• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2019

In this study, ultrasonic spray pyrolysis combined with salt-assisted decomposition, a process that adds sodium nitrate ($NaNO_3$) into a titanium precursor solution, is used to synthesize nanosized titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) particles. The added $NaNO_3$ prevents the agglomeration of the primary nanoparticles in the pyrolysis process. The nanoparticles are obtained after a washing process, removing $NaNO_3$ and NaF from the secondary particles, which consist of the salts and $TiO_2$ nanoparticles. The effects of pyrolysis temperature on the size, crystallographic characteristics, and bandgap energy of the synthesized nanoparticles are systematically investigated. The synthesized $TiO_2$ nanoparticles have a size of approximately 2-10 nm a bandgap energy of 3.1-3.25 eV, depending on the synthetic temperature. These differences in properties affect the photocatalytic activities of the synthesized $TiO_2$ nanoparticles.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.69-77
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the mechanical properties and nitrogen oxides removal characteristics according to the type and incorporation rate of the photocatalyst and investigated the method of separated placement for the production of economical and efficient photocatalyst concrete. As a result, when the photocatalyst incorporation rate was 5%, the highest compressive strength and elastic modulus were measured. As a result of evaluating the nitrogen oxides removal performance by the photocatalytic reaction, as the photocatalyst incorporation rate increased, the nitrogen oxide removal rate increased. At this time, the nitrogen oxides removal performance of photocatalyst P-25 was better than the NP-A. In consideration of economic efficiency, we have provided a method of separated placement for casting a constant thickness of concrete surface with photocatalyst concrete and evaluated the integrated performance at this time. As a result, it appears to be equal to or higher than mechanical performance and durability performance as compared with Plain, and it is judged that the integrated behavior is satisfied.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2018

Continuous input into the aquatic ecosystem and persistent structures have created concern of antibiotics, primarily due to the potential for the development of antimicrobial resistance. Degradation kinetics and mineralization of vancomycin B (VAN-B) by photocatalysis using $TiO_2$ and ZnO nanoparticles was monitored at natural pH conditions. Photocatalysis (PC) efficiency was followed by means of UV absorbance, total organic carbon (TOC), and HPLC results to better monitor degradation of VAN-B itself. Experiments were run for two initial VAN-B concentrations ($20-50mgL^{-1}$) and using two catalysts $TiO_2$ and ZnO at different concentrations (0.1 and $0.5gL^{-1}$) in a multi-lamp batch reactor system (200 mL water volume). Furthermore, a set of toxicity tests with Daphnia magna was performed to evaluate the potential toxicity of oxidation by-products of VAN-B. Formation of intermediates such as chlorides and nitrates were monitored. A rapid VAN-B degradation was observed in ZnO-PC system (85% to 70% at 10 min), while total mineralization was observed to be relatively slower than $TiO_2-PC$ system (59% to 73% at 90 min). Treatment efficiency and mechanism of degradation directly affected the rate of transformation and by-products formation that gave rise to toxicity in the treated samples.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.552-561
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• 2021

For the purpose of manufacturing a high efficiency TiO₂ photocatalyst, B-doped TiO₂ photocatalysts are synthesized using a plasma electrolytic oxidation method in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte with different concentrations of H₃BO₃ as additive. For the B doped TiO₂ layer fabricated from sulfuric electrolyte having a higher concentration of H₃BO₃ additive, the main XRD peaks of (101) and (200) anatase phase shift gradually toward the lower angle direction, indicating volume expansion of the TiO₂ anatase lattice by incorporation of boron, when compared with TiO₂ layers formed in sulfuric acid with lower concentration of additive. Moreover, XPS results indicate that the center of the binding energy peak of B1s increases from 191.45 eV to 191.98 eV, which suggests that most of boron atoms are doped interstitially in the TiO₂ layer rather than substitutionally. The B doped TiO₂ catalyst fabricated in sulfuric electrolyte with 1.0 M H₃BO₃ exhibits enhanced photocurrent response, and high efficiency and rate constant for dye degradation, which is ascribed to the synergistic effect of the new impurity energy band induced by introducing boron to the interstitial site and the improvement of charge transfer reaction.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.418-424
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• 2019

