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Recent Submissions
Spectrophotometric determination of the stoichiometries, stability constants and free energies of zinc (II) and vanadium (v)complexes of anthranilic acid
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-05) Eze, Edith Ogochukwu
This research work describes a simple and selective spectrophotometric methods for the determination of the stoichoiometries and the stability constants of zinc (II) and vanadium (V) complexes of anthranilic acid using Job’s method of continuous variation and Yoe-Jones mole ratio method. Zinc (II) ion formed a colourless complex with anthranilc acid at pH 4, and vanadium (V) formed a golden-yellow complex at pH 6. The complexes showed maximum absorbance at 309 nm for zinc (II) and 326.5 nm for vanadium (V). The zinc (II) ion formed a 1:2 metal to ligand mole ratio complex with anthranilic acid (HA), while vanadium (V) ion formed a 1:1 metal to ligand mole ratio complex with anthranilic acid. That is, for Zn2+/A complex, ZnA2 is formed and V5+/A- complex, VO2A is formed.The stability constants, (Log K), molar absorptivity and free energies of the formation of Zn (II) and V (V) anthranlilate complexes were 5 x 105, (5.71), 7.58 x 104 and -32.58 kJ/mol for zinc (II) anthranilate and 6.61x 104, 6.67, 4.7x 106 and -38.07 kJ/mol for vanadium (V) anthranilate, respectively. It was found that the vanadium (V) ion formed more stable complex with anthranilic acid with Log K value of 6.67 compared to zinc (II) complex with Log K value of 5.71. The negative values obtained for the free energies of both complexes showed that the reactions were spontaneous, feasible and irreversible and that stable complexes were formed. Anthranilic acid is a bidented ligand and as such formed a 4-coordinate bis-chelate
with each of the metals; square planar geometry is being suggested for each of the chelate complexes, bearing in mind that anthranilic acid is a strong ligand.
Influence of air pollutants on ocular health among commercial drivers and road transport workers in Imo State, Nigeria
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-12) Nwakamma, Gerald Iheachoro
Air pollution, resulting from sources like household combustion and high vehicular emissions, significantly contributes to the worldwide burden of disease, with notable pollutants including CO, CO2, NO2, SO2, and Particulate Matter (PM1.0, 2.5). While the respiratory and cardiovascular effects of air pollution are widely studied in Nigeria, a critical gap in knowledge exist regarding the specific ocular health implications for high-risk occupational groups like road transport workers. The statement of the research problem therefore hinged on the high level of ignorance among these workers regarding ocular risks, coupled with the apparent weak enforcement or absence of effective air quality policies in Imo State motor parks, leading to concentrated exposure. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of associated ocular problems, assess the level of awareness, and evaluate the efficacy of preventive strategies employed against air pollutants among road transport workers in Imo State. A cross-sectional survey and observational design was conducted among a sample of 552 park workers (Drivers, Road Transport Workers, and Traders) across five selected motor parks in the three senatorial zones of Imo State. Methodology involved the collection of data via a pre-tested structured questionnaire, comprehensive clinical ocular examinations (including Visual Acuity, Schirmer test, and Tonometry), and the measurement of ambient environmental parameters (NO2, SO2, CO2, PM) at study sites. The results showed a high prevalence of ocular problems (81.2%) among the eyes examined, with pterygium (57.9%) and dry eye syndrome (35.9%) being the most prevalent conditions. Awareness of the risks was high (84.1%), but a significant "awareness-practice gap" was found, as only 31.0% of participants used any preventive measures. A significant association was established between awareness and the practice of prevention (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the use of eyeglasses (P=0.002) and avoiding smoke areas (P=0.016) were significantly effective in reducing ocular problem occurrence, while sunshades were not. In conclusion, there is a high burden of preventable ocular morbidity among road transport workers, characterized by Pterygium and Dry Eye Syndrome, largely due to a failure to translate high awareness into consistent protective behavior. The recommendations underscore the critical need for targeted public health interventions focusing on translating awareness into specific protective practices, promoting regular eye check-ups, and enforcing stricter environmental regulations in motor parks to mitigate occupational exposure
Chemical bath deposition and characterisation of CdAl2S03 quaternary thin films
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2019-08) Ezihe, James A.
