Advanced Materials Research Vol. 795

Abstract: Titania films were deposited on glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering method at different substrate temperatures which are room temperature, 50°C, 100°C, 150°C, 200°C, 250°C and 300°C. The surface morphology and cross section of the particles structure were studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. It is shown that the increase in substrate temperature during the sputtering process up to 300°C will make the film become more dense and grown in a columnar structure. Significant changes occur on the titania thin film structure at 250°C due to the significant changes in the surface thermal energy and the surface diffusion.

Abstract: Porous epoxy was fabricated by using natural rubber latex particles as the void template which were extracted after by different types of extraction mediums such of distilled water and toluene under ultrasonic. As expected, the increase in latex content from 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 to 2.0 phr in porous epoxy produced the higher porosities as well as lower dielectric constant property. Furthermore, toluene medium extracted more NR latex particles and produced more porous in epoxy matrix compared to distilled water medium. Therefore, porous epoxy from toluene extraction exhibited better dielectric constant property, which is preferred for electronic packaging application. Besides that, the mechanical properties also showed a reasonable reduction in flexural strength and modulus of the epoxy porous obtained from toluene extraction compared to distilled water extraction.

Abstract: AISI 440C martensitic stainless steel is one of the most widely studied engineering materials for its tribological properties. It is capable of attaining the best mechanical properties such as high strength and hardness compared to other martensitic grades. Unfortunately, the corrosion resistance of this 440C steel is the lowest among the stainless group, which results in the precipitation of carbide phases. AISI 440C were coated using electrolytic ZrO₂ layer deposition method in ZrO(NO₃)₂ aqueous solution. In order to preserve the high mechanical properties of this steel, various heat treatment processes applied to the coated samples. After drying and annealing, the ZrO₂ coated samples were evaluated using SEM, hardness tests and corrosion tests. Some mud-crack had been indicated in all samples. However, it become more homogeneously on the sample which undergoes longer deposition time. This difference resulted in a significant improved on corrosion resistance of ZrO₂ coated sample.

Abstract: Treated dredged sediment by using Hi Biah System (HBS) was used for the construction of five different artificial tidal flats (E1-E5) in Ago Bay, Japan. AGOCLEAN-P which is mainly made from paper sludge ashes was used as a coagulant and hardener. After the construction, continuous monitoring for the physico-chemical and biological parameters was carried out quarterly for 28 months from May 2005 to August 2007. Physico-chemical parameters measured were; particle size, loss on ignition (LOI), total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), water content (WC), chlorophyll a, and acid volatile sulphide (AVS). At the end of the experiment, physico-chemical parameters for the artificial tidal flats along with the sandy natural flat (S2) were almost similar. In regards to the natural muddy flats (S1) the results showed remarkable increase in the particle size <0.75 μm throughout the experimental period, whereas insignificant decrease was observed for the medium particle size. In addition the area around station (S1) was characterized by high concentration of silt/clay around 75% for the particle size less than 75μm. Biological parameter was represented by macrobenthos abundant as number of individuals, biomass, and species number. The abundant macrobenthos during the first year of monitoring was mollusca followed by polychaeta then bivalve, however at the end of the experiment, bivalve was the most dominant macrobenthos followed by mollusca and then polychaeta indicating that healthy environment was created.

Abstract: Compatibilizer is used to improve mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of polypropylene/coconut fiber (PP/CF) composites by promoting strong adhesion between CF filler and PP Matrix. Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene (MAPP) treated and untreated composites were prepared in formulation of 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, and 40 wt%. The mechanical tensile test indicates that composite with 10 wt% has the optimum value of tensile strength, and the MAPP treated composite shows the tensile strength was increased. The modulus of elasticity was increased while the elongation at break was decreased by increasing of filler loading. Meanwhile, the swelling test discerned that the increase of filler loading increased the water absorption of composites and the presence of MAPP reduced the equilibrium water absorption percentage.

Abstract: This paper focuses on ultrafiltration polymer membrane for wastewater systems as a self-cleaning and antifouling. Fouling is one of the most important problems in almost all membrane processes. In this review, membrane antifouling and self-cleaning properties can be improved by using titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles and UV radiation on membrane structure and surface. Coating TiO₂ particles on membrane surface is an advanced method to minimize membrane fouling. Hence, these properties can be improved the membrane performance.

Abstract: Contruction concrete that use of insulation wall in building construction faces some problems such as having high weight, very reflective sound, heat transfer (the effectiveness of heat conductivity) incompetence and mechanical properties (strength) constraints. The sounds which impinge the wall cannot be absorbed efficiently but instead gives high reflection. This causes some noise of high echo in a room. So a good acoustic insulation must be efficient in absorbing the sound. This project proposes lightweight concrete as a replacement for insulation wall. This lightweight concrete will be developed using thermoplastic polymer waste which is recycled plastic bottles, sand, water, and cement. This research used thermoplastic polymer waste which is PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) material as the reinforcement material to replace small gravel in lightweight concrete. All its composition percentage of raw materials was divided into different samples composition. Its composition determines the performances of the samples in density, porosity and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A simple design of a microchamber for use in reacting assays with limited sample availability has been proposed, analyzed using COMSOL 3.5 Multiphysics simulation and fabricated using soft-lithography technique . The design is based on differential pressure drop flow using capillary effect concept which has facilitated a number of interesting flow phenomena in micro-domains. For an average pressure drop of about 100/m in the setup, flow rates of bout 0.5 to 0.8 μl/s were obtained. The component a microchamber, three designs were tested (50, 70, 90 microns in width) to give a continuous open circuit flow. The system was designed and fabricated for continuous flow across sensing element where there is a requirement for low residence time due to fast reaction/diffusion rates.Also in this paper, is a sensitive and selective, also rapid, reliable, cost-effective, and suitable for in situ analysis polymer biosensor for new bio molecular approach for cancer and cancer related diseases detection at the early stage is demonstrated.

Abstract: Zeta potential analysis of stanum oxide (SnO₂) aqueous suspensions (pH7 to pH11) was performed prior to the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of SnO₂. Deposition of SnO₂ on porous alumina was obtained by applying the EPD technique carried out by applying voltage of 18V for duration of four minutes. It was found that the depositions SnO₂ suspended at pH 7 to pH 11 were successful. The relation between the SnO₂ deposition with SnO₂ pH and zeta potential values was established in which increased value of pH causes decreased value of zeta potential and decreased SnO₂ deposition through EPD technique.

Abstract: Functionally graded hydroxyapatite (HAP) /F-75 was fabricated using powder metallurgy technique. Samples fabricated were tested inside 0.9% NaCl to check their bioactivity reaction. After immersed, samples were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and mass change. Result showed that mass gain decreased as the percentage of HAP in the intermediate layer increased. Mass gain obtained after immersion test because of the passive layer formation on the F-75 surface. Dissolution of HAP was occurred as the FTIR analysis detected the existence of phosphate, and hydroxide ions bands inside the solution. The dissolution process is the part of the mechanism of apatite formation. The apatite layer formation is important to encourage the formation of new bone.