Saiful Azhar Saad
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Preferred name
Saiful Azhar Saad
Official Name
Saiful Azhar, Saad
Alternative Name
Saad, S. A.
Saad, Saiful Azhar
Main Affiliation
Scopus Author ID
36188475000
Researcher ID
G-1218-2013

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  • Publication
    Breaking boundaries in biodegradable packaging : a comprehensive review on magnetic alignment of iron-cellulose in PLA
    (Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2025)
    Siti Hajar Omar
    ;
    Mohd. Aizudin Abd. Aziz
    ;
    Saiful Azhar Saad
    ;
    Khairuddin Md Isa
    ;
    Nur Amira Fatihah Binti Bashari
    ;
    Muhammad Auni Hairunnaja
    This review paper explores the transformative potential of incorporating iron-coated cellulose into polylactic acid (PLA) composite films, presenting a comprehensive analysis of the advancements, implications, and challenges associated with this innovative approach. The introduction establishes the context, emphasizing the growing significance of sustainable packaging and the unique properties offered by biopolymers. The subsequent sections delve into the synthesis and fabrication methods, emphasizing the pivotal role of iron-coated cellulose in enhancing the mechanical, magnetic, and barrier properties of PLA nanocomposites. The review discusses in detail the magnetic alignment techniques employed, elucidating their impact on particle distribution and alignment within the PLA matrix. The exploration of magnetic field application reveals intricate relationships with curing times, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between magnetic alignment, curing processes, and particle distribution. The mechanical properties section further underscores the positive influence of magnetic alignment on tensile strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability, offering promising avenues for oriented structures in structural and functional materials. Expanding the scope to water barrier properties, the review investigates the effects of iron-coated cellulose on moisture absorption, revealing nuanced interactions that enhance the water barrier characteristics of the nanocomposites. Contact angle measurements provide insights into the surface properties, with the study uncovering how magnetic alignment contributes to improved hydrophobicity, thereby resisting water absorption and enhancing the effectiveness of these materials in packaging applications. The implications for sustainable packaging constitute a critical aspect of the review, shedding light on the environmental benefits and challenges associated with implementing magnetic alignment on a larger scale. The optimized material usage, renewable nature of iron-coated cellulose, and potential reduction in waste align with sustainability goals. However, challenges such as specialized equipment requirements and disposal considerations are also discussed, providing a balanced perspective. The paper concludes by summarizing the key advancements achieved through the incorporation of iron-coated cellulose into PLA composite films. It highlights the potential of these nanocomposites for future sustainable packaging, emphasizing their robust mechanical properties, magnetic functionalities, and enhanced water barrier characteristics. The conclusions underscore the collaborative effects of cellulose and iron coating, envisioning a future where sustainable packaging not only meets but surpasses industry standards. In essence, this review paper serves as a comprehensive guide, consolidating knowledge and insights to pave the way for future research and industry practices in the realm of sustainable and enhanced biopolymer packaging.
      3  1
  • Publication
    Performance of Waste Cooking Oil Esterification for Biodiesel Production Using Various Catalysts
    ( 2024-03-01)
    Herman I.T.
    ;
    Khairuddin Md Isa
    ;
    Naimah Ibrahim
    ;
    Saiful Azhar Saad
    ;
    Abdullah T.A.T.
    ;
    Aziz M.A.A.
    ;
    Hairunnaja M.A.
    In this study, waste cooking oil (WCO) with high free fatty acid (FFA) content was esterified to produce biodiesel, and the catalysts’ performance was investigated. Two deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were employed as the liquid catalysts (K2CO3-Gly and KOH-Gly), while the solid heterogeneous catalysts used were spent bleaching earth (SBE), KCC-1, and Na/KCC-1. DESs were prepared by mixing at reaction temperature and time of 80°C and 120 min, respectively. The American Standard Testing Method (ASTM) D974 determined the acid value. The catalysts were first screened for their catalytic activity in WCO esterification. The parameters investigated in this study were oil-to-methanol molar ratio, catalyst loading, reaction time, and temperature. The highest conversion (94.7%) was obtained using Na/KCC-1. The performance of solid and liquid catalysts was evaluated using KOH-Gly and SBE for the reduction of FFA in WCO under different conditions of oil-to-methanol molar ratio (1:6–1:10), catalysts loading (0.2–2.0 g), reaction time (30–60 min), and temperature (40–100°C). The highest reduction of FFA in the esterification process for KOH-Gly and SBE as catalysts was 97.74% and 84.2%, respectively. Transesterification of the esterified oil shows a promising result (97%), and the process can potentially be scaled up. The GC-MS result shows that the produced oil has the highest percentage of hexadecanoic acid and methyl ester.
      2  49
  • Publication
    Detection of landfill odour using Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM)
    ( 2006)
    Saiful Azhar Saad
    ;
    Mohd Noor Ahmad
    ;
    Suhardy Daud
    ;
    Farizul Hafiz Kasim
    ;
    Mohd Nazry Salleh
    Odour is considered as the main environmental pollution agent in Malaysia. Even though the standard permissible level for odour in Malaysia has not been set yet as for air and water, malodour is considered as one of the main polluting agents, since the people has started to be concerned about the malodour. Conventionally, the odour was detected by the olfactometer, which used human as its panel for smell. But the human panels are unable to produce a consistance result, especially for the continous monitoring. In this study, the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) was used as an odour detector. The QCM is basically a mass sensitive device with the ability to measure a very small change on a quartz crystal resonator in real time. This system basically comprises of an array of sensors as well as data acquisition and components analysis. A Principle Component Analysis (PCA) is used to define three distinct regions, according to the time of the samples being taken and hence allow the landfill odour differentiation.
