• Carbon letters
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.28-33
• /
• 2010

In this study, $TiO_2$-Activated carbon (AC) complex fibers were prepared by electrospinning for the synergetic effect of adsorption and degradation of organic pollutant. The average diameter of these fibers increased with increasing the amount of AC added, except for 1AC-TOF (AC$/TiO_2$ =1/40 mass ratio). After calcinations at $500^{\circ}C$, long as-spun fibers were broken and their average diameter was slightly decreased. The resultant fibers after calcination had rough surface and sphere shapes like a peanut. From XRD results, it was confirmed that as-spun fibers were changed to anatase $Ti_O2$ fiber after calcinations at $500^{\circ}C$. The prepared $TiO_2$-AC complex fibers could remove procian blue dyes by solar light irradiation with high removal property of 94~99%. The PB dye was rapidly removed by adsorption during the initial 5 minutes. But after 5 minutes, dye removal was occurred by photodegradation. In this study, the most efficient AC/$TiO_2$ ratio of $TiO_2$-AC complex fibers was 5/40, showing the synergetic effect of adsorption and photodegradation. It is expected that the $TiO_2$-AC complex fibers can be used to remove of organic pollutants in water system.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.301-312
• /
• 2016

This study has performed comparative analysis on characteristics of contaminated 35 tributaries on seasonal variation/point discharge load/pollutant distribution of water quality factors(8) in order to understand the effect of the watershed in Nakdong River Basin. As a results, the water quality of $BOD_5$(Biochemical Oxygen Demand), Chl-a(Chlorophyll a) and Fecal E. Coli shows II grade at tributaries of more than 50% without COD(Chemical Oxygen Demand), TP(Total Phosphate), TOC(Total Oxygen Carbon) and TN(Total Nitrogen) factors. The specific discharge(Q) were occupied about 54.4% (19 sites) as $0.05m^3/sec/km^2$ value. Among these results, the contaminant level of Dalseocheon, Hyeonjicheon, Seokkyocheon 1, Uriyeongcheon and Dasancheon was also high, which has to consider a discharged pollutant load(kg/day). The 35 major tributaries of Nakdong River were included in 7 mid-watershed, such as Nakdong Waegwan, Geumho River, Nakdong Goryung, Nakdong Changnyung, Nam River, Nakdong Milyang, Nakdong River Hagueon. Especially, the discharged pollutant load of Nam River and Geumho River also was high according to the amount of discharge such as Kachang dam, Gongsan dam and Nam river dam. Seasonal difference of the water quality factors such as $BOD_5$, TN, SS and Q was observed largely, on the other hand the TP and Chl-a was not. This is guessed due to the precipitation effect of site, biological and physicochemical degradation properties of pollutant and etc. The co-relationship between the seasonal difference and water quality factors was observed using a Pearson correlation coefficients. Besides, the Multiple Regression analysis using a Stepwise Regression method was conducted to understand the effect between seasonal difference and water quality factors/regression equations. As a result, the Multiple Regression analysis was adapted in the spring, summer and autumn without the winter, which was observed high at spring, summer and autumn in the order COD/TP, Chl-a/TOC, TOC/COD/$BOD_5$ water quality factors, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.261-268
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The photocatalytic degradation of toluene in a batch mode photoreactor for the purpose of the hazardous waste treatment was investigated. Methods: Kinetic experiments using a low pressure mercury lamp (Lambda Scientific Pty Ltd, 50 Watt) emitting both UV and visible light were performed at $31^{\circ}C$ over toluene concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 mg/l in water with $50%TiO_2/6%WO_3$ (TW) concentration of 1 g/l at a pH of 6. Results: Kinetic studies showed that $50%TiO_2/6%WO_3$ (TW) photocatalyst was highly active in toluene degradation; we observed that 99% of the pollutant was degraded after six hours under visible irradiation; furthermore, we observed that adsorption onto TW catalyst was responsible for the decrease of toluene with pseudo-first order kinetics. It was also found that oxygen as a radical source in the sol medium played a significant role in affecting the photodegradation of toluene, especially with a two-fold elevation. This increase was achieved by a more than four-fold elevation of the photodegradation of toluene in the presence of acetone than without, presumably via an energy transfer mechanism. Conclusions: We concluded that photodegradation in acetone and oxygen molecules along with TW was an effective method for the removal of toluene from wastewater.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.151-159
• /
• 2015

Paper records were generally degraded by some factors from atmospheric environments, like temperature, relative humidity or air pollutants. In this study, the degradation behavior of paper records by single or mixed gases of $NO_2$, $SO_2$, HCHO and TVOC was evaluated. The mechanical, optical and chemical properties of 4 kinds of paper (acid and neutral-based printing paper, traditional Hanji, and filter paper) were directly and indirectly affected by gaseous harmful materials. The brightness and $L^*$ value in all papers were slightly increased by accelerated aging under gaseous HCHO and TVOCs, but highly decreased by conditions under gases $NO_2$ and $SO_2$. The optical properties of paper records were most vulnerable in acid-based paper and high stable in filter paper and traditional Hanji by air pollutant degradation. The aging treatments under mixed gas pollutants including $NO_2$ resulted in decrease of physical, mechanical and optical properties of paper, so it was supposed that the concentration of $NO_2$ gas would be strictly controlled for optimum indoor air quality management in domestic storage centers for paper records.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1263-1271
• /
• 2013

