Browsing by Author "Fatima Amjad"

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    Design and Development of Eco-friendly Packaging System Utilizing Lignin Based Hydrogel Coated Biodegradable Paper
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2024) Fatima Amjad; FA22-R06-017; Dr. Sadaf Ul Hassan; LHR TP 9328
    A lignin based hydrogel was synthesized by physically cross-linking polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (Ch) and lignin (Lgn) precursors. The prepared hydrogel was subjected to the cellulosic paper base as a biocoating. The interactions among the hydrogel precursors and effect of hydrogel on the crystalline behavior of hydrogel was evaluated using FTIR and XRD and the overall effect of hydrogel on the mechanical strength and barrier properties of the newly developed materials were investigated through tear index, tensile strength, puncture resistance, Cobb tests for water and oil and water contact angle measurements of uncoated and biocoated paper surfaces. The analysis of strength parameters revealed that the prepared biocoating improved the mechanical properties of the material by 40% as compared to the uncoated paper. The water contact angle analysis confirmed that the addition of lignin and chitosan to the PVA matrix sufficiently improved the hydrophobicity of paper surface resulting an improved resistance to water adsorption. The air, moisture and oil barrier properties again suggested that and an increase in the lignin concentration improved the barrier properties of the paper. The biodegradability of the prepared paper samples were investigated using compostability test. A customized soil burial test was developed and the extent of biodegradability was evaluated over a time period of 30 days. The research underscores that the prepared PVA/chitosan/lignin based biocoating has a great potential to not only provide good mechanical and barrier properties but also has a potential to replace synthetic packaging materials for sustainable and eco-friendly biobased packaging material.
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    Molybdenum Disulfide-Metal Organic Framework as Electrode Material for Heavy Metal Ions Detection in Aqueous Media
    (Library Information Services, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 2025) Fatima Amjad; CIIT/SP24-R06-006/LHR; Dr. Sara Riaz; LHR TP 10017
    Heavy metal ions (HMIs) are highly hazardous environmental pollutants that pose major threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health due to their non-biodegradable nature and strong tendency to accumulate in living organisms. Therefore, it is essential to develop efficient electrode materials for their electrochemical detection in water. For heavy metal ions detection, a hybrid electrode material based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and an ytterbium-based metal–organic framework (Yb-MOF) was synthesized and characterized. MoS₂@Yb-MOF composite was developed by synthesizing MoS2 nanosheets and combining them with Yb-MOF to synergistically integrate the active edge sites of MoS2 with high surface area and abundant coordination sites of porous framework of the Yb-MOF. A flexible and conductive electrode was fabricated by directly integrating the composite onto a carbon cloth surface. The successful formation of composite material was confirmed through structural and morphological characterization using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical studies conducted using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed improved charge transfer behavior and enhanced electrochemical activity of the composite electrode relative to the individual components. These results suggested that the MoS₂@Yb-MOF composite is a promising electrode material for electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions in aqueous media.