      2  20
  • Publication
    Penggunaan kaedah Kolorimetri pembentukan kompleks kuprum-sabun dalam penentuan kandungan asid lemak bebas bagi minyak kelapa sawit
    ( 2005)
    Suhardy Daud
    ;
    Farizul Hafiz Kasim
    ;
    Saiful Azhar Saad
    ;
    Mustaffa Nawawf
    ;
    Kee Szi Loof
    Kandungan asid lemak bebas merupakan sa/ah satu aspek yang sangat penting dalam mengenalpasti kualiti sesuatu minyak kelapa sawit. Kaedah yang /azim digunakan bagi penentuan kandungan asid /emak bebas dalam minyak kelapa sawit ialah kaedah titratan dengan larutan natrium hidroksida. Bagaimanapun, kaedah ini memakan masa yang panjang dan sukar dilakukan. Melalui kajian ini, suatu kaedah kolorimetri yang ringkas dan cepat telah dibangunkan bagi menentukan kandungan asid /emak bebas dalam minyak kelapa sawit. Kaedah ini berdasarkan kepada pembentukan kompleks kuprum-sabun selepas asid-asid /emak bebas bertindak balas dengan /arutan kuprum asetat. Tiga sampel minyak kelapa sawit telah ditentukan kandungan asid /emak bebas mela/ui kaedah kolorimetri dan titratan. Bagi kaedah kolorimetri, kandungan asid lemak bebas dalam sampel-sampel tersebut ialah 1.93%, 0. 77% dan 0.16% wlw. Menggunakan kaedah titratan pula, kandungannya ialah 2.09%, 0. 73% dan 0.16% w/w. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kaedah kolorimetri sesuai digunakan bagi penentuan kandungan £!Sid lemak bebas dalam minyak kelapa sawit dengan /ebih mudah dan cepat berbanding kaedah titratan
      4  32
  • Publication
    Chemically modified sugarcane bagasse as a potentially low-cost biosorbent for dye removal
    ( 2010)
    Saiful Azhar Saad
    ;
    Khairuddin Md Isa
    ;
    Rohazita Bahari
    The use of adsorbent prepared from sugarcane bagasse, an agro waste from sugar industries has been studied as an alternative substitute for activated carbon for the removal of dyes from wastewater. Adsorbents prepared from sugarcane bagasse were successfully used to remove the methyl red (MR) from an aqueous solution in a batch reactor. This study investigates the potential use of sugarcane bagasse, pretreated with phosphoric acid (SBC), for the removal of methyl red from simulated wastewater. Phosphoric acid treated sugarcane bagasse was used to adsorb methyl red at varying dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH and contact time. A similar experiment was conducted with commercially available powdered activated carbon (PAC) and untreated sugarcane bagasse (SB) in order to evaluate the performance of SBC. The adsorption efficiency of different adsorbents was in the order PAC > SBC > SB. The initial pH 3 to 6 favoured the adsorption of synthetic dyes by both SBC and SB. This prepared adsorbent was very efficient in decolorized diluted solution. It is proposed that SBC, in a batch or stirred tank reactors could be employed as a low-cost alternative in wastewater treatment for dyes removal.
      19  14
  • Publication
    Introduction to Environmental Engineering
    (Penerbit Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 2009)
    Norazian Mohamed Noor
    ;
    Kamarudin Mohd Nor
    ;
    Saiful Azhar Saad
    ;
    Ragunathan Al Santiagoo
    ;
    Ain Nihla Kamarudzaman
    ;
    Khairuddin Md Isa
    This book is intended as an introductory course to Environmental Engineering for the first year university students. It touches on the principles underlying the knowledge and practice of Environmental Engineering. This book contains five (5) chapters. It sets to guide students on the majoe elements in this branch of engineering. These elements form the foundation upon which students will be later exposed to a deeper understanding of the knowledge and practices of environmental decision making and management enshined in various advanced courses that they will have to go through as they proceed to year two, three and four. The first chapter gives an overview on the definition of the environment and its associated issues. It also discusses briefly on noise pollution. This topic will be further discussed sufficiently in noise pollution and vibration control, a course offered at the third year level. This third chapter deals with the subject on hazardous wastes, and how they are managed. Students will find it useful when they follow an ensuing solid and hazardous waste management, a second year course dedicated to this subject. The fourth chapter provides as overview on air pollution and it will be covered in sufficient details when the students are in their third year. Last but not least, students will be introduced to water pollution in chapter five. This topic is a prerequisite to wastewater engineering. All topics in these chapters are discussed with examples, and selected solutions to the given problems, with emphasizing on relevant scientific principle. They are also discussed in the light of their related legislation. It is hoped that the students will understand reasonably well on the principles of environmental engineering, and are better prepared to follow other pertinent course later.
      13  3