• Clean Technology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 2009

Reductive reactivity of zero-valent iron nanoparticles was investigated for removal of nitrate-nitrogen which is considered one of the major water pollutants. To elucidate the difference in reactivity between preparation methods, iron nanoparticles were synthesized respectively from microemulsion and aqueous solution of ferric ions. Iron nanoparticles prepared from microemulsion were deposited on aluminum by electrophoretic method, and their reaction kinetics was compared to that of the same nanoparticles suspended in aqueous batch reaction. With an approximation of pseudo-first-order reaction, rate constants for suspended nanoparticles prepared from microemulsion and dilute aqueous solution were $3.49{\times}10^{-2}min^{-1}$ and $1.40{\times}10^{-2}min^{-1}$, respectively. Iron nanoparticles supported on aluminum showed ca. 30% less reaction rate in comparison with the identical nanoparticles in suspended state. However, supported nanoparticles showed the superior effectiveness in terms of nitrate-nitrogen removal per zero-valent iron input especially when excess amounts of nitrates were present. Iron nanoparticles deposited on aluminum maintained reductive reactivity for more than 3 hours, and produced nitrogen gas as a final reduction product of nitrate-nitrogen.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2007

The compound refractive X-ray lens (CRL) for focusing hard X-rays is investigated to determine the parameters such as the focal length, the focal spot size, and spatial distribution at the focal spot using a simple theoretical calculations and CRLs fabricated by the self-assembly method. The number of individual compound lenses are defined for the given focal length of 1 m. The X-ray energy of 1 to 40 keV is used in the calculations. The CRL for focusing hard X-rays which generated from the X-ray tube is fabricated by nanoparticle-polymer composite in the form of circular concaves. The self-assembly method is applied to form the nanoaluminum-poly (methly meth-acrylate) composite and carbon-polymer composite CRL lenses. Aluminum nanoparticles of 100 nm and carbon microparticles are diffused in the polymer solution then the high gravity up to 6000G is applied in it to form the concave lens shape. X-ray energy at 8 keV is used for characterization of the composite CRLs. The FWHM of intensity for the fabricated nanoaluminium composite CRL system, N=10 is measured as 1.8 mm, which would give about $70{\mu}m$ in FWHM at 1 m of the focal length.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 2016

The morphology, crystal structure and size of aerosol nanoparticles generated by erosion of electrodes made of different materials (titanium, copper and aluminum) in a multi-spark discharge generator were investigated. The aerosol nanoparticle synthesis was carried out in air atmosphere at a capacitor stored energy of 6 J, a repetition rate of discharge of 0.5 Hz and a gas flow velocity of 5.4 m/s. The aerosol nanoparticles were generated in the form of oxides and had various morphologies: agglomerates of primary particles of $TiO_2$ and $Al_2O_3$ or aggregates of primary particles of $Cu_2O$. The average size of the primary nanoparticles ranged between 6.3 and 7.4 nm for the three substances studied. The average size of the agglomerates and aggregates varied in a wide interval from 24.6 nm for $Cu_2O$ to 46.1 nm for $Al_2O_3$.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2023

Ionic liquids are considered as a promising, alternative solvent for the electrochemical synthesis of metals because of their high thermal and chemical stability, relatively high ionic conductivity, and wide electrochemical window. In particular, their wide electrochemical window enables the electrodeposition of metals without any side reaction of electrolytes such as hydrogen evolution. The electrodeposition of silver is conducted in 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl) ionic liquid system with a silver source of AgCl. This study is the first attempt to electrodeposit silver nanoparticles without using co-solvents other than [C4mim]Cl. Pulse electrolysis is employed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by varying applied potentials from -3.0 V to -4.5 V (vs. Pt-quasi reference electrode) and pulse duration from 0.1 s to 0.7 s. Accordingly, the silver nanoparticles whose size ranges from 15 nm to ~100 nm are obtained. The successful preparation of silver nanoparticles is demonstrated regardless of the kinds of substrate including aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon paper in the pulse electrolysis. Finally, the antimicrobial property of electrodeposited silver nanoparticles is confirmed by an antimicrobial test using Staphylococcus aureus.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.225-236
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• 2016

Objectives: Nanomaterials have been used in various fields. As use of nanoproducts is increasing, workers dealing with nanomaterials are also gradually increasing. Exposure assessments for nanomaterials have been carried out for protection of worker's health in workplace. Exposure studies were mainly focused on manufacturing processes, but these studies on after-treatment processes such as refinement, weighing, and packing were insufficient. So, we investigated exposure characteristics of particles during after-treatment processes of $Al_2O_3$ fibers and Ni powders. Methods: Mass-production of Ni powder process was carried out in enclosed capture-type canopy hood. In a developing stage, $Al_2O_3$ was handled with a local ventilation unit. Exposure characteristics of particles were investigated for $Al_2O_3$ fiber and Ni powder processes during the periods of 10:00 to 16:00, 20 May 2014 and 13:00 to 16:00, 21 May 2014, respectively. Three real-time aerosol instruments were utilized in exposure assessment. A scanning mobility particle sizer(SMPS, nanoscan, model 3910, TSI) and an optical particle counter(OPC, portable aerosol spectrometer, model 1.109, Grimm) were used to determine the particle size distribution in the size range of 10-420 nm and $0.25-32{\mu}m$, respectively. In addition, a nanoparticle aerosol monitor(NAM, model 9000, TSI) was used to measure lung-deposited nanoparticle surface area. Membrane filters(isopore membrane filter, pore size of 100 nm) were also used for air sampling for the FE-SEM(model S-5000H, Hitachi) analysis using a personal sampling pump(model GilAir Plus by 2.5 L/min, Gilian). Conclusions: For Ni powder after-treatment process, only 27% increase in particle concentration was found during the process. However, for $Al_2O_3$ fiber after-treatment process, significant exposure(1.56-3.34 times) was observed during the process.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2013

