Synthesis and characterization of ultra violet curable renewable polymer graphite composites

This thesis aims is to evaluate the synthesis and characterization of ultra violet (UV) curable renewable polymer graphite (RPG) composites. Accordingly, the renewable polymeric composites were prepared through a film slip casting method at room temperature wherein graphite particles of various weight loadings were mixed with mass proportion 2:1 of renewable monomer and Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate, MDI respectively. The main concerned was given to renewable monomer based vegetable cooking oil produced at the SPEN-AMMC UTHM. The morphology-structural relation of the RPG composites confirmed that the graphite particles contain functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxylic groups are randomly distributed and attributed to formation of interconnected interface within the polymeric composites. Furthermore, as the graphite particle loading increased, the thermal degradation temperature at three distinct decomposition stages shifted and to some extent, resulting in much higher crystallinity. As expected, the mechanical properties of the composites were also enhanced with the modulus and tensile strength increment up to ~440% and ~100% respectively. Significantly, all of these results correlate with viscoelastic properties in which the composites achieved percolation threshold at RPG20 composites. Moreover, the decreased in optical energy band gap (Eg) which afterwards took the leads to electrical conductivity (σ). Aptly, the composites (RPG20, RPG25 and RPG30) were found to possess favorable electrical conductivity range of 10-5 – 10-4 S/m, while all other samples were deemed to be not conductive due to improper dispersion of graphite particulates. On the contrary, UV curable composites did not show any significant enhancement and graphite particle acted as UV stabilizer in this manner. Therefore, the stability of the conductive renewable polymer graphite composite is suitable to be used in various composites applications

Characterization and treatment of titanium dioxide, TiO2 via ultrasonic process with melastoma malabathricum as sustainable sensitizer for photovoltaic slar cell

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated with doped Titanium Dioxide, TiO2 which are based on natural dyes from Malaysia tropical fruits, wherein contain interlocking groups; the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups of the anthocyanin molecule which enhance the photosensitization effect due to the high interaction on the surface of the film. Such a natural dye extracted from Melastoma Malabathricum can be subjected to molecular tailoring to give a superior dye preparation, offering a wide range of spectral absorption; covering the entire visible region (400 – 700 nm). This study is based on a series of TiO2 preparations designated U1 and U2 (without and with additive respectively), and those treated with ultrasonic energy, namely U3 and U4 (without and with additive respectively). 10 minutes of sonication of the metal oxide led to its breakdown from agglomeration at the micro to the nano scale. Furthermore the additive (4-tert-butylpyridine) in potassium iodide, KI3 electrolyte, effects the rate of electron injection into the oxidized dye sensitizer. Sonication of TiO2 reduced the particle size agglomerates from 0.37 µm down to 0.15 µm; this treatment led to a more consistency with high porosity, enabling enhance absorption and anchorage of the dye sensitizer. Sonicated sample U4, with addition of electrolyte additive gives, open circuit voltage, Voc= 0.742 V, short circuit current, Isc= 0.36 mA, fill factor, FF= 57.012 and 0.039 % of cell’s efficiency. Evidently, sonication and addition of additive for KI3 electrolyte offer enhanced capability for further application

Deterioration rate of renewable polyurethanes composites prior to ultra violet irradiation exposure

Polyurethanes (PU's) made from renewable and sustainable materials are one of the most important groups of polymers because of their versatility with wide range of grades, densities and stiffness. In this project, polymers based on renewable materials such as rapeseed (RS) and sunflower oil (SF) were synthesized and cross-linked to form polyurethanes. The effect of prolonged exposure up to 1000 h upon UVB light, in general promotes photodegradation for both RS and SF-based polyurethanes, both neat and also composites loaded with TiO2. The addition of 10% Degussa P25 TiO2 pigment, gives the greater degradation while PUs loaded with 5% Kronos 2220 show the slowest rates of degradation due to the effect of the coating of this pigment. The photostabiliser Tinuvin 770 offers high protection from UVB, thus lead the combination of Tinuvin 770 with Degussa P25 promotes the highest protection from UVB exposure. Moreover, addition of Tinuvin 770 at the stage of preparation of the PUs also greatly reduced the undesirable yellow colouration prevalent during PU synthesis

Segmented phase of ultraviolet (UV) curable thermoset polyurethanes-graphite (TPU-G) composites

