Acta Chemica Malaysia

Journal: Acta Chemica Malaysia (ACMY)
Author: Olayinka A. Ibigbamia, Adefusisoye A. Adebawore, Samuel S. Asaolu and Samuel O. Adefemi
ISSN: 2576-6732
e-ISSN: 2576-6724

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/acmy.01.2025.35.43

The study evaluates the efficiency of different digestion methods for the recovery of heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn) from soil samples using Atomic Absorption Spectrophometry (AAS) method. Various acid mixtures including aqua regia (HCl + HNO3), aqua regia with sulfuric acid (HCl + HNO3 + H2SO4), hydrofluoric acid with perchloric acid (HF + HClO3), perchloric acid with sulfuric acid (HClO3 + H2SO4), and a combination of perchloric acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid (HClO3 + HNO3 + HF) were evaluated for effective recovery after spiking with 10, 20 and 50 ppm of studied metals. The percentage recovery of each metal were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of these digestion methods. At 10 ppm spike levels, aqua regia demonstrated high recoveries for Zn, and Cd, while HF + HClO3 showed moderate efficiency across metals. At higher spike levels (20 ppm and 50 ppm), aqua regia consistently showed high recovery rates for Zn, Cd and Pb, but moderate recoveries for Cu, and Ni. The addition of sulfuric acid to aqua regia generally reduced recovery rates slightly. HF + HClO3 and HClO3 + H2SO4 exhibited lower recoveries compared to aqua regia, indicating potential limitations in extracting metals at higher concentrations. The results suggest that aqua regia remains a robust choice for extracting a wide range of metals from soil samples, particularly at lower spike levels. However, the choice of digestion method should consider specific metal recovery requirements and the soil matrix characteristics to ensure accurate environmental and geochemical analyses.

Journal: Acta Chemica Malaysia (ACMY)
Author: Babatola, Babatude Keji, Adebayo, Samuel, Abiona, Mujidat Ayobami, Ajide, Adeolu Bamidele
ISSN: 2576-6732
e-ISSN: 2576-6724

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/acmy.01.2025.70.76

Copper (II) oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) are gaining significant attention due to their unique properties and applications in various fields, including photocatalysis, environmental remediation, and sensors. The biosynthesis of CuO-NPs offers an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach compared to traditional chemical synthesis methods. Neem leaf extract, known for its reducing and stabilizing properties, serves as an ideal candidate for nanoparticle synthesis. This study aims to biosynthesize CuO-NPs using copper acetate monohydrate as a precursor and neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent, followed by a thorough characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles. CuO-NPs were synthesized by mixing copper acetate monohydrate with neem leaf extract, followed by annealing at 400°C for one hour. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using several techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for functional group analysis, UV-Visible spectroscopy for optical properties, and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to determine copper concentration. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of CuO nanoparticles with a monoclinic crystal structure, with crystallite sizes of 49.62 nm for sample A and 55.95 nm for sample B. FTIR spectra exhibited peaks at 516.92 cm-1, 518.85 cm-1, and 617.22 cm-1, indicating successful nanoparticle formation. AAS analysis revealed copper concentrations of 0.44 mg/L and 0.40 mg/L for samples A and B, respectively. The UV-Visible spectra indicated direct energy band gaps of 1.75 eV for sample A and 2.25 eV for sample B. The findings highlight the successful synthesis of CuO-NPs with desirable structural and optical properties. The energy band gaps suggest potential for photocatalytic applications, and the presence of functional groups confirmed nanoparticle formation. This study successfully demonstrates the biosynthesis of CuO-NPs using neem leaf extract. The synthesized nanoparticles show promising structural and optical characteristics, indicating their potential use in environmental and energy applications. The study presents an eco-friendly method for CuO-NP synthesis using neem leaf extract, highlighting its applicability for green synthesis and potential photocatalytic applications.

Journal: Acta Chemica Malaysia (ACMY)
Author: Prabal Pokharel, Civir Shrestha, Prabin Poudel, Mohan Mahato, Kabita Shah
ISSN: 2576-6732
e-ISSN: 2576-6724

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/acmy.02.2025.94.99

Weed infestation is a significant factor contributing to low wheat yields, particularly in developing regions like Nepal. This study evaluates the efficacy of various chemical herbicides in controlling weeds and their impact on wheat yield in Dang District during the 2022-2023 growing season. Eight treatments were tested, including weedy, weed-free, and various herbicide combinations, using a Randomized Complete Block Design(RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated that chemical treatments significantly affected weed diversity, plant height, grain yield, and economic returns. The combination of Metribuzin + 2, 4-D showed the lowest weed diversity and highest grain yield (2.31 t/ha), while Sulfosulfuron + 2, 4-D yielded the highest netreturn (14.71 thousand Rs/ha) and B:C ratio (1:1.19). These findings underscore the importance of effective weed management strategies in enhancing wheat production and ensuring food security in Nepal.