• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1450-1457
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• 2015

To overcome the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental problems in future, the research and production of biofuels have attracted attention largely. Thermophilic microorganisms produce effective and robust enzymes which can hydrolyze plant biomass and survive under harsh bioprocessing conditions. Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, which can degrade unpretreated plants and grow on them, is the one of the best candidates for consolidated bioprocessing (CBP). C. bescii can hydrolyze pectin efficiently as well as the major plant cell wall components, cellulose and hemicelluloses. Many glycosyl hydrolases and carbohydrate lyases with multidomain structure play an important role in plant biomass decomposition. Recently genetic tools for metabolic engineering of C. bescii have developed and bioethanol production from unpretreated biomass is achieved in C. bescii. Here, we review the recent studies for biomass degradation by C. bescii and bioethanol production in C. bescii in order to provide information about metabolic engineering of themophilic bacteria and biofuel development.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2011

The polyacrylate/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites were prepared and investigated for the application as a counter electrode in solar cell. The electrical conductivity of the composites was increased with increasing MWNT content and with the thickness of the sheet. The surface resistivity value of the composite at 50 wt% loading of MWNT was 0.36 ${\Omega}$/sq. The thermal decomposition temperature of the composites was also increased with the MWNT contents, and the increase of $15^{\circ}C$ was observed at the composite of polyacrylate/MWNT (50/50, w/w). The increase of storage modulus of the composites was observed, especially at the higher temperature compared to polyacrylate. The dimensional change of polyacrylate decreased over $20^{\circ}C$, but that of the composite increased linearly with the temperature. The morphology of the composites stands for the good dispersion of MWNT into the polyacrylate matrix.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.10
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• pp.894-898
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• 2016

Solution plasma is a unique method which provides a direct discharge in solutions. It is one of the promising techniques for various applications including the synthesis of metallic/non-metallic nanomaterials, decomposition of organic compounds, and the removal of microorganism. In the context of nanomaterial syntheses, solution plasma has been utilized to produce carbon nanoparticles and metallic-carbon nanoparticle systems. The main purpose of this study was to synthesize nickel nanoparticles embedded in a matrix of carbon particles by solution plasma in one-step using waste vegetable oil as the carbon source. The experimental setup was done by simply connecting a bipolar pulsed power generator to nickel electrodes, which were submerged in the waste vegetable oil. Black powders of the nickel nanoparticles-embedded carbon (NiNPs/Carbon) particles were successfully obtained after discharging for 90 min. The morphology of the synthesized NiNPs/Carbon was investigated by a scanning electron microscope, which revealed a good dispersion of NiNPs in the carbon-particle matrix. The X-ray diffraction of NiNPs/Carbon clearly showed the co-existence of crystalline Ni nanostructures and amorphous carbon. The crystallite size of NiNPs (through the Ni (111) diffraction plane), as calculated by the Scherrer equation was found to be 64 nm. In addition, the catalytic activity of NiNPs/Carbon was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry in an acid solution. It was found that NiNPs/Carbon did not show a significant catalytic activity in the acid solution. Although this work might not be helpful in enhancing the activity of the fuel cell catalysts, it is expected to find application in other processes such as the CO conversion (by oxidation) and cyclization of organic compounds.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.293-299
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• 2006

Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition and adsorbed with lecithin by applying ultrasonic. The size and saturation magnetization of magnetic nanoparticles were observed with different lecithin concentration, and the maximum tolerated dose (HTD) and toxicity of magnetic fluid was investigated through a biological test. The thickness of lecithin-adsorption layer increased non-linearly with increasing amounts of added lecithin, and the desirable adsorption amount was observed in the lecithin concentration of 20%(w/v). The dispersibility and magnetic properties of lecithin-adsorbed magnetic nanoparticles were most excellent when the ultrasonic exposure time was 1.5h. Also, the maximum tolerated concentration with best cell viability was $32{\mu}g/ml$ in vitro test, and lecithin-adsorbed magnetic fluids improved the biocompatibility by 1.2 times compared with bare magnetite fluids in vivo.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2000.02a
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• pp.64-64
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• 2000

Since its discovery in 1991, the carbon nanotube has attracted much attention all over the world; and several method have been developed to synthesize carbon nanotubes. According to theoretical calculations, carbon nanotubes have many unique properties, such as high mechanical strength, capillary properties, and remarkable electronical conductivity, all of which suggest a wide range of potential applications in the future. Here we report the synthesis in the catalytic decomposition of acetylene at ~65 $0^{\circ}C$ over Ni deposited on SiO2, For the catalyst preparation, Ni was deposited to the thickness of 100-300A using effusion cell. Different approaches using porous materials and HF or NH3 treated samples have been tried for synthesis of carbon nanotubes. It is decisive step for synthesis of carbon nanotubes to form a round Ni particles. We show that the formation of round Ni particles by heat treatment without any pre-treatment such as chemical etching and observe the similar size of Ni particles and carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes were synthesized by chemial vapour deposition ushin C2H2 gas for source material on Ni coated Si substrate. Ni film gaving 20~90nm thickness was changed into Ni particles with 30~90nm diameter. Heat treatment of Ni fim is a crucial role for the growth of carbon nanotube, High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images show that they are multi-walled nanotube. Raman spectrum shows its peak at 1349cm-1(D band) is much weaker than that at 1573cm-1(G band). We believe that carbon nanotubes contains much less defects. Long carbon nanotubes with length more than several $\mu$m and the carbon particles with round shape were obtained by CVD at ~$650^{\circ}C$ on the Ni droplets. SEM micrograph nanotubes was identified by SEM. Finally, we performed TEM anaylsis on the caron nanotubes to determine whether or not these film structures are truly caron nanotubes, as opposed to carbon fiber-like structures.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.179-182
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• 2006

