• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.180-186
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• 2018

The nano-composite membranes were prepared onto the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes through twice dip-coating known layer-by-layer method. For the first coating, poly(vinylsulfonic acid, sodium salt)(PVSA) and Poly(styrene sulfonic acid)(PSSA) were used with varying the concentration and ionic strength (IS) and the poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI) as the second coating material was fixed at 10,000 ppm and IS = 0.3. To characterize the prepared nano-composite membranes, the permeabilities and rejection ratio were measured for each 100 ppm NaCl, $CaSO_4$, $MgCl_2$, and 25 ppm MO aqueous solution. The rejections were increased as the concentrations of coating materials increased. And it was confirmed that the salt rejections for PSSA as the coating material were higher than for PVSA. Typically, the permeability, 1.848 LMH and the rejection for MO 76.3% were obtained at the coating conditions of PSSA 30,000 ppm and I.S = 1.0.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2016

In this study $TiO_2$/reduced graphene oxide ($TiO_2/rGO$) bipyramid with tunable nanostructure was fabricated by two-step solvothermal process and subsequent heat-treatment in air. The as-synthesized anatase $TiO_2$ nanocrystals possessed morphological bipyramid with exposed dominantly by (101) facets. Polyethylenimine was utilized during the combination of $TiO_2$ and graphene oxide (GO) to tune the surface charge, hindering the restack of graphene during solvothermal process and resulting in 1 to 5 layers of rGO wrapped on $TiO_2$ surface. After a further calcination, a portion of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with a diameter about 2 nm were produced owing to the oxidizing and cutting of rGO on $TiO_2$. The as-prepared $TiO_2/rGO$ hybrid showed a highly photocatalytic activity, which is about 3.2 and 7.7 times enhancement for photodegradation of methyl orange with compared to pure $TiO_2$ and P25, respectively. We assume that the improvement of photocatalysis is attributed to the chemical bonding between rGO/CQDs and $TiO_2$ that accelerates photogenerated electron-hole pair separation, as well as enhances light harvest.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.125-130
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• 2007

Many fundamental studies have been carried out regarding waste water and hazardous gas treatment technology using the photolysis effect of $TiO_2$. However, photolysis of both organic and organic-inorganic binders immobilizing $TiO_2$ makes permanent use impossible. In this study we manufactured a catalytic electrode by nickel-$TiO_2$ composite plating in order to immobilize $TiO_2$. The surface properties according to the current density changes of cathode and concentration changes of $TiO_2$ powder in nickel plating bath has been analysed with EDX, XRF, SEM, Raman spectrometer etc. The characterization of the catalytic electrode in decomposition of organic compound has been obtained by using UV-Visible spectrophotometer through analysing concentration changes of methyl orange solution containing the catalytic electrode vs. time with projecting UV-light in the solution. The study shows that a catalytic electrode of nickel-$TiO_2$ composite plating with high-efficiency in decompostion of organic compound has been formed under high concentration of $TiO_2$ powder and low current density of cathode.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.441-447
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• 2014

$AgI/AgCl/H_2WO_4$ double heterojunctions photocatalyst was prepared via deposition-precipitation followed by ion exchange method. The structure, crystallinity, morphology, chemical content and other physical-chemical properties of the samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectra (EDX), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL). The photocatalytic activity of the $AgI/AgCl/H_2WO_4$ was evaluated by degrading methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation (${\lambda}$ > 400 nm). The double heterojunctions photocatalyst displayed more efficient photocatalytic activity than pure AgI, AgCl, $H_2WO_4$ and AgCl/$H_2WO_4$. Based on the reactive species and energy band structure, the enhanced photocatalytic activity mechanism of $AgI/AgCl/H_2WO_4$ was discussed in detail. The improved photocatalytic performance of $AgI/AgCl/H_2WO_4$ double heterojunctions could be ascribed to the enhanced interfacial charge transfer and the inhibited recombination of electron-hole pairs, which was in close relation with the $AgI/AgCl/H_2WO_4$ heterojunctions formed between AgI, AgCl and $H_2WO_4$.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.458-465
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• 2016

A $TiO_2$/CNT nanohybrid photocatalyst is synthesized via sol-gel route, with titanium (IV) isopropoxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the starting materials. The microstructures and phase constitution of the nanohybrid $TiO_2$/CNT (0.005wt%) samples after calcination at $450^{\circ}C$, $550^{\circ}C$ and $650^{\circ}C$ in air are compared with those of pure $TiO_2$ using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of the nanohybrid is compared with that of pure $TiO_2$ with regard to the degradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. The $TiO_2$/CNT composite exhibits a fast grain growth and phase transformation during calcination. The nanocomposite shows enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation in comparison to pure $TiO_2$ owing to not only better adsorption capability of CNT but also effective electron transfer between $TiO_2$ and CNTs. However, the high calcination temperature of $650^{\circ}C$, regardless of addition of CNT, causes a decrease in photocatalytic activity because of grain growth and phase transformation to rutile. These results such as fast phase transformation to rutile and effective electron transfer are related to carbon doping into $TiO_2$.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.330-330
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• 2016

