Ki-Hyun Kim

Hanyang University · Air Quality & Materials Application Lab., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Exposure to common ionic pollutants, such as heavy metal ions and toxic anions, is a major concern throughout the world due to their potential impacts on human health and the environment. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with ion-exchange properties have attracted great interest with respect to the capture of diverse hazardous cationic and...

Remarkable advances have been achieved in modern material technology, especially in device fabrication, and these have facilitated the use of diverse materials in various applications. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are being successfully implemented in drug delivery, sensing, water purification, composite materials, and bone scaffolds. Thus, CNTs must me...

The detection of biomarkers present in biological fluids (e.g., serum, blood, saliva, and urine) is the primary step for the early diagnosis of associated diseases. In this context, the great utility of porous organic frameworks (POFs), including metal, covalent, and hydrogen-bonding organic frameworks, is recognized. These frameworks in combinatio...

The room temperature (RT)-catalytic oxidation of gaseous formaldehyde (FA) in the dark is regarded as one of the most viable technical options for its removal from indoor air. Herein, the copper manganite spinel (CuMn2O4) supported palladium (Pd) catalysts are firstly synthesized for the thermocatalytic oxidation of FA in air. In particular, 0.05%...

To learn more about the behavior of amine (NH2)-functionalized metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived noble metal catalysts in the removal of aromatic volatile organic compounds in air, benzene oxidation at low temperatures has been investigated using 0.2-, 0.8-, and 1.5%-platinum (Pt)/Universitetet i Oslo (UiO)-66-NH2. The benzene conversion (XB) o...

The catalytic activity of various transition metal oxides can be adjusted by controlling their synthesis conditions. In this regard, the thermocatalytic oxidation performance of cobalt(II,III) oxide (Co3O4) against formaldehyde (FA) is studied in relation to the temperature selected for its hydrothermal synthesis (e.g., 30 (as room temperature (RT)...

Formaldehyde (FA) is a hazardous indoor air pollutant with carcinogenic propensity. Oxidation of FA in the dark at low temperature (DLT) is a promising strategy for its elimination from indoor air. In this light, binary manganese-cobalt oxide (0.1 to 5 mol L-1-MnCo2O4) is synthesized and modified in an alkaline medium (0.1–5 mol L-1 potassium hydro...

Formaldehyde (FA) is present ubiquitously in indoor environment as a hazardous pollutant with carcinogenic risks. For the efficient mitigation of FA, catalytic oxidation is a recommendable option to simultaneously satisfy both material cost (e.g., avoiding noble metals) and low-energy requirement (under dark and at room temperature (RT)). From this...

A robust “on–off” fluorescent aptasensor was developed using nanohybrids of molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) quantum dot (QD)–doped zinc metal–organic frameworks (Zn-MOF) for selective and sensitive detection of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) in water. This nanohybrid (MoS2@Zn-MOF), synthesized via “bottle around the ship” methodology, exhibited a high-intensity flu...

Formaldehyde (FA), a carcinogenic oxygenated volatile organic compound, is ubiquitous in indoor air, making it a critical target for air quality management. The oxidative removal of FA under dark and room-temperature (RT) conditions is of practical significance. A series of ternary nickel–cobalt-manganese oxide–supported platinum catalysts (Pt/NiCo...

Photocatalytic removal of gaseous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been studied through the control of key process variables using a prototype air purifier (AP) fabricated with titanium dioxide (TiO2)-supported mercury. The performance of Hg/TiO2 systems, prepared with different Hg mass proportions over TiO2 (such as 0.1%, 1%, 2%, and 5%), is measured ag...

MXenes are an emerging class of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic materials with versatile application potentials such as adsorption and catalysis. Here, we describe the synthesis of a platinized titanium carbide MXene (Pt@Ti3C2) catalyst with varying amounts of platinum (0.1%–2 wt.%) for the low-temperature oxidation of benzene, an aromatic volatile...

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are well-known for their enhanced selectivity and affinity for specific targets even in complex matrices. As such, MIPs have been widely employed in various areas such as sensing, catalysis, and drug delivery applications. Considering the limitations of conventional synthesis approaches for MIPs (e.g., use of o...

