• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

This study assessed the feasibility of iron oxide nanoparticles impregnated with biochar (INPBC), derived from woody biomass, as a stabilizing agent for the stabilization of farmland soil in the vicinity of an abandoned mine through pot experiments with 28 days of lettuce growth. The lettuce grown in the INPBC amended soils increased by more than 100% and the concentrations of inorganic elements (Cu, Ni, Zn) decreased by more than 40%. As, Cd and Pb were not transferred properly from the soils to the lettuce biomass. The bioavailability of arsenic and heavy metals in the INPBC amended soils were decreased by 26%~50%. It seems that the major mechanisms of stabilization were arsenic adsorption on iron oxides, heavy metal precipitation by soil pH increasing and heavy metal adsorption on organic matter. These results revealed that the lower bioavailability of the inorganic pollutants in the soils stabilized using INPBC induced lower transfer to the lettuce. Thus, INPBC could be used as an amendment material for the stabilization of farmland soils contaminated by arsenic and heavy metals. However, a pre-review of the chemical properties of the amended soil must be performed prior to applying INPBC in farmland soil because the concentration of the nutrients in the soil such as available phosphates and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K) could be decreased due to adsorption on the surface of the iron oxides and organic matter.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Applied Superconductivity and Cryogenics Conference
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• 2002.02a
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• pp.339-339
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• 2002

In the RABiTS approach to coated conductor development, successful (both economic and technological) depends on the refinement and optimization of each of three important components: the metal tape substrate, the buffer layer(s), and the HTS layer. Here we will report on the ORNL approach and progress in each of these areas. - Most applications will require metal tapes with low magnetic hysteresis, mechanical strength, and excellent crystalline texture. Some of these requirements are competing. We report on progress in obtaining a good combination of these characteristics on metal alloys of Ni-Cr and Ni-W. - The deposition of appropriate buffer layers is a crucial step. Recently, base research has shown that the presence of a stable sulfur superstructure present on the metal surface is needed for the nucleation and epitaxial growth of vapor-deposited seed buffer layers such as YSZ, CeO$_2$ and SrTiO$_3$. We report on the details and control of this superstructure for nickel tapes, as well as recent results for Cu and Ni-13%Cr. - Processes for deposition of the HTS coating must economically provide large values of the figure-of-merit for conductors, current x length. At ORNL, we have devoted efforts to a precursor/post-annealing approach to YBCO coatings, for which the deposition and reaction steps are separate. We describe motivation for and progress toward developing this approach. - Finally, we address some issues for the implementation of coated conductors in real applications, including the need for texture control and electrical stabilization of the HTS coating.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.479-487
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• 2023

Copper is cost-effective and abundantly available as a biocidal coating agent for a wide range of material surfaces. Natural oxidation does not compromise the efficacy of copper, allowing it to maintain antimicrobial activity under prolonged exposure conditions. Furthermore, copper compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic yeast, both enveloped and non-enveloped types of viruses, as well as gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Contact killing of copper-coated surfaces causes the denaturation of proteins and damage to the cell membrane, leading to the release of essential components such as nucleotides and cytoplasm. Additionally, redox-active copper generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause permanent cell damage through enzyme deactivation and DNA destruction. Owing to its robust stability, copper has been utilized in diverse forms, such as nanoparticles, ions, composites, and alloys, resulting in the creation of various coating methods. This mini-review describes representative coating processes involving copper ions and copper oxides on various material surfaces, highlighting the antibacterial and antiviral properties associated with different oxidation states of copper.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4671-4677
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• 2023

For the first time Pb, Ni, and Cu nanocomposites were synthesized by versatile solution combustion synthesis using Aloevera extract as a reducing agent, to study the potential applications in X-ray/gamma, neutron, and Bremsstrahlung shielding. The synthesized Lead-Nickel-Copper (LNC) nanocomposites were characterized by PXRD, SEM, UV-VIS, and FTIR for the confirmation of successful synthesis. PXRD analysis confirmed the formation of multiphase LNC NCs and the Scherrer equation and the W-H plot gave the average crystal sizes of 19 nm and 17 nm. Surface morphology using SEM and EDX confirmed the presence of LNC NCs. Strong absorption peaks were analyzed by UV visible spectroscopy and the direct energy gap is found to be 3.083 eV. Functional groups present in the LNC NCs were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray/gamma radiation shielding properties were measured using NaI(Tl) detector coupled with MCA. It is found to be very close to Pb. Neutron shielding parameters were compared with traditional shielding materials and found LNC NCs are better than lead and concrete. Secondary radiation shielding known as Bremsstrahlung shielding characteristics also studied and found that LNC NCs are best in secondary radiation shielding. Hence LNC NCs find shielding applications in ionizing radiation such as X-ray/gamma and neutron radiation.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.330-340
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• 2024

