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Gourd fibres (GF) are a natural biodegradable fibre material with excellent mechanical properties and high tensile strength. The use of natural fibres in composite materials has gained popularity in recent years due to their various advantages, including renewability, low cost, low density and biodegradability. Gourd fibre is one such natural fibre that has been identified as a potential reinforcement material for composites. However, it has low surface energy and hydrophobic nature, which makes it difficult to bond with matrix materials such as polyester. To overcome this problem, chemically adapted gourd fibre has been proposed as a solution. Chemical treatment is one of the most widely used methods to improve the properties of natural fibres. This research evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating chemically adapted gourd fibre into polyester composites for industrial fabrication. The purpose of this study is to examine the application of chemically modified GF in the production of polyester composite engineering materials.

This work aims to evaluate the effectiveness of chemically adapted gourd fibre in improving the adhesion of gourd fibre with polyester resin in composite fabrication by varying the GF from 5 to 20 wt.%. The study involves the preparation of chemically treated gourd fibre through surface modification using sodium hydroxide (NaOH), permanganate (KMnO₄) and acetic acid (CH₃COOH) coupling agents. The mechanical properties of the modified fibre and composites were investigated. It was then characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the changes in surface morphology and functional groups.

FTIR characterization showed that NaOH treatment caused cellulose depolymerization and caused a significant increase in the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, showing improved surface functional groups; KMnO₄ treatment oxidized the fibre surface and caused the formation of surface oxide groups; and acetic acid treatment induced changes that primarily affected the ester and hydroxyl groups. SEM study showed that NaOH treatment changed the surface morphology of the gourd fibre, introduced voids and reduced hydrophilic tendencies. The tensile strength of the modified gourd fibres increased progressively as the concentration of the modification chemicals increased compared to the untreated fibres.

This work presents the designed composite with density, mechanical properties and microstructure, showing remarkable improvements in the engineering properties. An 181.5% improvement in tensile strength and a 56.63% increase in flexural strength were got over that of the unreinforced polyester. The findings from this work will contribute to the understanding of the potential of chemically adapted gourd fibre as a reinforcement material for composites and provide insights into the development of sustainable composite materials.

The impact of potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) treatment on the tensile strength of an alkali-treated pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced with tapioca-based bio resin (cassava starch) was studied.

The PALF was exposed to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment in varying concentrations of 2.0, 3.7, 4.5 and 5.5g prior to the fiber treatment with KMnO₄. The treated and untreated PALFs were reinforced with tapioca-based bio resin. Subsequently, they were subjected to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and tensile test analysis.

The FTIR analysis of untreated PALF revealed the presence of O-H stretch, N-H stretch, C=O stretch, C=O stretch and H-C-H bond. The tensile test result confirmed the highest tensile strength of 35N from fiber that was reinforced with 32.5g of cassava starch and treated with 1.1g of KMnO₄. In comparison, the lowest tensile strength of 15N was recorded for fiber reinforced with 32.5g of cassava starch without KMnO₄ treatment.

Based on the results, it could be deduced that despite the enhancement of bioresin (cassava starch) towards strength-impacting on the fibers, KMnO₄ treatment on PALF is very vital for improved tensile strength of the fiber when compared to untreated fibers. Hence, KMnO₄ treatment on alkali-treated natural fibers preceding reinforcement is imperative for bio-based fibers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate cimetidine as corrosion inhibitor of aluminium in hydrochloric acid medium.

Cimetidine was characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine its chemical composition and functional groups, respectively. Gravimetric, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic techniques were used in the corrosion inhibition process. Thermodynamic and adsorption parameters were evaluated. And response surface methodology was used to optimize the corrosion inhibition process.

Analysis of the results revealed that major constituents of cimetidine include metronidazole, n-hexadecanoic acid cyclohexane and methyl ester. It has C-H stretch, C = N stretch, CH₃C-H bend, ring C = C stretch, -C-O-O stretch, N-H bend, C-O stretch and C-H bend as predominant functional groups. Adsorption of molecules of the inhibitor on the aluminium surface was spontaneous, and it followed mechanism of physical adsorption. Response surface methodology revealed that quadratic model adequately described the inhibition efficiency of cimetidine as function of inhibitor concentration, temperature and time. Chemical and electrochemical results are in agreement that the cimetidine is a viable corrosion inhibitor. Cimetidine was revealed as mixed-type inhibitor because it controlled both cathodic and anodic reactions.

