• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 2014

A plasma hydrophobic coating on commercial fish feed was conducted to prolong the floating time of feed, thereby enhancing the feed consumption rate and reducing the contamination of water in fish farms. The hydrophobic coating on the fish feed was prepared using an atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), toluene and n-hexane as the precursors. The effect of the parameters such as input power, precursor type and coating time on the coating performance were examined. The physicochemical properties of the coating layer were analyzed using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and a contact angle (CA) analyzer. The water CA increased after the coating preparation, indicating that the surface changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The FTIR characterization revealed that the hydrophobic layer was comprised of functional groups such as $CH_3$, Si-O-Si and Si-C. As a result of the hydrophobic coating, the floating time of the fish feed increased from several seconds to 3 minutes, which suggested that the plasma coating method could be a viable means for practical applications. Compared to the water CA measured as soon as the coating layer was prepared, the 6-day aged sample exhibited a substantial CA increase, confirming the aging effect on the improvement of the hydrophobicity.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.612-616
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• 2012

In this work, the effect of chemical treatments of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on the mechanical interfacial properties of carbon fiber fabric-reinforced composites was investigated. The surface properties of the MWNTs were determined by acid and base values, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The mechanical interfacial properties of the composites were assessed by interlaminar shear stress (ILSS) and critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$). The chemical treatments based on acid and base reactions led to a significant change of surface characteristics of the MWNTs, especially A-MWNTs/carbon fibers/epoxy composites had higher mechanical properties than those of B-MWNTs and non-treated MWNTs/carbon fibers/epoxy composites. These results were probably due to the improvement of interfacial bonding strength, resulting from the acid-base interaction and hydrogen bonding between the epoxy resins and the MWNT fillers.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.1006-1011
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• 1999

B-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) thin films were prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition in a gas mixture of $SiH_4$, $CH_4$ and $B_2H_6$. Microstructures and chemical properties of a-SiC:H films grown with varing the volume ratio of $CH_4$ to $SiH_4$ were characterized with various analysis methods including scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffractometry(XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), UV absorption spectroscopy and photoconductivity measurements. While Si:H films grown without $CH_4$ showed amorphous state, the addition of $CH_4$ during deposition enhanced the development of a microcrystalline phase. By introducing C atoms into the film, Si-Si and Si--$\textrm{H}_{n}$ bonds of a -Si:H films were gradually replaced by Si-C, C-C, and Si--$\textrm{C}_{n}\textrm{H}_{m}$ bonds. Consequently, the electrical resistivity and optical bandgap of a-SiC:H films were increased with the C concentration in the film.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.299-308
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• 2020

Composting is among the most effective integrated waste management strategies used to recycle sewage sludge (SS) waste and generate a useful product. An encapsulated lifting system is a relatively new industrial-scale composting technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of composting dewatered stabilized SS mixed with green waste using this new technology. The composting process was monitored by changes in the physico-chemical properties, UV-visible spectra, and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The composting temperature was steady in the thermophilic range for 24 and 12 d in the intensive and maturation phases, respectively, which fulfilled the disinfection requirement. Moreover, the temperature increased rapidly to 76.8℃ within three days, and the thermophilic temperatures peaked twice and lasted longer than in traditional composting, which accelerated SS degradation and decreased the composting period necessary to obtain mature compost. FTIR spectroscopic analysis showed a diminished in methyl group derived from methylene C-H aliphatic groups because of organic matter degradation by microorganisms and an increased number of aromatic chains. The new technology may be a viable and sustainable alternative for SS management that converts waste into compost that is useful as a soil amendment.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2013

Swelling behaviors of raw (Specimen-R) and compressed (Specimen-C) samples of maleic anhydride-grafted EPDM (MAH-g-EPDM) depending on the treatment with dichloroacetic acid were investigated. Structural characteristics of the samples were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). When the samples were not treated with dichloroacetic acid, the swelling ratio of Specimen-R was greater than that of Specimen-C by about twice and the swelling ratio change was negligible though the process of swelling and drying was repeated. When the samples were treated with dichloroacetic acid, the first swelling ratios were increased but the second ones were decreased. For the Specimen-C, the swelling ratio of the sample without the dichloroacetic acid treatment and the second swelling ratio of the sample treated with dichloroacetic acid were nearly the same. However, for the Specimen-R, the second swelling ratio of the sample treated with dichloroacetic acid was strikingly lower than that of the sample without the dichloroacetic acid treatment. The swelling ratio change according to the dichloroacetic acid treatment was explained by dissociation of the existing crosslinks and formation of new crosslinks.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.702-710
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• 2013

