• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2005

Application of a new photocatalyst has been attempted to improve the efficiency and rates of photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes by using a model dye such as Methyl Orange. As a new photocatalyst, $TiO_2$ encapsulated EFAL-removed zeolite Y ($TiO_2$ /EFAL-removed zeolite Y) has been synthesized by ion-exchange in the mixture of EFAL-removed zeolite Y with 0.05 M aqueous [$(NH_4)_2 TiO(C_2O_4)_2.H_2O$] [$TiO(C_2O_4)_2.H_2O$]. This new photocatalyst has been characterized by measuring XRD, IR and reflectance absorption spectra as well as ICP analysis, and it was found that the framework structure of $TiO_2$ /EFAL-removed zeolite Y is not changed by removing the extra-framework aluminum (EFAL) from the normal zeolite Y and the $TiO_2$ inside the photocatalyst exists in the form of $(TiO^{2+})_n$ nanoclusters. Based on the ICP analysis, the Si/Al ratio of the $TiO_2$ /EFAL-removed zeolite Y and the weight of $TiO_2$ were determined to be 23 and 0.061g in 1.0g photocatalyst, respectively. It was also found that adsorption of the azo dye in the $TiO_2$ /EFAL-removed zeolite is very effective (about 80 % of the substrate used). This efficient adsorption contributes to the synergistic photocatalytic activities of the $TiO_2$ /EFAL-removed zeolite by minimizing the required flux diffusion of the substrate. Thus, the photocatalytic reduction of methyl orange (MO) was found to be 8 times more effective in the presence of $TiO_2$ /EFAL-removed zeolite Y than in the presence of $TiO_2$ /normal zeolite Y. Furthermore, the photocatalytic reduction of MO by using 1.0 g of the $TiO_2$ /EFAL-removed zeolite Y containing 0.061g of $TiO_2$ is much faster than that carried out by using 1.0 g of Degussa P-25.

• Rapid Communication in Photoscience
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.42-45
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• 2013

Natural photosynthesis utilizes solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water to energy-rich carbohydrates. Substantial use of sunlight to meet world energy demands requires energy storage in useful fuels via chemical bonds because sunlight is intermittent. Artificial photosynthesis research focuses the fundamental natural process to design solar energy conversion systems. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ($NAD^+$) and $NADP^+$ are ubiquitous as electron transporters in biological systems. Enzymatic, chemical, and electrochemical methods have been reported for NADH regeneration. As photochemical systems, visible light-driven catalytic activity of NADH regeneration was carried out using platinum nanoparticles, molecular rhodium and cobalt complexes in the presence of triethanolamine as a sacrificial electron donor. Pt nanoparticles showed photochemical NADH regeneration activity without additional visible light collector molecules, demonstrating that both photoactivating and catalytic activities exist together in Pt nanoparticles. The NADH regeneration of the Pt nanoparticle system was not interfered with the reduction of $O_2$. Molecular cobalt complexes containing dimethylglyoxime ligands also transfer their hydrides to $NAD^+$ with photoactivation of eosin Y in the presence of TEOA. In this photocatalytic reaction, the $NAD^+$ reduction process competed with a proton reduction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.59-75
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• 2016