Empirical and optimization studies of cimetidine drug as corrosion inhibitor of aluminium in hydrochloric acid medium were carried out. The research results can provide the basis for deploying drugs (with mucosal protective and antacid properties) for corrosion control of metallic structures.

The purpose of this study is to investigate starch mucor (SM) in potassium iodide (KI) as corrosion inhibitor of aluminium in hydrochloric acid (HCl) medium.

The SM in KI was characterized by gravimetric, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, potentiodynamic polarization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer techniques. The inhibition efficiency was optimized using response surface methodology.

The result revealed that the inhibitor inhibited corrosion at a low concentration with the rate of inhibition increasing as the concentration of the inhibitor increased. The inhibition efficiency increases as the temperature was increased with slight incorporation of the inhibitor (SM in KI). This indicates that the corrosion control is both inhibitor (SM in KI) and temperature dependent.

The research results can provide the basis for using SM in KI as corrosion inhibitor of aluminium in HCL medium. Mixed-type inhibitor nature of SM was proved by cathodic and anodic nature of the polarization curves.

The purpose of this paper is to observe the effect of cheap cow horn ash particles (CHAp) filler as a possible replacement for expensive fillers on the mechanical properties of polyester-banana peduncle fibre (BPF) composites were evaluated using standard procedures.

Composite was developed using CHAp as a filler component, polyester resin and BPF, with the filler of varying percentage weights (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%), at particle sizes of 125 µm, using hand lay-up technique. The physicochemical properties of CHAp were examined through x-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersion spectrometric analysis (EDS) and density. Mechanical properties of the developed composites were also examined.

The results showed that the tensile properties and impact strength of the composites reduced marginally with the incorporation of the cow horn ash particle as a filler. However, the flexural strength of the composites increased progressively with the incorporation of BPF as the fibre loading increased. The major constituents of CHAp were CaO from XRF study, calcite (CaCO₃) from XRD study and Ca in EDS study in accordance with the analytical parameter, which showed a major component of calcium. The high value of CaCO₃ in CHAp improved flexural and impact strengths of the composites. CHAp presented around solid and irregular shape particle characteristic of most fillers with an average particle size of 98.13 nm. The tensile and flexural strengths of the polyester matrix composites obtained at 7.5% BPF: 7.5% CHAp was 117.87 MPa depicting satisfactory mechanical characteristics.

Generally, cow horn ash particle exhibited adequate filler component potential in composite production in keeping with its property effects on the mechanical properties of polyester-BPF composites.

This paper aims to examine the fire retardant property potentials of cow horn ash particles (CHAp) bio-additive and aluminium trihydrate (AH), a traditional inorganic fire-retardant additive, respectively, in banana peduncle fibre (BPF) reinforced polyester composites. An attempt was made to comparatively analyse the fire retardant capacity potentials of CHAp, a bio-material waste that is readily available, at no cost, as a potential fire retardant material for composites manufacture with a conventional inorganic fire retardant additive (AH).

The fibre used in this research was derived from the banana peduncle. The matrix is unsaturated polyester. A scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the particle size of the carbonized CHAp. The composites were compounded using 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% of CHAp and AH, respectively. A cone calorimeter instrument was used in the analysis to obtain combustion information of CHAp and AH formulated polyester-BPF composites. Test samples were cut to the dimensions of 100 × 100 mm. All materials are conditioned at 23 ± 30 °C and the relative humidity of 50 ± 5% for 24 h before testing. The samples were wrapped with aluminium foil around the back and edges before placing the samples on the holder and then into the cone calorimeter. The samples were backed with a non-combustible insulating refractory material (brick). The samples were orientated horizontally and exposed to irradiances of 50 kW/m² at a temperature of approximately 6000 °C. The samples were pilot ignited and ran in triplicate; the average readings of the three runs were taken.

The results obtained from the analysis depicted similar fire retardant properties for formulations with CHAp and AH, respectively. Composites formulated with CHAp exhibited delayed ignition time of 25%, increased end of burning time of 14.24% and reduced total heat release rate of 9.07% for the developed composites. The developed BPF/CHAp/polyester composites yield composites with fire retardancy, which would find relevance in the engineering material industry.

CHAp, therefore, would suffice as an alternative to the inorganic, expensive and non-environmental friendly, conventional fire retardant additives used in composites manufacture.

