Now showing 1 - 10 of 13
  • Publication
    Exsolution enhancement of metal-support CO oxidation perovskite catalyst with parameter modification
    ( 2021-05-24)
    Lew G.L.
    ;
    ;
    Abdullah S.
    ;
    Wan Daud W.R.
    ;
    This study aimed to further tune the capability of active metal exsolution onto the surface of the CO oxidative perovskite catalyst La0.7Ce0.1Co0.3Ni0.1Ti0.6O3 by tuning the reducing parameter. Under same calcination temperature of 800℃, XRD analysis shown that the precursors with calcination duration of 6 hours (S2T8H6) was able to achieve similar crystalline structure to those with calcination duration of 12 hours (S2T8H12). In order for the active metal (CoNi) to be exsolved onto the perovskite surface, reducing parameter such as temperature and duration are deemed crucial to the reduction process. The exsolution of the active metals was observed when the samples were treated under reducing condition with varying temperatures of 550℃ and 700℃ and duration from 200 to 300 minutes. Through comparison with their EDX readings, S2T8H6 treated under 700℃ and 300 minutes (S2T8H6-R7H5) achieved the highest weight percentage of surface Cobalt and Nickel of 3.83 and 2.81. It was clear that by tuning the temperature and duration of reduction, the exsolution of the active metals onto the surface of the perovskite could be improved resulting in better exposure and dispersion of active metals onto the surface of catalyst.
  • Publication
    Microplastics and nanoplastics: Recent literature studies and patents on their removal from aqueous environment
    The presence of microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) in the environment poses significant hazards towards microorganisms, humans, animals and plants. This paper is focused on recent literature studies and patents discussing the removal process of these plastic pollutants. Microplastics and nanoplastics can be quantified by counting, weighing, absorbance and turbidity and can be further analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and Raman tweezers. Mitigation methods reported are categorized depending on the removal characteristics: (i) Filtration and separation method: Filtration and separation, electrospun nanofiber membrane, constructed wetlands; (ii) Capture and surface attachment method: coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation (CFS), electrocoagulation, adsorption, magnetization, micromachines, superhydrophobic materials and microorganism aggregation; and (iii) Degradation method: photocatalytic degradation, microorganism degradation and thermal degradation; where removal efficiency between 58 and 100% were reported. As these methods are significantly distinctive, the parameters which affect the MP/NP removal performance e.g., pH, type of plastics, presence of interfering chemicals or ions, surface charges etc. are also discussed. 42 granted international patents related to microplastics and nanoplastics removal are also reviewed where the majority of these patents are focused on separation or filtration devices. These devices are efficient for microplastics up to 20 μm but may be ineffective for nanoplastics or fibrous plastics. Several patents were found to focus on methods similar to literature studies e.g., magnetization, CFS, biofilm and microorganism aggregation; with the addition of another method: thermal degradation.
  • Publication
    Influence of carbonisation temperature on the surface pore characteristics of acid-treated oil palm empty fruit bunch activated carbon
    ( 2020-07-01)
    Ahmad N.
    ;
    ;
    Fu P.Y.
    ;
    Carbonisation process affects the surface physical and chemical properties of an activated carbon. Therefore, this work aims to investigate the influence of carbonisation temperature from 400 to 550° C during activation with 85% phosphoric acid (H3PO4) on the surface pore characteristics of activated carbon produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) for nitric oxide (NO) removal from gas streams. Pore and morphological characterisation showed that EFB carbonised at 400° C (EFBC-400) is microporous and has a uniform pore structure with 98% micropore volume. Increasing carbonisation temperature resulted in pore enlargement from 2.8 to 4.7 nm and increment in pore heterogeneity and BET surface area from 215 to 759 m2/g. However, the NO breakthrough experiment indicated that EFBC-400 is more favourable for low-temperature NO removal, due to the importance of microporosity in adsorption of NO. Further study will look at the kinetics of NO removal and the adsorbent regeneration.
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  • Publication
    Influence of leachate matrix on oxidation performance of ozonation and aops
    Landfill leachate is a critical environmental issue that should be adequately treated to prevent it from spreading to the environment. This study explored the influence of raw leachate matrix and treated leachate matrix on O3, O3/H2O2, and O3/PS performance. O3 and AOPs were conducted in a laboratory-scale batch reactor. The findings showed the degradation of p-cresol, COD, and humic substances was much slower in treated leachate matrix than in raw leachate matrix. However, color was found easier to remove in treated leachate. The results revealed a synergic effect between molecular O3 and dissolved organic matter in the raw leachate as the O3 performance was enhanced in the presence of raw leachate matrix, except for color removal. The highest degradation of more than 90% was achieved in O3 /H2 O2 to remove COD, p-cresol, and humic substances, although it is the most affected by the leachate matrix. This study provides vital insight into the notable performance of O3 /PS in color removal regardless of the influence of leachate matrix, suggesting that the sulfate radical-induced oxidation outperformed O3 and O3 /H2 O2 in reducing nitrogen-containing compounds.