The proper treatment of antibiotics has become a formidable challenge in environmental remediation. In this work, a mesoporous molecularly imprinted polymer (mMIP) was successfully fabricated on SiO2 by the sol gel process and used to selectively adsorb and detect antibiotic levofloxacin (LEVO). The adsorption characteristics of LEVO-mMIP were expl...

Core–Shell structured microspheres with a packed nano‐platelet copper hydroxysulfate (CHS) core and an octahedral crystalized metal–organic framework‐199 (CHS@M199) shell are synthesized and tested as adsorbent for gaseous formaldehyde (FA). CHS@M199 outperforms reference materials (e.g., activated carbon (AC), CHS, and M199) with adsorption capaci...

In light of potential risks of heavy metal exposure, diverse aptasensors have been developed through the combination with nanomaterials for their timely and efficient detection in environmental and biological matrices. Aptamer-based sensors can benefit from multiple merits such as heightened sensitivity, facile production, uncomplicated operation,...

The thermocatalytic oxidative potential of various supported noble metal catalysts (SNMCs) is well-known for hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde (FA) and toluene. However, little is known about SNMC performance against low-concentration VOC mixtures, as most previous studies dealt the relatively high concentrations (...

It is of significant practical interest to develop high-performance air purifier (AP) for removing carcinogenic volatile organic compounds present ubiquitously in indoor air (e.g., formaldehyde (FA)). In this regard, a portable AP system was designed by loading honeycomb ceramic filters with diaminopropane (DAP)-appended activated carbon (AC). The...

Minimal use of noble metals is ideal in developing catalytic systems against carcinogenic formaldehyde (FA) in air. Although single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been proposed to maximize atomic utilization, metals dispersed to the single-atom limit are less durable in redox environments. A highly dispersed platinum (Pt) ensemble (Ptn) on titanium dio...

In recent years, the building industry has looked for technological ways to protect the environment and preserve natural resources. Since the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a shortage of building materials, which has caused construction costs to go up. This has made it more important for sustainable development to be based on the principles of t...

Adsorptive removal of heavy metal ions from water is an energy- and cost-effective water decontamination technology. Schiff base functionalities can be incorporated into the pore cages of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) via direct synthesis, post-synthetic modification, and composite material preparation. Such incorporation can efficiently enhance...

The presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) can pose human health risks in diverse forms such as endocrine disruption, tumors, reproductive failure, and fetal damage. It is thus important to develop sensitive techniques to monitor the levels of ECs in foodstuffs with accuracy and selectivity. In recent years, aptasensors have emerged as bioprobes f...

Titanium dioxide-supported platinum (Pt@TiO2) is regarded as a highly efficient catalyst to degrade various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To learn more about the hybrid adsorption/catalysis process of Pt@TiO2, the adsorption behavior of FA onto Pt@TiO2 was studied both as single and as multicomponent phases (FA plus four aromatic compounds of...

Antibiotics are widely used as bacteriostatic or bactericidal agents against various microbial infections in humans and animals. The excessive use of antibiotics has led to an accumulation of their residues in food products, which ultimately poses a threat to human health. In light of the shortcomings of conventional methods for antibiotic detectio...

Formaldehyde (HCHO: FA) is one of the most abundant but hazardous gaseous pollutants. Transition metal oxide (TMO)‐based thermocatalysts have gained much attention in its removal due to their excellent thermal stability and cost‐effectiveness. Herein, a comprehensive review is offered to highlight the current progress in TMO‐based thermocatalysts (...

A clinical diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly achieved by estimating the serum levels of urea and creatinine (CR). Given the limitations of the conventional diagnostic assays, it is imperative to seek alternative, economical strategies for the detection of CKD-specific biomarkers with high specificity and selectivity. In this res...

In this research, the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red (CR) dye was investigated using hexagonal wurtzite structured zinc (Zn) oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs: crystallite size of ∼ 21 nm and band gap energy of 2.88 eV) prepared through the reduction of a Zn salt using Carica (C.) papaya leaf extract. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spect...

