Developing routes to produce cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from high-lignin wood residues is essential for expanding sustainable nanocellulose feedstocks. In this work, Meranti (Shorea sp.) sawdust was valorized into CNCs by integrating ammonium persulfate (APS) pretreatment with subsequent sulfuric acid hydrolysis. To establish a severity map and define an operating window, APS pretreatment severity was systematically varied by adjusting APS concentration and the sawdust-to-APS (solid-to-liquid) ratio, and its influence on CNC structural properties was evaluated. APS pretreatment partially disrupted and oxidized the lignocellulosic matrix, enabling acid hydrolysis to liberate crystalline cellulose domains. XRD analysis confirmed the preservation of the cellulose I crystalline structure, with a maximum crystallinity index of 72% at 2 M APS and a sawdust-to-APS ratio of 1:30 (w/v), and an average crystallite size of approximately 10 nm estimated using the Scherrer equation. SEM and TEM analyses revealed rod-like CNCs with smooth surfaces and relatively homogeneous dimensions. The optimized samples exhibited CNC lengths of 188.71 ± 5.01 nm and widths of 26.79 ± 1.72 nm. These results demonstrate that Meranti sawdust, a high-lignin wood residue, can be converted into structurally well-defined CNCs using a two-step APS/acid process without prior alkaline pulping or bleaching. This study clarifies the role of APS oxidation in enabling CNC production from feedstocks with lignin contents above 20% and provides a basis for valorizing Meranti sawdust as a renewable precursor for CNCs in advanced material applications.
Lithium-based rechargeable batteries (LbRBs) are essential for applications in vehicles, wearable electronics, and large-scale energy storage due to their high energy density. However, safety concerns associated with flammable organic electrolytes hinder further development. Advancing Li-ion battery technology requires improved conductivity, energy density, and safety, particularly in the development of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLiBs). This work explores carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) as sustainable alternatives for lithium-ion batteries. The synergistic effects of 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([BMIm]Cl) ionic liquid, as a plasticizer, and lithium acetate (LiCH3COO) enhance the
... Show MoreThis research addresses the employment of public relations for foreign oil corporate social responsibility programs operating in Iraq. It is a study of the programmes of six petroleum companies operating in Basra Governorate, which were selected for research as the highest production of Iraqi oil, as well as its enjoyment of strategic oil stores in Iraq.It contains the largest oil fields operatedby major international companies. This study aims at a number of objectives, notably the following:1)Recognize the most prominent corporate social responsibility projects and initiatives the companies have introduced to the local public.2)Investigate the extent to which the Iraqi publ
... Show MoreIn this study, thin film of pure zinc oxide (ZnO) and ZnO doped with Ga2O3 films with different concentrations (0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.09)wt% were prepared by pulsed laser deposition. The powder mixture was then sintered in a furnace at 1273 K for 5 h. The resulting powders were thoroughly ground and then pressed using a special press to form discs with a diameter of 1 cm and a thickness of 0.5 cm. The deposition was carried out under a vacuum of 2.5×10−2 mbar on various substrates, including glass for AFM measurements and n-type crystalline silicon wafers for the gas sensor. AFM results revealed a progressive increase in both grain size and roughness with moderate doping and irregularity at high doping levels. Gas-sensing meas
... Show MoreCharge transfer complex formation method has been applied for the spectrophotometric determination of erythromycin ethylsuccinate, in bulk sample and dosage form. The method was accurate, simple, rapid, inexpensive and sensitive depending on the formed charge- transfer complex between cited drug and, 2,3- Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p- benzoquinone (DDQ) as a chromogenic reagent. The formed complex shows absorbance maxima at 587 nm against reagent blank. The calibration graph is linear in the ranges of (10 - 110) μg.mL-1 with detection limit of 0.351μg.mL-1. The results show the absence of interferences from the excipients on the determination of the drug. Therefore the proposed method has been successfully applied for the determination of eryth
... Show MoreThe present study utilised date palm fibre (DPF) waste residues to adsorb Congo red (CR) dye from aqueous solutions. The features of the adsorbent, such as its surface shape, pore size, and chemical properties, were assessed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The current study employed the batch system to investigate the ideal pH to adsorb the CR dye and found that acidic pH decolourised the dye best. Extending the dye-DPF waste mixing period at 25°C reportedly removed more dye. Consequently, the influence of the starting dye and DPF waste quantity on dye removal was explored in this study. At 5 g/L dye concentration, 48% d
... Show MoreThe electronic properties (such as energy gap HOMO levels. LUMO levels, density of state and density of bonds in addition to spectroscopic properties like IR spectra, Raman spectra, force constant and reduced masses as a function of frequency) of coronene C24 and reduced graphene oxide C24OX , where x=1-5, were studied.. The methodology employed was Density Functional Theory (DFT) with Hybrid function B3LYP and 6-311G** basis sets. The energy gap was calculated for C24 to be 3.5 eV and for C24Ox was from 0.89 to 1.6862 eV for x=1-5 ,respectively. These energy gaps values are comparable to the measured gap of Graphene (1-2.2 eV). The spectroscopic properties were compared with experimental measurements, specificall
... Show MoreThe research problem is that most of the construction projects exceed the planned value, due to the failure to implement the plans on time. The current study aims to monitor the implementation of the project and for each of the executed tasks of the table of quantities in order to detect deviations at the time they occur, evaluate the time and cost performance, and then identify the areas of waste and analyze the implementation of each task in order to diagnose the underlying problems and find possible and applicable solutions in the environment Iraqi. The research was applied in one of the companies specialized in the field of construction projects, and one of the most important conclusions reached is the possibility of applying
... Show MoreThe annealing temperature (200–500 °C) effects of optical frequency response on the dielectric functions of sol–gel derived CuCoO