• International Journal of Ocean System Engineering
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to improve the properties of epoxy resin using titanium oxide nanoparticles. The effects of particle weight fraction, dispersion agent, and curing agents with different molecular weights on the thermal and mechanical properties of titanium-oxide-reinforced epoxy resin were investigated. In addition, the effect of the particle dispersion condition on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites was studied. As a result, it was found that the glass transition temperature of film-shaped nanocomposites decreased with an in-crease in the nanoparticle content. Because nanoparticles interrupted the cross linkage between the epoxy resin and the amine curing agent, the cross-link density of the epoxy became lower and led to a decrease in $T_g$ in the nanocompo-sites. The tensile strength and modulus in film-shaped nanocomposites also increased with the particles content. But in the case of dog-bone-shaped nanocomposites, the values were not similar to the trend for the film-shaped nanocompo-sites. This was probably a result of the different nanoparticles dispersions in the epoxy resins resulting from the respective-thicknesses of the film and dog-bone-shaped samples.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.64.2-64.2
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• 2010

In order to improve the overall power conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), it is very important to secure the sufficient surface area of photocatalytic nanoparticles layer for absorbing dye molecules. It is because increasing the amount of dye absorbed generally results in increasing the amount of light harvesting. In this work, we proposed a new method for increasing the specific surface area of photocatalytic titanium oxide ($TiO_2$) nanoparticles by using an inorganic templating method. Salt-$TiO_2$ composite nanoparticles were synthesized in this approach by spray pyrolyzing both the titanium butoxide and sodium chloride solution. After aqueous removal of salt from salt-$TiO_2$ composite nanoparticles, mesoporous $TiO_2$ nanoparticles with pore size of 2~50 nm were formed and then the specific surface area of resulting porous $TiO_2$ nanoparticle was measured by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. Generally, commercially available P-25 with the average primary size of ~25 nm $TiO_2$ nanoparticles was used as an active layer for dye-sensitized solarcells, and the specific surface area of P-25 was found to be ~50 $m^2/g$. On the other hand, the specific surface area of mesoporous $TiO_2$ nanoparticles prepared in this approach was found to be ~286 $m^2/g$, which is 5 times higher than that of P-25. The increased specific surface area of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles will absorb relatively more dye molecules, which can increase the short curcuit current (Jsc) in DSSCs. The influence of nanoporous structures of $TiO_2$ on the performance of DSSCs will be discussed in terms of the amount of dye molecules absorbed, the fill factor, the short circuit current, and the power conversion efficiency.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.26
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• pp.3.1-3.6
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• 2011

Objectives: Titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$), a common nanoparticle widely used in industrial production, is one of nano-sized materials. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute and chronic toxicity of $TiO_2$ using different size and various concentrations on Daphnia magna. Methods: In the acute toxicity test, four concentrations (0, 0.5, 4, and 8 mM) for $TiO_2$ with 250 or 500 nm and five concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mM) for $TiO_2$ with 21 nm were selected to analyze the toxic effect to three groups of ten daphnia neonates over 96 hours. In addition, to better understand their toxicity, chronic toxicity was examined over 21 days using 0, 1, and 10 mM for each type of $TiO_2$. Results: Our results showed that all organisms died before the reproduction time at a concentration of 10 mM of $TiO_2$. In addition, the exposure of anatase (21 nm) particles were more toxic to D. magna, comparing with that of anatase (250 nm) and rutile (500 nm) particles. Conclusions: This study indicated that $TiO_2$ had adverse impacts on the survival, growth and reproduction of D. magna after the 21days exposure. In addition, the number of test organisms that were able to reproduce neonates gradually were reduced as the size of $TiO_2$ tested was decreased.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.217-224
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• 2012