Chitin Derived Coag-flocculant (CDC), is a cheap, abundant and eco-friendly deacetylated cationic polymer applied in this study at a pilot scale for the treatment of Brewery Effluent (BRE). The study investigates the influence of varying BRE pH on the coag-flocculation kinetics and behavior of the aggregation process at varying CDC dosages. The best coag-flocculation performance is recorded at rate constant, K_m, of 0.0003 l/mg·min, half life, τ1/2, of 0.6846 min, pH of 4, dosage of 100 mg/l and efficiency, E (%) of 99.8791. Minimum efficiency (%) > 96 was achieved at 3 minutes of coag-flocculation, establishing CDC as an effective water treatment agent at the conditions of the experiment.

Coag-flocculation behavior of Brachystegia eurycoma coagulant (BEC) in respect of pH variation in coal washery effluent has been investigated at room temperature using various dosages of unblended BEC. Coag-flocculation parameters such as order of reaction α, rate constant (K and Ks), coagulation period, τ_1/2 e.t.c were determined. Turbidity measurement was employed using the single angle nephelometric method while BEC processing was based on work reported by Adebowale and Adebowale. Maximum parameter values are recorded at K of 6.6667×10^-3m³/kg.s; dosage of (0.2 and 0.4kg/m³), pH2 and τ_1/2 of 1.7293s while the minimum values are recorded at 5.00×10^-4m³/kg.s, dosage of 0.3kg/m³, pH 6 and τ_1/2 of 23.0572s. Minimum value of coag-flocculation efficiency is >98%; thus establishing BEC as a potential effective coag-flocculant. Parameters obtained lie within the range of previous works and confirm that the theory of perikinetics holds for coag-flocculation of the coal washery effluent using BEC at the experimental conditions.

The purpose of this study is to advance the application of pulverised cow bone ash (PCBA) as a partial replacement of cement in soil stabilisation for the production of bricks. The study investigated the impact of PCBA substitution on the characteristic strength of clay bricks under variant curing media.

Dried cow bones were pulverised, and an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence test was conducted on PCBA samples to determine the chemical constituents and ascertain the pozzolanic characteristics. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and PCBA were blended at 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0% of cement substitution by mass to stabilise lateritic clay at 10% total binder content for the production of bricks. The binder-to-lateritic clay matrixes were used to produce clay bricks and cylinders for compressive and splitting tensile strength tests, respectively.

The study found that PCBA and OPC have similar chemical compositions. The strength of the clay bricks increased with curing age, and the thermal curing of clay bricks positively impacted the strength development. The study established that PCBA is a suitable substitute for cement, up to 25% for stabilisation in clay brick production.

Construction stakeholders can successfully use a PCBA-OPC binder blend of 1:3 to stabilise clay at 10% total binder content for the production of bricks. The stabilised clay bricks should be cured at an elevated temperature of approximately 90°C for 48 h to achieve satisfactory performance.

The PCBA-OPC binder blend provides adequate soil stabilisation for the production of clay bricks and curing the clay bricks at elevated temperature. This aspect of the biomass/OPC binder blend has not been explored for brick production, and this is important for the reduction of the environmental impacts of cement production and waste from abattoirs.

Depleting reserves of crude oils and their adverse environmental effects have shifted focus toward environment friendly and biobased lubricant base oils. Natural oils and fats act as good lubricants but they have low oxidation and thermal stability which makes them unsuitable for modern day uses. This paper aims to produce trimethylolpropane ester biolubricant from cottonseed oil and study the effects of its use in spark ignition (SI) engines.

In this work, cottonseed oil is converted to TMP lubricant by a two-step based catalyzed esterification. The lubricants thermophysical properties are then analyzed and a 20% blend with synthetic poly-alpha olefin is used in an spark ignition engine.

The produced lubricant has viscosity @100^oC of 4.91 cSt, a viscosity index of 230 and a flash point of 202^oC. When used as a 20% blend in a petrol engine, the rate of oil deterioration was reduced by 18%, however, the overall wear increased by 6.7%. However, this increase is offset by its improved environmental impacts.

In its current state, such a biolubricant can be used as an additive to most commercially available lubricants to improve oil deterioration characteristics and environmental impact. However, further work on improving biolubricant’s wear characteristics is needed for the complete replacement of mineral oil-based lubricants.