• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.3586-3590
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• 2013

We present here an efficient and simple method for preparation of highly active heterogeneous ZnO photocatalyst (graphene oxide-zinc oxide: GO-ZnO), specifically by deposition of ZnO nanoparticles onto thiolated GOs. The resultant GO-ZnO sample was characterized by TEM, XRD, Auger, XPS, and Raman measurements, revealing that the size-similar and quasi-spherical ZnO nanoparticles were anchored to the thiolated GO surfaces. The average particle diameter was about 2.5 nm. In the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under ultraviolet (UV) light, GO-ZnO exhibited remarkably enhanced photocatalytic efficiency compared with thiolated GO and pure ZnO particles. This strong photocatalytic performance of GO-ZnO can be attributed to the suppression of electron recombination and the enhancement of mass transportation. The results showed that thiolated GO is the preferable supporting material.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.126-137
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• 2024

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized using three distinct zinc salts: zinc acetate, zinc chloride, and zinc nitrate. These ZnONPs were subsequently utilized in the fabrication of carrageenan-ZnONPs (Car-ZnONPs) composite films. The study assessed influence of the various ZnONPs on the morphological, water vapor barrier, color, optical, and antimicrobial properties of the Car-ZnONPs composite films. The surface morphology and UV-blocking attributes of the composite films were affected by the type of ZnONPs used, but their surface color, transparency, and chemical structure remained unaltered. The composite film's thickness and elongation at break (EB) significantly increased, while the tensile strength significantly decreased. In contrast, film's elastic modulus (EM) and water vapor permeability coefficient (WVP) showed no significant difference. All the composite films with added ZnONPs demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes . Among the carrageenan-based composite films, Car-ZnONPs^ZC showed the highest antibacterial and UV-blocking properties, and its elongation at break was significantly higher than that of the pure carrageenan films. This suggests that ZnONPs composite films have the potential to be used as an active packaging film, preserve the safety of the packaged food and extend shelf life.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.2004-2008
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• 2014

This paper reports the facile synthesis methods of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, Z1-Z10, using diethylene glycol (DEG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG400). The particle size and morphology were correlated with the PEG concentration and reaction time. With 0.75 mL of PEG400 in 150 mL of DEG and a 20 h reaction time, the ZnO nanoparticles began to disperse from a collective spherical grain shape. The ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and a $N_2$ adsorption-desorption studies. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas of Z4, Z5 and Z10 were 157.083, 141.559 and 233.249 $m^2/g$, respectively. The observed pore diameters of Z4, Z5 and Z10 were 63.4, 42.0 and 134.0 ${\AA}$, respectively. The pore volumes of Z4, Z5 and Z10 were 0.249, 0.148 and 0.781 $cm^3/g$, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles was evaluated by methylene blue (MB) degradation, and the activity showed a good correlation with the $N_2$ adsorption-desorption data.

• Journal of the Semiconductor & Display Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-5
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• 2021

Field-effect transistors based on solution-processed metal oxide semiconductors has attracted huge attention due to their intrinsic characteristics of optical and electrical characteristics with benefits of simple and low-cost process. Especially, spray-pyrolysis has shown excellent device performance which compatible to vacuum-processed Field-effect transistors. However, the high annealing temperature for crystallization of MOS and narrow range of precursors has impeded the progress of the technology. Here, we demonstrated the nc-ZnO/ZnO films performed by spray-pyrolysis with incorporating ZnO nanoparticles into typical ZnO precursor. The films exhibit preserving morphological properties of poly-crystalline ZnO and enhanced electrical characteristics with potential for low-temperature processability. The influence of nanoparticles within the film was also researched for realizing ZnO films providing good quality of performance.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.368-368
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• 2007

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has drawn much interest as a potential transparent conducting oxide (TCO) for applying to solar cell and front electrode of electro-luminescent devices. For the enhancement of electrical property of TCOs, dopant introduction and hybridization with conductive nanoparticles have been investigated. In this work, ZnO films were formed on glass substrate by using photochemical solution deposition of Ag nanoparticles dispersed or various metal (Ag, Cd, In, or Sn) contained photosensitive ZnO solutions. The usage of photosensitive solution permits us to obtain a micron-sized direct patterning of ZnO film without using conventional dry etching procedure. The structural, optical, and electrical characteristics of ZnO films with the introduction of metal dopants with/without Ag nanoparticles have been investigated to check whether there is a combined effect between metal dopants and Ag nanoparticles on the characteristics of ZnO film. The phase formation and crystallinity of ZnO film were monitored with X-ray diffractometer. The optical transmittance measurement was carried out using UV-VIS-NIR spectrometer and the electrical properties such as sheet resistance and conductivity were observed by using four-point probe.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1229-1238
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop and assess a chitosan biomedical antibacterial gel ZincOxide-GrapheneOxide/Chitosan/β-Glycerophosphate (ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP) loaded with nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) and graphene oxide (GO), known for its potent antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and sustained drug release. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were modified and integrated with GO sheets to create 1% and 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogels based on ZnO-GO to Chitosan (CS) mass ratio. Gelation time, pH, structural changes, and microscopic morphology were evaluated. The hydrogel's antibacterial efficacy against Porphyromonas gingivalis, biofilm biomass, and metabolic activity was examined alongside its impact (MC3T3-e1). The findings of this study revealed that both hydrogel formulations exhibited temperature sensitivity, maintaining a neutral pH. The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP formulation effectively inhibited P. gingivalis bacterial activity and biofilm formation, with a 3% ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP antibacterial rate approaching 100%. MC3T3-e1 cells displayed good biocompatibility when cultured in the hydrogel extract.The ZnO-GO/CS/β-GP thermo-sensitive hydrogel demonstrates favorable physical and chemical properties, effectively preventing P. gingivalis biofilm formation. It exhibits promising biocompatibility, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for managing and preventing peri-implantitis, subject to further clinical investigations.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2015

