Biography
Prof. Voon Chun Hong
Prof. Voon Chun Hong
Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia
Title: Microwave-assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Silicon Carbide Nanomaterials
Abstract: 
Carbon-based nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene have generated enormous scientific and commercial interest because of their extraordinary materials properties. However, the oxidation resistance and thermal stability of carbon-based nanomaterials are limited to 600 °C. These limitations render carbon nanomaterials’ inability to survive in high-temperature, harsh-environment applications. Comparatively, SiC is thermally stable to temperatures exceeding 1000 °C. For this reason, silicon carbide nanomaterials are being studied and developed for their excellent material properties under such conditions. For the growth of SiC nanomaterials, different routes/techniques have been reported. Long heating duration, large consumption of energy, slow heating rate and requirement for further purification step to remove impurities were the problems always associated with currently available methods for the synthesis of SiC nanomaterials. Carbon materials are very good absorbents of microwaves and can be easily heated by microwave radiation. In this study, carbon materials such as carbon nanotubes and graphite were reacted respectively under microwave irradiation with silicon dioxide for the preparation of different SiC nanomaterials. Besides, the effect of various processing parameters such as heating temperature, ratio of raw materials, heating duration and types of raw materials on the preparation of SiC nanomaterials were studied and presented.
Biography: 
Dr. Voon Chun Hong is a Senior Lecturer at Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering (INEE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia. He received his PhD in Materials Engineering from Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia in 2013. His research focuses on synthesis, characterization and applications of nanomaterials, including carbon, SiC and ZnO nanomaterials for application in biosensors, composites and waste water treatment. He is the author of numerous papers and book chapters. He serves as the associate editor for The International Journal of Nanoelectronics and Materials (IJNeaM). He is also the editorial board member of Acta Scientifica Malaysia (ASM) and associate editorial board members of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology-Asia (NNA). He actively participated in many international conferences. He is also a regular reviewer for international journals such as Ceramics International, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, Journal of Testing and Evaluation and Nanotechnology.