• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.397-406
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• 2015

ZnO, II-VI group inorganic compound semi-conductor, has been receiving much attention due to its wide applications in various fields. Since the ZnO has 3.37 eV of a wide band gap and 60 meV of big excitation binding energy, it is well-known material for various uses such the optical property, a semi-conductor, magnetism, antibiosis, photocatalyst, etc. When applied in the field of photocatalyst, many research studies have been actively conducted regarding magnetic materials and the core-shell structure to take on the need of recycling used materials. In this paper, magnetic core-shell ZnFe₂O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully synthesized through three steps. In order to analyze the structural characteristics of the synthesized substances, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used. The spinel structure of ZnFe₂O₄ and the wurtzite structure of ZnO were confirmed by XRD, and ZnO production rate was confirmed through the analysis of different concentrations of the precursors. The surface change of the synthesized materials was confirmed by SEM. The formation of SiO₂ layer and the synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄@ZnO@SiO₂ NPs were finally verified through the bond of Fe-O, Zn-O and Si-O-Si by FT-IR. The magnetic property of the synthesized materials was analyzed through the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The increase and decrease in the magnetism were respectively confirmed by the results of the formed ZnO and SiO₂ layer. The photocatalysis effect of the synthesized ZnFe₂O₄ @ZnO@SiO₂ NPs was experimented in a black box (dark room) using methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1997-2002
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• 2010

ZnSe and ZnS:Mn nanocrystals were synthesized via the thermal decomposition of their corresponding organometallic precursors in a hot coordinating solvent (TOP/TOPO) mixture. The organic surface capping agents were substituted with EDTA molecules to impart hydrophilic surface properties to the resulting nanocrystals. The optical properties of the water-dispersible nanocrystals were analyzed by UV-visible and room temperature solution photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The solution PL spectra revealed emission peaks at 390 (ZnSe-EDTA) and 597 (ZnS:Mn-EDTA) nm with PL efficiencies of 4.0 (former) and 2.4% (latter), respectively. Two-photon spectra were obtained by fixing the excitation light source wavelengths at 616 nm (ZnSe-EDTA) and 560 nm (ZnS:Mn-EDTA). The emission peaks appeared at the same positions to that of the PL spectra but with lower peak intensity. In addition, the morphology and sizes of the nanocrystals were estimated from the corresponding HR-TEM images. The measured average particle sizes were 5.4 nm (ZnSe-EDTA) with a standard deviation of 1.2 nm, and 4.7 nm (ZnS:Mn-EDTA) with a standard deviation of 0.8 nm, respectively.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.69-77
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• 2019

Agar-based nanocomposite films were prepared by incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE). The composite films were characterized using FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy and thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA). The composite films showed light absorption peaks at 220 and 380 nm, characteristic for GSE and ZnONP, respectively. The UV-light transmittance of the agar film was markedly reduced from 54.4 ± 1.3% to 5.8 ± 2.5% with little sacrifice of transparency when 3 wt% ZnONP and 5 wt% GSE were added. The mechanical and water vapor barrier properties increased slightly though they were not significant statistically by the addition of ZnONP and GSE. The nanocomposite films showed stronger antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes than E. coli O157: H7 and the antibacterial activity was affected by bacterial types as well as concentrations of ZnONP and GSE. The nano-composite film incorporated with 3 wt% of ZnONP and 5 wt% of GSE exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157: H7. The results indicate that 3 wt% of ZnONP and 5 wt% of GSE are the optimal concentrations for producing functional agar/ZnONP/GSE composite films.

• 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.

• 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 the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2013

Chalcopyrite material $CuInSe_2$ (CIS) is known to be a very prominent absorber layer for high efficiency thin film solar cells. Current interest in the photovoltaic industry is to identify and develop more suitable materials and processes for the fabrication of efficient and cost-effective solar cells. Various processes have been being tried for making a low cost CIS absorber layer, this study obtained the CIS nanoparticles using commercial powder of 6 mm pieces for low cost CIS absorber layer by high frequency ball milling and cryogenic milling. And the CIS absorber layer was prepared by paste coating using milled-CIS nanoparticles in glove box under inert atmosphere. The chalcopyrite $CuInSe_2$ thin films were successfully made after selenization at the substrate temperature of $550^{\circ}C$ in 30 min, CIS solar cell of Al/ZnO/CdS/CIS/Mo structure prepared under various deposition process such as evaporation, sputtering and chemical vapor deposition respectively. Finally, we achieved CIS nanoparticles solar cell of electric efficient 1.74 % of Voc 29 mV, Jsc 35 $mA/cm^2$ FF 17.2 %. The CIS nanoparticles-based absorber layers were characterized by using EDS, XRD and HRSEM.

