• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2013

$Cu_2ZnSnS_4$ (CZTS) nanoparticles were synthesized by a solvothermal method using copper (II) acetate, zinc acetate, tin chloride, and sulfur in diethylenetriamine solvent. Binary sulfide particles such as CuS, ZnS, SnS, and $SnS_2$ were obtained at $180^{\circ}C$; single-phase CZTS nanoparticles were obtained at $280^{\circ}C$. CZTS nanoparticles with spherical shape and grain size of 40 to 60 nm were obtained at $280^{\circ}C$. In the middle of 180 and $280^{\circ}C$, CZTS and ZnS phases were found. The time variation of reaction at $280^{\circ}C$ revealed that an amorphous state formed first instead of binary phases and then the amorphous phase was converted to crystalline CZTS state; it is different reaction path way from conventional solid-state reaction path of which binary phases react to form CZTS. CZTS films deposited and annealed from single-phase nanoparticles showed porous microstructure and poor adhesion. This indicates that a combination of CZTS and other flux phase is necessary to have a dense film for device fabrication.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2011

We investigated the properties of artificial pinning centers of YBCO multilayer films in which $Y_2O_3$ and ZnO nanoparticles are uniformly introduced by using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. $Y_2O_3$ and ZnO nanoparticles were deposited on top of YBCO buffer layer and the density of nanoparticles was controlled by varying the number of nanoparticle layers. YBCO superconducting layers with total thickness of 250 nm were deposited on top of $Y_2O_3$ and ZnO nanoparticles. Based on analyses of the surface morphology, the transition temperature $T_c$, and the critical current density $J_c$, we discussed the difference between the two kinds of nanoparticles as flux pinning centers.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 2019

In this study, mid-infrared transparent zinc sulfide (ZnS) ceramics were fabricated through hydrothermal synthesis with different molar ratios of S/Zn (S/Zn = 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6). The ZnS ceramics were sintered at a relatively low temperature of $850^{\circ}C$ to prevent the occurrence of the hexagonal phase featuring optical anisotropy. The phase composition, microstructure, and optical properties of the ZnS ceramics were subsequently investigated by employing X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy. The results obtained indicate that the ZnS nanoparticles feature the cubic phase, without the hexagonal phase. Moreover, with increasing S, the crystallinity and particle size of the ZnS nanoparticles increased. The crystallinity and density of the ZnS ceramics improved when the molar ratio of S was higher than the molar ratio of Zn, thereby enhancing the transmittance. Furthermore, the ZnS ceramic with an S/Zn value of 1.2 was found to exhibit the highest transmittance of approximately 69% owing to the reduced occurrence of the hexagonal phase and a high density of 99.8%.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.222-227
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• 2018

$Zn_{1-x}Co_x$ Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) (x = 0~0.05) were prepared by the co-precipitation of $Zn^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ using 2-methylimidazole, which were converted into pure and Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles by heat treatment at $600^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. Homogeneous Zn/Co ZIFs were achieved at x < 0.05 owing to the strong coordination of the imidazole linker to $Zn^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$, facilitating atomic-scale doping of Co into ZnO via annealing. By contrast, heterogeneous Zn/Co ZIFs were formed at $x{\geq}0.05$, resulting in the formation of $Co_3O_4$ second phase. To investigate the potential as high-performance gas sensors, the gas sensing characteristics of pure and Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated. The sensor using 3 at% Co-doped ZnO exhibited an unprecedentedly high response and selectivity to trimethylamine, whereas pure ZnO nanoparticles did not. The facile, bimetallic ZIF derived synthesis of doped-metal oxide nanoparticles can be used to design high-performance gas sensors.

• 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.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2013

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely used in a variety of products and cosmetic products including paper, paints, plastics and sunscreen. However, information on the safety of ZnONPs are not enough and many publications suggest possible toxic effects on environmental and human health. Furthermore, physico-chemical characteristics of nanoparticles makes it hard to test toxicity using the test guidelines of chemicals adopted by regulatory bodies. In this study, stability of ZnONPs was investigated using different types of isotonic solution, which is important in the toxicity study of intravenous route. Precipitation, aggregation, size, zeta potential and morphology of ZnONPs were evaluated with different times and concentrations. Precipitation of ZnONPs were observed in ionic isotonic solution including phosphate-buffered saline, Kreb's-Ringer solution, physiological salt solution and cell culture media of DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium) with 10% fetal bovine serum. On the other hand, they were stable without precipitation in non-ionic isotonic solution such as 5% glucose and 2% glycerol, respectively, which are biocompatible for intravenous injection. The average size of ZnONPs in 5% glucose and 2% glycerol was stably maintained, which is less than 30 nm and very similar as that in water dispersion of ZnONPs, provided by the manufacturer. The stability was maintained during the experimental period of 5 days and diluted state up to 15,000 ppm. These data suggest that 5% glucose and 2% glycerol solution can be used for the vehicles of ZnONPs in the toxicity study of intravenous injection route.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.431-446
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• 2017

