• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2018

Mineralogical properties of two Asian dust (Hwangsa) samples collected during dust events in April 6 and 15, 2018 were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analyses showed that Asian dusts were dominated by phyllosilicates (62 wt%) comprising illite-smectite series clay minerals (ISCMs) (55%), chlorite (3%) and kaolinite (4%). Nonphyllosilicate minerals were quartz (18%), plagioclase (9%), K-feldspar (3%), calcite (3%), and gypsum (2-4%). Mineral compositions determined by SEM chemical analyses were consistent with XRD data. ISCMs occur as submicron grains forming aggregate particles or coating coarse mineral grains such as quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, chlorite, and calcite. The ISCMs are often associated with calcite nanofibers and gypsum blades. Mineralogical properties of 2018 dusts were similar to those of previous dusts although clay contents were higher than that of coarse 2012 dust.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.382-389
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• 2022

Objectives: The Korean Industrial Standard (KS) for sterile acupuncture needles was established in 2009 based on research on the quality control of acupuncture needles. We aimed to determine the quality of acupuncture needles available in South Korea in 2021 by examining their surface condition and chemical composition using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Methods: In South Korea, there are 23 brands of acupuncture needles, and we examined 10-15 needles from each brand, resulting in a total of 285 needles. The microstructures of the needles were assessed by SEM. Using SEM images, we evaluated the acupuncture needle tips for the following defects/aspects: scratches, lumps, detached coating, bent tip, and tip sharpness. EDS was used to determine the chemical composition of the selected acupuncture needles. Results: Overall, 88.4% of 285 needles were found to have at least one type of abnormality. The most frequently observed abnormalities were scratches and dents on the surface (68.1%), followed by detached coating (63.2%), and lumps (61.8%); blunt tips were observed in about 24% of them. Of 252 needles with at least one defect, 86.9% had two or more types of defects. The ratio of the number of needles with any defect to that of needles without any defect varied among brands, ranging from 50% to 100%. Regarding foreign materials, higher proportions of Si and O were observed on the needles, indicating incomplete or detached silicone coating. Conclusion: The quality of acupuncture needles varied among brands, suggesting that further improvements can be made through various inspection methods.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2015.05a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2015

The purposed of this work was to determine nanotube shape variation on the Ti-xNb alloys with alloying elements and applied potentials. Samples were prepared by arc melting, followed by followed by homogenization for 12 hr at $1000^{\circ}C$ in argon atmosphere. This study was evaluated the phase and microstructure of Ti-xNb alloys using an X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM). The morphology of the samples was investigated with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The nanotube on the alloy surface was formed in 1 M $H_3PO_4$ with small additions of NaF 0.8 wt.%. All anodization treatments were carried out using a scanning potentiostat (Model 362, EG&G, USA) at constant voltage 30 V for 120 min, respectively. The morphology of the samples was investigated with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Surface characteristics of nanotbue formed on Ti-xNb alloys was investigated by potentiodynamic test and potentiostatic in 0.9% NaCl solution at $36.5{\pm}1^{\circ}C$. It was observed that the changed ${\alpha}$ phase to ${\beta}$ phase with Nb content.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.49-49
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• 2009

Nanocomposites of gold nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by electrostatic interaction. Gold nanopartic1es were stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) in aqueous medium, and MWNTs were modified by poly(diallyldimethylammonium)chloride (PDDA) in water. The as-perpared Au-MWNT nanocomposites were structurally and electrically characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cyclo voltammetry (CV). UV/Vis spectra of Au-MWNT nanocomposites showed the characteristic surface plasmon bands in the range of ~515nm, depending on the stabilizers. There is only slight change on the band shape with variation of stabilizing agents for gold nanoparticles. Through FE-SEM and TEM images, the distribution of gold, nanoparticles on the sidewalls of MWNTs was deliberately investigated on Au-MWNT nanocomposites treated with different stabilizers. XPS and CV showed redistribution of electron densities and changes in the binding energy states of nanopartic1es in nanocomposite respectively.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.118-122
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• 2006

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were prepared on silicon substrates by the RF PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) method using methane $(CH_4)$ and hydrogen $(H_2)$ gas. We examined the effects of the post annealing temperature on the tribological properties of the DLC films using friction force microscopy (FFM). The films were annealed at various temperatures ranging from 300 to $900^{\circ}C$ in steps of $200^{\circ}C$ using RTA equipment in nitrogen ambient. The thickness of the film was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface profile analysis. The surface morphology and surface energy of the films were examined using atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurement, respectively. The hardness of the DLC film was measured as a function of the post annealing temperature using a nano-indenter. The tribological characteristics were investigated by atomic force microscopy in FFM mode.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2017

