Nur Munirah Abdullah

Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Bio-Polymer Graphite Thin Films

Waste cooking oil is used as the main substances in producing graphite biopolymer thin films. Biopolymer is produce from the reaction of bio-monomer and cross linker with the ratio of 2:1 and addition of graphite with an increment of 2% through a slip casting method. The morphological surface properties of the samples are observed by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It is shown that the graphite particle is well mixed and homogenously dispersed in biopolymer matrix. Meanwhile, the mechanical response of materials by monitoring the change in the material properties in terms of frequency and temperature of the samples were determined using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The calculated cross-linked density of biopolymer composites revealed the increment of graphite particle loading at 8% gives highest results with 260.012 x 103 M/m3.

Preparation of Conductive Polymer Graphite (PG) Composites

The preparation of conductive polymer graphite (PG) composites thin film is described. The thickness of the PG composites due to slip casting method was set approximately ~0.1 mm. The optical microscope (OM) and fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) has been operated to distinguish the structure–property relationships scheme of PG composites. It shows that the graphite is homogenously dispersed in polymer matrix composites. The electrical characteristics of the PG composite were measured at room temperature and the electrical conductivity (σ) was discovered with respect of its resistivity (Ω). By achieving conductivity of 103 S/m, it is proven that at certain graphite weight loading (PG20, PG25 and PG30) attributes to electron pathway in PG composites.

Graphite/Bio-Based Epoxy Composites: Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties

The conductive thin film was made based on bio-based epoxy and graphite compounded with its cross-linker (Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate, MDI) and further blended with disparate percentages of pretreated graphite. The preparation of this solution started by drop casting as thin films, where the thickness of thin film was set approximately ~0.1 mm. Optical microscope, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer has been operated to diagnose Graphite/ biopolymer composites in order to have better and accurate results of this work. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the composite thin film samples were measured at room temperature. This study shows the electrical conductivity was discovered and calculated by achieving conductivity of 103 S/m as a prove that this thin film has the ability to conduct electricity.

Graphite/Bio-Based Epoxy Composites: The Mechanical Properties Interface

Graphite reinforced bio-based epoxy composites with different particulate fractions of graphite were investigated for mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation at break. The graphite content was varied from 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 25 wt.%, 30 wt.% by weight percent in the composites. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the composites mainly depend on dispersion condition of the treated graphite filler, aggregate structure and strong interfacial bonding between treated graphite in the bio-based epoxy matrix. The composites showed improved tensile strength and elastic modulus with increase treated graphite weight loading. This also revealed the composites with increasing filler content was decreasing the elongation at break.

Influence of Additive on the Performance of Energy Conversion Solar Cell

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) of natural dyes from local fruits which consist of the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of anthocyanin molecule influences the performance of photosensitized effect due to high interaction on the surface of filler. The study is based on Titanium Dioxide, TiO2; U1and U2 (without and with additive respectively), treated TiO2 with ultrasonic; U3 and U4 (without and with additive respectively). The additive for electrolyte, KI3 gives effects on the rate of electron injection to the oxidized dye sensitizer. Of treated TiO2 with ultrasonic was reduced the particle size agglomeration from 0.37 μm down to 0.15 μm. This contributes to a better sponge like with high porosity in order to absorb more anchorage dye sensitizer. Treated U4 with addition of additive for electrolyte gives, Voc=0.74228 V, Isc=0.36 mA, FF=57.0124 gives 0.039% of efficiency.