• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.291-296
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• 2021

Recently, there has been increasing demand for advancing photocatalytic techniques that are capable of the efficient removal of organic pollutants in water. TiO₂, a representative photocatalytic material, has been commonly used as an effective photocatalyst, but it is rather expensive and an alternative is required that will fulfill the requirements of both high performing photocatalytic activities and cost-effectiveness. In this work, ZnO, which is more cost effective than TiO₂, was synthesized by using a microreactor-assisted nanomaterials (MAN) process. The process enabled a continuous production of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with a flower-like structure with high uniformity. In order to resolve the limited light absorption of ZnO arising from its large band gap, Ag NPs were uniformly decorated on the flower-like ZnO surface by using the MAN process. The plasmonic effect of Ag NPs led to a broadening of the absorption range toward visible wavelengths. Ag NPs also helped inhibit the electron-hole recombination by drawing electrons generated from the light absorption of the flower-like ZnO NPs. As a result, the Ag-ZnO nanocomposites showed improved photocatalytic activities compared with the flower-like ZnO NPs. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated through the degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the successful synthesis of Ag-ZnO nanocomposites with high uniformity. Ag-ZnO nanocomposites synthesized via the MAN process offer the potential for cost-effective and scalable production of next-generation photocatalytic materials.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.710-715
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• 2018

In this study, $ZnFe_2O_4@SnO_2@TiO_2$ core-shell nanoparticles (NPs), a photocatalytic material with magnetic properties, were synthesized through a three-step process. Structural properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. It was confirmed that $ZnFe_2O_4$ of the spinel, $SnO_2$ of the tetragonal and $TiO_2$ of the anatase structure were synthesized. The magnetic properties of synthesized materials were studied by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The saturation magnetization value of $ZnFe_2O_4$, a core material, was confirmed at 33.084 emu/g. As a result of the formation of $SnO_2$ and $TiO_2$ layers, the magnetism due to the increase in thickness was reduced by 33% and 40%, respectively, but sufficient magnetic properties were reserved. The photocatalytic efficiency of synthesized materials was measured using methylene blue (MB). The efficiency of the core material was about 4.2%, and as a result of the formation of $SnO_2$ and $TiO_2$ shell, it increased to 73% and 96%, respectively while maintaining a high photocatalytic efficiency. In addition, the antibacterial activity was validated via the inhibition zone by using E. Coli and S. Aureus. The formation of shells resulted in a wider inhibition zone, which is in good agreement with photocatalytic efficiency measurements.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.3723-3729
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• 2010

We investigated the high-excitation voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) performance of blue light-emitting (ZnS:Ag,Al,Cl) and green light-emitting (ZnS:Cu,Al) phosphors coated with metal oxides ($SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, and MgO). Hydrolysis of the metal oxide precursors tetraethoxysilane, aluminum isopropoxide, and magnesium nitrate, with subsequent heat annealing at $400^{\circ}C$, produced $SiO_2$ nanoparticles, an $Al_2O_3$ thin film, and MgO scale-type film, respectively, on the surface of the phosphors. Effects of the phosphor surface coatings on CL intensities and aging behavior of the phosphors were assessed using an accelerating voltage of 12 kV. The MgO thick film coverage exhibited less reduction in initial CL intensity and was most effective in improving aging degradation. Phosphors treated with a low concentration of magnesium nitrate maintained their initial CL intensities without aging degradation for 2000 s. In contrast, the $SiO_2$ and the $Al_2O_3$ coverages were ineffective in improving aging degradation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1229-1238
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop and assess a chitosan biomedical antibacterial gel ZincOxide-GrapheneOxide/Chitosan/β-Glycerophosphate (ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP) loaded with nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene oxide (GO), known for its potent antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and sustained drug release. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were modified and integrated with GO sheets to create 1% and 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogels based on ZnO-GO to Chitosan (CS) mass ratio. Gelation time, pH, structural changes, and microscopic morphology were evaluated. The hydrogel's antibacterial efficacy against Porphyromonas gingivalis, biofilm biomass, and metabolic activity was examined alongside its impact (MC3T3-e1). The findings of this study revealed that both hydrogel formulations exhibited temperature sensitivity, maintaining a neutral pH. The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP formulation effectively inhibited P. gingivalis bacterial activity and biofilm formation, with a 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP antibacterial rate approaching 100%. MC3T3-e1 cells displayed good biocompatibility when cultured in the hydrogel extract.The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogel demonstrates favorable physical and chemical properties, effectively preventing P. gingivalis biofilm formation. It exhibits promising biocompatibility, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for managing and preventing peri-implantitis, subject to further clinical investigations.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2014

