Sol–Gel Approach for Design of Pt/Al2O3-TiO2 System—Synthesis and Catalytic Tests

Al2O3-TiO2 systems with Ti:Al 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 molar ratio obtained by the sol–gel method have been used as a platinum support. As a precursor of alumina gel, aluminum isopropoxide has been chosen. Titanium tert-butoxylate was applied to obtain titania gel and hexachloroplatinic acid was applied as a source of platinum. The systems have been characterized by the following methods: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms (BET, BJH), temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen (TPR-H2) and hydrogen chemisorption. Reactions of toluene to methylcyclohexane and selective o-chloronitrobenzene (o-CNB) to o-chloroaniline (o-CAN) hydrogenation were used as the tests of systems’ catalytic activity. The application of Al2O3-TiO2 as a support has enabled the obtaining of platinum catalysts showing high activities for hydrogenation of toluene and selective hydrogenation of o-chloronitrobenzene to o-chloroaniline in the liquid phase. The highest activity in both reactions has been found for Pt/Al2O3-0.5TiO2 catalyst and the highest selectivity for Pt/Al2O3-. The activity of Pt/Al2O3-TiO2 catalysts was higher than that of alumina-supported ones.

Fabrication of electrospun BaTiO3/chitosan/PVA nanofibers and application for dye-sensitized solar cells

Perovskite BaTiO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. BaTiO3/chitosan (CS)/Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers with an average diameter of 265.3 ± 52 nm were fabricated via an electrospinning method. The nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis method (TGA). The photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were fabricated based on the BaTiO3/CS/PVA nanofibers. The photovoltaic properties of the cells were calculated based on the current density – voltage curves. The maximum power conversion efficiency of DSSC with CS/PVA/BaTiO3 nanofibers was 0.49% with the natural dye sensitizer extracted from the leaf of the magenta plant.

A Basic Characterisation Study of Bioplastics via Gelatinization of Corn Starch

Plastic waste is the third-largest waste source in the world, so it raises the world’s human health and environmental concerns. Replacing conventional petroleum plastic with bioplastic is an alternative way to minimise plastic wastes from human life and bioplastic is more environmentally friendly. Therefore, this research study aims to synthesise bioplastic from corn starch via gelatinization and study its characteristics. Different from other studies, in this study, new formulations of bioplastics with different ratios of corn starch to glycerol samples that are 1:0.5, 1:1, 2:1, and 2:2, namely Sets A, B, C, and D, respectively, were studied and compared. From the Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy analysis, the results show that all produced corn starch-based bioplastic samples had the four major plastic’s functional groups which indicated that they were categorized as polyester. Meanwhile, via thermal property analysis, all bioplastic samples could be thermally decomposed from 34 °C to 504 °C where their weight was reduced from 5 mg to 1 mg. Among the four bioplastic samples (Sets A to D) with different ratios of corn starch to glycerol, it was found that a ratio of corn starch and glycerol that was 1:0.5 (Set A) had more biodegradable characteristics and it had the lowest water holding capacity. From the results, Set A could only hold around 4.27 % of the water that could avoid interaction of water with the contents that were wrapped with. Besides, from the results, Set A could degrade better in soils, and dissolve more in ethanol, acetone, and oils when compared to other samples. Since the bioplastic can degrade naturally by the ethanol produced from bacteria in the soils under anaerobic reactions, thus Set A has the potential application to be used as a fertiliser coating to minimise the fertiliser release rate in regions under heavy rainfall.

Assessment of the Decomposition of Oxo- and Biodegradable Packaging Using FTIR Spectroscopy

The strength and resistance of plastics at the end of their service life can hinder their degradation. The solution to this problem may be materials made of biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable plastics. The aim of this research was to determine the degree and nature of changes in the composition and structure of composted biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable bags. The research involved shopping bags and waste bags available on the Polish market. The composting of the samples was conducted in an industrial composting plant. As a result of the research, only some of the composted samples decomposed. After composting, all samples were analysed using FTIR (Fourier Transformation Infrared) spectroscopy. Carbonyl index and hierarchical cluster analysis method was used to detect similarities between the spectra of the new samples. The analysis of the obtained results showed that FTIR spectroscopy is a method that can be used to confirm the degradation and detect similarities in the structure of the analysed materials. The analysis of spectra obtained with the use of FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of compounds that may be a potential source of compost contamination. Plastics with certificates confirming their biodegradability and compostability should be completely biodegradable, i.e., each element used in their production should be biodegradable and safe for the environment.

ISOLASI DAN IDENTIFIKASI SENYAWA ANTIOKSIDAN 2-ETILHEKSIL-4-METOKSISINAMAT DARI EKSTRAK BIJI ALPUKAT (Persea americana Mill.)

<em><span lang="EN-US">Avocado (</span></em><span lang="EN-US">Persea americana</span><em><span lang="EN-US"> Mill.) is a plant widely found in tropical regions such as Indonesia. Currently, people only consume the avocado flesh and dispose of the seed. This study aimed to examine the antioxidant activity, isolate and identify the active antioxidant structure from avocado seed extracts. The trial was conducted from January to June 2021 at the Chemical Laboratory of Natural Substance, Research Center for Biotechnology, LIPI. The avocado fruit used in this research was obtained from Cibitung Central Market, Bekasi. The solvents used in the extraction were n-hexane, ethyl acetate, 96% ethanol, and water with multilevel extraction. Antioxidant activity was tested using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical method. The structure of the active compound was determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and GCMS. The 96% ethanol extract had the highest antioxidant activity with EtOH.4.3.1 isolate as the most active antioxidant isolate with IC50 23,07±1,63 μg.ml-1. The identification results of isolate EtOH.4.3.1 of avocado seed extract with UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, and GCMS indicated 2-Ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate acting as an antioxidant. Further analysis with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometry of protons and carbon is required to determine the number and position of protons and carbon in the chemical structure.</span></em>