Reduced or black $TiO_{2-x}$ materials with oxygen-deficiency have been achieved by creating oxygen vacancies and/or defects at the surface using different methods. Fascinatingly, they exhibited an extended absorption in VIS and IR instead of only UV light with bandgap decrease from 3.2 (anatase) to ~1 eV. However, despite the dramatic enhancement of optical absorption in black $TiO_{2-x}$ materials, they have failed to show expected visible light-assisted water splitting efficiency. This was ascribed to the high concentration of the surface defects and/or oxygen vacancies, considered as an electron donor to enhance donor density and improve the charge transportation in black $TiO_2$ can also act as charge recombination centers, which eventually decrease photocatalytic activity. Therefore, a black ot reducd $TiO_2$ material with optimized properties would be highly desired for visible light photocatalysis. In this report, a new controlled magnesiothermic reduction has been developed to synthesize reduced black $TiO_{2-x}$ in the presence $H_2/Ar$ for photocatalytic $H_2$ production from methanol-water system. The material possesses an optimum band gap and band position, oxygen vacancies, and surface defects and shows significantly improved optical absorption in the visible and infrared region. The synergistic effects enable the reduced $TiO_{2-x}$ material to show an excellent hydrogen production ability along with long-term stability under the full solar wavelength range of light and visible light, respectively, in the methanol-water system in the presence of Pt as a co-catalyst. These values are superior to those of previously reported black $TiO_2$ materials. On the basis of all the results, it can be realized that the outstanding activity and stability of the reduced of $TiO_{2-x}$ NPs suggest that a balanced combination of different factors like $Ti^{3+}$, surface defects, oxygen vacancy, and recombination center is achieved along with optimized bandgap and band position during the preparation employing magnesiothermic reduction in the presence of $H_2$. The controlled magnesiothermic reduction in the presence of $H_2$ is one of the best alternative ways to produce active and stable $TiO_2-based$ photocatalyst for $H_2$ production.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.556-564
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• 2014

To synthesize a high-performance photocatalyst, N doped $TiO_2$ nanotubes deposited with Ag nanoparticles were synthesized, and surface characteristics, electrochemical behaviors, and photocatalytic activity were investigated. The $TiO_2$ nanotubular photocatalyst was fabricated by anodization; the Ag nanoparticles on the $TiO_2$ nanotubes were synthesized by a reduction reaction in $AgNO_3$ solution under UV irradiation. The XPS results of the N doped $TiO_2$ nanotubes showed that the incorporated nitrogen ions were located in interstitial sites of the $TiO_2$ crystal structure. The N doped titania nanotubes exhibited a high dye degradation rate, which is effectively attributable to the increase of visible light absorption due to interstitial nitrogen ions in the crystalline $TiO_2$ structure. Moreover, the precipitated Ag particles on the titania nanotubes led to a decrease in the rate of electron-hole recombination; the photocurrent of this electrode was higher than that of the pure titania electrode. From electrochemical and dye degradation results, the photocurrent and photocatalytic efficiency were found to have been significantly affected by N doping and the deposition of Ag particles.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.535-539
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• 2002

In this study photoadsorption propreties of Ag ion in AgNO$_3$ solution by TiO$_2$nanopowder synthesized by homogeneous precipitation process at low temperature were investigated. It was found that the photocatalytic redliction in AgNO$_3$solution was occurred by TiO$_2$nanopowder even under th sun light irradiation, although the reduction of Ag ions was slow with th small adsorption of 9.32 ppm. Notably the Ag adsorption was promoted in th dark condition probably owing to the chestnut bur shape of TiO$_2$ nanopowder itself. In the application of UV the Ag ions were completely adsorbed within 120 min, showing more significant photocatalytic reaction. The measured adsorption reaction rate and adsorption equilibrium rate constants were 0.0004 g/min and 1494.20(120 $m^2$/g), respectively.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.387-392
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• 2005

For the production of further functional bio-degradable plastic(polybutylene succinate:PBS) with $TiO_{2}$ as photocatalyst, which shows the decomposition of detrimental organic compound and pollutant under ultraviolet irradiation, we attempted to prepare $TiO_{2}$ coatings on PBS substrate by HVOF and plasma spraying techniques under various conditions. The microstructures of coatings were characterized with SEM and XRD analysis, and the photocatalytic efficiency of coatings was evaluated through the photo degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde. The effects of primary particle size and spraying parameters on the formation behavior, photo catalytic performance and mechanical characteristics of the coatings have been investigated. The results indicated that with respect to both the HVOF sprayed $P_{200}$ and $P_{30}$ coatings, the high anatase ratio off 100% can be achieved regardless of fuel gas pressure. On the other hand, the HVOF sprayed $P_{7}$ coating exhibited largely decreased anatase ratio (from 100% to 49.1%) with increasing the fuel gas pressure, which may be attributed to the much higher susceptibility to heat of 7nm agglomerated powder. In terms of photocatalytic efficiency, HVOF sprayed $P_{200}$ and $P_{30}$ coatings seem to predominate as compared to that of plasma sprayed $P_{200}$ coatings owing to the higher anatase ratio. However, the HVOF sprayed $P_{7}$ coatings didn't show the photo catalytic activity, which may result from the extremely small reaction surface area to the photo-catalytic activity and low anatase ratio. Such functional PBS with new roles is expected to cosiderably contribute to the reduction of aggravated environmel problem.