The significant reduction of the image quality caused by the magnetic field of samples is a major problem affecting the application of SEM (scanning electron microscopy) in the analysis of electronic devices. The main reason for this is that the electron trajectory is deflected by the Lorentz force. The usual solution to this problem is degaussing the sample at high temperatures. However, due to the poor heat resistance of some electronic components, it is imperative to find a method that can reduce the impact of magnetic field on the image quality and is straightforward and easy to operate without destroying the sample. In this paper, the influence of different magnetic field directions on the imaging quality was discussed by combining the experiment and software simulation. The principle of the method was studied, and the best observation direction was obtained.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2011.02a
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• pp.257-257
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• 2011

The amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) materials for use in high performance display research fields are strongly investigated due to its good performance, such as high mobility and better transparency. However, the stability of a-IGZO materials is increasingly becoming one of critical issues due to the sub-gap electron trap sites induced by rough interfaces during deposition processing. It is well-known that the threshold voltage shift is related to interface roughness and oxygen vacancy formed by breaking weak chemical bonds. Here, we report the better properties of transparent oxide transistors by reducing the threshold voltage shift with an external rf plasma supported magnetron sputtering system. Mainly, our sputtering method causes the surface of sample to be sleek, so that it prevents the formation of various defects, such as shallow electron trap sites in the interface. External rf power was applied from 0 to 50W during RF sputtering process to enhance the stability of our oxide transistor without having a large voltage shift. To observe the effects of external rf-plasma source on the properties of our devices, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) are carried out to observe surface roughness and morphology of sputtered thin film. In addition, typical electrical properties, such as I-V characteristics are analyzed.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.607-611
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• 2015

The microstructural evolution of Grade 91 tempered martensite ferritic steels heat treated at $760{\sim}1000^{\circ}C$ for two hours was investigated using scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy disperse spectroscopy(EDS), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy(TEM); a microhardness tester was also employed, with a focus on the grain and precipitate evolution process as well as on the main hardening element. It was found that an evolution of tempered martensite to ferrite($760{\sim}850^{\circ}C$), and to fresh martensite($900{\sim}1000^{\circ}C$), occurred with the increase of temperature. Simultaneously, the parabolic evolution characteristics of the low angle grain boundary(LAGB) increased with the increase of the heating temperature(highest fraction of LAGB at $925^{\circ}C$), indicating grain recovery upon intercritical heating. The main precipitate, $M_{23}C_6$, was found to be coarsened slightly at $760{\sim}850^{\circ}C$; it then dissolved at $850{\sim}1000^{\circ}C$. Besides this, $M_3C$ cementite was formed at $900{\sim}1000^{\circ}C$. Finally, the experimental results show that the hardness of the steel depended largely on the matrix structure, rather than on the precipitates, with the fresh martensite showing the highest hardness value.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1949-1954
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• 2012

We have developed a novel and eco-friendly synthetic route for the preparation of a two-dimensional layered zinc hydroxide with intercalated nitrate anions. The layered zinc hydroxide nitrate, called 'zinc basic salt', was, in general, successfully synthesized, using an electron beam irradiation technique. The 2-propanol solutions containing hydrated zinc nitrate were directly irradiated with an electron-beam at room temperature, under atmospheric conditions, without stabilizers or base molecules. Under electron beam irradiation, the reactive OH radicals were generated by radiolysis of water molecules in precursor metal salts. After further radiolytic processes, the hydroxyl anions might be formed by the reaction of solvated electrons and the OH radical. Finally, the $Zn_5(OH)_8(NO_3)_2{\cdot}2H_2O$ was precipitated by the reaction of zinc cation and hydroxyl anions. Structure and morphology of obtained compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The chemical components of the products were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and elemental analysis (EA). The thermal behavior of products was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA).

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.241-245
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• 2015

A study on the preparation of nickel oxide nanoparticles using electron beam irradiation is described. Nickel nanoparticles were synthesized with nickel chloride hexahydrate as a metal precursor and different sodium hydroxide concentrations using electron beam irradiation. The effects of sodium hydroxide concentration and electron beam absorbed doses were investigated. The samples were synthesized at different sodium hydroxide concentrations and with absorbed doses of 100 to 500 kGy at room temperature. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The nanoparticle morphologies seemed to be non-spherical and aggregated. The 1:1 molar ratio of nickel chloride hexahydrate and sodium hydroxide showed a higher purity and saturation magnetization value of 13.0 emu/g. The electron beam absorbed dose was increased with increasing nickel nanoparticle nucleation.