Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nur Atiqah Mohamad Aziz, Robiah Yunus, Dina Kania, Hamidah Abd Hamid
Summary: By integrating microwave heating with other technologies, the limitations of standalone microwave-assisted transesterification can be addressed, leading to improved product yield and energy efficiency.
Article
Thermodynamics
Yiming Li, Saeed Solaymani
Summary: Industry and agriculture in Malaysia are main contributors to economic growth and employment, as well as important players in total exports. The study shows that overall economic growth is the main factor leading to an increase in energy consumption, with long-term impact being greater than short-term impact. Exports are the second largest contributor to energy demand in the overall economy and agriculture sector.
Article
Thermodynamics
Mohammed Takase, Rogers Kipkoech, Paul Kwame Essandoh, Ernest Amankwa Afrifa, Jones Agyapong Frimpong, Heindel Kwasi Agama-Agbanu
Summary: Research on biodiesel in Kenya has shown promising results with the government's support and establishment of the National Biodiesel Committee to promote policies for sustainable development. Various studies indicate that Kenya's energy demands can be met through biodiesel production, potentially averting an energy crisis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mehmood Ali, Muhammad Shahid, Waseem Saeed, Shahab Imran, Md. Abul Kalam
Summary: This research investigated a 10 L batch-scale biodiesel production system powered by solar energy and conventional electricity using waste cooking oil. The biodiesel produced from both energy systems met the ASTM D6751 standard, and solar energy systems significantly reduced traditional energy requirements, thus reducing the production's carbon footprint.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jane Weng Yee Lee, Wen Yi Chia, Wee-Jun Ong, Wai Yan Cheah, Siew Shee Lim, Kit Wayne Chew
Summary: This paper reviews the advanced transesterification process for biodiesel production, including in-situ transesterification, heating assisted methods, and operating factors. The use of different types of catalysts is also discussed. These studies contribute to increased yield and quality of biodiesel.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuqiong Luo, Yali Ge, Minghui Zhao, Lei Yang, Jun Ren
Summary: The synthesis type and heavy metal content have a significant impact on the performance of microwave hydrothermal synthesis. This study aimed to investigate the influence of microwave reaction time and copper content on the preparation of Cu-substituted tobermorite (Cu-tobermorite).
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chengting Zheng, Hongxi Chen
Summary: Countries are addressing the dual challenges of economic growth and environmental issues. This study focuses on the impact of financial inclusion on energy productivity and finds that higher levels of financial inclusion are associated with greater energy efficiency. It also highlights the significant influence of technological innovation, renewable energy consumption, and carbon emissions on energy productivity. These findings have important implications for policymakers in promoting sustainable development and energy efficiency through financial inclusion initiatives.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Dilvin Taskin, Eyup Dogan, Mara Madaleno
Summary: This study analyzes the relationship between energy efficiency, energy research, pollution mitigation, and FinTech. The empirical results show that pollution mitigation temporarily causes energy efficiency in the short run, while energy efficiency has a causal effect on FinTech in the short, medium, and long run. The study also finds a bidirectional relationship between energy efficiency and environmental and financial variables.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agne Savickaite, Mikas Sadauskas, Renata Gudiukaite
Summary: The study demonstrated that lipolytic biocatalysts GD-95RM, GDEst-95, and GDEst-lip immobilized in calcium alginate beads showed significantly increased thermal stability at high temperatures and long-term storage capability. These immobilized enzymes are suitable for the production of fatty acid alkyl esters.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Afifa Zahid, Zahid Mukhtar, Muhammad Azam Qamar, Sammia Shahid, Syed Kashif Ali, Mohammad Shariq, Hussain J. Alathlawi, Mohd Abul Hasan, Mohd Shakir Khan, Saiful Islam, Bhagyashree R. Patil, Mohammed Saleh Al Ansari, Zahid Nawaz, Mudassar Sher
Summary: In this study, a manganese-doped zinc oxide (Mn-doped ZnO) nanocatalyst was prepared using the sonochemical method and characterized using XRD, EDX, and TEM. The transesterification reaction of non-edible castor oil with methanol was studied under different conditions to identify the optimal conditions for maximum biodiesel yield. The results showed that the Mn-doped ZnO nanocatalyst is a suitable catalyst for the heterogeneous catalytic transesterification process, essential for biodiesel production.
