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In this work, the effect of adding manganese oxide towards polyacrylonitrile-based activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) was evaluated. The properties of PAN-based ACNFs/MnO 2 were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BrunauerEmmett-Teller (BET), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The sorption study of the electrospun ACNFs/MnO 2 in comparison to neat ACNFs and commercial granular AC towards lead (Pb) was also conducted. SEM micrograph analysis displays more compact nanofibers with dispersion of beads that were observed in the ACNF/MnO 2 with the diameter of 437.2 nm while aligned nanofibers with the diameter of 575.5 nm were observed in the neat ACNFs. The FTIR analysis showed the peak of Mn-O, which indicates the presence of MnO 2 in the ACNFs/MnO 2. In comparison to the neat ACNFs, surface area of the prepared ACNFs/MnO 2 is lower. It was found out that the removal of Pb(II) using ACNFs and ACNFs/MnO 2 is higher than commercial granular activated carbon with a removal rate of 100% at initial concentration of 3.5 ppm. The promising results of ACNFs/MnO 2 contributed by their satisfactory specific surface area and vast presence of surface functional groups.

Most of transition metal(II) carboxylates were reported to exist as multinuclear complexes due to the multibinding modes of the ligands 1,2. For example, most of the copper(II) carboxylates were dinuclear with the paddle-wheel structure 3-7 , while other metal(II) complexes (Mn, Co, Ni and Zn) were found to form polymeric structures 8-11. Hence, these complexes are attracting the interests of many researchers in various fields, such as catalysis, molecular electronics and molecular magnetism. The main reason is because they are easily prepared from relatively low cost, nontoxic and readily accessible starting materials and readily characterized by conventional analytical methods. However, these complexes are yet to be commercially used as functional materials due to physical limitations, such as insolubility, high-melting and low-decomposition temperatures. Currently, our research group is focused on designing, synthesizing and characterizing thermally stable and low melting temperatures magnetic metal(II) carboxylates to function as molecular magnetic, photonic and electronic materials and as precursors for functional coordination polymers. This paper reports the synthesis, structural, magnetic, thermal, optical and redox properties of three complexes of 2-hexyldecanoato ligand (L) with Cu(II) (1), Ni(II) (2) and Co(II) (3). These complexes were obtained as room-temperature viscous liquids from the reaction of NaL with the

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This study aimed to investigate the effects of ferrihydrite (Fh) nanoparticle loading on the physicochemical properties of polysulfone (PSf) membranes fabricated via the phase inversion method. The morphologies and physicochemical properties of prepared Fh and PSf/Fh mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transmission infra-red (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), pure water flux analysis, contact angle measurement, and membrane porosity analysis. FTIR study indicated that a new O-H band was formed when Fh was added into the membrane matrix. SEM analysis showed the formation of typical asymmetric membrane structures with elongated fingerlike and looser porous layers. Increasing the loading of Fh significantly enhanced membrane pure water flux from 230.2 L/m2•h (M-Fh 0%) to 726.6 L/m2•h (M-Fh 15.3%), attributed to the improved membranes structures, membranes wettability, surface roughness, and overall porosity. The findings suggest incorporation of Fh into PSf membranes improves physicochemical properties of the membranes which are applicable for water/wastewater treatment.

Abstract. Coastal vulnerability Index (CVI), is one of the predictive approaches to coastal classification by incorporating various coastal variables. This approach is favoured in the coastal investigation as it simplifies a number of complex parameters. However, it comes greatly as to why such assessment is developed in the first place; a) to facilitate coastal management in recent coastal condition, b) to classify potential shoreline responses to future sea-level rise, and c) for management of data storage. Index development in coastal investigation is one of the present-day technique used to estimate the vulnerability of the coast and is affected by a diverse range of variables. The widespread use of contemporary technology nowadays has led to a favourable coastal component to be considered in determining coastal vulnerability and environmental risk analysis. Therefore, it must be guided by acknowledging appropriate data to be used at spatial scale of interest, the geomorphology of the area concerns and etc. USA and European countries like Northern Ireland are one of the forefront country in addressing the significance of CVI in protecting coastal area. A stepwise approach to development of CVI is discussed in detail in this paper. Besides, the potential of including coastal components based on special characteristic at particular coasts for coastal vulnerability analysis are also reviewed. CVI eventually will assist coastal communities in providing guidance for mitigation of coastal threats in future urban development.