A simulation study on interfacial reaction between Sn3Ag0.5Cu and Sn0.7Cu using different substrates after reflow soldering

Reflow soldering is a process to create joining between the board and electronic component in order to make sure the electronic devices may function well. The aim of this study is to determine the solder joint strength through simulations using data from previous researchers. Two type of solder alloys were used namely Sn3Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) and Sn0.7Cu (SC07) with two types of substrate such as laminated copper and pure copper. Simulation was conducted using Fusion 360 software. Besides, the information and data on intermetallic compound formation and growth, as well as thickness were gathered and presented in this study to support the simulation results. Results showed that pure SAC305/copper substrate produced lower shear strength which was 15.17 MPa as compared to SAC305/laminated copper with the value of 26.67 MPa. Meanwhile SC07/pure copper also gave lower shear strength which was 5.62 MPa as compared to SC07/laminated copper which was 5.45 MPa. In terms of IMC, it was found that mainly Cu6Sn5 was formed at the solder joint interface with an average thickness of 3 µm for SAC305, and 5 µm for SC07 for both substrates. Hence it can be concluded that SAC305 with laminated copper substrate showed a good performance to produce a reliable electronics product

Intensified photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue over Fe supported on dendritic fibrous SBA-15: Optimisation, kinetic, isotherm, and reusability

A novel photocatalyst, Fe supported on dendritic fibrous SBA-15 (Fe/DFSBA-15), is synthesised and employed for methylene blue (MB) photocatalytic degradation. The DFSBA-15 was synthesised by applying a microemulsion technique and SBA-15 crystal-seed crystallisation approach. The TEM and FESEM of Fe/DFSBA-15 revealed the revolution of rod-typed SBA-15 into dendritic fibrous-structured (DFSBA-15). The characterisation analyses using FTIR, XRD, BET, PL and UV-Vis DRS, confirmed favourable properties of Fe/DFSBA-15 compared to Fe/SBA-15. Fe/DFSBA-15 exhibits superior properties, attributed to its unique dendritic fibrous morphology that increases the surface area, pore accessibility, and mass transfer. These exceptional features establish it as a highly promising and efficient photocatalyst for diverse applications. Optimisation of MB degradation (Y, %) by using Fe/DFSBA-15 was conducted by employing response surface methodology (RSM) of independent parameters such as catalyst loading (X1, 0.5 – 2.0 g/l), pH (X2, 6 – 10) and initial MB concentration (X3, 10 – 50 mg/l). The model was significant, and MB degradation was optimised at 99.54% (X1 = 1.66 g/l, X2 = 9, and X3 = 27.5 mg/l) along with validation experiments (3.62% error). The research outcome was in agreement with the Langmuir second-order (R2 ≥ 0.99), indicating a predictable trend of the MB degradation process. Interestingly, the excellent degradation and reusability performance of Fe/DFSBA-15 offered a prospective approach for industrial wastewater treatment

Recent advances in metal oxide photocatalysts for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants: A review on photocatalysts modification strategies

Wastewater from industries that predominantly consist of organic pollutants significantly contributes to water pollution and harms the environment, demanding urgent solutions. Among the available wastewater treatment technologies, photocatalysis has garnered considerable interest due to its high efficiency, cleanliness, and sustainability. However, metal oxide photocatalysts, despite extensive study, possess limitations such as agglomeration, rapid electron-hole recombination, and photo corrosion. These limitations hinder the practical design and synthesis of photocatalysts. To address these challenges, researchers have explored various photocatalyst modification approaches, including doping with noble or non-noble metals, crystal facet engineering, physical deposition, dye sensitization, and the implementation of the Z-scheme photocatalyst system. These modifications aim to enhance the catalytic properties of photocatalysts and improve the degradation of organic pollutants. This review article highlights recent advances in the modification strategies of metal oxide photocatalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The future prospect and conclusions were also discussed. This review is expected to provide an in-depth understanding of metal oxide photocatalyst development, thus accelerating the evolution of photocatalytic degradation of pollutants

Optimization of Pb(II) removal using Magnetic y-Fe2O3/KCC-1 Synthesized from Palm Oil Fuel Ash

The pollution of lead, Pb(II) in water bodies has severely threatened the environment and human health due to its toxicity. Thus, removing Pb(II) from water bodies is an imperative task. In this study, the removal of Pb(II) using magnetic y-Fe2O3/KCC-1 synthesized from Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) was explored. The characterization analysis confirmed a successful preparation of y-Fe2O3/KCC-1 with BET surface area and pore volume of 401 m2g-1 and 0.90 cm3g-1, respectively. The optimization by response surface methodology (RSM) with independent variables of initial Pb(II) concentration

Intensifed Pb(II) adsorption using functionalized KCC‑1 synthesized from rice husk ash in batch and column adsorption studies

An attempt to investigate the feasibility of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APTES)-functionalized KCC-1 (NH2/KCC-1) prepared from rice husk ash (RHA) for Pb(II) removal was executed. An effective functionalization of fibrous silica nanospeheres (KCC-1) by NH3 was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The optimized condition of Pb(II) adsorption in the batch system was at an initial Pb(II) concentration (X1) of 307 mg/L, adsorbent dosage (X2) of 2.43 g/L, and time (X3) of 114 min, with the Pb(II) removal (Y) of 90.1% (predicted) and 91.2% (actual). NH2/KCC-1 can be regenerated by nitric acid (0.1 M) with insignificant decline of Pb(II) removal percentage (adsorption=91.2–67.3%, desorption=77.7–51.9%) during 5 cycles adsorption–desorption study. The examination of column adsorption study at a varying flow rate (1–3 mL/min) and bed height (10–20 cm) showed a good performance at a lower flow rate and higher bed height. Both Adam–Bohalt model and Thomas model displayed a good correlation with experimental data. However, Thomas model was more suitable due to the high correlation coefficient, R2=0.91–0.99. This study revealed the intensified Pb(II) adsorption using NH2/KCC-1 synthesized from RHA in batch and column adsorption studies

Environmental impacts of utilization of ageing fixed offshore platform for ocean thermal energy conversion

Most Malaysian jacket platforms have outlived their design life. As these old platforms have outlived their design life, other alternatives must be considered. As several offshore oil and gas extraction installations approach the end of their operational life, many options such as decommissioning and the development of a new source of energy such as wind farms are introduced. The objective of this paper is to investigate the environmental impacts of utilising ageing fixed offshore platform as a source for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). The environmental impact of utilising an ageing fixed offshore platform as an OTEC source is discussed. OTEC produces energy by taking advantage of temperature variations between the ocean surface water and the colder deep water through cold-water intake piping, which requires a seawater depth of 700 metres. The output of this study shows that OTEC is envisioned to preserve marine life, becoming a new and reliable source of energy, assist clean water production, and reduce the negative impact of climate change. OTEC platforms utilising ageing platforms may lead to 44 % of fish catch in the ocean, remove 13 GW of surface ocean heat for every GW of electricity production per year, generate 1.3105 tonnes of hydrogen per year for each GW of electricity generated. In addition, OTEC platforms can reduce approximately 5106 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the environment for 1 GW of electricity generated per year, and supply 2 million litres of water per day for a 1 MW platform. Since Malaysia's seawater profile allows for installing a fixed offshore platform as an OTEC power plant, Malaysia has many potentials to profit from the OTEC process