Instrumental Characterization of Unmodified and HDTMA-Br Modified Kaolinite Clay: SEM-EDX, Quantachrome and TGA-DTA

Kaolinite clay from Alkaleri Northeast Nigeria was pre-treated and beneficiated using physical process. The treated clay of cation exchange capacity (CEC) 9.5 meq/100 g was modified with cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) with amount equivalent to and doubled the CEC. The unmodified kaolinite clay (UKC) and the resultant organo-kaolinite clays: monolayer modified clay (MMC) and bilayer modified clay (BMC) were characterized using the following instruments: Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Quantachrome and Thermogravimetric-Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA). EDX profile analysis shows 22.41 % C, 56.17 % O & 10.56 % Al in UKC; 21.06 % C, 55.49 % O & 11.66 % Al in MMC and 18.98 % C, 54.59 % O & 12.14 % Al in BMC respectively; with Fe and K found in MMC. The SEM morphology shows UKC has high porosity and large particles, while MMC and BMC showed fine particles and darker than UKC with textural non-uniformity. TGA curve shows that UKC attains equilibrium decomposition at 997.20oC with 15.32 % weight loss, MMC 997.30 oC with 32.67 % weight loss and BMC 998.90 oC with 37.23 % weight loss. The revealed weight loss indicates water of hydration and dehydroxylation. The DTA curves show endothermic at 510 oC, 250 oC and 520 oC for UKC, MMC and BMC respectively. The single point surface area was 11.9754 m2/g, 3.0132 m2/g and 3.8225 m2/g for UKC, MMC and BMC with corresponding adsorption average pore width 355.0050 Å, 478.6275 Å and 752.8364 Å respectively. Clay materials being promising minerals when modified can achieve desired surface properties for best performance in adsorption applications

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy Characterization of Adhesive Produced From Polystyrene Waste

In this study, the optimized adhesive formulated from polystyrene waste was characterized for Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) / Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, solubility, density and water absorption for identification of existing functional group(s), morphology, elemental compositions, etc. The results revealed that polystyrene, unsaturated hydrocarbon has been degraded to form a new product containing aromatic compounds. SEM morphology showed well mixed blended adhesive with silver-like appearance due to additives and EDX revealed 12 existing elemental compositions with their corresponding percentage atomic weights as follows; carbon 93.14 %, hafnium 1.44 %, vanadium 1.66 %, chromium 1.40 %, bromine 0.47 %, palladium 0.26 %, copper 0.43 %, nickel 0.31 %, cobalt 0.29 %, potassium 0.38 %, iron 0.15 % and manganese 0.08 %. The produced polystyrene adhesive was sparsely soluble in water after 30 minutes; it has a density of 1041 kg/m3 and does not absorb moisture. Because of these results, the adhesive from polystyrene waste could serve as green adhesive, since there are no threats of toxic substance emission from the spectral analysis since most of the elements are used as a supplement in pharmaceuticals and catalyst in process industries

Formulation and Characterization of Adhesive Produced From Polystyrene Waste Using Response Surface Optimization

Polystyrene is extensively used in building and construction industry, packaging and transportation of fragile equipment due its low density, high melting point, low thermal conductivity, low water absorption, etc. Polystyrene after usage is usually discarded thereby causing environmental problems. The post-usage of polystyrene has, therefore, been a subject of intense research in recent times. The aim of this work is to produce adhesive from polystyrene wastes. Polystyrene waste (PS) was collected, processed and dissolved in tackifyer and formulated with diphnyle amine and diethylene glycol dibenzoate additives to produce adhesive using 3 levels variables factors and 4 levels testing factors of design expert optimization software. The produced adhesive was further characterized for viscosity, pH, percentages solid and moisture contents for their response surfaces. The results showed that the best fit viscosity for each run was Run 1B> Run 5A > Run 5D> Run 5B>Run 4D based on the regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The pH values obtained ranged from 4.0 to 6.3; percentage moisture content was in the order of Run 1B < 5A<4D<4B and percentage solid content was in the order of Run 1B<5A<4D. The best fitted adhesive was run 1B with 5.93 % moisture content; 5A has 7.57 % moisture content and 4D with 8.76% moisture content. The percentage solid content; Run 1B has 67.19 %, 5A has 68.16 % and 4D has 75.50 %. The produced adhesives were found within the standard range of adhesives used in production of particleboard

Pyrolytic Extraction and Characterization of Oil from Waste Recharge Scratch Card Papers for Industrial Application

Oil extracted from mobile phone waste recharge scratch cards paper by thermal pyrolysis was investigated. The oil was characterized by its physical, chemical, and functional groups present. The physicochemical characteristics of the oil determined are density 900 kg/m3, viscosity 1.5 mm2s-1, acid value 1.122 mgKOH/g, saponification value 98.175 mgKOH/g and iodine value 22.84 gI2 /100g. The pour point and flashpoints are -15 °C and 90 °C respectively. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) revealed the presence of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, alkenes alkanes, ethers, and phenol. This indicates that the oil has industrial applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, and biodiesel production

The Imperativeness of Laterite in Building and Road Construction Sectors for Sustainable Infrastructure in Nigeria: A Review of Laterite for Socio-economic Development

The challenges of housing accommodation and road construction due to insecurity and searching for socio-economic activities had over populated urban cities in Nigeria. In this study, a review on the importance of laterite as a significant engineering component used in building, road and dam constructions were reviewed. Laterite is formed due to weathering from the parent rock material, rich in iron and aluminium oxides. Quality laterites are obtained based on the geographical location and topography with rainfall above 90 cm. Better laterite is found in the central and southern regions of Nigeria, with 100-300 cm of rain. Therefore, Plateau State in the North central region is endowed with natural resources such as laterite, which could be utilised in housing and road construction for low-income earners to own a house and ease access between the rural-urban communities to cushion the effect of the high cost of building materials

Effective Maintenance of Physical facilities in Secondary Schools Bauchi State, Nigeria

This study investigated the effectiveness of maintenance of physical facilities in Bauchi State Secondary Schools, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design populated with Principals, vice principals, and Maintenance Officers, numbering 72. The samples were based on twenty-four Senior Secondary Schools, derived through stratified random sampling techniques based on the senatorial districts using SPSS Software, Version 23. Statistical methods used in analysing the data include percentage, mean, standard deviation, and independent t-test statistics. Results show poor maintenance culture in public schools, which implies that the physical facilities are seldom maintained. Funding was part of the major problems that hindered the maintenance of the school facilities. It was recommended that there is the need for a thorough understanding of the practical principles and practices of managing school physical facilities by the school administrators in secondary schools to enhance facilities' lifespan and ensure maximal usage, which will guarantee optimal efficacy in the utilisation of facilities in the long run