PURPOSES : Recently, air pollution caused by particulate matter has been worsening. Among the substances generating particulate matter, NOx is the main precursor of particulate matter and is widely distributed in areas with a high volume of traffic. TiO2 has been used as a material for removing NOx through a chemical reaction as a photocatalyst. In this context, the reduction of NOx through TiO2 concrete is proposed. However, the research on the surface deterioration on the performance of TiO2 concrete is not documented yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete by considering the concrete surface deterioration. METHODS : Freezing–thawing resistance test (KS F 2456) and scaling test (ASTM C 672) were performed to investigate the variation in the TiO2 penetration distribution and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete corresponding to surface deterioration. The long-term durability of TiO2 concrete was evaluated through an environmental resistance test and changes in TiO2 penetration depth and distribution characteristics. In addition, the NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete was evaluated as surface deterioration occurs. RESULTS : As a result of the freeze–thawing resistance test, a relative dynamic elastic modulus of more than 80 % was detected. In addition, a TiO2 penetration depth of 0.3 mm, NOx removal efficiency of 11.2 %, and a 30 % of TiO2 surface prediction mass ratio were achieved after 300 cycles. As a result of visual observation of the scaling test, “0, no scaling” was secured. After 50 cycles of scaling test, the TiO2 penetration depth, NOx removal efficiency, and TiO2 surface prediction mass ratio were 0.3 mm, 36.3 %, and 63 %, respectively. Through the results of the environmental resistance test, the excellent long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS : As a result of the experiment, long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete were secured. The application of TiO2 concrete can be a good alternative with long-term performance and durability.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of reducing nitrogen oxide concentration in a photocatalyst (titanium dioxide) using statistical methods such as the Anderson-Darling test. METHODS : To compare and analyze the effect of reducing the nitrogen oxide concentrations in titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide was applied to the public road, and data acquisition in terms of nitrogen oxide concentration was conducted from roads with/without applying titanium dioxide (test section and reference section, respectively). Then, the probabilities of occurrence of nitrogen oxide concentrations in the test and reference sections were estimated and compared using the Anderson-Darling test. RESULTS : According to the comparison and analysis of probabilities in the nitrogen oxide concentration of the test and reference sections, the probabilities of nitrogen oxide concentration on December 4th were estimated as ‘High’ (17.5%, 37.9%), ‘Moderate’ (30.5%, 40.8%), and ‘Low’ (52.0%, 21.3%), respectively, and on December 5th, as ‘High’ (20.6%, 39.1%), ‘Moderate’ (26.2%, 33.0%), and ‘Low’ (53.2%, 27.9%), respectively. In addition, the probabilities of nitrogen oxide concentration in the test and reference sections were analyzed on December 6th as ‘High’ (16.5%, 36.8%), ‘Moderate’ (27.9%, 38.5%), and ‘Low’ (55.6%, 24.8%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS : Based on the results of this study, in the test section with application of titanium dioxide, the nitrogen oxide concentration was found to have a low probability, and in the reference section, the nitrogen oxide concentration was found to be higher than that in the test section. Therefore, it can be concluded that titanium dioxide applied to road facilities has a nitrogen oxide reduction effect.

