• Membrane Journal
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.421-431
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• 2016

Novel membrane technologies that harness ordered nanostructures have recently received much attention because they allow for high permeability due to their reduced flow resistance while also maintaining high selectivity due to their isoporous characteristics. In particular, the opaline structure (made from the self-assembly of colloidal particles) and its inverted form (inverse-opal) have shown strong potential for membrane applications on account of several advantages in processing and the resulting membrane properties. These include controllability over the pore size and surface functional moieties, which enable a wide range of applications ranging from size-exclusive separation to catalytically-reactive membranes. Furthermore, when combined with multiscale architecturing strategies, inverse-opal-structured membranes can be designed to have specific pores or channel structures. These materials are anticipated to be utilized for next-generation, high-performance, and high-value-added functional membranes. In this review article, various types of inverse-opal-structured membranes are reviewed and their functionalization through hierarchical structuring will be comprehensively investigated and discussed.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.345-351
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• 2018

We employed an unprecedented technique to synthesize porous $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers exhibiting core-shell and fiber-in-tube configurations. Firstly, 2-methylimidazole was uniformly incorporated in as-spun nanofibers containing ammonium metatungstate hydrate and the sacrificial polymer (polyacrylonitrile). Secondly, the 2-methylimidazole on the surfaces of nanofibers was complexed with tin(II) chloride ($SnCl_2$) via simple impregnation of the as-spun nanofibers in ethanol containing tin(II) chloride dihydrate ($SnCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$). The presence of vacant p-orbitals in tin (Sn) and the nucleophilic nitrogen on the imidazole ring allowed for the reaction between $SnCl_2$ and 2-methylimidazole, forming adducts on the surfaces of the as-spun nanofibers. The calcination of these nanofibers resulted in porous $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers with a higher surface area ($55.3m^2{\cdot}g^{-1}$) and a better response to 1-5 ppm of acetone than pristine $SnO_2$ NFs synthesized using a similar method. An improved response to acetone was achieved upon functionalization of the $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers with catalytic palladium nanoparticles. This work demonstrates the potential application of $WO_3@SnO_2$ nanofibers as sensing layers for chemiresistive sensory devices for the detection of acetone in exhaled breath.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.703-708
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• 2015

In order to improve the dispersity of nanofiller, polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites were manufactured via poly(propylene gylcol) (PPG) dispersion with MWCNTs prepared by using a ball mill shaker. MWCNTs could be functionalized by treating with the hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$). Tensile strengths and elongations at break of $PU/H_2O_2$ treated MWCNTs nanocomposites were enhanced compared to those of the PU/pristine MWCNTs nanocomposites. The good dispersion of MWCNTs shown in SEM images was obtained by the functionalization of MWCNTs surface. PU/carbon black (CB) composites showed no significant change in the tensile properties. The tensile properties of PU nanocomposites containing pristine MWCNTs or $H_2O_2$ treated MWCNTs were enhanced with increasing dispersion time. As a result, it was certified that the enhanced dispersity of nanofiller brought the improvement of the tensile properties of the MWCNTs based PU nanocomposites.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.23 no.A
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• pp.199-206
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• 2003

The charcoal-encapsulated methyl silica microcapsules were prepared by a O/W microemulsion sol-gel method, and the adsorption properties on aquatic humic acid were investigated. The capsules prepared were spherical, $100{\sim}1000{\mu}m$ in size. The size distribution was controllable by adjusting the size of charcoal powder, charcoal/methyl silica ratio, and agitating speed in O/W sol-gel process. Adsorption efficiency of charcoal for aquatic humic acid was decreased after encapsulation by methyl silica shell. The decreased adsorption efficiency can be dependent on the decrease of the BET surface area and pore volume after encapsulation. Diffusion properties of humic acid through the capsule shell also played an important role on adsorption efficiency. Therefore, the reasonable target pollutants for the capsules can be VOC or odor molecules which can overcome diffusion barrier through shell of capsules in air condition. Functionalization methods for the charcoal-encapsulated $CH_3(SiO)_n$ microcapsules by incorporation of $TiO_3$ as a phtocatalytic function and by incorporation of inorganic pigment as a color function were also investigated. $TiO_2$ coating properties were controllable by adjusting pH, temperature, and the concentration of $TiOSO_4$. In XRD measurement, the crystal form of the coated $TiO_2$ was anatase. For the colorization of the capsules, inorganic pigments were more efficient than organic dyes, and various color was introduced to the capsules using inorganic pigments.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2009

