This study reveals a first time approach to catalytic based interventions primarily on indoor air pollution emanating from commercial and household solid fuel burning in a region in Nigeria. An intensive survey of the temperatures at different locations in the common stoves used for cooking was conducted so as to ascertain temperatures suitable for catalyst efficiency and stability. Furthermore, cobalt and iron based catalysts were prepared using ultra stable Y type zeolite as supports. The synthesized catalysts were characterized for its physico-chemical properties. The catalytic efficiency of the supported catalysts was tested using simulated exhaust gases in a fix bed reactor. The study further explored real time testing of the catalyzed ceramic monolith using two different wood species. First, the best catalyst in terms of simulated exhaust testing was selected. Consequently, a small layer of zeolite Y was deposited at 3% of the monolith weight to enhance the subsequent adhesion of the best catalyst powder to the structured monolith. Then to catalyze the zeolite Y wash-coated monolith with the cobalt precursor, the dip coating technique was used. From the results, the average values of temperatures observed from the surveyed cook stoves using wood and plant residue as fuel were confirmed to be in the range of 203–425 °C which is considered suitable for catalysts activity. The Co/ZY catalyst showed approximately 100% CO conversion (T100) at 250 °C for initial CO concentration of 1000 ppm, making it the most effective, while T100 was increased to 275 °C and 325 °C for Fe/ZY and Co-Fe/ZY catalyst respectively at an exhaust residence time of 20000 h−1. The catalytic converter in real time testing for CO abatement performed well for both wood species. Only minor differences have been noticed.

The chemical treatment of natural fibres for its surface modification for the development of polymer composites is popular but it comes with an adverse effect of a chemical change of the fibres. In this study, the surface modification of natural fibres (doum palm nut fibres) with low-temperature heat treatment (30℃-75℃) has been reported as an alternative method to the treatment of natural fibres for the development of polymer composites. Taguchi method of the design of experiment was employed to determine the effect of temperature and fibre content on the mechanical properties (hardness and fracture toughness) of doum palm nut fibre-reinforced phenolic resin polymer composite. The process showed that the best combination of fibre content and fibre treatment temperature for optimum hardness and fracture toughness and results proved to be at 5% and 75℃ respectively. Statistical analysis established the significance of heat treatment in improving the fracture toughness of doum palm nut fibre reinforced phenolic resin composites. Physical observation with SEM and FTIR confirmed the improvement in interfacial bonding between the fibre and the matrix with the increase in fibre treatment temperature without a change in the chemical properties of the treated fibres. The study concludes that the treatment of fibres with temperature is an alternative and effective method to the chemical treatment.