TAN SOON HUAT

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering

Scopus Publications

Biomimetic Ag-modified core-shell nanofibrous membrane with enhanced solar absorption and water replenishment for efficient clean water production and antibacterial activity
Jianghui Zhao, Wanlong Li, Lele Li, Quan Feng, Siew Chun Low, Soon Huat Tan, and Zhi Liu
Elsevier BV



Biomimetic heat-localized and solar absorption-enhanced hollow structural nanofibrous membrane for clean water production from saline water and dye wastewater
Jianghui Zhao, Wanlong Li, Yiling Shi, Xianhong Zheng, Quan Feng, Siew Chun Low, Soon Huat Tan, and Zhi Liu
Elsevier BV



Enhancing hexavalent chromium removal from textile effluent with low-cost adsorbent: simulation and a techno-economic study
F. Esmati, M. C. Holliday, S. H. Zein, K. J. Jabbar, S. H. Tan, and A. Putranto
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractThis paper simulated hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) adsorption using cocoa pod husk biosorbent in a fixed bed column using Aspen Adsorption. This study was designed to show the effectiveness of computational methods in designing, optimising and evaluating the scaled-up adsorption process using low-cost adsorbents. To the best of our knowledge, the economic analysis of Cr(VI) removal using biosorbent adsorption columns with the assistance of Aspen Adsorption and response-surface methodology (RSM) has not been performed previously. Design Expert and RSM were used to optimise and describe the effect of flow rate and initial concentration on breakthrough and saturation times. The breakthrough time was improved by a higher bed height (2.0 m), a wider diameter (2.0 m), and lowering the flow rate (0.010 L/s). The initial concentration had no effect (1.00 mol/L). The predicted breakthrough and saturation time were 29,360 s and 313,351 s, respectively. Two scenarios were economically compared over 20 years. Scenario 1 (1-day breakthrough time) costs $746,585 and Scenario 2 (4-week breakthrough time) costs $1,538,319. This is because Scenario 2 used a taller, wider column which required a greater amount of adsorbent, and 387,873 m3 of water were processed, respectively. Processed water was dependent on the flow rate and breakthrough time. It was concluded that cocoa pod husk could be an efficient adsorbent and the adsorption process can be successfully simulated and optimised. The use of alternative low-cost adsorbents should be encouraged. The economic study showed that simulation and RSM data could successfully be used for economic analysis. Graphical abstract


Biomimetic hydrophilic CuO-nanocluster/nanofibrous thin-film skeleton/hydrophilic CuO-nanocluster architecture membrane for efficient and stable solar water evaporation
Jianghui Zhao, Zhi Liu, Siew Chun Low, Zhenzhen Xu, and Soon Huat Tan
Elsevier BV



Electrospinning Technique Meets Solar Energy: Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Evaporation Systems for Solar Steam Generation
Jianghui Zhao, Zhi Liu, Siew Chun Low, Zhenzhen Xu, and Soon Huat Tan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC



Synthesis of polyethylene terephthalate/multi-walled carbon nanotubes adsorbent for methylene blue adsorption
S. M. Lee, M. F. M. Yusop, W. L. Ng, M. A. Ahmad, and S. H. Tan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC



Hierarchical structure design of electrospun membrane for enhanced membrane distillation treatment of shrimp aquaculture wastewater
Lei Zhou, Haichao Zhang, Abdul Latif Ahmad, Soon Huat Tan, Siew Chun Low, and Changlong Li
Elsevier BV



COPPER OXIDE NANORODS BASED NANOFIBERS MEMBRANE FOR SOLAR-DRIVEN INTERFACIAL EVAPORATION
Jiang-Hui Zhao, Bing Gao, Jun-Xian Hong, Siew Low, Zhen-Zhen Xu, and Soon Tan
National Library of Serbia
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation system has attracted intensive attention owing to its great potential in harnessing renewable solar energy to purify water. To further enhance the solar-driven interfacial evaporation system performance, solar absorber structure with high light-thermal energy conversion efficiency is especially critical. In this work, polyvinyl pyrrolidone/poly(vinylidene fluoride co hexa fluoropropylene)/CuO-nanorods (PVP/PVDF-HFP/CuO-nanorods) membrane was prepared sequentially by electrospinning, heating and hydrothermal processes. The flexible electrospun membrane was used as the photothermal layer in the solar-driven interfacial evaporation system. The evenly distributed CuO nanorods function as solar energy absorbers. The polystyrene foam was used as an insulating layer, and filter paper was inserted in the middle of the polystyrene foam to transport water to the photothermal layer. The designed evaporator was used for the solar evaporation using pure water. As a result, the evaporation rate was 1.11 kg/m2h and the light-thermal energy conversion rate was 75.36%. The outcome of this work provides the potential of solar-driven interfacial evaporation system for water desalination and wastewater purification.


