Authors: Peter Okechukwu Chikelu, Obotowo William Obot, Whyte Asukwo Akpan
Abstract: Recently, there has been a growing interest in replacing synthetic fibres with natural fibres in polymer composites due to environmental concerns. This study examined the fibres from the Newbouldia laevis plant for their potential use in lightweight polymer composites, particularly in applications sensitive to strength and temperature. The fibres were extracted from the plant's stem, and various properties such as density, moisture content, moisture regain, and diameter were measured. Chemical analysis revealed the percentages of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, extractives, and ash present in the fibres. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the presence of these essential components. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the rough surfaces of the fibres, which enhance the adhesion between the fibre and matrix during the production of polymer composites. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis identified carbon and oxygen as the main elements in the fibres. Thermal analysis provided insights into the thermal stability and maximum degradation temperatures of the fibres. Lastly, a single fibre tensile test was performed to evaluate the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break of the fibres using Weibull distribution statistical analysis. The results of this study indicate that Newbouldia laevis fibres could be a promising reinforcement for lightweight polymer composites in strength and temperature-sensitive applications.
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Authors: Sushama Sahu, Piyush Thakur, Ashish Saraf, Suresh Kumar Subbiah
Abstract: Bismuth nanoparticles have attracted a lot of attention in the field of catalysis due to their small size, high surface-to-volume ratio, and low toxicity. Despite these benefits, their development and use are significantly constrained by the hazardous reagents and solvents required in the synthesis process. In this study, a green method using readily available lemon juice was used to create bismuth nanoparticles (Bi-NPs) as a green substitute for those made using traditional chemical methods. Plenty of interest has been paid to green nanoparticle synthesis recently due to its potential utility in biology and medicine. In this study, Artabotrys hexapetalus ethanol extract was used to create bismuth oxide nanoparticles (Bi2O3NPs) using green synthesis after 24 hours at 90°C. The product was examined using UV-Spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The UV-Vis spectra of Bi-NPs produced and reconstituted in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent with a maximum at 202 nm. The peak in relation to phytochemicals is somewhat reduced as a result of alterations in poly-hydroxyl molecules involved in bio-reduction. FTIR results reveal the bio fabrication of the Artabotrys hexapetalus leaves mediated Bi2O3NPs may be by the action of the phytochemicals such as phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids. The X-ray diffraction pattern of Bi2O3 had reflection maxima at 77 degrees of glancing angle. All reflection peaks may be well indexed with a pure tetragonal phase of crystalline Bi2O3, which agrees well with the tetragonal phase fibre structure. The goal of this study was to create environmentally friendly Bi2O3NPs with good potential utilizing ethanol extract. Bi2O3NPs may make a good candidate for a variety of applications based on the results.
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Authors: Husam Talib Hamzah, Nabil Majd Alawi, Hikmat Mohammed Hasan, Hayder Yousif Abed, Sridevi Veluru, Noor Abdulqader Hamdullah, Abdullahi Abdu Ibrahim, Tukaram bai M., Venkata Rao Poiba, Rachakonda Srikanth
Abstract: There are numerous methods to enhance the quality of cellulose for efficient and sustainable fuel production, the acid and alkaline pretreatment methods have become increasingly popular due to their accessibility and affordability. These methods are typically used to eliminate lignin, disrupt the cellulose crystalline structure, and reduce its rigidity. This study focuses on the use of pretreatment with four different types of acids (Hydrochloric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Acetic Acid, and Sulfuric Acid) and four types of alkaline (Calcium Hydroxide, Sodium hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, and Ammonium Hydroxide) were used to soak the used tea waste powder as a raw material under microwave-assisted pretreatment. The effectiveness of acid and alkaline pretreatment methods under microwave heating on used tea waste powder was evaluated through infrared analysis. The experiments were conducted at varying microwave temperatures (100–200 °C), reaction times (2–7 min), and with a 2 g doses of used tea waste powder in 100 mL of diluted acid, and 5% of alkaline solution. The weight loss of liquid and solid samples after acid and alkaline pretreatment under the aid of microwave pretreatment were calculated. FTIR analysis results showed a significant improvement in the characteristics of the treated samples compared to the untreated used tea waste powder.
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Authors: Toru Kuzumaki, Tatsuya Yamaguchi, Kengo Shimozaki, Junsuke Nakase, Kojun Torigoe
Abstract: Thus far, our research group has conducted a basic investigation for the development of an artificial ligament, which was performed by utilizing a biogenic secretion that was derived from the Achilles tendon in mice; this was achieved using the film model method. In this study, an attempt has been made to derive a biogenic secretion from the Achilles tendon (tendon gel) and the medial collateral ligament (ligament gel) in rabbits. Subsequently, a discussion was carried out on the possibility of forming a ligament-like structure that was based on the structural, mechanical, and spectroscopic investigations. The tendon gel was successfully formed from a parent tendon that was preserved in vivo for 3, 5, 10, and 15 d. Further, an aligned collagen fiber emerged in the tendon gel, which was subjected to tension on every preservation date. Further, the mechanical behavior of the tendon gel specimens was classified in two groups. The values of the Young's modulus of the specimens preserved for 10 and 15 d were higher than those of the specimens preserved for 3 and 5 d. Within the range of this experimental condition, the aligned collagen fiber structure was formed by applying a tension of approximately greater than 0.05 N. Conversely, only a 10-d preservation period yielded a sufficient amount of ligament gel for the experiment. Notably, the volume of ligament gel was less than that of the tendon gel. In the ligament gel specimen without the synovial membrane, the collagen fiber structure was formed by applying a tension, which was similar to that experienced by the tendon gel specimen. However, the cross-linking and growth of collagen fibers in the ligament gel samples were insignificant as compared with those of the tendon gel samples.