Nanotechnology has advanced at an extremely rapid pace over the past several years in numerous fields of research. However, the uptake of nanoparticles (NPs) into the body after administration through various routes may pose a risk to human health. In this study, we investigated the potential ocular toxicity of 20-nm, negatively- charged zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs in rats using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histopathological assessment. Animals were divided into four groups as control group, ZnO NPs treatment group (500 mg/kg/day), control recovery group, and ZnO NPs treatment and recovery group. Ocular samples were prepared from animals treated for 90 days (10 males and 10 females, respectively) and from recovery animals (5 males and 5 females, respectively) sacrificed at 14 days after final treatment and were compared to age-matched control animals. Micro-CT analyses represented the deposition and distribution of foreign materials in the eyes of rats treated with ZnO NPs, whereas control animals showed no such findings. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and energy dispersive spectrometry showed the intraocular foreign materials as zinc in treated rats, whereas control animals showed no zinc signal. Histopathological examination revealed the retinopathy in the eyes of rats treated with ZnO NPs. Neuronal nuclei expression was decreased in neurons of the ganglion cell layer of animals treated with ZnO NPs compared to the control group. Taken together, treatment with 20-nm, negatively-charged ZnO NPs increased retinopathy, associated with local distribution of them in ocular lesions.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.14-17
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• 2014

In this paper, indium reduced materials for transparent conductive electrodes (TCE) were fabricated and their physical properties were evaluated. Two of materials, indium-zinc-tin oxide (IZTO) and aluminum (Al) were selected as TCE materials. In case of IZTO nanoparticles, composition ratios of In, Zn and Sn is 8:1:1 were synthesized. Size of the synthesized IZTO nanoparticles were less than 10 nm, and specific surface areas were about $90m^2/g$ indicating particle sizes are very fine. Also, the IZTO nanoparticles were well crystallized with (222) preferred orientation despite it was synthesized at the lowered temperature of $300^{\circ}C$. Composition ratios of In, Zn and Sn were very uniform in accordance with those as designed. Meanwhile, Al was deposited onto glass by sputtering in a vacuum chamber for mesh architecture. The Al was well deposited onto the glass, and no pore was observed from the Al surface. The sheet resistance of Al on glass was about $0.3{\Omega}/{\square}$ with small deviation of $0.025{\Omega}/{\square}$, and adhesion was good on the glass substrate since no pelt-off part of Al was observed by tape test. If the Al mesh is combined with ink coated layer which is consistent of IZTO nanoparticles, it is expected that the good and reliable metal mesh architecture for TCE will be formed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2012

As nanotechnology is a key industry, there is growing concern relating to the potential risk of nanoparticles. They are known to be released into the environment via various exposure routes. When nanoparticles are present in water environments, they are supposed to be illuminated by ultraviolet light, and the ecotoxicity of photoactive nanoparticles may be changed. In this study, a review of the ecotoxicity of photoactive nanoparticles, including the mechanisms of phototoxicity, are presented. In order to address this issue, studies on the ecotoxicity to soil and water organisms exposed to photoactive nanoparticles were investigated. The photoactive nanoparticles chosen for this study were zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and fullerene. Microorganisms, nematode, earthworm, algae and fish, etc., were chosen to assess the toxicity of nanoparticles using diverse methods. However, studies on the phototoxicity potentially induced by nanoparticles on UV illumination have been reviewed in only 8 studies. From a few studies, photoactive nanoparticles have shown high dissolution rates under UV conditions, with the released ions observed to profoundly influence test organisms. In addition, NPs exposed to UV produced reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS can induce oxidative stress in exposed organisms. Evidence of phototoxicity by nanoparticles were found based on previous studies.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.125-130
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• 2022

We describe the importance of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP) concentration in the enhancement of electrical properties in a lead sulfide quantum dot (PbS QD)-based shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodetector. ZnO NPs were synthesized using the sol-gel method. The concentration of the ZnO NPs was controlled as 20, 30 and 40 mg/mL in this study. Note that the ZnO NPs layer is commonly used as an electron transport layer in PbS QDs SWIR photodetectors. The photo-to-dark ratio, which is an important parameter of a photodetector, was intensively examined to evaluate the electrical performance. The 20 mg/mL condition of ZnO NPs exhibited the highest photo-to-dark ratio value of 5 at -1 V, compared with 1.8 and 0.4 for 30 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL, respectively. This resulted because the electron mobility decreased when the concentration of ZnO NPs was higher than the optimized value. Based on our results, the concentration of ZnO NPs was observed to play an important role in the electrical performance of the PbS QDs SWIR photodetector.