• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2010

Porous poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres (PLGA MS) have been utilized as an inhalation delivery system and a matrix scaffold system for tissue engineering. Here, gelatin (type A) is introduced as an extractable pH-responsive porogen, which is capable of controlling the porosity and pore size of PLGA microspheres. Porous PLGA microspheres were prepared by a water-in-oil-in-water ($w_1/o/w_2$) double emulsification/solvent evaporation method. The surface morphology of these microspheres was examined by varying pH (2.0~11.0) of water phases, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, their porosity and pore size were monitored by altering acidification time (1~5 h) using a phosphoric acid solution. Results showed that the pore-forming capability of gelatin was optimized at pH 5.0, and that the surface pore-formation was not significantly observed at pHs of < 4.0 or > 8.0. This was attributable to the balance between gel-formation by electrostatic repulsion and dissolution of gelatin. The appropriate time-selection between PLGA hardening and gelatin-washing out was considered as a second significant factor to control the porosity. Delaying the acidification time to ~5 h after emulsification was clearly effective to make pores in the microspheres. This finding suggests that the porosity and pore size of porous microspheres using gelatin can be significantly controlled depending on water phase pH and gelatin-removal time. The results obtained in this study would provide valuable pharmaceutical information to prepare porous PLGA MS, which is required to control the porosity.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.150-156
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• 2004

Boron nitride thin films were deposited on Si(100) substrate by RF (Radio-frequency) UBM (Unbalanced Magnetron) sputtering system. The effect of working pressure and substrate bias voltage on microstructure and compressive stress of boron nitride thin films has been investigated. In high working pressure, the alignment of hBN laminates increased with substrate bias voltage, in low working pressure, however, it was high in low substrate bias voltage. Compressive stress evolution and surface morphology of deposited BN films are closely related with the alignment of hBN laminates. The cBN phase without high compressive stress could be nucleated on hBN thin film by controlling the alignment of hBN laminates.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.1083-1091
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• 1997

As one of the chemical powder fabrication methods, the powder preparation method by using oxalate has the following advantages; (1) easy to control the chemical stoichiometry, (2) easy to fabricate homogeneous and fine particles, and (3) easy to be thermaly decomposed at low temperature. In the present study, the initial morphology and size distribution of the powder were controlled and the homogeniaty was improved. By carefully controlling the pH with NH4OH, the Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting powders were prepared and investigated for their properties. The microstructures and the superconducting properties of the pelletized samples were investigated. Also, the microstructures and electrical properties of the samples prepared by tape casting method were investigated. The fabricated powders were spherical with less than 400 nm, but most of them were agglomerated to be 1~3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in size. The critical temperature of the pelletized sample annealed at 84$0^{\circ}C$ for 72 hours in air was 110K. And the critical currents of annealed samples in air prepared by tape casting process for 24 hours and 72 hours were 0.6 A (Jc=600A/$\textrm{cm}^2$) and 1.9A (Jc=1, 900A/$\textrm{cm}^2$) respectively.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.437-441
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• 2007

Preparation and morphology control of $TiO_2$ nano powders for gas sensor applications are investigated. $TiO_2$ nanopowders with rutile and anatase structures were prepared by controlling the pH value of a precursor solution without any heat treatment. The mean particle size of $TiO_2$ powders were below 10nm. The prepared $TiO_2$ nano powders were hydrothermal treated by NaOH solution. The sample was washed in HCl solution. As a result and $TiO_2$ nanotubes were formed. The lengths of $TiO_2$ nanotube were $1{\mu}m$ and the diameters were 10nm. Crystal structure and microstructure of $TiO_2$ nanotube were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). As-prepared $TiO_2$ nanotube powders have several advantages of nano particle size and high surface area and could be a prominent candidate for nano-sensors. The sensitivity of $TiO_2$ nanotube sensor was measured for toluene and NO in this study.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.573-578
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• 2006

