• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.458-462
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• 2009

Silk fibroin is a structural protein from Bombyx mori and can be sulfated to provide biofunctional polypeptides showing antiviral and anticoagulating activities. However, the sulfated fibroins have not been characterized enough to present their compositions and structures. In this report, sulfation reaction was investigated by varying the reaction temperature and sulfuric acid concentration and analysis of the resulting peptides were carried out. The degree of sulfation was proportion to sulfuric acid concentration but the maximum product yield was obtained at $60^{\circ}C$ and 5% of sulfuric acid concentration. FT-IR spectrum, UV absorption and NMR spectrum support that o-sulfate ester was formed at the hydroxyl group of serine and tyrosine residues. Size exclusion chromatography identified that sulfated fibroin was composed of a highly hydrolyzed polypeptide mixtures and peptides of relatively higher molecular weight.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.780-783
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• 2013

Recently, it has been reported that low molecular weight laminarin had the enhanced biological activities. In this study, molecular structure of low molecular weight laminarin prepared by ionizing irradiation was studied. Low molecular weight laminarin samples of 13.5, 8.5, 7, and 6 kDa were obtained from 15 kDa laminarin by irradiation. From gel permeation chromatography data, low molecular weight laminarin was shown to have low polydispersity. To define the changes of functional groups in laminarin with different molecular weights, Fourier-transform infrared analysis was carried out. There was found no significant changes of functional groups in low molecular weight laminarin, except the increase of carbonyl group. The granular fissures from scanning electron microscopy showed the breakage of glycosidic bond in low molecular weight laminarin. These results could be utilized for the investigation of the enhanced biological activities of low molecular weight polysaccharides including laminarin.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2013

Purified melanin pigment from Klebsiella sp. GSK was characterized by thermogravimetric, differential thermal, X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. This melanin pigment is structurally amorphous in nature. It is thermally stable up to $300^{\circ}C$ and emits a strong exothermic peak at $700^{\circ}C$. Its carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen composition is 47.9%, 6.9% and 12.0%, respectively. It was used to scavenge metal ions and free radicals. After immobilizing the pigment and using it to adsorb copper and lead ions, the metal ion adsorption capacity was evaluated by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and the identity of melanin functional groups involved in the binding of metal ions was determined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Batch adsorption studies showed that 169 mg/g of copper and 280 mg/g of lead were adsorbed onto melanin-alginate beads. The metal ion adsorption capacity of the melanin-alginate beads was relatively significant compared to alginate beads. The metal ion desorption capacity of HCl was greater (81.5% and 99% for copper and lead, respectively) than that of EDTA (80% and 71% for copper and lead, respectively). The ability of the melanin pigment to scavenge free radicals was evaluated by inhibition of the oxidation of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and was shown to be about 74% and 98%, respectively, compared with standard antioxidants.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.141-146
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• 2016

The diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) pigment is a bicyclic 8-π-electron system containing two lactam units. Typical DPP derivative pigments have melting points of over 350°C and very low solubility in most solvents, and show absorption in the visible region with a molar extinction coefficient of 33,000 dm²mol⁻¹ and strong photoluminescence with maxima in the range 500–600 nm. X-ray structure analyses of DPP show that the whole molecule is almost in one plane. The phenyl rings are twisted out of the heterocyclic plane and the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between neighboring lactam NH and carbonyl units influences the structure of the DPP pigment in the solid state. In this study, mono-N-alkylation and mono-N-arylation were undertaken for Pigment Red 264 or Pigment Orange 73 with alkyl halide and aryl halide, respectively, in the presence of sodium tert-butoxide as a base catalyst to improve the solubility of DPP pigments and their application as CO₂ indicators. The synthetic yield was in the range 11–88%. The indicator dyes are highly soluble in organic solvents and shows pH-dependent absorption (λ_max 501 and 572 nm for the protonated and deprotonated forms, respectively) and emission (λ_max 524 and 605 nm for the protonated and deprotonated forms, respectively) spectra. The mono-N-alkylated and mono-N-arylated DPP pigment was identified by ¹H-NMR (¹H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer), FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), and MS (Mass Spectrometry). According to the results of color and hue properties obtained by a color matching analyzer, the synthesized DPP pigment material can be used as a CO₂ indicator.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.511-516
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• 2009