In recent decades, titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) nanoparticles have been used in various applications, including paints, coatings, and food. However, data are lacking on the toxicological aspects associated with their use. The aim of this study was to assess the inhalation toxicity of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles in rats by using inhalation exposure. Male Wistar rats were exposed to $TiO_2$ nanoparticles for 2 weeks (6 hr/day, 5 days/week) at a mean mass concentration of $11.39{\pm}0.31mg/m^3$. We performed time-course necropsies at 1, 7, and 15 days after exposure. Lung inflammation and injury were assessed on the basis of the total and individual cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and by biochemical assays, including an assay for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, histopathological examination was performed to investigate the lungs and nasal cavity of rats. There were no statistically significant changes in the number of BALF cells, results of biochemical assays of BALF and serum, and results of cytokine analysis. However, we did observe histopathological changes in the nasal cavity tissue. Lesions were observed at post-exposure days 1 and 7, which resolved at post-exposure day 15. We also calculated the actual amounts of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles inhaled by the rats. The results showed that the degree of toxicity induced by $TiO_2$ nanoparticles correlated with the delivered quantities. In particular, exposure to small particles with a size of approximately 20 nm resulted in toxicity, even if the total particle number was relatively low.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.620-627
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• 2008

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A biochemical approach for surface modification has offered an alternative for physicochemical and morphological methods to obtain desirable bone-implant interfaces. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate cell responses to poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)/$1{\alpha}$,25-(OH)$_2D_3$ coating with reference to cellular proliferation and differentiation in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 96 titanium discs were fabricated and divided into four groups. Group 1 was anodized under 300 V as control. Group 2, 3 and 4 were anodized then coated with 3 ml PLGA/$1{\alpha}$,25-(OH)$_2D_3$ solutions. Amount of the solutions were 2 ul, 20 ul and 200ul respectively. The osteoblast-like Human Osteogenic Sarcoma (HOS) cells were seeded and cultured for 1, 3 and 7 days. MTSbased cell proliferation assay and ALPase activity test were carried out. RESULTS: PLGA nanoparticles were observed as fine, smooth and round and HOS cells attached to the anodized surfaces through strand-like and sheet-like filopodia. After 3 days of culture, the dendritic filopodia were exaggerated and sheet-like cytoplasmic projections covered the coated titanium surfaces. After 3 days of culture, all of the groups showed increased cellular proliferation and the lowest proliferation rate was measured on group 2. Higher amount of incorporated $1{\alpha}$,25-(OH)$_2D_3$ (Group 3 and 4) improved cellular proliferation but the differences were not significant statistically (P > .05). But they increased the rate of ALP activities than the control group at day 3 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles incorporated with vitamin D metabolite positively affected proliferation and differentiation of cells on the anodized titanium surface.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1197-1205
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• 2018

UV protection cosmetics belong to functional cosmetics and contain organic or inorganic UV blocking pigments. The inorganic UV blocking pigments are mainly zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It is known that inorganic UV blocking pigment has a diameter of 60 to 100 nm and has good blocking ability of UVA and UVB. Also, it has high inactivity against sunlight including UV and is excellent in safety. In addition, it is not absorbed or accumulated on the skin like organic pigments and does not cause skin irritation or allergy. In this study, mica, a plate-shaped inorganic pigment, nanosized titanium dioxide, an UV blocking material, and hydrophobic silica were surface-treated with surfactants. And then, titanium dioxide nanoparticles and silica were physically adsorbed on the mica by non-chemical mutual attraction due to differences in charge. Thereafter, the mica complex was surface-treated with silane to prepare a hydrophobic UV blocking pigment complex. The plate-shaped UV blocking composite improves the cohesiveness of a general nanoparticle material titanium dioxide, enhances UV blocking effect due to uniform dispersion, and can greatly improve dispersion stability in cosmetic formulations by surface treatment with hydrophobic property. The surface charge of the pigment was evaluated by zeta potential. The properties of the UV blocking pigment complex were evaluated by FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR and UV-VIS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.160-160
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• 2009

