24^th World Congress on Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology July 12-13, 2018 Bangkok, Thailand

Biography:

Professor Rajan Jose is currently the Dean of Research (Technology), a member of Senate, and a Senior Professor at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP). He supervises the Nanostructured Renewable Energy Materials Laboratory in the UMP. He is a materials engineer with most of his work on the structure-property correlation in materials for a desired device functionality. He has published over 200 papers in Web of Science indexed journals which are cited nearly 7000 times with an h-index of 43. He holds over 21 patents nationally and internationally.

Abstract:

Materials discovery lies at the heart of human progress – new materials with high and unprecedented properties as well as understanding their relationship with chemical constitution have been the landmarks of human progress. The continued efforts to deploy a minimum amount of materials for a given function lead focusing on nanostructured materials; where the current focus is on materials of flat two-dimensional network with an atomic-layer thickness as well as designing materials of target functionality computationally using various materials theories. All these efforts gathered documented information on materials processing, characterization, modelling, and properties on diverse range of materials – expression of their size requires the largest units of data quantification. This big data on diverse range of materials could be utilized in materials R&D such that the process minimizes time span between conceptualization and commercialization, reduce cost and risk of experiments using hazardous chemicals, and preserve precious and rare materials for the eventual use – which is a protocol now getting referred as the “Fourth Paradigm of Materials Research” or “Materials 4.0”. Materials 4.0 would support the circular economy (CE), which is a concept or system used to eliminate waste and build economic, social and environmental capital. The shift from the linear economic model of “take, make and dispose” towards more CE approaches have promoted continuous and regenerative flows of materials whereas its predecessors create waste and degrade the ecosystems. This lecture will sees the evolution of materials discovery in generations, briefly describe the built-up infrastructure for the Materials 4.0, and cite few examples of materials discovery and lifecycle assessment under this protocol.

Biography:

Denisha Gounden has completed her MSc at the age of 25 from the Univeristy of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), South Africa. She is currently a PhD candidate at UKZN were her work focuses on material science for solar cell applications. 

Abstract:

Transparent conducting substrates are critical components in the fabrication of photovoltaic devices. These substrates should possess high transparency for maximum light absorption and high conductivity to minimize ohmic loss. This study explores the use of bacterial nanocellulose incorporated with silver nanowires (AgNWs) for the fabrication of flexible films to replace conventional transparent and conductive substrates in photovoltaic devices. The AgNWs are formed via a typical nucleation process using the polyol method. The synthesized nanowires were characterised using IR, EDX, SEM, TEM and XRD spectroscopy which confirmed nanowire formation. Bacterial cellulose (BC) was grown in a modified Hestrin and Shramm medium together with a preformed symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Structurally, cellulose is a polymer made of repeating cellobiose units (Fig 1) and is recognised for its superior tensile strength compared to plant based cellulose. Bacterial cellulose grows as layered sheets of cellulose and once formed, the BC was pressed and dried into thin flexible sheets. The compression of these layers is expected to produce a film of sufficient mechanical durability to withstand photovoltaic applications. Spin coating AgNWs onto the surface of the pressed BC films will render the surface conductive. It is anticipated that the AgNWs spin coated onto the surface of the BC films will serve as appropriate and flexible replacements for indium/fluoride doped tin oxide coated glass substrates in solar cells.

Biography:

Rasha El-Sayed Mohamed has completed her PhD in 2015 from Ain Shams University. She has published 5 papers in reputed journals. She has been working in preparation of nanocatalysts, silica,alumina, and metal-organic frameworks.

Abstract:

SBA-15 material with well-ordered hexagonal arrays mesoporous was prepared by hydrothermal method. Modification of SBA-15 was carried out by using aluminum oxide with different ratios of 10, 25 & 40 wt % which achieved via direct and post syntheses. Sonication and conventional impregnation methods were used for preparation Al/SBA-15 using post synthesis technique. Loading of iron oxide to Al-SBA-15 were adopted to increase the acid metal sites for production of hydrogen. The Physicochemical characteristics viz., XRD, N₂ adsorption-desorption, TGA/DSC, FT-IR, TEM and Raman spectroscopy techniques were investigated. The obtained results for 25 % aluminum oxide ratio are promising. The results surface area measurements indicated that both specific surface area and the total pore volume of SBA-15 was enhanced; 800 m²/g and 1.12 cm³/g, respectively, compared with other methods illustrated in literature due to using the new trend of hydrothermal techniques. Also, 25% of Al to SBA-15 has high surface area 880 m²/g and total pore volume 1.022cm²/g. The efficient yields are H₂ production with maximum purity 77.3% and 12.7% of hydrocarbons (methane, ethylene, propane and iso-butane) with Al-SBA-15 by direct method and when loading of Fe by ultrasonic method production of 100% 2-Pentene.

