• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.377-386
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• 2024

The surface of titanium (Ti) dental implants was modified by applying a zinc (Zn)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) coating. Initially, the Ti surfaces were etched with NaOH, followed by a hydrolysis co-condensation using tetrabutyl titanate (TBT, Ti(OC₄H₉)₄) and zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O), with ammonia water (NH₃·H₂O) acting as a hydroxide anion source. The morphology and chemical composition of the Zn-doped TiO₂-coated Ti plates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synthesis temperatures were carefully adjusted to produce anatase Zn-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles with a bipyramidal structure and approximate sizes of 100 nm. Wettability tests and cell viability assays demonstrated the biomedical potential of these modified surfaces, which showed high biocompatibility with a survival rate of over 95 % (p < 0.05) and improved wettability. Corrosion resistance tests using potentiodynamic polarization reveal that Zn-TiO₂-treated samples with an anatase crystal structure exhibited a lower corrosion current density and more noble corrosion potential compared to samples coated with a rutile structure. This method offers a scalable approach that could be adapted by the biomaterial industry to improve the functionality and longevity of various biomedical implants.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.55-71
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• 2013

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital for detecting the onset of damage and for preventing catastrophic failure of civil infrastructure systems. In particular, piezoelectric transducers have the ability to excite and actively interrogate structures (e.g., using surface waves) while measuring their response for sensing and damage detection. In fact, piezoelectric transducers such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have been used for various laboratory/field tests and possess significant advantages as compared to visual inspection and vibration-based methods, to name a few. However, PZTs are inherently brittle, and PVDF films do not possess high piezoelectricity, thereby limiting each of these devices to certain specific applications. The objective of this study is to design, characterize, and validate piezoelectric nanocomposites consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles assembled in a PVDF copolymer matrix for sensing and SHM applications. These films provide greater mechanical flexibility as compared to PZTs, yet possess enhanced piezoelectricity as compared to pristine PVDF copolymers. This study started with spin coating dispersed ZnO- and PVDF-TrFE-based solutions to fabricate the piezoelectric nanocomposites. The concentration of ZnO nanoparticles was varied from 0 to 20 wt.% (in 5 % increments) to determine their influence on bulk film piezoelectricity. Second, their electric polarization responses were obtained for quantifying thin film remnant polarization, which is directly correlated to piezoelectricity. Based on these results, the films were poled (at 50 $MV-m^{-1}$) to permanently align their electrical domains and to enhance their bulk film piezoelectricity. Then, a series of hammer impact tests were conducted, and the voltage generated by poled ZnO-based thin films was compared to commercially poled PVDF copolymer thin films. The hammer impact tests showed comparable results between the prototype and commercial samples, and increasing ZnO content provided enhanced piezoelectric performance. Lastly, the films were further validated for sensing using different energy levels of hammer impact, different distances between the impact locations and the film electrodes, and cantilever free vibration testing for dynamic strain sensing.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.357-372
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• 2021

The energy harvesting device is known to be promising as an alternative to solve the resource shortage caused by the depletion of petroleum resources. In order to overcome the limitations (environmental pollution and low mechanical properties) of piezoelectric elements capable of converting mechanical motion into electrical energy, many studies have been conducted on a polymer matrix-based composite piezoelectric energy harvesting device. In this paper, the output performance and related applications of the reported piezoelectric composites are reviewed based on the applied materials and processes. As for the piezoelectric fillers, zinc oxide, which is advantageous in terms of eco-friendliness, biocompatibility, and flexibility, as well as ceramic fillers based on lead zirconate titanate and barium titanate, were reviewed. The polymer matrix was classified into piezoelectric polymers composed of polyvinylidene fluoride and copolymers, and flexible polymers based on epoxy and polydimethylsiloxane, to discuss piezoelectric synergy of composite materials and improvement of piezoelectric output by high external force application, respectively. In addition, the effect of improving the conductivity or the mechanical properties of composite material by the application of a metal or carbon-based secondary filler on the output performance of the piezoelectric harvesting device was explained in terms of the structure of the composite material. Composite material-based piezoelectric harvesting devices, which can be applied to small electronic devices, smart sensors, and medicine with improved performance, can provide potential insights as a power source for wireless electronic devices expected to be encountered in future daily life.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.183-188
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• 2020

Lead zinc niobate (PZN)-added lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thick films with thickness of 5~10 ㎛ were fabricated on silicon and sapphire substrates using aerosol deposition method. The contents of PZN were varied from 0 %, 20 % and to 40 %. The PZN-added PZT film showed poorer electrical properties than pure PZT film when the films were coated on silicon substrate and annealed at 700℃. On the other hand, the PZN-added PZT film showed higher remanent polarization and dielectric constant values than pure PZT film when the films were coated on sapphire and annealed at 900℃. The ferroelectric and dielectric characteristics of 20 % PZN-added PZT films annealed at 900℃ were compared with the result values obtained from bulk ceramic specimen with same composition sintered at 1200℃. As annealing temperature increased, dielectric constant increased. These came from enhanced crystallization and grain growth by post heat treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2018

Lead zinc niobate (PZN) added lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thick films with thickness of $5{\sim}10{\mu}m$ were fabricated on silicon and sapphire substrates using aerosol deposition method. The contents of PZN were varied from 0 %, 20 % and 40 %. The initial particles (PZT, 2PZN-8PZT, 4PZN-6PZT) had irregular shape and submicron sizes. The as-deposited film had fairly dense microstructure without any crack, and showed only a perovskite single phase formed with nano-sized grains. The as-deposited films on silicon were annealed at the temperatures of $700^{\circ}C$, and the films deposited on sapphire were annealed at $900^{\circ}C$ in the electrical furnace. The effects of PZN addition on the microstructural evolution were observed using by FE-SEM and HR-TEM.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 1998

In this research, effects of the types and amounts of binders and additives on desulfurization and regeneration reactivities of zinc titanate were investigated. Bentonite and kaolinite were used as binders and Mo-based, Ni-based, and Cu-based compounds were used as additives. A thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) was utilized to investigate reactivities of desulfurization and regeneration for each sorbent. Two-cycle reactions of desulfurization-regeneration were performed in the TGA reactor. Results of XRD analysis showed that all sorbents had the crystalline phases of $Zn_2TiO_2$ and $Zn_2Ti_3O_8$ irrespective of the type and amount of binder and additive. Kaolinite-bound sorbents gave higher surface areas than bentonite-bound ones and the surface areas and pore volumes of sorbents increased with amount of binder increased. It was found that the most suitable temperatures for desulfurization and regeneration were 680$^{\circ}$C and 730$^{\circ}$C, respectively, and the sorbent prepared by the addition of 3 mol% CuO showed the best performance in terms of desulfurization and regeneration. Nio-added sorbents had good regenerability whereas $MoO_3-based$ sorbents showed poor performance. In cycle experiments in a fixed bed reactor 3 mol% CuO-added sorbents showed high reactivity.