Research in Chemical Engineering

Non-Spherical Polymeric Nanoparticles : Synthesis and Applications

Sri Agustina — 2025-10-06

Non-spherical polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as a promising functional materials due to their distinctive physicochemical properties and enhanced performance in various applications. The morphologies of nanoparticles play a critical role in determining their biological and chemical behavior, especially in targeted delivery and interaction with complex environments. Advances in synthesis techniques now allow precise control over particle morphology, enabling the production of polymeric nanoparticles in various morphologies such as rods, discs, and ellipsoids. This review highlights recent developments in the synthesis methods of non-spherical polymeric nanoparticles and explores their expanding range of applications, with a focus on their potential as nanocarriers in biomedical, agricultural, and industrial fields.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Heavy Metal Removal Efficiency: A Bibliometric Perspective

Moh Azhar Afandy — 2025-10-06

The problem of heavy metal pollution in wastewater has prompted the demand for more effective and sustainable treatment systems. In the recent decade, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in heavy metal adsorption processes has shown tremendous potential in enhancing efficiency and optimizing operational parameters. This study intends to identify global research trends on the application of AI in optimizing heavy metal adsorption processes by a bibliometric method for the period 2010 to 2024. Data were acquired from Google Scholar and filtered to include indexed papers, then analyzed using VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel software to evaluate annual publishing trends, as well as visualization of keyword co-existence. The findings of the investigation showed an impressive move in publications after 2019. The leading terms detected included “machine learning,” “neural networks,” and “optimization.” Despite demonstrating encouraging trends, research in this subject still confronts hurdles such as inadequate large-scale experimental data, minimal integration of AI with Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and lack of industrial-scale applications. This study shows the need of building hybrid AI-IoT systems, using big data analytics, and adaptive predictive models to increase the effectiveness of heavy metal adsorption systems in the future. These findings are likely to be a key reference for researchers and practitioners in creating smart and sustainable waste processing systems.

Analysis of The Effectiveness of the Wastewater Treatment Installation and The Quality of Liquid Waste at XYZ Hospital in Cilegon City

Safril Kartika Wardana — 2025-10-06

WWTP in Cilegon City demonstrates a strong commitment to controlling environmental pollution through the operation of its Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). This study aims to evaluate the quality of treated effluent and assess the effectiveness of the WWTP in reducing key pollution parameters: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and free ammonia (NH₃-free). Wastewater samples were collected from the WWTP inlet every three months and from the outlet monthly, each consisting of 2 liters, and analyzed in accordance with Indonesian environmental standards (PERMENLH No. 5 of 2014). The analysis showed that the treated effluent met regulatory quality standards, with pollutant removal efficiencies reaching 96.55% for TSS, 87.28% for BOD, 79.86% for COD, and 99.76% for NH₃-free. These findings indicate that the WWTP functions effectively, with high removal efficiency for both organic and inorganic pollutants, thus ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and highlighting its success as a model for Hospital wastewater management.

Analysis of Combustion Quality on Auxiliary Boiler Performance Using Heat Loss Method

Elli Prastyo — 2025-10-06

Boiler is one type of vessel that is closed and has the main function as a means of converting energy from water into steam / steam. A good combustion process is able to produce a minimal amount of flue gas and is able to increase thermal efficiency. The value of efficiency is important because it can save operating costs and increase product productivity in auxiliary boilers. This report is based on direct observations to the company PT Trans-Pacific Petrochemical Indotama. Data collection is carried out through interviews and boiler operational logsheet data collection. The research activities will be carried out on January 2 – February 28, 2023. The purpose of this study is to determine the performance of auxiliary boilers in terms of thermal efficiency and combustion reactions that occur using the heat loss method. The variables used in this study are fuel gas flow rate, theoretical air requirements, O2 excess value, flue gas temperature, and efficiency in auxiliary boilers at PT TPPI. The results of actual data and calculations per six days in one month in January 2023 obtained an average value of fuel gas of 4544.34 m3 / hr, theoretical air of 140658.02 m3 / hr, flue gas of 54964.83 m3 / hr, and the average value of thermal efficiency in auxiliary boilers is 63.44%. The results showed that the thermal efficiency value of PT TPPI's auxiliary boiler was still suitable for use with an efficiency value standard set above 60%.

Innovation in Catalytic Converters for Motorcycles in an Effort to Reduce Air Pollution from Combustion

Silvia Ekasari — 2025-10-06

Air pollution remains one of the most challenging environmental issues. Motor vehicle exhaust gases contribute around 70%–80% of air pollution, while industrial activities contribute only 20%–30%. Exhaust emissions from incomplete combustion include carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and lead (Pb), which are harmful to health and the environment. One promising solution is the installation of catalytic converters. This study investigates the effectiveness of catalytic converters made of stainless steel coated with chromium and copper in reducing emissions from motorcycle exhaust systems. The experimental results show that the catalytic converter significantly reduced harmful gases: CO decreased by 44%, HC decreased by 63.65%, while CO₂ increased from 7.1% to 11.2%, indicating successful oxidation. These findings highlight the catalytic converter’s role in reducing harmful emissions and its potential to mitigate air pollution from motorcycles.

Recent Advances in Green Synthesis of TiO₂ Nanoparticles: Mechanisms, and Applications

Devi Lestari — 2025-10-06

Green synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles has emerged as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical methods, offering environmental benefits while maintaining superior performance characteristics. This comprehensive review examines recent advances in plant-mediated synthesis of TiO₂ nanoparticles, focusing on synthesis mechanisms, structural properties, and diverse applications. Various biological extracts including leaf extracts (Inula viscosa, Aloe vera, Jatropha curcas), flower extracts (Jasminum, Magnolia champaca), fruit peels (Solanum melongena, Citrus sinensis), and agro-industrial wastes have been successfully employed as bio-reductants and stabilizing agents. The synthesis mechanisms involve complex redox reactions mediated by phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids, which serve dual roles as reducing agents and capping ligands. Characterization studies reveal that green synthesis predominantly yields anatase phase TiO₂ with particle sizes ranging from 6-400 nm, depending on the plant source and synthesis conditions. The biogenic nanoparticles demonstrate exceptional photocatalytic performance, achieving complete dye degradation (>99%) within 60 minutes under UV irradiation and enhanced visible light activity compared to conventional TiO₂. Noble metal doping (Au, Ag) further improves performance, with Au/TiO₂ nanocomposites showing 2.5 times higher activity than commercial P25 and remarkable hydrogen evolution rates (468 μmol H₂, 9.3% quantum yield). Applications span environmental remediation, renewable energy production, antimicrobial treatments, and advanced technologies including dye-sensitized solar cells, lithium-ion batteries, and corrosion protection coatings. Despite promising results, challenges remain in batch-to-batch variability and large-scale production standardization. This review consolidates current progress and identifies future research directions toward sustainable, high-performance TiO₂ nanomaterials for environmental and energy applications.