• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2012

Ti-Ni alloys are widely used in numerous biomedical applications (e.g., orthodontics, cardiovascular science, orthopaedics) due to their distinctive thermomechanical and mechanical properties, such as the shape memory effect, superelasticity and low elastic modulus. In order to increase the biocompatibility of Ti-Ni alloys, many surface modification techniques, such as the sol-gel technique, plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII), laser surface melting, plasma spraying, and chemical vapor deposition, have been employed. In this study, a Ti-49.5Ni (at%) alloy was electrochemically etched in 1M $H_2SO_4$+ X (1.5, 2.0, 2.5) wt% HF electrolytes to modify the surface morphology. The morphology, element distribution, crystal structure, roughness and energy of the surface were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive Xray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle analysis. Micro-sized pores were formed on the Ti-49.5Ni (at%) alloy surface by electrochemical etching with 1M $H_2SO_4$+ X (1.5, 2.0, 2.5) wt% HF. The volume fractions of the pores were increased by increasing the concentration of the HF electrolytes. Depending on the HF concentration, different pore sizes, heights, surface roughness levels, and surface energy levels were obtained. To investigate the osteoblast adhesion of the electrochemically etched Ti-49.5Ni (at%) alloy, a MTT test was performed. The degree of osteoblast adhesion was increased at a high concentration of HF-treated surface structures.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.116-121
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• 2015

In this study, octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) has been used to replace fluoro-silanes which are much more expensive than OTS. In order to improve the mechanical and adhesive properties of coating layers, inorganic binders were separately synthesized based on sol-gel reaction in acidic condition. Since the synthesized silica nanoparticles gave only nano-scaled roughness, superhydrophobicity is not well obtained. Here, we present a new simple approach by intentionally inducing particle aggregation in the solution which is controlled by adjusting solvent amount. With selecting suitable sizes of silica nanoparticles, superhydrophobic surfaces were obtained with increasing the amount of organic solvents after surface hydrophobization using OTS, and an extremely water-repellent behavior was observed with zero sliding angle. This superhydrophobicity was achived only for the dielectric constant lower than 25, regardless of the composition of solvent, meaning that the dielectric constant could be an excellent indicator for fabricating superhydrobic surfaces induced by particle aggregation in the solution.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.39.1-39.1
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• 2009

NiTi alloy is widely used innumerous biomedical applications (orthodontics, cardiovascular, orthopaedics, etc.) for its distinctive thermomechanical and mechanical properties such as shape memory effect, super elasticity, low elastic modulus and high damping capacity. However, NiTi alloy is still a controversial biomaterial because of its high Ni content which can trigger the risk of allergy and adverse reactions when Ni ion releases into the human body. In order to improve the corrosion resistance of the TiNi alloy and suppress the release of Ni ions, many surface modification techniques have been employed in previous literature such as thermal oxidation, laser surface treatment, sol-gel method, anodic oxidation and electrochemical methods. In this paper, the NiTi was electrochemically etched in various electrolytes to modify surface. The microstructure, element distribution, phase composition and roughness of the surface were investigatedby scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Systematic controlling of nano and submicron surface features was achieved by altered density of hydro fluidic acid in etchant solution. Nanoscale surface topography, such as, pore density, pore width, pore height, surface roughness and surface tension were extensively analyzed as systematical variables.Importantly, bone forming cell, osteoblast adhesion was increased in high density of hydro fluidic treated surface structures, i.e., in greater nanoscale surface roughness and in high surface areas through increasing pore densities.All results delineate the importance of surface topography parameter (pores) inNiTi to increase the biocompatibility of NiTi in identical chemistry which is crucial factor for determining biomaterials.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 2007

