Advanced Materials Research Vol. 1133

Abstract: Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were prepared with different compositions of SiO2 nanoparticles. PVDF is one of the most widely used in membrane technology. The molecular structure of PVDF fluoropolymer provides high chemical resistance, good mechanical properties and thermal stability. It also can be used as composites with inorganic nanoparticles such as SiO₂ to improve the performance and properties of the membrane. In this study, Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) was used as solvent. The prepared membranes were characterized using contact angle measurements with water, atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the structures of the membranes and mechanical strength. The experimental results showed that additional of nanoSiO₂ will exhibit different characteristic on the microstructure and mechanical strength of the membrane.

Abstract: CO₂ capture and separation by ionic liquid is one of the fastest growing branches in ionic liquid technology. The aim of this research was to synthesize the ionic liquid polymer incorporating activated carbon and investigating its performance for CO₂ capture and separation. The ionic liquid monomers 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium bromide, [veim][Br] and 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl) imide, [veim][Tf₂N] were first synthesized and then polymerized into ionic liquid polymers incorporating activated carbon. The purity of the [veim][Br] and [veim][Tf₂N] was verified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and Ion Chromatography. Both monomers were proved to be in high purity. The elemental composition of both polymer materials synthesized were examined using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the morphology of the synthesized material was observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results revealed that activated carbon has been successfully incorporated into the lattice structure of polymer materials. The fabricated polymer materials would be expected to have higher CO₂ capture capability as it combines both the absorption and adsorption mechanism for CO₂ apprehension and sequestration.

Abstract: Wastewater originated from domestic or industry use need to be treated before discharge it to the environment. Particle size is one of the parameter that determine efficient operation of wastewater treatment plant. The present work conducts a comparative study of non-imaging and imaging based particle size analysis tools to analyze the limitations and advantages of using such equipment. The study utilizes particle size analyzer (PSA) as non-imaging tool and light microscope as imaging tool to determine particle sizes in various waste water samples. For this analysis domestic wastewater influent and effluent are analyzed with both techniques. In addition, palm oil mill effluent (POME) has also been analyzed after Fenton process to compare the particle size using these tools. PSA shows most of the particles in the influent and effluent are in the size range of 100 to 700 μm, while microscopy shows additional information of aggregates structure in POME sample showing promising possibility of identifying complex structure of aggregates present in the sample.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the friction properties of waste cooking oil (WCO) with banana peel broth. The WCO was purified using a physical technique. Several weight percentages of 15 wt.%, 30 wt.% and 45 wt.% of banana peel broth was dispersed in WCO using ultrasonic homogenizer. Span 80, as a surfactant, were added to the blends. The tribological test was performed using a four-ball tribometer according to the ASTM standards. At early stage, between 0-1200 seconds, it was found that the presence of banana peel broth in WCO reduces the friction coefficient. However, after a certain time, the oil film breakdown and instantly increased the friction coefficient. By observation of worn surfaces, it can be suggested that WCO with 30 wt.% banana peel broth could be a good blends for this study. As a conclusion, this study proposes that the banana peel broth could improve the tribological properties of WCO in mild conditions.

Abstract: Coconut coir husk (CCH) was chosen to extract it lignin due to high lignin content comparable with other natural fibre. The lignin was extracted and its utilization in production of phenolic resin was investigated. The percentage extracted lignin obtained in this studied was 38.1% which indicated the high yield of lignin. Two phenolic resins were prepared, which are phenol-formaldehyde resin and lignin-formaldehyde resin. The functional group present in the lignin and both phenolic resins were further analyzed using the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The findings from the infrared spectra of the lignin-formaldehyde resin were similar to the phenol-formaldehyde resin. These indicate that lignin can be partially used as phenol in phenolic resin synthesis.

Abstract: Cellulose –Earth’s most abundant biopolymer–represent an enormous carbon-neutral renewable resource of biomaterials and bioenergy. The dissolution of cellulose with environmentally friendly and efficient solvents/methods is an important and challenging for further chemical processing. In recent years, room temperature ionic liquids (ILs)- a attractive “green” and “designer” solvent-have emerged as a potentially attractive “green” solvent for dissolution of cellulose for further processing. In general, dissolution of cellulose in ILs via conventional heating system requires high temperature and long pretreatment time. This study reports the effect of pressure on the dissolution of cellulose in IL [C₂mim][OAc] (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate). The effects of temperature and pressure on cellulose dissolution time were investigated using high Pressure Solubility Measurement System (HPSMS). It was found that as the pressure and temperature increased, the dissolution time decreased significantly. For comparison, the original microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and regenerated cellulose from ILs after dissolution were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results clearly revealed that the thermal stability of regenerated cellulose were reduced.

Abstract: Effects of filler loading on the mechanical properties of Epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) filled with bio-fillers were studied. The compounds with different filler loadings (0, 30, 50, 70 phr) were prepared in a Haake internal mixer. Result showed that the viscosity of the compounds increased with filler loading and exhibited longer cure time with higher loading of the bio-filler. The mechanical properties of starch-filled vulcanisates present better tensile strength at 50 phr when compared to micro-crystalline cellulose (MCC) filled vulcanisates at similar filler loadings. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of tensile fracture surface of 50 phr starch-filled vulcanisates illustrated a homogenous distribution in comparison with MCC-filled compounds.

Abstract: The poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/ rice straw (RS) composites with various RS content ratios were prepared by using heated two roll-mill. The mechanical performances of prepared PLA/ RS composites were studied. The tensile strength and elongation at break, E_b of the composite decreases as the content of rice straw fiber increases from 5% to 25% while the Young’s modulus had increases. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis demonstrates the infrared absorption of PLA after the existing of RS.

Abstract: Natural fibres are considered as a potential replacement for man-made fibers in composite materials because of their advantages over other established materials. However, serious problem of natural fibres is their strong polar character which creates incompatibility with most polymer matrices. In present investigation, the effect of alkaline, silane and combination of both treatments is investigated. Tensile properties and fracture toughness of coconut spathe fibre for untreated and treated were evaluated. Samples were fabricated by using the hand layup process. Result indicated that silane treatment has achieved a better performance for the tensile test while there is none improvement fracture toughness was displayed by silane or alkaline treatment as compared to untreated fibres. The alkaline treatment showed to be harmful for fracture toughness of the coconut spathe fibre since the improved interfacial adhesion impaired the main energy absorption mechanisms. Keyword: Composites, Coconut Spathe Fibre, Alkaline and Silance Treatment

Abstract: The agriculture waste material can give benefit to many production industries. The studied crop is corn (Zea Mays) stalk. The objective of this work was to analysis the chemical composition; to study chemical pulping and papermaking properties of corn stalk and; to investigate the fiber morphology of properties of those crops. Firstly, the chemical composition of corn stalk were determined and compared with other non-woods. After that, chemical corn stalk was conducted in this analysis followed the physical and mechanical properties. The result showed that, corn stalk have cellulose (39.0%) and lignin content is the lowest (7.3%) content rather than other composition. In chemical pulping, reached high pulp yields had been produced and the strength properties: tear index, tensile index, burst and fold verified that they were of an acceptable quality for papermaking. This crop morphology was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM), which showed a condensed composition of fiber structure. This study can developed a friendly product and promote the green technology, suitable to be used as an alternative pulp in paper making industry.Keywords: Fiber, Corn stalk, Composition, Green technology, Pulp and paper making.