As concrete is most usable material in construction industry it's been required to improve its quality. Nowadays, nanotechnology offers the possibility of great advances in construction. In this study, buckling of horizontal concrete columns reinforced with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is analyzed. Due to the presence of ZnO nanoparticles which have piezoelectric properties, the structure is subjected to electric field for intelligent control. The Column is located in foundation with vertical springs and shear modulus constants. Sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory (SSDBT) is applied to model the structure mathematically. Micro-electro-mechanic model is utilized for obtaining the equivalent properties of system. Using the nonlinear stress-strain relation, energy method and Hamilton's principal, the motion equations are derived. The buckling load of the column is calculated by Difference quadrature method (DQM). The aim of this study is presenting a mathematical model to obtain the buckling load of structure as well as investigating the effect of nanotechnology and electric filed on the buckling behavior of structure. The results indicate that the negative external voltage applied to the structure, increases the stiffness and the buckling load of column. In addition, reinforcing the structure by ZnO nanoparticles, the buckling load of column is increased.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.900-909
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• 2018

A $ZnO/TiO_2$ photocatalyst decorated with PbS quantum dots (QDs) was synthesized to achieve high photocatalytic efficiency for the decomposition of dye in aqueous media. A $TiO_2$ porous layer, as a precursor photocatalyst, was fabricated using micro-arc oxidation, and exhibited irregular porous cells with anatase and rutile crystalline structures. Then, a ZnO-deposited $TiO_2$ catalyst was fabricated using a zinc acetate solution, and PbS QDs were uniformly deposited on the surface of the $ZnO/TiO_2$ photocatalyst using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. For the PbS $QDs/ZnO/TiO_2$ photocatalyst, ZnO and PbS nanoparticles are uniformly precipitated on the $TiO_2$ surface. However, the diameters of the PbS particles were very fine, and their shape and distribution were relatively more homogeneous compared to the ZnO particles on the $TiO_2$ surface. The PbS QDs on the $TiO_2$ surface can induce changes in band gap energy due to the quantum confinement effect. The effective band gap of the PbS QDs was calculated to be 1.43 eV. To evaluate their photocatalytic properties, Aniline blue decomposition tests were performed. The presence of ZnO and PbS nanoparticles on the $TiO_2$ catalysts enhanced photoactivity by improving the absorption of visible light. The PbS $QDs/ZnO/TiO_2$ heterojunction photocatalyst showed a higher Aniline blue decomposition rate and photocatalytic activity, due to the quantum size effect of the PbS nanoparticles, and the more efficient transport of charge carriers.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the biological toxicity of nano-scale Zn (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mol%)-doped $TiO_2$ and pure $TiO_2$ nanoparticles using zebrafish embryogenesis as our model organism. Zn-doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were prepared using a conventional hydrothermal method for the insertion of zinc into the $TiO_2$ framework. The characters of Zn-doped $TiO_2$ (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%Zn) and pure $TiO_2$ were about 7~8 nm. These sizes were smaller than 100~200 nm of $TiO_2$ was prepared using the sol-gel method. Particularly, in this study, we found no significant biological toxicity in the hatching rate and abnormal rate under expose pure $TiO_2$ and Zn-doped $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were prepared using a conventional hydrothermal method of zebrafish. It was different from the biological damage under $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were prepared using sol-gel method. We assessed that the damage was not linked to the particle's nanometer size, but rather due to the prepare method. Moreover, $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were prepared using a hydrothermal method were not shown to cause cytotoxic effects, like apoptosis and necrosis, that are the major markers of toxicity in organisms exposed to nanomaterials. Therefore, there is some relationship with biological toxicity of nanoparticles and the prepare method of nanometer size particles.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2016

Sewage treatment using microorganisms is affected by multiple factors such as microbial properties, characteristics of sewage and operating conditions, and nanoparticles inflow may cause negative effects on sewage treatment system especially on the system stability and efficiency. It was studied to assess the toxic effects of nanoparticles on microorganism growth. The activated sludge in the sewage treatment plant of university was cultured in the optimized medium for each strain. Bacillus (gram-positive), Pseudomonas and E.coli (gram-negative) in the activated sludge were selected as target microorganisms, and ZnO and $TiO_2$ were chosen as nanoparticles. For same concentration of nanoparticles, average growth inhibition rate of Bacillus was 60% or more, while that of Pseudomonas was less than 10%. The toxicity of nanoparticles was shown to be higher for gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria because of their differences on structure of cell wall, components of cell wall protein, physiology of cells and metabolism. ZnO affected 3 times more negative on the growth of microorganisms as compared to $TiO_2$. It was assumed that, therefore, toxicity of ZnO was found to be greater than $TiO_2$.