The primary objective of this study is to increase the extent of water flux and fouling resistance of nano-filtration or reverse osmosis membranes. This study was performed to investigate the effect of surface characteristics of silane coated membranes on modified fouling index. Commercial polyamide composite RO membrane (RE1812-LP) and NF membrane (ESNA4040-LF) were treated with silane coupling agents in ethanol at five different concentrations. The silane coupling reagent, aminopropylmethoxydiethoxysilane, contains one aminoalkyl and three alkoxy groups. The hydrophilic effect of aminoalkyl group of APMDES on the permeability and fouling resistance of the modified membrane was examined. The surfaces of the modified membranes were characterized by FE-SEM, contact angle analyzer, and zeta potentiometer in order to confirm successful sol-gel methods. The modified NF membranes showed significantly enhanced water flux and fouling resistance without a decrease in salt rejection in divalent ionic feed solution.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.377-381
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• 2014

This work describes the coloration, chemical stability of $SiO_2$ and $SnO_2$-coated blue $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment. The $CoAl_2O_4$, raw materials, were synthesized by a co-precipitation method and coated with silica ($SiO_2$) and tin oxide ($SnO_2$) using sol-gel method, respectively. To study phase and coloration of $CoAl_2O_4$, we prepared nano sized $CoAl_2O_4$ pigments which were coated $SiO_2$ and $SnO_2$ using tetraethylorthosilicate, $Na_2SiO_3$ and $Na_2SiO_3$ as a coating material. To determine the stability of the coated samples and their colloidal solutions under acidic and basic conditions, colloidal nanoparticle solutions with various pH values were prepared and monitored over time. Blue $CoAl_2O_4$ solutions were tuned yellow color under all acidic/basic conditions. On the other hand, the chemical stability of $SiO_2$ and $SnO_2$-coated $CoAl_2O_4$ solution were improved when all samples pH values, respectively. Phase stability under acidic/basic condition of the core-shell type $CoAl_2O_4$ powders were characterized by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ color parameter measurements.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.281-281
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• 2010

Very low refractive index (<1.4) materials have been proved to be the key factor improving the performance of various optical components, such as reflectors, filters, photonic crystals, LEDs, and solar cell. Highly porous SiO2 are logically designed for ultralow refractive index materials because of the direct relation between porosity and index of refraction. Among them, ordered macroporous SiO2 is of potential material since their theoretically low refractive index ~1.10. However, in the conventional synthesis of ordered macroporous SiO2, the time required for the crystallization of organic nanoparticles, such as polystyrene (PS), from colloidal solution into well ordered template is typical long (several days for 1 cm substrate) due to the low interaction between particles and particle - substrate. In this study, polystyrene - polyacrylic acid (PS-AA) nanoparticles synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization method have hydrophilic polyacrylic acid tails on the surface of particles which increase the interaction between particle and with substrate giving rise to the formation of PS-AA film by simply spin - coating method. Less ordered with controlled thickness films of PS-AA on silicon wafer were successfully fabricated by changing the spinning speed or concentration of colloidal solution, as confirmed by FE-SEM. Based on these template films, a series of macroporous SiO2 films whose thicknesses varied from 300nm to ~1000nm were fabricated either by conventional sol - gel infiltration or gas phase deposition followed by thermal removal of organic template. Formations of SiO2 films consist of interconnected air balls with size ~100 nm were confirmed by FE-SEM and TEM. These highly porous SiO2 show very low refractive indices (<1.18) over a wide range of wavelength (from 200 to 1000nm) as shown by SE measurement. Refraction indices of SiO2 films at 633nm reported here are of ~1.10 which, to our best knowledge, are among the lowest values having been announced.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.688-696
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• 2009