Biography:

Heba Mahmoud Abdel Razik has completed his PhD at the age of 29 years from Cairo university, She is working at Egyptian Petroleum Research Institue, He has published more than 29 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute.

Abstract:

In this study, metal organic framework (Cr-MIL-101) and TiO₂ nanoparticles were utilized as two semiconductors for water splitting process. The coupling of both semiconductors in order to improve the photocatalytic reactivity for the hydrogen production in presence of methanol as a hole scavenger under visible light (sunlight) has been performed. The forementioned semiconductors and the collected samples after water splitting application are characterized by several techniques viz., XRD, N₂ adsorption-desorption, TEM, ED, EDX, Raman spectroscopy and total content of carbon. The results revealled an efficient yield of H₂ production with maximum purity 99.3% with in-situ formation of graphene oxide nanosheets and multiwalled carbon naotubes coated over the surface of the physically mixed Cr-MIL-101–TiO₂ system. The amount of H₂ gas produced was stored when using Cr-MIL-101 catalyst individually. The obtained data in this work provides a promising canidate materials for pure hydrogen poduction as a clean fuel acquired from the water splitting process. In addition, the in-situ production of graphene nanosheets and carbon nanotubes  is counted as promising advances for the presented process.

Biography:

Rasha El-Sayed Mohamed has completed her PhD in 2015 from Ain Shams University. She has published 5 papers in reputed journals. She has been working in preparation of nanocatalysts, silica,alumina, and metal-organic frameworks.

Abstract:

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently debuted as participants and solid supports in catalysts for water treatment. Their high surface area, porosity and structural versatility offer a tantalising consolidation of the components needed for the adsorption and solar light harvesting ability. A novel type of nanocomposites; ZnO/MIL–101(Fe); was synthesized via a hydrothermal method by loading ZnO on a porous metal-organic framework, MIL–101(Fe). The synthesized catalysts; ZnO, MIL–101(Fe), and ZnO/MIL–101(Fe); were characterized by XRD, TEM, FTIR, UV–vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy, zeta potential, and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements. The resulting MIL-101(Fe), and ZnO/MIL-101(Fe) nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption and solar light harvesting ability exhibited improved photo-activity toward degradation of Rhodamine B dye (RhB) as a model pollutant under visible and UV light irradiation. The band gap energy of ZnO was 3.2 eV restricting its activity under UV light only. However, the loading of ZnO on MIL-101(Fe) decreased the band gap to be 2.85 eV in case of ZnO/MIL-101(Fe), explaining the obtained activity order; degradation under visible light ˃ UV light ˃ adsorption. It can be concluded that the synthesized ZnO/MIL-101(Fe) could be used as alternative catalysts for photocatalytic decolorization of colored wastewater as it can successfully degrade Rhodamine B to approximately 97 % in 300 min.

Biography:

Habib Belaid has completed his Bachelor in Chemistry at the age of 22 years from Aix-Marseille University and his MSc in Materials Science from Toulouse at the age of 24 years. He is currently doing a PhD at the European Institute of Membranes (Montpellier University). He has published 1 paper (co-author)  in ASC applied materials and interaces journal.

Abstract:

Cancer is a tremendous health problem, millions of people are diagnosed with this disease around the world every year. In breast cancer, bone metastasis cause considerable pain and high patient morbidity. Calcium phosphate based cements (CPCs) are often applied as bone substitute materials in orthopedics but their use is hindered because of their slow in-vivo resorption rate. A novel route presented in this work is based on a bio-inspired 3D material "scaffold" which is based on the incorporation of degradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) microspheres into the CPC. The controlled porosity created allows a modulation of the cement degradation time. Furthermore, PLGA microspheres are also used as carriers for two drugs including raloxifene hydrochloride (RH) and alendronate (AL). The ultimate goal of this work is therefore to develop a biomimetic and biodegradable injectable cement, allowing for both bone regeneration and inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation through the local release of osteogenic and anticancer drugs.

The physicochemical properties of the CPC scaffolds have been determined using scanning electron microscopy and UV-spectrometry. The results showed the successful encapsulation of the drugs in the microsphere and  the loaded microspheres were well incorporated  in the CPC scaffold. Finally, initial biological testing has been carried out in order to define the properties of the scaffolds.  A cell viability test using MG63 cells has also been conducted to determine the scaffold biocompatibility and its effects on cell proliferation and differentiation. These first results are therefore very promising and open prospects for bone metastasis treatment in breast cancers.

