kavitha balakrishnan

The rapid growth and advancement of electronic devices and technologies in the FinTech industry empower new innovative products and services. The covid-19 pandemic could have a devastating effect on Malaysia’s economy, but it has offered additional opportunities for the E-wallet segment of the Fintech business to thrive. The E-wallet segment of FinTech is one of the latest innovations that is currently growing as there is a need for contactless payments during the pandemic situation. The main objective of the study is to examine the factors affecting e-wallet adoption among young adults in Malaysia. A sample of 200 responses was analyzed using Smart PLS 3.0. The findings revealed that the factors of “performance expectancy”, “effort expectancy”, “compatibility”, and “social influence” have a positive and significant impact during the pandemic; however, the factor of “facilitating conditions” has no significant impact on the adoption of the E-wallets. The study substantiates the key and important variables of adoption in order to develop and evolve E-wallet providers' existing services. Particularly, due to the increasing importance of e-commerce, E-wallet service providers are urged to focus on the system's interoperability, which encourages individuals or customers to use the strategy.  They should include unique features that allow customers to accept the service, trust its benefits and feel comfortable using the technology. The study is useful to the E-wallet providers to improve the existing services. The findings also guide the companies offering E-wallets to enhance the usage and adoption of their services.

Nickel oxide (NiO) and cobalt doped Nickel oxide (Co-NiO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by cost effective, environmentally friendly, and scalable eco-precipitation method. The prepared nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Optical spectroscopy (UV) and Cyclic voltammetric (CV). The structural characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction which confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the particles with cubic structure. SEM analysis of the particles enabled the conclusion that the prepared particles were polycrystalline, irregularly spherical in shape, and agglomerated. The chemical bond and functional group were identified from FTIR spectroscopy and the elemental composition of prepared particles was identified by EDAX analysis. From UV-VIS absorbance spectra and Tauc relation, the type of transition and band gaps of the particles were estimated. The electrochemical performance was investigated using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic charge discharge (GCD), and Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in presence of 1M KOH as an electrolyte. The NiO and cobalt-doped NiO coated electrodes provide promising applications as electrode materials for energy storage devices.

The effect of milling process on TiO2</sub> nanopowders and functional properties of TiO2</sub> coated cotton fabric was investigated. The XRD analysis reveals that the milled TiO2 </sub>nanopowders reduce its size in Nano scale when milling time increases. SEM analysis reveals that the milled TiO2</sub> powder shows a seed-like structure. FTIR spectra show the presence of the functional groups in milled TiO2</sub> nanopowders and TiO2 </sub>coated cotton fabric. The hydrophobic test exhibits that the 100 and 125 hours of milled TiO2</sub> nanopowders coated cotton fabric has 70% water repellency.  The bursting strength (shearing stress) of TiO2</sub> coated cotton fabric also indicates an appreciable value of about 503.6 Kpa. TiO2</sub> nano finishing of cotton fabric can eliminate up to 99.99% of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia bacterial strains, which would be suitable for sports wears and surgical clothes.

Tin oxide (SnO2)nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method and the synthesized nanoparticles were annealed at different temperatures for characterization. The powders were investigated with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy. The structural characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction which confirms the crystalline nature of the films with a tetragonal structure. SEM analysis of the powders enabled the conclusion that the prepared nanoparticles are spherical particles which are smaller in size composed of clustered and agglomerated nanoparticles.  From the absorption spectra the type of transition and band gap of the synthesized nanoparticles were estimated. The optical (UV-visible) spectrum exhibits a well defined absorption which in considerably blue shifted related to the peak absorption of bulk SnO2 indicating quantum size effect.