Volume 7, Issue 1 (June)

1

Research Article

Assessment of a Nigerian talc ore for improved industrial application by sulphuric acid leaching

Alafara A. Baba^*, Abdullah S. Ibrahim, Rafiu B. Bale, Folahan A. Adekola, Abdul G. F. Alabi

Talc by its intrinsic properties is an important material with diverse industrial applications. In the present work, the evaluation of a Nigeria sourced talc ore for industrial utilization by sulphuric acid leaching was studied and accordingly characterized. During the experiments, it was found that the increase in acid concentration, reaction temperature and decreased particle size increase th...

Jun, 2015 pp. 1-6

2

Research Article

Electrochemical and structural characterization of nickel oxide filled activated carbon for upercapacitor electrode application

Ahmed T. O.^*, Ogunleye O. O., Galadima I. A., Sulle B. A., Bello A.

We have demonstrated that activated carbon could be produced via microwave-assisted activation at a much shorter time (ranging from 2-5 min) and reduced cost compared to the conventional activation method embraced by most researchers in the production of activated carbon. The research work is not only limited to surface chemistry and adsorption studies but also includes structural, microstructu...

Jun, 2016 pp. 7-15

3

Research Article

The tanning potency of Landolphia owariensis on shoe upper leather

Bulus Habila^*, Kogi Cecilia A, Dadah J.S, Igbehinadun Olajide J., Solomon Finfang, Sani M. Taofeeq

Landolphia owariensis belongs to the family Apocynaceae and its roots are commonly used as medicinal plant for the treatment of malaria and as purgative. The leaves extract is antimicrobial and the stem extract is used as a vermifuge. The phytochemical analysis of L. owariensis indicated secondary plant metabolites such as tannins, and flavonoids. The presence of tannins and flavonoids makes i...

Jun, 2016 pp. 16-20

4

Research Article

Characterization and production of fatliquor from pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seed oil for leather and allied industries

Bulus Habila^*, Kogi Cecilia A, Igbehinadun Olajide J., Sunday Ojih, Salim Ahmed Sule, Kadanga Beatrice

The leather industry is ranked first in foreign exchange earnings from non-oil export products in Nigeria. Unfortunately, 5-10% of fatliquor applied to the resultant leather articles are imported with attendant negative effects on value addition and job creation. It is imperative to look inward into plants that can give good yield of oil that can be converted into fatliquor. Based on this, oil ...

Jun, 2016 pp. 21-25

5

Research Article

Removal of anthracene from solution using [Cu(INA)2] metal-organic frameworks synthesized by a solvent free method

Adedibu C. Tella^*, Friday O. Nwosu, Sunday E. Elaigwu, Precious C. Ezeh, Vincent O. Adimula

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) [Cu(INA)2] were prepared by a solvent free method and were used for the adsorption of anthracene from solution. The [Cu(INA)2] MOFs were found to be good adsorption materials having good adsorption capacity. The maximum adsorption capacity for the [Cu(INA)2] MOFs was observed to be 22.73 mg/g for anthracene. The adsorption process favoured the pseudo-second order...

Jun, 2016 pp. 26-34

6

Research Article

Thermal and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/leather composite

Musa E. T.^*, Hamza A., Ahmed A. S., Ishiuku U. S., Kolawole E. G.

The possibility of using solid tannery waste in HDPE was studied by examination of the mechanical properties, morphology and thermal properties of the composites produced. Composite was manufactured by compression moulding technique for varying fibre contents from 10% to 60%. Mechanical and physical tests were conducted on composite specimens in accordance to ASTM D638. A partial replacement o...

Jun, 2016 pp. 35-41

7

Research Article

The effects of hybridization on the mechanical properties of bagasse/sisal/coir hybrid fibre-reinforced epoxy composite

Ogabi R. T.^*, Dauda B. M., Lawal A. S., GADIMOH S., Abdulrahim M., Oladiran S.

