The study examines the effect of using low nickel (Ni) with high ceria (CeO2) anode content towards the oxidation of H2 and CH4 fuel by evaluating the activation energy of the ohmic process and charge transfer process. Using a micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (MT-SOFC), the anodes are made up of 50% YSZ with varying NiO:CeO2 percentages from 0% NiO, 50% CeO2 to 50% NiO, 0% CeO2. The performance is measured based on maximum power density (MPD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and activation energy, Ea of the ohmic (Rohm) and charge transfer (Rct) processes. We found that by lowering the Ni content to lower than 50% NiO, anode conductivity will drop by 7-fold. An anode containing 37.5% NiO, 12.5% CeO2 yield MPD of 41.1 and 2.9 mW cm−2 when tested on H2 and CH4 fuels thus have the lowest Ni content without an abrupt negative effect on the MPD and EIS. The significant effect of conductivity drops on MPD and EIS are observed to occur at 25% NiO, 25% CeO2 and lowe.....

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In this study, durian shell-based activated carbon (DAC) was produced via chemical activation method by utilising durian shell and sulphuric acid (H2SO4) as the starting material and activating agent, respectively. The incorporation of H2SO4 in the DAC production process resulted an improvement in the surface properties and adsorption capacity of the produced DAC adsorbent. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis further showed that the produced DAC possessed a porous structure which was beneficial for dye adsorption application. Under operating conditions of 500°C and 3 hours carbonisation temperature and time, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, total pore volume and BET average pore diameter were measured to be 242.03 m2/g, 0.028 cm3/g and 2.28 nm, respectively. The adsorption performance of the produced DAC was then investigated using methylene blue (MB) as the model adsorbate. The optimum MB dye removal and adsorption capacity were found to be 92.05% a.....

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The development of scalable membrane-based separation processes has attracted considerable interest on laboratory and industrial scales. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is one of the most widely used fluoropolymer materials for membrane fabrication due to its excellent mechanical strength, good thermal stability and chemical resistance as well as aging resistance. However, the hydrophobic nature of PVDF has resulted in serious membrane fouling during the filtration process. From the past decade, the embedment of hydrophilic materials in/on PVDF-based membranes can significantly alter the membrane’s morphology and surface properties. Therefore, based on most articles retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, etc., this article provides the overview of the recent development of PVDF-based membranes during the recent several decades. The detailed information regarding PVDF as a polymer material as well as the main challenge in the development of PVDF-based membranes with bet.....

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[No abstract available]..

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Detecting methane (CH4) at room temperature through adsorption-based sensing poses a challenge due to its inert properties. In this study, we enhance both the sensitivity and selectivity of CH4 detection by decorating ZnO nanorods (ZNRs) with platinum (Pt), forming Pt-decorated ZNRs (PZNRs), which are then coated on a microcantilever surface. The sensor's response is monitored by measuring the resonance frequency shift, ranging from 3 to 20 Hz, and Q-factor of 194 to 208, as CH4 flows at rates of 10-100 mL/min under room temperature conditions. The introduction of Pt significantly enhances the sensor's sensitivity to picogram levels, enabling the detection of extremely low concentrations of CH4. To assess the sensor's selectivity, we compared its response to CH4 with that of carbon monoxide (CO). The results demonstrate that the sensor exhibits a substantially higher response to CH4, with CO detection showing minimal (9-19 times smaller than CH4) or no response. The presence of Pt atom.....

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[No abstract available]..

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Oxide-based nanoparticles have been studied extensively due to their unique optical and passivation properties, which are significantly distinct from those of bulk materials. The present study aimed to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles through the co-precipitation method. The adequate substitution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) into CuO is analyzed by different characterizations, i.e., X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–visible), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and EDX. The X-ray diffraction spectra indicate that the prepared copper oxide nanoparticles were crystalline, nano-sized, and highly pure. The SEM micrographs showed that nanoparticles were spherical at lower contents of NaOH, while at higher contents, agglomeration of nanoparticles occurs, and the grain size changes. The decreased optical bandgap of the nanoparticles was observed due to different concentrations of sodium hydroxide. The crystalline size and strain val.....

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Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based photovoltaic systems due to their efficient light-to-electricity conversion. A critical component of DSSCs is titanium dioxide (TiO2), responsible for converting light into electrical energy. Spray pyrolysis was one of the methods for fabricating TiO2 thin films. However, there are several drawbacks, such as challenges in particle size control, maintaining homogeneity of the thin film, and scalability issues during the deposition process. Modifications to the manufacturing process are necessary to achieve optimal performance in DSSCs, particularly with the thickness of the cell. This work focuses on the 2-axis spray pyrolysis process, a cost-effective way to create thin and thick films. In particular, it focuses on TiO2 thin films utilized as working electrodes in DSSC applications. The method was performed at different motor speeds, namely MS80, MS100, and MS120. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spe.....

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Bananas serve as a nutrient-rich energy source for human diets, and a valuable raw material for downstream products. Despite the high demand for bananas, they have a relatively short shelf-life. To mitigate these shortcomings, researchers have explored the use of edible coatings to extend the shelf-life of bananas. Nevertheless, only a few studies have assessed the integration of starch, gum, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in developing a coating solution that can preserve the qualities of bananas post-harvest. Therefore, the present work assessed the antibacterial properties of a novel edible coating formulation combining cassava starch, xanthan gum, and ZnONPs, and its impact on the physicochemical characteristics and shelf-life of bananas of the ‘Pisang Berangan’ variety (Musa acuminata). Firstly, coating solutions with compositions of cassava starch, xanthan gum, and varying concentrations of ZnONPs were prepared. Their antibacterial properties were then assessed using t.....

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The conductive ink research area has attracted much interest from researchers. The possibility of fabricating flexible and simple electronic devices offers many advantages for electronic devices, such as energy storage, wearable devices, and smart devices. Graphene conductive ink has gained much attention from scientists owing to its excellent electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. Numerous scientists have reported the modification of graphene properties to meet the demand for the application. Among the presented graphene synthesis methods, the electrochemical exfoliation process is simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly. Moreover, the electrochemical exfoliation approach can be conducted in a water solution, thus decreasing production costs and making it environmentally safe. This review article presents the progress in the electrochemical exfoliation of graphene to produce graphene-conductive ink. Progress on graphene conductive ink and its hybrid is also presented. .....

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