Isolasi Nanoselulosa Terkarboksilasi dari Limbah Kulit Pisang Ambon Lumut dengan Metode Oksidasi

In this study, banana peel from ambon lumut (Musa acuminata) was used as source for nanocellulose fibers. Carboxylated nanocellulose was isolated with oxidation method using ammonium persulfate (APS). In order to investigate the effect of temperature towards the characteristics of nonocellulose, temperature for oxidation process was set at three different values: 60 °C, 70 °C, dan 80 °C. Nanostructure of cellulose was observed as a mix of fibers and whiskers from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images.  The diameter of nanocellulose is ranging from 12,1 to 25,1 nm. Data from spectrometry graphs (FTIR) confirms the existence of carboxyl functional groups in nanocellulose samples. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) shows that crystallinity index values increase as temperature of oxidation process increases. The highest crytallinity index value of 72,4% was obtained from nanocellulose treated with oxidation temperature of 80 °C. This analysis shows banana peel waste as a potential alternative source for carboxylated nanocellulose

Studi Pengolahan Air Limbah Batik pada Skala Industri Rumah Tangga dan Usaha Kecil Menengah di Cirebon, Indonesia

Since the admission of batik as a world cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the public interest in batik and the batik industry has been increasing. However, the problem arises when the development of the batik industry is not accompanied by batik wastewater treatment that fits the wastewater quality standard. Hence it causes environmental pollution, especially for the aquatic body. This paper discusses the conditions and awareness for batik wastewater treatment in the batik industry on household and small-to-medium scales in Plered District, Cirebon, Indonesia. It examines the pollutant load of batik wastewater in the area, the respondent's knowledge about wastewater processing systems, wastewater impact on the environment, and the need for education about batik wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The examination of wastewater samples showed that batik wastewater did not meet the waste quality standards and potentially harmed the environment. The respondents generally use synthetic dyes, and were unaware of its impact on the surrounding environment. Keyword: batik, WWTPs, batik production process, dye, wastewater impact  ABSTRAK Sejak ditetapkannya batik sebagai warisan budaya dunia oleh United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, minat masyarakat terhadap batik dan industri batik semakin meningkat. Namun permasalahan muncul ketika pengembangan industri batik tidak dibarengi dengan pengolahan air limbah batik yang sesuai dengan baku mutu air limbah. Oleh karena itu menyebabkan pencemaran lingkungan, terutama untuk badan air. Tulisan ini membahas tentang kondisi dan kesadaran pengolahan air limbah batik pada industri batik skala rumah tangga dan kecil-menengah di Kecamatan Plered, Cirebon, Indonesia. Kajian ini mengkaji beban polutan air limbah batik di wilayah tersebut, pengetahuan responden tentang sistem pengolahan air limbah, dampak air limbah terhadap lingkungan, dan perlunya penyuluhan tentang Instalasi Pengolahan Air Limbah (IPAL) batik. Pemeriksaan sampel air limbah menunjukkan bahwa air limbah batik tidak memenuhi baku mutu limbah dan berpotensi merusak lingkungan. Responden umumnya menggunakan pewarna sintetis, dan tidak mengetahui dampaknya terhadap lingkungan sekitar. Kata kunci: COD, elektrokoagulasi, elektroda aluminium, air limbah tahu, monopolar.     

bcl Morphology Formation Strategy on Nanostructured Titania via Alkaline Hydrothermal Treatment

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a semiconductor material that plays an important role in photocatalysis. Bicontinuous concentric lamellar (bcl) is an interesting morphology with an open channel pore structure that has been successfully synthesized on silica-based materials. If bcl morphology can be applied in TiO2 system, then many surface properties of TiO2 can be enhanced, i.e. photocatalytic activity. A simple and effective strategy has been demonstrated to transform aggregated and spherical TiO2 particles to bcl morphology via alkaline hydrothermal route. Alkaline hydrothermal treatment successfully transforms TiO2 particle surface to have bcl morphology through swelling with ammonia then followed by phase segregation process. We proposed this strategy as a general pathway to transform the particle surface with any shape to have bcl morphology.

Synthesis of Spherical Nanostructured g-Al2O3 Particles using Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) Reverse Micelle Templating

We demonstrated the synthesis of spherical nanostructured g-Al2O3 using reverse micelle templating to enhance the surface area and reactant accessibility. Three different surfactants were used in this study: benzalkonium chloride (BZK), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). We obtained spherical nanostructured particles only using CTAB that form a reverse micelle emulsion. The particles have wide size distribution with an average size of 2.54 mm. The spherical particles consist of nanoplate crystallites with size 20-40 nm randomly arranged forming intercrystallite spaces. The crystalline phase of as-synthesized and calcined particles was boehmite and g-Al2O3, respectively as determined by XRD analysis. Here, the preserved particle morphology during boehmite to g-Al2O3 transformation opens a facile route to synthesize g-Al2O3 particles with complex morphology. The specific surface area of synthesized particles is 201 m2/g, which is around five times higher than the conventional g-Al2O3 (Aldrich 544833). Spherical nanostructured g-Al2O3 provides wide potential applications in catalysis due to its high density closed packed structure, large surface area, and high accessibility.

Fabrication of adsorbent using nano-sized lignocellulosic biochar coated on luffa aegyptiaca sponge to remove heavy metal chromium VI

Eliminating heavy metal Cr (VI) in liquids is challenging. Developing adsorbents using sustainable, cheap, and biodegradable materials is still a concern. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize a heavy metal adsorbent by transforming forest residue into nano-sized lignocellulose biochar. This nano-sized lignocellulosic biochar, with the assistance of chitosan and alginate, was coated onto the Luffa aegyptiaca sponge surface to complete the structure of the proposed heavy metal adsorbent. This adsorbent is easy to apply in adsorbing heavy metals, is durable, and can be reused. The adsorbent products were characterized to observe the functional groups by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The adsorbents were also experimented with contact times of 120 and 1200 minutes in the adsorption process. The decrease in heavy metal concentration was analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) observed the adsorbent surface that has absorbed heavy metal ions. FTIR characterization of surface functional groups showed the presence of hydrogen, aliphatic C-H group, C=C aromatic ring, carboxyl groups, and carbonate ion, capable of binding heavy metal Cr (VI). The morphology of the adsorbent coated on luffa showed that the adsorbent was well attached. The results of the adsorption process showed a decrease in Cr (VI) concentration, with adsorption efficiency reaching 94% for 1200 min and adsorption capacity of 0.36 mg/g. SEM-EDX results validated the attachment of Cr (VI) heavy metal ions to the adsorbent surface