• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.99-103
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• 2006

Use of recycled fibers in papermaking has been increased for economical and environmental reasons. Recycled panels are major liber resources for brown grades and newsprints. Since the recycled fibers have disadvantageous properties as raw materials for papermaking it is of great importance to optimize the use of these recycled fibers. OCC (Old Corrugated Containers) is the major fiber source for linerboards and corrugating mediums that require diverse specification in strength properties. Many studies have been focused to overcome the problems of strength reduction of brown grades when recycled fibers are used as raw materials. The problem of strength loss for papers made from recycled fibers is closely associated with the increased amount of fines in recycled fibers and hornification of fibers. Fines contained in the recycled fiber resources cause problems not only in paper properties but also in process runnability. This shows that the optimal management and proper use of fines in recycling papermaking system are critical to get most benefits of using recycled fibers. In this study some approaches for optimal use of fiber fines in recycled paper mill have been investigated. Stock samples, prepared in the laboratory and obtained from a recycling plant were used. Fractionation of these samples was made using Sweco screen. And the effect of the addition of polyelectrolytes including cationic PAM and PEI on drainage and retention was evaluated. Different methods of polymer addition were compared to find the most effective ways of treating recycled fiber stocks with polyelectrolytes. Addition of polyelectrolytes to the short fiber fraction was most effective in retention and drainage. The influence of the charge and molecular weight of these two polymers has been examined and discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korea Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.313-322
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• 2006

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2023

Membrane separation is widely used for several applications such as water treatment, membrane reactors and climate change. Cross-linked organic-inorganic hybrid polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) / Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was adopted for the preparation of optimized hollow membrane (HFM) for membrane distillation or other low pressure separators for mechanical properties and permeability under varying pretreatment schemes. HFMs were prepared on semi-pilot membrane fabrication system. Novel adopted post-treatment schemes involved soaking in glycerol, magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and isopropanol for different durations. All fibers were characterized for morphology using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), surface roughness using atomic force microscope (AFM), elemental composition by examining Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), water contact angle (CA°) and porosity. The performance of the fibers was evaluated for pure water permeation flux (PWF). Post-treatment with MgSO₄ gave the highest both tensile modulus and flux. Assessment of properties and performance revealed comparable results with other organic-inorganic separators, HF or flat. In spite of few reported data on post treatment using MgSO₄ in presence of TEOS, this proves the potential of low cost treatment without negative impact on other membrane properties. The flux is also comparable with hypochlorite which manifests substantial precaution requirements in actual industrial use.The relatively high values of flux/bar for sample treated with TEOS, post treated with MgSO₄ and hypochlorite are 88 and 82 LMH/bar respectively.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2010

Kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata) is a perennial plant and spreads all around in South Korea. Recently the use of leaves, stems and roots of kudzu vine has been investigated in many fields. However, the research on kudzu fibers has not been performed in korean pulp and paper industry. As the stems and roots of kudzu were estimated to contain cellulosic fibers, the possibility of producing a raw material from kudzu fibers in pulp and paper mills was investigated in this study. The stems and roots of kudzu were collected in woods, and then the chemical composition and ash contents was measured. To acquire kudzu pulp, kraft pulping and bleaching of kudzu roots were carried out sequently. After making kudzu pulp, freeness and fiber length were measured, and handsheets was also prepared with kudzu pulp and the properties of handsheets were determined. Consequently, kudzu fibers have lower holocellulose contents than wood fibers and other non-wood fibers. Average fiber length is shorter than that of Sw-BKP, but shows the same level as that of Hw-BKP. The handsheet made from kudzu pulp shows the bulkier structure than those made from Hw-BKP and Sw-BKP.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.205-209
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• 2009

The loci of the 5S and 45S rRNA genes were localized on chromosomes in five species of Capsicum, namely, annuum, chacoense, frutescens, baccatum, and chinense by FISH. The 5S rDNA was localized to the distal region of one chromosome in all species observed. The number of 45S rDNA loci varied among species; one in annuum, two in chacoense and frutescens, and chinense, and four in baccatum, with the exceptions that 'CM334' of annuum had three loci and 'tabasco' of frutescens gad one locus. 'CM334'-derived BAC clones, 384B09 and 365P05, were screened with 5S rDNA as a probe, and BACs 278M03 and 262A23 were screened with 25S rDNA as a probe. Both ends of these BAC clones were sequenced. FISH with these BAC probes on pachytenes from 'CM334' plant showed one 5S rDNA locus and three 45S rDNA loci, consistent with the patterns on the somatic chromosomes. The 5S rDNA probe was also applied on extended DNA fibers to reveal that its coverage measured as long as 0.439 Mb in the pepper genome. FISH techniques applied on somatic and meiotic chromosomes and fibers have been established for chili to provide valuable information about the copy number variation of 45S rDNA and the actual physical size of the 5S rDNA in chili.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.711-720
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• 2009