The quantification of dry season evaporation in regions, where the magnitude of dry season flows is key to the regional water supply, is essential for good water management. Also, tree transpiration has a significant role in the water balance of a catchment whenever it is tree populated, especially in water limited environments. Such is the case in the Middle Mountains of Nepal where dry season flows play a significant role in downstream water provisioning and their proper functioning is key to the welfare of millions of people. This research seeks to study the transpiration of a pine forest stand in the Jikhu Khola Watershed in the Middle Mountains of Nepal. To the author's knowledge, no single study has been made so far to estimate the dry season evaporation from the planted forest stand in the Middle Mountains of Nepal. The study was carried out in planted pine forest embedded within the Jikhu Khola Catchment. Field campaigns of sap flow measurements were carried out from September, 2010 to February, 2011 in the selected plot of 15*15m dimension, to characterize dry season evaporation. This was done by measuring sap fluxes and sapwood areas over the six trees of different Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) classes. The sap flux was assessed using Granier's thermal dissipation probe (TDP) technique while sapwood area was determined using several incremental core(s) taken with a Pressler borer and immediately dyeing with methyl orange for estimating the actual depth of sapwood area. Transpiration of the plot was estimated by considering the contribution of each tree class. For this purpose, sap flux density, sapwood area and the proportion of total canopy area were determined for each tree class of the selected plot. From these data, hourly and diurnal transpiration rates for the plot were calculated for experimental period. Finally, Cienciala model was parameterized using the data recorded by the ADAS and other terrain data collected in the field. The calibrated model allowed the extrapolation of Sap flux density (v) over a six month period, from September 2010 to February 2011. The model given sap flux density was validated with the measured sap flux density from Grainier method.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1343-1349
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• 2021

Cockroaches live in places where various pathogens exist and thus are more likely to use antimicrobial compounds to defend against pathogen intrusions. We previously performed an in silico analysis of the Periplaneta americana transcriptome and detected periplanetasin-5 using an in silico antimicrobial peptide prediction method. In this study, we investigated whether periplanetasin-5 has anticancer activity against the human leukemia cell line K562. Cell growth and survival of K562 cells treated with periplanetasin-5 were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. By using flow cytometric analysis, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and DNA fragmentation, we found that periplanetasin-5 induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death in leukemia cells. In addition, these events were associated with increased levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Fas and cytochrome c and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Periplanetasin-5 induces the cleavage of pro-caspase-9, pro-caspase-8, pro-caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The above data suggest that periplanetasin-5 induces apoptosis via both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Moreover, caspase-related apoptosis was further confirmed by using the caspase inhibitor carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), which reversed the periplanetasin-5-induced reduction in cell viability. In conclusion, periplanetasin-5 caused apoptosis in leukemia cells, suggesting its potential utility as an anticancer therapeutic agent.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1850130.1-1850130.12
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• 2018

A novel strontium titanate/binary metal sulfide ($SrTiO_3/SnCoS_4$) heterostructure was synthesized by a simple two-step hydrothermal method. The visible-light-driven photocatalytic performance of $SrTiO_3/SnCoS_4$ composites was evaluated in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic performance of $SrTiO_3/SnCoS_4-5%$ is much higher than that of pure $SrTiO_3$, $SnCoS_4$, $SrTiO_3/SnS_2$ and $SrTiO_3/CoS_2$. The $SrTiO_3/SnCoS_4$ composite material with 5 wt.% of $SnCoS_4$ showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency for MO degradation, and the degradation rate could reach 95% after 140 min irradiation time. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was ascribed to not only the improvement of visible light absorption efficiency, but also the construction of a heterostructure which make it possible to effectively separate photoexcited electrons and holes in the two-phase interface.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.596-610
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• 2021

For application in adsorption process, we synthesized silica nanospheres by Stober method, and silica particles with wrinkled surface as well as macroporous silica particles were also fabricated by utilizing emulsion droplet as micro-reactors, followed by modification of the particle surface using suitable coupling agents containing amine groups. These particles exhibited improved adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions and anionic dyes, which were difficult to be removed by conventional silica particles without surface modification. Anionic dye, methyl orange could be removed almost completely by adsorption using porous silica particles modified using APTES. The adsorption efficiency of heavy metal like copper ions was close to 100%, when porous silica was used as adsorbent particles modified with AAPTS.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1195-1208
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• 2022

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have potential applications in medicine, photocatalysis, agriculture, and cosmetic fields due to their unique physicochemical properties and strong antimicrobial activity. Here, AgNPs were synthesized using actinobacterial SL19 strain, isolated from acidic forest soil in Poland, and confirmed by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy, TEM, and zeta potential analysis. The AgNPs were polydispersed, stable, spherical, and small, with an average size of 23 nm. The FTIR study revealed the presence of bonds characteristic of proteins that cover nanoparticles. These proteins were then studied by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and identified with the highest similarity to hypothetical protein and porin with molecular masses equal to 41 and 38 kDa, respectively. Our AgNPs exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The combined, synergistic action of these synthesized AgNPs with commercial antibiotics (ampicillin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline) enabled dose reductions in both components and increased their antimicrobial efficacy, especially in the case of streptomycin and tetracycline. Furthermore, the in vitro activity of the AgNPs on human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A375, A549, and HepG2) showed cancer-specific sensitivity, while the genotoxic activity was evaluated by Ames assay, which revealed a lack of mutagenicity on the part of nanoparticles in Salmonella Typhimurium TA98 strain. We also studied the impact of the AgNPs on the catalytic and photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO). The decomposition of MO was observed by a decrease in intensity of absorbance within time. The results of our study proved the easy, fast, and efficient synthesis of AgNPs using acidophilic actinomycete SL19 strain and demonstrated the remarkable potential of these AgNPs as anticancer and antibacterial agents. However, the properties and activity of such particles can vary by biosynthesized batch.