Graphene oxide (GO)-titania composites have emerged as an attractive heterogeneous photocatalyst that can enhance the photocatalytic activity of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles owing to their potential interaction of electronic and adsorption natures. Accordingly, $TiO_2$-GO mixtures were synthesized in this study using a simple chemical mixing process, and their heterogeneous photocatalytic activities were investigated to determine the degradation of airborne organic pollutants (benzene, ethyl benzene, and o-xylene (BEX)) under different operational conditions. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results demonstrated the presence of GO for the $TiO_2$-GO composites. The average efficiencies of the $TiO_2$-GO mixtures for the decomposition of each component of BEX determined during the 3-h photocatalytic processes were 26%, 92%, and 96%, respectively, whereas the average efficiencies of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder were 3%, 8%, and 10%, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation efficiency of the unmodified $TiO_2$ powder for all target compounds decreased during the 3-h photocatalytic processes, suggesting a potential deactivation even during such a short time period. Two operational conditions (air flow entering into the air-cleaning devices and the indoor pollution levels) were found to be important factors for the photocatalytic decomposition of BEX molecules. Taken together, these results show that a $TiO_2$-GO mixture can be applied effectively for the purification of airborne organic pollutants when the operating conditions are optimized.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.76-82
• /
• 2014

1-Methylimidazole-2-thiol, as a kind of mercaptans, is a typical organic pollutant which has not been efficiently removed. In this study, titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) photocatalyst based on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was synthesized via hydrothermal and sol-gel methods. The as-prepared photocatalyst was extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray energy diffraction spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). This photocatalyst of $TiO_2$/$Fe_3O_4$/MWCNTs was proved to exhibit high photocatalytic efficiency and the photodegradation rate could reach nearly 82.7% for the degradation of 1-methylimidazole-2-thiol under ultraviolet irradiation. In addition, the results demonstrated that inorganic ions had a negative impact on photodegradation of 1-methylimidazole-2-thiol to varying degrees. Moreover, pH had a great and complex effect on photocatalytic degradation of 1-methylimidazole-2-thiol under ultraviolet irradiation.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.57-60
• /
• 2020

An acetaldehyde, a representative food waste odor, was decomposed using a hybrid system comprised of a non-thermal plasma and catalyst at an ambient temperature under high humidity. A five wt.% Mn was impregnated on two differently structured microporous zeolites, namely Beta and ZSM-5, with a different molar ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃. Under high humidity conditions, the acetaldehyde degradation was higher in zeolites with the high ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃. Among studied catalysts, a five wt.% Mn/Beta (SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 300) showed the highest acetaldehyde removal activity owing to its high hydrophobicity and reducibility. During long term stability test using the same catalyst for 110 hours, the acetaldehyde removal activity was relatively well-maintained.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.610-626
• /
• 2020

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the concept of microplastics and their occurrence, transport, biological effects, and management methods in the ocean. Methods: I reviewed articles on microplastics in the ocean by using the Google Scholar database. Results: Plastic litter has been reported as a ubiquitous pollutant in the ocean due to the extensive consumption of plastics and the mismanagement of plastic wastes. Microplastics are generally defined as synthetic polymer particles <5 mm in size. Microplastics generated from the degradation of plastic litter are currently a serious global concern since they spread easily all over the ocean, transfer to different tissues inside contaminated animals, and even across different trophic levels inside the food web. An additional concern is the ability of microplastics to adsorb organic and inorganic pollutants and subsequently release them into the ocean. Thus, alternatives to reduce microplastics in the ocean are discussed. Conclusions: This paper summarizes the concept of microplastics and their behavior in the ocean and suggests management methods for microplastics in support of a cleaner ocean.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2009

The environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis assumes an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental damage and income, and such curves have been used to study how economic growth affects the environment. In this study, we analyzed data for gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and for sulfur emissions in the industrialized countries of the United Kingdom, United States of America, and Japan, as well as data for the developing country of China, to determine the relationship between emissions and income in these countries. Attempts by these countries' governments to incorporate environmental policy considerations into the income-environment relationship were also examined. The potential role of the environmental Kuznets curve as a policy tool was investigated. We determined that, at least in the case of sulfur emissions, policies and institutions significantly reduced environmental degradation in the industrialized countries studied. Furthermore, the environmental Kuznets curve can reliably predict the future relationship between environmental impact and GDP for developing countries.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.24 no.7
• /
• pp.947-954
• /
• 2015

Dielectric barrier discharge plasma is a new technique in water pollutant degradation, which that is characterized by the production of chemically active species such as hydroxyl radicals, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, etc. If dissolving of plasma gas generated in the plasma reaction has increased, it is possible to increase the contaminant removal capacity. In this study, the improvement on the dissolving performance of plasma gas was evaluated by the indirect method measuring the overall oxygen transfer coefficient. Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of nozzle type, distance from water surface, air supply rate and liquid circulation rate. The experimental results showed that the $K_{La}$ value of the 3-prong nozzle is 2.67 times higher than the diffuser. The order of $K_{La}$ value with nozzle type ranked in the following order: 3-prong nozzle (inner diameter, less 1 mm) > circular nozzle (inner diameter, 1.5 mm) > ellipse nozzle (short diameter 1 mm, long diameter 2.5 mm) > circular nozzle (inner diameter, 3 mm). Optimal liquid circulation rate was appeared to be 1.7 L/min, the value of $K_{La}$ was 0.510 1/min. The value of $K_{La}$ with increasing air supply rate was revealed in the form of an exponential such as $K_{La}=0.3581e^{0.2919^*air\;flow\;rate}$.