (DA) biosensors based on screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) is introduced. The method developed uses SPCEs coupled with a tyrosinase modified nano-composite carbon ink. The ink was prepared by an “in-house” procedure with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), Pt nanoparticles (PtNP), and carbon materials such as carbon black and graphite. The rGO-PtNP carbon composite ink was used to print the working electrodes of the SPCEs and the reference counter electrodes were printed by using a commercial Ag/AgCl ink. After the construction of nano-composite SPCEs, tyrosinase was immobilized onto the working electrodes by using a biocompatible matrix, chitosan. The composite of nano-materials was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the performance characteristics of the sensors were evaluated by using voltammetric and amperometric techniques. The cyclic voltammetry results indicated that the sensors prepared with the rGO-PtNP-carbon composite ink revealed a significant improvement in electro-catalytic activity to DA compared with the results obtained from bare or only PtNP embedded carbon inks. Optimum experimental parameters such as pH and operating potential were evaluated and calibration curves for dopamine were constructed with the results obtained from a series of amperometric detections at −0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The limit of detection was found to be 14 nM in a linear range of 10 nM to 100 µM of DA, and the sensor’s sensitivity was calculated to be 0.4 µAµM⁻¹cm⁻².

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.309-314
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• 2020

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is concerned with promoting oral infection due to its low antibacterial activity. To overcome this, the nanoparticles of Ag-MSN, nGO, and CNP were mixed with MMA liquid in a weight ratio of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0% compared to resin powder using Orthocryl from Dentarum, a calibration resin, and then instructed by the manufacturer. Accordingly, a specimen for calibration was prepared by mixing PMMA: MMA (1.2: 1) ratio, and physical properties of the calibration resin, antifungal experiments, and statistical analysis were performed. As a result of antibacterial experiments, the antibacterial properties of Ag-MSN increased. In nGO, the antibacterial adhesive effect increased hydrophilicity, not a change in surface roughness. The higher the CNP concentration, the higher the antibacterial activity. This suggests its potential usefulness as an antibacterial dental material for orthodontic devices and temporary restorations.

• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1458-1464
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• 2018

An improved method for the preparation of g-$C_3N_4$ is described. Currently, heating (> $400^{\circ}C$) of urea is the common method used for preparing the g-$C_3N_4$. We have found that sonication of melamine in $HNO_3$ solution, followed by washing with anhydrous ethanol, not only reduce the crystallite size of g-$C_3N_4$ but also facilitate intriguing electronic structure and photoluminescence (PL) properties. Moreover, loading of metal (Pt and Ag) nanoparticles, by applying the borohydride reduction method, has resulted in multicolor-emission from g-$C_3N_4$. With the help of PL spectra and local electronic structure study, at C K-edge, N K-edge, Pt L-edge and Ag K-edge by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), a precise mechanism of tunable luminescence is established. The PL mechanism ascribes the amendments in the transitions, via defect and/or metal states assimilation, between the ${\pi}^*$ states of tris-triazine ring of g-$C_3N_4$ and lone pair states of nitride. It is evidenced that interaction between the C/N 2p and metal 4d/5d orbitals of Ag/Pt has manifested a net detraction in the ${\delta}^*{\rightarrow}LP$ transitions and enhancement in the ${\pi}^*{\rightarrow}LP$ and ${\pi}^*{\rightarrow}{\pi}$ transitions, leading to broad PL spectra from g-$C_3N_4$ organic semiconductor compound.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.601-608
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• 2020

In this work, Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃ nanocomposites with low loading of In₂S₃ (5-15 wt %) are fabricated by two step chemical precipitation approach. The microstructure, composition and improved photoelectrochemical properties of the as-prepared composites are studied by X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photocurrent density, EIS and amperometric i-t curve analysis. It is found that most of In₂S₃ nanoparticles are deposited on the surfaces of Ag₃PO₄. The as-prepared Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃ composite (10 wt%) is selected and investigated by SEM and TEM, which exhibits special morphology consisting of lager size substrate (Ag₃PO₄), particles and some nanosheets (In₂S₃). The introduction of In₂S₃ is effective at improving the charge separation and transfer efficiency of Ag₃PO₄/In₂S₃, resulting in an enhancement of photoelectric behavior. The origin of the enhanced photoelectrochemical activity of the In₂S₃-modified Ag₃PO₄ may be due to the improved charge separation, photocurrent stability and oriented electrons transport pathways in environment and energy applications.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.3-3
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• 2018

