Utilization of polyphenylene sulfide as an organic additive to enhance gas separation performance in polysulfone membranes

Many studies have shown that sulfur-containing compounds significantly affect the solubility of carbon dioxide (CO2) in adsorption processes. However, limited attention has been devoted to incorporating organic fillers containing sulfur atoms into gas separation membrane matrices. This study addressed the gap by developing a new membrane using a polysulfone (PSf) polymer matrix and polyphenylene sulfide (PPs) filler material. This membrane could be used to separate mixtures of H2/CH4 and CO2/CH4 gases. Our study investigated the impact of various PPs loadings (1%, 5%, and 10% w/w) relative to PSf on membrane properties and gas separation efficiency. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were employed to understand how adding PPs and coating with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) changed the structure of our membranes. XRD and FTIR analysis revealed distinct morphological disparities and functional groups between pure PSf and PSf/PPs composite membranes. SEM results show an even distribution of PPs on the membrane surface. The impact of adding PPs on gas separation was significant. CO2 permeability increased by 376.19%, and H2 permeability improved by 191.25%. The membrane's gas selection ability significantly improved after coating the surface with PDMS. CO2/CH4 separation increased by 255.06% and H2/CH4 separation by 179.44%. We also considered the Findex to assess the overall performance of the membrane. The 5% and 10% PPs membranes were exceptional. Adding PPs to membrane technology may greatly enhance gas separation processes

Anticataract activity of ethanolic extract from Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don leaves: Ex vivo investigation

Context: In Aceh, Hippobroma longiflora, known as kitolodby the locals, is believed to possess medicinal benefits such as anticataract. Aims: To investigate the anticataract activity of ethanolic extract from H. longiflora leaves ex vivo. Methods: The dried fine powder of H. longiflora was macerated using ethanol at room temperature, and the concentrated extract was prepared in concentrations ranging from 100 to 300 μg/mL. The cataract model was established by using goat lens induced with H2O2 and later exposed to the extract for treatment. Anti-cataract activity was assessed by observing the change in lens opacity. Further, malondialdehyde levels and activities of endogenous antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase). Results: The apparent cataract opacity reduced after the exposure of the extract was observed macroscopically. The cataract eyes experienced a significant increase (p<0.05) in malondialdehyde level and a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. The pathologic conditions could be reversed by introducing the extract with a concentration as low as 100 μg/mL (p<0.05). Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of H. longiflora leaf has a potential anticataract effect by ameliorating oxidative stress-related biocompounds

Pemanfaatan Limbah Plastik HDPE sebagai Membran untuk Menghilangkan Zat Warna dalam Air

Pertumbuhan industri selain memberikan dampak yang baik bagi pertumbuhan ekonomi suatu negara, juga menimbulkan masalah lingkungan termasuk pencemaran air. Sekitar 80% air limbah industri dibuang ke lingkungan tanpa pengolahan, dimana 17-20% diantaranya didominasi oleh zat warna seperti methylene blue (MB) dan methyl orange (MO) dari industri tekstil. Di sisi lain, kelimpahan sampah plastik meningkat 14% atau 85.000 ton per tahun. Pada penelitian ini plastik jenis High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) dimanfaatkan sebagai membran untuk menghilangkan zat warna dalam air. Membran HDPE difabrikasi menggunakan metode inversi fasa dengan pelarut mineral oil dan diperoleh konsentrasi optimum pada 15% (b/b) dengan rejeksi mencapai 99,72% pada MB 100 ppm, namun fluks yang dihasilkan masih sangat rendah yaitu 2,71 L/m2h. Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) kemudian ditambahkan untuk meningkatkan hidrofilisitas membran dan dihasilkan peningkatan fluks sebesar 15,06 L/m2h dengan rejeksi 90,67% pada MB 100 ppm. Karena muatan negatifnya, membran HDPE lebih efektif untuk penghilangan zat warna kationik dibandingkan zat warna anionik. Semua membran telah dikarakterisasi dengan Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dan sudut kontak. =============================================================================================================================== Industrial growth besides having a good impact on a country's economic growth, also causes environmental problems including water pollution. About 80% of industrial wastewater is discharged into the environment without treatment, where 17-20% of it is dominated by dyes such as methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) from the textile industry. On the other hand, plastic waste mining increased 14% or 85,000 tons per year. In this study, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic was used as a membrane to remove dyes in water. The HDPE membrane was fabricated using the phase inversion method with solvent mineral oil and the optimum concentration was obtained at 15% (w/w) with a rejection of 99.72% at MB 10 ppm, but the resulting flux was still very low, namely 2.71 L/m2h. Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) was then added to increase the hydrophilicity of the membrane and produce an increase in flux of 15.06 L/m2h with a rejection of 90.67% at 10 ppm MB. Due to its negative charge, HDPE membrane is more effective for the removal of cationic dyes than anionic. All membranes were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and contact angles