Browsing by Author "Hawsawi, Zuhair"

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BORON-INCORPORATED PEO-BASED POLYMER ELECTROLYTES FOR ENHANCED LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Hawsawi, Zuhair; Khan, Ishrat
Advanced next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) necessitate the development of high-performance polymer electrolytes (PEs) that offer enhanced safety, thermal stability, and electrochemical performance. This study outlines a systematic approach for the design of novel polymer electrolyte systems based on three fundamental principles: (i) increased ion transport facilitated by polymers with low glass transition temperatures (Tg), (ii) enhanced lithium salt dissociation via acid–base interactions, and (iii) the simultaneous incorporation of acidic and basic functional groups into the polymer backbone to foster coordinated ion conduction. To achieve that, boron-containing polymers were synthesized. The modified polymers aim to enhance the performance of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based polymer electrolytes (PEs) for lithium-ion batteries. The systems promise to reduce polyethylene oxide (PEO) crystallinity, increase salt dissociation, and selectively improve lithium-ion transport by immobilizing TFSI⁻ anions improving the overall lithium-ion battery performance. The modified polymers are named tripegylated boron (TPB), diglyme boron (DGB), and grafted polystyrene hairy nanoparticles (G-PS HNPs). TPB was synthesized by allylation and hydroboration of methoxypolyethylene glycol and blended with PEO and LiTFSI salt. The TPB-based PE (25 wt.% of TPB, EO/Li⁺ = 5:1) exhibited the highest ionic conductivity of 7.65 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 85 °C and a lithium transference number of 0.65, owing to enhanced segmental mobility and anion immobilization. DGB, a two-centered boron macromolecule synthesized from tetraethylene glycol, also showed similar benefits. When DGB was mixed with PEO and LiTFSI, DGB-based systems (25 wt.% of DGB, EO/Li⁺ = 5:1) possessed room temperature conductivities up to 3.43 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ and lithium transference numbers above 0.5. Structural and morphological studies confirmed improved phase compatibility and reduced crystallinity of the polymer electrolytes, whereas electrochemical stability has been up to 3.7 V. Additionally, G-PS HNPs were synthesized by grafting allyl functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles with AMPEG and boron. When blended with 15 wt.% LiTFSI, the system exhibited enhanced amorphous structure, lower Tg (106 °C), and higher conductivity between 25-85 °C, with a transference number of 0.29. Collectively, these findings demonstrate boron-functionalized materials as being desirable components for future PEs, useful to enhance better conductivity, ion selectivity, and thermal-electrochemical stability in lithium battery applications.
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The Role of Digital Public Relations in Enhancing the Reputations of Saudi Universites Among Their Taget Audience: Umm Al-Qura University As Model
(2022-11-27) Hawsawi, Zuhair; Zheng, Sharon
Combining digital media with public relations has led to an unprecedented transformation of influence on universities. It is crucial for university public relations managers to be aware of social media activity surrounding their institutions. Reputation is crucial for universities, since it has a significant impact on the quality of the institution and determines whether a university’s target audience is satisfied or dissatisfied with its offerings, hence the significance of professional digital public relations (DPR) in sustaining universities’ reputations among their audiences. The primary purpose of this research is to enhance understanding of the role of DPR in augmenting the reputation of Saudi institutions within their target audience. Furthermore, it proposes a formal approach for dealing with incidents through DPR to enhance universities’ reputations. In addition to a comprehensive assessment of the relevant literature on DPR, actual data were collected using a structured Google Forms questionnaire and analysed as part of a case study involving Umm Al-Qura University. The study findings on the significance of DPR as a means to increase the university’s reputation were unexpected. Moreover, the university’s reputation among its audience was neutral. This study concludes by recommending that similar research be conducted, albeit by utilising a survey study across many Saudi institutions to gather comprehensive findings that contribute to boosting the reputation of Saudi universities via DPR.
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