Ezekiel Dixon Dikio

Morphological Characterization of Soot from the Atmospheric Combustion of Kerosene

Kerosene has been used as a precursor for the production of carbon nanomaterial without a catalyst precursor. Nanomaterials formed in the process have been analysed by Raman, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), x-Ray diffraction (XRD) and by Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Carbon nanomaterial produced show the morphology of carbon nanospheres with diameters of about 0.3 µm.

Acetylene-sourced CVD-synthesised catalytically active graphene for electrochemical biosensing.

In this study, we have demonstrated the use of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) grown-graphene to develop a highly-ordered graphene-enzyme electrode for electrochemical biosensing. The graphene sheets were deposited on 1.00mm thick copper sheet at 850°C using acetylene (C2H2) as carbon source in an argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2) atmosphere. An anionic surfactant was used to increase wettability and hydrophilicity of graphene; thereby facilitating the assembly of biomolecules on the electrode surface. Meanwhile, the theoretical calculations confirmed the successful modification of hydrophobic nature of graphene through the anionic surface assembly, which allowed high-ordered immobilisation of glucose oxidase (GOx) on the graphene. The electrochemical sensing activities of the graphene-electrode was explored as a model for bioelectrocatalysis. The bioelectrode exhibited a linear response to glucose concentration ranging from 0.2 to 9.8mM, with sensitivity of 0.087µA/µM/cm2 and a detection limit of 0.12µM (S/N=3). This work sets the stage for the use of acetylene-sourced CVD-grown graphene as a fundamental building block in the fabrication of electrochemical biosensors and other bioelectronic devices.

Novel PVA/MOF Nanofibres: Fabrication, Evaluation and Adsorption of Lead Ions from Aqueous Solution

Plain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibres and novel polyvinyl alcohol benzene tetracarboxylate nanofibres incorporated with strontium, lanthanum and antimony ((PVA/Sr-TBC), (PVA/La-TBC) and (PVA/Sb-TBC)), respectively, where TBC is benzene 1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate adsorbents, were fabricated by electrospinning. The as-prepared electrospun nanofibres were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Only plain PVA nanofibres followed the Freundlich isotherm with a correlation coefficient of 0.9814, while novel nanofibres (PVA/Sb-TBC, PVA/Sr-TBC and PVA/La-TBC) followed the Langmuir isotherm with correlation coefficients of 0.9999, 0.9994 and 0.9947, respectively. The sorption process of all nanofibres followed a pseudo second-order kinetic model. Adsorption capacity of novel nanofibres was twofold and more compared to that of plain PVA nanofibres. The thermodynamic studies: apparent enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°), showed that the adsorption of Pb(II) onto nanofibres was spontaneous and exothermic. The novel nanofibres exhibited higher potential removal of Pb(II) ions than plain PVA nanofibres. Ubiquitous cations adsorption test was also investigated and studied.

Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Mg/Al Layered Double Hydroxide for the Degradation of Congo Red in Aqueous Solution

The adsorption properties of layered double hydroxide (Mg/Al-CO3) for the removal of Congo Red (CR) dye from aqueous solution were studied. The layered double hydroxide was synthesized by co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopic (EDX). The effects of various experimental parameters such as contact time, dye concentrations and temperature variation were investigated. The results show that the amount of Congo Red adsorbed increases with increase in temperature but decreases with increase in initial dye concentration and contact time. The data were also fitted to several kinetic models: zero-order kinetic model, first-order kinetic model, second-order kinetic model, pseudo-second-order kinetic model and third-order kinetic model respectively. The adsorption process was best defined by zero-order-kinetic model (R2 = 1). Langmuir, Freundich, Temkin and Dubinin-kaganer-Radushkevich (DPK) adsorption isotherm models were applied to analyze adsorption data with Temkin isotherm being the most applicable to the adsorption process. Thermodynamic parameters e.g. △Go, △So, △Ho and △Hx of the adsorption process were found to be endothermic, spontaneous and feasible.

Synthesis of Helical Carbon Fibers and Related Materials: A Review on the Past and Recent Developments

Helical carbon fibers (HCFs) have been widely studied due to their unique helical morphology and superior properties, which make them efficient materials for several potential applications. This review summarizes the past and current advancement on the synthesis of HCFs. The review focuses and discusses synthesis strategies and effect of experimental parameters on the growth of HCFs. The effect of preparation method of catalyst, catalyst nature, catalyst composition, catalyst size, catalyst initial and final shape, reaction temperature, reaction time, carbon source, impurities, and electromagnetic field on the growth of HCFs is reviewed. We also discuss the growth mechanism for HCFs and the synthesis of HCFs related materials. Finally, we conclude with a brief summary and an outlook on the challenges and future prospects of HCFs.

Polyvinyl chloride Waste as an Adsorbent for the Sorption of from Aqueous Solution

The sorption of Pb2+ from solution by polyvinyl chloride waste was investigated. The morphological features of the polymer sample were studied using the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic batch adsorption experiments were carried out by the concentration, time, and temperature effects, respectively. The morphological image of the polymer showed irregular small size particles which indicated a high surface area and porosity that facilitated sorption. The adsorption studies recorded relatively rapid uptake of Pb2+ by the polymer which was mainly diffusion controlled and followed a second order kinetic process. The thermodynamic studies suggested relatively low temperature (low energy) favoured sorption which was exothermic with a physisorption mechanism.

One-step reduction, characterization and magnetic behaviour of exfoliated graphene oxide

The functionalized graphene (GO) was fabricated by a simple method of chemical reduction in a polar aprotic solvent. This paper therefore, describes a versatile and synthetic route for the preparation of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and its behavior when exposed to magnetic field environment. The characterization results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and the attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infra-red (ATR-FTIR) analysis indicate that graphite was exfoliated and reduced to graphene layers.

A Comparative Study of the Effect of MgO and CaCO3 as Support Materials in the Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes with Fe/Co as Catalyst

A comparative study of the effect of magnesium oxide and calcium carbonate as support material in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes using the catalyst Fe/Co is presented. The synthesized carbon nanotubes were characterized with Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The morphology of the carbon nanotubes synthesized with magnesium oxide as support material gives rise to carbon nanotubes with consistent and well-defined structure unlike that synthesized with calcium carbonate. The ratio of synthesized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was 0.8544 for magnesium oxide supported compared to 0.8501 for calcium carbonate supported carbon nanotube.

Sorption of Pb2+ from aqueous solution using polyethylene and polyvinylchloride wastes as adsorbents: a comparative study

Abstract This study gives insight into the sorption potential of Pb2+ from aqueous solution using polyethylene and polyvinylchloride wastes as adsorbent. The polymer samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for their morphological features. Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic batch adsorption experiments investigated varying parameters such as: concentration, temperature and time. The SEM images of the polymers revealed irregular small size particles, indicating a high surface area and porosities facilitating sorption. The adsorption studies documented relatively rapid Pb2+ uptake by the polymers that are mainly diffusion controlled, with a second order kinetic process. The sorption of Pb2+ onto the polymer surfaces was thermodynamically favoured at relatively low temperature (low energy). Thermodynamic studies demonstrated exothermic physi-sorption mechanisms for Polyethylene (PE) and Polyvinylchloride (PVC).

Reduction of Magnetite in the Presence of Activated Carbon Using Mechanical Alloying

The reduction behaviour of magnetite using graphite under ball-milling conditions (using a planetary mono mill, Fritsch Pulverisette 6) has been investigated. The reaction of magnetite and graphite at different milling conditions leads to the formation of Fe2