The effect of electron beam irradiation on dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been studied to examine degradation of DSSC. The high-energy electron beam irradiation affects on the materials and performance of dye sensitized solar cells. We have checked the effects of electron beam irradiation of $TiO_2$ substrate with and without dye adsorption on the photovoltaic performances of resulting DSSCS and also studied the structural and electrical properties of polymers after irradiation. All solar cells materials were irradiated by electron beams with an energy source of 2MeV at different dose rates of 60 kGy, 120 kGy 240 kGy and 900 kGy and then their photoelectrical parameters were measured at 1 sun $(100 mW/cm^2)$. It was shown that the efficiency of DSSC was decreased as increasing the dose of e-beam irradiation due to lowering in $TiO_2$ crystallinity, decomposition of dye and oxidation of FTO glasses. On the other hand, the performance of solid-state DSSC with polyethylene oxide based electrolyte was improved after irradiation of e-beam due to enhancement of its conductivity and breakage of crosslinking.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.285-292
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• 2019

Panax ginseng is known for various pharmacological activities mainly due to saponins. Since minor saponins, generated by the decomposition of major saponins, generally exert higher activities than major saponins, the fermentation may increase the minor saponin contents in ginseng products. In this study, we tested fermented ginseng extract whether or not provide a safe cosmetic ingredient for whitening purpose. In this regard, fermented Ginseng extract was prepared and evaluated the inhibitory activity toward tyrosinase and the melanin synthesis suppression. The safety was tested via cell viability and toxicity test. The skin lightening effect was also evaluated by clinical study. The fermented Ginseng extract exerted higher activities in tyrosine inhibition and in suppressing melanin synthesis compared to Kojic acid and arbutin. In the clinical test, skin lightening effecte of the sample was clearly higher than vehicle or Vitamin C. We thus concluded that the fermented Ginseng extract may provide a safe cosmetic ingredient for skin lightening purpose.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2019

Methylammonium lead halide ($MAPbX_3$, X = I, Br) thin films, used as the light absorber of perovskite solar cells, were prepared using the dual feed ultrasonic spray method. Going through a deposition at a substrate temperature of below $60^{\circ}C$ and then a final heat treatment at $75^{\circ}C$ for 5 minutes using dual feed ultrasonic spray method, $MAPbI_3$ single phase could be formed. Whereas undergoing a deposition at temperatures above $80^{\circ}C$, the spheroidal grains could be changed into rod-shaped fractal structures due to the decomposition of the perovskite phase. Furthermore, using the same method at a higher heat treatment temperature of $100^{\circ}C$, $MAPbI_{3-x}Br_x$ thin films could also be formed from $MAPbI_3$ and $MAPbIBr_2$ solution.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.633-639
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• 2018

In anion exchange membrane fuel cells, Pd nanoparticles are extensively studied as promising non-Pt catalysts due to their electronic structure similar to Pt. In this study, to fabricate Pd nanoparticles well dispersed on carbon support materials, we propose a synthetic strategy using mixed organic ligands with different chemical structures and functions. Simultaneously to control the Pd particle size and dispersion, a ligand mixture composed of oleylamine(OA) and trioctylphosphine(TOP) is utilized during thermal decomposition of Pd precursors. In the ligand mixture, OA serves mainly as a reducing agent rather than a stabilizer since TOP, which has a bulky structure, more strongly interacts with the Pd metal surface as a stabilizer compared to OA. The specific roles of OA and TOP in the Pd nanoparticle synthesis are studied according to the mixture composition, and the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) activity and durability of highly-dispersed Pd nanocatalysts with different particles sizes are investigated. The results of this study confirm that the Pd nanocatalyst with large particles has high durability compared to the nanocatalyst with small Pd nanoparticles during the accelerated degradation tests although they initially indicated similar ORR performance.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1195-1208
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• 2022

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have potential applications in medicine, photocatalysis, agriculture, and cosmetic fields due to their unique physicochemical properties and strong antimicrobial activity. Here, AgNPs were synthesized using actinobacterial SL19 strain, isolated from acidic forest soil in Poland, and confirmed by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy, TEM, and zeta potential analysis. The AgNPs were polydispersed, stable, spherical, and small, with an average size of 23 nm. The FTIR study revealed the presence of bonds characteristic of proteins that cover nanoparticles. These proteins were then studied by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and identified with the highest similarity to hypothetical protein and porin with molecular masses equal to 41 and 38 kDa, respectively. Our AgNPs exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The combined, synergistic action of these synthesized AgNPs with commercial antibiotics (ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline) enabled dose reductions in both components and increased their antimicrobial efficacy, especially in the case of streptomycin and tetracycline. Furthermore, the in vitro activity of the AgNPs on human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A375, A549, and HepG2) showed cancer-specific sensitivity, while the genotoxic activity was evaluated by Ames assay, which revealed a lack of mutagenicity on the part of nanoparticles in Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 strain. We also studied the impact of the AgNPs on the catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO). The decomposition of MO was observed by a decrease in intensity of absorbance within time. The results of our study proved the easy, fast, and efficient synthesis of AgNPs using acidophilic actinomycete SL19 strain and demonstrated the remarkable potential of these AgNPs as anticancer and antibacterial agents. However, the properties and activity of such particles can vary by biosynthesized batch.