Biomass fibres obtained from agricultural wastes have found application in the production of structural reinforcement for bio-composites used for manufacturing engineering components because of their low cost, biodegradable and eco-friendly advantages. The effects of hybridization on the mechanical properties of bagasse/sisal/coir reinforced epoxy hybrid composites have been studied. Bagasse ha...

Jun, 2016 pp. 42-50

8

Research Article

Effect of chemical modification on the flow and electrical properties of neem oil derivatives

ABDELMALIK A. A^*, Umar S., Sadiq U.

Seed oil has been proposed as alternative base fluid for drilling mud but its stability to oxidation is still an issue to deal with. This paper reports the influence of stabilizing neem oil through chemical modification on its flow and electric conduction properties. Ester derivatives were produced from laboratory purified neem oil. The purified neem oil (PNO) was epoxidized to convert the doub...

Jun, 2016 pp. 51-58

9

Research Article

Fuel properties of biodiesel from neem, cotton and jatropha binary and multi-blends with diese

Kaisan M. U.^*, Anafi F. O., Umaru S., Kulla D. M., Nuszkowski J.

The physico-chemical properties of biodiesel are its specifications that define a set of quality standards. These properties include specific gravity, acid number, viscosity, cetane number, flashpoint, pour point, cloud point, cold filter flogging point, sulphated ash, carbon residue, sulphur content, copper strip corrosion and free fatty acid among others. This research presents the results of...

Jun, 2016 pp. 59-66

10

Research Article

Geological and chemical characterization of Amethyst mineralization in Dutsen Bakura hill, Kaduna State, Northcentral Nigeria

Solomon R. A.^*, Ibrahim A. A., Magaji S. S.

Dutsen Bakura hill amethyst mineralization is located within a sheared granitic gneiss in the Pan African basement complex of northcentral Nigeria. The zone of mineralization is within a shear zone that trend NE-SW consistent with Pan-African structural trend. Mineralization consists of bands of milky quartz and amethyst, apparently formed from two stage sequence of silicification. Major, trace ...

Jun, 2016 pp. 67-73

11

Research Article

Model study of the effects of temperature variability on biogas production from cow dung and chicken droppings

Alfa M. I.^*, Igboro S. B., Wamyil F. B., Shaibu-Imodagbe E. M., Ishaq A.

The pressure upon many nations of the world especially in the developing economies is the attainment of the Sustainable Development goals, one of which is Environmental Sustainability. A shift from fossil fuel to renewable alternative energy such as biogas has been identified as a key strategy for attaining this. The production of biogas from various substrates via anaerobic digestion has been ...

Jun, 2016 pp. 74-80

12

Research Article

Effects of garment laundry activities on the slider lock and crosswise strengths of nylon coil zippers

Umaru S.^*, Kaisan M. U., Usman S., Abdulraheem Giwa

Zippers are textile fastening devices which are flexible and operate by moving a slider along two rows of inter-lockable elements. In Nigeria, the polyester and nylon coil type of zippers are the most commonly used and patronized by makers of female garments and dresses. Previous study on the strength of zippers in a region similar to Nigeria showed zipper failures were as a result of wrong ap...

Jun, 2016 pp. 81-86

13

Research Article

Determination of the physicochemical properties and radiation health hazard indices of ‘Nzu clay’ obtained from Azonogogo, Delta State and Uzella River in Edo State, Nigeria

Omoniyi K. I.^*, Abechi S. E., Akpa R. U.

The studies investigate the physicochemical properties and concentration of radioactive elements present in the geophagious ‘Nzu clay’ samples obtained from Azonogogo, Delta State and Uzella River, Owan West LGA, Edo State. The mineral composition of the clay samples were investigated using XRD while the radioactive elements were determined by using Hiper Pure Gammanium detector with Resolutio...

Jun, 2016 pp. 87-94

14

Research Article

Synthesis and application of vinylsulphone disperse reactive dyes derived from pyridone derivatives on polyester fabric

Fasansi I.^*, Kasali A. B.

