Norfadhilatuladha Abdullah

Carbon-Based Polymer Nanocomposites for Dye and Pigment Removal

Abstract This chapter discusses carbon-based polymer nanocomposites including carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphene, graphene oxide, and reduced graphene oxide as filler elements in the nanocomposites for the removal of various dyes and pigments. The carbon-based nanocomposites are discussed in general followed by critical review of their performance on dye and pigment removal via adsorption, membrane separation, and photocatalytic processes in which the advantages and limitations of each processes are addressed. At the end of this chapter, the future direction of the application of these nanocomposites is also included.

Preparation and characterisation of polyethersulfone/ hydrous ferric oxide mixed matrix membranes with improved hydrophilicity for treatment of oily waste water

The rapid growth in oil and gas industry has led to the large production of oily wastewater. The massive amount of oily wastewater derived from the industry has raised concerns in community especially its adverse impact to the environment. Membrane technology has been in the spotlight in recent advancement to treat the oily wastewater. The major obstacle regarding the membrane technology is fouling due to surfactant adsorption and/or oil droplets plugging the pore, which would lead to a severe decline of the flux and rejection rate. HFO nanoparticles are incorporated into the PES membrane matrix with the aim to improve the hydrophilicity, water permeability as well as the antifouling properties of the membrane. HFO is abundant and easily obtained making it the perfect candidate in developing economical and energy saving membrane operation. Hydrous ferric dioxide (HFO) nanoparticles were synthesised via chemical precipitation method and incorporated in polyethersulfone (PES) to fabricate nanocomposite mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for ultrafiltration (UF). The resulting membranes were characterised by SEM, FTIR, contact angle goniometer, before further subjected to water permeation test. It was found that contact angle of membrane decreased remarkably with an increase in HMO nanoparticle loading (state the value/ percentage decrement). The pore size at the skin layer however decreased as observed by SEM. As for the UF experiments, pure water permeation rate increased remarkably with increasing nanoparticle loading.

Study on Microstructural Properties of PAN/MnO2 Nanofibers via Electrospinning Method

This paper reported the production of precursor PAN/MnO2 nanofibers via electrospinning method and studying its microstructural properties. The nanofibers were prepared by electrospun the polymer solution of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and Manganese Oxide (MnO2) in, N, N-Dimethylformamide as its solvent. The factors considered in this study were polymer PAN/ MnO2 concentration which will significantly affect the specific surface area, nanofibers morphology, micropore volume and diameter of the nanofibers. The nanofibers were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brunauer Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area, and Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The addition of MnO2 in polymer solution increased the specific surface area of the nanofibers up to 3.5 wt % which found to be its optimum loading. In conclusion, the precursor PAN/ MnO2 -based ACNF were successfully produced with the optimization of metal oxide loading resulting to nanofibers with higher specific surface area which will further increased its adsorption performance.

The effect of fuel additives on gasoline heating value and spark ignition engine performance: Case study

Today fuel additives had been used widely for the enhancement of fuel economy and engine performance. Fuel additives are substance that acts as catalysts for the completeness combustion of fuel in order to increase the heat released and hence the work output will be improved. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the additives on fuel heating value and engine performance. In this study, three different additives available in the market have been chosen to determine the effect on heating value and engine performance when mixed with fuel. Two types of test were conducted, namely the calorific value and engine performance test. The first test was conducted using a bomb calorimeter with test method in accordance with the DIN 51900 and ASTM D240. The later test was done using engine test bed and with the agreement of BS 5514 (Parts 1 to 6), Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines: Performance, and SAE 1349 Standard Engine Power Test Code. The study shows that fuel additives can cause a standard fuel to have higher heating value up to 5%. As for the engine performance, the engine brake thermal efficiency and brake mean effective pressure were increased up to 8% and 10% respectively. The specific fuel consumption can be reduced up to 9%.