KOH Mei Kee
Ts. ChM. Dr.
SDGs Focus
Ts. ChM. Dr. Koh worked as an Analytical Chemist in a testing laboratory for 4 years before pursuing a Doctoral Degree at the School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia. She was conferred Doctoral Degree in 2018. After graduation, she joined the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering (SECE), Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM). Her work and research experiences have bestowed on her both practical and theoretical knowledge of Chemistry. Her research interests include catalysis, reaction engineering, fuel technology, green extraction, and environmental pollution.
- Ph.D. (Synthesis, Characterization & Testing of Catalysts), School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia, 2018
- Master's (Environmental Technology and Management), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia, 2014
- Bachelor's (Analytical & Environmental Chemistry), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia, 2008
- Malaysian Institute of Chemistry: Professional Chemist (ChM.)
- Malaysia Board of Technologists: Professional Technologist (P.Tech)
Research Interest
Ts. ChM. Dr. Koh's research is mainly on catalytic deoxygenation reactions of fatty acids under an inert atmosphere. The reactions lead to the formation of diesel-like products, which are prospective drop-in replacements for petrol-diesel. Fundamental aspects such as the reaction kinetics and the suppression of side reactions are being investigated.
Furthermore, I am also working on developing a green extraction method for phytochemicals. In industry, phytochemicals are mostly recovered from natural matrices using aqueous-organic solvents. Conventional solvents are known for their toxicity, volatility, and flammability. Therefore, developing a green extraction method is deemed essential for meeting the growing demand for phytochemicals, while ensuring the process is environmental-friendly.
Research Project(s)
- Catalytic deoxygenation of fatty acids to diesel-like hydrocarbons
- Green extraction of phytochemicals
- Organic carbon burial and sources in soils of mangrove ecosystems
Current Courses Taught
- BSC103 - General Chemistry
- FSC107 & BSC104 - General Chemistry Laboratory
- FSC202 & BSC202 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- MEC308 - Instrumental Analysis
- GE0166 - Public Speaking
Local Grant
Deoxygenation of palm fatty acid distillate to diesel-like hydrocarbons using methanol as hydrogen donor over Ni-Cu catalysts: A study on coke formation and catalyst stability, 2021-2023, XMUMRF
Journal(s)
- M.M.X. Lum, K.H. Ng, S.Y. Lai, A.R. Mohamed, A.G. Alsultan, Y.H. Taufiq-Yap, M.K. Koh, M.A. Mohamed, D.V.N. Vo, M. Subramaniam, K.S. Mulya, N. Imanuella, Sulfur dioxide catalytic reduction for environmental sustainability and circular economy: A review, Process Saf. Environ. Prot. 176 (2023) 580–604.
- Lam, J., Mohamed, A., *Kay Lup, A., & Koh, M. K.* (2022). Palm fatty acid distillate derived biofuels via deoxygenation: Properties, catalysts and processes. Fuel Processing Technology, 236, 107394.
- Koh, M. K.*, Wong, Y. J., & Mohamed, A. R. (2021). The effect of process parameters on catalytic direct CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1195(1), 012034.
- Koh, M. K.*, Wong, Y. J., & Mohamed, A. R. (2021). Effect of synthesis method on the ultimate properties of copper-based catalysts supported on KIT-6 for direct CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. Materials Today Chemistry, 21, 100489.
- Wong, Y. J., Koh, M. K., Satoshi, I., Yoshitada, M. and Mohamed, A. R. (2019). Development of Co supported on Co-Al spinel catalyst from exsolution of amorphous Co-Al oxides for carbon dioxide reforming of methane. ChemCatChem 11(22): 5593-5605.
- Koh, M. K., Khavarian, M., Chai, S. P. and Mohamed, A. R. (2018) Morphological impact of siliceous porous carriers on copper-catalysts for selective direct CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 43: 9334-9342.
- Koh, M. K., Wong, Y. J., Chai, S. P. and Mohamed, A. R. (2018) Carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methanol over multi-functional catalyst: Effects of reactants adsorption and metal-oxide (s) interfacial area. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 62: 156–165.