Papers by Author: Jae Hong Park

Abstract: Even though activated carbon fibers (ACF) have been attractive due to high specific surface area and uniform micropore structure, there are only a few reports about the photocatalyst immobilization on ACF or their photodegradation behavior for removal of organic pollutants. In this study, ACF were selected as adsorptive support for photocatalyst immobilization. As photocatalysts, TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by using a N2-diluted and oxygen-enriched co-flow hydrogen diffusion flame. The visible flame length of 150mm was obtained by direct photographs. Flame temperature was measured by rapid insertion measurement technique with a R-type (Pt/Pt-13%Rd) thermocouple which was in wire shape (127μm diameter). TiO2 particles were sampled by using a high temperature particle sampler and then were coated on ACF filters. The sampling was carried out at 70mm and 110mm above the burner. The structure of TiO2 particles was analyzed by XRD. TiO2 coated ACF filters were characterized by FESEM-EDX and BET analyses. TiO2 particles on ACF filters were found to be agglomerated particles and the size of primary particles was approximately 50nm. The structure of TiO2 particle was anatase-phase crystalline structure. The specific surface area of TiO2 coated ACF filter was enhanced to be 1700~1860m2/g, depending on the sampling location, and the pores were micropores, regardless of the sampling location.

Abstract: Copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) known as antimicrobial materials were deposited on activated carbon fibers (ACF) by an electroless plating method. The metal deposited ACF filters were characterized by using SEM, EDX and XRD analyses. To verify the effects of metal deposition on the adsorptive characteristics of ACF filters, the specific surface area and pore structure were determined by BET equation and BJH method, respectively. The antimicrobial activities of metal deposited ACF filters against E. coli, P. fluorescens, B. subtilis and M. luteus were characterized by modified Kirby-Bauer method. By SEM-EDX and XRD analyses, it was confirmed that the electroless plating method was adequate for deposition of Cu and Ag on the surface of ACF filters. BET and BJH analyses showed that the micropore volume of metal plated ACF filters decreased compared to the pristine ACF filter. The inhibition zones, which represent the antimicrobial effects, were formed around the Cu and Ag deposited ACF filters whereas not in the case of pristine ACF.