https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/300 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 05:11:57 GMT 2026-04-11T05:11:57Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4140 Title: Paint formulation based on deodorizer distillate based alkyd resin and metallophthalocyanines Authors: Nago, Anesuishe Abstract: A novel study was carried on paint formulation based on alkyd resin and metallopthalocyanines. Alkyd Resin was synthesised using deodorizer distillate, which is a source of fatty acids that are included in the resin formulation. The distillate is generally cheaper as compared to soya bean oil that is being used at the moment. It is a by-product produced during the deodorization process of edible oil refineries. The resin reaction was stopped at an acid value of 9.6 mg of potassium hydroxide per gram of alkyd resin. Metallopthalocyanes, Copper(II)Phthalocyanine and Cobalt(II)Phthalocyanine were synthesised as pigments in paint formulation. All the synthesised products were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV- Vis) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesised alkyd resin was linked covalently with cobalt(II)tetraamino phthalocyanine and non-covalently with copper(II) phthalocyanine. The pigments were dispersed in the resin with the aid of a solvent xylene in order to produce two paints based on the two different metallophthalocyanines. The formulated paint products were exposed to sunlight in solution form for photo degradation studies. The wavelength of highest absorbance was found to be 680 nm and no new bands were observed signifying the stability of the formulated paints. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/4140 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Nago, Anesuishe https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3915 Title: Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye from aqueous systems by HKUST-1 and CuO@HKUST-1 Authors: Fusirai, Fadzanai Abstract: High concentrations of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous environments have detrimental effects to both plants and animals and hence its removal is very important. Metal Organic Framework, HKUST-1 and composite, CuO@HKUST-1, were synthesized and characterised for their functional groups before and after degradation of methylene blue. Studies were done to optimize the degradation of methylene blue and to characterize the degradation system with respect to photocatalytic degradation kinetics. The optimum methylene blue degradation conditions were pH 4, catalyst dosage of 50 mg and contact time of 180 minutes for CuO@HKUST-1 and pH 6, catalyst dosage of 100 mg and contact time of 180 minutes for HKUST-1. The pseudo first order kinetics best described the data (R2 0.991 and 0.992 for HKUST-1 and CuO@HKUST-1 respectively). Methylene blue showed negligible self catalysis properties suggesting that it is very stable to light. CuO@HKUST-1 was found to have better photocatalytic degradation efficiency (95 %) as compared to HKUST-1 (75%). CuO@HKUST-1 proved to be an effective and stable catalyst which can be re used for 4 times producing a degradation efficiency of more than 80 %. Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3915 2018-05-01T00:00:00Z Fusirai, Fadzanai https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3730 Title: Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye by ZnO/TiO2/CoFe2O4 trapped in alginate beads Authors: Miraso, Marvelous Nzwanai Abstract: Azo dyes have become an immerging and difficult pollutant to the environment. Industrial activities have resulted in disposal of these toxic dyes in effluent and among them is methyl orange (MO) dye. Proper effluent treatment schemes have become a necessity so as to be able to reduce the potential toxicity issues regarding plant and animal life due to the rise in demand for clean and safe water. Several methods have been applied for the removal and degradation of MO dye but have proven to be inadequate. The purpose of this work was photocatalytic degradation of MO by a novel composite catalyst ZnO/TiO2/CoFeO4. ZnO was synthesized by sol-gel and CoFe2O4 via the co-precipitation method ZnO, CoFe2O4 and commercial TiO2 was combined and trapped in alginate ZnO/TiO2/CoFe2O4 was characterized for functional groups, thermal stability, size, morphology and surface crystallinity. Successful fabrication was shown by the presence of the O-H stretching, C-H stretching and the M-O stretching vibrations on the FTIR spectrum. The composite was thermally stable and the photocatalysts constituted 9% of the composite. Optimum conditions were pH 8, 240 min and 0.2 g catalyst dosage. The effective initial concentration was 10 mg/L. Complete decolorisation of 10 mg/L under optimum conditions giving up to 98.4% degradation. The mechanism of photocatalysis was indirect. The composite was stable as there was no change in the percentage composition in terms of the catalysts added which were 1.9% ZnO and 6.7% CoFe2O4 in both the recycled and the fresh composite. The composite can be reused up to 5 cycles giving significant degradation. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3730 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z Miraso, Marvelous Nzwanai https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3727 Title: Synthesis and application of graphene nanoribbon decorated with tio2 towards the simultaneous detection of nevirapine and glucose Authors: Apath, Daniel, A. A. Abstract: Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and their composites Graphene nanoribbons/titanium dioxide (GNRs/TiO2) were employed towards the simultaneous detection of nevirapine (NVP) and glucose (GLC). The nanomaterials were characterized Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and chronoamperometry were utilized in the electrochemical detection of nevirapine and glucose. The optimum pH for the electrocatalytic detection of nevirapine and glucose simultaneously were determined to be pH 11.0 The limits of detection and quantification were deduced to be 1.27 x 10-7 M for glucose and 1.282 x 10-7 M for nevirapine and limit of quantification were also deduced to be 3.882 x 10-7 M for glucose and 3.882 x 10-7 M for nevirapine respectively using differential pulse voltammetry. The rate constant of 1.655 x 101 M1s-1 and 1.42 x 101 M-1s-1 for nevirapine and glucose respectively. surface area of the electrode and the surface coverage were determined to be 2.7 ×101 M-1 s-1, 0.238 cm2 and 1.58 x 10-5 mol cm2 respectively. The adsorption equilibrium constant ß was determined to be 3.3 x 104 M-1 from the Langmuir adsorption kinetic model with a Gibbs free energy of 25.34 KJ mol-1. GNRs/TiO2GCE showed excellent electrooxidation of nevirapine and glucose and oxidation over potential were lowered. The higher surface coverages were observed which indicating that modifiers were lying flat on the electrode surface. The GNRs/TiO2-GCE gave catalytic rate constants The limits of detection observed for nevirapine and glucose were 9.66 × 10-7 and 7.2 × 10-7 M respectively. The adsorption equilibrium constants for nevirapine and glucose were found to be 1.05 x 105 M-1 and 5.56 x 105 M-1 respectively. Furthermore, the high Tafel slopes were observed which indicated that the adsorption of each analyte to the surface of the electrode. The Gibb’s free energy for nevirapine and glucose were also found to be -28.63 kJ mol-1 and -27.07kJ mol-1 respectively. Interference studies were done and the electrode displayed the ability to detect both nevirapine and glucose. The electrode displayed good reproducibility with lower oxidation potential at 0.8 V and high sensitivity towards nevirapine and glucose. The developed sensor exhibited an excellent noninterference property and good reproducibility towards the detection of nevirapine and Glucose. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/3727 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z Apath, Daniel, A. A.