Leaf fibers have many good properties; they are strong, long, cheap, abundant and bio-degradable. Since they, however, contain a great quantity of non-cellulose components, they have been used for the materials of mats, ropes, bags and nets rather than those of clothing. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of leaf fibers in order to promote the use of leaf fibers for the materials of clothing as well as develop the high value-added textile fibers. Leaf fiber plants including New Zealand Flax, Henequen and Banana plant, which have various nature and shape, were used. New Zealand Flax and Henequen leaves were cut from lower part of plants. Banana leaves and pseudo-stems were peeled and cut from the stem of Banana plants. First, the thin outer skins like film of leaves, veins and stems were removed before retting. The chemical retting had been processed for 1hour, at 100 in 0.4% $H_2SO_4$ aqueous solution(liquid ratio 50:1). Then, the retted leaf fibers had been soaked for 1hour, at room temperature in 0.5% NaClO solution(v/v) to remove the miscellaneous materials. We investigated the physical characteristics of three leaf fibers including the transversal and longitudinal morphology, the contents(%) of pectin, lignin and hemicellulose, the length and diameter of fibers, the tensile strength of the fiber bundles, and the fiber crystallinity and the moisture regain(%). The lengths of fiber from three leaf fibers were similar to their leaf lengths. The fiber bundles were composed of the cellulose paralleled to the fiber axis and the non-cellulose intersecting at right angle with the fiber axis. The diameters of New Zealand Flax, Henequen and Banana fibers were $25.13{\mu}m$, $18.16{\mu}m$ and $14.01{\mu}m$, respectively and their tensile strengths were 19.40 Mpa, 32.16 Mpa and 8.45 Mpa, respective. The non-cellulose contents of three leaf fibers were relatively as high as 40%. If the non-cellulose contents of leaf fibers might be controlled, leaf fibers could be used for the materials of textile fiber, non-wovens and Korean traditional paper, Hanjee.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.13 no.2 s.30
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• pp.128-136
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• 1989

In order to investigate a practical application of fibrous adsorbents to heavy metal ions, amidoxime fibers, as a particular class of solid chelate agents, were prepared by hydroxylamine treatment for acrylic fibers in a recipe of neutralization. Among the important problems from plant effluents are toxic concentrations of heavy metals such as copper. Accordingly, the properties of Cu (II) adsorption and its chelates were studied. The results obtained are as follows; The fibrous adsorbents have the property of increasing the swelling volumes by amidoximation. The adsorption of Cu (II) ion is characterized by an endothermic reaction, which is estimated as the plus values in the enthalpy change ($\delta$H=1.30 Kcal/mol. and 3.14 Kcal/mol.). The Cu (II) ions are adsorbed in the range of pH $3\~8$ and the maximum adsorptions are occurred about pH 8. Owing to the anions $(NO_3^-,\;Cl^-)$ of copper salts, amidoxime fibers form 1:1 and 2:1 (ligand: metal) chelating complexes with Cu (II). The nitrate anion chelates to amide I (NH) of amidoxime groups and the chlorine anion does to nitrosyl (NO). These effects relate to the crystallization of the complex and the thermal property.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.269-282
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• 2007

Fully biodegradable high strength composites or 'advanced green composites' were fabricated using yearly renewable soy protein based resins and high strength liquid crystalline cellulose fibers. For comparison, E-glass and aramid ($Kevlar^{(R)}$) fiber reinforced composites were also prepared using the same modified soy protein resins. The modification of soy protein included forming an interpenetrating network-like (IPN-like) resin with mechanical properties comparable to commonly used epoxy resins. The IPN-like soy protein based resin was further reinforced using nano-clay and microfibrillated cellulose. Fiber/resin interfacial shear strength was characterized using microbond method. Tensile and flexural properties of the composites were characterized as per ASTM standards. A comparison of the tensile and flexural properties of the high strength composites made using the three fibers is presented. The results suggest that these green composites have excellent mechanical properties and can be considered for use in primary structural applications. Although significant additional research is needed in this area, it is clear that advanced green composites will some day replace today's advanced composites made using petroleum based fibers and resins. At the end of their life, the fully sustainable 'advanced green composites' can be easily disposed of or composted without harming the environment, in fact, helping it.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2008

Environmentally friendly biocomposites were made using plant-based natural fibers, such as henequen and kenaf. The natural fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) and unsaturated polyester (UP) biocomposites were examined in terms of the reinforcing effect of natural fibers on thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Kenaf (KE) and henequen (HQ) fibers were treated with an electron beam (EB) of 10 and 200 kGy doses, respectively, or with a 5 wt% NaOH solution. Four types of biocomposites (KE/PP, HQ/PP, KE/UP and HQ/UP) were fabricated by compression molding and each biocomposite was characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The kenaf fiber had the larger reinforcing effect on the dynamic mechanical properties of both PP and UP biocomposites than the henequen fiber. The highest storage modulus was obtained from the biocomposite with the combination of UP matrix and 200 kGy EB treated kenaf fibers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.982-990
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• 2011

Kenaf fiber can be obtained by decortications of the kenaf plant stem. The properties of the kenaf fiber treated by alkali (NaOH) were investigated by spectrocolorimeter, SEM, X-ray diffractometer, FT-IR and TGA. The kenaf fibers treated by alkali became darker and their Munsell color values changed from Y (yellow) to YR (yellowred) according to an increased NaOH concentration. SEM observation of the kenaf fibers showed that their crimps were developed and their surfaces were cleaned by the removal of protruding ends and impurities after alkali treatments. In the x-ray diffraction analysis, the structures of the fibers were found in the form of cellulose I when treated with a 0-16% alkali concentration and cellulose II when treated with over 20%. It was also confirmed that the crystallinity was lowered according to an increased NaOH concentration. The change of fiber compositions was investigated in FT-IR analysis. Strong band of $1,738cm^{-1}$ and asymmetrical stretching strong bands of $1,630-1,600cm^{-1}$ in spectrum (which represent pectin) were not found in the samples because the pectin was removed by the alkali treatment. Weak bands of $1,728-1,730cm^{-1}$ and peaks of $1,245-1,259cm^{-1}$ (which represent hemicellulose) and peaks of $1,592cm^{-1}$, $1,504cm^{-1}$, $1,462cm^{-1}$ and $1,429cm^{-1}$ (which are related to lignin) were not found or reduced in the samples treated with a concentration over 20%. TGA indicated that the kenaf fiber had the better hydrophilic properties by alkali treatment. The higher Tmax in TGA and the higher thermal stability when treated by alkali with the higher concentration. The fibers treated with an alkali concentration over 30% did not show any changes in Tmax.