• Carbon letters
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• v.24
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

We studied the basic properties and fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) prepared using eco-friendly reduction agents in the graphene solution process. Hydrazine is generally used to reduce graphene oxide (GO), which results in polluting emissions as well as fixed nitrogen functional groups on different defects in the graphene sheets. To replace hydrazine, we developed eco-friendly reduction agents with similar or better reducing properties, and selected of them for further analysis. In this study, GO layers were produced from graphite flakes using a modified Hummer's method, and rGO layers were reduced using hydrazine hydrate, L-ascorbic acid, and gluconic acid. We measured the particle sizes and the dispersion stabilities in the rGO dispersed solvents for the three agents and analyzed the structural, electrical, and optical properties of the rGO films. The results showed that the degree of reduction was in the order L-ascorbic acid ${\geq}$ hydrazine > glucose. GO reduced using L-ascorbic acid had a sheet resistance of $121k{\Omega}/sq$, while that reduced using gluconic acid showed worse electrical properties than the other two reduction agents. Therefore, L-ascorbic acid is the most suitable eco-friendly reduction agent that can be substituted for hydrazine.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2018

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), reinforced with different contents of silica (with or without modification using silane coupling agents), was prepared by a modified sol-gel method involving hydrolyzation of tetraethoxysilane over an acid catalyst. The structures of the as-prepared samples were characterized using various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The mechanical properties of the as-prepared samples were discussed in detail. The results revealed an increasing of the storage modulus (G') with increase in the silica content without modification. In contrast, G' decreased after modification using silane coupling agents, indicating a reduction in the silica-silica interaction and improved dispersion of silica in the SBR matrix. Both tensile stress and hardness increased with increase in the silica content (with modification) in the SBR matrix, albeit with low values compared to the samples with un-modified silica, except for the case of silica modified using (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTS). The latter observation can be attributed to the special structure of GPTS and the effort of oxygen atom lone-pair.

• Carbon letters
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• v.21
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• pp.74-80
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• 2017

A highly facile and eco-friendly green synthesis of Annona squamosa (custard apple) leaf extract reduced graphene oxide (CRG) nanosheets was achieved by the reduction of graphene oxide (GO). The as-prepared CRG was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Removal of oxygen containing moieties from the GO was confirmed by UV-Vis, FT-IR and XPS spectroscopic data. The XRD and Raman data further confirmed the formation of the CRG. TEM images showed the sheet structure of the synthesized CRG. These results show that the phytochemicals present in custard apple leaf extract act as excellent reducing agents. The CRG showed good dispersion in water.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2023

This manuscript describes the one-step eco-friendly green fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through the in-situ bio-reduction of an aqueous solution of silver nitrate using Syzygium aromaticum leaf extract. UV-vis spectroscopy shows a characteristic SPR peak around 442 nm. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the AgNPs were capped with bioactive phyto-molecules. TEM images revealed oval and spherical particles with a mean diameter of ~12.6 nm. XRD analysis revealed crystalline and face-cantered cubic AgNPs. The phytosynthesized AgNPs showed broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity against two foodborne pathogenic bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. The AgNPs showed a prominent ability to inhibit biofilms formed by L. monocytogenes and S. aureus in laboratory conditions through a crystal violet assay. The results suggest that the AgNPs could be a novel nanotool to develop effective antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents in food preservation.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.272-278
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• 2016

Porous pavements are recommended as a Low-Impact Development (LID) method which is a strategy to develop a water cycle as close to a natural state as possible, and to solve the urban impervious surface problems. Porous pavements can yield a solution if it provides a more permeable surface with extra space to contain extra water from building roofs. But there are few applications in Korea because of a lack of recognition and experience. Highway engineers are mainly concerned about the infiltration of water into pavement structures. They worry about the weakening of the asphalt mixture and subgrade, and freezing during the winter season due to the infiltration of water. Meanwhile, hydrological experts doubt the effects of the amount of water to control during the flooding season, and environmental experts prefer a non-point pollution treatment system established beside highway. In this study, from reviewing the history and the body of literature about porous pavements, conclusions regarding the most advanced technologies were made. First, traditional thickness designs can be used for porous pavement, no extra distresses was found by weakening and freezing during the winter season. Second, hydrological design can be made by controlling the thickness of the pavement and the outlet of water. Third, the treatment efficiency of non-point pollution of porous pavements is not worse than any other method. Importantly, it's a more eco-friendly solution because of its lower requirement for de-icing agents.