New coupling agent or surface modified agent (9-decenoic acid) was used to enhance the compatibility between silica and polystyrene in silica/polystyrene hybrid nanocomposite, synthesized by in situ miniemulsion polymerization. Composites contain well dispersed nanosize silica particles. Related tests and analyses confirmed the success of synthesis. Functionalization of silica by 9-decenoic acid and silica on the polystyrene was confirmed by FTIR. TGA showed presence and amount of silica in final latex. The glass transition temperature of the hybrid nanocomposite was increased with the silica amount. SEM and TEM analysis showed the spherical morphology of PS and composite with an average diameter of 55 nm. The presence of silica within composite was confirmed by EDS attached to the existing TEM.

• 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.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.511-516
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• 2022

Electroless plating is widely utilized in engineering for the metallization of insulator substrates, including polymers, glass, and ceramics, without the need for the application of external potential. Homogeneous nucleation of metals requires the presence of Sn-Pd catalysts, which significantly reduce the activation energy of deposition. Therefore, rinsing conducted during Sn sensitization and Pd activation is a key variable for the formation of a uniform seed layer without the lack or excess of catalysts. Herein, we report the optimized rinsing process for the functionalization of Sn-Pd catalysts, which enables the uniform FeCo metallization of the glass fibers. Rinsing enables good deposition of the FeCo alloy because of the removal of excess catalysts from the glass fiber. Concurrently, excessive rinsing results in a complete removal of the Sn-Pd nucleus. Collectively, the comprehensive study of the proposed nanomaterial preparation and surface science show that the metallization of insulators is a promising technology for electronics, solar cells, catalysts, and mechanical parts.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.435-442
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• 2023

Sports activities, including playing tennis, are popular with many people. As this industry has become more professionalized, investors and those involved in sports are sure to pay attention to any tool that improves athletes' performance Tennis requires perfect coordination between hands, eyes, and the whole body. Consequently, to perform long-term sports, athletes must have enough muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance. Tennis rackets with new frames were manufactured because tennis players' performance depends on their rackets. These rackets are distinguished by their lighter weight. Composite rackets are available in many types, most of which are made from the latest composite materials. During physical exercise with a tennis racket, nanocomposite materials have a significant effect on reducing injuries. Materials as strong as graphite and thermoplastic can be used to produce these composites that include both fiber and filament. Polyamide is a thermoplastic typically used in composites as a matrix. In today's manufacturing process, materials are made more flexible, structurally more vital, and lighter. This paper discusses the production, testing, and structural analysis of a new polyamide/Multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite. This polyamide can be a suitable substitute for other composite materials in the tennis racket frame. By compression polymerization, polyamide was synthesized. The functionalization of Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was achieved using sulfuric acid and nitric acid, followed by ultrasonic preparation of nanocomposite materials with weight percentages of 5, 10, and 15. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) confirmed a synthesized nanocomposite structure. Nanocomposites were tested for thermal resistance using the simultaneous thermal analysis (DTA-TG) method. scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was used to determine pores' size, structure, and surface area. An X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) analysis was used to determine their amorphous nature.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.496-505
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• 2015

PURPOSE. To determine the effect of fibronectin (FN)-conjugated, microgrooved titanium (Ti) on osteoblast differentiation and gene expression in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Photolithography was used to fabricate the microgrooved Ti, and amine functionalization (silanization) was used to immobilize fibronectin on the titanium surfaces. Osteoblast differentiation and osteoblast marker gene expression were analyzed by means of alkaline phosphatase activity assay, extracellular calcium deposition assay, and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS. The conjugation of fibronectin on Ti significantly increased osteoblast differentiation in MSCs compared with non-conjugated Ti substrates. On the extracellular calcium deposition assays of MSCs at 21 days, an approximately two-fold increase in calcium concentration was observed on the etched 60-${\mu}m$-wide/10-${\mu}m$-deep microgrooved surface with fibronectin (E60/10FN) compared with the same surface without fibronectin (E60/10), and a more than four-fold increase in calcium concentration was observed on E60/10FN compared with the non-etched control (NE0) and etched control (E0) surfaces. Through a series of analyses to determine the expression of osteoblast marker genes, a significant increase in all the marker genes except type I collagen ${\alpha}1$ mRNA was seen with E60/10FN more than with any of the other groups, as compared with NE0. CONCLUSION. The FN-conjugated, microgrooved Ti substrate can provide an effective surface to promote osteoblast differentiation and osteoblast marker gene expression in MSCs.