• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.286-290
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• 2011

Ginsenoside Rg3 was reported to have important biological activities. We demonstrate conjugation and quantification procedures of ginsenoside Rg3 to gold nanoparticles for future biological and medical applications. Ginsenoside Rg3 was conjugated to spherical gold nanoparticles using a bifunctional heptaethylene glycol linker. The sulfhydryl group of heptaethylene glycol was adsorbed onto gold nanoparticles, and carboxylic acid end of heptaethylene glycol was bonded through a hydroxyl group of Rg3 via ester bond formation. The conjugation of Rg3 was characterized with various spectroscopic techniques, high resolution-transmission electron microscopy, and using Rg3 monoclonal antibody. The Rg3- functionalized gold nanoparticles were $4.7{\pm}1.0$ nm in diameter with a surface charge of -4.12 mV. The total number of Rg3 molecules conjugated to a 3.6 mL solution of gold nanoparticle was determined to be $9.5{\times}10^{14}$ corresponding to ~6 molecules of Rg3/gold nanoparticle. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 is successfully conjugated to gold nanoparticles via heptaethylene glycol linker. The quantification was performed by using Rg3 monoclonal antibody without interference of gold's intrinsic color.

• Clean Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2015

We have developed a versatile method for the preparation of chemically linked graphene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) hybrid materials via simple acid-catalyzed dehydration reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and amine-functionalized MWNTs (af-MWNTs). In this condition, ketone (-C=O) groups in GO and primary amine (-NH₂) moieties in af-MWNTs readily react to form imine (-C=N-) linkage. The chemical structures of graphene/MWNTs hybrid materials have been investigated using various microscopic and spectroscopic measurements. As a result of the synergetic effects of hybrid materials such as improved surface area and the superior structural restoration of graphitic networks, the hybrid materials demonstrate improved capacitance with excellent long-term stability. Furthermore, controlled experiments were conducted to optimize the weight ratio of graphene/MWNTs in hybrid materials. The highest capacitance of 132.4 F/g was obtained from the GM7.5 material, in which the weight ratio between graphene and MWNTs was adjusted to 7.5/1, in 1M KOH electrolyte at a scan rate of 100 mV/s.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.851-861
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• 2019

In this study, we performed a sediment elution experiment to evaluate water quality in terms of phosphorus, as influenced by the dissolved oxygen consumed by sediments. Three separate model column treatments, namely, raw, calcined, and sonicated oyster shell powders, were used in this experiment. Essential phosphorus fractions were examined to verify their roles in nutrient release from sediment based on correlation analyses. When treated with calcined or sonicated oyster shell powder, the sediment-water interface became "less anaerobic," thereby producing conditions conducive to partial oxidation and activities of aerobic bacteria. Sediment Oxygen Demand (SOD) was found to be closely correlated with the growth of algae, which confirmed an intermittent input of organic biomass at the sediment surface. SOD was positively correlated with exchangeable and loosely adsorbed phosphorus and organic phosphorus, owing to the accumulation of unbound algal biomass-derived phosphates in sediment, whereas it was negatively correlated with ferric iron-bound phosphorus or calcium fluorapatite-bound phosphorus, which were present in the form of "insoluble" complexes, thereby facilitating the free migration of sulfate-reducing bacteria or limiting the release from complexes, depending on applied local conditions. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed that iron-reducing bacteria were the dominant species in control and non-calcined oyster shell columns, whereas certain sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were identified in the column treated with calcined oyster powder.

• The Korean Journal of Vision Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.513-521
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• 2018

Purpose : : In this study, we made dopamine-functionalized hydrogels containing a cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) network and investigated their antioxidant activities. Methods : In the first step, we made poly hydroxyethyl methacrylate(p(HEMA))-based hydrogels post-modified with an interpenetrating polymer network(IPN) structure composed of HA polymers and a p(HEMA) network. The subsequent functionalization with dopamine via an amide coupling reaction resulted in the antioxidant hydrogels. Their antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assays. Results : The dopamine-modified hydrogels exhibited significant antioxidant activities, when compared to unmodified control. The presence of the HA-IPN structure improved the surface wettability of the hydrogel while dopamine-conjugated IPN hydrogel did not demonstrate the significant difference compared to hydrogel control. Dopamine-modified hydrogels exhibited high transmittance (>88%). Conclusion : The results demonstrate that the development of antioxidant hydrogels based on dopamine-conjugated HA-IPN structures may help develop ophthalmic and biomedical materials.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.913-922
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• 2019

Magnetic $Ni_{0.7}Co_{0.3}Fe_2O_4$ nanoparticles that were prepared via the rapid combustion process were functionalized and modified to obtain magnetic $Ni_{0.7}Co_{0.3}Fe_2O_4@SiO_2-CHO$ nanocomposites, on which penicillin G acylase (PGA) was covalently immobilized. Selections of immobilization concentration and time of fixation were explored. Catalytic performance of immobilized PGA was characterized. The free PGA had greatest activity at pH 8.0 and $45^{\circ}C$ while immobilized PGA's activities peaked at pH 7.5 and $45^{\circ}C$. Immobilized PGA had better thermal stability than free PGA at the range of $30-50^{\circ}C$ for different time intervals. The activity of free PGA would be 0 and that of immobilized PGA still retained some activities at $60^{\circ}C$ after 2 h. $V_{max}$ and $K_m$ of immobilized PGA were 1.55 mol/min and 0.15 mol/l, respectively. Free PGA's $V_{max}$ and $K_m$ separately were 0.74 mol/min and 0.028 mol/l. Immobilized PGA displayed more than 50% activity after 10 successive cycles. We concluded that immobilized PGA with magnetic $Ni_{0.7}Co_{0.3}Fe_2O_4@SiO_2-CHO$ nanocomposites could become a novel example for the immobilization of other amidohydrolases.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.266-271
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• 2011