PURPOSES : This study analyzes the characteristics of nitrogen oxide concentration by applying titanium dioxide to existing roads in urban areas, using correlation analysis and a generalized linear model. METHODS : To analyze the characteristics of nitrogen oxide concentration with/without applying titanium dioxide to the urban road segment, data acquisition was conducted for nitrogen oxide concentration, weather information, and traffic information, etc., and a correlation analysis was conducted for each factor, with/without applying titanium dioxide to the roads. In addition, nitrogen oxide concentration generation models with/without the application of titanium dioxide to the roads were estimated using a generalized linear model. RESULTS : The results demonstrate that relative humidity and temperature were found to be slightly correlated with the nitrogen oxide concentration, both with and without the application of titanium dioxide to the roads; however, wind speed, solar radiation, and traffic volume were found to have somewhat low correlation according to the results of a correlation analysis. Moreover, relative humidity, temperature, solar radiation, and traffic volume were significant when titanium dioxide was applied to the roads, based on the estimated model from a generalized linear model, and the wind speed, solar radiation, and traffic volume were significant for the absence of titanium dioxide on the roads. CONCLUSIONS : Analytical results indicated that the characteristics of nitrogen oxide concentration vary depending on the application of titanium dioxide to the roads. In particular, when titanium dioxide was applied to the roads, the relative humidity and temperature were analyzed; according to both analyses, i.e., correlation analysis and a generalized linear model, the nitrogen oxide concentration was affected.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics of nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentration in an exclusive median bus lane station. The hourly variations of NOx concentration and the effect of traffic volume on NOx concentration were analyzed using NOx measurement data and the number of vehicles at the station. METHODS : Data were collected using the chemiluminescence method for NOx concentration. Atmospheric information and traffic volume of buses were collected from the Korea Meteorological Administration and Bus Information System, respectively. RESULTS : As a result, the NO2 concentration in the test section was found to have a strong correlation with those in the atmospheric measurement station located near the test-bed. In addition, the average NOx concentrations in the test section were significantly higher than those of the other monitoring stations due to bus emissions. The average NOx concentration in the exit section was higher than that in the entry section owing to the vehicle’s frequent stops and fuel consumption due to acceleration. During the measurement period, the average NOx concentration was measured as approximately 33 % higher in the exit section than in the entry section. In addition, the NOx concentration at the bus station was found to increase as the bus dwell time increased, rather than the number of bus passages. CONCLUSIONS : This study provides clear characteristics of the NOx correlations with traffic information in an exclusive median bus lane station. It was shown that the NOx concentration at the bus station increased as the number of passes and bus dwell time increased. According to the coefficient of determination, the dwell time is more closely correlated to the NOx concentration at the bus station than the number of bus passes, indicating that it is a better parameter for predicting NOx concentration at bus stations.

PURPOSES : NOx is a particle matter precursor that is harmful to humans. Various methods of removing NOx from the air have been developed. TiO2 and activated carbon are particularly useful materials for removing NOx, and the method is known as particulate matter precursor reduction. The removal of NOx using TiO2 requires sunlight for the photocatalytic reaction, whereas activated carbon absorbs NOx particles into its pores after contact with the atmosphere. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 and activated carbon applied to concrete surfaces using the penetration method. METHODS : Surface penetration agents, such as silane-siloxane and silicate, were used. Photocatalyst TiO2 and adsorbent activated carbons were selected as the materials for NOx removal. TiO2 used in this study was formed by crystal structures of anatase and rutile, and plant-type and coal-type materials were used for the activated carbon. Each surface penetration agent was mixed with each particulate matter sealer at a concentration ratio of 8:2, and the mixtures were sprayed onto the surface. The NOx removal efficiency was evaluated using NOx removal efficiency equipment fabricated in compliance with the ISO 22197-1 standard. RESULTS : Anatase TiO2 showed a maximum NOx removal efficiency of 48% when 500 g/m² was applied. However, 500 g/m² of rutile TiO2 showed a NOx removal efficiency of up to 10%. When 700 g/m² of coal-based activated carbon and plant-based activated carbon was used, NOx removal efficiencies of up to 11% and 14%, respectively, were obtained. CONCLUSIONS : Rutile TiO2, a coal-based activated carbon, and plant-based activated carbon have lower NOx removal efficiencies than anatase TiO2. A lower amount of anatase TiO2 (500 g/m²), compared to the other spraying volumes, yielded the most significant NOx removal efficiency under optimal conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that 500 g/m² of anatase TiO2 should be sprayed onto concrete structures to improve the economic and long-term performance of these structures.

