Metal oxide particles have been studied by many researchers as potential catalysts for the production of biofuel. However, better understanding of catalysts preparation and characterisation are essential. A series of solid metal oxide catalysts were synthesised by chemical precipitation method using metal salt precursor such as magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, (Mg(NO3)2.6H2O), copper (II) nitrate tryhidrate (Cu(NO3)2.3H2O) and nickel nitrate hexahydrate, (Ni(NO3)2.6H2O ). The synthesised catalysts before and after calcination were further characterised using Thermal Gravity Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. Higher catalytic activity and higher production of biofuel may benefits from this higher surface area metal oxide catalysts synthesis by precipitation method in this work
Epoxidized fatty hydrazides (EFHs) which have amine, amide and epoxide functional groups in their molecules are a versatile starting material for synthesizing of many industrially important compounds. In this report we describe the results of our preliminary study of synthesizing these compounds using a chemical reaction of epoxidized palm olein (EPO) and hydrazine monohydrate. The products were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique and CHN elemental analyser. The optimum reaction conditions for the hydrazide preparation were investigated by studying effect of each important reaction parameters on the product yields. The study shows that the optimum conditions to produce EFHs were using EPO to hydrazine monohydrate (mol ratio of 1 to 12), n-hexane as the solvent and at the temperature of 69 ̊C.
Room temperature carbon nanotubes (CNT)-based gas sensor was utilised in detection of methane, CH4 gas. The CNT was functionalized with amide group via Fischer esterification process and labelled as CNT-Amide. Silicon dioxide, SiO2 substrate with interdigitated prepatterned gold electrodes were employed as transducers and drop casting technique was used to deposit the multi walled-CNT samples. The electrical properties of the functionalized CNT samples in the exposure of CH4 gas are studied by recorded the changes of resistance using digital multimeter. Concentration of CH4 gas was varied from 1250 ppm to 10 000 ppm. The changes of electrical resistance of CNT-Amide increases with the concentration of tested gas. Sensor response of functionalized CNT are improved more than 10% as compared to pristine CNT. The sensitivity of CNT-Amide also better than CNT-Carboxyl due to the presence of nitrogen element in amide functional group which chemically active to react with CH4 gas. Additionally, fast response of CNT-Amide towards CH4 gas suggested that the functional group enhanced the rate of gas adsorption on sensing layer.
Multi walled-carbon nanotubes (CNT) functionalized with ester was used for detecting methane, CH4 gas at room temperature. Quartz substrate with interdigitated prepatterned gold electrodes was employed as transducers and drop casting method was used to deposit the CNT samples. The electrical properties of the functionalized CNT samples in the presence of CH4 gas were studied and the changes of resistance were recorded using digital multimeter. Concentration of CH4 gas was varied from 0.125 % to 1.0 %. The resistance variation of functionalized CNT increased with the concentration of tested gas. Sensor response of functionalized CNT was improved more than 10 % as compared to pristine CNT. CNT-Ester gives the higher sensitivity due to the presence of ester functional group which act as active site to react with CH4 gas. The fast response of functionalized CNT towards CH4 gas suggested that the functional group enhanced the rate of gas adsorption on sensing layer
In this review, the challenges faced by woven kenaf thermoset polymer composites in Malaysia were addressed with respect to three major aspects: woven kenaf reinforcement quality, Malaysian citizen awareness of woven kenaf thermoset composite products, and government supports. Kenaf plantations were introduced in Malaysia in the last two decades, but have generally not produced much kenaf composite product that has been widely accepted by the public. However, woven kenaf fiber enhances the thermoset composites to a similar degree or better than other natural fibers, especially with respect to impact resistance. Woven kenaf composites have been applied in automotive structural studies in Malaysia, yet they are still far from commercialization. Hence, this review discusses the kenaf fiber woven in Malaysia, thermoset and bio-based thermoset polymers, thermoset composite processing methods and, most importantly, the challenges faced in Malaysia. This review sets guidelines, provides an overview, and shares knowledge as to the potential challenges currently faced by woven kenaf reinforcements in thermoset polymer composites, allowing researchers to shift their interests and plans for conducting future studies on woven kenaf thermoset polymer composites.