• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7003-7006
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• 2015

Background: Nanoparticles of gold and silver are offering revolutionary changes in the field of cancer therapy. N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metal complexes possess diverse biological activities and are being investigated as potential chemotherapeutic agents. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity and possible mechanisms of action of two types of newly synthesized nanofiber composites containing BIAN N-heterocyclic gold carbene complexes in two types of human cancer cells, namely breast cancer (MCF7) and liver cancer (HepG2) cells and also in normal human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293). Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT cell viability assay and oxidative stress by checking the total glutathione level. Results: Both compounds affected the cell survival of the tested cell lines at very low concentrations (IC50 values in the micro molar range) as compared to a well-known anti-cancer drug, 5 fluorouracil. A 60-80% depletion in total glutathione level was detected in treated cells. Conclusions: Reduction in total glutathione level is one of the biochemical pathways for the induction of oxidative stress which in turn could be a possible mechanism of action by which these compounds induce cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. The in vitro toxicity towards cancer cells found here means that these molecules could be potential anticancer candidates.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.28-36
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• 2014

We studied the green synthesis and antibacterial activity of paper coated with chitosan-silver (Ag) green nanocomposites for packaging applications. Green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) was achieved by a chemical reaction involving a mixture of chitosan-silver nitrate ($AgNO_3$) in an autoclave at 15 psi, $121^{\circ}C$, for 30 min. AgNPs and their formation in chitosan was confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). As-prepared chitosan-AgNPs composite materials were coated on manila paper using Meyer rod. Surface morphology and Ag contents in coating layer were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation were significantly affected by coating with chitosan-AgNPs. The antibacterial test of coated paper was performed qualitatively and quantitatively against Escherichia coli (E. coli). It was shown to be effective in suppressing the growth of E. coli with increasing Ag contents on the surface of coated paper and more than 95 R (%) of antimicrobial rate was obtained at chitosan-AgNPs coated papers.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.743-748
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• 2017

For diseases that are difficult to detect by conventional imaging techniques, the development of a diagnostic method that allows sensors to be inserted into the human body to aid the diagnosis of local spots of the target tissue, is highly desirable. In particular, it is extremely difficult to determine whether vulnerable plaque can later develop into atherosclerosis using only imaging techniques. However, vulnerable plaques are expected to have slightly different mechanical properties than healthy tissue. In this study, we aim to develop a piezoelectric cantilever-type sensor that can be inserted into the human body and can detect the local mechanical properties of the target tissue. A piezoelectric polymer composite based on $BaTiO_3$ nanoparticles was optimized for fabrication of a piezoelectric cantilever. Next, a micro-cone tip was fabricated at the end of the piezoelectric cantilever by thermal drawing. Finally, stiffness of biological tissue samples was measured with the piezoelectric cantilever sensor for verifying its functionality.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2014

In order to fabricate the porous $Al_2O_3$ with dispersion of nano-sized Cu particles, freeze-drying of camphene/$Al_2O_3$ slurry and solution chemistry process using Cu-nitrate are introduced. Camphene slurries with 10 vol% $Al_2O_3$ was frozen at $-25^{\circ}C$. Pores were generated by sublimation of the camphene during drying in air. The sintered samples at 1400 and $1500^{\circ}C$ showed the same size of large pores which were aligned parallel to the sublimable vehicles growth direction. However, the size of fine pores in the internal walls of large pores decreased with increase in sintering temperature. It was shown that Cu particles with the size of 100 nm were homogeneously dispersed on the surfaces of the large pores. Antibacterial test using fungus revealed that the porous $Al_2O_3$/1 vol% Cu composite showed antifungal property due to the dispersion of Cu particles. The results are suggested that the porous composites with required pore characteristics and functional property can be fabricated by freeze-drying process and addition of functional nano particles by chemical method.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2011

Recently, high growth potential of barrier materials industry including high performance packing materials was expected with increasing the national income and well-being culture. As high barrier materials, polymer nanocomposites have considerable attractions due to their excellent physical properties compared to conventional composite materials. In general, polymer nanocomposites were consisted of polymer matrix and inorganic fillers, such as layered silicate, carbon nanotubes, and metal- or inorganic nanoparticles. Among these materials, layered silicate which was called as the clay was usually used as nano-fillers because of naturally abundant and most economical and structural properties. Clay-reinforced polymer nanocomposites have various advantages, such as high strength, flammability, gas barrier property, abrasion resistance, and low shrinkage and used for automotive and packing materials. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on the need of gas barrier materials and materials-related technologies.

• Composites Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2016

SiC nanoparticles were used to increase flexural properties of polymer matrix. This study was to manufacture huge concentration SiC nanoparticle/epoxy composites and to evaluate the dispersion. During mixing SiC nanoparticle and epoxy, 20 wt% SiC nanoparticle in total composites was used with both stirrer and sonication equipment together. Mixing speed and dispersion were improved with the method by using both stirrer and sonication equipment at the same time via mechanical test and FE-SEM. Based on the results, modeling of SiC nanoparticle dispersion could be established. Ultimately, unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced composites was manufactured using 20 wt% SiC nanoparticle/epoxy. Mechanical property of CFRP using dual stirrer and sonication mixing method was better than composites by single sonication mixing method.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.565-576
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• 2018