      1
  • Publication
    Microplastics and nanoplastics: Recent literature studies and patents on their removal from aqueous environment
    ( 2022-03-01)
    Muhammad Adli Hanif
    ;
    ; ; ; ;
    Jalil A.A.
    The presence of microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) in the environment poses significant hazards towards microorganisms, humans, animals and plants. This paper is focused on recent literature studies and patents discussing the removal process of these plastic pollutants. Microplastics and nanoplastics can be quantified by counting, weighing, absorbance and turbidity and can be further analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and Raman tweezers. Mitigation methods reported are categorized depending on the removal characteristics: (i) Filtration and separation method: Filtration and separation, electrospun nanofiber membrane, constructed wetlands; (ii) Capture and surface attachment method: coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation (CFS), electrocoagulation, adsorption, magnetization, micromachines, superhydrophobic materials and microorganism aggregation; and (iii) Degradation method: photocatalytic degradation, microorganism degradation and thermal degradation; where removal efficiency between 58 and 100% were reported. As these methods are significantly distinctive, the parameters which affect the MP/NP removal performance e.g., pH, type of plastics, presence of interfering chemicals or ions, surface charges etc. are also discussed. 42 granted international patents related to microplastics and nanoplastics removal are also reviewed where the majority of these patents are focused on separation or filtration devices. These devices are efficient for microplastics up to 20 μm but may be ineffective for nanoplastics or fibrous plastics. Several patents were found to focus on methods similar to literature studies e.g., magnetization, CFS, biofilm and microorganism aggregation; with the addition of another method: thermal degradation.
      1
  • Publication
    Column-based removal of high concentration microplastics in synthetic wastewater using granular activated carbon
    ( 2023-01-01)
    Amirah Mohd Napi N.n.
    ;
    ;
    Adli Hanif M.
    ;
    ; ;
    Syafiuddin A.
    ;
    Boopathy R.
    Microplastic (MP) is an emerging contaminant of concern due to its abundance in the environment. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) can be considered as one of the main sources of microplastics in freshwater due to its inefficiency in the complete removal of small MPs. In this study, a column-based MP removal which could serve as a tertiary treatment in WWTPs is evaluated using granular activated carbon (GAC) as adsorbent/filter media, eliminating clogging problems commonly caused by powder form activated carbon (PAC). The GAC is characterized via N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurement to determine the influence of its properties on MP removal efficiency. MPs (40–48 μm) removal up to 95.5% was observed with 0.2 g/L MP, which is the lowest concentration tested in this work, but still higher than commonly used MP concentration in other studies. The performance is reduced with further increase in MP concentration (up to 1.0 g/L), but increasing the GAC bed length from 7.5 to 17.5 cm could lead to better removal efficiencies. MP particles are immobilized by the GAC predominantly by filtration process by being entangled with small GAC particles/chips or stuck between the GAC particles. MPs are insignificantly removed by adsorption process through entrapment in GAC porous structure or attachment onto the GAC surface.
      1
  • Publication
    Microplastics in facial cleanser: extraction, identification, potential toxicity, and continuous-flow removal using agricultural waste–based biochar
    Microplastic (MP) is an emerging contaminant of concern due to its ubiquitous quantity in the environment, small size, and potential toxicity due to strong affinity towards other contaminants. In this work, MP particles (5–300 μm) were extracted from a commercial facial cleanser and determined to be irregular polyethylene (PE) microbeads based on characterization with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The potential of extracted MP acting as toxic pollutants’ vector was analyzed via adsorption of methylene blue and methyl orange dye where significant dye uptake was observed. Synthetic wastewater containing the extracted MP was subjected to a continuous-flow column study using palm kernel shell and coconut shell biochar as the filter/adsorbent media. The prepared biochar was characterized via proximate and ultimate analysis, FESEM, contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate the role of the biochar properties in MP removal. MP removal performance was determined by measuring the turbidity and weighing the dry mass of particles remaining in the effluent following treatment. Promising results were obtained from the study with highest removal of MP (96.65%) attained through palm kernel shell biochar with particle size of 0.6–1.18 mm and continuous-flow column size of 20 mm. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
      1
  • Publication
    Promoting a well-dispersion of MoO3 nanoparticles on fibrous silica catalyst via one-pot synthesis for enhanced photoredox environmental pollutants efficiency
    ( 2022-12-01)
    Izzudin N.M.
