• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2021

Kraft lignin is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, obtained as a black liquor after the extraction of cellulose from wood through the Kraft pulping process. Right now, kraft lignin is utilized as a low-grade boiler fuel to provide heat and power but can be converted into high-calorific biofuels or high-value chemicals once the efficient catalytic depolymerization process is developed. In this work, the multi-functional catalyst of Ru-Mg-Al-oxide, which contains hydrogenation metals, acid, and base sites for the effective depolymerization of kraft lignin are prepared, and its lignin depolymerization efficiency is evaluated. In order to understand the role of different active sites in the lignin depolymerization, the three different catalysts of MgO, Mg-Al-oxide, and Ru-Mg-Al-oxide were synthesized, and their lignin depolymerization activity was compared in terms of the yield and the average molecular weight of bio-oil, as well as the yield of phenolic monomers contained in the bio-oil. Among the catalysts tested, the Ru-Mg-Al-oxide catalyst exhibited the highest yield of bio-oil and phenolic monomers due to the synergy between active sites. Furthermore, in order to maximize the extent of lignin depolymerization over the Ru-Mg-Al-oxide, the effects of reaction conditions (i.e., temperature, time, and catalyst loading amount) on the lignin depolymerization were investigated. Overall, the highest bio-oil yield of 72% and the 3.5 times higher yield of phenolic monomers than that without a catalyst were successfully achieved at 350 ℃ and 10% catalyst loading after 4 h reaction time.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2022

Biorefineries, in which renewable resources are utilized, are an eco-friendly alternative based on biomass feedstocks. Alginic acid, a major component of brown algae, which is a type of marine biomass, is widely used in various industries and can be converted into value-added chemicals such as sugars, sugar alcohols, furans, and organic acids via catalytic hydrothermal decomposition under certain conditions. In this study, ruthenium-supported activated carbon and magnesium oxide were mixed and applied to the depolymerization of alginic acid in a batch reactor. The addition of magnesium oxide as a basic promoter had a strong influence on product distribution. In this heterogeneous catalytic system, the separation and purification processes are also simplified. After the reaction, low molecular weight alcohols and organic acids with 5 or fewer carbons were produced. Specifically, under the optimal reaction conditions of 30 mL of 1 wt% alginic acid aqueous solution, 100 mg of ruthenium-supported activated carbon, 100 mg of magnesium oxide, 210 ℃ of reaction temperature, and 1 h of reaction time, total carbon yields of 29.8% for alcohols and 43.8% for a liquid product were obtained. Hence, it is suggested that this catalytic system results in the enhanced hydrogenolysis of alginic acid to value-added chemicals.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.668-673
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• 2020

In this work, ultrathin and two-dimensional (2D) cobalt hydroxide [Co(OH)2] nanosheets were synthesized by a sonication assisted liquid-phase exfoliation of bulk Co(OH)2. The resulting exfoliated Co(OH)2 is a hexagonal mono-layered nanosheet with a high specific surface area of 27.5 ㎡ g-1. The depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) based on glycolysis reaction was also performed using an exfoliated Co(OH)2 catalyst. Excellent catalytic reaction performances were demonstrated; a high PET conversion and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) yield of both 100% using the nanosheet catalyst were achieved within a reaction time and temperature of 30 min and 200 ℃, respectively. The long-term stability of exfoliated Co(OH)2 catalysts was also demonstrated by recyclability tests of the catalyzed glycolysis reaction of PET over four cycles, showing both 100% of high PET conversion and BHET yield.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.271-282
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• 2002

The sonochemical process has been applied as a treatment method to investigate its effect on the decomposition of humic substances (HS). The reaction kinetics and mechanisms in the process of sonochemical treatment for humic substances in wastewater have also been discussed. It was observed that the metal ions such Fe(II) and Mn(II) showed catalytic effects, while Al(III), Ca(II), and Mg(II) had inhibitory effects on the decomposition of humic substances in sonochemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Experimental results also showed factors such as hydrogen peroxide dose affected the formation of disinfection by-products. Two trihalomethanes, chloroform and dichlorobromomethane were formed as major disinfection by-products during chlorination. The depolymerization and the radical reaction of HS radicals appear to occur simultaneously. The final step of the reaction is the conversion of organic acids to carbon dioxide.

• Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
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• v.10 no.S_3
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• pp.127-137
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• 2001

The sonochemical Process has been applied as a treatment method and was investigated its effect on the decomposition of humic substances(HS). The reaction kinetics and mechanisms in the Process of sonochemical treatment for humic substances(HS) in wastewater have also been discussed. It was observed that the metal ions such as Fe(II) and Mn(II) showed catalytic effects, while Al(III), Ca(II), and Mg(II) had inhibitory effects on the decomposition of humic substances in sonochemical reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Experimental results also showed factors such as hydrogen peroxide dose affected the formation of disinfection by-products. Two trihalomethanes, chloroform and dichlorobromomethane were formed as major disinfection by-products during chlorination. The mechanism of radical reaction is controlled by an oxidation process. The radicals are so reactive that most of them are consumed by HS radicals and hydroxyl radicals can be acted on organic solutes by hydroxyl addition, hydrogen abstraction, and electron transfer. The depolymerization and the radical reaction of HS radicals appear to occur simultaneously. The final steps of the reaction are the conversion of organic acids to carbon dioxide.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.62-77
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• 1985

In tile Iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction to produce OH., the requirement for $O^{-}_{2}{\cdot}$ is only to reduce $Fe^{+++}$. Possibly, the role of $O^{-}_{2}{\cdot}$ can be replaced by other reducing agents. Ascorbate is one of them in biological system. In the present study, the ability of ascorbate to produce $OH{\cdot}$ in the presence of $Fe^{++}$ and $H_2O_2$ was investigated by observing the degradation of hyaluronic acid and ethylene production from methional. Ascorbate stimulated the degradation of hyaluronic by $Fe^{++}$ and $H_2O_2$. That was confirmed by both viscosity change and gel-permeation chromatographic analysis. The observed degradation was almost completely prevented by catalase and $OH{\cdot}$ scavengers. In support of the above results, ascorbate enhanced the prouction of ethylene from methional in the presence of $Fe^{++}$ and $H_2O_2$. Other reducing agents (cysteine, glutathione, NADH and NADPH) showed similar activities to ascorbate in the degradation of hyaluronic acid and ethylene production. But no stimulatory effects were observed with their oxidized forms such as NAD and NADP. Thus, it appears that reduction of the metal ion was needed for $OH{\cdot}$ production. Among the metal ions tested, $Fe^{++}$ showed most potent catalytic action in the production of $OH{\cdot}$ The results obtained support that ascorbate can substitute $O^{-}_{2}{\cdot}$ in the metal-catalyzed reactions, particularly with $Fe^{++}$ by which $OH{\cdot}$ is produced with $H_2O_2$. The significance of the ascorbate-dependent production of $OH{\cdot}$ was considered with respect to possible role of ascorbate in the damage of inflamed joints.