Malaysia-Japan International Institute Technology (MJIIT)

Chemical Energy Conversions and Application (ChECA)

The Chemical Energy Conversions and Applications (ChECA) Laboratory is committed to advancing research in sustainable energy through the application of fundamental principles of chemical energy conversions including electrochemical and photochemical reactions and the development of high-performance materials and their applications. Our work focuses on the design and synthesis of a wide range of functional materials and cutting-edge systems including nanocomposite catalysts, photoactive devices, and functional membranes to enable efficient energy conversion and storage. Key technologies under investigation include fuel cells, water electrolyzers, vanadium redox flow batteries, reverse electrodialysis, and photovoltaic systems, all aimed at fostering renewable energy and sustainable development. In response to global environmental challenges, our scope extends to advanced photocatalysis for wastewater treatment, utilizing solar-driven oxidation to degrade emerging organic pollutants and ensure water security. We are equally dedicated to carbon management through the engineering of high-capacity materials for CO2 adsorption, such as metal-organic frameworks and functionalized porous carbons, to mitigate industrial emissions. Furthermore, the laboratory explores the synthesis of sustainable plastic packaging materials, focusing on bio-based polymers and biodegradable composites to foster a circular economy.

Basic Information

 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)

Research Focus Areas

 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.

Facilities and Equipment

 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.

Research Projects

 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)

Research Outputs

 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

Collaboration and Outreach

 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

Members

Academic Staffs:

Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef El-Sayed

● Membrane development

● Radiation induced grafting

● Fuel cell

● Hydrogen production

● Carbon dioxide capture
Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali

● Polymer engineering

● Bio-packaging

● Smart packaging
Assoc Prof Ir Dr Nurfatehah Wahyuny Che Jusoh

● Wastewater treatment

● Adsorption

● Catalysis

● Materials science
Ts. Dr Zatil Izzah Ahmad Tarmizi

● Tissue engineering

● Functional polymeric materials
ChM Dr Eleen Dayana Mohamed Isa

● Nanomaterials and nanocomposites fabrication

● Photocatalysis

● Materials science

Postdocs/Researchers:

  1. 1. Ts Dr Saidatul Sophia Md Sha'rani, supervised by Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud El-sayed Nasef (Jan 2024 - June 2026)
  2. ChM Dr Siti Husnaa Mohd Taib, supervised by Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasti Ali (July 2022 - June 2024)
  3. ChM Dr Eleen Dayana Mohamed Isa, supervised by Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali (July 2022 – October 2023)

Postgraduate Students:

Supervisor PhD Master
Prof Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef El-Sayed
  • NOR AMYRA HANA BINTI MOHD YUSOFF
  • NUR SYAHIRAH FAIHA BINTI SHAWALLUDIN
  • WANG YAPING
  • NUR HABIBAH SAFIYAH JUSOH
  • HANA NEFISSA MD NASARUDIN
Assoc Prof Dr Roshafima Rasit Ali
  • JUSTIN CHAN ZHE
  • MOHAMAD AIZAD BIN MOHD MOKHTAR
  • MOHD SHAHRUL NIZAM SALLEH
  • NOR HIDAYAH BINTI KHALID
  • MUHAMMAD ADIB BIN SHOPUAN ANUAR
  • MUHAMMAD ATEF BIN SHOPUAN ANUAR
Assoc Prof Ir Dr Nurfatehah Wahyuny Che Jusoh
  • NAWAL BINTI ABD GHAFAR
  • MARINDA RAHIM
Ts Dr Zatil Izzah Ahmad Tarmizi
  • CHIA JING JIE (JACKY)
  • MATHUMATHI AMBIGABADI
  • NUR ILIYA IRINA SHAMSHARIL
  • ALYSSA NADIA NIODE
ChM Dr Eleen Dayana Mohamed Isa
  • NUR IZZAH KAMARUL ZAMAN

Photos and Media

 Group Photo (recommended):

Members of ChECA iKohza

Members of ChECA iKohza

Members of ChECA iKohza
Members of ChECA iKohza

Members of ChECA iKohza

 Activity or Lab Photos (optional):

Participation in MJIIT Event: JAPAN DAY 2024

Participation in MJIIT Event: JAPAN DAY 2024
Participation in MJIIX 2025: Grand Award, Gold Medal and Silver Medal Achievement

Participation in MJIIX 2025: Grand Award, Gold Medal and Silver Medal Achievement
Participation in MJIIX 2025: Grand Award, Gold Medal and Silver Medal Achievement

Participation in MJIIX 2025: Grand Award, Gold Medal and Silver Medal Achievement
Participation in MJIIX 2025: Grand Award, Gold Medal and Silver Medal Achievement

Participation in MJIIX 2025: Grand Award, Gold Medal and Silver Medal Achievement

 Logo (if any):

Introductory Video