Eggplant biomass based porous carbon for fast and efficient dye adsorption from wastewater
Zhi Liu, Xiaohai Huang, Yi Miao, Bing Gao, Yiling Shi, Jianghui Zhao, and Soon Huat Tan
Elsevier BV



Electrospun carboxyl-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(vinyl alcohol) asymmetric pervaporation membrane: Application and modeling
Qian Wen Yeang, Abu Bakar Sulong, and Soon Huat Tan
Wiley
AbstractThis study focuses on the development of an asymmetric membrane comprised of an electrospun carboxyl‐functionalised multi‐walled carbon nanotube (COOH‐MWCNT)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite nanofibre layer on a dense PVA separation layer (MCOOH‐MWCNT). The electrospun nanofibre layer in this study acts as a “pre‐selective layer” instead of its common function as a membrane support. In addition, COOH‐MWCNT, a hydrophilic filler is integrated in the nanofibres to further enhance the membrane pervaporation separation performance. Immense improvement was observed in the pervaporation performance of the resultant asymmetric membranes in the dehydration of aqueous 1,4‐dioxane solutions, owing to the presence of the electrospun composite nanofibres as a hydrophilic layer. The resultant asymmetric membrane showed an increase of nearly 80% in water permeation flux as compared to that of the dense PVA membrane alone, and the separation factor was improved from 392.65 to 605.35. The parameters estimated using Rautenbach model showed that the dehydration of aqueous 1,4‐dioxane solutions via pervaporation is dominantly governed by sorption process. The permeation flux, transport coefficient of water and 1,4‐dioxane of the electrospun asymmetric membrane showed a good agreement in between the experimental data and those predicted using Rautenbach model.


Intrinsic microspheres structure of electrospun nanofibrous membrane with rational superhydrophobicity for desalination via membrane distillation
Lei Zhou, Chang Long Li, Pei Thing Chang, Soon Huat Tan, Abdul Latif Ahmad, and Siew Chun Low
Elsevier BV



Modification of the commercial polyester filter media support with electrospun polyethylene terephthalate fibers and its application for air purification
Wei Lin Ng, Lei Zhou, Abu Bakar Sulong, Eng-Poh Ng, and Soon Huat Tan
Informa UK Limited
In this study, the electrospinning process modifies the commercial polyester filter media to increase filtration efficiency. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) solution produces electrospun fiber on commercial polyester filter media at various rotation speeds and durations. The PET concentration and electrospinning applied voltage were adjusted accordingly to obtain bead-free electrospun fibers. As a result, the modified filter media’s filtration efficiency is approximately two times higher than the commercial polyester filter media at 300 rpm and 5 hours of electrospinning duration. Furthermore, the efficiency of the single unit modified filter media is 53.76% with an airflow resistance of 39.2 Pa and quality factor of 0.01968 Pa−1 which are comparable to the combination of two units’ air filters. Thus, replacing two units’ air filters having a primary and secondary filter with a single unit modified filter media is justifiable.


High-flux strategy for electrospun nanofibers in membrane distillation to treat aquaculture wastewater: a review
Lei Zhou, Soon Huat Tan, Abdul Latif Ahmad, and Siew Chun Low
Wiley
AbstractAquaculture wastewater contains a large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, which has a serious impact on the environment and is also harmful to aquatic life. Such wastewater also contains high salinity, especially for mariculture activities. This review summarizes the recent progress and potential of electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) in membrane distillation (MD) to treat high‐salinity aquaculture wastewater. Superhydrophobic membranes, which display a prominent wetting resistance, have been widely used to improve the efficiency of the MD process. The intuitive hypothesis is that a membrane with a low surface energy and a low sliding angle has a higher slip effect, thereby improving the wetting resistance of the membrane. Based on this perspective, this review focuses on the wetting tendency of parahydrophobic ENMs with high water adhesion and membrane design for MD wettability. Various strategies are reviewed, including the techniques to induce surface roughness during membrane fabrication and the post‐membrane modification to improve the wetting resistance of MD for long‐term operation. This review provides an in‐depth analysis and a fundamental interpretation of novel perspectives of ENMs for more advanced MD applications. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).


Fabrication of asymmetric zinc oxide/carbon nanotubes coated polysulfone photocatalytic nanocomposite membrane for fouling mitigation
Hor Yan Phin, Jin Chung Sin, Soon Huat Tan, Thiam Leng Chew, and Yit Thai Ong
Wiley
AbstractMembrane filtration is a favorable option in water reclamation from contaminated water source, nevertheless, inevitable membrane fouling which greatly shortens membrane longevity and separation efficiency. The paper aimed to mitigate the membrane fouling through the formation of an asymmetric PSF‐ZnO/CNTs photocatalytic nanocomposite membrane. Instead of direct blending the photocatalyst into polymer matrix, the asymmetric nanocomposite membrane was prepared with prior formation of a self‐assembled ZnO/CNTs photocatalyst layer through wet‐processing technique followed with coating of PSF support layer via phase inversion method. The morphology of the nanocomposite membrane was characterized to confirm the formation of the asymmetric structure. The effect of ZnO/CNTs photocatalyst loading on the pore characteristic and antifouling properties of the PSF‐ZnO/CNTs nanocomposite membrane in dye remediation were assessed. The incorporation of ZnO/CNTs layer was found to endows the membrane with ability to photodegrade methylene blue. The PSF‐ZnO/CNTs membrane with 0.038 g ZnO/CNTs photocatalyst loading (M5) showed the greatest flux recovery ratio (98.46%) and the lowest irreversible fouling ratio (1.54%) while exhibited decent water permeability about 29.99 L/m2h without compromise the methylene blue rejection rate (91.04%).