Three different, polymer-platinum conjugates (hydrogels, microparticles, and nanoparticles) were synthesized by complexation of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (cisplatin) with partially succinylated glycol chitbsan (PSGC). Succinic anhydride was used as a linker to introduce cisplatin to glycol chitosan (GC). Succinylation of GC was investigated systematically as a function of the molar ratio of succinic anhydride to glucosamine, the methanol content in the reaction media, and the reaction temperature. By controlling the reaction conditions, water-soluble, partially water-soluble, and hydrogel-forming PSGCs were synthesized, and then conjugated with cisplatin. The complexation of cisplatin with water-soluble PSGC via a ligand exchange reaction of platinum from chloride to the carboxylates induced the formation of nano-sized aggregates in aqueous media. The hydrodynamic diameters of PSGC/cisplatin complex nano-aggregates, as determined by light scattering, were 180-300 nm and the critical aggregation concentrations (CACs), as determined by a fluorescence technique using pyrene as a probe, were $20-30{\mu}g/mL$. The conjugation of cisplatin with partially water-soluble PSGC, i.e., borderline between water-soluble and water-insoluble PSGC, produced micro-sized particles $<500{\mu}m$. Cisplatin-complexed PSGC hydrogels were prepared from water-insoluble PSGCs. All of the cisplatin-incorporated, polymer matrices released platinum in a sustained manner without any significant initial burst, suggesting that they may all be useful as slow release systems for cisplatin. The release rate of platinum increased with the morphology changes from hydrogel through microparticle to nanoparticle systems.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.55.2-55.2
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• 2012

Intensive theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out at Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) on controlling the bio absorbing rate of the Mg alloys with high mechanical strength through tailoring of electrochemical potential. Key technology for retarding the corrosion of the Mg alloys is to equalize the corrosion potentials of the constituent phases in the alloys, which prevented the formation of Galvanic circuit between the constituent phases resulting in remarkable reduction of corrosion rate. By thermodynamic consideration, the possible phases of a given alloy system were identified and their work functions, which are related to their corrosion potentials, were calculated by the first principle calculation. The designed alloys, of which the constituent phases have similar work function, were fabricated by clean melting and extrusion system. The newly developed Mg alloys named as KISTUI-MG showed much lower corrosion rate as well as higher strength than previously developed Mg alloys. Biocompatibility and feasibility of the Mg alloys as orthopedic implant materials were evaluated by in vitro cell viability test, in vitro degradation test of mechanical strength during bio-corrosion, in vivo implantation and continuous observation of the implant during in vivo absorbing procedures. Moreover, the cells attached on the Mg alloys was observed using cryo-FIB (focused ion beam) system without the distortion of cell morphology and its organ through the removal of drying steps essential for the preparation of normal SEM/TEM samples. Our Mg alloys showed excellent biocompatibility satisfying the regulations required for biomedical application without evident hydrogen evolution when it implanted into the muscle, inter spine disk, as well as condyle bone of rat and well contact interface with bone tissue when it was implanted into rat condyle.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2006

Magnetite nanoparticles, which have been extensively used in many fields, were encapsulated with a natural polymer, chitosan, to improve their biocompatibility. We have synthesized magnetite $(Fe_3C_4)$ nanoparticles using chemical coprecipitation technique with sodium oleate as surfactant. Nanoparticle size can be varied from 1.2 to 7.4nm by controlling the sodium oleate concentration. Magnetite phase nanoparticles could be observed from X-ray diffraction. Magnetic colloid suspensions containing particles with sodium oleate and chitosan have been prepared. High magnetic property chitosan-microsphere particles were prepared from oleate-coated magnetite suspension using spray method. The surftce, and tile morphology of the magnetic chitosan microsphere particles were characterized using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Magnetic hysteresis measurement were performed using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer at room temperature to investigate the magnetic properties of the chitosan microspheres including magnetite nanoparticles. The SQUID measurements revealed superparamagnetism of nanoparticles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.630-630
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• 2013

