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Microwave synthesis of porous fly ash geopolymers was achieved using a household microwave oven. Fly ash paste containing SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 component was mixed with sodium silicate (Na 2 SiO 3 ) solutions at different concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) of 2, 5, 10, and 15 M, which were used as NaOH activators of geopolymerization. The mass ratio of Na 2 SiO 3 /NaOH was fixed at 2.5 with SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 at 2.69. After the fly ash and alkali activators were mixed for 1 min until homogeneous, the geopolymer paste was cured for 1 min using household microwave oven at different output powers of 200, 500, 700, and 850 W. Porous geopolymers were formed immediately. Micro X-ray CT and SEM results showed that the porous structure of the geopolymers was developed at higher NaOH concentrations when using 850 W power of the microwave oven. These results derive from the immediate increase of the temperature in the geopolymer paste at higher NaOH concentrations, meaning that aluminosilicate bonds formed easily in the geopolymers within 1 min.

Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) is commonly used in steel recycling industries. Apart from steel metal product, a waste in the form of dust is also produced and so called EAF dust. The fine particulates mainly contain zinc-iron oxides along with a small amount of heavy metals like chromium and lead, and have been categorized as a toxic waste. Proper treatments can be crucially required in order to recover crude zinc oxide and iron oxide from the dust; however, no practical recycling plants have been now readily operated in Thailand. To reduce its toxicity, EAF dust could be mixed with silica-based materials and vitrified into glass. Therefore, EAF dust can possibly be employed as a ceramic glaze raw material. This work pointed out how to make decorative “oil spot” ceramic glaze by substitution of EAF dust for a conventional iron oxide. The prepared glaze mixtures were applied over the ceramic bodies and fired at 1250 °C in oxidation atmosphere. The as-fired glaze appearances with tiny and silvery crystals floating over dark brown based-glaze were exhibited. Phase content and characteristics of the obtained glaze were analyzed. The roles of zinc oxide to iron oxide ratios on oil spot and crystal generation was concerned. A comparison of oil spot effects due to different iron oxide sources was presented and discussed. Oil spot glaze made from a combination of EAF dust and iron oxide powder was also proposed.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles were synthesized using a wet mechanochemical method without a calcination process. Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4 ·2H2 O) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) were mixed and milled in a planary mill using ethanol or water as liquid media in the two different synthesized routes. Effects of rotation speed and milling time on the final products formed have been studied. Experimental results showed that HA phase having a characteristic of low crystallinity could be formed under the synthesis route using water. The original phases of both starting chemicals were remained without HA formation in the synthesis route using ethanol. Particle size and morphology of HA nanoparticles were obviously depended on optimum conditions of rotation speed and milling time. Differences on phase formation in both synthesized routes have been considered and discussed based on occurring chemical reaction possibilities. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 679-688, 2017.

Calcium phosphate cement has been widely used as a bone substitute because of its chemical similarity to natural bone. In this study, calcium phosphate cement was prepared using dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4.2H2O) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as starting raw materials. The cement pastes were mixed and the chemistry adjusted with two different aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4). Concentrations of the solution were varied in the range 0.5 to 5.0 mol/L with the ratio of solid/liquid = 2 g/ml. The cement paste was then poured into a silicone mold having a diameter of 10 mm and a height 15 mm. Setting times for the cement were measured using a Vicat apparatus. XRD, FT-IR, and SEM techniques were used to characterize properties and microstructure of the cement. From the experimental results, it is clear that different concentrations of Na2HPO4 and NaOH have affected the setting times of the cement. The relationship between concentration of NaOH and Na2HPO4 and setting time, including final properties of the cement, is discussed.

Geopolymeris an alumino-silicate material with three dimensional amorphous structures. The main compositions are silica and alumina which were decomposed by alkaline solution. Geopolymer materials not only have comparable or superior properties to portland cement, but also have lower greenhouse emission. In this study, Preparation and characterization of geopolymer were investigated. The main composition of fly ash from Mae Moh power plant is SiO2 and Al2O3. The major composition of Aluminium waste from aluminium frame industry is Al2O3.The geopolymer pastes were mixed at various proportions of FA:Al-waste of 100:0 80:20 60:40 and 40:60 by weight. Sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate were used as alkali activators.A mass ratio of 2.5 Na2SiO3/NaOH and three concentrations of NaOH (5 10 15 M) were used. Geopolymer were cured at ambient temperature for 7days. Properties of geopolymer specimens were measured for example compressive strength, bending strength, phase by XRD, and bonding by FT-IR.

Nanoporous alumina membrane and continuous zeolite L membrane were fabricated on the inner surface of microporous alumina tubes. In the former case, an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique was used for the deposition of bimodal alumina particles for the subsequent low temperature sintering. In the latter case, the EPD was used for the seeding process of zeolite L particles for the subsequent hydrothermal synthesis. A thin layer of polypyrrole was synthesised on the inside wall of the porous tubes by the chemical polymerisation of pyrrole to give the wall electric conduction for the EPD electrode. The thickness of the coating layers was controlled by altering the applied voltage and deposition time. The interfacial connection of the alumina or zeolite coated layer and the substrate was evaluated by SEM observations before and after the thermal treatment. The nanoporous structure of the alumina membrane was also characterised by a pore size analyser.