For centuries, Panax ginseng Meyer (Korean ginseng) has been widely used as a medicinal herb in Korea, China, and Japan. Ginsenosides are a class of triterpene saponins and recognized as the bioactive components in Korean ginseng. Ginsenosides, which can be classified broadly as protopanaxadiols (PPD), protopanaxatriols (PPT), and oleanolic acids, have been shown to flaunt a vast array of pharmacological activities such as immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects. In recent years, a number of ginseng and ginsenoside researches have increasingly gained wide attention owing to its unique pharmacological properties. Although good efficacies of ginsenosides have been reported, lack of target specific delivery into tumor sites, low solubility, and low bioavailability due to modifications in gastro-intestinal environments limit their biomedical application in clinical trials. As a result to this major challenge, nanotechnology and drug delivery techniques play a significant role to solve this problematic issue. Thus, we reported the preparation of poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) and glycol chitosan (GC) functionalized to ginsenoside (Compound K and PPD) conjugates via hydrolysable ester bonds with improved aqueous solubility and pH-dependent drug release. In vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed that PEG-CK, and PPD-CK conjugates exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to bare CK and PPD in HT29 cells. However, GC-CK conjugates exhibited higher and similar cytotoxicity in HT29 and HepG2 cells. Furthermore, GC-CK-treated RAW264.7 cells did not exhibit significant cell death at higher concentration of treatment which supports the biocompatibility of the polymer conjugates. They also inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW64.7 cells. In addition to polymer-ginsenoside conjugates, silver (AgNps) and gold nanoparticles (AuNps) have been successfully synthesized by green chemistry using different m. The biosynthesized nanoparticles demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, biofilm inhibition, and anticoagulant effect. Special interest on the effective delivery methods of ginsenoside to treatment sites is the focus of metal nanoparticle research.In short, nano-sizing of ginsenoside results in an increased water solubility and bioavailability. The use of nano-sized ginsenoside and P. ginseng mediated metallic nanoparticles is expected to be effective on medical platform against various diseases in the future.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.770-775
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• 2009

$\omega$-Anhydride-functionalized poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) obtained from chain-end functionalization and anionic ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide using n-butyllithium with potassium t-butoxide in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was found to be an efficient material for the preparation of water-soluble, polymeric pro-drugs. The reaction of $\omega$-anhydride-functionalized PEO with sulfonamide or with vancomycin provided an efficient method to produce corresponding, water-soluble, PEO-conjugated sulfonamide or PEO-conjugated, vancomycin pro-drugs. These were used successfully to prepare water-dispersible, silver nanoparticles. In this study, the particle sizes were in the range of $5{\sim}40$ nm. The resulting products were characterized by $^1H$ NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron and X-ray diffraction, size exclusion chromatography, and UV/Visible spectroscopy.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2017

PURPOSE. This study investigated the effects of silver nanoparticle (SN) loading into hydraulic calcium silicate-based Portland cement on its mechanical, antibacterial behavior and biocompatibility as a novel dental bone substitute. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Chemically reduced colloidal SN were combined with Portland cement (PC) by the concentrations of 0 (control), 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 wt%. The physico-mechanical properties of silver-Portland cement nanocomposites (SPNC) were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), setting time, compressive strength, solubility, and silver ion elution. Antimicrobial properties of SPNC were tested by agar diffusion against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Cytotoxic evaluation for human gingival fibroblast (HGF) was performed by MTS assay. RESULTS. XRD certified that SN was successfully impregnated in PC. SPNC at above 3.0 wt% significantly reduced both initial and final setting times compared to control PC. No statistical differences of the compressive strength values were detected after SN loadings, and solubility rates of SPNC were below 3.0%, which are acceptable by ADA guidelines. Ag ion elutions from SPNC were confirmed with dose-dependence on the concentrations of SN added. SPNC of 5.0 wt% inhibited the growth of Streptococci, whereas no antimicrobial activity was shown in control PC. SPNC revealed no cytotoxic effects to HGF following ISO 10993 (cell viability > 70%). CONCLUSION. Addition of SN promoted the antibacterial activity and favored the bio-mechanical properties of PC; thus, SPNC could be a candidate for the futuristic dental biomaterial. For clinical warrant, further studies including the inhibitory mechanism, in vivo and long-term researches are still required.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1335-1341
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• 2003

This paper describes the process of nanoparticle synthesis by laser ablation of microparticles and consolidated sample. We have generated nanoparticles by high-power pulsed laser ablation of AI, Cu and Ag microparticles using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (wavelength 355nm, FWHM 6ns, fluence $0.8{\sim}2.0J/cm^2$). Microparticles of mean diameter $18{\sim}80{\mu}m$ are ablated in the ambient air. The generated nanoparticles are collected on a glass substrate and the size distribution and morphology are examined using a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. The effect of laser fluence, collector position and compacting pressure on the distribution of particle size is investigated. To better understand the process of laser ablation of microparticle(LAM), we investigated the Nd: YAG laser-induced breakdown of Cu microparticle using time-resolved optical shadow images. Nanosecond time-resolved images of the ablation process are also obtained by laser flash shadowgraphy. Based on the experimental results, discussions are made on the dynamics of ablation plume.