• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.205-210
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• 2012

Hydroperoxyl radical/superoxide anion radical ($HO_2{\cdot}/O_2^-{\cdot}$, $pK_a$=4.8) as an intermediate is of considerable importance in oxidation processes. Hence, the method of detecting $HO_2{\cdot}/O_2^-{\cdot}$ with high sensitivity is necessary to be developed. To achieve this objective, this study newly employed terephthalate (TA) as a probe for the measurement of $HO_2{\cdot}/O_2^-{\cdot}$ in the kinetic method presented in our previous study. This method was based on the hydroxylation of TA to produce mainly hydroxyterephthalic acid or hydroxyterephthalate (OHTA), which was analyzed by fluorescence detection (${\lambda}_{ex}$=315nm, ${\lambda}_{ex}$=425nm). The life-time of $HO_2{\cdot}/O_2^-{\cdot}$ and its concentration formed from the photolysis technique of $H_2O_2$ were reported in this study. At range of pH 2-10, the life-time of $HO_2{\cdot}/O_2^-{\cdot}$ was 51-422 sec. In particular, an increase in the life-time with pH was observed. The sensitivities of the kinetic method by using TA were always higher with 1.7-2.5 times at pH 8.0 than those by using benzoic acid. From these results, this study can contribute to understanding the basic functions of $HO_2{\cdot}/O_2^-{\cdot}$ in oxidation processes.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2005

The photocatalyst $TiO_2$ thin film was made from titanium (IV) isopropoxide, ethanol, and HCl by sol-gel method. The surface observation by SEM showed the sample that was coated 5 times at $500^{\circ}C$ had good properties. The component ratio, in atom% of O : Ti by EDX analysis, of 61 : 39 by spin coating was superior than dip coating. It was found that crystal structure changed from anatase phase to rutile phase as a function of the temperature of thin film fabrication, and this was measured by XRD. The photolysis efficiency of total organic compounds (TOC) by lighting UV beam on $TiO_2$ thin film showed 20%~65% within 1 h, and decreased slowly thereafter.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.257-261
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• 2011

Biodegradable plastics were developed using biodegradable pellets made of corn stalk and rice husk and their safety as food packages and their biodegradability against light (ultraviolet (UV)), heat, and fungi were evaluated. Four kinds of 50-${\mu}m$ biodegradable plastics were produced by extruding the mixtures of the biodegradable pellets, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with different compositions. Developed biodegradable plastics were safe to be used as food packages. The initial tensile strength and percentage elongation of the plastics were similar to those of LDPE, but the values decreased with increased their exposure time to UV and heat. The fungal biodegradability of the biodegradable plastics was higher than that of LDPE. The biodegradability of the biodegradable plastics shows the potential for them to be used as sustainable food packages.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.275-282
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• 2024

In this work, we investigated the photo-degradation performance of MnO₂-SiC fiber-TiO₂ (MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂) ternary nanocomposite according to visible light excitation utilizing methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) as standard dyes. The photocatalytic physicochemical characteristics of this ternary nanocomposite were described by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tunneling electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), photocurrent and cyclic voltammogram (CV) test. Photolysis studies of the synthesized MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂ composite were conducted using standard dyes of MB and MO under UV light irradiation. The experiments revealed that the MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂ exhibits the greatest photocatalytic dye degradation performance of around 20 % with MB, and of around 10 % with MO, respectively, within 120 min. Furthermore, MnO₂-SiC-TiO₂ showed good stability against photocatalytic degradation. The photocatalytic efficiency of the nanocomposite was indicated by the adequate photocatalytic reaction process. These research results show the practical application potential of SiC fibers and the performance of a photocatalyst composite that combines these fibers with metal oxides.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze the sensitivity of meteorological fields and the variation of concentration of particulate matters (PMs) due to aerosol schemes and dust options within the WRF-Chem model to estimate Asian dusts affected on 29 May 2008 in the Korean peninsula. The anthropogenic emissions within the model were adopted by the $0.5^{\circ}{\pm}0.5^{\circ}$ RETRO of the global emissions, and the photolysis option was by Fast-J photolysis. Also, three scenarios such as the RADM2 chemical mechanism and MADE/SORGAM aerosol, the MOSAIC 8 section aerosol, and the GOCART dust erosion were simulated for calculating Asian dust emissions. As a result, the scenario of the RADM2 chemical mechanism & MADE/SORGAM aerosol depicted higher concentration than the others' in both Asian dusts and the background concentration of PMs. By comparing of the daily mean of PM10 measured at each air quality monitoring site in Seoul with the scenario results, the correlation coefficient was 0.67, and the root mean square error was $44{\mu}gm^{-3}$. In addition, the air temperature, the wind speed, the planetary boundary layer height, and the outgoing long-wave radiation were simulated under conditions of no chemical option with these three scenarios within the WRF or WRF-Chem model. Both the spatial distributions of the PBL height and the wind speed of u component among the meteorological factors were similar to those of the Asia dusts in range of 1,800-3,000 m and $2-16ms^{-1}$, respectively. And, it was shown that both scenarios of the RADM2 chemical mechanism and MADE/SORGAM aerosol and the GOCART dust erosion were interacted on-line between meteorological factors and Asian dusts or aerosols within the model because the outgoing long-wave radiation was changed to lower than the others.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.771-780
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• 2014

