Md. Faruk Hossen

Review on the Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Malaysian Clams.

The current review discusses the levels of six heavy metals in different clam species from 34 sites of Malaysian coasts. The concentrations (µg/g dry weight) of these heavy metals ranged around 0.18–8.51, 0.13–17.20, 2.17–7.80, 0.84–36.00, 24.13–368.00, and 177.82–1912.00 for Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Fe, respectively. It was observed that the concentrations of metals slightly depend on different clam species but mostly depend on site locations. According to Malaysian Food Regulation (1985), about 30% and more than 50% sites are safe from Cd and Pb contamination, respectively, and also the clam species from the other populations studied were safe for consumption.

Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose from Green Bamboo by Chemical Treatment with Mechanical Process

Bamboo cellulose was prepared by chemical process involving dewaxing, delignification, and mercerization process. Four samples namely, green bamboo fiber (GBF), dewaxed bamboo fiber (DBF), delignified bamboo fiber (DLBF), and cellulose fiber (CF) had been analysed. FTIR and TGA analysis confirmed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin at the end stage of the process. FTIR results reveal that the D-cellulose OH group occurred at 1639 cm−1 region. SEM micrograph showed that mercerization leads to fibrillation and breakage of the fiber into smaller pieces which promote the effective surface area available for contact. Barrer, Joiyner, and Halenda (BJH) method confirmed that the effective surface area of CF is two times larger compared to GBF. CF showed the highest activation energy compared to GBF. It indicates that CF was thermally stable.

Effect of fiber treatment and nanoclay on the tensile properties of jute fiber reinforced polyethylene/clay nanocomposites

The tensile properties of chemically treated jute fiber reinforced polyethylene/clay nanocomposites were investigated. Nanocomposites were prepared using hot press moulding technique by varying jute fiber loading (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%) for both treated and untreated fibers. Raw jute fibers were chemically treated with benzene diazonium salt to increase their compatibility with the polyethylene matrix. Physical and mechanical properties were subsequently characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was utilized to study physical properties. Tensile test was conducted for mechanical characterization. FTIR and SEM study showed interfacial interaction among jute fiber, polyethylene and nanoclay. It was observed that at optimum fiber content (15 wt%), treated composites exhibited improvements in tensile strength and modulus by approximately 20 % and 37 % respectively over the raw ones. On the other hand, this composite exhibited improvements in tensile strength and modulus by approximately 8 % and 15 % respectively over the composites without nanoclay. However, treated jute fiber reinforced composites showed better tensile properties compared with untreated ones and also nanoclay incorporated composites enhanced higher tensile properties compared without nanoclay ones.

Cadmium and Lead in Blood Cockle (Anadara granosa) from Asajaya, Sarawak, Malaysia

The concentrations were ranged from 1.35 ± 0.16 to 2.22 ± 0.34 µg/g (dry weight) and 2.65 ± 0.34 to 4.36 ± 0.53 µg/g (dry weight) for Cd and Pb, respectively, in blood cockle Anadara granosa from four sites of Sabang River, namely, Kampung Sambir, Kampung Tambirat, Beliong Temple, and Kampung Tanjung Apong, which are located at Asajaya, Sarawak, Malaysia. All values exceeded safety limits set by Malaysian Food Regulation (1985). It may be the cause of serious human health problems after long term consumption. Thus, consumer should have consciousness about such type of seafood from mentioned sites and need further investigation.

Synthesis of Cotton from Tossa Jute Fiber and Comparison with Original Cotton

Cotton fibers were synthesized from tossa jute and characteristics were compared with original cotton by using FTIR and TGA. The FTIR results indicated that the peak intensity of OH group from jute cotton fibers occurred at 3336 cm−1 whereas the peak intensity of original cotton fibers occurred at 3338 cm−1. This indicated that the synthesized cotton fiber properties were very similar to the original cotton fibers. The TGA result showed that maximum rate of mass loss, the onset of decomposition, end of decomposition, and activation energy of synthesized cotton were higher than original cotton. The activation energy of jute cotton fibers was higher than the original cotton fibers.

Low-density polyethylene/silica nanocomposites foams: Relationship between chemical composition, particle dispersion, cellular structure and physical, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties

Abstract The book chapter discussed the chemical composition, particle dispersion, cellular structure physical, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, especially those involved in thermosetting and thermoplastics engineered polymer. It showed that the current progress, improvement, and development of silica and its nanocomposites were given more impact on the advanced properties. Throughout this book chapter, the fundamental understanding and knowledge on the use of silica and it challenges were observed morphologically, physically, mechanically, and chemically. Thus, this chapter helps to evaluate the value of understanding the development of silica and its nanocomposites for better future applications and open anew avenue for materials scientists seeking new functionality in the field of materials science.

Investigation of the Acoustic Properties of Chemically Impregnated Kayu Malam Wood Used for Musical Instrument

The chemical modification or impregnation through preparing the wood polymer composites (WPCs) can effectively reduce the hygroscopicity as well as can improve the acoustic properties of wood. On the other hand, a small amount of nanoclay into the chemical mixture can further improve the different properties of the WPCs through the preparation of wood polymer nanocomposites (WPNCs). Kayu Malam wood species with styrene (St), vinyl acetate (VA), and montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay were used for the preparation of WPNCs. The acoustic properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed/γ), internal friction (Q−1), and acoustic conversion efficiency (ACE) of wood were examined using free-free flexural vibration. It was observed that the chemically impregnated wood composite showed a higher value of Ed/γ than raw wood and the nanoclay-loaded wood nanocomposite showed the highest value. The reverse trend was observed in the case of Q−1. On the other hand, chemical impregnation has a minor effect on ACE of wood for musical instruments. The results suggested that the chemically impregnated Kayu Malam wood polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) is suitable for making soundboards of violin and guitar instruments to be played longer without losing tone quality.