• Wind and Structures
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.431-446
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• 2017

As concrete is most usable material in construction industry it's been required to improve its quality. Nowadays, nanotechnology offers the possibility of great advances in construction. In this study, buckling of horizontal concrete columns reinforced with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is analyzed. Due to the presence of ZnO nanoparticles which have piezoelectric properties, the structure is subjected to electric field for intelligent control. The Column is located in foundation with vertical springs and shear modulus constants. Sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory (SSDBT) is applied to model the structure mathematically. Micro-electro-mechanic model is utilized for obtaining the equivalent properties of system. Using the nonlinear stress-strain relation, energy method and Hamilton's principal, the motion equations are derived. The buckling load of the column is calculated by Difference quadrature method (DQM). The aim of this study is presenting a mathematical model to obtain the buckling load of structure as well as investigating the effect of nanotechnology and electric filed on the buckling behavior of structure. The results indicate that the negative external voltage applied to the structure, increases the stiffness and the buckling load of column. In addition, reinforcing the structure by ZnO nanoparticles, the buckling load of column is increased.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.55-71
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• 2013

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is vital for detecting the onset of damage and for preventing catastrophic failure of civil infrastructure systems. In particular, piezoelectric transducers have the ability to excite and actively interrogate structures (e.g., using surface waves) while measuring their response for sensing and damage detection. In fact, piezoelectric transducers such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have been used for various laboratory/field tests and possess significant advantages as compared to visual inspection and vibration-based methods, to name a few. However, PZTs are inherently brittle, and PVDF films do not possess high piezoelectricity, thereby limiting each of these devices to certain specific applications. The objective of this study is to design, characterize, and validate piezoelectric nanocomposites consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles assembled in a PVDF copolymer matrix for sensing and SHM applications. These films provide greater mechanical flexibility as compared to PZTs, yet possess enhanced piezoelectricity as compared to pristine PVDF copolymers. This study started with spin coating dispersed ZnO- and PVDF-TrFE-based solutions to fabricate the piezoelectric nanocomposites. The concentration of ZnO nanoparticles was varied from 0 to 20 wt.% (in 5 % increments) to determine their influence on bulk film piezoelectricity. Second, their electric polarization responses were obtained for quantifying thin film remnant polarization, which is directly correlated to piezoelectricity. Based on these results, the films were poled (at 50 $MV-m^{-1}$) to permanently align their electrical domains and to enhance their bulk film piezoelectricity. Then, a series of hammer impact tests were conducted, and the voltage generated by poled ZnO-based thin films was compared to commercially poled PVDF copolymer thin films. The hammer impact tests showed comparable results between the prototype and commercial samples, and increasing ZnO content provided enhanced piezoelectric performance. Lastly, the films were further validated for sensing using different energy levels of hammer impact, different distances between the impact locations and the film electrodes, and cantilever free vibration testing for dynamic strain sensing.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.23.1-23.6
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• 2016

With the rapid developments in nanotechnology, an increasing number of nanomaterials have been applied in various aspects of our lives. Recently, pharmaceutical nanotechnology with numerous advantages has growingly attracted the attention of many researchers. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are nanomaterials that are widely used in many fields including diagnostics, therapeutics, drug-delivery systems, electronics, cosmetics, sunscreens, coatings, ceramic products, paints, and food additives, due to their magnetic, catalytic, semiconducting, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, ultraviolet-protective, and binding properties. The present review focused on the recent research works concerning role of ZnO-NP on inflammation. Several studies have reported that ZnO-NP induces inflammatory reaction through the generation of reactive oxygen species by oxidative stress and production of inflammatory cytokines by activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Meanwhile, other researchers reported that ZnO-NP exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, caspase-1, $I{\kappa}B$ $kinase{\beta}$, receptor interacting protein2, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Previous studies reported that size and shape of nanoparticles, surfactants used for nanoparticles protection, medium, and experimental conditions can also affect cellular signal pathway. This review indicated that the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of ZnO-NP was determined by the nanoparticle size as well as various experimental conditions. Therefore, the author suggests that pharmaceutical therapy with the ZnO-NP is one of the possible strategies to overcome the inflammatory reactions. However, further studies should be performed to maximize the anti-inflammatory effect of ZnO-NP to apply as a potential agent in biomedical applications.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2013

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely used in a variety of products and cosmetic products including paper, paints, plastics and sunscreen. However, information on the safety of ZnONPs are not enough and many publications suggest possible toxic effects on environmental and human health. Furthermore, physico-chemical characteristics of nanoparticles makes it hard to test toxicity using the test guidelines of chemicals adopted by regulatory bodies. In this study, stability of ZnONPs was investigated using different types of isotonic solution, which is important in the toxicity study of intravenous route. Precipitation, aggregation, size, zeta potential and morphology of ZnONPs were evaluated with different times and concentrations. Precipitation of ZnONPs were observed in ionic isotonic solution including phosphate-buffered saline, Kreb's-Ringer solution, physiological salt solution and cell culture media of DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium) with 10% fetal bovine serum. On the other hand, they were stable without precipitation in non-ionic isotonic solution such as 5% glucose and 2% glycerol, respectively, which are biocompatible for intravenous injection. The average size of ZnONPs in 5% glucose and 2% glycerol was stably maintained, which is less than 30 nm and very similar as that in water dispersion of ZnONPs, provided by the manufacturer. The stability was maintained during the experimental period of 5 days and diluted state up to 15,000 ppm. These data suggest that 5% glucose and 2% glycerol solution can be used for the vehicles of ZnONPs in the toxicity study of intravenous injection route.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2010

