Synthesis of mesoporous alumina by using a cost-effective template

A salt of stearic acid, i.e., magnesium stearate [(C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Mg], can be used as a chemical template for the formation of mesoporous alumina, and is a less expensive reagent than stearic acid. Mesoporous alumina prepared using this cost-effective surfactant shows similar pore properties with respect to pore size (3.5 nm) and surface area (above 300 m²Vg) to that prepared using stearic acid. In addition, textural porosity, arising from non-crystalline intraaggregate voids and spaces, was effectively removed by the addition of magnesium nitrate. The entire transformation from aluminum hydroxide to active alumina was performed at 550 °C, and the crystallinity of the product was confirmed by powder XRD analysis.²⁷A1 MAS NMR result shows the phase of mesoporous alumina is the γ-alumina form.     

Electrochemical sensor applications of Pt supported porous gold electrode prepared using cellulose-filter

A facile and rapid method for the synthesis of porous gold (PAu) electrodes on cellulose-filters is proposed. Morphology and active surface area of the electrode greatly influence the electrochemical properties of sensor. Compared to smooth electrode and glassy carbon, PAu and Pt/PAu electrode showed high roughness due to porous structure, which is helpful in electrochemical sensing of target molecules. The electrochemical sensing performance of Pt/PAu electrode was evaluated to detect hydrogen peroxide, glucose, and perchloric acid. The amperometric results with various concentrations of target molecules showed potential applications of Pt/PAu electrode in sensitive and effective chemical sensors.     

Arm length dependency of Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods on the performance of photocatalytic hydrogen generation

Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods with different arm lengths were tested for the photocatalytic hydrogen generation reaction. Well-defined CdSe tetrapods with controlled wurtzite arm lengths were synthesized by the continuous precursor injection (CPI) approach. Pt nanocrystals with an extremely small size of ～1 nm were directly decorated on the overall surfaces of CdSe tetrapods. Ligand-exchanged Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods with different arm lengths were employed as photocatalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen generation reaction in the presence of hole scavengers. Pt-decorated CdSe tetrapods with shorter arm length showed the highest photocatalytic efficiency, which is due to higher probability of charge separation.     

Batch adsorptive removal of copper ions in aqueous solutions by ion exchange resins: 1200H and IRN97H

The removal of copper from aqueous solution by ion exchange resins, such as 1200H and IRN97H, is described. Effect of initial metal ion concentration, agitation time and pH on adsorption capacities of ion exchange resins was investigated in a batch mode. The adsorption process, which is pH dependent, shows maximum removal of copper in the pH range 2–7 for an initial copper concentration of 10 mg/L. The experimental data have been analyzed by using the Freundlich, Langmuir, Redlich-Peterson, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. The batch sorption kinetics have been tested for a first-order, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic reaction models. The rate constants of adsorption for all these kinetic models have been calculated. Results showed that the intraparticle diffusion and initial sorption into resins of Cu(II) in the ion exchange resins was the main rate limiting step. The uptake of copper by the ion exchange resins was reversible and thus has good potential for the removal/recovery of copper from aqueous solutions. We conclude that such ion exchange resins can be used for the efficient removal of copper from water and wastewater. This paper is dedicated to Professor Hyun-Ku Rhee on the occasion of his retirement from Seoul National University.     

CO oxidation from syngas (CO and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>) using nanoporous Pt/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst

The concept of “waste-to-wealth” is spreading awareness to prevent global warming and recycle the restrictive resources. To contribute towards sustainable development, hydrogen energy is obtained from syngas (CO and H₂) generated from waste gasification, followed by CO oxidation and CO₂ removal. In H₂ generation, it is key to produce more purified H₂ from syngas using heterogeneous catalysts. In this respect, we prepared Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst with nanoporous structure using precipitation method, and compared its catalytic activity with commercial alumina (Degussa). Based on the results of XRD and TEM, it was found that metal particles did not aggregate on the alumina surface and showed high dispersion. Optimum condition for CO conversion was 1.5 wt% Pt loaded on Al₂O₃ support, and pure hydrogen was obtained after removal of CO₂ gas.     

Fabrication of a 3-dimensional microstructure by sequential anodic oxidation (SAO)

Scanning probe lithography (SPL) has considerable potential for producing small features (<100 nm) with a high spatial precision, and would be useful for fabricating 2-dimensional (2D) structures. However, it has not been used successfully in the fabrication of 3-dimensional (3D) structures due to the low aspect ratio of the resulting feature. Herein, we describe a simple 3D pattering method with repeated SPL, in which precise layer-by-layer alignment is not needed. Results and processes of the pattern can be readily observed in real-time. Using the proposed method, we successfully fabricated a 3D pyramidal structure. Additional growth for repeated oxidation was observed due to the superposition of energy absorbed on the pre-oxidized species.     

Exposure assessment of engineered nanomaterials in the workplace

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field and numerous products containing engineered nanomaterials are already in the market. With the increasing use of engineered nanomaterials, it is expected to increase the exposures to nanomaterials in the workplace. However, the researches on the exposure assessment of nanomaterials to humans and the environment are just a beginning step, as the nanotechnology industries are expanding. Questionnaire surveys conducted by various organizations reveal that many nanotechnology companies are searching for information on exposure measurement for the protection of workers who handle nanomaterials. We analyze the trends of researches on the occupational exposure measurement of engineered nanomaterials and investigate the methodologies of exposure assessment recommended by the related working groups. This work is expected to fill the gaps in knowledge on the exposure assessment of nanomaterials.     

Facile Fabrication and Superparamagnetism of Silica‐Shielded Magnetite Nanoparticles on Carbon Nitride Nanotubes

Using conventional methods to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) with uniform size is a challenging task. Moreover, the degradation of magnetic NPs is an obstacle to practical applications. The fabrication of silica‐shielded magnetite NPs on carbon nitride nanotubes (CNNTs) provides a possible route to overcome these problems. While the nitrogen atoms of CNNTs provide selective nucleation sites for NPs of a particular size, the silica layer protects the NPs from oxidation. The morphology and crystal structure of NP–CNNT hybrid material is investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction. In addition, the atomic nature of the N atoms in the NP–CNNT system is studied by near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (nitrogen K‐edge) and calculations of the partial density of states based on first principles. The structure of the silica‐shielded NP–CNNT system is analyzed by TEM and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy mapping, and their magnetism is measured by vibrating sample and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometers. The silica shielding helps maintain the superparamagnetism of the NPs; without the silica layer, the magnetic properties of NP–CNNT materials significantly degrade over time.     

Ferromagnetic signal in nanosized Ag particles

A new technique using an inductively coupled plasma reactor equipped with a liquid-nitrogen cooling system was developed to prepare Ag nanoparticles. The magnetic signal from these Ag particles with diameters of 4 nm showed, surprisingly, a signal with combined ferromagnetic and diamagnetic components, in contrast to the signal with only one diamagnetic component from bulk Ag. The same technique was used to prepare the Ag/Cu nanoparticles, which are Ag nanoparticles coated with a Cu layer. Compared to the Ag nanoparticles, these showed a greatly enhanced superparamagnetic signal in addition to the same value of the ferromagnetism. The comparison between the Ag and the Ag/Cu nanoparticles indicated that the ferromagnetic components are a common feature of Ag nanoparticles while the greatly enhanced paramagnetic component of Ag/Cu, which dominates over the background diamagnetic component from the Ag core, is from the outer Cu shell.