본 연구에서는 고분자 점도 조절제를 첨가하여 졸-겔법 기반 알루미나 나노여과막을 단일 공정으로 제조하고, 코 팅층의 구조 및 성능을 제어하는 방법을 제시하였다. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC, Mw ~80000) 고분자를 알루미나 졸에 첨가하여 점도를 10 mPa·s에서 최대 4200 mPa·s까지 조절하였으며, 이를 통해 알루미나 중공사 지지체 표면에 균일하고 결 함이 없는 선택층을 형성하였다. HPC 함량이 증가할수록 코팅층 두께가 증가하였으나, 기공 크기 증가에 따라 분리 성능이 저하되었다. 2:1 (졸:HPC 고분자 용액) 혼합비에서 제조된 나노여과막은 두께 3.20 μm의 얇은 선택층을 형성하여 높은 수투 과도(12.9 LMH/bar)와 우수한 제거 성능(PPG 1050 Da 제거율 60%, PEG 1500 Da 제거율 90%, MgCl2 제거율 80%)을 나타 냈다. 반면, 1:2 혼합비에서는 선택층 두께가 10.2 μm로 증가하였으나, 기공 크기가 증가하여 3400 Da MWCO와 64% 염 제 거율을 보였다. HPC 고분자를 활용한 점도 제어는 졸-겔 코팅층의 두께, 기공 구조 및 분리 성능을 효과적으로 조절할 수 있 음을 입증하였다.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are promising photocatalysts with a broad light absorption range and high catalytic activity. However, conventional synthesis methods often involve toxic chemicals, limiting their environmental applicability. In this study, we developed an eco-friendly bio-templating method to synthesize hierarchical micro/nano-structured silver (MNAg) photocatalysts that uses plant leaves, including Nelumbo nucifera (lotus leaf), Rosa sp. (rose petal), and Limonium sinuatum (statice petal), as natural templates. By modifying the leaf surfaces with citrate functional groups, AgNPs were selectively formed along the microstructures of the templates, preserving their hierarchical morphology. MNAg photocatalysts were subsequently obtained through controlled calcination, and successfully retained the microscale structure of the original template. The surface morphology, chemical composition and crystalline structure of the MNAg were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming the successful formation of hierarchical AgNPs. The optical behavior of the MNAg, characterized with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), demonstrated broadened absorption across the visible region, which is attributed to plasmonic coupling among the densely packed AgNPs, partially interconnected along the hierarchical surface. The photocatalytic performance of the MNAg materials was evaluated for methylene blue degradation under UV-Vis illumination. The MNAg derived from lotus leaves exhibited the highest photocatalytic efficiency. This study presents a sustainable route to hierarchical Ag photocatalysts, highlighting the potential of bio-inspired nanomaterials for environmental applications.

최근 신체 움직임, 심장 박동 감지 및 신체 감각 등과 같은 유연한 생체 전자 장치에 대한 연구가 급격히 성장하 고 있다. 압전 센서는 신체 움직임에 의해 생성된 압력을 전기 신호로 효율적으로 변환하기 때문에 인기 있는 웨어러블 장치 로, 자가 동력 웨어러블 장치의 대체 재생 가능한 에너지원 중 하나이다. 폴리(불화비닐리덴)(poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF)는 높은 기계적 강도와 쉬운 가공성 및 저렴한 재료를 가진 우수한 압전 폴리머이다. PVDF에 존재하는 5개의 결정상 중 β상이 가장 높은 쌍극자 모멘트를 가진 가장 큰 극성 구조이다. 전기 방사는 β상 배향을 유도하여 가장 높은 압전 특성 을 유도한다. 비-PVDF 고분자 멤브레인은 압전 특성은 PVDF 멤브레인에 비해 상대적으로 낮지만 높은 고분자 사슬의 유연 성, 낮은 결정성 및 높은 기공률을 가진다. 이로 인해 비 PVDF 멤브레인은 우수한 기계적 유연성과 여과 효율을 보인다. 이 리뷰에서는 생체 전기 적용을 위해 PVDF 및 nonPVDF 유형의 멤브레인이 모두 논의된다.

We present an atomistic investigation of the oxygen activation of a Pt nanoparticle with 147 atoms (Pt147), focusing on the role of microfacets. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we evaluated the adsorption energy (Ead) of both molecular and atomic oxygen across the surface, along with the activation energy barrier (Eact) for O2 dissociation and subsequent atomic oxygen diffusion. The Pt147 exhibited a facet-dependent variation in O2 adsorption, while atomic oxygen displayed a relatively uniform Ead across the surface. This suggests that atomic oxygen can readily participate in surface reactions regardless of the location. The diffusion Eact values of atomic oxygen calculated along various pathways were lower than 0.61 eV, confirming the high surface mobility of oxygen atoms. Interestingly, we found a clear linear correlation between the Ead of O2 on Pt147 and the Eact of subsequent O2 dissociation. The results show that Pt nanoparticles with well-developed microfacets can efficiently activate molecular oxygen and facilitate oxidation reactions.

This research aimed to find an eco-friendly way to neutralize water recovered from ready-mixed concrete by dissolving carbon dioxide in it, and to verify the potential use of such water for mixing concrete. Carbon dioxide was injected using nanobubble technology into recovered water, and the optimized conditions for dissolution were established by analyzing the carbon dioxide concentration in the water and measuring pH over time. Mortar was manufactured using this recovered water following carbon dioxide nanobubbles treatment, and measurements of compressive strength and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted to verify the formation of calcium carbonate. 2,464 mg/L of carbon dioxide was dissolved in the recovered water, and the pH was measured to be 6.34. The compressive strength of the manufactured mortar was found to be 32.02 % stronger than mortar manufactured with normal tap water. According to the thermogravimetric analysis results, the amount of calcium hydroxide produced in the mortar manufactured with recovered water from ready-mixed concrete was 8.10 %, and the production amount of calcium carbonate was 6.49 %. This means that the amount of calcium carbonate produced was greater than that in mortar manufactured with normal tap water, as well as tap water containing nanobubble carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide was stably dissolved in water recovered from ready-mixed concrete using nanobubbles, enabling environmentally friendly neutralization without the use of chemicals. Also, when the recovered water from ready-mixed concrete containing dissolved carbon dioxide was used for mixing concrete, it was determined that the carbonation reaction influenced the formation of calcium carbonate, which contributed to the improvement in concrete strength.

Zinc oxide has attracted attention due to its high functionality, including chemical stability, high biocompatibility, and excellent optical properties. In particular, when the particles are nano-sized, they exhibit new characteristics, making them suitable for application in UV-filters, photo-catalysts and cosmetics. This paper provides an overview of nano zinc oxide used for UV filters, and summarizes domestic and international production technology and the industrial status of zinc oxide nano-powder. First, the concept and principle of the nano-sized zinc oxide manufacturing process is provided, and various types of manufacturing methods are analyzed, namely, wet process, dry process, and powder process. Next, the results of an analysis of the domestic sunscreen market size and company status are provided. The production processes of major domestic companies and their product characteristics, such as particle size, purity, surface treatment, and transparency of the zinc oxide powder being produced, are analyzed and provided. The characteristics of zinc oxide produced for use in sunscreens, both domestically and internationally, can be summarized as follows. Manufactured zinc oxide powder is white or transparent, and particle size typically ranges from 30 to 200 nm on average, although non-nano sized powders have also been developed in recent years. When used as a coating, the surface to be coated is typically treated with substances such as silicone oil or silane, and the powder is formulated into products by dispersing it in oil- or water-based systems.