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Authors: Aniek Setiya Budiatin, Samirah Samirah, Maria Apriliani Gani, Wenny Putri Nilamsari, Chrismawan Ardianto, Junaidi Khotib
Abstract: Bovine bone is a considerable source for the production of hydroxyapatite. The recent study reported a novel method to extract hydroxyapatite from bovine bone without producing hazardous residue. The bovine bones were cut and boiled in the opened chamber followed by boiling in pressurized tank. The bones were then soaked into 95% ethanol. Calcination was then conducted in 800°C, 900°C and 1,000°C, for 2 hours. The result was then grinded and sieved. The powder then was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) to measure the purity of hydroxyapatite. It is concluded that the hydroxyapatite derived from this process showed 100% purity, resulting 35.34 ± 0.39% w/w from the wet bone weight and 72.3% w/w from the dried weight. The present extraction method has been proven to yield high amount of pure hydroxyapatite as well as reducing the use of hazardous reagent.
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Authors: Xiao Wan Yang, Xin Min Hao, Jian Ming Wang, Yan Bin Liu, Hong Liang Kang
Abstract: Hexanediamine adipate, pentanediamine adipate and bio-based pentanediamine adipate were prepared by adipic acid reaction with 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,5-pentanediamine and bio-based 1,5-pentanediamine, respectively. Their structures and thermal properties have been analyzed by infrared spectra, SEM, DSC and TGA. Infrared spectra showed the main differences between 1,6-hexanediamine and 1,5-pentanediamine for the deformation vibration and out of plane bending vibration of N−H. Hexanediamine adipate and pentanediamine adipate had the difference at the asymmetric stretching vibration of −COO-−. The crystal morphologies of hexanediamine adipate and pentanediamine adipate showed dendritic and acicular, respectively. The melting point of pentanediamine adipate, pentanediamine adipate and bio-based pentanediamine adipate were 208.0 °C, 182.3 °C and 182.9 °C, respectively. The polymerization of hexanediamine adipate, pentanediamine adipate and bio-based pentanediamine adipate happened at 201.0, 190.2 and 194.9 °C, respectively. And the decomposition temperature of PA66, PA56 and bio-based PA56 were 401.8, 403.5 and 405.2 °C, respectively.
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Authors: Ku Halim Ku Hamid, Nur Suhada Mustafar, Pazilah Mohd Yusof, Siti Sofia Mohammad Shawal, Mohibah Musa, Miradatul Najwa Mohd Rodhi
Abstract: Aquilaria is a special tree that has been awarded to the earth. Aquilaria spp. which belongs to the family Thymelaeceae is one of the most precious trees is the world. Agarwood or gaharu is the name of the resin produced by Aquilaria spp. Historically, agarwood has widely been used as medicine. It was also being used for perfumes, incense and religious purposes in Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, and Jewish societies. In order to discover the new uses of the agarwood, knowledge of the chemical constituents inside the plant need to be known. Aquilaria spp tree can be divided into two parts which is bark and leaves. Recently, several studies have been conducted to examine the chemical composition found in Aquilaria spp tree. However, there is still no specific detail documentation on the chemical compounds present in Aquilaria leaves. In this study, Soxhlet extraction method has been used to withdraw the compounds from the leaves. From the results obtained, it shows that extraction of compounds by using methanol was more effective. This was due to the higher polarity inside the methanol. Other than solvents, the samples preparation also gave an effect towards the final results. There were two different types of samples that have been used for this study which are fresh and dried A. malaccensis leaves. The obtaining results showed that more compounds have been extracted from the dried sample. It can be conclude that moisture content in the sample also plays a role in identification of compounds inside the A. malccensis leaves
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Authors: M.K. Omar, Mohamad Rusop, Azizah Hanom Ahmad
Abstract: The binary solid electrolyte Li2WO4-LiI with incorporation of nanosize Al2O3 was prepared in solid state reaction and characterized by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Maximum electrical conductivity of 3.35x10-3 Scm-1 was recorded for the sample containing 20 wt. % of LiI. Enhancement of electrical conductivity up to 5.8x10-3Scm-1 was achieved when 0.5 wt. % of Al2O3 was added into the optimum composition of the binary Li2WO4-LiI system. Tetrahedral structure of WO4 that appear at wave number of 906 cm-1 and 955 cm-1 in the FTIR spectroscopy confirmed. The existence of conducting pathway for migrations of Li ions in system that contributes to high electrical conductivity.
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Authors: Sharifah Adzila Syed Abu Bakar, Ramesh T. Subramaniam, Iis Sopyan, Mohd Hamdi Abdul Shukor
Abstract: The mechanochemical synthesis method was employed to synthesis hydroxyapatite (HA) and magnesium (Mg) doped hydroxyapatite (HA) powders. The effects of Mg2+ into the synthesized HA powder properties were investigated. Characterization of the synthesized HA (Mg-free HA) and Mg–doped HA at various concentrations (1% - 9% MgHA) were accomplished through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. The nano size powder of HA and Mg-doped HA were successfully synthesized through the present method and the influenced of Mg2+ in the HA was also indicated by the different peaks intensity and the crystal sizes obtained.
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Authors: Natalija Borodajenko, Kristaps Rubenis, Agnese Pura, Nina Mironova-Ulmane, Jurijs Ozolins, Liga Berzina-Cimdina
Abstract: The present work describes results of investigation of structural characteristics of TiO2 ceramics, depending on temperature and thermal treatment conditions by using a variety of characterization techniques. TiO2 ceramics was prepared by extrusion method and developed as a material for electrodes for innovative water treatment technologies. It was shown that non-stoichiometric phase TiO1.95 was observed after thermal treatment of TiO2 ceramics under high vacuum conditions.
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