Papers by Keyword: Ultrasonication

Abstract: This study developed a functional bioactive film based on fish gelatin (FG) with astaxanthin-rich oil (Ax) extracted from black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) byproducts using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and ultrasond-assited extraction. The extracted oil showed high antioxidant activity (80.24% DPPH scavenging) and good oxidative stability (PV = 3.12 mEq/kg) within the GOED limit. Fish gelatin films with different Ax concentrations (0.25–1%) were characterized for color, transparency, moisture content, solubility, thickness, and mechanical properties. Results showed that Ax increased film thickness and mechanical properties while decreasing solubility and moisture content. Higher Ax levels similarly increased opacity and redness due to astaxanthin’s carotenoid pigments. FTIR analysis confirmed the molecular interaction between gelatin and Ax, especially hydrogen bonding and ester linkages. These results demonstrate that incorporating astaxanthin-rich oil into fish gelatin film can enhance its functional properties for use in bioactive packaging applications.

Abstract: In this work, the liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) method was investigated to produce a large quantity of 2D MoS₂. The introduction of ultrasound into IPA and IPA/DI solutions containing MoS₂ resulted in fragmentation and exfoliation of the MoS₂. The determination of the layers of LPE-MoS₂ was performed by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, non-resonant Raman spectroscopy and XRD. Flakes with few layers were detected by AFM and resonant Raman investigations.

Abstract: This study focuses on the development and application of a novel copper hexacyanoferrate/graphitic carbon nitride composite (CuHCF/g-C₃N₄), synthesized using urea as a precursor, for the electrochemical adsorption of radioactive cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) from wastewater generated by washing electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). The CuHCF/g-C₃N₄-urea composite was prepared via an ultrasonication method to enhance its electrochemical and adsorption properties, resulting in a porous, high-surface-area material with improved electron transfer capabilities. Characterization through SEM-EDS, XRD, BET and BJH confirmed the composite’s structure and the successful integration of CuHCF within the g-C₃N₄ matrix, while BET analysis showed an enhanced surface area conducive to improved adsorption efficiency. Key parameters, including electrolyte concentration, potential range, and scan rate, were optimized to maximize adsorption efficiency. The material demonstrated excellent ¹³⁷Cs removal performance, with an efficiency greater than 50% within 250 cycles using the electrochemical method. These findings highlight the potential of CuHCF/g-C₃N₄-urea as an efficient material for the removal of radioactive cesium in industrial wastewater, offering a promising approach for sustainable environmental clean-up.

Abstract: Thermosetting epoxy polymers are widely employed as matrices for fabricating fibre-reinforced composites due to their exceptional strength and stiffness. However, the inherent brittleness of epoxy and its generally low fracture toughness impose limitations on their utilization in high-end applications. To address this challenge, the incorporation of micro-and nanoscale fillers emerges as a promising strategy for enhancing the durability of epoxy. MXene belonging to a versatile family of 2D transition-metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides, offer superior physical and mechanical characteristics, making them ideal candidates for creating multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. In this study, MXene nanosheets (specifically Ti₃C₂T_x) were introduced at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, and their dispersion in the epoxy-hardener mixture was achieved through ultrasonication. Remarkably, the incorporation of 0.5 wt. % MXene led to an 8°C increase in the glass transition (Tg) temperature and a 5°C elevation in the crystallisation temperature at 0.3 wt. % loadings. However, at higher MXene concentrations, these values exhibited a decrease. Overall, the mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites demonstrated improvement. This enhancement is attributed to the effective distribution of MXene within the epoxy matrix, contributing to an overall enhancement of the material's properties.

Abstract: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have been the most important in the field of nanotechnology these days, which have many enormous advantages, such as non-toxic compounds, high static physical capacity as well, carrying lipophilic drugs, and advantages like controlled drug release and targeted drug delivery with increased stability. Moreover, polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been used to increase the stability of the (SLNs). In this research describes the modification of the coating of (PEG) on the surface of (SLNs) to improve the efficiency of drug delivery to target cells in the body. However, (PEG-SLNs) were prepared by the ultrasonication/high-speed homogenization method. In contrast, the physical characterization of (PEG-SLNs) was studied by viscosity measurement at 37°C, which was developed by using stearic acid as a lipid matrix in ethanol as the dispersion medium. At that point, we noticed there was a decrease in relative viscosity (η_r) and dynamic viscosity (η) with the increasing of the weight of stearic acid, due to the result of the creation of (SLNs) that was coated by (PEG) which was modified by ultrasonication. Through Flory-Fox's theory treated the viscosity data to obtain the hydrodynamic radius (R_H), which was decreased from 100 to 50 nm, while the diffusion coefficient was (D) and mobility (μ) that has increased. Moreover, the zeta potential value was (ζ) > 30 mv, at 0.5 g cm^-3 concentration of (PEG) with 2.5 g of stearic acid, this result was the best value of the stability of the solution. In this case, this study will use synthesized (PEG-SLNs) in the future for drug delivery to target cells in the body.