• Clean Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2008

We investigated the reduction of pollutants such as TOC (total organic carbon) and decolorization of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) by photocatalytic oxidation. The optimal values of major parameters for the reaction were obtained including the concentration of RB5, the amount of $TiO_2$ dosage and pH of solution. The values were 100 mg/L, 2 g/L and 4.9, respectively. As the concentration of oxygen increased, removal rate of pollutants increased. After $TiO_2$ was regenerated and used again by micro filtration (MF) ceramic membrane, the removal efficiency of color and removal rate of pollutants did not decrease significantly.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2021

Activated hwangtoh (ACT) is a natural resource abundant in South Korea, approximately 15.0% of soil. It is an efficient mineral admixture that has activated pozzolanic properties through high-temperature heating and rapid cooling. The purpose of this study is to improve a curb mixture that can reduce NOx outside and investigate durability performance. To this end, mortar curb specimens were manufactured by replacing OPC with ACT. The ACT substitution ratios of 0.0, 10.0, and 25.0% were considered, and mechanical and durability tests on the curb specimens were conducted at 28 and 91 days of age. Steam curing was carried out for three days for the production of curbs, which was very effective to strength development at early ages. The reduction in strength at early ages could be compensated through this process, and no significant performance degradation was evaluated in the tests on chloride attack, carbonation, and freezing and thawing. The mortar curb with an ACT of 10.0~25.0% replacement ratio exhibited clear NOx reduction through photocatalytic (TiO2) treatment. This is due to the increase in physical absorption through surface absorption and the photocatalyst-containing TiO2 coating. In this study, the reasonable range of the ACT replacement ratio for NOx reduction was quantitatively evaluated through a comprehensive analysis of each test.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.308-310
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• 2022

Ultrawide bandgap gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) semiconductors are known to have excellent photocatalytic properties due to their high redox potential. In this study, CO₂ reduction is demonstrated using nanostructured Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst under ultraviolet (254 nm) light source conditions. After the CO₂ reduction, C₂H₄ remained as a by-product in this work. Nanostructured Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst also showed an excellent endurance characteristic. Photogenerated electron-hole pairs boosted the CO₂ reduction to C₂H₄ via nanostructured Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst, which is attributed to the ultrawide and almost direct bandgap characteristics of the gallium oxide semiconductor. The findings in this work could expedite the realization of CO₂ reduction and a simultaneous C₂H₄ production using a low cost and high performance photocatalyst.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.316-318
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• 2004

In recent years, plastic waste has been recognized as a worldwide environmental issue. To solve the disposal problem of the plastic waste, alternative treatment such as the use of biodegradable plastic(polybutylene succinate: PBS) is indeed highly in demand due to its merit of PBS buried in soil decomposed into carbon dioxide and water. In the present study, for the production of further functional PBS with TiO$_2$ as photocatalyst, which shows the decomposition of detrimental organic compound and pollutant under ultraviolet irradiation, we attempted to prepare photocatalytic TiO$_2$ coatings on PBS substrate by HVOF and plasma spraying techniques under various conditions using three kinds of agglomerated powders (P200: 200nm, P30: 30nm, P7: 7nm). The microstructures of coatings were characterized with SEM and XRD analysis, and the photocatalytic efficiency of coatings was evaluated through the photo degradation of gaseous acetaldehyde. Therefore, such functional TiO$_2$-Plastic composite material is expected to considerably contribute to the reduction of aggravated environmental problem.