• Clean Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of six metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs: CuO, NiO, TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Co₃O₄, ZnO) on seed germination and germination index (G.I) for five types of seeds: Brassica napus L., Malva verticillata L., Brassica olercea L., Brassica campestris L., Daucus carota L. NPs of CuO, ZnO, NiO show significant toxicity impacts on seed activities [CuO (6-27 mg/L), ZnO (16-86 mg/L), NiO (48-112 mg/L)], while no significant effects were observed at > 1000 mg/L of TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Co₃O₄. Tested five types of seed showed different sensitivities on seed germination and root activity, especially on NPs of CuO, ZnO, NiO. Malva verticillata L. seed was highly sensitive to toxic metal oxide NPs and showed following EC₅₀s : CuO 5.5 mg/L, ZnO 16.4 mg/L, NiO 53.4 mg/L. Mostly following order of toxicity was observed, CuO > ZnO > NiO > Fe₂O₃ ≈ Co₃O₄ ≈ TiO₂, where slightly different toxicity order was observed for carrot, showing CuO > NiO ≈ ZnO > Fe₂O₃ ≈ Co₃O₄ ≈ TiO₂.

• Clean Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2017

In this study, toxicities of seven metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, As(III), As(V), Zn, Ni) and five metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs: CuO, ZnO, NiO, $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$) were evaluated based on the growth of Chlorella vulgaris. Effect on algae growth was evaluated by integrating the results of absorption, chlorophyll content, and cell count. The toxicity rankings of metals was observed as Cr ($0.7mgL^{-1}$) > Cu ($1.7mgL^{-1}$) > Cd ($3.2mgL^{-1}$) > Zn ($3.9mgL^{-1}$) > Ni ($13.2mgL^{-1}$) > As(III) ($17.8mgL^{-1}$) ${\gg}$ As(V) (> $1000mgL^{-1}$). Slightly different orders and sensitivities of metal toxicity were examined depending on endpoints of algal growth. In case of NPs, regardless of endpoints, similar toxicity rankings of NPs ($TEC_{50}$) were observed, showing ZnO ($2.4mgL^{-1}$) > NiO ($21.1mgL^{-1}$) > CuO ($36.6mgL^{-1}$) > $TiO_2$ ($62.5mgL^{-1}$) > $Fe_2O_3$ ($82.7mgL^{-1}$). These results indicate that an integrating results of endpoints might be an effective strategy for the assessment of contaminants.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.396-401
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• 2014

Nanomaterials have been widely used in many fields. This study investigates the effects of metal oxide nanoparticles (CuO, NiO, $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$, $Co_3O_4$, ZnO) on germination and germination index (G.I.) of seeds, Lactuca and Raphanus. Under aqueous exposure, CuO on Lactuca shows the most significant impacts on activities compared to others, showing $EC_{50s}$ for germination and G.I. as 0.46 mg/L and 0.37%, respectively. The effects of nanoparticle phytotoxicity on seed Lactuca was much higher than that of Raphanus. In general, the toxicities on seed germination and germination index were as following orders : CuO > ZnO > NiO ${\gg}$ $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$, $Co_3O_4$. No measurable inhibition was observed at 1,000 mg/L (maximum exposure concentration) of $TiO_2$, $Fe_2O_3$, $Co_3O_4$.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.412-412
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• 2014

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most powerful materials for purifying organic pollutants using photocatalytic activity. In this study, we have introduced a novel method to design highly photoreactive flexible 3 dimensional (3D) ZnO nanocomposite [F-ZnO-m (m: reaction time, min)] by electrospinning and simple-step ZnO growth processing (one-step ZnO seed coating/growth processing). Significantly, the F-ZnO-m could be a new platform (or candidate) as a photocatalytic technology for both morphology control and large-area production. The highest photocatalytic degradation rate ([k]) was observed for F-ZnO-m at 2.552 h-1, which was 8.1 times higher than that of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs; [k] = 0.316 h-1). The enhanced photocatalytic activity of F-ZnO-m may be attributed to factors such as large surface area. The F-ZnO-m is highly recyclable and retained 98.6% of the initial decolorization rate after fifteen cycles. Interestingly, the F-ZnO-m samples show very strong antibacterial properties against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) after exposure to UV-light for 30 min. The antibacterial properties of F-ZnO-m samples are more effective than those of ZnO NPs. More than 96.6% of the E. coli is sterilized after ten cycles. These results indicate that F-ZnO-m samples might have utility in several promising applications such as highly efficient water/air treatment and inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms.