• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2021

Zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous solution using glutathione (GSH) as a ligand. The influence of the ligand content, reaction temperature, and hydroxyl ion concentration (pH) on the fabrication of the ZnSe particles was investigated. The optical properties of the synthesized ZnSe particles were characterized using various analytical techniques. The nanoparticles absorbed UV-vis light in the range of 350-400 nm, which is shorter than the absorption wavelength of bulk ZnSe particles (460 nm). The lowest ligand concentration for achieving good light absorption and emission properties was 0.6 mmol. The reaction temperature had an impact on the emission properties; photoluminescence spectroscopic analysis showed that the photo-discharge characteristics were greatly enhanced at high temperatures. These discharge characteristics were also affected by the hydroxyl ion concentration in solution; at pH 13, sound emission characteristics were observed, even at a low temperature of 25℃. The manufactured nanoparticles showed excellent light absorption and emission properties, suggesting the possibility of fabricating ZnSe QDs in aqueous solutions at low temperatures.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.2051-2057
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• 2011

Several studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles (NPs) have toxic effects on cultured cell lines, yet there are no clear data describing the overall molecular changes induced by NPs currently in use for human applications. In this study, the in vitro cytotoxicity of three oxide NPs of around 100 nm size, namely, mesoporous silica (MCM-41), iron oxide ($Fe_2O_3$-NPs), and zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), was evaluated in the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293. Cell viability assays demonstrated that 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ MCM-41, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ $Fe_2O_3$, and 12.5 ${\mu}g/mL$ ZnO exhibited 20% reductions in HEK293 cell viability in 24 hrs. DNA microarray analysis was performed on cells treated with these oxide NPs and further validated by real time PCR to understand cytotoxic changes occurring at the molecular level. Microarray analysis of NP-treated cells identified a number of up- and down-regulated genes that were found to be associated with inflammation, stress, and the cell death and defense response. At both the cellular and molecular levels, the toxicity was observed in the following order: ZnO-NPs > $Fe_2O_3$-NPs > MCM-41. In conclusion, our study provides important information regarding the toxicity of these three commonly used oxide NPs, which should be useful in future biomedical applications of these nanoparticles.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2012

As nanotechnology is a key industry, there is growing concern relating to the potential risk of nanoparticles. They are known to be released into the environment via various exposure routes. When nanoparticles are present in water environments, they are supposed to be illuminated by ultraviolet light, and the ecotoxicity of photoactive nanoparticles may be changed. In this study, a review of the ecotoxicity of photoactive nanoparticles, including the mechanisms of phototoxicity, are presented. In order to address this issue, studies on the ecotoxicity to soil and water organisms exposed to photoactive nanoparticles were investigated. The photoactive nanoparticles chosen for this study were zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and fullerene. Microorganisms, nematode, earthworm, algae and fish, etc., were chosen to assess the toxicity of nanoparticles using diverse methods. However, studies on the phototoxicity potentially induced by nanoparticles on UV illumination have been reviewed in only 8 studies. From a few studies, photoactive nanoparticles have shown high dissolution rates under UV conditions, with the released ions observed to profoundly influence test organisms. In addition, NPs exposed to UV produced reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS can induce oxidative stress in exposed organisms. Evidence of phototoxicity by nanoparticles were found based on previous studies.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.11
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• pp.27.1-27.8
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• 2018

Background: Enteric methane ($CH_4$) accounts for about 70% of total $CH_4$ emissions from the ruminant animals. Researchers are exploring ways to mitigate enteric $CH_4$ emissions from ruminants. Recently, nano zinc oxide (nZnO) has shown potential in reducing $CH_4$ and hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) production from the liquid manure under anaerobic storage conditions. Four different levels of nZnO and two types of feed were mixed with rumen fluid to investigate the efficacy of nZnO in mitigating gaseous production. Methods: All experiments with four replicates were conducted in batches in 250 mL glass bottles paired with the ANKOM$^{RF}$ wireless gas production monitoring system. Gas production was monitored continuously for 72 h at a constant temperature of $39{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ in a water bath. Headspace gas samples were collected using gas-tight syringes from the Tedlar bags connected to the glass bottles and analyzed for greenhouse gases ($CH_4$ and carbon dioxide-$CO_2$) and $H_2S$ concentrations. $CH_4$ and $CO_2$ gas concentrations were analyzed using an SRI-8610 Gas Chromatograph and $H_2S$ concentrations were measured using a Jerome 631X meter. At the same time, substrate (i.e. mixed rumen fluid+ NP treatment+ feed composite) samples were collected from the glass bottles at the beginning and at the end of an experiment for bacterial counts, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) analysis. Results: Compared to the control treatment the $H_2S$ and GHGs concentration reduction after 72 h of the tested nZnO levels varied between 4.89 to 53.65%. Additionally, 0.47 to 22.21% microbial population reduction was observed from the applied nZnO treatments. Application of nZnO at a rate of $1000{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ have exhibited the highest amount of concentration reductions for all three gases and microbial population. Conclusion: Results suggest that both 500 and $1000{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ nZnO application levels have the potential to reduce GHG and $H_2S$ concentrations.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2009