Zaltoprofen loaded polyoxalate (POX) microspheres were prepared by an emulsion solvent-evaporation/extraction method like oil-in-water (O/W) for sustained release of zaltoprofen. The influence of several preparation parameters such as fabrication temperature, stirring speed, intensity of the sonication, initial drug ratio, molecular weight ($M_w$) of POX, concentration of POX and concentration of emulsifier has been investigated on the zaltoprofen release profiles. Physicochemical properties and morphology of zaltoprofen loaded POX microspheres were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Through the analyzed results, it was demonstrated that the characteristics of the microspheres greatly affected by the prepared condition. The releases behavior of zaltoprofen was investigated for 10 days in vitro. It was confirmed that the release behavior of zaltoprofen can be controlled by the manufacturing factor of solvent-evaporation/extraction method.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.1211-1215
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• 1999

Fluorinated amorphous carbon (a-C:F) films were prepared by an electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition (ECRCVD) system using a gas mixture of $C_2F_6$ and $CH_4$ over a range of deposition temperature (room temperature ~ 300$^{\circ}C$). 500$^{\AA}C$ thick DLC films were pre-deposited on Si substrate to improve the strength between substrate and a-C:F film. The chemical bonding structure, chemical composition, surface roughness and dielectric constant of a-C:F films deposited by varying the deposition temperature were studied with a variety of techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and capacitance-voltage(C-V) measurement. Both deposition rate and fluorine content decreased linearly with increasing deposition temperature. As the deposition temperature increased from room temperature to 300$^{\circ}C$, the fluorine concentration decreased from 53.9at.% down to 41.0at.%. The dielectric constant increased from 2.45 to 2.71 with increasing the deposition temperature from room temperature to 300$^{\circ}C$. The film shrinkage was reduced with increasing deposition temperature. This results ascribed by the increased crosslinking in the films at the higher deposition temperature.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.347-351
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• 2014

We studied the green synthesis and antibacterial activity of chitosan-silver (Ag) nanocomposite films for application in food packaging. 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 0.1 MPa, $121^{\circ}C$, for 15-120 s. The formation of AgNPs in chitosan was confirmed by both UV-Visible spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the effects of chitosan-$AgNO_3$ concentration and reaction time on the synthesis of AgNPs in chitosan were examined. The resulting chitosan-Ag composite films were characterized by various analytical techniques and their antibacterial activity was evaluated based on the formation of halo zones around films, indicating inhibition of the growth of Escherichia coli. A fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis showed that free amino groups in chitosan acted as effective reductants and AgNP stabilizers. The composite films exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity with increasing Ag content on the surface of as-prepared composite films.

• Biomaterials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.328-336
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• 2018

Background: Biogenic fabrication of silver nanoparticles from naturally occurring biomaterials provides an alternative, eco-friendly and cost-effective means of obtaining nanoparticles. It is a favourite pursuit of all scientists and has gained popularity because it prevents the environment from pollution. Our main objective to take up this project is to fabricate silver nanoparticles from lichen, Usnea longissima and explore their properties. In the present study, we report a benign method of biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous-ethanolic extract of Usnea longissima and their characterization by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Silver nanoparticles thus obtained were tested for antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria. Results: Formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the appearance of an absorption band at 400 nm in the UV-vis spectrum of the colloidal solution containing both the nanoparticles and U. longissima extract. Poly(ethylene glycol) coated silver nanoparticles showed additional absorption peaks at 424 and 450 nm. FTIR spectrum showed the involvement of amines, usnic acids, phenols, aldehydes and ketones in the reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles. Morphological studies showed three types of nanoparticles with an abundance of spherical shaped silver nanoparticles of 9.40-11.23 nm. Their average hydrodynamic diameter is 437.1 nm. Results of in vitro antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Streptococcus viridans, Corynebacterium xerosis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae (gram positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneuomoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative bacteria) showed that it was effective against tested bacterial strains. However, S. mutans, C. diphtheriae and P. aeruginosa were resistant to silver nanoparticles. Conclusion: Lichens are rarely exploited for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles. In the present work the lichen acts as reducing as well as capping agent. They can therefore, be used to synthesize metal nanoparticles and their size may be controlled by monitoring the concentration of extract and metal ions. Since they are antibacterial they may be used for the treatment of bacterial infections in man and animal. They can also be used in purification of water, in soaps and medicine. Their sustained release may be achieved by coating them with a suitable polymer. Silver nanoparticles fabricated from edible U. longissima are free from toxic chemicals and therefore they can be safely used in medicine and medical devices. These silver nanoparticles were stable for weeks therefore they can be stored for longer duration of time without decomposition.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.300-305
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• 2010

Zaltoprofen is a propionic acid derivative of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and has been widely used in the treatment of a number of arthritic conditions or lumbago. Zaltoprofen has low water solubility and low bioavailability, therefore great efforts have been devoted to enhance the extent of drug adsorption. In this study, zaltoprofen was formulated into a tablet to enhance the bioavailability and to achieve sustained-release using additives such as lactose monohydrate, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) were employed to study the structure and crystallization of zaltoprofen in the tablet with various contents of additives. It was found that additives had interactions with zaltoprofen and inhibited the crystallization of zaltoprofen. Tablets containing low viscosity HPMC showed a higher release than those containing high viscosity HPMC. Also, as the amount of CMC increased zaltoprofen release increased.