Acid-base bifunctional SBA-15 as an active and selective catalyst for synthesis of ethyl α-cyanocinnamate via Knoevenagel condensation
Jimmy Nelson Appaturi, Thiruchelvi Pulingam, Jothi Ramalingam Rajabathar, Fitri Khoerunnisa, Tau Chuan Ling, Soon Huat Tan, and Eng-Poh Ng
Elsevier BV



Selective synthesis of triacetyl glyceride biofuel additive via acetylation of glycerol over NiO-supported TiO<inf>2</inf> catalyst enhanced by non-microwave instant heating
Jimmy Nelson Appaturi, R. Jothi Ramalingam, Manickam Selvaraj, Stephen Chia, Soon Huat Tan, Fitri Khoerunnisa, Tau Chuan Ling, and Eng-Poh Ng
Elsevier BV



Recyclable synthesis of Cs-ABW zeolite nanocrystals from non-reacted mother liquors with excellent catalytic henry reaction performance
Tamara Mahmoud Ali Ghrear, Eng-Poh Ng, Cyril Vaulot, T. Jean Daou, Tau Chuan Ling, Soon Huat Tan, Boon Seng Ooi, and Svetlana Mintova
Elsevier BV



Fast, low-pressure, low-temperature microwave synthesis of ABW cesium aluminosilicate zeolite nanocatalyst in organotemplate-free hydrogel system
Tamara Mahmoud Ali Ghrear, Ying-Wai Cheong, Gin Keat Lim, Daniel Chateigner, Tau Chuan Ling, Soon Huat Tan, and Eng-Poh Ng
Elsevier BV



Activated Carbon from MerantiWood SawdustWaste Prepared by Microwave Heating for Dye Removal
Mohd Azmier Ahmad, Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad Yusop, and Soon Huat Tan
Springer Singapore



Controlled carbonization heating rate for enhancing CO<inf>2</inf> separation based on single gas studies
Wan Nurul Huda Wan Zainal, Soon Huat Tan, and Mohd Azmier Ahmad
Periodica Polytechnica Budapest University of Technology and Economics
Concerns about the impact of greenhouse gas have driven the development of new separation technology to meet CO2 emission reduction targets. Membrane-based technologies using carbon membranes that are able to separate CO2 efficiently appears to be a competitive method. This research was focused on the development of carbon membranes derived from polymer blend of polyetherimide and polyethylene glycol to separate CO2 rendering it suitable to be used in many applications such as landfill gas purification, CO2 removal from natural gas or flue gas streams. Carbonization process was conducted at temperature of 923 K and 2 h of soaking time. To enhance membrane separation properties, pore structure was tailored by varying the carbonization heating rates to 1, 3, 5, and 7 K / min. The effect of carbonization heating rate on the separation performance was investigated by single gas permeabilities using CO2 , N2 , and CH4 at room temperature. Carbonization heating rate of 1 K / min produced carbon membrane with the most CO2 / N2 and CO2 / CH4 selectivity of 38 and 64, respectively, with the CO2 permeability of 211 barrer. Therefore, carbonization needs to be carried out at sufficiently slow heating rates to avoid significant loss of selectivity of the derived carbon membranes.


Esterification of palm fatty acid distillate with methanol via single-step pervaporation membrane reactor: A novel biodiesel production method
Siew Hoong Shuit and Soon Huat Tan
Elsevier BV



Multi-walled carbon nanotubes buckypaper/epoxy composites: effect of loading and pressure on tensile and electrical properties
W. A. D. Wan Dalina, M. Mariatti, and S. H. Tan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC



Synthesis of Cs-ABW nanozeolite in organotemplate-free system
Tamara Mahmoud Ali Ghrear, Severinne Rigolet, T. Jean Daou, Svetlana Mintova, Tau Chuan Ling, Soon Huat Tan, and Eng-Poh Ng
Elsevier BV



Carbon nanotube-based biodegradable polymeric nanocomposites: 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) in the design
Yit Thai Ong and Soon Huat Tan
Springer International Publishing



Effect of black ink loading on the properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/glass fibre/epoxy laminated hybrid composites
W. A. D. Wan Dalina, M. Mariatti, and S. H. Tan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC

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