Vinylsulphone disperse reactive dyes were synthesized by diazotizing 2-methoxy-5-methyl-4- (sulfatoethylsulfonyl) aniline and coupling with substituted pyridone derivatives. The synthesized dyes were applied successfully on polyester without dispersing agent and the dyeing showed good leveling and build up with desired colour yield. The dyeing was dependent on the pH and the optimum pH was foun...

Jun, 2016 pp. 95-99

15

Research Article

Mineralogical and chemical characterization of Zarara hill copper deposit, Kano State, Northwestern Nigeria

Magaji S. S.^*, Martin R. F., Ike E. C.

A new copper deposit associated with the marginal granite porphyry of Banke Younger Granite Complex was discovered at Zarara hill, Kano State Nigeria. Preliminary study was undertaken with the main objectives of mineralogical and chemical characterization of the deposit. Twelve samples were obtained polished thin sections were prepared and studied using backscattered images and electron micropr...

Jun, 2016 pp. 100-105

16

Research Article

Effect of annealing conditions on the magnetic, optical and photocatalytic properties of the perovskite-type material La1-x(Bix)FeO3-δ

Ibrahim A.^*, Bice S. Martincigh, Sreekantha B. Jonnalagadda

Novel perovskite-type nanomaterials with the composition La1-x(Bix)FeO3-δ (where x = 0.5 and 0.2) were synthesized by using a modified citric acid sol-gel route and annealed at 900 °C in (1) in air (LB0.5FO-air and LB0.2FO-air), and (2) in Argon atmosphere (LB0.5FO-Ar and LB0.2FO-Ar). Scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction analysis of the powders showed that they contain cry...

Jun, 2016 pp. 106-112

17

Research Article

Exploiting the remediation capacities of microbiological strains and membrane technologies for the treatment of textile dyes effluent

Shinkafi M. S.^*, GALADIMA M.S, Mohammed I. U., Hassan A. S., J. M. Hayatu

The present work evaluates the potentials of using indigenous microbial strains isolated from wastewaters of an effluent treatment plant of a Textile Industry and the feasibility of employing nanofiltration (NF) membrane and reverse osmosis (RO) systems as an alternative treatment method of textile wastewater discharged from textile industry. Experiments were performed in a laboratory - scale s...

Jun, 2016 pp. 113-122

18

Research Article

Comparative synthesis of sodium silicate from rice husk and kaolin

Ajayi O. A^*, Mamman J., Adefila S. S.

Sodium silicate in powdered form was successfully synthesized from both rice husk ash and Kankara kaolinite clay. The impure nature of both monomer and NaOH used does not seems to hinder the depolymerization reaction viz-a-viz product formation. The crystallinity of sodium silicate produced tends to increase with reaction time, temperature, and Na2O/SiO2 ratio. About 93% crystallinity for as sy...

Jun, 2016 pp. 123-129

19

Research Article

Properties of chemically modified Baobab pod/Sisal Fibre reinforced Low Density Polyethylene Hybrid Composite

ISA M. T^*, Shehu U., Aderemi B. O., Bello T. K., Audu H. I., Shittu U. M., ATTA A. Y

The present study determined the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the properties of baobab pod/sisal fibres reinforced low-density polyethylene (LDPE) hybrid composites. Used to treatment the fibres, were different concentrations of NaOH 2 -10 wt% at 2 wt% interval. The hybrid composites were compounded using two roll mills machine and compressed in a mold using hydraulic press a...

Jun, 2016 pp. 130-135

20

Research Article

Synthesis and characterisation of Azo dyes derived from Naphthalen-2-ol and their washfastness properties on cotton, wool and nylon fabrics

Abdulraheem Giwa^*, Mela A. C., Umar S. M.

A series of azo dyes was synthesised by coupling reaction of napththalen-2-ol with diazotized 4- sodiumphenolate, 4-Nitrophenylazo and 4-Chlorophenylazo respectively, as diazo components. The characterization of the dyes was carried out by GC/MS analysis. The solubility of dyes in the visible absorption spectra was also determined. The dyeing performances of the three dyes were assessed on cott...

Jun, 2016 pp. 141-142