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/Epoxy composites were prepared for improving thermal conductivities and dispersion of SWCNTs in the epoxy matrix. Composites obtained different types of SWCNTs which are pristine and functionalized of the SWCNTs by acid and amine treatments. Three types of SWCNTs were dispersed in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and bisphenol F (DGEBF). Enhanced interaction between functional groups on SWCNT and epoxy resins was evidenced by an improvement in the dispersion of the SWCNTs in the epoxy matrix. Thermal conductivity of composites containing acid SWCNTs were found to be much better than those containing pristine and amine treated SWCNTs.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.295-312
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• 2021

A new ionic liquid functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticle was synthesized and characterized and tested as an adsorbent. The adsorbent was used for magnetic solid phase extraction on ICP-MS method. Simultaneous determination of precious metal Au has been addressed. The method is simple and fast and has been applied to standard water and surface water analysis. A new method for separation/analysis of trace precious metal Au by Magnetron Solid Phase Extraction (MSPE) combined with ICP-MS. The element to be tested is rapidly adsorbed on CoFe2O4@SiO2@[BMIM]PF6 composite nano-adsorbent and eluted with thiourea. The method has a preconcentration factor of 9.5-fold. This method has been successfully applied to the determination of gold in actual water samples. Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids (ILs) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF6) coated CoFe2O4@SiO2 nanoparticles with core-shell structure to prepare magnetic solid phase extraction agent (CoFe2O4@SiO2@ILs) and establish a new method of MSPE coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for separation/analysis of trace gold. The results showed that trace gold was adsorbed rapidly by CoFe2O4@SiO2@[BMIM]PF6 and eluanted by thiourea. Under the optimal conditions, preconcentration factor of the proposed method was 9.5-fold. The linear range, detection limit, correlation coefficient (R) and relative standard deviation (RSD) were found to be 0.01~1000.00 ng·mL-1, 0.001 ng·mL-1, 0.9990 and 3.4% (n = 11, c = 4.5 ng·mL-1). The CoFe2O4@SiO2 nanoparticles could be used repeatedly for 8 times. This proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of trace gold in water samples.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.10
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• pp.3641-3649
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• 2022

A simple solvothermal reaction was used to prepare a 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica-gel-based adsorbent for adsorbing Pd(II) from the nitric acid solution. Scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry analysis were performed on the as-synthesized adsorbent to demonstrate the successful introduction of Schiff base groups. Batch experiments were used to investigate the effects of contact time, nitric acid concentration, solution temperature, and adsorption capacity. It is worth noting that the prepared adsorbent exhibited a higher affinity toward Pd(II) with the uptake approximately 100% even in a 2 M HNO₃ solution. At an equilibrium time of 5 h, the maximum adsorption capacity of Pd(II) was estimated to be 0.452 mmol/g. The adsorbed Pd(II) could be completely eluted by dissolving 0.2 M thiourea solution in 0.1 M HNO₃. Using a combination of particle-induced X-ray emission analysis and an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, the adsorbed Pd was found to be uniformly distributed on the surface of the prepared adsorbent and the existing species were Pd(II) and zero-valent Pd(0). Due to the desirable performances, facile preparation method, and abundant raw material source, the prepared adsorbent demonstrated a high application potential in the recovery of Pd(II) from simulated high-level liquid waste treatment.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.369-375
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• 2021

In this study, heterogeneous ZnO/CNTF composites were developed to improve the NO₂-sensing response, facilitated by the self-heating property. Highly conductive and mechanically stable CNTFs were prepared by a wet-spinning process assisted by the liquid crystal (LC) behavior of CNTs. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of ZIF-8 were precipitated on the surface of the CNTF (ZIF-8/CNTF) via one-pot synthesis in solution. The subsequent calcination process resulted in the formation of the ZnO/CNTF composites. The calcination temperatures were controlled at 400, 500, and 600 ℃ in an N₂ atmosphere to confirm the evolution of the microstructures and NO₂-sensing properties. Gas sensor characterization was performed at 100 ℃ by applying a DC voltage to induce Joule heating through the CNTF. The results revealed that the ZnO/CNTF composite after calcination at 500 ℃ (ZnO/CNTF-500) exhibited an improved response (R_air/R_gas = 1.086) toward 20 ppm NO₂ as compared to the pristine CNTF (R_air/R_gas = 1.063). Selective NO₂-sensing properties were demonstrated with negligible responses toward interfering gas species such as H₂S, NH₃, CO, and toluene. Our approach for the synthesis of MOF-driven ZnO/CNTF composites can provide a new strategy for the fabrication of wearable gas sensors integrated with textile materials.

• Clean Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.308-313
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated the electrocatalytic effects of the N and O co-doping of Graphite Felt (GF) electrode for the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) at the cathode and the anode reaction, respectively. The electrodes were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with $NH_3-O_2$ at 773 K, and its effects were compared with an electrode prepared by an O doping treatment. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrocatalytic properties of these electrodes were characterized in a VRFB single cell comparing the efficiencies and performance of the electrodes at the cathode, anode, and single cell level. The results exhibited about 2% higher voltage and energy efficiencies on the N-O-GF than the O-GF electrode. It was found that the N and O co-doping was particularly effective in the enhancement of the reduction-oxidation reaction at the anode.