• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.222-226
• /
• 2016

The synthesis of pure calcium carbonate nanocrystals was achieved using a simultaneous injection method to produce nano particles of uniform size. These were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The nano particles were needle-shaped aragonite polymorphs, approximately 100-200 nm in length. The aragonite polymorph of calcium carbonate was prepared using aqueous solutions of $CaCl_2$ and $Na_2CO_3$, which were injected simultaneously into double distilled water at $50^{\circ}C$ and then allowed to react for 1.5 h. The resulting whisker-type nano aragonite with high aspect ratio (30) is biocompatible and potentially suitable for applications in light weight plastics, as well as in the medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and paint industries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.109-114
• /
• 2013

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are synthesized by numerous bacteria as carbon and energy storage compounds and are raw materials for biocompatible plastics. In this paper, the effect of $CO_2$ concentrations on the growth of C. necator and the accumulation of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) are investigated by increasing the $CO_2$ concentration in the substrate gas mixture. During 6 d cultivation in a nitrogen-present mineral medium, the $CO_2$ concentration did not affect the growth of the cells, while the Poly(3- hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) content decreased with increasing $CO_2$ concentrations from 1% to 20%. During 4 d cultivation in the nitrogen-limited medium, the P(3HB) accumulation was the greatest at 3% $CO_2$; however, the total amount of accumulated P(3HB) was the greatest at 1% $CO_2$, which decreased with increasing $CO_2$ concentrations. The results indicate that the gas mixture with 1% $CO_2$ is the most effective in both growing the cells and accumulating P(3HB) under our experimental conditions.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.103-110
• /
• 2023

The study aimed to enhance the properties of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible substitute for fossil-based plastics. Since the applicability of PLA has been limited because of its toughness and brittleness, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and propolis were introduced into PLA. As a result, the PLA film with MFC/propolis showed significant improvements in mechanical strength, elongation, and storage modulus, while also experiencing a decrease in the glass transition temperature. Additionally, the presence of polyphenols in propolis led to a reduction in light transmittance in the UV wavelength range. These enhancements are attributed to MFC tightly bonding with PLA polymers, and propolis acting as a plasticizer and mediator between MFC and PLA, preventing agglomeration. These reinforced PLA films have the potential to be used in flexible packaging for light-sensitive products.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.282-288
• /
• 2013

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely used in a variety of products and cosmetic products including paper, paints, plastics and sunscreen. However, information on the safety of ZnONPs are not enough and many publications suggest possible toxic effects on environmental and human health. Furthermore, physico-chemical characteristics of nanoparticles makes it hard to test toxicity using the test guidelines of chemicals adopted by regulatory bodies. In this study, stability of ZnONPs was investigated using different types of isotonic solution, which is important in the toxicity study of intravenous route. Precipitation, aggregation, size, zeta potential and morphology of ZnONPs were evaluated with different times and concentrations. Precipitation of ZnONPs were observed in ionic isotonic solution including phosphate-buffered saline, Kreb's-Ringer solution, physiological salt solution and cell culture media of DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium) with 10% fetal bovine serum. On the other hand, they were stable without precipitation in non-ionic isotonic solution such as 5% glucose and 2% glycerol, respectively, which are biocompatible for intravenous injection. The average size of ZnONPs in 5% glucose and 2% glycerol was stably maintained, which is less than 30 nm and very similar as that in water dispersion of ZnONPs, provided by the manufacturer. The stability was maintained during the experimental period of 5 days and diluted state up to 15,000 ppm. These data suggest that 5% glucose and 2% glycerol solution can be used for the vehicles of ZnONPs in the toxicity study of intravenous injection route.