In this study, a new class of polyurethane (PU) nanofibers containing silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) was synthesized by electrospinning. A simple method that did not depending on additional foreign chemicals was used to self synthesize the silver NPs in/on PU nanofibers. The synthesis of silver NPs was carried out by exploiting the reduction ability of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), which is used mainly to decompose silver nitrate to silver NPs. Typically, a sol-gel consisting of $AgNO_3$/PU was electrospun and aged for one week. Silver NPs were created in/on PU nanofibers. SEM confirmed the well oriented nanofibers and good dispersion of pure silver NPs. TEM indicated that the Ag NPs were 5 to 20 nm in diameter. XRD demonstrated the good crystalline features of silver metal. The mechanical properties of the nanofiber mats showed improvement with increasing silver NPs content. The fixedness of the silver NPs obtained on PU nanofibers was examined by harsh successive washing of the as-prepared mats using a large amount of water. The results confirmed the good stability of the synthesized nanofiber mats. Two model organisms, E. coli and S. typhimurium, were used to check the antimicrobial influence of these nanofiber mats. Subsequently, antimicrobial tests indicated that the prepared nanofibers have a high bactericidal effect. Accordingly, these results highlight the potential use of these nanofiber mats as antimicrobial agents.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.345-351
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• 2004

Highly ordered pure-silica MCM-41 materials possessing well-defined morphology have been successfully prepared with surfactant used as a template. The fabrication of mesoporous silica has received considerable attention due to the need to develop more efficient materials' for catalysis, separations, and chemical sensing. The surface modified MCM-41 was used as anadsorbent for biomolecules. Silica-supported organic groups and DNA adsorption on surface modified MCM-41 were investigated by FT-IR and UV-Vis spectrometer, respectively. The use of MCM-41 as the modification of electrode surfaces were investigated electrochemical properties of metal mediators with biomolecules. The modified ITO electrodes increased peak currents for a redox process of $[Ru(bpy)_3]^{2+}$ relative to the bare electrode. The electrochemical detection of DNA by cyclic voltammetry when the current is saturated in the presence of the mediator appeared more sensitive due to a higher catalytic current on the MCM-41 supported electrodes modified by carboxylic acid functional groups. The carboxyl or amine groups on the surface of MCM-41 interact and react with the $-NH_2$ groups of guanine and backbone, respectively. Highly ordered mesoporous materials with organic groups could find applications as DNA sensors.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.1302-1307
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• 2006

This study describes the preparation of high-performance photocatalyst and its environmental applications. We prepared visible-light response nano-particle photocatalyst exhibiting the similar photocatalytic activity with $TiO_2$, dispersed $TiO_2$ on $SiO_2$ with an active rutile type titanium oxide prepared at low temperature. The binder and stable photocatalytic $TiO_2$ sol for photocatalytic system were also prepared. Such products were evaluated by UV/Vis spectrometer, X-ray diffraction analysis, SEM, measurement of photocatalytic activities and surface area, mechanical properties of $TiO_2$-coated surfaces. The results obtained can be applied in efficient photocatalytic systems using POF and metal plate for the purification of air.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.16-18
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• 2000

The garnets $Nd_{1-x}Bi_xY_2Fe_5O_{12}$ ($\chi$=0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0) have been studied by x-rays, electron microscopy, ferromagnetic resonance, vibrating sample magnetometer and Mossbauer spectroscopy, Ultra-fine polycrystalline cubic samples have been prepared by a melt-salt routed sol-gel method. The Mossbauer spectra consist of two sets of six-line patterns corresponding to $Fe^{3+}$ at the tetrahedral 24(d) and octahedral 16(a) sites. Magnetic hyperfine fields of $Nd_{0.5}Bi_{0.5}Y_2Fe_5O_{12}$ at 12 K are found to be 548 kOe (octahedral site) and 475 kOe (tetrahedral site), respectively, It is found that Debye temperatures for the tetrahedral and octahedral sites of $Nd_{0.75}Bi_{0.25}Y_2Fe_5O_{12}$ are $\theta_{tet}=436$ K and $\theta_{oct}=285$ K, respectively, The iron ions at both sites are highly covalent ferric. The Nel temperature decreases linearly with Bi concentration, from 630 K fur $\chi$=0.0 to 600 K for $\chi$=1.0, suggesting that the superexchange interaction for the Nd-O-Fe link is stronger than that for the Bi-O-Fe link. As a consequence, the coercivity of $Nd_{1-x}Bi_xY_2Fe_5O_{12}$ drastically decreases and the magnetization remains almost constant as x increases.