• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.181-185
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• 2020

Hazardous and noxious substance (HNS) detection sensors were fabricated using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and various binder materials for ion batteries. To obtain uniformly printed films, the printing precision according to the substrate cleaning method was monitored, and the printing paste mixing ratio was investigated. Binders were prepared using styrene butadiene rubber + carboxymethyl cellulose (SBR+CMC), polyvinylidene fluoride + n-methyl-2-pyrrolidene (PVDF+NMP), and mixed with MWCNTs. The surface morphology of the printed films was examined using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope, and their electrical properties are investigated using an I-V sourcemeter. Finally, sensing properties of MWCNT printed films were measured according to changes in the concentration of the chemical under the various applied voltages. In conclusion, the MWCNT printed films made of (SBR+CMC) were found to be feasible for application to the detection of hazardous and noxious chemicals spilled in seawater.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.295-301
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• 2023

Thermoelectric (TE) energy harvesting, which converts available thermal resources into electrical energy, is attracting significant attention, as it facilitates wireless and self-powered electronics. Recently, as demand for portable/wearable electronic devices and sensors increases, organic-inorganic TE films with polymeric matrix are being studied to realize flexible thermoelectric energy harvesters (f-TEHs). Here, we developed flexible organic-inorganic TE films with p-type Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃ powder and polymeric matrices such as poly(3,4-eethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The fabricated TE films with a PEDOT:PSS matrix and 1 wt% of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) exhibited a power factor value of 3.96 µW·m^-1·K^-2 which is about 2.8 times higher than that of PVDF-based TE film. We also fabricated f-TEHs using both types of TE films and investigated the TE output performance. The f-TEH made of PEDOT:PSS-based TE films harvested the maximum load voltage of 3.4 mV, with a load current of 17.4 µA, and output power of 15.7 nW at a temperature difference of 25 K, whereas the f-TEH with PVDF-based TE films generated values of 0.6 mV, 3.3 µA, and 0.54 nW. This study will broaden the fields of the research on methods to improve TE efficiency and the development of flexible organic-inorganic TE films and f-TEH.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.436-456
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• 2024

Several thermostable proteases have been identified, yet only a handful have undergone the processes of cloning, comprehensive characterization, and full exploitation in various industrial applications. Our primary aim in this study was to clone a thermostable alkaline protease from a thermophilic bacterium and assess its potential for use in various industries. The research involved the amplification of the SpSKF4 protease gene, a thermostable alkaline serine protease obtained from the Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius SKF4 bacterium through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The purified recombinant SpSKF4 protease was characterized, followed by evaluation of its possible industrial applications. The analysis of the gene sequence revealed an open reading frame (ORF) consisting of 1,206 bp, coding for a protein containing 401 amino acids. The cloned gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. The molecular weight of the enzyme was measured at 28 kDa using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The partially purified enzyme has its highest activity at a pH of 10 and a temperature of 80℃. In addition, the enzyme showed a half-life of 15 h at 80℃, and there was a 60% increase in its activity at 10 mM Ca²⁺ concentration. The activity of the protease was completely inhibited (100%) by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF); however, the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) resulted in a 20% increase in activity. The enzyme was also stable in various organic solvents and in certain commercial detergents. Furthermore, the enzyme exhibited strong potential for industrial use, particularly as a detergent additive and for facilitating the recovery of silver from X-ray film.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.299-299
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• 2007