Al-Mg-Si alloys are light weight and have excellent corrosion resistance, and are attracting attention as a liner material for high-pressure hydrogen containers in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Because it has excellent plastic hardening properties, it is also applied to car body panel materials, but it is moderate in strength, so research to improve the strength by adding Si-rich or Cu is in progress. So far, the authors have conducted research on the intergranular fracture of alloys with excessive Si addition from the macroscopic mechanical point of view, such as specimen shape. To evaluate their impact tensile properties, the split-Hopkinson bar impact test was performed using thin plate specimens of coarse and fine grain alloys of Al-Mg-X (X = Cr,Si) alloy. The effect of the shape of the specimen on the characteristics was studied through finite element method (FEM) analysis. As a result, it was found that the intergranular fracture of the alloy with excessive Si depended on the specimen width (W)/grain size (d), which can be expressed by the specimen size and grain size. As W/d decreases, the intergranular fracture transforms into a transgranular fracture. As the strain rate increases, the fracture elongation decreases, and the fracture surface of the intergranular fracture becomes more brittle. It was confirmed that intergranular fracture occurred in the high strain rate region even in materials with small grain sizes.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2009

The distribution characteristics of heavy metals for surface sediments in east oceanic dumping area (EDA) and west oceanic dumping area (WDA) are evaluated by grain sizes, minerals, sedimentation rates and compositions of heavy metals. The mean grain sizes in EDA and WDA range from $7.95{\Phi}$ to $8.51{\Phi}$ and $7.42{\Phi}$ to $8.15{\Phi}$, respectively. These are mostly belonging to the M (mud) type. Minerals in the surface sediments consist of illite with chlorite, smectite, and kaolinite. Sedimentation rates estimated by $^{210}Pb$ method in EDA and WDA are 1.11 mm/yr$\sim$1.73 mm/yr and 1.87 mm/yr, respectively. According to the interrelationship, concentrations of Ni, Cu, Cr, and Zn are closely associated with mean grain size, Al, and Fe, whereas concentrations of Cd and Pb are poorly associated with ones. The enrichment factors of these elements are higher than 1.5, suggesting that the concentrations of Cd and Pb in the surface sediments are affected by anthropogenic sources. The $I_{geo}$-class numbers of Cd and Pb in the surface sediments are mostly classified in 2 to 4, showing moderate to strongly polluted. These numbers in EDA are higher than that of WDA, and the highest number is 4, indicative of the strongly polluted class. Our results show that the disposed wastes at EDA include mineralogical wastes, dredged materials from sewage disposals, and sludges from constructions having materials of WDA. The annual amount of oceanic dumping in EDA is double than that in WDA.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.130-142
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• 1987

Sedimentological characteristics of the surface sediments in the southern sea off Cheju Island are described from analyses of bottom sediments. The sediments are subdivided into seven textural classes, muddy sand, slightly gravelly muddy sand, sand, clayey sand, sandy clay, sandymud, silty sand. Sand-size sediments are distributed in the southeastern part and/or around the Island, whereas sandy and muddy sediments are mainly distributed in the central and southern parts of the study area. A small portion of mud patch is located in the southwestern part of the area. According to the textural parameters analysis, sediments in the study area are poorly sorted(av.2.52 ), positive skewed(av.1.61 ), leptokurtic(av.1.74 ), transported by saltation and/or suspension, and roundness of quartz is varied from angular to surrounded, which suggesting that the depositional environment is not simple. The calcium carbonate content is on the average 26.99%, and commonly abundant in sand-size sediments, whereas organic matter content in the bulk sediment is on the average 6.70% and usually dominant in fine-grained sediments.Light minerals consist of quartz(av56.01%),Na-Ca feldspar(av.6.15%),K-feldspar(av.9.22%) and rock fragments(av28.11%).The contect onquartz and K-feldspar increases continuously away from the Cheju Island. As a result of geochemical analysis,concentrations of the elements are as follow:Zn:19.42-43.52 ppm (av.30.67ppm),Mn:50-304 ppm(av139.39ppm),Cr:3.54-10.68ppm(av6.50ppm),Pb:5.52-41.68ppm(av.15.60ppm), Co:7.08-14.68ppm (av.10.78ppm),Ni:19.70-42.42ppm(av.29.57ppm),Cu:3.14-9.12ppm(av.5.14ppm),Fe:0.48-2.08% (av1.22%),Ca:0.32-13.16%(av6.60%),Al:0.06-0.08%(av.0.27%),Mg:0.12-0.76%(av.0.53%)na:0.11-0.51%(av.0.36%) Ag:0.48-4.08ppm(av.1.22ppm).Among these elements,the content of Zn,Cu,Cr,Mn,Fe,Al,Mg,Pb and Na increase toward the southwestern area,while the content of Ca and Ag SHOWS the reversed distribution trend.Such a distribution pattern seems to imply that spatial distrivution of heavy metals is closely related to the variation in grain size. X-ray diffractogram show that the minerals in clay from the southwestern mud patch are illite ,chlorite, kaolinte,feldspar and calcite.The bulk of illite in th mud zone is believed to be originated from Huanghe and Yangytze River.The mud patch in this region contains the diagnostic calcite peak,and the concentration of Ca,ni,Pb,Ag are similar to Huanghe type,which indicates that the greater part of these clay fractions may have been derived from the Huanghe River.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.132-147
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• 1989