The optoelectrical characteristics of the ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) annealed in vacuum or oxygen condition from $200^{\circ}C$ to $600^{\circ}C$ were examined. Increased on-off ratio (or, the ratio of photocurrent to dark current) was observed when they were annealed at $300^{\circ}C$, $400^{\circ}C$ and $500^{\circ}C$ with the values enhanced about 4 orders compared to the as-prepared ZnO NPs in both annealing conditions, while the maximum efficiency was shown at the annealing temperature of $600^{\circ}C$ for the ZnO NPs annealed in vacuum with the value of 29.8 mA/W and at the temperature of $500^{\circ}C$ for those annealed in oxygen condition with the value of 40.3 mA/W. Photoresponse behavior of the ZnO NPs annealed in oxygen showed the sharp increase right after the ir exposure to the light followed by the slow decay and saturation during steady illumination, differing from the ZnO NPs annealed in vacuum which only exhibited the gradual increase. This difference occurred due to the curing effect of the oxygen vacancies. SEM images indicated no change in their morphologies with annealing, indicating the change in their internal structures by annealing, and most remarkably at $600^{\circ}C$. As for their photoluminescence(PL) spectra, the decrease of the deep-level(DL) emission was observed when they were annealed in oxygen at $400^{\circ}C$, and not at $200^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.3301-3306
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• 2013

This paper aims to address the cellular toxicity of ultra-pure titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) frequently employed in sunscreens as inorganic physical sun blockers to provide protection against adverse effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation including UVB (290-320 nm) and UVA (320-400 nm). In consideration that the production and the use of inorganic NPs have aroused many concerns and controversies regarding their safety and toxicity and that microsized $TiO_2$ and ZnO have been increasingly replaced by $TiO_2$ and ZnO NPs (< 100 nm), it is very important to directly investigate a main problem related to the intrinsic/inherent toxicity of these NPs and/or their incompatibility with biological objects. In the present study, we took advantage of the laser-assisted method called laser ablation for generation of $TiO_2$ and ZnO NPs. NPs were prepared through a physical process of irradiating solid targets in liquid phase, enabling verification of the toxicity of ultra-pure NPs with nascent surfaces free from any contamination. Our results show that $TiO_2$ NPs are essentially non-poisonous and ZnO NPs are more toxic than $TiO_2$ NPs based on the cell viability assays.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2014

In the present study, a yeast species isolated from CETP, Vellore, Tamilnadu was identified as Cryptococcus sp. VITGBN2 based on molecular techniques and was found to be a potent producer of acidic diacetate sophorolipid in mineral salt media containing vegetable oil as additional carbon source. The chemical structure of the purified biosurfactant was identified as acidic diacetate sophorolipid through GC-MS analysis. This sophorolipid was used as a stabilizer for synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZON). The formation of biofunctionalized ZON was characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activities of naked ZON and sophorolipid functionalized ZON were tested based on the diameter of inhibition zone in agar well diffusion assay, microbial growth rate determination, protein leakage analysis, and lactate dehydrogenase assay. Bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica and fungal pathogen Candida albicans showed more sensitivity to sophorolipid biofunctionalized ZON compared with naked ZON. Among the two pathogens, S. enterica showed higher sensitivity towards sophorolipid biofunctionalized ZON. SEM analysis showed that cell damage occurred through cell elongation in the case of S. enterica, whereas cell rupture was found to occur predominantly in the case of C. albicans. This is the first report on the dual role of yeast-mediated sophorolipid used as a biostabilizer for ZON synthesis as well as a novel functionalizing agent showing antimicrobial property.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.08a
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• pp.209-209
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• 2010

금(Au) 또는 은(Ag) 금속 나노입자의 모양, 크기, 분포 상태를 조절하여 가시광선과 적외선, 자외선 영역에서 강한 표면 플라즈몬 효과을 이용할 수 있는데, 최근 이러한 금속 나노입자의 표면플라즈몬 효과를 이용하여 태양광 소자의 성능을 향상시키는 연구가 매우 활발하게 이루어지고 있다. 그 중, 높은 효율과 낮은 제작비용 그리고 간단한 공정과정의 장점을 갖고 있어서 크게 주목 받고 있는 염료감응태양전지에서도 금(Au) 또는 은(Ag) 금속 나노입자을 이용하기 위한 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다. 그 예로, Au가 코팅된 $TiO_2$ 기반의 염료감응태양전지구조를 제작하여, 입사된 빛이 표면플라즈몬 효과를 통해, Au에서 여기된 전자들이 Au/$TiO_2$ 사에의 schottky 장벽을 통과하여 $TiO_2$의 전도대 전자들의 밀도가 증가하여, charge carrier generating rate을 높여 소자의 광변환 효율의 향상을 증명하였다. 이에 본 연구에서는, $TiO_2$보다 높은 전자 이동도(mobility)와 직선통로(direct path way)의 장점을 갖고 있는 ZnO nanorod에서의 charge carrier generating rate을 높일 수 있도록, 비교적 가격이 저렴한 Ag nanoparticle을 코팅하였다. ZnO nanorod 제작은 낮은 온도에서 간단하게 성장시킬 수 있는 hydrothermal 방법을 이용하였다. 기판위에 RF magnetron 스퍼터를 이용하여 AZO seed layer를 증착한 후, zinc nitrate $Zn(NO_3)_2{\cdot}6H_2O$과 hexamethylentetramines (HMT)으로 혼합된 용액을 사용해 ZnO nanorods를 성장시켰다. 이 후, Ag를 형성할 수 있도록 열증기증착법을 이용하여 코팅하였다. Ag의 증착시간에 따른 ZnO nanorods에서의 코팅된 구조와 형태를 관찰하기 위해 field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)을 이용하여 측정하였으며, 결정성을 조사하기 위해 X-ray diffraction (XRD)을 이용하여 분석하였다. 또한 입사된 빛에 의해, 여기된 ZnO 전도대 전자들이 다시 재결합을 통해 방출되는 photoluminescence 양을 scanning PL 장비를 통해 측정하여 Ag가 코팅된 ZnO nanorod의 광특성을 분석하였다.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.481-487
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• 2021

