Chemical Energy Conversions and Application (ChECA)

 iKohza Name: Chemical Energy Conversion and Applications (ChECA)
 Leader's Name and Title: Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud El-sayed Nasef
 Main Contact Email: checa.mjiit@utm.my
 Location/Office: Level 10, MJIIT (10.05.01)

 Main Research Themes/Keywords: Catalysis; materials science; energy storage; bioplastic; fuel cells; carbon dioxide adsorption

 Description of Research Focus Areas:

• Nanomaterals and nanotechnology: Fabrication of nanomaterials through various techniques such as chemical, physicaland green processes for targeted application
• Catalysis: Utilization of farbicated materials for catalysis process such as photocatalytic and electrocatalytic for conversion of compounds to useful chemicals
• Energy storage: Modification of electrodes, membranes or other parts of energy storage system to improve the overall system performance
• Bioplastics: Development of green, multifunctional, and environmentally friendly plastics through utilization of waste biomass.

 Key Equipment/Technology Available:

1. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

• Analytical equipment used to study the functional groups of synthesized samples in order to confirm the formation of the targeted compound

2. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry

• Analytical equipment used to study the optical properties and behavior of samples. Besides that, this equipment is utilized to study the photocatalysis reaction of degradation of various compounds

3. Surface area and pore analyzer

• Analytical equipment to determine the surface area, pore radius and pore volume of developed materials

4. Photocatalytic reactor

• Custom made reactor to study photocatalytic reactions such as degradation of pollutants. The type of light can be changed as desired to study the impact of type of light on degradation activity

5. High performance liquid chromatography

• Analytical equipment use to separate mixture of compounds to their singular components by varying the solvent mixture and flow rate. The separated compounds will be determined via ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. Standard need to be used in accompaniment of the sample analysis to ensure accurate detection of the targeted compound.

 List of Ongoing/Recent Projects or Grants:

1. Boosting photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic by synergistic effect of titania decorated sulphur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (PI: ChM Dr Eleen Dayana Mohamed Isa)
2. Promoting eco-friendly practices: Lemon peel as an effective adsorbent for oil waste removal from water bodies (PI: Dr Nurfatehah Wahyuny Che Jusoh)
3. Thermo-sensitive gamma irradiated nanogels for effective anticancer drug delivery system (PI: Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali)
4. Radiation-induced grafting of HEMA on electrospun polyurethane with titanium dioxide filler as off-the-shelf vascular graft scaffolds (PI: Ts Dr Zatil Izzah Ahmad Tarmizi)
5. Evaluation of supported metal organic framework and hydrazone containing adsorbents for carbon dioxide capture under dynamic conditions (PI: Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud El-sayed Nasef)

 Selected Publications:

1. Meraj, M. Jawaid, M. M. Nasef, N. A. Mohamad, S. P. Sinht, H. Ariffin & B. Abu-Jdayil. (2025) Exploring the potential of lignin extracted with natural deep eutectic solvents for adsorption of carbon dioxide. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery. 15, 7323-7332.
2. S. Sha’rani, M. M. Nasef, N. W. Che Jusoh, E. D. Mohamed Isa & R. Rasit Ali. (2024) A highly-selective layer-by-layer membrane modified with polyethylenimine and graphene oxide for vanadium redox flow battery. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. 25 (1), 1-15.
3. D Mohamed Isa, R. Rasit Ali, N. W. Che Jusoh, Y. Nagao, K. Aoki, S. Nishimura, Z. I. Ahmad Tarmizi & S. H. Mohd Taib. (2024) Enhanced paracetamol photodegradation over synthesized TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites: Effect of g-C₃N₄ loading on the properties and performance. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 694.
4. J. Chia, R. Rasit Ali, V. Balasundram, M. Yusefi, S. Y. Teow, Z. I Ahmad Tarmizi, & K. Shameli. (2024) Dual ionotropic crosslinked biopolymer magnetic nanocomposites as 5-Fluorouracil nanocarrier for potential colorectal cancer treatment. Polymer Engineering & Science. 64 (7), 3303-3318.
5. H. Mohd Taib, P. M. Nia, R. Rasit Ali, Z. Izadiyan, Z. I. Ahmad Tarmizi & K. Shameli. (2024) Plant-assisted synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for catalytic degradation of methyl orange dye and electrochemical sensing of nitrite. Electroanalysis. 36(9).