Cellulose acetate (CA) has been widely utilized for composite materials due to its high transparency and thermal resistance. In this study, CNCs (cellulose nanocrystals) were reinforced in CA nanocomposites for fortifying mechanical properties of the composites. In addition, CA nanocomposites reinforced with CNCs were manufactured by extrusion/injection processes applied with CNC-predispersion method for achieving a high dispersion level of CNCs in the CA matrix. According to the analysis of mechanical properties, the CA nanocomposite with 3 wt% CNCs has the highest tensile and flexural strengths due to the reinforcing effect of CNC nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the addition of acid hydrolyzed CNCs slightly lowered the initial pyrolysis temperature of CA nanocomposite.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.17-22
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• 2011

Recently transparent electrodes using carbon nanotube (CNT) have been studied actively to replace conventional ITO. In this work, CNT or ITO coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were prepared by controlling the surfaces since the cohesion degree depends upon drying conditions. As transparent electrode application, 3 drying temperatures were set as 20, 80, and $120^{\circ}C$ to produce the change of surface properties. Interfacial durability and electrical properties of prepared transparent electrodes were evaluated by electrical resistance measurement. Surface change with changing drying temperature was observed by FE-SEM, whereas the transparency change was measured by UV-spectroscopy. The electronic properties of nanoparticle coated surface were evaluated using cyclic voltametry method upon the surface change with controlled drying temperature. Durability of CNT coated surfaces was better than ITO coated ease. As drying temperature increased, better coated surface was prepared due to improved cohesion among nanoparticles, which resulted in increased electrical properties.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.412-412
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• 2014

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most powerful materials for purifying organic pollutants using photocatalytic activity. In this study, we have introduced a novel method to design highly photoreactive flexible 3 dimensional (3D) ZnO nanocomposite [F-ZnO-m (m: reaction time, min)] by electrospinning and simple-step ZnO growth processing (one-step ZnO seed coating/growth processing). Significantly, the F-ZnO-m could be a new platform (or candidate) as a photocatalytic technology for both morphology control and large-area production. The highest photocatalytic degradation rate ([k]) was observed for F-ZnO-m at 2.552 h-1, which was 8.1 times higher than that of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs; [k] = 0.316 h-1). The enhanced photocatalytic activity of F-ZnO-m may be attributed to factors such as large surface area. The F-ZnO-m is highly recyclable and retained 98.6% of the initial decolorization rate after fifteen cycles. Interestingly, the F-ZnO-m samples show very strong antibacterial properties against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) after exposure to UV-light for 30 min. The antibacterial properties of F-ZnO-m samples are more effective than those of ZnO NPs. More than 96.6% of the E. coli is sterilized after ten cycles. These results indicate that F-ZnO-m samples might have utility in several promising applications such as highly efficient water/air treatment and inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.426-426
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• 2011

최근 들어 금속물질을 나노미터 단위로 구성할 수 있는 기술이 진보하면서, 금속 나노입자에 의해 발생되는 표면 플라즈몬에 대해서도 다양한 분야의 관심이 집중되고 있다. 유전체 물질을 기지상으로 하는 금속:유전체 나노복합체에서 금속 나노입자는 자유전자들의 집단 진동인 국소표면 플라즈몬 공진(Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance, LSPR)현상에 의해 국부전기장을 증대 시키고, 가시광 및 적외선 영역에서 특성 광흡수 거동을 보인다. 이와 같은 광학적 특성은 금속 나노입자들의 크기, 형태, 그리고 나노입자들의 주변을 구성하는 기지상 물질의 종류에 의해 조절된다. 금속:유전체 나노복합체에 나타나는 이러한 특성은 단순장식코팅 뿐만 아니라 광의 효율적 운용과 광을 매개로 한 기능발현을 필요로 하는 디스플레이, 광학 스위칭 소재 및 태양전지의 효율 향상을 위한 광흡수층 등 매우 다양한 응용이 가능하다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 굴절률을 갖는 재료들 중, 저굴절률을 갖는 SiO2와 고굴절률을 갖는 ZnS-SiO2를 기지상 재료로 선택하여 교번증착 스퍼터링법으로 Ag와 Au입자를 형성시켰다. Ag를 금속나노입자로 갖고, SiO2와 ZnS-SiO2를 기지상으로 하는 금속:유전체 나노복합체에서는 금속나노입자 형성에 따른 뚜렷한 표면 플라즈몬 공진 광흡수 피크가 관찰된 반면 Au나노입자는 기지상에 따라 각기 다른 광흡수 특성을 나타냈는데, SiO2기지상에서 명확한 광흡수 피크를 형성했던 경우와는 달리 ZnS-SiO2기지상에서는 특정파장에서의 흡수피크로 규정되기 어려운 넓은 파장범위에 걸친 완만한 광흡수 피크를 나타냈다. TEM 분석을 통해, ZnS-SiO2 기지상 내의 Au입자는 각각 독립되어 있는 Island형태가 아닌 유전체 기지상과 대칭적으로 혼합된 네트워크 형태의 Bruggeman 기하구조를 구성하고 있음을 확인하였고, 이는 Au입자가 형성되고 성장할 때 Au와 S의 높은 결합에너지로 인해 상당한 젖음 특성을 갖고 성장하였기 때문으로 판단됐다. 따라서 나노복합체를 구성하는 물질간의 광학적 특성뿐만 아니라 기지상 내에서의 금속입자의 성장거동에 대한 연구가 수반되었을 때, 금속:유전체 나노복합체의 표면 플라즈몬 공진 광흡수 특성을 보다 정확하게 제어할 수 있다.