In recent years, the merging of nanomaterials and nano-technology into electro-optic (EO) device technology such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) has attracted much attention because of their unique electro- and magneto-optic properties and novel display applications. One example of hybrid LC-inorganic systems is semiconductor nanorods added to LC for their strong reorientation effect and tunable refractive index. Doping of nanoparticles in LC or polymers can lead to changes in performance characteristics such as electro-optical, dielectric, memory effect, phase behavior, etc. Due to the tunability of LCDs with mixed inorganic materials, low voltage operation of a LC system can also be achieved using the significant electro-optical effect achieved through suspension of ferroelectric nanoparticles in NLC.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1767-1778
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• 2010

This study investigates applying $TiO_2$ (titanium dioxide) nanoparticles to polypropylene nonwoven fabrics via electrospinning for the development of UV-protective materials. To fabricate uniform nanocomposite fibers, three types of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were applied: powder, colloid, and $TiO_2$ coated polymer pellets. $TiO_2$/polyurethane (PU) and $TiO_2$/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite fibers were electrospun and the morphology was examined using a field-emission scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. Layered fabric systems with electrospun $TiO_2$ nanocomposite fiber webs were developed at various concentrations of $TiO_2$ in a range of the web area density. The effects of $TiO_2$ concentration and web area density on UV-protective properties were examined. When $TiO_2$ colloid was added into a PVA polymer solution, uniform nanocomposite fiber webs in which $TiO_2$ particles were evenly dispersed were produced. Water-soluble PVA nanofiber webs were given a heat treatment to stabilize the electrospun PVA fibrous structure against dissolution in water. $TiO_2$/PVA nanoeomposite fiber webs with 2wt% $TiO_2$ and 3.0g/$m^2$ web area density exhibited an ultraviolet protection factor of greater than 50, indicating excellent UV protection.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.1097-1103
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• 2007

We report a novel method to synthesize nanocomposites composed of titania nanoparticles and phosphotungstate ions with various composition ratios ranging from W/Ti = 12/10 to 12/500 by inducing the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged protonated titania sol-particles and the negatively charged phosphotungstate anions to flocculate and precipitate. The precipitates showed varied features depending on the composition. The precipitate from the tungsten-richest W/Ti = 12/10 reaction is amorphous in its powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy data. This material shows the Type II adsorption characteristics in its N2-adsorption isotherm, but with quite low surface area of 34 m2/g. To the contrary, the precipitates from the titanium-richer reactions (W/Ti = 12/50- 12/500) are composed of anatase nanoparticles of 2-6 nm by XRD, TEM and Raman and show the Type I adsorption characteristics. The surface area linearly increases with the titanium content from 131 m2/g for W/ Ti = 12/50 to 228 m2/g for 12/500. The precipitate from the reaction with the intermediate composition W/Ti = 12/20 is composed of anatase nanoparticles and does not have any pore accessible to N2. With the wide variety of the physical properties of the precipitates, the present method can be a novel, viable means to tailor synthesis of nanocomposite materials. A formation mechanism of the precipitates is based on the electrostatic interactions between the titania nanoparticles and phosphotungstate ions.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.683-689
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• 2015

In this study, the properties of Ag-coated $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were observed, while varying the molar ratio of water and $Ag^+$ for the surfactant and $TiO_2$. According to the XRD results, each nanoparticle showed a distinctive diffraction pattern. The intensity of the respective peaks and the sizes of the nanoparticles increased in the order of AT1($R_1=5$)(33.3 nm), AT2($R_1=10$)(38.1 nm), AT3($R_1=20$)(45.7 nm), AT4($R_1=40$)(48.6 nm) as well as AT5($R_2=0.2$, $R_3=0.5$)(41.4 nm), AT6($R_2=0.3$, $R_3=1$)(45.1 nm), AT7($R_2=0.5$, $R_3=1.5$)(49.3 nm), AT8($R_2=0.7$, $R_3=2$)(57.2 nm), which values were consistent with the results of the UV-Vis. spectrum. The surface resistance of the conductive pastes fabricated using the prepared Ag-coated $TiO_2$ nanoparticles exhibited a range 7.0~9.0($274{\sim}328{\mu}{\Omega}/cm^2$) times that of pure silver paste(ATP)($52{\mu}{\Omega}/cm^2$).