Transition metals such as V, Fe, and Ni were used to synthesize doped zinc oxide nanoparticles from mixed liquid precursors by using the flame spray pyrolysis (FSP). The effects of dopants on the powder properties such as morphology, specific surface area, crystal structure, and light adsorption were analyzed by TEM, BET, XRD, and UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectrum (DRS), respectively. The results showed that hexagonal wurtzite structured ZnO:M (M = V, Fe, Ni) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the FSP. The transition metal-doping resulted in the decrease in its particle size and crystallite size. The UV-vis absorption spectra of ZnO:M nanoparticles were also red-shifted. ZnO:V showed the highest MB degradation of 99.4% under the UV irradiation after 3 hrs.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.271-274
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• 2011

Screen-printed source and drain electrodes were used for a spin-coated and inkjet-processed zinc-tin oxide (ZTO) TFTs for the first time. Source and drain were silver nanoparticles. Channel length was patterned using screen printing technology. Different silver nanoinks and process parameters were tested to find optimal source and drain contacts Relatively good electrical properties of a screen-printed inkjet-processed oxide TFT were obtained as follows; a mobility of 1.20 $cm^2$/Vs, an on-off current ratio of $10^6$, a Vth of 5.4 V and a subthreshold swing of 1.5 V/dec.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 2010

Zinc oxide(ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized by reacting an aqueous-alcoholic zinc nitrate solution to sodium hydroxide under ultrasonic irradiation at room temperature. The fullerene($C_{60}$) and ZnO nanoparticles were heated individually in an electric furnace for two hours at $700^{\circ}C$. The morphology and optical properties of the $C_{60}$ and ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and ultraviolet/visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the heated and unheated the $C_{60}$ and ZnO nanoparticles for the decomposition of methylene blue(MB), methyl orange(MO) and rhodamine B(RhB) was examined using UV-vis spectroscopy.

• 한국정보디스플레이학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.08a
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• pp.703-706
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• 2006

Zinc oxide nanocrystals are attractive candidates for a solution-processable semiconductor for high performance thin film field effect transistors. We have studied ZnO thin film transistor fabricated by solution process and have improved $V_{th}$ by controlling the ZnO ink additives. Synthesized ZnO nanoparticles of 30nm were dispersed in solvent to make the ZnO ink. ZnO ink was spin coated on silicon wafer and after heat treatment electrodes were patterned.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.577-592
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• 2023

In this study, nanofiber-based textile sensors were developed for motion detection and monitoring. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers containing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and silver nanowires (AgNW) were fabricated using electrospinning. PVDF was chosen as a piezoelectric polymer, zinc oxide as a piezoelectric ceramic, and AgNW as a metal to improve electric conductivity. The PVDF/ZnO/AgNW nanocomposite fibers were used to develop a textile sensor, which was then incorporated into an elbow band to develop a wearable smart band. Changes in the output voltage and peak-to-peak voltage (V_p-p) generated by the joint's flexion and extension were investigated using a dummy elbow. The β-phase crystallinity of pure PVDF nanofibers was 58% when analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; however, the β-phase crystallinity increased to 70% in PVDF nanofibers containing ZnO and to 78% in PVDF nanocomposite fibers containing both ZnO and AgNW. The textile sensor's output voltage values varied with joint-bending angle; upon increasing the joint angle from 45° to 90° to 150°, the V_p-p value increased from 0.321 V_p-p to 0.542 V_p-p to 0.660 V_p-p respectively. This suggests that the textile sensor can be used to detect and monitor body movements.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.16-25
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• 2023

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the cell viability and antimicrobial effects of orthodontic bands coated with silver or zinc oxide nanoparticles (nano-Ag and nano-ZnO, respectively). Methods: In this experimental study, 30 orthodontic bands were divided into three groups (n = 10 each): control (uncoated band), Ag (silver-coated band), and ZnO (zinc oxide-coated band). The electrostatic spray-assisted vapor deposition method was used to coat orthodontic bands with nano-Ag or nano-ZnO. The biofilm inhibition test was used to assess the antimicrobial effectiveness of nano-Ag and nano-ZnO against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Candida albicans. Biocompatibility tests were conducted using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The groups were compared using oneway analysis of variance with a post-hoc test. Results: The Ag group showed a significantly higher reduction in the number of L. acidophilus, C. albicans, and S. mutans colonies than the ZnO group (p = 0.015, 0.003, and 0.005, respectively). Compared with the control group, the Ag group showed a 2-log₁₀ reduction in all the microorganisms' replication ability, but only S. mutants showed a 2-log₁₀ reduction in replication ability in the ZnO group. The lowest mean cell viability was observed in the Ag group, but the difference between the groups was insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Coating orthodontic bands with nano-ZnO or nano-Ag induced antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens. Among the nanoparticles, nano-Ag showed the best antimicrobial activity and nano-ZnO showed the highest biocompatibility.