Recently, atomically smooth hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN) known as a white graphene has drawn great attention since the discovery of graphene. h-BN is a III-V compound and has a honeycomb structure very similar to graphene with smaller lattice mismatch. Because of strong covalent sp2bonds like graphene, h-BN provides a high thermal conductivity and mechanical strength as well as chemical stability of h-BN superior to graphene. While graphene has a high electrical conductivity, h-BN has a highly dielectric property as an insulator with optical band gap up to 6eV. Similar to the graphene, h-BN can be applied to a variety of field, such as gate dielectric layers/substrate, ultraviolet emitter, transparent membrane, and protective coatings. However, up until recently, obtaining and controlling good quality monolayer h-BN layers have been too difficult and challenging. In this work, we investigate the controlled synthesis of h-BN layers according to the growth condition, time, temperature, and gas partial pressure. h-BN is obtained by using chemical vapor deposition on Cu foil with ammonia borane (BH3NH3) as a source for h-BN. Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM, JEOL-JEM-ARM200F) is used for imaging and structural analysis of h-BN layer. Sample's surface morphology is characterized by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM, JEOL JSM-7100F). h-BN is analyzed by Raman spectroscopy (HORIBA, ARAMIS) and its topographic variations by Atomic force microscopy (AFM, Park Systems XE-100).

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

In this review, we focus on one of the most attractive biomaterials, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). MFC, a type of nanocellulose, mainly originates from cellulose in lignocellulosic biomass. MFC represents one of incredible important natural resources due to its abundancy, renewability, and sustainability. MFC is produced through mechanical pretreatment, and it is composed of various sizes of microfibers, ranging from a few nanometers to a few micrometers. Because of the heterogenetic compositions of MFC, it possesses superior properties as a material, such as high surface area, high aspect ratio, and peculiar insolubility as a biomaterial. These properties allow MFC to be used in various bio-industries, from the traditional pulp industry to the high-tech food/bio/chemical/medical industries. However, it is difficult to use MFC on a commercial scale owing to the high energy input required during its production and the challenge of controlling its reactivity. Therefore, future studies should be focused on accurately characterizing MFC's surface morphologies, regulating its characteristics in a desirable direction, and standardizing proper guidelines for the analysis of surface morphologies its analysis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.152-152
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• 2016

Anodizing is a technology to generate thicker and high-quality films than natural oxide films by treating metals via electrochemical methods. It is a technique to develop metals for various uses, and extensive research on the commercial use has been performed for a long time. Aluminum anodic oxide (AAO) is generate oxide films, whose sizes and characteristics depending on the types of electrolytes, voltages, temperatures and time. Electrochemical manufacturing method of nano structure is an efficient technology in terms of cost reduction, high productivity and complicated shapes, which receives the spotlight in diverse areas. The sulfuric acid was used as an anodizing electrolyte, controlling its temperature to $10^{\circ}C$. The anode was 5083 Al alloy with dimension of $5(t){\times}20{\times}20mm$ while the cathode was the platinum. The distance between the anode and the cathode was maintained at 3 cm. Agitation was introduced by magnetic stirrer at 300 rpm to prevent localized temperature rise that hinders stable growth of oxide layer. In order to observe surface characteristics with applied current density, the electrolyte temperature, concentration was maintained at constant condition for $10^{\circ}C$, 10 vol.%, respectively. To prevent hindrance of stable growth of oxide layer due to local temperature increase during the experiment, stirring was maintained at constant rate. In addition, using galvanostatic method, it was maintained at current density of $10{\sim}30mA/cm^2$ for 40 minutes. The cavitation experiment was carried out with an ultrasonic vibratory apparatus using piezo-electric effect with modified ASTM-G32. The peak-to-peak amplitude was $30{\mu}m$ and the distance between the horn tip and specimen was 1 mm. The specimen after the experiment was cleaned in an ultrasonic, dried in a vacuum oven for more than 24 hours, and weighed with an electric balance. The surface damage morphology was observed with 3D analysis microscope. As a result of the investigation, differences were observed surface hardness and anti-cavitation characteristics depending on the development of oxide film with applied current density.