Kamal K. Taha

Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of malachite green by vanadium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Herein the degradation of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous medium by vanadium doped zinc oxide (ZnO:V3%) nanopowder was investigated. The specific surface area and pore volume of the nanopowder was characterized by nitrogen adsorption method. Batch experimental procedures were conducted to investigate the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of MG dye. Adsorption kinetics investigations were performed by varying the amount of the catalyst and the initial dye concentrations. Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation data were modeled using the Lagergren pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetic equation. The results showed that the ZnO:V3% nanopowder was particularly effective for the removal of MG and data were found to comply with Lagergreen pseudo-first-order kinetic model.

Effect of Urea on the Shape and Structure of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract Coiled multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared on Fe, Co, and Ni metal oxides supported on α-Al2O3 using urea as fuel and catalyst surface modifying agent by catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD). The shape of the nanotubes was influenced by the addition of urea, where coiled and uncoiled tubes were obtained in the presence and absence of urea, respectively. The MWCNTs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The coiling/uncoiling of the nanotubes was visualized from the SEM and TEM images of the prepared specimens. The XRD data showed the characteristic peaks of the nanotubes. BET analysis of the coiled tubes revealed 85.57 m2 g−1 surface area with a pore diameter 102.2–110.8 Å. A mechanism for the nanotubes coiling is suggested.

Flower Buds Like MgO Nanoparticles: From Characterisation to Indigo Carmine Elimination

Abstract Here, we demonstrate a pyrolysis route for the synthesis of flower buds like magnesium oxide nanoparticles using a magnesium carbonate precursor without additional chemicals. The effect of heating at different time intervals upon the structure and morphology of the acquired nanostructures were investigated via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. Nitrogen adsorption was employed to study its porosity. The obtained data confirmed the formation of target nanoparticles that exhibited increasing sizes as pyrolysis time was lengthened. As a consequence a high surface area up to 27 m2 g−1 was recorded for the sample heated for 1 h duration. Furthermore, Indigo Carmine dye adsorption was carried out using the largest surface area species which showed an adsorption capacity of 158 mg g−1. The adsorption was found to comply with the Langmuir isotherm and it follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The diffusion process showed intra-particle along with film diffusion mode.

Dearomatization of Diesel by Solvent Extraction: Influence of the Solvent Ratio and Temperature on Diesel Raffinate Properties

To comply with the stringent environmental regulations concerning the quality of fuels the production of ultra low sulfur fuels is obligatory. Consequently, the removal of aromatics from fuels has turned to be a serious issue. This is due to the fact that the presence of aromatics in fuel deters the ultra-low sulfur fuel production. Therefore the researcher’s interest has involved the dearomatization of fuels. As a result of the dearomatization, the quality of fuels improves tremendously. Here, solvent extraction was performed to dearomatize a feedstock sample with 20.1% aromatic and 166 ppm sulfur using acetonitrile. The extraction was performed at low temperature and ambient atmospheric pressure. The aromatic contents were determined via HPLC, while the ASTM methods were employed in other parameters determination. The results showed 72% minimum yield, 8.6% aromatic content, 58–64 cetane index, 73.2 ppm sulfur content, 5.4 viscosity, RI 1.4535, aniline point 82.15, specific gravity 0.824–0.812 with API 40.32–42.88 and flash point 70–78°C. The boiling range of the produced diesel fraction raffinate (172–373°C) that corresponds to C8–C24 cuts render it a potential candidate for other petrochemical applications.