Segmented thermoset polymeric materials properties mainly classified through its carbonyl hydrogen bonding. The addition of graphite particle loading in polymeric materials tailored the functional characteristic of the composites. Therefore, the carbonyl hydrogen bonding in the hard segments of the synthesized segmented ultraviolet (UV) curable thermoset polyurethanes-graphite (TPU-G) composites was identified. This composites based green polymer incorporated with varying graphite particles loading were prepared through slip casting method which cure upon UV light. These result in an enhancement of the carbonyl hydrogen bonding which tribute to degree of phase separation (DPS %) in the TPU-G composites ranged from 10-20%, as compared to that in the pure TPU. In addition, the spectroscopy detects the formation of carbonyl hydrogen groups within the TPU-G composites although they are prone to chain scission and undergo photo oxidation subjected to ultraviolet (UV) curing. Upon UV curing, higher graphite weight loading (TPU-G20, TPU-G25 and TPU-G30 composites), shows higher and stable DPS% value, attribute to soft segment- soft segment and hard segment- hard segment establishment. Therefore, the graphite particles dominantly absorb the incident radiation instead of thermoset polyurethane without changing its based

Identification of fatty acid methyl ester composition in biodisel product in different type of vegetable oils / Munirah Abdullah

Biodiesel can be defined as simple alkyl ester of fatty acid produced from vegetable oils and animal fats. Because of increases in crude oil prices, limited resources of fossil fuel and environmental concerns there has been renewed focus on palm oils and vegetable oils. There are four primary ways to make biodiesel, direct use and blending, microemulsions, thermal cracking (pyrolysis) and transesterification. The most commonly used method is transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats. The transesterification reaction is affected by molar ratio of glycerides to alcohol, catalysts, reaction temperature, reaction time and free fatty acids and water content of oils or fats. The objective of this project to identify Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAMEs) that has been produced from palm oil and corn oil using gas Chromatography (GCMS). From the study, there are two different type of FAMES in vegetable oils which are saturated and unsataturated. Different types of FAMES result to the different types of biodiesel. Transesterification process can be done either using acid-catalyst or base catalyst. In this study, transesterification has been done using base catalyst Potassium hydroxide was mixing with methanol to produce potassium methoxide. There are different ratio of Potassium to methanol used to know whether the different ratio affect the yield of product. Smaller ratio used gives the high yield of product compared to larger ratio. Commercialization of biodisel as renewable energy beneficial to country, environment, and consumer

Enhancement of graphite functionality in renewable polymer composite properties

The preparation and characterization of composite thin films of renewable polymer graphite (PG) is disclosed. Thin films ~ 0.1 mm thick are prepared using a simple solution mixing with mass proportion of 2/1 (renewable monomer/ Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate, MDI), upon differ graphite content (PG0 , PG5 , PG10, PG15, PG20, PG25 and PG30) and drop casting at room temperature. The morphology-structure relations of renewable PG composites with respect to electrical conductivity were diagnosed using Optical microscope (OM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The homogeneous random dispersion and strong interface between the graphite in the classical insulating renewable polymer matrix were observed. Thus resulting of enhancements in thermal stability with slight shift of decomposition temperature and better mechanical properties through the modulus and tensile strength increment up to ~440% and ~100% respectively. The result shows that it can simultaneously leads to renewable PG conductivity (σ) where the percolation threshold occurs at higher graphite content (PG20, PG25 and PG30) of 103 - 104 S/m. Thus, this non-petroleum based renewable polymer graphite composites have remarkably more to offer as conducting polymer composites material in multidisciplinary applications

The ability of biochar and activated biochar as arsenic adsorbent / Munirah Abdullah Hadi

The experiment was conducted to investigated the ability of biochar and activated biochar as arsenic (As) adsorbent. Adsorptions of heavy metal such as arsenic (As) onto EFB biochar and EFB activated biochar have being studied using batch adsorption method. This study was carried out to examine the adsorption capacity of the EFB biochar and EFB activated biochar in removing arsenic (As). Batch adsorption method was conducted with different initial arsenic (As) concentrations to give different final equilibrium concentration as a function as solute adsorbed per gram of adsorbent. The potential adsorption by EFB biochar and EFB activated biochar for arsenic (As) removal was investigated to determine the efficiency of the biochar and activated biochar as the adsorbents. The initial concentrations was highest were equilibrium relationships between adsorbent and adsorbate which is described by adsorption isotherms model which give the capacity of adsorbent for an adsorbate. Result shows the adsorption rate increased with increased of level concentration of arsenic (As). Results indicated that the EFB biochar is locally available, low cost adsorbent and treated as economically viable for the removal of metal ions from mining or agriculture effluents

Penghakiman Tribunal Antarabangsa untuk Undang-Undang Laut (ITLOS) dalam isu penambakan wilayah di Singapura

