Electrochemical Synthesis Of Tin Sulphide In Aqueous Media

Chalcogenide semiconductor of the type tin sulphide or stannous sulphide (SnS) has been synthesised in aqueous media under the presence and absence of EDT A complexing agent. It was found that electrodeposition performed in the presence of EDTA is more reproducible, better adhered to titanium substrate, more leveled, more crystalline and offers better photoconductivity properties in comparison to electrodeposition carried out without EDT A. These were determined by means of Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDAX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), IN-visible Spectroscopy, Linear Scan Photovoltammetry (LSPV) and in special cases, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)

Oil palm biomass alkaline peroxide diversified pulp: mapping of Quality to application by degree of chromophorisation.

Treating the oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) with the alkaline peroxide witnessed a structural collapse, yielding fibrous materials with a portion of modified lignin and nano-scale ash remnants. Weak alkaline peroxide defiberated micro-fibrous pulp that suited paper making and packaging applications

Cathodic electrodeposition of SnS thin films from aqueous solution

SnS thin films were prepared by cathodic electrodeposition on ITO/glass and Ti substrates from a solution containing SnCl2 and thiosulphate ions. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were performed to elucidate the electrodic processes occurred when potentials were applied and to determine the optimum potential for electrodeposition. The photoactivity of the deposited films and their conduction types were evaluated using the photoelectrochemical technique. The bandgap energy and type of optical transitions were determined from optical absorbance data. Structural and compositional analysis were accomplished using X-ray diffractometry, electron dispersive analysis of X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphology of the films were examined using scanning electron microscopy

Cathodic electrodeposition of SnS in the presence of EDTA in aqueous media

Cathodic electrodeposition in the presence of EDTA in aqueous solution was found to offer some noteworthy improvements in our attempt to synthesise an SnS thin film. EDTA has shown its capacity for improving the longevity of the deposition bath as well as the adhesion of the deposited film on a titanium substrate. Photoelectrochemical analysis reveals outstanding photoactivity of the electrodeposited thin film, while an optical study shows an energy gap of approximately 1.1 eV. The effects of chelating agent were extracted from the results of cyclic voltammetry, photoelectrochemical test, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The latter which displays better defined signals reaffirms the appreciable improvement in the polycrystallinity of the thin film. Analysis of peak locations, coincidentally, confirms that SnS of Herzenbergite form has been obtained

Sequential Synergy of Alkaline Peroxide Treatment and Refining in Co-generating Filler for Pulp Web Augmentation

Desired pulp-based product properties can be achieved by addition of filler in the pulp network. In exploring this, fines co-generated upon refining the alkaline peroxide treated oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) were collected based on their passage and retention capacities when subjected to varying mesh-sizes stainless-steel square mesh wires. Pulp network incorporating fines produced from the synergy of low alkaline peroxide (AP) and low energy refining effects shows that blending 12% of the 400-mesh fines (P300/R400) with the normal 200-mesh pulp fraction enhanced paper tensile strength by 100% due to their favourable dimensions. This defines the usefulness of fibrillar particles whose cell wall collapsibility increases the web density by increasing bonding ability and thus, strength of pulp-based products. Fines produced from more extreme synergy between alkaline peroxide and degree of refining, exhibit unique submicron fibrils and ‘nano-CGF’ also responsible for further augmentation of EFB alkaline peroxide pulp network. Whether from the simple (low-AP and low energy refining) or the extreme synergy of AP and refining, the co-generated fines are apparently suitable materials for use as natural filler for augmentation of pulp network. Particularly for the simple AP and refining synergy, the introduced recovery and utilization of the co-generated filler (CGF) was found to reduce 74% turbidity and this improvement will help reduce the complexity of whitewater generation in the pulping system

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE FROM OIL PALM FRONDS USING CHEMO-MECHANICAL PROCESS

This study investigates the characteristic of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) isolated from oil palm (Elaies guineensis) fronds using acid hydrolysis method. The morphology and size of the MCC were characterized using both Sherrer equations for X-ray diffraction (XRD) result and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The thermal stability of MCC was determined from thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) profiles whilst, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyse the chemical modifications that occurred under these conditions. The XRD results showed that the MCC isolated from oil palm fronds (OPF-MCC) fibres had an average diameter and crystallinity index of 12.15 nm and 60.1 % respectively. Both the FTIR and the XRD indicated that lignin and hemicellulose contents decreased while the cellulose-I polymorph remained constant. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that OPF-MCC had higher thermal stability compared to the OPF fibres. The study revealed the potential applications of the MCC isolated from the oil palm biomass as green reinforcement or/and fillers in the production of biodegradable biocomposite