PURPOSES : This study analyzes the characteristics of generated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) at roadsides using a statistical method, namely, a generalized linear model (GLM). The study also investigates the applicability and capability of a machine learning methods such as a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) for predicting PM2.5 and NOX generations. METHODS : To analyze the characteristics of PM2.5 and NOX generations at roadsides, data acquisition was conducted in a specific segment of roads, and PM2.5 and NOX prediction models were estimated using GLM. In addition, to investigate the applicability and capability of a machine learning methods, PM2.5 and NOX prediction models were estimated using a GRNN and were compared with models employing previously estimated GLMs using r-square, mean absolute deviation (MAD), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean square error (RMSE) as parameters. RESULTS : Results revealed that relative humidity, wind speed, and traffic volume were significant for both PM2.5 and NOX prediction models based on estimated models from a GLM. In addition, to compare the applicability and capability of the GLM and GRNN models (i.e., PM2.5 and NOX prediction models), the GRNN model of PM2.5 and NOX prediction was found to yield better statistical significance for r-square, MAD, MAPE, and RMSE as compared with the same parameters used in the GLM. CONCLUSIONS : Analytical results indicated that a higher relative humidity and traffic volume could lead to higher PM2.5 and NOX concentrations. By contrast, lower wind speed could affect higher PM2.5 and NOX concentrations at roadsides. In addition, based on a comparison of two statistical methods (i.e., GLM and GRNN models used to estimate PM2.5 and NOX), GRNN model yielded better statistical significance as compared with GLM.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to figure out the trend and characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentration in underpass sections. The effect of traffic and meteorological condition on PM2.5 / NOx concentration was analyzed using field monitoring data. METHODS : Based on the literature review, PM2.5 and NOx concentration data were monitored using DustTrak II aerosol monitoring system and Serinus 40 oxides of nitrogen analyzer, respectively. Meteorological and traffic information was collected using automatic weather system and traffic volume counter, respectively. RESULTS : PM2.5 has a positive and negative correlation with relative humidity and wind speed, respectively. Meanwhile, NOx was found to have no correlation with meteorological conditions. The NO/NO2 ratio tends to change with traffic volume, indicating higher correlation between NO and traffic volume; the observed NO2 is mostly a secondary material produced by NO oxidation. CONCLUSIONS : Our study provides clear characteristics of NOx and PM2.5 and correlations with meteorological and traffic information in the underpass sections. It is found from this study that the increase in wind speed causes reduction in the concentration of PM2.5 owing to the diffusion and dispersion phenomena. On the other hand, the meteorological conditions were found to barely have correlations with NOx concentrations in this study. The traffic volume could significantly affect the NOx concentration and NO / NO2 ratio, which is directly correlated to the emissions from vehicles.

Carbon supports for dispersed platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are being continuously developed to improve electrochemical performance and catalyst stability. However, carbon supports still require solutions to reduce costs and improve catalyst efficiency. In this study, we prepare well-dispersed Pt electrocatalysts by introducing titanium dioxide (TiO2) into biomass based nitrogen-doped carbon supports. In order to obtain optimized electrochemical performance, different amounts of TiO2 component are controlled by three types (Pt/TNC-2 wt%, Pt/TNC-4 wt%, and Pt/TNC-6 wt%). Especially, the anodic current density of Pt/TNC-4 wt% is 707.0 mA g−1 pt, which is about 1.65 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C (429.1 mA g−1 pt); Pt/TNC-4wt% also exhibits excellent catalytic stability, with a retention rate of 91 %. This novel support provides electrochemical performance improvement including several advantages of improved anodic current density and catalyst stability due to the well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles on the support by the introduction of TiO2 component and nitrogen doping in carbon. Therefore, Pt/TNC-4 wt% may be electrocatalyst a promising catalyst as an anode for high-performance DMFCs.

Recently air pollution is becoming a global environment issue. Especially, the smoke from engines and boiler systems, which burn fossil fuels directly, is an extremely serious issue. For this reason, IMO is tightening regulations for the control of NOx and SOx. Therefore, in this study, the NOx reduction effect of emulsified oil mixed with 10% of water was tested after applying the emulsified oil to an industrial boiler burner using Bunker-C oil. The study showed that the exhaust gas oxygen concentration of emulsified oil was nearly 1.3% high and this was identified by the effect of dissolved oxygen contained in water. Also, based on the standard oxygen concentration(4%), the average and maximum NOx reduction rates were 28.53% and 30.23% respectively, which means the reduction efficiency was very high.