후막형 무기 EL (electro-luminescence) 소자는 제조공정이 간단하고, 얇고, 가볍고, 유연한 동의 많은 장점들 때문에 휴대폰의 키패드 (key-pad) 및 광고용 back-light용으로 사용되고 있다. 이 무기 EL 소자는 비교적 손쉬운 스크린 프린팅 (screen-printing) 법으로 대면적을 제작할 수 있지만, LED (light emitting diode) 등과 비교하여 밝기가 낮아서 그 응용 분야가 제한되고 있다. EL 소자의 형광층은 전면 전극과 후면 전극 사이에 위치한다. EL은 이 형광층에 고 전기장이 걸릴 때, 전기장에 의해 가속된 전자가 형광층 내부에 첨가된 발광 중심의 전자를 여기시키고, 여기된 전자가 다시 바닥상태로 완화될 때 빛이 방출되는 현상이다. 즉, EL 소자는 이러한 전자 발광 현상을 이용한 소자로서, 전압 인가 시 발광 면 전체가 균일하게 발팡하는 평면 광원이다. 이러한 EL 소자에서 휘도의 증가는 후면 전극과 형광층 사이에 삽입되는 유전체 층의 특성과 밀접한 연관성이 있다. 본 연구에서는 고휘도 무기 EL 소자를 제작하기 위하여 이 유전체 층의 특성과 소자의 성능 사이의 관계를 알아보고자 하였다. 유전체 층에 사용하기 위해서 $BaTiO_3$-PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride)의 복합체 필름을 제조하였다. 먼저 이 복합체 필름을 스크린 프린팅 (screen printing) 법으로 코팅하기 위한 페이스트 제작을 위해서, PVDF 수지를 용제에 녹였다. 그 다음, 일반 혼합기 및 삼단 롤밀 혼합기 (3-roll milling mixer) 등을 이용하여 $BaTiO_3$ 분말과 PVDF 용액을 다양한 비율로 혼합하여 페이스트를 제조하였다. ITO가 증착된 PET Film에 스크린 프린팅 법을 사용하여 형광층, 유전층, 배면 전극 등을 차례로 코팅하였다. $BaTiO_3$ (BT) 분말과 복합체 필름의 XRD 분석 결과, 분말 시료와 복합체 시료 모두 페로브스카이트 구조의 BT 회절선만 관찰되었다. 복합체의 단면 SEM 관찰에서는, BT 분말의 무게비가 증가할수록 더 치밀한 구조를 보여줌을 확인하였다. 또 EL소자의 유전상수와 휘도도 BT 분말의 혼합비가 증가할수록 증가하였다. 본 연구에서 제작한 무기 EL 소자의 최대 휘도는 약 $130\;cd/m^2$ 정도로 측정되었는데, 이는 휴대폰 키패드의 back-light용 광원으로 사용하기 충분하다고 판단되어진다.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2020

A colorimetric paper sensor was used to detect volatile nitrogen-containing compounds emitted from spoiled salmon filets to determine their freshness. The sensing mechanism was based on acid-base reactions between acidic pH-indicating dyes and basic volatile ammonia and amines. A sensing layer was simply fabricated by drop-casting a dye solution of bromocresol green (BCG) on a polyvinylidene fluoride substrate, and its color-change response was enhanced by optimizing the amounts of additive chemicals, such as polyethylene glycol, p-toluene sulfonic acid, and graphene oxide in the dye solution. To avoid the adverse effects of water vapor, both faces of the sensing layer were enclosed by using a polyethylene terephthalate film and a gas-permeable microporous polytetrafluoroethylene sheet, respectively. When exposed to basic gas analytes, the paper-like sensor distinctly exhibited a color change from initially yellow, then to green, and finally to blue due to the deprotonation of BCG via the Brønsted acid-base reaction. The use of ammonia analyte as a test gas confirmed that the sensing performance of the optimized sensor was reversible and excellent (detection time of < 15 min, sensitive naked-eye detection at 0.25 ppm, good selectivity to common volatile organic gases, and good stability against thermal stress). Finally, the coloration intensity of the sensor was quantified as a function of the storage time of the salmon filet at 28℃ to evaluate its usefulness in monitoring of the food freshness with the measurement of the total viable count (TVC) of microorganisms in the food. The TVC value increased from 3.2 × 10⁵ to 3.1 × 10⁹ cfu/g in 28 h and then became stable, whereas the sensor response abruptly changed in the first 8 h and slightly increased thereafter. This result suggests that the colorimetric response could be used as an indicator for evaluating the degree of decay of salmon induced by microorganisms.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.409-414
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• 2008

Porous carbon electrode for electrosorption was prepared by a wet phase inversion method. Carbon slurry that was a mixture of activated carbon powder(ACP) and PVdF solution was cast directly upon a graphite sheet by means of a casting knife. Porous carbon electrodes were fabricated by immersing the cast film in pure water as a non solvent. Physical and electrochemical properties of carbon electrodes prepared with various ACP contents(50.0, 75.0, 83.3, 87.5, 90.0 wt %). From the SEM images we can verify that the electrode was porous. The average pore sizes determined for the electrodes fabricated with various ACP contents ranged from 72.7 to 86.4 nm and the size decreased as the ACP content increased. The electrochemical properties were characterized by cyclic voltammetry(CV) method. All of the voltammograms showed typical behavior of an electric double layer charging/discharging on the carbon surface. The capacitance increased with the ACP content and the values ranged from 2.18 F/cm$^2$ for 50 wt% ACP to 4.77 F/cm$^2$ for 90 wt% ACP.