Photodegradation characteristics of polyolefin composites were studied. Thermogravimetric analysis results suggest that the polyolefin blends used in this study have different amounts of talc. The mechanical behaviors of polyolefin blends, which experienced UV-irradiation in accordance with SAE J1960, are investigated using tensile and Izod impact tests. These results show that as the UV-exposure time increases, a significant drop in the elongation at break and impact strength at a low temperature are observed. This may be explained by the decreases in elastic energy derived from the scission of polymer molecular chains and the low density of entanglement after UV- photodegradation. Scanning electron microscopy observations indicate that no crack and surface damage are observed, while the additional talc particles are exposed, on the UV-exposed surfaces. The exposure of talc particles may be responsible for the discoloration of UV-exposed polyolefin blend surface. Observation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirms the presence of photodegradation on the surface of UV-exposed polyolefin blend.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.257-258
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• 2012

The SERS spectra of 4-aminobenzenethiol (ABT) have served as the "probe" molecule, which have helped spectroscopists to build up the electromagnetic (EM) and chemical (CHEM) enhancement mechanisms. In particular, the b2-peaks (9b, 3, and 19b) of the SERS spectra of ABT have been attributed to arise from the vibronic charge-transfer (CT) between Au or Ag surface and the ABT. Quite recently, however, Tian and co-workers [1] claimed that the b2-peaks are not the CT-enhanced spectra of ABT. Instead, these peaks arise from the 4,4'-dimercaptoazobenzenes (DMABs) that are produced by the oxidative coupling of two ABTs. Their claim is under intense debate currently. Herein, we studied spatially and temporally resolved SERS spectra of ABTs on Ag thin film (thickness of 10 nm), to investigate such claim. Herein, we present a series of additional evidences that strongly support that the b2 intensities of ABTs do not arise from the CT-enhancement: (1) the b2-peaks can be locally "activated" (i. e. turned on) irreversibly with focused laser radiation; (2) the TOF-SIM spectrometry on the activated region show depletion of ABT-Ag+ ions; and finally (3) the spatially resolved FT-IR spectra of the activated region show two pronounced peaks at 1377 cm-1 and 1460 cm-1, both of which can be assigned to the stretching mode of N=N bond. While the result does not disprove the existence of CT or CHEM enhancement in general, the results do show that previous interpretations of the spectra of ABTs should be re-interpreted.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.227-236
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• 2012

Ionomer is a thermoplastic that is composed of covalent bonds and ionic bonds. It is possible to use this material in processes such as injection molding or extrusion molding due to the material's high oil resistance, weatherproof characteristics, and shock resistance. In this study, a new ionomer having a multifunctional group was prepared by a stepwise neutralization system with the addition of acidic and salt additives. In step I, to increase the contents of the multifunctional group and the acid degree in ethylene acrylic acid (EAA), MGA was added to the ionomer resin (EAA). A new ionomer was prepared via the traditional preparation method of the ionic cross-linking process. In step II, metal salt was added to the mixture of EAA and MGA. The extrusion process was performed using a twin extruder (L/D = 40, size : ${\varphi}30$). Ionomer film was prepared for evaluation of gas permeability by using the compression molding process. The degree of neutralized and ionic cross-linked new ionomer was confirmed by FT-IR and XRD analysis. In order to estimate the neutralization of the new ionomer film, various properties such as gas permeation and mechanical properties were measured. The physical strength and anti-scratch property of the new ionomer were improved with increase of the neutralization degree. The gas barrier property of the new ionomer was improved through the introduction of an ionic site. Also, the ionic degree of cross-linking and gas barrier property of the ionomer membrane prepared by stepwise neutralization were increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.218-229
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• 2011