A total of 83 surface sediments and 55 sea water samples, collected from the southwestern sea of Cheju Island, were analyzed in order to understand their textural characteristics, geochemical composition and the clay mineralogical features. The sediments were subdivided into ten textural classes, namely clayey sand, slightly gravelly muddy sand, sandy clay, clay and mud. The coarse and fine-grained mixed sediments are distributed in the northern part and around the Island, whereas the fine-grained deposits are mainly distributed in the central and southern parts of the study area; small scale mud patches are distributed in the southwestern and northern parts of Cheju Island. The high concentration of total suspended matter in study area gradually increase toward the southwestern and northwestern offshore area. The concentration of geochemical elements is as follow: the content of Mn, Al, Zn, Cr, Cu and Sn increase toward the southern part which is covered mainly with fine-grained deoposits, whereas the content of Ca, Mg and Ag is higher in the northern area; the elements such as Ni, Na, Fe and Pb are more concentrated relatively in muddy deposits rather than in sandy sediments. The light minerals such as Na-Ca feldspars show a high content around the Socotra Rock, toward the Soheugsan and Cheju Islands, but the K-feldspars are relatively high around the Cheju Island. It was noticed that the provenance of these sediments is partly influenced by the geological characteristics near the island. X-ray diffractogram for clay minerals from the southeastern mud patch and around the Soheugsan Island shows the diagnostic calcite peak indicating that the greater part of these clay fraction may have been derived from present and ancient Hwangho River. The high concentration of smectite in the northern part near the Cheju and around the Soheugsan Islands, eastern side of Socotra Rock probably result from supplies smectite altered from volcanic materials distributed in the Cheju Island and Socotra Rock, whereas the samples near the Chuja and northern parts of the Cheju Island contain weak calcite peak and high concentration of kaolinite and chlorite which is closely related to the geolgical characteristics on the adjacenting land area.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.3
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• pp.43-50
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• 2001

This article is about a joint project carried out by the National Museum of Korea and the Tokyo Cultural Properties Research Institute for the conservation of central Asia Wall painting that has been selected for the exhibition at the new Seoul National Museum of Korea at Yongsan. The investigation of the wall painting revealed very useful information. This includes the condition of the object, and the identification of evident damage, such as cracks, loss of pigment, plus materials and methods employed during the object's creation, as well as previous conservation treatment. The object was mainly made by applying plaster to the body (wall) that consisted of a mixture of soils and rice straws. Then, on the surface of the wall-painting, pigments were used to draw and to colour it. As a part of the investigation, radiocarbon dating was conducted using straw samples taken from the object. The result indicates that the object is probably dated form between the end of the 10th Century and the beginning of the 13th Century. The result of X-ray diffraction also revealed the composition of the pigments used on the surface. These are 1. gypsom [Ca(SO₄)·2H₂O], CaSO₄ and Calcite (CaCO₃) and Calcite (CaCO₃) that were used for the white background. 2. Pb₃O₄ and led Arsenate [Pb(As₂O₆) that were used for the red colouring. 3. Cuprite (Cu₂O), Arsenolite (As₂O₃) and Arsenic Oxide (As₂O₄) that were used for the green colouring.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.417-417
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• 2016

Global environmental deterioration has become more serious year by year and thus scientific interests in the renewable energy as environmental technology and replacement of fossil fuels have grown exponentially. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell consisting of semiconductor photoelectrodes that can harvest light and use this energy directly to split water, also known as photoelectrolysis or solar water splitting, is a promising renewable energy technology to produce hydrogen for uses in the future hydrogen economy. A major advantage of PEC systems is that they involve relatively simple processes steps as compared to many other H2 production systems. Until now, a number of materials including TiO2, WO3, Fe2O3, and BiVO4 were exploited as the photoelectrode. However, the PEC performance of these single absorber materials is limited due to their large charge recombinations in bulk, interface and surface, leading low charge separation/transport efficiencies. Recently, coupling of two materials, e.g., BiVO4/WO3, Fe2O3/WO3 and CuWO4/WO3, to form a type II heterojunction has been demonstrated to be a viable means to improve the PEC performance by enhancing the charge separation and transport efficiencies. In this study, we have prepared a triple-layer heterojunction BiVO4/WO3/SnO2 photoelectrode that shows a comparable PEC performance with previously reported best-performing nanostructured BiVO4/WO3 heterojunction photoelectrode via a facile solution method. Interestingly, we found that the incorporation of SnO2 nanoparticles layer in between WO3 and FTO largely promotes electron transport and thus minimizes interfacial recombination. The impact of the SnO2 interfacial layer was investigated in detail by TEM, hall measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. In addition, our planar-structured triple-layer photoelectrode shows a relatively high transmittance due to its low thickness (~300 nm), which benefits to couple with a solar cell to form a tandem PEC device. The overall PEC performance, especially the photocurrent onset potential (Vonset), were further improved by a reactive-ion etching (RIE) surface etching and electrocatalyst (CoOx) deposition.