A useful tool is established for the selective identification and isolation for a list of phthalates (PTHs: e.g., dimethyl phthalate, dipropyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate) based on restricted access medium magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (RAM-MMIP). The RAM-MMIP has been synthesized by a surfac...

The synergistic effect of ‘reactive adsorption and catalytic oxidation (RACO)’ has been investigated to develop an efficient method to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs: formaldehyde (FA) + toluene) using an amorphous-manganese dioxide-activated carbon (Am-MnO2-AC) composite. The RACO of FA and toluene was examined individually and as a mixtu...

Accumulation of heavy metal ions in the ecosystem has become a major concern due to their adverse impacts on animals, humans, and aquatic habitats. The development of a rapid and portable sensing system is important for the prompt detection and proper management of such pollutants. Herein, we have designed a fluorescence-based biosensor for the sel...

Acetic acid (AcOH) steam reforming for hydrogen (H2) generation was investigated using a zero valent nickel complex (Ni-comp) derived from a metal-organic framework precursor supported over aluminum oxide/lanthanum oxide-cerium dioxide (ALC). The effects of Ni loading ratio (10, 15, and 20 wt%) on the catacatalytic activity were investigated in the...

Solar energy is a promising replacement for rapidly depleting, non-renewable fossil fuel resources. For the efficient capture and use of solar energy, we fabricated new unconventional N719 dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) based on Tb2O3@TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) with crystallite sizes in the range of 5–10 nm. The effect of loading concentrations of...

To date, immunoassays are utilized as a prominent analytical tool for many common diseases like chronic kidney disease (CKD) in both early-stage diagnosis and monitoring of treatment efficacy. The successful application of immunoassays is critically governed by the generation of antibodies specific to the clinically relevant CKD-specific metabolite...

As an effective means to efficiently control the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), photo-conversion of CO2 into solar fuels (or their precursors) is meaningful both as an option to generate cleaner energy and to alleviate the process of global warming. In this regard, bismuth oxyhalide (BiOX, where X = Cl, Br, and I) semiconductors have sparked co...

Although substantial quantities of toxic wastes are generated from textile industries, the characteristics of textile processing wastes (TPWs) have yet scantily been investigated from ecological and agricultural perspectives. Here, the eco-geological consequences of three textile processing wastes (TPWs: ie., silk fibre sludge (SFS), dye mixed silk...

Adsorbents with high surface area and diverse functional groups have been developed to deal with volatile organic compounds with different polarities. Herein, a metal-organic framework-199 (MOF-199 (prototypical Cu-MOF))/powdered activated carbon (PAC) composite ([email protected]) was fabricated and utilized to simultaneously treat multiple VOCs c...

The present study explores the potential of reactive metal–support interactions between a two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2 [MXene]) support and platinum (Pt) to achieve 100% formaldehyde (FA) conversion (XFA) into carbon dioxide (CO2) at room temperature (RT) in the presence of air through the formation of a Pt3Ti intermetallic compound. The...

Aluminum is a relatively inexpensive and abundant metal for the mass production of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Aluminum-based MOFs (Al-MOFs) have drawn a good deal of research interest due to their unique properties for diverse applications (e.g., excellent chemical and structural stability). This review has been organized to highlight the cur...

In this work, zinc oxide coupled cadmium tungstate (ZnO-CT) was prepared as a nano-photocatalyst through a green synthesis route using lemon leaf extract and characterized based on diverse microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. To extend the practical application of the prepared nanocomposite (NC), its photocatalytic activity was investigated ag...

Organophosphates (OPs) being the most widely used (~ 36%) pesticides, are infamous for presence of their traces in surface waters and serious health hazards to humans and animals. Hence, rapid, efficient, easy to use, and cost-effective methods must be explored for their remediation in contaminated waters. Amongst the different pesticide removal me...

The global scope of pollution from plastic waste is a well-known phenomenon associated with trade, mass consumption, and disposal of plastic products (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), viral test kits, and vacuum-packaged food). Recently, the scale of the problem has been exacerbated by increases in indoor livelihood activities during lock...