In this study, $TiO_2$ nanotubes with different morphologies were prepared in the electrolyte consisting of ethylene glycol, ammonium fluoride($NH_4F$), and deionized water($H_2O$) by controlling the voltage and time in the anodization method. Thicknesses and pore sizes of these $TiO_2$ nanotubes were measured to interpret the relationship between anodization conditions and $TiO_2$ nanotube morphologies. Element contents in the $TiO_2$ nanotubes were detected for further analysis of $TiO_2$ nanotube characteristics. Photoelectrolyticdecolorization efficiencies of the $TiO_2$ nanotube plates with various morphologies were tested to clarify the morphology that a highly active $TiO_2$ nanotube plate should have. Influences of applied voltage in photoelectrolysis processes and sodium sulfate($Na_2SO_4$) concentration in wastewater on the decolorization efficiency were also studied. To save the equipment investment cost in photoelectrolysis methods, a two-photoelectrode system that uses the $TiO_2$ nanotube plates as photoanode and photocathode instead of adding other counter electrodes was studied. Compared with single-photoelectrode system that uses the $TiO_2$ nanotube plate as photoanode and titanium plate as cathode on the view of the treatment of dye wastewater containing different amounts of salt. As a result, a considerably suitable voltage was strictly needed for enhancing the photoelectrolyticdecolorization effect of the two-photoelectrode system but if salts exist in wastewater, an excellent increase in the decolorization efficiency can be obtained.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.298-302
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• 2001

A site preference of niobium atom in Rb2-xLa2Ti3-xNbxO10 (0.0 $\leq$ x $\leq1.0)$ and RbLa2-xCaxTi2-xNb1+xO10 (0.0 $\leq$ x $\leq2.0)$, which are the solid-solutions between Rb2La2Ti3O10 and RbCa2Nb3O10, has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of Rb2-xLa2Ti3-xNbxO10 (0.0 $\leq$ x $\leq1.0)$ gave an evidence that niobium atoms substituted for titanium atoms preferably occupy the highly distorted outer octahedral sites rather than the central ones in triple-octahedral perovskite layers. In contrast, the Raman spectra of RbLa2-xCaxTi2-xNb1+xO10 (0.0 $\leq$ x $\leq2.0)$ showed no clear information for the cationic arrangement in perovskite slabs. This difference indicated that a site preference of niobium atoms is observed only when the linear Rb-O-Ti linkage can be replaced by much stronger terminal Nb-O bond with double bond character. From comparison with the Raman spectroscopic behavior of CsLa2-xA’xTi2-xNb1+xO10 (A’ = Ca and Ba; 0.0 $\leqx\leq2.0)$, it is also proposed that a local difference in arrangement of interlayer atoms causes a significantly different solid acidity and photocatalytic activity of the layered perovskite oxides, despite their crystallographically similar structures.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.184-199
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• 2021

As a branch of covalent organic frameworks (COF), covalent triazine frameworks (CTF) are inherently porous structures composed of networks of repeating hexagonal triazine rings fabricated via the ionothermal trimerization reaction. They also contain plenty of nitrogen functional groups that increase affinity for some chemicals while rejecting others. Because of their tunable properties, many researchers have synthesized and tested CTFs for gas and liquid separation processes. Various studies of novel CTFs, mixed CTF composites, and CTF membranes have experimented for gas adsorption/separation (e.g., CO₂, C₂H₂, H₂, etc.) and desalination. Some CTF studies have determined the limits and potentials through advanced computer simulations while subsequent experiments have tested CTFs for photocatalytic properties, suggesting recyclability for greater sustainability. In this review, the covalent triazine framework-based separation membrane is discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.181-185
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• 2021

Road fine dust is not simply a problem of air pollution, but is threatening the health and life of the public, including pedestrians using sidewalks. There are various policy proposals related to road fine dust reduction, but the actual effect cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, in order to ensure the safe and pleasant passage of the people, the pavement pavement (sidewalk pavement) for fine dust management on the road should be designed by considering the location, use, function, etc., and appropriate paving materials and construction methods should be selected and designed or sidewalk facilities should be prepared. Therefore, this study examines the concept and legal basis of sidewalk pavement, reviews the status of sidewalk pavement-related technologies that purify air pollution, and utilizes sidewalk pavement materials under the revised sidewalk pavement guidelines for reducing fine dust, 「Act on Promotion of Purchasing of Green Products」 We intend to establish a legal basis for early application of sidewalk pavement technology by proposing measures and amendments to local government sidewalk pavement management rules.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2022

To improve light absorption ability in the visible light region and the efficiency of the charge transfer reaction, Pd nanoparticles decorated with reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst were synthesized. The reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst was fabricated by anodic oxidation of Ti plate, followed by an electrochemical reduction process using applied cathodic potential. For TiO₂ photocatalyst electrochemically reduced using an applied voltage of -1.3 V for 10 min, 38% of Ti⁴⁺ ions on TiO₂ surface were converted to Ti³⁺ ion. The formation of Ti³⁺ species leads to the decrease in the band gap energy, resulting in an increase in the light absorption ability in the visible range. To obtain better photocatalytic efficiency, Pd nanoparticles were decorated through photoreduction process on the surface of reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst (r10-TNT). The Pd nanoparticles decorated with reduced TiO₂ nanotube photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photocurrent response, and high efficiency and rate constant for aniline blue degradation; these were ascribed to the synergistic effect of the new electronic state of the TiO₂ band gap energy induced by formation of Ti³⁺ species on TiO₂, and by improvement of the charge transfer reaction.

• 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.