Indochina Applied Science

Comparison of Photocatalytic Degradation Performance of TiO2-Polymer Based Composites in Wastewater Treatment

Witawat Singsang — 2025-05-19

The composites of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles loaded on polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared using an internal mixer process, followed by compression molding to form sheets for photocatalytic applications. These composite sheets were evaluated for their effectiveness in degrading methylene blue and treating wastewater from a natural source. The morphology of the composite sheets was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their water absorption properties were evaluated according to the ASTM D570 standards. It was found that the TiO₂/ABS exhibited the highest photodegradation efficiency, achieving a 31.38% degradation rate within 6 h under UV irradiation. This result highlights the potential of TiO₂/ABS for effective and sustainable wastewater treatment applications.

The Effect of Silver Doping Concentrations in TiO2 Nanoparticles: Characteristic, Morphological, Chemical, and Simple Regression Analyses

Phatcharee Phoempoon — 2025-05-01

This research synthesizes silver-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-Ag) using sol-gel and co-precipitation techniques, calcined at 500 °C for 1 h. Silver doping concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mol% in Titanium dioxide (TiO2) were examined for their impact on particle size, shape, and phase. Characterization via EDX, XRD, TEM, and XPS. TEM micrographs show small, rounded particles (10 – 20 nm) forming clumps. Analyses revealed that increased silver content augments the rutile phase. Simple Regression Analysis was utilized to estimate phase quantity of the anatase and rutile phase of TiO2-Ag.

The Analysis and Planning for Electricity Cost Reduction in Industry A Case Study of Trang Cannery Company Limited

Tanawat Srirugsa — 2025-05-19

This research presents an analysis to develop a plan to reduce electrical energy costs at Trang Cannery Co., Ltd. from 2022 to 2024. The objectives are to identify trends in energy consumption over the past three years, examine the relationship between production and electricity usage, and propose strategies to improve energy efficiency. Analysis reveals key trends in electricity consumption and its correlation with production volume. An analysis revealed that production efficiency in 2022 is higher than in 2023 and 2024. A consistent decline in efficiency is observed over the two-year period, as evidenced by the increasing electricity consumption per unit of output. This trend is primarily attributed to an imbalance between production capacity and machine size, as well as the lack of preventive maintenance (PM). Furthermore, this study proposes guidelines for measuring electricity consumption, which accounts for 82% of total plant operating costs. These guidelines aim to facilitate data collection in the industrial sector for production cost analysis, thereby enhancing competitiveness. Implementation of these measures is projected to result in a reduction of production costs by no less than 10%.

Unpolarized Raman Spectra Shift in Solidified Oil-Water-Saltwater

Saddam Dhobi — 2025-05-01

The study of unpolarized Raman spectral shifts in solidified oil-water-saltwater systems is crucial for understanding complex multiphase interactions under varying environmental conditions. Such systems are commonly found in natural and industrial processes, including oil spill remediation, geological formations, and desalination technologies. The need for detailed insights into molecular behavior and structural changes during solidification arises from the necessity to optimize these processes and mitigate environmental impacts. By analyzing Raman spectral shifts, this research provides essential information on the reorganization of molecular bonds and the influence of saltwater on oil-water interfaces, contributing significantly to environmental science, materials engineering, and energy resource management. The objective of this study is to analyze the transmittance, absorbance, and Raman shift spectra of water, soybean oil, and saltwater using an unpolarized visible spectrum at a low temperature of –10 °C. Experimental observations indicate that transmittance decreases with increasing wavelength, while absorbance increases. The transmittance and absorbance behaviors exhibit a nonlinear (bumping) pattern due to molecular rotational and vibrational effects. Additionally, intensity ratio analysis before and after the increase reveals two Gaussian peaks: one between 2 × 103 cm⁻¹ and 4 × 103 cm⁻¹ and another between 5 × 103 cm⁻¹ and 8 × 103 cm⁻¹ for water, soybean oil, and saltwater. The intensity ratio for water and the water-soybean oil-saltwater sample is higher when observed with Raman spectral shifts. This is due to the high polarizability of the molecules caused by molecular vibrations and dipole moments. At the considered temperature, in terms of transmittance, soybean oil exhibits the highest transmittance at higher wavelengths, making it the most efficient for light transmission. In contrast, saltwater has the highest absorbance at high wavelengths, meaning it absorbs more light compared to water and soybean oil.

Removal of Iron and Copper Ions from Water Using Cashew Nut Shell Adsorbent: Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson and Harkin-Jura Isotherms

Haruna Mavakumba Kefas — 2025-05-01

Elevated copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) levels can pose a threat to biodiversity. Removal of those metallic impurities was achieved in this study using cashew nut shell (CNS) adsorbent. Greater sorption of 87.40% Cu and 99.50% Fe occurred at 10 min contact time and 0.40 g CNS dosage. This study also targets the determination of the adsorption mechanism of the process, where it was discovered that it satisfied a favorable monolayer adsorption on homogeneous active sites at 1.1106 mg g –1 Cu and 1.0995 mg g –1 Fe uptakes (q_e), described by the Langmuir isotherm with R2 value > 0.9990. The run essentially carried out using Lake Gerio water sample in Nigeria also satisfy the Redlich-Peterson model whose constant exponent, β = 0.9773 for Cu and 0.9985 for Fe ≅ 1, implied similar behavior with Langmuir isotherm assumption at specific temperature of 30°C. Effect of varying contact time and CNS dosage was also tested on % equilibrium sorption and q_e. Both Harkin-Jura and Freundlich equations poorly fit the empirical result with no match to adsorption evidence depicted after Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) analysis carried out. Removal of heavy metals such as Cu and Fe from lakes and rivers will contribute to benthic organisms and sediment quality, food chain integrity, fish and seafood safety, recreational use, human and environmental health. Thus, the potentials demonstrated by CNS in the removal of Cu and Fe in this study as well as other heavy metals already investigated, will ensure long-term ecosystem resilience.

A Feasibility of Applying Phase Change Materials Derived from Polymer/VO2 Composites to Enhance Performance of PV Modules

Chanakarn Piwnuan — 2025-05-19

This study investigates the feasibility of using vanadium dioxide (VO₂), a thermochromic and phase change material, to enhance the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules. By coating a polymer film loaded with VO₂ onto the modules, it was hypothesized that the module temperature can be reduced due to the endothermic latent heat associated with the phase transition of VO₂. As a result, an improvement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) is expected. Firstly, VO₂ particles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and subsequently mixed with an acrylic binder at various concentrations (0.1-1.5 wt%) prior to film casting. Crystalline structure and morphology of the polymer composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Transition temperatures and optical properties of the composite films were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Heat shielding properties of the films were evaluated by monitoring temperature change inside a model house installed with the polymer composite films. The system exhibited remarkable temperature reduction with higher particle loading resulting in a more temperature drop. Additionally, the feasibility of applying these films to enhance the efficiency of PV modules was explored. Compared to reference PV modules without coating, the efficiency of the devices coated with polymer/VO₂ film increased by approximately 1.74 %. The results were discussed in relation to phase transition, latent heat of VO₂.