Karakterisasi Biokomposit Polycaprolactone dengan Filler Abu Boiler Kelapa Sawit, Titanium Dioksida dan Kitosan sebagai Material Adsorben Methylene Blue

Abstract

Water pollution caused by synthetic dyes such as Methylene Blue, which is widely used in the textile industry, has become a serious environmental problem due to its toxic nature, persistence, and potential to disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the development of efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable adsorbent materials is essential. This study aims to develop and characterize a polycaprolactone (PCL)-based biocomposite with the addition of palm boiler ash (ABKS), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and chitosan as Fillers for use as an adsorbent material in the degradation of Methylene Blue. Silica (SiO₂) was synthesized from ABKS through a furnace process at 500°C for 5 hours, followed by coprecipitation to obtain a silica-rich content. The biocomposite was prepared by dissolving the PCL matrix in chloroform, then homogeneously incorporating ABKS, TiO₂, and chitosan as Fillers. Characterization was carried out using SEM-EDX, XRD, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy to determine the morphology, crystal structure, functional groups, and photocatalytic capability of the biocomposite. The FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic absorption peaks corresponding to Ti-O (669.29 cm⁻¹), Si-O (968.26 cm⁻¹), and C=O (1751.36 cm⁻¹) bonds, indicating chemical interactions between the components. The photodegradation test showed a visible color change of the Methylene Blue solution from blue to colorless, with the highest degradation efficiency of 95.26% achieved by the sample containing ABKS and TiO₂ Fillers after 60 hours of UV irradiation. Overall, this biocomposite has potential as a sustainable adsorbent material for treating Methylene Blue dye wastewater.