Uzoma P Chinonso | FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI, NIGERIA (original) (raw)
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Aim: To synthesize alkyd resin from sandbox seed oil and characterize the alkyd based on the phys... more Aim: To synthesize alkyd resin from sandbox seed oil and characterize the alkyd based on the physicochemical and structural properties. Place and Duration of Study: Methodology: Sandbox seed were properly dried, ground and sieved through a 2 mm mesh size sieve to obtain a fine powder. The seed oil was extracted by bulk cold extraction method using n-hexane, and the oil was characterized to determine the density, acid value, peroxide value, saponification value, iodine value and free fatty acid value. The oil was later converted to alkyd resin through a two stage process of alcoholysis and esterification. FTIR spectroscopy was used to analyze the functional groups present in the alkyd resin and compared with a commercial alkyd resin. Results: The results on physicochemical analysis showed a high acid value of 149.066 when compared with other seed oils, a weight percentage fatty acid content of 74.931% confirmed it as long oil since it is greater than 55%. The resulting alkyd resin was characterized to determine its viscosity and the FTIR spectra. The results of FTIR give an absorption band at wavelength above 3000 cm-1 which confirm the material as organic compound. The FTIR analysis shows a similarity with the FTIR result of a commercially available alkyd resin, it indicates similar functional group and chemical structure. Therefore considering the results above, alkyd resin from the sandbox tree is suitable as a binder in coating industry.
This research work deals with a finishing agent using Camphora and assessing its anti... more This research work deals with a finishing agent using Camphora and assessing its antimicrobial properties on cotton and polyester fabrics. The Camphora was obtained from the open market in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria and crushed in small particles (billionths parts or 10-9 parts of it). The Camphora was used to make formulations with water of various concentrations of 14.3g/0.5dm3, 28.6g/0.5dm3 and 42.9g/0.5dm3. These various concentrations were used to culture the two fabric samples- 100% cotton and 100% polyester. At concentration below 42.9g/0.5dm3 both fabrics indicated growth of bacteria while at concentration of 42.9g/0.5dm3 no growth of bacteria was indicated. This implies that at this concentration (42.9g/0.5dm3), Camphora can be used conveniently as it inhibits the growth of bacteria on both fabrics. Biochemical test carried out on the cultured fabrics indicated the presence of Escherichia coli (E-coli)- an aerobic bacterium, while those without growth of bacteria do not indicate the presence of Escherichia coli (E-coli). The use of Camphora as antimicrobial finishing agent does not only give better resistance to bacteria growth, it also prevents the problems of unpleasant odour, retaining the weight, look, feel, colour and breath ability of the fabric.
The effects of combination of two flame retardant systems on flammability properties of polypropy... more The effects of combination of two flame retardant systems on flammability properties of polypropylene were tested. The polypropylene samples (200g by weight) were prepared using 20% mixture of magnesium hydroxide/ zinc borate and magnesium hydroxide/ melamine flame retardant systems. The flammability properties were assessed as a function of ignition time (otherwise known as the glow time) and Flame Propagation Rate (FPR). The results obtained from the magnesium hydroxide/zinc borate systems showed a decrease in the flame propagation rate when compared with the polypropylene sample prepared using magnesium hydroxide as the only flame retardant system, although there is no significant change in the glow time. Magnesium hydroxide/melamine flame retardant synergy showed an appreciable increase in the glow time and also decreased the flame propagation rate of the polypropylene sample; it therefore gave a better flame retardant synergy than magnesium hydroxide/ zinc borate system.
Aim: To synthesize alkyd resin from sandbox seed oil and characterize the alkyd based on the phys... more Aim: To synthesize alkyd resin from sandbox seed oil and characterize the alkyd based on the physicochemical and structural properties. Place and Duration of Study: Methodology: Sandbox seed were properly dried, ground and sieved through a 2 mm mesh size sieve to obtain a fine powder. The seed oil was extracted by bulk cold extraction method using n-hexane, and the oil was characterized to determine the density, acid value, peroxide value, saponification value, iodine value and free fatty acid value. The oil was later converted to alkyd resin through a two stage process of alcoholysis and esterification. FTIR spectroscopy was used to analyze the functional groups present in the alkyd resin and compared with a commercial alkyd resin. Results: The results on physicochemical analysis showed a high acid value of 149.066 when compared with other seed oils, a weight percentage fatty acid content of 74.931% confirmed it as long oil since it is greater than 55%. The resulting alkyd resin was characterized to determine its viscosity and the FTIR spectra. The results of FTIR give an absorption band at wavelength above 3000 cm-1 which confirm the material as organic compound. The FTIR analysis shows a similarity with the FTIR result of a commercially available alkyd resin, it indicates similar functional group and chemical structure. Therefore considering the results above, alkyd resin from the sandbox tree is suitable as a binder in coating industry.
This research work deals with a finishing agent using Camphora and assessing its anti... more This research work deals with a finishing agent using Camphora and assessing its antimicrobial properties on cotton and polyester fabrics. The Camphora was obtained from the open market in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria and crushed in small particles (billionths parts or 10-9 parts of it). The Camphora was used to make formulations with water of various concentrations of 14.3g/0.5dm3, 28.6g/0.5dm3 and 42.9g/0.5dm3. These various concentrations were used to culture the two fabric samples- 100% cotton and 100% polyester. At concentration below 42.9g/0.5dm3 both fabrics indicated growth of bacteria while at concentration of 42.9g/0.5dm3 no growth of bacteria was indicated. This implies that at this concentration (42.9g/0.5dm3), Camphora can be used conveniently as it inhibits the growth of bacteria on both fabrics. Biochemical test carried out on the cultured fabrics indicated the presence of Escherichia coli (E-coli)- an aerobic bacterium, while those without growth of bacteria do not indicate the presence of Escherichia coli (E-coli). The use of Camphora as antimicrobial finishing agent does not only give better resistance to bacteria growth, it also prevents the problems of unpleasant odour, retaining the weight, look, feel, colour and breath ability of the fabric.
The effects of combination of two flame retardant systems on flammability properties of polypropy... more The effects of combination of two flame retardant systems on flammability properties of polypropylene were tested. The polypropylene samples (200g by weight) were prepared using 20% mixture of magnesium hydroxide/ zinc borate and magnesium hydroxide/ melamine flame retardant systems. The flammability properties were assessed as a function of ignition time (otherwise known as the glow time) and Flame Propagation Rate (FPR). The results obtained from the magnesium hydroxide/zinc borate systems showed a decrease in the flame propagation rate when compared with the polypropylene sample prepared using magnesium hydroxide as the only flame retardant system, although there is no significant change in the glow time. Magnesium hydroxide/melamine flame retardant synergy showed an appreciable increase in the glow time and also decreased the flame propagation rate of the polypropylene sample; it therefore gave a better flame retardant synergy than magnesium hydroxide/ zinc borate system.