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Edwin Chukwuemeka Idoko, Chukwunonso Oraedu, Christian Chidera Ugwuanyi, Stephen Ikechukwu Ukenna
Summary: Smart meter technology installation is rapidly growing in Sub-Saharan Africa, prompting a shift from unmetered electricity consumers to smart meter technology. Understanding consumers' interest in smart meters is crucial for policymakers to develop effective energy policies. This study in Nigeria explores determinants of smart meter adoption and their impact on sustainable energy consumption behavior, with findings highlighting factors like bill estimation anxiety and perceived behavioral control as critical influences. Other factors such as environmental concern, attitude, and subjective norm also play a role in shaping consumer behavior towards smart meter technology.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yue Hu, Wenjing Jiang, Hongwei Dong, Muhammad Tariq Majeed
Summary: An efficient financial sector plays a crucial role in promoting renewable energy consumption in high-polluting economies. This analysis, based on a non-linear assumption, reveals that positive shocks in financial institutions, financial markets, and eco-innovations increase renewable energy consumption, while negative shocks in financial institutions decrease consumption. Both long-term and short-term findings highlight the importance of considering both positive and negative changes in policy-making.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Sishi Wu, Yulong Liu, Qichun Liu, Shuai-Peng Wang, Zhen Chen, Tiefu Li
Summary: This article reports a method of generating frequency combs based on cavity electromechanical devices and investigates the characteristics of frequency combs in two mechanical modes. The experimental results show that the tooth spacing and spectral features of the frequency comb vary in different modes. This work reveals the effect of mechanical mode competition on the properties of frequency combs.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiali Guo, Lei Zheng, Zifu Li
Summary: Microwave drying is an energy efficient method that has been gaining attention. In this study, a pilot-scale microwave dryer was used to dry two types of sewage sludge, showing that output power has the largest influence on specific energy consumption, drying efficiency, and energy efficiency.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Haris Mahmood Khan, Tanveer Iqbal, M. A. Mujtaba, Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar, Ibham Veza, I. M. Rizwanul Fattah
Summary: Biodiesel, a promising renewable fuel, has gained global attention for replacing fossil fuels using heterogeneous catalysts to accelerate reactions. Research shows that utilizing microwave technology in heterogeneously catalysed transesterification greatly reduces reaction times while maintaining or improving catalytic activity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
G. Abdulkareem-Alsultan, N. Asikin-Mijan, Laith K. Obeas, Robiah Yunus, Siti Zulaika Razali, Aminul Islam, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap
Summary: This study explores the deoxygenation of sludge palm oil using various MnCo supported AC catalysts, with MnO0.5CoO0.5/AC showing the ability to enhance heavy product yields while also leading to catalyst deactivation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ayesha Baig, Muhammad Zubair, Sajjad Hussain Sumrra, Muhammad Faizan Nazar, Muhammad Nadeem Zafar, Kausar Jabeen, Muhammad Bilal Hassan, Umer Rashid
Summary: This study investigates the effects of high temperature on the quality of mixed canola cooking oils. The results show that high temperature heating significantly alters the physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition of the oils.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Khalil, Muhammad Asif Hanif, Umer Rashid, Junaid Ahmad, Ali Alsalme, Toshiki Tsubota
Summary: The present study focuses on the preparation and utilization of granite stone powder waste composite for the effective removal of Terasil dye. The results showed that the granite composites prepared using sodium metasilicate exhibited an exceptionally high dye adsorption capacity. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to determine the morphological features and functional groups of the granite composites.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Siow Hwa Teo, Chi Huey Ng, Yun Hau Ng, Aminul Islam, Shuzi Hayase, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap
Summary: Metal halide perovskite has attracted interdisciplinary attention as a low-cost and easy to manufacture photocatalyst in solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. However, their ionic crystal structures are unstable, hindering practical application. This review introduces the unique properties of metal halide perovskites, examines the challenges they face, and highlights practical approaches being taken to resolve the bottlenecks, including the adoption of protonic solvents, functionalization and encapsulation of perovskites, engineering Pb-less/Pb-free material, and defect remediation. The latest progression of halide perovskites in photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical, and photovoltaic-photoelectrochemical systems is also summarized.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tauqeer Hussain, Naheed Akhter, Raziya Nadeem, Umer Rashid, Saima Noreen, Shazia Anjum, Sajid Ullah, Hafiza Raazia Hussain, Aamna Ashfaq, Shazia Perveen, Fahad A. Alharthi, Elham Ahmed Kazerooni
Summary: Water pollution due to chromium has become a global concern. Current methods for heavy metal treatment are not cost-effective or eco-friendly. This study utilized a zirconium oxide/date stones biochar bio-nanocomposite as a biosorbent to remove toxic Cr (VI), showing promising results in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
APPLIED NANOSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aminul Islam, Siow Hwa Teo, Chi Huey Ng, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap, Shean Yaw Thomas Choong, Md. Rabiul Awual
Summary: This article discusses the interest in developing catalytic desulfurization and denitrification to remove toxic or harmful gases before atmospheric emission. A review of new and advanced SOx/NOx mitigation techniques is provided, offering insights into the key features of this field.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Umer Rashid, Balkis Hazmi, Rose Fadzilah Abdullah, Siti Fadhilah Ibrahim, Ali Alsalme, Toshiki Tsubota
Summary: In this study, palm kernel shell-based char was developed and utilized for synthesizing bifunctional carbon catalyst. The catalyst showed higher surface area and stronger acid-base properties, making it suitable for efficient esterification and transesterification reactions.
TOPICS IN CATALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Fatma S. Hafez, Bahaaeddin Sa'di, M. Safa-Gamal, Y. H. Taufiq-Yap, Moath Alrifaey, Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, Alex Stojcevski, Ben Horan, Saad Mekhilef
Summary: This article provides a systematic review of best practices in targeting energy efficiency as a roadmap for carbon mitigation, limiting energy use, improving buildings' energy performance, and reducing energy consumption. It identifies challenges, motivations, recommendations, and pathways for future work, while also discussing methodological aspects for future researchers.