Biography:

Dr. Rani Bushra has completed her PhD at the age of 29 years in Chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India and postdoctoral fellow from Department of Chemistry, AMU, India and Universiti Sains Malaysia. She is currently working as Post Doctoral Fellow at Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. She have published 28 papers in journals of international repute. Besides this she have published eight book chapters in RSC, Elsevier & Springer. 

Abstract:

Nanotechnology, which is a powerful technology of the 21st century, fulfills all the criteria that lead to the development of science and technology. In addition, nanotechnology also helps in sustainable development of many social communities. The area of nanotechnology encompasses synthesis and characterization of nano scale materials, the understanding and the utilization of their potential applications. This piece of writing provides information on the development of ternary nanocomposite material synthesized via the in situ oxidative mechanism and their potential applications. The nanocomposite was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDX, elemental mapping and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The composite showed improved electrochemical properties, excellent photocatalytic degradation properties and outstanding biological activities for biomedical applications.

Biography:

Jingya Sun has completed her PhD from National University of Singapore and postdoctoral studies from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. She is an assistant professor of Beijing Institute of Technology. She has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals, such as Advanced Materials, ACS Nano and so on. Her research interest is focused on ultrafast laser-material interactions.

Abstract:

In the field of photo-catalysis and photovoltaics, ultrafast dynamical processes including carrier trapping and recombination on material surfaces are among the key factors in determining the overall conversion efficiency. A precise knowledge of these dynamical events on the nanometer and femtosecond scales was until very recently not accessible but is urgently needed for further optimization of the device performance. The only possible way to fully access such fundamental processes is to map the surface dynamics in real space and time. Here, we established and developed the second generation of four-dimensional scanning ultrafast electron microscopy (4D S-UEM) to take time-resolved images (snapshots) of material surfaces with 650 femtoseconds and 5 nanometers (nm) temporal and spatial resolutions, respectively. In this method, the surface of specimen is excited by a clocking optical pulse and a pulsed primary electron beam as a probe pulse, generating secondary electrons which are emitted from the very top of surface of the specimen in a manner that is sensitive to the local electron/hole density, providing direct and controllable dynamical information about surface dynamics. We demonstrate clearly how the surface morphology, grains, defects and nano-structured features can significantly impact the overall dynamical processes on the photoactive-material surfaces. In addition, two regimes of dynamical probing and the energy loss of secondary electrons will be also discussed.

Biography:

Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan has completed his PhD in Physics from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Malaysia in Oct 2017. His research field concerns mainly with the fabrication, characterization, controlled growth, structural and optoelectronic properties of ZnO and ZnO/CuO core-shell nanowires heterojunction. He has published his PhD work in well repute journals and won bronze award for category “Science & Technology” for his PhD work. He is a reviewer in many international, peer-reviewed journals, the chair or co-chair and on the committee of different international conferences. Currently he is selected as Assistant Professor in Department of Physics, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad Pakistan.

Abstract:

This research investigates the novel fabrication and controlled growth of vertically aligned ZnO/CuO core-shell heterojunction nanowires (NWs) formation by vapor deposition and oxidation approach. ZnO/CuO heterostructure nanowires were grown on n-type Si substrate using modified thermal chemical vapor deposition (TCVD) assisted by sputtering deposition followed by thermal oxidation under controlled growth conditions. The effects of fabrication parameters on structure, growth mechanism, optical and electrical properties of the ZnO/CuO core-shell heterojunction were thoroughly investigated. Structural characterization by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) reveals that a highly pure crystalline ZnO core and polycrystalline CuO shell were successfully fabricated in which ZnO and CuO are of hexagonal wurtzite and monoclinic structures, respectively. The growth of ZnO nanowires is along the c-axis [002] direction and the nanowires have relatively smooth surfaces with diameters in the range of 35-45 nm and lengths in the range of 700-1300 nm. The CuO nanoshell with thickness of around 8-10 nm is constructed of nanocrystals with sizes in the range of 3–10 nm. The optical, electrical and band offset properties at heterointerface of core-shell heterojunction nanowires were also discussed in details. The research of this study can provide new pathways and presents a simple approach for the fabrication of vertically aligned n-ZnO/p-CuO core-shell heterojunction NWs for the applications such as solar energy conversion and advanced nano-optoelectronic devices.