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly porous inorganic–organic hybrid materials with exceptional uptake capacity for various targets such as deleterious acidic gases (e.g., hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)). Despite the significance of such purification processes, relatively little is known about the str...

It is crucial to assess the performance of photocatalysts against volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a mixture rather than as single-component systems to learn more about the factors and processes governing photocatalytic (PC) destruction of VOCs. The above is critical because VOCs in ambient air generally exist in the form of complicated mixture...

While airborne particulate matter (PM) pollution is a serious problem for urban environments, it can be reduced through uptake by plant leaves. In this study, we investigated and compared the uptake of PM-bound toxic metals by different plant species. Enrichment factor (EF) and correlation analyses across different sample types indicated anthropoge...

Chemical sensors that can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the subject of extensive research efforts. Among the more promising technologies are molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which offer specific binding-site for template molecules, high recognition specificity, ease of preparation, and chemical stability. This review covers rec...

Continuous release of pollutants into the environment poses serious threats to environmental sustainability and human health. For trace-level analysis of pollutants, layered double hydroxide (LDH) is an attractive option providing enhanced sorption capability and sensitivity toward pollutants because of its unique layered structure, tunable interio...

A molecularly imprinted fluorescence sensor built as a mesoporous structured silica imprinted layer on the surface of carbon dots ([email protected]) was employed for the selective detection of triclosan (TRI). The fluorescence intensity of this [email protected] was strongly quenched by triclosan via an electron transfer-induced fluorescence quenc...

The compound 17β-oestradiol (E2) is a steroidal oestrogen used extensively in food processing and animal husbandry. As E2 is well-known as a typical endocrine disrupting chemical, its release, penetration, and exposure create serious environmental concerns. Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted great attention due to their excellent fluorescent and non-...

The utility of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is well-known for air/gas purification applications against various targets like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The adsorption properties of fine powdery porous MOFs (e.g., HKUST-1) have commonly been investigated after being loaded in a packed-bed system, although such a platform tends to suffer f...

Herein, a sensitive, selective, and facile sensing approach was developed by tailoring gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to detect phenolic compounds in water and food/plant products across a range of concentrations. Four different types of phenolic compounds selective sensing probes were developed by varying the capping amounts (µg/mL) of tyrosinase (Ty)...

To date, numerous strategies have been developed to remove hazardous gaseous components like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the airstream. Adsorption technology has been used as an effective approach for the abatement of VOCs for over 30 years. Hyper-cross-linked polymers (HCPs) with permanent porosity, adjustable surface functional groups,...

A substantial quantity of CO2 is emitted into the environment due to the large-scale consumption of traditional fossil fuels. Visible-light photocatalytic reduction/conversion of CO2 into an array of alternative renewable solar fuels or other value-added chemicals (like methanol, methane, formic acid, and formaldehyde) is regarded as a sustainable...

High-speed purification system, made of packed-bed adsorber, is often subject to some apparent demerits (e.g., pressure drop and/or high energy consumption) when treating waste gas. As a potential alternative to such system, a denuder sorbent tube has been constructed by coating powder activated carbon (PAC) on the inner surface of the sorbent tube...

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have drawn extensive research interests due to their noticeably enhanced gravimetric energy density relative to other chemical batteries. The potential utility of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives has recently been recognized as highly effective anode components for LIBs because they can be tuned to...

Rapid industrial growth has been accompanied by the pollution of hazardous volatile organic pollutants (VOCs) in air. To mitigate the adverse environmental and health effects of VOCs, photocatalytic treatment of VOCs by metal oxide nanocomposites is suggested as an effective remediation strategy using the synergistic interactions between the metal...

The transmission dynamics and health risks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are inextricably linked to ineract with environment, climate, air pollution, and meteorological conditions. The spread of COVID-19 infection can thus perturb the ‘planetary health’ and livelihood by exerting impacts on the temporal and spatial variabilities o...

Optical thermometry based on fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technology has several advantages for industrial and medical applications such as remote signaling, non-invasiveness, and excellent spatial resolution. Here, an approach based on high-temperature solid-state reactions is proposed to prepare luminescent thermometers by doping of rare ea...