Quaternary cadmium aluminiumsulphite (CdAl2SO3) thin film were synthesized via chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique using a reaction bath containing cadmium chloride, thiourea, and Aluminiumsulphateoctadecahydrate at room temperature. The thin films are white in colour and strongly adherent to the substrate. The materials were annealed at various temperatures of 150 °C, 200 °C and 250 °C before characterizing, using glancing incident X-Ray diffraction (GIXRD) and Raman spectroscopy for structural analysis, UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer for optical analysis, Energy Dispersive X-Ray(EDX) spectroscopy for compositional analysis, 3D thickness profiling for thickness of the films and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphological analysis. The XRD results showed that the CdAl2SO3thin films crystallize as binary-phase compounds of CdSO3 and Al2O3. The optical measurements show that the films have low transmittance in the photon wavelength of 300-900 nm explored. The films have very high absorbance across the wavelengths under study, with the highest absorbance of 99.5 % in the UV region of the solar spectrum. The CdAl2SO3 real dielectric constant value is of the range of 1.5 to 1.9, and the imaginary dielectric constant has the range of 1.5 to 2.28. The direct bandgap of the CdAl2SO3 thin films ranges from 3.75 eV to 4.10 eV. The thickness of the material ranges 207 nm to 879 nm. The SEM micrographs reveal homogenous and densely packed grains. The rough estimate of the grain size ranges from 15µm to 70µm. The EDX spectra reveal the presence of Cd, Al, S and O in the films investigated. The high absorption in the UV-Vis regions makes the material suitable for thin films absorber solar cells. The direct bandgap of the thin films makes them applicable in optical devices such as LEDs and semiconductor lasers.
Demulsification of crude oil emulsion using local emulsifiers
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2025-07) Okereke, Uchechukwu Justice
This work is based on formulation of crude oil demulsifiers (emulsion breakers) from materials locally sourced. Laboratory experimental investigation was carried out to ascertain its effectiveness and efficiency in breaking crude oil emulsion. Materials used included locally made palm oil, potassium hydroxide (KOH), lemons, glycerin, for sample A (ALPHA), locally made liquid soap, starch, camphor, alum, castor oil, and distilled water for sample B (BETA), and the combination of sample A and B make up sample C (MEGA), demulsifier. 10ml volume of water and 10ml volume of oil were mixed together to produce 20ml volume of emulsion. Separation of water and oil called demulsification started at dose of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0ml concentration. Maximum 3.0ml concentration of both locally produced and commercially available demulsifiers were used to obtain maximum demulsificaion result. The three different demulsifier formulations made were tested on a crude oil emulsion sample from a Niger Delta oil field and subjected to a temperature of 30°C, 50°C and 70°C. A commercially available demulsifier (CAD) of the same quantity and under the same laboratory experimental condition, served as a basis for comparison (validation). The composition of the separated products consist of 20ml volume of crude oil emulsion: 10ml water and 10ml oil content. After demulsification, 8.2ml (82%), 9.5ml (95%) and 9.6 (96%) of the water content was separated leaving 11.8ml, 10.5ml, and 10.4 of remaining solution as a result of using maximum concentration of 3.0ml of the produced demulsifiers; ALPHA, BETA and MEGA, temperature of 70°C, and 10mins settling time. At an increase temperature of 30°C, 50°C, and 70°C, the demulsification efficiency recorded 65%, 76%, 82% water separation of ALPHA, 75%, 91% 95% of BETA, and 79%, 95% 96% of MEGA. The result of the treatment was a successful separation of oil and water using the sample, ALPHA, BETA and MEGA formulated demulsifier. The maximum separated water volume by the local demulsifier was 96%, at 70°C temperature and 1000rpm while that separated by CAD was 68% at the same condition. This showed that the locally formulated demulsifiers had better water separation capability than the commercially available (imported) demulsifier.
Determination of dynamic buckling load of a clamped finite column resting on quadratic-cubic elastic foundation
(Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2024-12) Bassey, Julius Effiong
This research work centred on the determination of the dynamic buckling load of a clamped finite column structure that is lying on a quadratic-cubic foundation by the analytic and numerical procedures. The formulation of the governing equation contains two small but mathematically independent parameters (δ and ϵ) which are used for asymptotic expansion of the variables. For the solutions, two techniques were applied to investigate namely, twotiming regular perturbation procedure and Block Unification Method (BUM). BUM was adopted to solve the governing equation through the method of lines and finite difference methods. The results obtained indicate that the dynamic buckling load decreases with increased imperfection, and decreases with increased in damping. More so, it was shown that the results obtained are strictly asymptotic and valid in the limit as the small parameters become increasingly small relative to unity.