Abstract: This study successfully produced aluminum nanocomposites using a stir-squeeze casting process, both with and without ultrasonication (US) assistance. The matrix material utilized was scrap automobile wheel aluminum alloy (A356), with 1% SiC nano particles, averaging a size of 40 nm, serving as the reinforcement material. A comparison was made by also producing A356 aluminum casts with and without the use of US. The produced casts underwent thorough chemical and mechanical characterization, including optical and scanning microscopy, porosity measurement, hardness measurement, compression and tensile testing, as well as wear testing. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to assess compositions and confirm the presence of SiC nano particles in the aluminum matrix. Porosity levels were slightly higher in the nanocomposite samples compared to pure matrix samples, attributed to the tendency of pore formation due to improper distribution of ceramic particles, resulting in clustering and agglomeration. However, significant reduction in porosity was observed with the application of ultrasonication, effectively breaking up clusters and agglomerations of reinforcement particles. Regarding mechanical properties, the A356+SiC sample with US exhibited the highest hardness (70.8 HRB), tensile strength (163.25 MPa), and compressive strength (387.2 MPa), along with the lowest abrasive wear loss (0.0017 g) among all types of casts produced in this study.

Abstract: The production of microbial nanocellulose implicates physical and mechanical methods such as the application of ultrafine grinders and ultrasonicators. Nano-sized microbial cellulose must contain high crystallinity to be utilized as a filler in nanocomposite polymers. This research aimed to optimize the processing time and amplitudes of the ultrasonication process to stimulate nano-sized microbial cellulose with high crystallinity. In this analysis the Surface Responses Method was used, that is Central Composite Design (CCD) with two factors, that is processing time (X₁ = 30, 60, and 90 minutes) and ultrasonication amplitude (X₂ = 70, 80, and 90 %) to the degree of crystallinity. The results indicated the optimum point was obtained at a combination of 60 minutes of processing time and 80% amplitudes with the highest degree of crystallinity of 76.23%. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrum at wavenumbers 3340 cm^-1 to 2899 cm^-1 showed the characteristics of absorption bands in the form of carboxyl groups and hydroxyl groups, which indicate the existence of cellulose compounds. The scanning electron microscope showed the surface morphology of the ultrafine grinding microbial cellulose fibers was denser.

Abstract: The application of nanocellulose has been adapted as fillers in composite bricks. Raw kenaf and oil palm empty fruit bunch were treated through chemical treatment and high intensity ultrasonication process to produce cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). One control brick without CNF and ten CNF composite bricks were fabricated. The composite bricks used different amount of CNF which were 40 - 200 ml mixed with filtered sand, portland cement and pebbles. Physical and mechanical characterization was done by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and universal testing machine (UTM) on CNF and composite bricks. FESEM showed the fibril diameter were ranges from 30 - 80 nm for kenaf and 20 - 60 nm for oil palm. The compression tests showed that control brick, 40 ml kenaf CNF composite brick and 40 ml oil palm CNF composite brick were cracked at force 39.01 kN, 50.46 kN and 42.16 kN respectively. Kenaf CNF composite brick has the highest value of Young’s Modulus which is 28.92 N/mm², followed by oil palm CNF composite brick with 27.8 N/mm² and control brick (Malaysia Standard) with 25.8 N/mm². Kenaf and oil palm CNF can increase the strength of the bricks because of enhancement in their mechanical properties.

Abstract: Nano-emulsions are a novel drug delivery system, in which mix two immiscible liquids, normally oil and water with the addition a proper surfactant and co-surfactant to obtain a single uniform phase, in many cases must be used more than one surfactant to improve the stability of nanoemulsion, in this survey consideration is focused to provide brief information about the formulation, a strategy of preparation, characterization procedure, evaluation parameter as particle size, polydispersity, drug content, zeta potential, and different application of nanoemulsion, it is thermodynamically unsteady colloidal dispersion systems having an average droplet size which ranges from 10 to 200 nm, the decrease in a bead size to nanoscale leads to alter in physical properties such as uncommon elastic behavior and optical transparency and get better bioavailability and good targeting. The formulation of O/W nanoemulsion where hydrophobic drugs are dissolved within the oil phase consider the common approach of nanoemulsion utilization in biomedical application. The essential thought behind these formulations is that nanodroplets act as a medium to transport hydrophobic drugs. The advantage of nanodroplets when compared to the bigger droplet sized emulsions is the upgraded stability and progressed pharmacological activity nanoemulsions have broad applications in numerous areas other than pharmaceutics, like in cosmetics, nourishment and other applications owing to many benefits of nanoemulsion as higher stability versus coalescence, lack of harmfulness or irritant effect, minimal viscosity, good appearance, as well as the flexibility of formulation like liquids, creams in addition to sprays.

Abstract: Gallium-based liquid metals have been used widely in many industries because of their unique properties such as high electrical conductivity, the superconductive character at low temperature, and high thermal conductivity. For heat management application, Gallium based metal can be used directly in the liquid form, or in solid particle form. The solid form, however, has extensive application because it can be used as a microparticle additive to create a microfluid. In this research, the ultrasonic oscillator was used to synthesize sub-micron Gallium based particles. Ethanol and Polyethylene Glycol was used and compared as a medium during ultrasonication. Up to 15 %wt of the solid particle was successfully synthesized from one gram of liquid metal source using this simple method.