Dyeing properties of cotton and ramie fabrics with pine needles colorants were studied by investigating the analysis of pine needles colorants, the effect of dyeing conditions (such as dye concentration, dyeing temperatures and times on dye uptakes), effect of mordants, and color change. The various colorfastness of dyed fabrics were evaluated for practical use; in addition, the antimicrobial ability, ultraviolet-cut ability, and deodorant ability were estimated. In the UV-Visible spectrum, the wavelength of the maximum absorption for pine needles extract was 285nm, and pine needles colorants produced a yellow color. From FT-IR and GC-MS results, it was assumed that chromophoric substance from pine needles extracts were mixed with flavonol tannin and flavanol tannin. An increased dyeing concentration resulted in a larger dye uptake and a Freundlich absorption isotherm was obtained. A larger dye uptake occurred as the dyeing time and temperature increased. Post-mordanting was more effective than pre-mordanting and the dye uptake of fabrics improved by mordanting. The colorfastness of dyed fabrics showed a low rating; however, colorfastness to washing and dry cleaning of cotton fabrics mordanted with N.Cu, and friction fastness of ramie fabric mordanted with Cu improved. The dyed fabrics showed very good antimicrobial abilities of 99.9%. In addition, the ultraviolet-cut ability and deodorant ability improved in fabrics dyed with pine needles extracts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.206-217
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• 2011

The dyeing properties of cotton fabrics with bamboo colorants were studied by investigating the analysis of bamboo colorants, the effect of dyeing conditions (dye concentrations, dyeing temperatures and times on dye uptakes), effect of mordants, and color change. The various colorfastness of dyed fabrics were evaluated for practical use; in addition, the antimicrobial ability, ultraviolet-cut ability, and deodorant ability were also estimated. In the UV-Visible spectrum, the wavelength of the maximum absorption for bamboo stems and leaves extracts was found to be 280nm and 295nm, respectively; in addition, bamboo colorants produced a yellow color. From the FT-IR and GC-MS results, it was assumed that the chromophoric substance from bamboo extracts was composed of flavones substances with tricin. An increased dyeing concentration resulted in a larger dye uptake and a Freundlich absorption isotherm was obtained. A larger dye uptake occurred as the dyeing time and temperature increased. The post-mordanting was more effective than pre-mordanting. Mordants, Fe and N.Fe, were effective for an increased dye uptake. The color of fabrics mordanted with Cu and N.Cu changed to GY. Regardless of mordanting, the colorfastness on the washing of dyed fabrics showed a low rating compared to other fastness. Mordanting adversely affected the lightfastness of dyed fabric. The dyed fabric showed very good antimicrobial abilities of 99.9%. In addition, the ultraviolet-cut ability and deodorant ability improved in cotton fabric dyed with bamboo extracts.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2011

The aging degradation and lifetime assessment of a domestic class 1E Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM), which is a popular insulating elastomer for electrical cables in the nuclear power plants, were studied for equipment qualification verification under the Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) conditions. The specimens were acceleratively aged, underwent a LOCA environment, as well as tested mechanically, thermo-gravimetrically, and spectroscopically according to the American Society of the Testing of Materials (ASTM) procedures. The tensile test results revealed that the elongation at break gradually decreased with an increasing aging temperature. The lifetime of EPDM aged isothermally at $140^{\circ}C$ was 1,316 hours and reduced to 1,120 hours after experiencing the severe accident test. The activation energies of the elongation reduction were $1.10{\pm}0.196$ eV and $0.93{\pm}0.191$ eV before and after the LOCA condition, respectively. The TGA test results also showed that the activation energy of the aging decomposition decreased from 1.35 eV to 1.02 eV after undergoing the LOCA environment. Although the mechanical property changes were discernibly observed during the aging process, along with the LOCA simulation, the FT-IR analysis showed that the spectroscopic peaks and their intensities did not alter significantly. Therefore, it can be concluded that the degradation of the domestic class 1E EPDM due to aging can be tolerable, even in severe accident conditions such as LOCA, and thus it qualifies as a suitable insulating material for electrical cables in the nuclear power plants.