    ;
    Jalil A.A.
    ;
    Ali M.W.
    ;
    Aziz F.F.A.
    ;
    Azami M.S.
    ;
    Hassan N.S.
    ;
    Fauzi A.A.
    ;
    ;
    Saravanan R.
    ;
    Hassim M.H.
    The coexistence of pharmaceutical compounds and heavy metals in the aquatic environment has resulted in complications in the treatment process and thus, causing uproar among the citizens. The radical-based photocatalysis technology has aroused as an excellent method to eliminate both heavy metal and pharmaceutical compounds in the water. Herein, reported the utilization of the microemulsion technique for the preparation of nanoporous fibrous silica-molybdenum oxide (FSMo) towards simultaneous photocatalytic abatement of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and tetracycline (TC). The FESEM analysis showed the spherical morphology of the FSMo catalyst with dendrimeric silica fiber. The synthesized FSMo catalyst exhibited narrowed bandgap, high crystallinity, and well Mo element dispersion for enhanced photo-redox of Cr(VI) and TC. Remarkably, simultaneous remediation of the Cr(VI) and TC over FSMo demonstrated superior photocatalytic efficiency, 69% and 75%, respectively, than in the individual system, possibly due to the effective separation of photoinduced charges. The introduction of the Mo element to the silica framework via microemulsion technique demonstrated better dispersion of Mo compared to the incipient wetness impregnation method and thus, yielded higher photocatalytic activity towards simultaneous removal of TC and Cr(VI). Besides, quenching experiments revealed the electrons and holes as the active species that play a dominant role in the simultaneous photo-redox of Cr(VI) and TC. Lastly, the FSMo catalyst demonstrated high stability after four continuous cycles of simultaneous photocatalysis reactions, implying its potential as a suitable material for practical wastewater treatments.
      1
  • Publication
    Influence of leachate matrix on oxidation performance of ozonation and aops
    Landfill leachate is a critical environmental issue that should be adequately treated to prevent it from spreading to the environment. This study explored the influence of raw leachate matrix and treated leachate matrix on O3, O3/H2O2, and O3/PS performance. O3 and AOPs were conducted in a laboratory-scale batch reactor. The findings showed the degradation of p-cresol, COD, and humic substances was much slower in treated leachate matrix than in raw leachate matrix. However, color was found easier to remove in treated leachate. The results revealed a synergic effect between molecular O3 and dissolved organic matter in the raw leachate as the O3 performance was enhanced in the presence of raw leachate matrix, except for color removal. The highest degradation of more than 90% was achieved in O3 /H2 O2 to remove COD, p-cresol, and humic substances, although it is the most affected by the leachate matrix. This study provides vital insight into the notable performance of O3 /PS in color removal regardless of the influence of leachate matrix, suggesting that the sulfate radical-induced oxidation outperformed O3 and O3 /H2 O2 in reducing nitrogen-containing compounds.
      1
  • Publication
    Mixed cations tin-germanium perovskite: A promising approach for enhanced solar cell applications
    Significant progress has been made over the years to improve the stability and efficiency of rapidly evolving tin-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). One powerful approach to enhance the performance of these PSCs is through compositional engineering techniques, specifically by incorporating a mixed cation system at the A-site and B-site structure of the tin perovskite. These approaches will pave the way for unlocking the full potential of tin-based PSCs. Therefore, in this study, a theoretical investigation of mixed A-cations (FA, MA, EA, Cs) with a tin-germanium-based PSC was presented. The crystal structure distortion and optoelectronic properties were estimated. SCAPS 1-D simulations were employed to predict the photovoltaic performance of the optimized tin-germanium material using different electron transport layers (ETLs), hole transport layers (HTLs), active layer thicknesses, and cell temperatures. Our findings reveal that EA0.5Cs0.5Sn0.5Ge0.5I3 has a nearly cubic structure (t = 0.99) and a theoretical bandgap within the maximum Shockley-Queisser limit (1.34 eV). The overall cell performance is also improved by optimizing the perovskite layer thickness to 1200 nm, and it exhibits remarkable stability as the temperature increases. The short-circuit current density (Jsc) remains consistent around 33.7 mA/cm2, and the open-circuit voltage (Voc) is well-maintained above 1 V by utilizing FTO as the conductive layer, ZnO as the ETL, Cu2O as the HTL, and Au as the metal back contact. This configuration also achieves a high fill factor ranging from 87 % to 88 %, with the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 31.49 % at 293 K. This research contributes to the advancement of tin-germanium perovskite materials for a wide range of optoelectronic applications.
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