Collagen Fiber Opening of Cattle Hides in Urea/Calcium Hydroxide Solutions

In the beamhouse, liming might directly affect the structure and performance of collagen, as well as the quality of resultant leather. However, the influences of composition and content of liming agents on liming mechanism are quite complicated. In this study, calcium hydroxide and urea were utilized in liming. The solution pH, hide swelling ratio and non-collagenous protein removal were quantitatively analyzed. The morphologies of both limed and fresh hides were studied by optical microscopy. The reaction mechanism of fiber opening up of cattle hides was analyzed and speculated by the combination of thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the fiber bundles of hides limed by urea/calcium hydroxide have a better opening up effect than that by pure calcium hydroxide. The mechanism of liming in an urea/calcium hydroxide solution system was proposed.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange Dye with Synthesized Chitosan/Fe2O3Nanocomposite and its Isotherm Studies.

Background: The study focuses on the synthesis of chitosan/ Fe2O3 nanocomposite, its characterization and application in methyl orange dye degradation. Methods: The synthesized chitosan/ Fe2O3 nanocomposite was characterized with Powder X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis Spectroscopy. Results: The characterization showed that the Fe2O3nanoparticles were embedded in the polymer matrix of chitosan. The size of the Fe2O3nanoparticles were less than 10nm and the crystallite size was 1.22 nm.The synthesized chitosan/ Fe2O3nanocomposite was tested for methyl orange degradation using different parameters such as effect of contact time, effect of dose, effect of concentration and effect of pH for the degradation of methyl orange dye in aqueous solution.The Fruendlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherm studies were also conducted for adsoption of methyl orange on Chitosan/ Fe2O3nanocomposite. Conclusion: The study indicated that the synthesized chitosan/Fe2O3 nanocomposite had the potential of degrading methyl orange dye up to 75.04% under the set condition in this experiment which indicate that Chitosan/ Fe2O3 nanocomposite is a viable option that can be used for the degradation of methyl orange dye.

Development of Self-Healing Cement Slurry through the Incorporation of Dual-Encapsulated Polyacrylamide for the Prevention of Water Ingress in Oil Well

In the present work, a novel cross-linked polymer was synthesized though the anionic polymerization of cyanoacrylate with moisture as an initiator, methylene-bis-acrylamide as a cross-linker, and linseed oil as a spacer. Two layers of the synthesized polymer was coated over polyacrylamide for its homogenous impregnation in Class-G cement slurry for the synthesis of cement core. Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction spectrum of the synthesized polymer and cement core were obtained to investigate the presence of different functional groups and phases. Moreover, the morphologies of the dual-encapsulated polyacrylamide was observed through scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the water-absorption capacity of the synthesized dual-encapsulated polyacrylamide in normal and saline conditions were tested. A cement core impregnated with 16% of dosage of dual-encapsulated polyacrylamide possesses an effective self-healing capability during the water-flow test. Moreover, the maximum linear expansion of the cement core was observed to be 26%. Thus, the impregnation of dual-encapsulated polyacrylamide in cement slurry can exhibit a superior self-healing behavior upon water absorption in an oil well.

Particle Size Related Effects of Multi-Component Flame-Retardant Systems in poly(butadiene terephthalate)

Aluminum tris-(diethylphosphinate) (AlPi) is known to have an efficient flame-retardant effect when used in poly(butadiene terephthalates) (PBT). Additionally, better flame-retardant effects can be achieved through the partial substitution of AlPi by boehmite in multi-component systems, which have been shown to be an effective synergist due to cooling effects and residue formation. Although the potential of beneficial effects is generally well known, the influence of particle sizes and behavior in synergistic compositions are still unknown. Within this paper, it is shown that the synergistic effects in flammability measured by limiting oxygen index (LOI) can vary depending on the particle size distribution used in PBT. In conducting thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements, it was observed that smaller boehmite particles result in slightly increased char yields, most probably due to increased reactivity of the metal oxides formed, and they react slightly earlier than larger boehmite particles. This leads to an earlier release of water into the system enhancing the hydrolysis of PBT. Supported by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we propose that the later reactions of the larger boehmite particles decrease the portion of highly flammable tetrahydrofuran in the gas phase within early burning stages. Therefore, the LOI index increased by 4 vol.% when lager boehmite particles were used for the synergistic mixture.

The effect of the concentration of alkaline activator and aging time on the structure of metakaolin based geopolymer

This paper outlines the production of an inorganic polymer/geopolymer using a metakaolin by an environmental friendly, energy saving, clean technology to conserve natural environment and resources. The influence of alkali activation, i.e. different concentration of NaOH as a component of alkali activator mixture on the process of geopolymerization of metakaolin is investigated. Also, process of aging time of geopolymer is followed by several analytical methods. The structure of metakaolin and metakaolin based geopolymers and their physicochemical properties were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and after 28days scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was applied for the surface characterization of the samples. A shift of the Si-O or Si-O-X (X=Al, Si, Na...) bands as the molarity of activator increasing during geopolymerization process was observed by FTIR. Mass spectra of geopolymers were characterized by MALDI TOF mass spectrometer. Structural reorganization of geopolymer samples occurs during the curing/aging in accordance with a geopolymerization mechanism.