The nano-porous Al2O3 layer was performed onto inner surface of micro- porous Al2O3 tube by using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Initially, Polypyrrole (Ppy) was applied on inner wall of tube to make conductive surface. The Al2O3 deposition was carried out in Al2O3 suspension with 5 wt % solid content in ethanol medium system using various applied voltages. Thickness of the deposited layer depends on applied voltages, after sintering at 1400oC the morphology of the deposited layer was investigated by FE-SEM. The good deposited surface without cracks and peeling has been prepared under applied voltage condition of 10 V.

Silver film was fabricated on a glass substrate by electroless plating technique. Plating solution, which also known as Tollen’s reagent, consisted of three main solutions: silver nitrate solution as a silver source, ammonia and sodium hydroxide as pH controllers and D-glucose as a reducing agent. Glass surface was treated by three different methods: HF etching, SnCl2activation and SiC paper grinding. After that, a glass slide was immersed in plating solution for 90 minutes at a room temperature. The purpose of this work was to study the effects of different surface treatments on adhesion between substrate and film. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed that the obtained film was a silver phase. Surface morphology of glass slides, before and after plating was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, the adhesion of silver film to glass substrate was performed by crosscut test and it was indicated that combined treatment by SiC paper grinding and HF etching was the best surface treatment which provided a good adhesion of film to substrate.

In the present study, nanocrystalline χ-Al 2 O 3 were prepared by thermal decomposition of fine gibbsite (χ-GB) and solvothermal method (χ-SV) and employed as supports for preparation of 20 wt% Co/Al 2 O 3 catalysts. As compared to the use of γ-Al 2 O 3 with similar BET surface area, Co dispersion and CO hydrogenation activity were higher on the nanocrystalline χ-Al 2 O 3 supported Co catalysts. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results revealed that the wrinkled sheets-like structure of γ-Al 2 O 3 was completely destroyed after CO hydrogenation for 6 h whereas the spherical particles of χ-SV and plate-like structure of χ-GB were maintained. The H 2 -temperature program reduction (H 2 -TPR) also revealed a stronger interaction between cobalt and alumina supports for the Co/χ-Al 2 O 3 catalysts.

A novel method for preparation of WO3–SnO2 nanocomposite was described. 0.3–10.0 wt.% WO3 was incorporated into the SnO2 powder by precipitation of hydrated WO3 from ammonium tungstate precursor solution containing SnO2 powder. This preparation method resulted to uniform mixing of ∼35 nm WO3 and ∼100 nm SnO2 nanoparticles as revealed by direct observation using a transmission electron microscope, and by performing elemental dot mapping. Upon calcination to 500 °C, both cassiterite SnO2 and monoclinic WO3 were stable, and no other crystalline phase was observed. To evaluate gas sensing performance, the powders were formed into thick-film sensors using a screen printing technique. It was found that the gas sensitivity of the SnO2 base was enhanced when very small amount of the WO3 (0.3 wt.%) was incorporated. The 0.3 wt.% WO3–SnO2 sensor was very sensitive to 2–8 ppm ethylene at optimum operating temperature of 300 °C. The sensitivity decreased with increasing amount of the WO3.

Inner surface of microporous alumina tube was coated with nanoporous alumina layer using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process. Polypyrrole (Ppy) film was formed on the inner wall of the porous tube to give electrical conductivity by chemical polymerization of pyrrole (Py). The nanoporous structure was controled using bimodal suspension of alumina powders with 0.6 μm and 30 nm in ethanol. The thickness of the coated layer was controlled by varying the processing parameters such as deposition time and DC applied voltage. After the deposition, the coated substrate was sintered at 1250°C for 2 h to bond the coated layer with the substrate.The microstructure of the substrate and the coated layer was observed by SEM. The results show the good interfacial joining between the substrate and the coated layer; they are not seperatated after the Ppy burnt-out. Crack-free and nanoporous layer on the microporous substrate was successfully fabricated.

The normal firing temperature of ceramic products is around 1200 °C. In order to reduce firing temperature, industrial wastes were utilized in ceramic glaze. Phuket municipal solid waste (MSW), soda lime cullet, and borax were used as raw materials for low firing temperature glazes. The glaze compositions were designed using a triaxial diagram. Stoneware ceramic body was glazed then fired at 1000 and 1150 °C for 15 minutes. Morphology and phase composition of glazes were analyzed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal expansion compatibility of Stoneware body and glazes were investigated using a dilatometer. Melting behaviour of selected glaze was analyzed by heating stage microscopy. Phuket MSW and Soda lime glass cullet can be used in high percentage as major raw materials for low firing temperature ceramic glaze that show good texture and vitrified at lower firing temperature without using any commercial ceramic frits. The firing temperature can be reduced up to 150 °C in this study.