Penambakan wilayah adalah satu teknik yang merujuk kepada kerja-kerja pengorekan pasir di sesuatu lokasi, dan pasir itu kemudiannya ditimbus ke lokasi tertentu di pinggir pantai bagi meninggikan aras permukaan dasar laut sehingga menjadi tapak muka bumi yang baru. Di antara negara yang sangat giat melakukan aktiviti penambakan wilayah di rantau Asia Tenggara ialah Singapura. Kajian ini menumpukan analisis prosiding penambakan wilayah Singapura di Tribunal Antarabangsa untuk Undang-Undang Laut (ITLOS) yang melibatkan negara jiran terdekatnya Malaysia. Pengumpulan maklumat primer dilaksanakan secara pemerhatian terus di lapangan dan juga membuat beberapa temubual mendalam. Manakala maklumat sekunder diperolehi melalui kajian kepustakaan. Hasil akhir kajian kumpulan pakar bebas (GOE) telah mengesahkan dakwaan awal kerajaan Malaysia bahawa, kerja-kerja penambakan wilayah Singapura di Tuas dan Pulau Tekong telah menyebabkan beberapa impak negatif seperti pencemaran di perairan laut Malaysia dan menyempitkan laluan perkapalan di Selat Johor. Justeru permohonan provisional measures kerajaan Malaysia sememangnya mempunyai asas kes yang sangat kukuh. Pada 26 April 2005, kedua-dua wakil kerajaan telah menandatangani perjanjian bersama secara rasmi untuk menamatkan pertelingkahan di dalam isu penambakan wilayah ini. Walaubagaimanapun, isu tuntutan kerajaan Malaysia di Titik 20 tidak dibincangkan di dalam prosiding ini, namun kedua-dua pihak bersetuju agar rundingan diplomatik yang berasingan di adakan bagi tujuan tersebut pada masa akan datang

“Realpolitik” hubungan Singapura-Amerika Syarikat dalam konteks penambakan wilayah di Singapura

Penambakan wilayah adalah satu teknik yang merujuk kepada kerja-kerja pengorekan pasir di sesuatu lokasi. Kemudiannya pasir berkenaan ditimbus ke lokasi tertentu di pinggir pantai bagi meninggikan aras permukaan dasar laut sehingga menjadi tapak muka bumi yang baru. Di antara negara yang sangat giat melakukan aktiviti penambakan wilayah di rantau Asia Tenggara ialah Singapura. Ini adalah kerana Singapura mempunyai bidang tanah yang kecil, kawasan pantai yang terhad dan mempunyai populasi penduduk yang semakin meningkat. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menganalisis hubungan bilateral antara Singapura dengan Amerika Syarikat, dan mengenalpasti kerjasama militarinya yang berkaitan dengan aktiviti penambakan wilayah di Singapura. Pengumpulan data primer dilaksanakan secara pemerhatian terus di lapangan dan melalui beberapa sesi temubual mendalam. Pengumpulan data sekunder diperolehi daripada pelbagai sumber seperti artikel jurnal tersohor, akhbar, laman internet yang dipercayai dan laporan kerajaan. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa langkah yang diambil oleh Singapura untuk menambak wilayah ini bukanlah disebabkan peningkatan populasi penduduknya semata-mata. Tatkala Amerika Syarikat kelihatan agresif melaksanakan strategi pivot to Asia Pacific, Singapura pula sebenarnya mengalu-alukan kehadiran kuasa militari Amerika Syarikat ke rantau ini. Justeru kajian ini menyimpulkan bahawa jaringan kerjasama militari Singapura- Amerika Syarikat adalah signifikan di dalam aktiviti penambakan wilayah Singapura di mana ianya memenuhi kepentingan realpolitik Amerika Syarikat di rantau ini

Legal Challenges of the Covid-19 Vaccination Program: A Comparative Discourse between Malaysia and Australia

During the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, many health-related industries were alarmed and pressured to innovate solutional vaccines to reduce the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Extra effort and lab activities had taken place in several jurisdictions to respond to the increased demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. With these attempts, various vaccines were created and entered the market. All countries designed their own COVID-19 programme in the route to combat the viruses. These countries showed their willingness to invest to secure access to vaccines. In parallel to this development, the vaccination program is bombarded with several issues such as safety assurance, equal access to the vaccine, and protests by the anti-vaccine group. The inability to address these issues will jeopardise the success of building herd immunity which is the core in eradicating COVID-19 cases. Thus, this study explored and analysed the issues and challenges to have an effective vaccination program in a battle against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It is a comparative study between Malaysia and Australia that includes safety measures, anti-vaccine groups and access to vaccines. This study adopts a qualitative method utilising the doctrinal study on the legal framework that describes the scope and limitation of power accorded to the Drug Control Authority of the selected jurisdictions. The research activities also include semi-structured interviews with relevant authorities using online interviews. The data are analysed using content and thematic analysis. Findings to this study may assist in identifying the loopholes within the administrative control on the vaccination program adopted by Malaysia