ENERGY STRATEGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Azizul Hakim Lahuri, Afidah Abdul Rahim, Norazzizi Nordin, Rohana Adnan, Nur Farhana Jaafar, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap
Summary: Activated carbon treated with KMnO4 and impregnated with iron oxide showed the highest adsorption capacity of 108.60 mg/g. The CO2 adsorption isotherm at 25 °C fitted best with the Freundlich model, indicating multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. The optimum adsorption temperature was found to be 30 °C, and the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic with an activation energy of 39.8 kJ/mol. The slight reduction in adsorption capacity after four cycles demonstrated practical efficiency in CO2 capture.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gopalakrishnan Sasikumar, Annadurai Subramani, Ramalingam Tamilarasan, Punniyamurthy Rajesh, Ponnusamy Sasikumar, Salim Albukhaty, Mustafa K. A. Mohammed, Subramani Karthikeyan, Zaidon T. Al-aqbi, Faris A. J. Al-Doghachi, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap
Summary: A series of ternary metal complexes (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II)) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. These complexes were synthesized from metal salts with Schiff's-base-containing amino acids, salicylaldehyde derivatives, and heterocyclic bases, and showed promising pharmacological properties. The complexes exhibited a distorted, square pyramidal geometry around metal ions and their molecular structures were optimized by DFT calculations. The complexes were further investigated for their electrochemical behavior, catalytic properties, antibacterial activity, cytotoxic effects, and anticancer applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramalingam Tamilarasan, Annadurai Subramani, G. Sasikumar, Pandurangan Ganapathi, S. Karthikeyan, Sasikumar Ponnusamy, Salim Albukhaty, Mustafa K. A. Mohammed, Zaidon T. Al-aqbi, Faris A. J. Al-Doghachi, Duha S. Ahmed, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap
Summary: In this study, water-soluble substituted trimeric triaryl pyridinium cations with various inorganic counter anions were successfully synthesized using a solvent-free method. Compared to conventional and silica-supported Muffle furnace methods, the solvent-free synthesis method offers advantages such as non-toxicity, quicker reaction times, ease of workup, and higher yields. Trimeric substituted pyridinium salts exhibit excellent catalytic activity for the preparation of Gem-bisamide derivatives. The molecular docking results showed that benzyl/4-nitrobenzyl substituted triaryl pyridinium salt compounds can strongly interact with VEGFR-2 kinase and control its activity in cancer treatment and prevention.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Chi Huey Ng, Mohd Aizzan Mistoh, Siow Hwa Teo, Andrea Galassi, Azreen Ibrahim, Coswald Stephen Sipaut, Jurry Foo, Jeffrey Seay, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap, Jidon Janaun
Summary: Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental issue that has caused severe and irreversible impacts on marine life, ecosystems, and the environment due to the lack of effective waste management systems. Limited resources and infrastructure in Southeast Asia pose constant challenges to waste management. This study aims to examine the plastic situation in Southeast Asia, understand the issues with existing waste management systems, and review the efforts made by governments, private sectors, social organizations, stakeholders, and consumers to combat plastic pollution.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohd Hafizz Wondi, Rosnah Shamsudin, Robiah Yunus, Mohd Salahuddin Mohd Basri, Maimunah Mohd Ali, Nur Izzah Nabilah Haris
Summary: This study aims to address inefficiencies in the palm oil milling process by designing a machine that can separate mesocarp fibers from nuts before pressing, thus enhancing oil extraction and quality. Stress and deformation analysis confirms the machine's ability to withstand loads without deformation during the separation process.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amadi Fidelis Uchenna, Ramli Irmawati, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap, Saiman Mohd Izham, Usman Idris Nda-Umar
Summary: A biomass derived carbon supported yttrium oxide catalyst (Y2O3/PKS-T700) was synthesized and showed high glycerol conversion and product selectivity in glycerol acetylation reaction. The synthesized catalyst exhibited mesoporous structure, large surface area, and good thermal stability. The catalyst was characterized by various analytical techniques including BET surface area analysis, XRD, TGA, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and TPD-NH3.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nurul Najiha Datu Masjidin, Collin Glen Joseph, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap, Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah, Noor Fazliani Shoparwe, Nur Ammarah Affandi, Janice Lay Hui Nga
Summary: Aquaculture sectors are rapidly developing worldwide, but their untreated effluents can have detrimental effects on the environment. Pollution and industrial waste are endangering water resources and damaging ecosystems globally. Therefore, it is essential to develop treatment methods for wastewater. Photolysis and photocatalysis, as part of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), offer a sustainable option for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants from aquaculture effluents. This review aims to provide an overview of the application of photolysis and photocatalysis for degradation of recalcitrant pollutants from aquaculture effluents, discussing degradation schemes, experimental factors, and employed photocatalysts.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
(2023)