대기오염물질 중 미세먼지는 심각한 사회적 환경문제로 인식되고 있다. 미세먼지의 원인 물질 중 하나인 질소산화물(NOx)은 석탄화력발전소의 연소공정에서 주로 발생하므로 효율적인 NOx 제거가 필요한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 선택적 촉매 환원법(Selective Catalytic Reduction, SCR)을 이용한 NOx 제거에서 TiO2 광촉매의 NO 제거효율을 연구하였다. NO 제거효율을 평가하기 위해 발열제가 내장된 Al2O3 기판 표면에 TiO2 촉매와 인산염의 접착 바인더를 혼합하여 도포한 후 제조된 기판을 열처리하면서 실험을 수행하였다. 온도에 따른 촉매의 NO 제거효율을 평가하였고, 촉매의 물리화학적 특성을 위하여 XRD, SEM, TG-DTA, BET 분석을 수행하였다. NOx 제거 효율은 시간에 따른 온도변화(250℃∼500℃) 로 20분에서 제거효율은 58.7%∼65.9%이며, 30분에서 63.7%∼66.0%로 나타났다. 질소산화물 제거용 SCR로 사용되는 TiO2는 300℃가 제거효율이 가장 효율적인 것으로 판단된다.

울금(Curcuma longa L.)의 산화억제 및 질소산화물 소거활성 등 기능성 소재로서 활용 가능성을 검토한 결과, 프로안토시아니딘(proanthocyanidin) 함량은 69.000±2.737 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g dry weight으로 확인되었으며, 증류수(distilled water, DW), 70% 에탄올 및 노르말 부탄올(n-butanol)의 3가지 용매를 사용한 추출 수율은 DW (17.11%), 70% 에탄올(15.26%), 노르말 부탄올(4.12%) 순으로 관찰되었다. 총 플라보노이드(total flavonoid) 함량은 DW, 70% 에탄올 및 노르말 부탄올에서 각각 0.032, 0.512 및 2.221 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g의 함량으로 나타났고, 노르말 부탄올에서는 유의적인 차이를 보이며 높게 관찰되었다(p<0.05). Nitric oxide (NO) 라디칼 소거 활성은 농도 별(0.2~0.8 mg/mL) DW에서 15.64~26.20%, 70% 에탄올 10.52~20.76%, 노르말 부탄올 에서 13.39~69.92%로 확인되었다. Nitrite (NO2) 소거활성은 DW 및 70% 에탄올과 비교하였을 때 노르말 부탄올에서 강한 NO2 소거활성을 보였다. β-carotene 탈색 저해활성은 DW에서 8.81~25.93%, 70% 에탄올 1.20~20.20%, 노르말 부탄올 12.08~43.93%로 나타났다. 지질과산화 저해활성은 DW, 70% 에탄올 및 노르말 부탄올에서 각각 5.60~27.54%, 37.78~50.79% 및 41.79~46.39%로 동정되었다. 이에, 천연 항산화제 등 기능성 소재로서의 활용 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Nitrogen (N)-doped protein-based carbon as platinum (Pt) catalyst supports from tofu for oxygen reduction reactions are synthesized using a carbonization and reduction method. We successfully prepare 5 wt% Pt@N-doped protein-based carbon, 10 wt% Pt@N-doped protein-based carbon, and 20 wt% Pt@N-doped protein-based carbon. The morphology and structure of the samples are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron micro scopy, and crystllinities and chemical bonding are identified using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxygen reduction reaction are measured using a linear sweep voltammogram and cyclic voltammetry. Among the samples, 10 wt% Pt@N-doped protein-based carbon exhibits exellent electrochemical performance with a high onset potential of 0.62 V, a high E1/2 of 0.55 V, and a low ΔE1/2= 0.32 mV. Specifically, as compared to the commercial Pt/C, the 10 wt% Pt@N-doped proteinbased carbon had a similar oxygen reduction reaction perfomance and improved electrochemical stability.

질산성 질소는 수용액에서 상당히 안정하게 존재하기 때문에 제거하는 데에 있어 상당한 기술 이 요구된다. 또한 저 농도의 질산성 질소는 쉽게 제거되는 반면 고농도 질산성 질소는 제거하기가 힘들 다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 직경 3mm 정도의 아연 ball을 이용하여 고농도의 질산성 질소를 기체 질소의 형태로 제거하는 것을 목적으로 하였고, 다양한 반응조건에서 질산성 질소의 제거 특성을 실험하였다. 본 연구의 결과로 아연 ball을 사용하여 연속식 처리를 통한 질산성 질소의 처리효율은 약 80%정도 되었다. 하지만 폐수를 수소이온농도 2 정도의 산성 분위기로 유지시켜야하고 처리된 폐수를 중화 처리하여 방류 시켜야하는 등의 문제점은 상존하고 있다.