A UI Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Doctorate Creates an Innovative Porous Material for Effective and Environmentally Friendly Textile Wastewater Management.

The textile industry has long been a source of environmental pollution, primarily due to liquid waste containing hazardous dyes such as methylene blue. This substance is difficult to decompose and can pollute rivers and soil, threatening human health and ecosystems. However, a significant breakthrough has now emerged from researchers at the University of Indonesia (UI).

Muhammad Fathurrahman, a student in the Chemistry Study Program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, has successfully developed an innovative material based on Metal Organic Framework (MOF) to effectively and environmentally friendly treat textile waste. MOF is a unique material that combines iron metal and the organic compound PTC, forming a tiny porous structure capable of absorbing and breaking down pollutants under visible light exposure.

More interestingly, Muhammad added isonicotinic acid (HIna) to the MOF material. This addition increases the surface area and pores of the MOF, increasing its effectiveness in breaking down methylene blue dye from 74% to 84%. In other words, this material can clean textile waste more efficiently using only ordinary light.

"To find the best conditions for this cleaning process, we also implemented a scientific method called Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Box-Behnken design. This technique helps optimize key variables such as light intensity, MOF concentration, and reaction time to maximize waste cleaning results," said Muhammad.

Penelitian ini tidak hanya menjadi terobosan teknologi hijau yang ramah lingkungan, tetapi juga berpotensi besar membantu industri tekstil memenuhi standar pengelolaan limbah yang kian ketat.

“Dengan inovasi ini, masa depan lingkungan yang lebih bersih dan industri yang berkelanjutan semakin mungkin terwujud,” imbuhnya.

Muhammad berharap riset ini menjadi langkah awal dalam pengembangan teknologi pembersihan limbah yang lebih ma

Atas penelitiannya tersebut, Muhammad Fathurrahman berhasil meraih gelar doktor dengan predikat cumlaude setelah mempertahankan disertasinya yang berjudul “Sintesis MOF Fe-PTC dan Fe-PTC-HIna serta Aplikasinya dalam Fotodegradasi Metilen Biru yang Dioptimasi Menggunakan RSM Desain Box-Behnken.”

Sidang terbuka promosi doktor Muhammad Fathurrahman berlangsung pada hari Rabu (2/7) di Aula Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy, FMIPA UI, Depok. Sidang ini dipimpin oleh Ketua Pelaksana Sidang Terbuka, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Budiawan, yang juga menjabat sebagai Wakil Dekan Bidang Pendidikan, Penelitian, dan Kemahasiswaan FMIPA UI.

Dr. Muhammad Fathurrahman dibimbing oleh Promotor, Dr. rer. nat. Agustino Zulys, S.Si., M.Sc. dari Departemen Kimia FMIPA UI, serta Ko-promotor, Prof. Dr. Jarnuzi Gunlazuardi dari Departemen Kimia FMIPA UI.