In this study, the various organic supports (i.e., silicone, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, epoxy, and, butadiene rubber) with great sorption capacity of organic contaminants were chosen to develop nano-ZnO/organic composites (NZOCs) and to prevent the detachment of nano-ZnO particles. The water resistance of the developed NZOCs were evaluated, and the feasibility of the developed NZOCs were investigated by evaluating the removal efficiency of 1,1,2-trichloroethylene (TCE) in the aqueous phase. Based on the results from water-resistance experiments, long-term water treatment usage of all NZOCs was found to be feasible. According to the FE-SEM, EDX, and imaging analysis, nano-ZnO/butadiene rubber composite (NZBC) with various sizes and types of porosity and crack was measured to be coated with relatively homogeneously-distributed nano-ZnO particles whereas nano-ZnO/silicone composite (NZSC), nano-ZnO/ABS composite (NZAC), and nano-ZnO/epoxy composite (NZEC) with poorly-developed porosity and crack were measured to be coated with relatively heterogeneously-distributed nano-ZnO particles. The sorption capacity of NZBC was close to 60% relative to the initial concentration, and this result was mainly attributed to the amorphous structure of NZBC, hence the hydrophobic partitioning of TCE to the amorphous structure of NZBC intensively occurred. The removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was close to 99% relative to the initial concentration, and the removal efficiency of TCE was improved as the amount of NZBC increased. These results stemmed from the synergistic mechanisms with great sorption capability of butadiene rubber and superior photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO. Finally, the removal efficiency of TCE in aqueous phase using NZBC was well represented by linear model ($R^2{\geq}0.936$), and the $K_{app}$ values of NZBC were from 2.64 to 3.85 times greater than those of $K_{photolysis}$, indicating that butadiene rubber was found to be the suitable organic supporting materials with enhanced sorption capacity and without inhibition of photocatalytic activities of nano-ZnO.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.30-41
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• 1975

A substituted diphenyl ether herbicide(MC-4379) was studied on the decomposition by some environmental factors; sunlight, microorganisms, and the crude enzyme in rice plant extract. All the decomposition products were confirmed by means of TLC, GLC, and IR. The parent compound and the decomposition products were put to the test for the effect on the growth of some plants. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Photolysis Amino-MC-4379, 2,4-dichloro-3'-carboxyl-4'-nitrodiphenyl ether, Nitrofen, 2,4-dichloro-3'-carboxyl-4'-amino-diphenyl ether, amino-Nitrofen, 3-carboxymethyl-4-nitrophenol, p-nitrophenol, p-aminophenol, etc. were confirmed as photoproducts, in addition to a relatively small amount of an unknown compound. It was confirmed that the solution-phase photolysis of MC-4379 was accelerated much more by the aid of a photosensitizer benzophenone. 2. Degradation by the crude extract of germinating rice seeds Nitrofen was confirmed as a major degradation product, in addition to a relatively small amount of and unknown compound. Most of the parent compound remained unchanged. 3. Degradation by microorganisms Nitrofen and amino-MC-4379 were confirmed as the major products. in addition to a small amount of an unknown compound. 4. The germinating rice seeds and soybean were grown in the 1,000 ppm emulsions of some chemicals, respectively. The effect on rice plant growth was in the inhibitory order of p-nitrophenol > C-6989> Nitrofen > amino-Nitrofen > MC-4379. The effect on soybean was in the order of Nitrofen > amino-Nitrofen > MC-4379. Two weeds, Amantus blitum and Setaria viridis were grown in the 500 ppm emulsions containing the compounds, respectively. After incubation for 3 days, it was observed that all the shoots had been dead.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2461-2476
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• 2013

