Modification of Carbon Nanotube for Synthesis of Titania Nanotube (Tint)-Carbon Nanotube (Cnt) Composite

Carbon nanotube (CNT) is a material widely chosen for object of research in nano technology. Apart from its good absorbent property, CNT also has a unique structure, superior mechanic and electric properties and its high strength. The property of CNT above is to be expected to improve performance of Titania nanotube (TiNT) composite. Properties of pure CNT are hydrophobic at the surface and low dispersion stability. To improve dispersability of CNT then modification need to be modified. Adding Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant on CNT is a way to increase dispersion stability of TiNT-CNT. The objective of the research was to study influence of adding of Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant to synthesis of TiNT-CNT composite in degrading phenol compound. Pure CNT was added with CTAB surfactant in liquid, then was sonificated and dried. Surfactant Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) added CNT then composited with TiNT. Phenol degradation then tested by using TiNT-CNT (CTAB) in reactor for 4.5 hours. Then sample was characterized by employing Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and UV-vis Spectroscopy. The result of experiments from FESEM characterization showed forming of TiNT-CNT composites morphology. From X–ray Diffraction (XRD) characterization showed crystal formed on TiNT-CNT only of anatase crystal. Degradation of TiNT-NT composite (CTAB) to phenol was also studied

Biodegradation of Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate by bacterial consortium

Surface active agents (surfactants) are chemical compounds which are massively used as raw material in detergent production. Synthetic type surfactants are often used because they perform better and are more economical compared to natural detergents. Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (LAS) is one of the synthetic surfactants that is widely used. Although LAS is biodegradable, its introduction to the environment in big amounts harms water bodies. Research on biodegradation of LAS with 100 ppm, 400 ppm, 700 ppm, 1000 ppm and 1500 ppm concentrations was conducted by using consortium of bacteria comprising of Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus aglomerans, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus alvae. Experiments were carried out for twelve days, at 29oC with initial total inoculum of bacteria at 1,59 x 108 CFU/mL. Results showed that this type of bacterial consortium could tolerate 1500 ppm in LAS environment. However, significant growth rate did not occurr, 0.039 – 0.042 hour -1 and not too efficiently reduce Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) for those systems. Surface tension in several variated concentration of LAS: 0 ppm >100 ppm >400 ppm >700 ppm, LAS 700 ppm = 1000 ppm = 1500 ppm