Universiti Sains Malaysia

About: Universiti Sains Malaysia is a education organization based out in George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Ring (chemistry). The organization has 23231 authors who have published 39356 publications receiving 655434 citations. The organization is also known as: USM & University of Science, Malaysia.

Amino modified mesostructured silica nanoparticles for efficient adsorption of methylene blue.

Abstract: In this work, mesostructured silica nanoparticles (MSN(AP)) with high adsorptivity were prepared by a modification with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) as a pore expander. The performance of the MSN(AP) was tested by the adsorption of MB in a batch system under varying pH (2-11), adsorbent dosage (0.1-0.5 g L(-1)), and initial MB concentration (5-60 mg L(-1)). The best conditions were achieved at pH 7 when using 0.1 g L(-1) MSN(AP) and 60 mg L(-1)MB to give a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 500.1 mg g(-1) at 303 K. The equilibrium data were evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Harkins-Jura isotherms and fit well to the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second order model. The results indicate the potential for a new use of mesostructured materials as an effective adsorbent for MB.

Heterogeneous catalysts for production of chemicals using carbon dioxide as raw material: A review

Abstract: The utilization of CO2 for the production of useful chemicals using heterogeneous catalysts is one of the ways to reduce the anthropogenic greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In many cases, the CO2 conversion and products yield are still considered very low and need to be operated at high pressure and temperature. The critical point in CO2 conversion is to activate the CO2 molecules either by adding a co-reactant or by using effective catalysts. This paper presents the current development on the effect of several precursors like metals, metal oxides, ionic liquids, and acid–base loaded on a suitable support in creating magical properties of catalysts on the performance of CO2 conversion. Cu/ZnO-based catalysts, ionic liquid-based catalysts, and metal oxides-based catalysts are reported to be the most effective catalysts in the formation of methanol, cyclic carbonates and dimethyl carbonate. This review also focuses on various strategies and developments in altering heterogeneous catalysts, followed by critical factors of CO2 molecule activation, and the optimization of the catalytic activity or catalysts reusability.

A high-sensitivity room-temperature hydrogen gas sensor based on oblique and vertical ZnO nanorod arrays

Abstract: The high surface area to volume ratio, the networks connections of vertically and oblique nanorod arrays, and the absence of seed layer, were the key factors responsible for the high sensitivity of ZnO nanorod arrays based hydrogen sensor at room temperature. Arrays of vertical and oblique zinc oxide nanorods were grown on a c -plane sapphire substrate by microwave-assisted chemical bath deposition. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–Zn(OH) 2 nanocomposites were used as a novel seed material to seed the sapphire substrate prior to the growth of the ZnO nanorods. The hydrogen sensing capabilities of the ZnO nanorod arrays, without the use of a metal catalyst, were investigated at room temperature. The rods exhibited excellent sensitivity, of 500%, in the presence of 1000 ppm of H 2 while consuming an ultralow level of power ( 2 gas. Hysteresis was noticed in the sensor for different concentrations of H 2 at different temperatures. It can be surmised that this hydrogen gas sensor has potential for use as a portable room-temperature gas sensor.

The potential role of honey and its polyphenols in preventing heart diseases: a review

Abstract: Honey is rich in phenolic compounds, which act as natural antioxidants and are becoming increasingly popular because of their potential role in contributing to human health. A wide range of phenolic constituents is present in honey like quercetin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), acacetin, kaempferol, galangin which have promising effect in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Many epidemiological studies have shown that regular intake of phenolic compounds is associated with reduced risk of heart diseases. In coronary heart disease, the protective effects of phenolic compounds include mainly antithrombotic, anti-ischemic, anti-oxidant, and vasorelaxant. It is suggested that flavonoids decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by three major actions: improving coronary vasodilatation, decreasing the ability of platelets in the blood to clot, and preventing low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) from oxidizing. In this review paper, we discussed the preventive role of polyphenols of honey against cardiovascular diseases.