ZnO particles are successfully synthesized at 150 ℃ for 30 min using zinc acetate as the Zn source and 1,4-butanediol as solvent using a relatively facile and convenient glycol process. The effect of ammonium hydroxide amounts on the growth behavior and the morphological evolution of ZnO particles are investigated. The prepared ZnO nanoparticle with hexagonal structure exhibits a quasi-spherical shape with an average crystallite size of approximately 30 nm. It is also demonstrated that the morphology of ZnO particles can be controlled by 1,4-butanediol with an additive of ammonium hydroxide. The morphologies of ZnO particles are changed sequentially from a quasi-spherical shape to a rod-like shape and a hexagonal rod shape with a truncated pyramidal tip, exhibiting preferential growth along the [001] direction with increasing ammonium hydroxide amounts. It is demonstrated that much higher OH^- amounts can produce a nano-tip shape grown along the [001] direction at the corners and center of the (001) top polar plane, and a flat hexagonal symmetry shape of the bottom polar plane on ZnO hexagonal prisms. The results indicate that the presence of NH⁴⁺ and OH^- ions in the solution greatly affects the growth behaviors of ZnO particles. A sharp near-band-edge (NBE) emission peak centered at 383 nm in the UV region and a weak broad peak in the visible region between 450 nm and 700 nm are shown in the PL spectra of the ZnO synthesized using the glycol process, regardless of adding ammonium hydroxide. Although the broad peak of the deep-level-emission (DLE) increases with the addition of ammonium hydroxide, it is suggested that the prominent NBE emission peaks indicate that ZnO nanoparticles with good crystallization are obtained under these conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.493-502
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mass concentration of nanoparticles and understand the characteristics of elements of heavy metal concentrations within nanoparticles in the air using Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor Model-110 (MOUDI-110), based on indoor and outdoor air. Methods: This Study sampled nanoparticles using MOUDI-110 indoors (office) and outdoors at S University in Asan, Korea in order to reveal the concentration of nanoparticles in the air. Sampling continued for nine months (10 times indoors and 14 times outdoors) from March to November 2010. Mass concentrations of nanoparticle and concentrations of heavy metals (Al, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb) were analyzed. Results: Indoors, geometric mean concentration of nanoparticles ranged in size from 0.056 ${\mu}m$ to 0.10 ${\mu}m$ and those of 0.056 ${\mu}m$ or less recorded 0.929 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and 1.002 ${\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. On the other hand, the levels were lower outdoors with 0.819 ${\mu}g/m^3$ and 0.597 ${\mu}g/m^3$. Mann-Whitney U tests showed that the difference between the indoors and the outdoors was statistically meaningful in terms of particles of 0.056 ${\mu}m$ or less (p<0.05) in size. These results are possibly influenced by the use of printers and duplicators as the factor that increased the concentration of nanoparticles. In seasonal concentration distribution, the level was higher during the summer compared to in the autumn. Those of 0.056 ${\mu}m$ or less in size presented a statistically meaningful difference during the summer (p<0.05). These results may be influenced by photochemical event as the factor that makes the levels high. Regarding zinc, among the other heavy metals, the fine particles ranged in size from 0.056 ${\mu}m$ to 0.10 ${\mu}m$ and those of 0.056 ${\mu}m$ or less recorded 1.699 $ng/m^3$ and 1.189 $ng/m^3$ in the outdoors. In the indoors, the levels were lower, with 0.745 $ng/m^3$ and 0.617 $ng/m^3$. Cr and Ni at the size of 0.056 ${\mu}m$ or less, both of which have been known to pose severe health effects, recorded higher concentrations indoors with 0.736 $ng/m^3$ and 0.177 $ng/m^3$, compared to 0.444 $ng/m^3$ and 0.091 $ng/m^3$ outdoors. By season, Zn, Ni, Cu and Pb posted a high level of indoor concentration during the fall. As for Cr, the level of concentration indoors was higher than outdoors both during the summer and the autumn. Conclusion: This study indicates the result of an examination of nano-sized particles and heavy metal concentrations. It will provide useful data for the determination of basic nanoparticle standards in the future.