Abstract: Alumina-based ceramic composites have attracted many research interests for several decades due to their good mechanical properties and the abundance of alumina (Al2O3) raw materials. This study was aimed at investigating the mechanical properties, sliding wear properties and microstructure of alumina tungsten carbide-cobalt (Al2O3/WC-Co). In this study, Al2O3/WC-Co admixed powders were consolidated and densified via spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique at a holding time of 5 to ...
Abstract: The main purpose of this investigation was to study the potential application of Morupule fly ash for the removal of copper and nickel in wastewater. Batch and column study experiments were carried out by varying parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, bed height and flow rate. The data was fitted into the kinetic models, kinetic isotherms and the thermodynamic parameters to determine the nature of the process. Batch experiments showed a more energetical...
ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to produce and determine the mechanical properties as well as water absorption characteristics of unsaturated polyester-groundnut shell particle composite. The aim of the study with varying weight of groundnut shell particle is to find the composite with optimum mechanical properties. Groundnut shell of undersize particle of 300 microns was introduced at different percentages into the unsaturated polyester resin. Composites were produced at 2%, 4%,...
ABSTRACT This study is about the production and characterization of aluminium alloy-Particulate periwinkle shell composite. Composites were produced at 1 %, 5%, 10% and 15% weight fraction of Particulaf'e periwinkle shell (PPS) fillers and the aluminium alloy was cast neat at 0%PPS which served as the control. The microstructures of the composites were studied with Optical Microscopy. Mechanical properties of the composites such as tensile properties (tensile strength, Young's modulus, ...
Abstract This work presents the results of experimental and theoretical studies of the biodegradation of polyethylene, recycling of polyethylene into strong and tough earth-based composite building materials and the statistical distribution and particle size analysis of the polyethylene composites. Serratia marcescens subsp. marcescens and its supernatants are able to biodegrade linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The results show that the cell-free extracts degrade LLDPE faster than th...
ABSTRACT Alkali activation is a rapidly developing area in the global materials research and development community. It is based on alkali aluminosilicate chemistry with primary focus on the activation of solid aluminosilicate materials under alkaline conditions to produce three-dimensional network of inorganic polymer binders. However, little research has been conducted to harness this technology in the development of earth-based composites. This work provides insights on the application of ...
Abstract In this dissertation two main themes are explored. In the first part some phenomenologies of light transport across the ZnO/Al/ZnO (ZAZ) thin film multilayer structures are investigated. The multilayered ZAZ thin film composite structures are explored for potential applications as transparent electrodes (TEs) alternatives to the costly transparent indium-doped-tin-oxide (ITO) anodes that are used currently in organic solar cells (OSCs), organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) and var...
ABSTRACT This thesis focused on an implantable encapsulated structures that can deliver localized heating and controlled released of prodigiosin (PG) (a cancer drug) synthesized by bacteria (Serratia marcescens (subsp. marcescens)). Prototypical poly-dimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) packages, containing well-controlled micro-channels and drug storage compartments, were fabricated along with a drug-storing polymer produced by free radical polymerization of Poly(Nisopropylacrylamide)(PNIPA)-based gels...
ABSTRACT This study presents the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of the strength, fracture toughness and interfacial properties of natural fiber-reinforced earth-based composite materials. The composites, which consist of mixtures of laterite, clay and straw, are stabilized with controlled levels of Portland cement. The compositional dependence of compressive, flexural/bend strength and fracture toughness are explored for different proportions of the constituent mate...
ABSTRACT Environmental pollution by non-biodegradable plastics, gradual reduction and increase in cost of petroleum products used have affected lives over the years. With people using different kinds of packaging, it has a part of human daily living. Therefore, it is very important to find lasting and sustainable ways of producing and managing the wastes generated by these plastics. In this work, starch based biocomposites are fabricated and characterised to access its opportunities to repla...