To assess environmental contamination with carcinogens, carbonaceous compounds, water-soluble ionic species and trace gaseous species were identified and quantified every three hours for three days st three different atmospheric layer at the heart of chiang-Mai, bangkok and hat-Yai from December 2006 to February 2007. A DRI model 2001 Themal/Optical Carbon Analyzer with the IMPROVE thermal/optical reflectance (TOR) protocol was used to quantify the organic carbon(OC) and elemental carbon content in $PM_{10}$. Diurnal and vertical variability was also carefully investigated. In general, OC and EC contenttration shoeed the highest values at the monitoring period o 21.00-00.00 as consequences of human activities at night bazaar coupled with reduction of mixing layer, decreased wind speed and termination of photolysis nighttime. Morning peaks of carboaceous compounds were observed during the sampling period of 06:00 -09:00, emphasizing the main contribution of traffic emission in the three cities. The estimation of incremental lifetime partculate matter exposure (ILPE) raises concern of high risk of carbonaceous accumulation over workers and residents living close to the observatory sites. The average values of incremental lifrtime particulate matter exposure (ILPE) of total carbon at Baiyoke Suit Hotel and Baiyoke Sky Hotel are approsimately ten time shigher then those air sample collected at prince of songkla University Hat-Yai campus corpse incinerator and fish-can maufacturing factory but only slightly higher than those of rice straw burnig in Songkla province. This indicates a high risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases across workers and residents living in high buildings located in Pratunam area. Using knowledge of carbonaceous fractions in $PM_{10}$, one can estimate the gas-particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Dachs-Eisenreich model highlights the crucial role of adsorption in gas-particle partitioning of low molecular weight PAHs, whereas both absorption and adsorption tend to account for gas-particle partitioning of high molecular weight PAHs in urban residential zones of Thailand. Interestingly, the absorption mode alone plays a minor role in gas-partcle partitiining of PAHs in Chiang-Mai, Bangkok and hat-Yai.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2013

$TiO_2$ powders were prepared from titanium (IV) sulfate ($Ti(SO_4)_2$) solution using ammonia solution at low reaction temperature ($80{\sim}100^{\circ}C$) and atmospheric pressure by hydrothermal precipitation method without calcination. The effect of reaction conditions, such as reaction temperature, initial concentration of titanium (IV) sulfate ($Ti(SO_4)_2$) solution, pH of mixture solution and the physical properties of the prepared $TiO_2$, such as crystallite structure, crystallite size were investigated. The photocatalytic activity of prepared $TiO_2$ was tested by the photolysis of brilliant blue FCF (BB-FCF) under the UV and the analysis of UV-VIS diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The physical properties of prepared $TiO_2$ were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence spectrometer (PL), particle size distribution measurements. The crystallite size and crystallinity of prepared $TiO_2$ increased with increasing titanium (IV) sulfate ($Ti(SO_4)_2$) concentration, but photocatalytic activity decreased. The crystallite size decreased with increasing pH of mixture solution, but photocatalytic activity increased. The crystallinity and photocatalytic activity increased with increasing reaction temperature. The results showed that anatase type $TiO_2$ could be prepared by hydrothermal precipitation method using titanium (IV) sulfate ($Ti(SO_4)_2$) solution and ammonia solution at low reaction temperature and atmospheric pressure without calcination.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.307-316
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• 2013

The sensitivity of ozone to $NO_x$ and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission rates under different ventilation rates and $NO_2-to-NO_x$ emission ratios in a street canyon is investigated using a chemistry box model. The carbon bond mechanism IV (CBM-IV) with 36 gaseous species and 93 chemical reactions is incorporated. $NO_x$ and VOCs emission rates considered range from 0.01 to $0.30ppb\;s^{-1}$ with intervals of $0.01ppb\;s^{-1}$. Three different ventilation rates and three different $NO_2-to-NO_x$ emission ratios are considered. The simulation results show that the ozone concentration decreases with increasing $NO_x$ emission rate but increases with increasing VOCs emission rate. When the emission ratio of VOCs to $NO_x$ is smaller than about 4, the ozone concentration is lower in the street canyon than in the background. On average, the magnitude of the sensitivity of ozone to $NO_x$ emission rate is significantly larger than that to VOCs emission rate. As the $NO_x$ emission rate increases, the magnitude of the sensitivity of ozone to $NO_x$ and VOCs emission rates decreases. Because the ozone concentration is lower in the street canyon than in the background, the increased ventilation rate enhances ozone inflow from the background. Therefore, the increase in ventilation rate results in the increase in ozone concentration and the decrease in the magnitude of the sensitivity of ozone to $NO_x$ and VOCs emission rates when the emission ratio of VOCs to $NO_x$ is smaller than about 4. On the other hand, the increase in $NO_2-to-NO_x$ emission ratio results in the increase in ozone concentration because the chemical ozone production due to the $NO_2$ photolysis is enhanced. In the present experimental setup, the contribution of the change in $NO_2-to-NO_x$ emission ratio to the change in the sensitivity of ozone to $NO_x$ emission rate is larger than that of the change in ventilation rate.