Ho-Jin Sung

Dr. Ho-Jin Sung


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

19Years (2008-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 November 2015 in Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
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Journal Article
Closed access
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SNSung-Bang Nam
Sung-Bang Nam
YPYeong-Su Park
Yeong-Su Park
YYYong-Sik Yun
Yong-Sik Yun
JGJae-Hoi Gu
Jae-Hoi Gu
HSHo-Jin Sung
Ho-Jin Sung
MHMasayuki Horio
Masayuki Horio

27 December 2025 in Polymers
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Journal Article
Open access
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CYChaeEun Yeo
ChaeEun Yeo
HSHo-Jin Sung
Ho-Jin Sung
Fine and ultra-fine sugarcane bagasse (SCB) fractions (≤200 μm) that are naturally generated during industrial grinding have been systematically overlooked in lignocellulosic pretreatment research. Previous studies have largely relied on commercially processed pulps or coarse particles (>200 μm), typically without systematic size fractionation. Here, we demonstrate that these fine fractions—including ultra-fines (≤45 μm), which are often excluded from analytical workflows due to concern about excessive degradation—are viable feedstocks for producing lignin-containing cellulose nanofibers (LCNF) via a sequential thermal hydrolysis treatment (THT)–deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment specifically designed to retain lignin. Size-fractionated SCB (≤45, 45–100, and 100–200 μm) was subjected to THT (190 °C, 15 min), followed by DES treatment using choline chloride/urea (1:2 molar ratio, 130 °C, 2 h). Multi-technique characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated substantial hemicellulose removal (>70%), effective lignin retention (7.6–9.1%), cellulose enrichment (74.0–77.5%), and preservation of cellulose I structure allomorph. The crystallinity index increased from 46.5–52.7% after THT to 56.7–57.2% after DES treatment, and notably, uniform compositional and structural features were obtained across all particle size classes after DES treatment. Subsequent high-pressure microfluidization (700 bar, five passes) yielded LCNF with consistent morphology across all fractions: uniform fibril diameters (24.6–26.2 nm), a discernible lignin coating, and excellent colloidal stability (zeta potential: −86.3 to −95.0 mV). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed well-dispersed nanofibrous networks. Collectively, these findings show that the full range of fine SCB fractions can be effectively valorized into high-performance LCNF through sequential THT–DES pretreatment, enabling comprehensive utilization of industrial grinding outputs and advancing circular bioeconomy objectives.

21 November 2008 in Environmental Science & Technology
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Journal Article
Closed access
HSHo-Jin Sung
Ho-Jin Sung
RNReiji Noda
Reiji Noda
MHMasayuki Horio
Masayuki Horio