Wyniki wyszukiwania - Biblioteka Nauki

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A Morphological Characterization of High Yield Chitin from Periwinkle Shells

100%

Odili C. C. , Philips Gbenebor O. , Adekola Haffner H. , Oluropo Adeosun S.

Journal of Casting & Materials Engineering

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2021

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tom Vol. 5, no. 4

61--65

EN

Research on obtaining chitin from periwinkle shell is scarce due to the very low yield of chitin from this kind of shell. This study reports a method of processing periwinkle shells to obtain high yield, bio-medically suitable chitin. The experiment was designed using IM and 2M concentrations of HCl for demineralization and a 1M NaOH concentration for deproteinization. FTIR, SEM, XRD and DTA analytical tools were used to characterize the extracted chitin. The FTIR spectral, XRD patterns and SEM analysis, revealed the complete removal of calcium carbonate by the acid concentrations used. The particle-like form of periwinkle shell was transformed to sheet-like fiber and globular-like fiber of α-chitin by increasing the concentration of HCl from1M to 2M respectively. The crystal size increased from 11.2Å (1M HCl) to 13.4Å (2M HCl). The yield of chitin from periwinkle shell also increased from 52% to 71% using 1M and 2M HCl respectively. Thus, acid concentrations can be used to alter the structure of chitin with different mechanical properties.

2

A Simulation and Experimental Investigation of the Thermal Characteristics of Refractory Bricks Produced Using Fireclay and Agroforestry Wastes

100%

Obidiegwu E. O. , Esezobor D. E. , Mgbemere H. E. , Odili C. C.

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tom Vol. 6, no. 2

45--57

EN

Manufacturing and processing industries usually consume large quantities of materials and energy in the course of their operations. The energy supplied for high-temperature processes are used partially for the actual technical process and between 30 to 40% of the energy escapes through the walls of the reactor into the atmosphere, leading to a high degree of thermal inefficiency and fuel consumption. This paper studies the thermal behaviour of insulating refractory bricks produced from a blend of fireclay and agroforestry wastes. The fireclays used were obtained from Ukpor deposit in Anambra State (Latitude 5.95°N, Longitude 6.92°E), Osiele deposit in Abeokuta, Ogun State (Latitude 7.18°N, Longitude 3.45°E) and Kankara Katsina State (Latitude 11.93°N, Longitude 7.41°E), all of which are in Nigeria. Samples were prepared with various weight percentages (60–100 wt.%) clays and (0–40 wt.%) of agroforestry waste, with grain sizes between 212 and 600 µm. Raw materials and the developed refractory bricks were characterised using appropriate standard techniques. The chemical, mineralogical constituents and phases present in the microstructure were examined. Physical and thermo-mechanical properties were investigated. The insulating refractory bricks developed have porosity of 78.83% , cold crushing strength (CCS) 3.144 kN/m2 and thermal conductivity 0.04–0.046 W/(m∙K) that compare favourably with imported bricks 75–85%, 2.756 kN/m2 and 0.049 W/(m∙K) in both physical, mechanical and thermal properties respectively. The reason is that the agroforestry waste used (coconut shell), served to create the pores that improve insulation after burning. Also the ash that remains serves as reinforcement to improve the mechanical properties. The thermal behaviour of the bricks was studied using Finite Element Method and shows a strong correlation with the experimental findings. This indicates that the produced insulating bricks have the thermal properties required for insulation of furnaces.

3

Strength, Water Absorption, Thermal and Antimicrobial Properties of a Biopolymer Composite Wound Dressing

88%

Odili C. C. , Sekunowo O. I. , Ilomuanya M. O. , Gbenebor O. P. , Adeosun S. O.

Journal of Casting & Materials Engineering

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2022

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tom Vol. 6, no. 1

22--32

EN

Conventional wound material allows bacterial invasions, trauma and discomfort associated with the changing of the dressing material, and the accumulation of body fluid for wounds with high exudate. However, there is a shift from conventional wound dressing materials to polymeric nanofibers due to their high surface area to volume ratio, high porosity, good pore size distribution, which allows for cell adhesion and proliferation. There is an urgent need to synthesis a biodegradable composite that is resistant to bacterial infection. In this study, an electrospun polylactide (PLA) composite suitable for wound dressing, with enhanced antimicrobial and mechanical properties, was produced. The neat PLA, PLA/CH (10 wt.%), PLA/CH (5 wt.%), PLA/CHS (10 wt.%), PLA/CHS (5 wt.%), PLA/CH (2.5 wt.%) /CHS (2.5 wt.%) and PLA/CH (5 wt.%)/CHS (5 wt.%), were electrospun using 0.14 g/ml solution. Results show that crystallinity (67.6%) of neat PLA declined by 3.8% on the addition of 2.5 wt.% chitin/chitosan with improved hydrophilicity of the composite. The tensile strength of neat PLA (0.3 MPa) increased (0.6 MPa) with 2.5 wt.% chitin/chitosan addition. The slight increase in the glass transition temperature from 75°C for neat PLA to 78°C of the composite fibre, showed improved ductility. The fibres showed little beads, hence suitable for wound dressing. The electrospun mats have good water absorption capacity and strong resistance against Staphylococcus aureus. Good performance was attained at 5 wt.% of chitin, chitosan and hybrid reinforcements. Therefore, a PLA/chitin/chitosan composite is recommended as a wound dressing material.