In this work, Zinc ferrite nanoparticles have been prepared by various methods, conventional (ZC), mechanochemical processing (ZM) and Sol-Gel (ZS) method, to compare their structural and magnetic properties. The cation distribution obtained from XRD shows the degrees of inversions are 4%, 14.8%, and 16.4% from the normal $ZnFe_2O_4$ structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirms changes in cation distribution of $ZnFe_2O_4$ fabricated by sol-gel and mechanochemical processing. The $^{57}Fe$ M$\ddot{o}$ssbauer spectra of the samples were recorded at room temperature. The spectra exhibit a line broadening. The magnetic properties of the samples were studied by vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature and the results show that the sample ZM has ferrimagnetic behaviour.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.191.2-191.2
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• 2013

The negative photoconductivity was frequently observed in some semiconductors. It was known that the origin of the negative photoresponse from ZnO is molecular chemisorption or the charging effect of nanoparticles in bulk matrix. However, the origin of the negative photoresponse of thin film was not still clear. One of possible explanation is due to the deep level trap scheme, which describes the origin of the negative photoresponse via defect state under illumination of light. However, the defect states below Fermi level have high capture rate by Coulomb effect, so that these states are usually filled by electrons if the defect states have donor-like character. Therefore the condition which the defect states located in below Fermi level should be partially filled by electrons make more difficult to understand of mechanism of the negative photoresponse. In this study, n-ZnO/p-Si heterojunction diodes were fabricated by UHV RF magnetron sputter. Then, some diodes show the negative photoresponse under ultra-violet light illumination. The defect state of the ZnO was analyzed by photoluminescence and deep level transient spectroscopy. To interpret the negative photoconductivity, band diagram was simulated by using SCAPS program.

• 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 the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.577-592
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• 2023

In this study, nanofiber-based textile sensors were developed for motion detection and monitoring. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers containing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and silver nanowires (AgNW) were fabricated using electrospinning. PVDF was chosen as a piezoelectric polymer, zinc oxide as a piezoelectric ceramic, and AgNW as a metal to improve electric conductivity. The PVDF/ZnO/AgNW nanocomposite fibers were used to develop a textile sensor, which was then incorporated into an elbow band to develop a wearable smart band. Changes in the output voltage and peak-to-peak voltage (V_p-p) generated by the joint's flexion and extension were investigated using a dummy elbow. The β-phase crystallinity of pure PVDF nanofibers was 58% when analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; however, the β-phase crystallinity increased to 70% in PVDF nanofibers containing ZnO and to 78% in PVDF nanocomposite fibers containing both ZnO and AgNW. The textile sensor's output voltage values varied with joint-bending angle; upon increasing the joint angle from 45° to 90° to 150°, the V_p-p value increased from 0.321 V_p-p to 0.542 V_p-p to 0.660 V_p-p respectively. This suggests that the textile sensor can be used to detect and monitor body movements.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.179-184
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• 2017

In this paper, a $ZnO/SiO_2$ nano-composite was prepared by a simple chemical method at room temperature. For the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), a sonochemical method was used, and $SiO_2$ NPs were prepared by precipitation method. The formation of $ZnO/SiO_2$ NCs was characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy(FT-IR). The photocatalytic properties of $ZnO/SiO_2$ NCs formed at different concentrations of $SiO_2$ were evaluated by rhodamine-B dye. It was confirmed that increasing $SiO_2$ concentration resulted in an increase in the photocatalytic property. In addition, the antibacterial activity of $ZnO/SiO_2$ NCs was conducted against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). As a result, the antibacterial activities of E.coli and S. aureus were increased in the presence of thick SiO NPs layer.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2015

The increasing uses of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) in industrial and personal care products raise possible danger of using nZnO in human. To determine whether ZnO induces size-dependent anomalies during embryonic organogenesis, mouse embryos on embryonic day 8.5 were cultured for 2 days under 50, 100, and $150{\mu}g$ of nZnO (< 100 nm) or micro-sized ZnO (mZnO; $80{\pm}25{\mu}m$), after which the morphological changes, cumulative quantity of Zn particles, and expressions of antioxidant and apoptotic genes were investigated. Although embryos exposed to $50{\mu}g$ of ZnO exhibited no defects on organogenesis, embryos exposed to over $100{\mu}g$ of ZnO showed increasing anomalies. Embryos treated with $150{\mu}g$ of nZnO revealed significant changes in Zn absorption level and morphological parameters including yolk sac diameter, head length, flexion, hindbrain, forebrain, branchial bars, maxillary process, mandibular process, forelimb, and total score compared to the same dose of mZnO-treated embryos. Furthermore, CuZn-superoxide dismutase, cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxidase GPx mRNA levels were significantly decreased, but caspase-3 mRNA level was greatly increased in nZnO-treated embryos as compared to normal control embryos. These findings indicate that nZnO has severer teratogenic effects than mZnO in developing embryos.