Objective: The use of nanoparticle products is expected to present a potential harmful effect on consumers. Also, the lack of information regarding inhaled nanoparticles may pose a serious problem. In this study, we addressed this issue by studying pulmonary toxicity after nasal instillation of Al-NPs in SD rats. Methods: The animals were exposed to Al-NPs at 1 mg/kg body weight (low dose), 20 mg/kg body weight (medium dose) and 40 mg/kg body weight (high dose). To determine pulmonary toxicity, bronchoalveolar lavage (ts.AnBAL) fluid analysis and histopathological examination were conducted in rats. In addition, cell viability was investigated at 24 hours after the treatment with Al-NPs. Results: BAL fluid analysis showed that total cells (TC) count and total protein (TP) concentrations increased significantly in all treatment groups, approximately two to three times. Also, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 dose-dependently increased following nasal instillation of Al-NPs. However, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) levels showed no significant changes in a dose dependant manner in BAL fluid. In the cytotoxicity analysis, the treatment of Al-NPs significantly and dose-dependently induced cell viability loss (20 to 30%) and damage of cell membrane (5 to 10%) in rat normal lung epithelial cells (L2). Conclusions: Our results suggest that inhaled Al-NPs in the lungs may be removed quickly by alveolar macrophages with minimal inflammatory reaction, but Al-NPs have the potential to affect lung permeability. Therefore, extensive toxicity evaluations of Al-NPs are required prior to their practical application as consumer products.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.195-201
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• 2012

$Ce^{3+}$-doped yttrium aluminum gallium garnet (YAGG:$Ce^{3+}$), which is a green-emitting phosphor, was synthesized by solid state reaction using ${\alpha}$-phase or ${\gamma}$-phase of nano-sized $Al_2O_3$ as the Al source. The processing conditions and the chemical composition of phosphor for the maximum emission intensity were optimized on the basis of emission intensity under vacuum UV excitation. The optimum heating temperature for phosphor preparation was $1550^{\circ}C$. Photoluminescence properties of the synthesized phosphor were investigated in detail. From the excitation and emission spectra, it was confirmed that the YAGG:$Ce^{3+}$ phosphors effectively absorb the vacuum UV of 120-200 nm and emit green light positioned around 530 nm. The crystalline phase of the alumina nanoparticles affected the particle size and the luminescence property of the synthesized phosphors. Nano-sized ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ was more effective for the achievement of higher emission intensity than was nano-sized ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$. This discrepancy is considered to be because the diffusion of $Al^{3+}$ into $Y_2O_3$ lattice is dependent on the crystalline phase of $Al_2O_3$, which affects the phase transformation of YAGG:$Ce^{3+}$ phosphors. The optimum chemical composition, having the maximum emission intensity, was $(Y_{2.98}Ce_{0.02})(Al_{2.8}Ga_{1.8})O_{11.4}$ prepared with ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$. On the other hand, the decay time of the YAGG:$Ce^{3+}$ phosphors, irrespective of the crystalline phase of the nano-sized alumina source, was below 1 ms due to the allowed $5d{\rightarrow}4f$ transition of the $Ce^{3+}$ activator.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.111-126
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• 2024

During the clinkering stages of cement production, the chemical composition of fine raw materials such as limestone and clay, which include iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), significantly influences the quality of the final product. Specifically, the chemical interaction of Fe₂O₃ with CaO, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ during clinkerisation plays a key role in determining the chemical reactivity and overall quality of the final cement, shaping the properties of the concrete produced. As an extension, this study aims to investigate the physical effects of incorporating nanosized Fe₂O₃ particles as fillers in concrete matrices, and their impact on concrete structures, namely slabs. To accurately model the reinforced concrete (RC) slabs, a refined trigonometric shear deformation theory (RTSDT) is used. Additionally, the stochastic Eshelby's homogenization approach is employed to determine the thermoelastic properties of nano-Fe₂O₃ infused concrete slabs. To ensure comprehensive coverage in the study, the RC slabs undergo various mechanical loads and are exposed to temperature fields to assess their thermo-mechanical performance. Furthermore, the slabs are assumed to rest on a three-parameter viscoelastic foundation, comprising the Winkler elastic springs, Pasternak shear layer and a damping parameter. The equilibrium governing equations of the system are derived using the principle of virtual work and subsequently solved using Navier's technique. The findings indicate that while ferric oxide nanoparticles enhance the mechanical properties of concrete against mechanical loading, they have less favorable effects on its performance against thermal exposure. However, the viscoelastic foundation contributes to mitigating these effects, improving the concrete's overall performance in both scenarios. These results highlight the trade-offs between mechanical and thermal performance when using Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in concrete and underscore the importance of optimizing nanoparticle content and loading conditions to improve the structural performance of concrete structures.