Nanofibre network rooted from the alkaline peroxide treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunches

The increasing popularity of the oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a source of non-wood fibre has prompted a variety of research on processing and utilisation of the material. In an attempt to define the characters, reusability and end-of-life, oil palm EFB was processed by the alkaline peroxide variable treatment (APVT) systems. Low synergy between alkaline peroxide (AP) chemical and mechanical fibrillation through fibrillation (CMR synergy) revealed the yield of segments of EFB vascular bundles while heightening the mechanical forces further, generated more uniform but a mixture of fiber and segments of fibre bundles. An intermediate CMR synergy generated fibres forming a more well-defined but a rough resultant fibre network due to partial fibrillation of the vascular bundle. Applying maximal CMR synergy was found to generate higher yield of network strengthening fibrous cells. These were later identified as nanoscale fiber network or nanoscan, consisting of 10-80 nm diameter fibers arranging themselves in a systematic network. Analysis of the polarity of fibers harvested from the APVT systems manifests the systematic construction of nanofibrils winding in helical manner to form arrays of nanofibres that glue themselves together as micro-fibrils. Interconnections between fibers and other gluing elements led to the vascular bundle known as the EFB biomass that was once dross and that can now be marvelled as an alternative source of nanofibers for the nanoindustry sector

Augmentation of EFB fiber web by nano-scale fibrous elements

Treatment of the abundant oil palm empty fruit bunches with alkaline peroxide chemicals and subsequent fibrillation at varying mechanical energies resulted in favourable morphological changes of the generated fibers. The produced fibrous mass composed of intensely fibrillated elements ranging from micro to nanodiameter fibrils. nanofibrils and webs of nanofibrils were factors contributing to the functionality of the fibrous mass as fibre web augmentation elements. Profound improvement in fiber network is particularly attributable to the ability of the collected elements to fill up inter-fiber gaps and this was attributable to the micro elements in the form of micro fines, segmented micro-fibrils and webs of nanofibrils. The uniquely generated thin layers of nanofibril webs (TN-webs), were found to increase fiber web density by gluing multiple layers of fibers, together. Having landed on the surface of micro-fiber web, these TN-webs were identified as responsible for the masking effects of the underlying micro-fibres. Under such condition, fibers were observed to coalesce, suggesting also an augmented fiber network as evident from the 130% increase in tensile index and a 450% enhancement in burst index of the resultant fiber web relative to those formed with the basic alkaline peroxide chemical-mechanical refining (CMR) synergy. This reveals a great promise to EFB for application as super-strong fibre-web materials such as packaging and specialty paper-based products

Pulp and Paper Potentials of Alkaline Peroxide Pre-Treated of Oil Palm Waste and Industrial Application

This chapter explores the potentials of the alkaline peroxide pre-treated oil palm vascular bundle (oil palm waste) in the industrial production of pulp, paper and other cellulosic products like microcrystalline cellulose. Management of this escalating waste is a herculean task and creates environmental hazards hence urgent action is needed to create value out of these waste biomass. The pulp and paper industry being a large consumer of lignocellulose materials preferred the use of coniferous and deciduous trees for pulp production and papermaking because their cellulose fibres in the pulp make durable paper. In addition to this, the global population explosion and the economic development has resulted in the significant increase in demand for paper. With improvements in pulp processing technology through the use of environmental benign technology like alkaline peroxide pre-treatment it has been considered as suitable for paper pulp and other cellulose based products such as microcrystalline cellulose. Characterization of the alkaline peroxide pre-treated oil palm vascular bundles using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transmission infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses confirm the micro-sized cellulose fibres. Use of these lignocellulosic materials can reduce the burden on the forest while supporting the natural biodiversity

POTENTIAL OF FINES AS REINFORCING FIBRES IN ALKALINE PEROXIDE PULP OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH

Pulp from the alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP) of oil palm empty fruit bunch, EFB, was fractionated with varying mesh-size screens to examine the effects imposed by size-specific fines on the produced pulp network. Occurring mainly as a result of refining, fines elements with dimensions almost resembling EFB fibres were the long tube-like tapered vessels from the arrays of adjoined cell walls detached along the perforation lines. These fibrillated vessel elements constituting the P250/R300 fines fraction improved pulp network strength by gluing onto multiple fibres. More profound strength enhancement was promoted by the segments of the fibrillated vessel elements constituted in the P300/R400 fines fraction. With reduced dimensions, these elements enhanced pulp network strength by filling the micro-voids in the pulp network. By eliminating gaps that would otherwise interrupt inter-fiber bonding, 12% P300/R400 fines fraction enhanced the EFB APMP pulp network tensile strength by 100%