Acta Chemica Malaysia

Journal: Acta Chemica Malaysia (ACMY)
Author: Mariam Mir Memon, Muhammad Shoaib, Mohammad Siddique, Jaffar Hussain, Abrar Ahmad, Abdul Ahad, Suleman Ahmed, Behram Ali, Muhammad Hamza Arif
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.01.2026.01.11

Municipal solid waste (MSW) creation is a major issue for the international population, which is predicted to surpass 10 billion individuals by 2058 after surpassing 6 billion in 2021. Waste-to-energy is one way to manage MSW. This includes using thermochemical techniques to turn MSW into carbonised solid fuel (CSF). Concerns have been raised, meanwhile, about the leakage of organic compounds that are volatile from CSF during usage and storage. Such discharges may pose risks to the environment and human health, even though the subject is still not well understood. This article critically evaluates the VOC generation from waste-derived CSF, especially carbonised refuse-derived fuel. It focuses on research gaps, differences in VOC measurement methods, and regulatory concerns. Unlike previous studies that primarily examine process emissions, this study focuses on the expulsion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) throughout storage and handling. To shed light on mitigation techniques for reducing VOC releases during handling and storage, a system for integrating process-condition modelling and post-production release evaluation was put forth. Our results point to important research needs in long-term exposure risks, predictive modelling, and VOC characterization. The management of waste-derived solid fuels requires more stringent regulatory control and standardized procedures, as this review highlights.

Journal: Acta Chemica Malaysia (ACMY)
Author: V.O. Idode, J.M. Okuo, F.E. Okieimen
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.02.2025.131.134

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the structural, textural, and thermal stability characteristics of maize cob biochar. Biochar was produced by pyrolysis of maize cobs at different temperature (250°C, 300°C, and 350°C), and the resulting biochars were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRS-FP), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results showed that increasing pyrolysis temperature led to the development of more pronounced pore structures and increased BET surface area (251.0–325.4 m²/g), with the highest micropore surface area observed at 300°C. Elemental analysis revealed a decrease in nutrient and mineral content with increasing temperature. TGA indicated improved thermal stability at higher temperatures, particularly for the 350°C biochar. FTIR spectra demonstrated a decline in labile functional groups and increased aromaticity with temperature. The findings suggest that maize cob biochars produced at lower temperatures retain more functional groups and mineral elements beneficial for soil amendment, while those produced at higher temperatures exhibit greater thermal stability and aromaticity, making them suitable for long-term carbon sequestration and soil remediation applications.

Journal: Acta Chemica Malaysia (ACMY)
Author: Abdelmalik M. Shakorfow and Abdulaziz. H. Mohamed

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: https://doi.org/10.2478/acmy-2020-0013

Several techniques, in which different homogenous catalysts and procedures, that are in use for transesterification of a vegetable oil or an animal fat have been successful in synthesizing biodiesel, although with some certain limitations. For such a purpose, among the catalysts employed are acidic as well as basic catalysts. It has been found that acidic catalysts can be tolerant with a high content of free fatty acids found in those low value feedstock oils/fats to be transesterified, although some sort of pretreatment by means of esterification might be required in order to synthesize biodiesel. Moreover, with employing homogenous acidic catalysts, it seems that biodiesel purification procedures are simplified; thus, reducing synthesis cost. In fact, these features of homogenous acidic catalysts render them advantageous over basic ones. With basic homogenous catalysts this; however, has not been possible due to the development of saponification reaction. To effectively perform, such catalysts require that the content of free fatty acids in the feedstock oil/fat is minimal. This requirement is also applicable to the moisture level in the feedstock. In terms of corrosive effects; nevertheless, acidic catalysts are disadvantageous compared to basic ones.