The dependence of Nigerian Government on foreign technology for oil spill cleanup in its water bodies does not add local content value in the development of the Nation's economy. Acetylation of natural cellulose gives a material with high sorption capacity for oil in water. This research investigates crude oil sorption from water using acetylated and unacetylated lignocellulose. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and cocoa pod (CP) were acetylated under mild conditions. The acetylated (modified) and unacetylated (unmodified) sorbents were used to sorb oil from water, and their sorption capacities and mechanisms were compared. Paired t test showed there was significant difference in the sorption capacities of modified and unmodified sorbents. Sorption of oil from water was found to be time and concentration dependent. Equilibrium studies showed that CP has higher sorption capacity than OPEFB and acetylation enhanced the crude sorption capacities of the sorbents. Crude oil sorption from water is a monolayer process that might have progressed from multilayer processes. Kinetic studies showed that sorption of crude oil by the sorbents was diffusion-controlled with the aid of physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms. Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscope analyses showed clear evidence of successful acetylation and oil sorption.
The biosynthesis of nanoparticles has been proposed as a cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and physical methods. The present work investigates the synthesis of titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) by green approach using Strychnos spinosa and Blighia sapida leave extracts. The detailed characterization of the TiO2 NPs was carried out using UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X- ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The green synthesized TiO2 NPs excitation was confirmed using UV–Vis spectrophotometer at 270 and 290 nm for Strychnos spinosa and Blighia sapida respectively. SEM revealed that the synthesized TiO2 NPs were spherical and crystalline in nature. The overall sizes are 40 and 50 nm for Strychnos spinosa and Blighia sapida respectively. FTIR spectroscopic analysisshowed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols and amide groups likely to be responsible for the green synthesis of titanium oxide nanoparticles using S. Spinosa and B .sapida aqueous leaf extracts. The XRD pattern showed the characteristic Bragg peaks of (111), (200), (220) and (311) facets of the anatase titanium oxide nanoparticles and confirmed that these nanoparticles were crystalline and spherical in nature. Furthermore, the green synthesized TiO2 NPs wound healing activity was examined in the excision wound model by measuring wound closure, histopathology and protein profiling. This revealed significant wound healing activity in Albino rats. In the present study, topical application ofnanoformulated extracts of B. sapidaa nd S. spinosa significantly accelerated wound healing with 20% nanoformulated ointment having the highest percentage wound contraction ability comparable with gentamicin (a commercially sold antimicrobial agent used in dressing wounds). In conclusion, this work proved the capability of using TiO2 NPs to deliver a novel therapeutic route for wound treatment in clinical practice. Keywords: Wound healing activity; SEM; TiO2; XRD; FTIR; UV–Vis spectroscopy.
The effect of boiling, steaming and microwaving on proximate and mineral compositions of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves were investigated. Standard methods of analyses were applied for the determinations of selected parameters. Results obtained indicated that at P<0.05 confidence level no significant losses in the values of proximate composition occurred, except for protein and carbohydrate. Decrease in protein contents were 18.36, 13.54 and 20.36% for steaming, boiling and microwaving respectively. Carbohydrate content decrease as follows: steaming (15.44%), boiling (18.35%), and microwaving (2.53%). The percentage reduction in
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of metal inert gas (MIG) welding parameters on the mechanical properties (hardness, tensile and impact) of type 304 austenitic stainless steel (ASS) immersed in 0.5M hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature. The MIG welding was applied to 3mm thick ASS. The dimensions of the samples were 50mm x 15mm x 3mm and 120mm x 15mm x 3mm rectangular bars each for impact, hardness and tensile tests and for immersion in the medium. Design Expert Software, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Rockwell Hardness Test, Monsanto Tensometer and Izod Impact Test were used to determine the interactions of parameters, microstructural analysis and optimal performances of the parameters respectively. Experimental results indicate that tensile strength increased with increase in welding parameters from 120MN/m2 to 133MN/m2 at speed of 40cm/min and current of 110. when the properties are compared with varying weld parameters adopted in joint’s weld operations, there was a pattern displayed among the weld parameters with C3 (19.7HRA, 203N/mm2 and 19.7J )and C4 (14.9 HRA, 189N/mm2 and 14.9J) consistently coming out as the parameter producing an ASS weld joint with the best mechanical properties of hardness, tensile and impact strength. Surface corrosion deposit composition was analyzed with the SEM paired with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) to ascertain microstructural behavior of the material.   http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i3.25
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