 Patents:

1. An improved perfluorinated sulfonic acid membrane, IP/PT/2017/0483, Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud El-sayed Nasef
2. Organic/inorganic composite membranes, IP/PT/2016/0215, Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud El-sayed Nasef
3. A method of producing fermentable sugar from lignocellulosic materials via combination of low-pressure steam heating and dilute acid pretreatment method, IP/PT/2019/0287, Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali

 Current National and International Collaborations:

• National Collaborators
  • Sunway University, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), University of Nottingham Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Agensi Nuklear Malaysia, SHE Empire
• International Collaborators
  • National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS) Japan, Technical University of Munich Germany, University of Tsukuba Japan, Kyushu University Japan, Case Western Reserve University USA, Paul Scherrer Institut Germany, University of Surrey UK, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) Japan, International Atomic Energy Agency

 Joint Programs/Student Exchanges/Industrial Engagements:

• Student attachment: Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT), Taiwan
  • Justin Chan Zhe, February – April 2025 (2 months), MCUT SV: Assoc Prof Dr Kim Hoong Ng, MJIIT SV: Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali
  • Chia Jing Jie (Jacky), February – May 2025 (3 months), MCUT SV: Prof Dr Chao- Lin Liu, MJIIT SV: Ts Dr Zatil Izzah Ahmad Tarmizi

Academic Staffs:

• Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali: Research focus towards biopolymers for green packaging, antimicrobial polymer packaging and liquid natural rubber
• Dr Nurfatehah Wahyuny Che Jusoh: Research focus on metal oxide-based catalyst, photocatalytic reaction, adsorption
• Ts. Dr Zatil Izzah Ahmad Tarmizi: Tissue engineering and functional polymeric materials
• ChM Dr Eleen Dayana Mohamed Isa: Nanomaterials and nanocomposites, development of bioplastic, photocatalytic reactions

Postdoctorals:

• Ts Dr Saidatul Sophia Md Sha'rani, supervised by Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud El-sayed Nasef (Jan 2024 - June 2026)
• ChM Dr Siti Husnaa Mohd Taib, supervised by Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasti Ali (July 2022 - June 2024)

Postgraduate Students:

Supervised by Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud El-sayed Nasef

• PhD
  • NOR AMYRA HANA BINTI MOHD YUSOFF
  • NUR SYAHIRAH FAIHA BINTI SHAWALLUDIN
  • WANG YAPING

Supervised by Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali

• PhD
  • JUSTIN CHAN ZHE
  • MOHAMAD AIZAD BIN MOHD MOKHTAR
  • MOHD SHAHRUL NIZAM SALLEH
  • NOR HIDAYAH BINTI KHALID
• MPhil
  • MUHAMMAD ADIB BIN SHOPUAN ANUAR
  • MUHAMMAD ATEF BIN SHOPUAN ANUAR

Supervised by Dr Nurfatehah Wahyuny Che Jusoh

• PhD
  • NAWAL BINTI ABD GHAFAR
• MPhil
  • NUR ALIA FARHANA BINTI ROS MADI

Supervised by Ts Dr Zatil Izzah Ahmad Tarmizi

• PhD
  • CHIA JING JIE (JACKY)
  • MATHUMATHI AMBIGABADI
• MPhil
  • AFIFAH MARDHIAH BINTI MOHAMED RADZI

 Link to Video:
 Refer to the sample video shared:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uCct65sTQaNmssiLeKSd5RqQP_5EUMfs/view?usp=drive
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