UI Professor Prof. Helmiyati Develops Green Nanocomposite to Create Environmentally Friendly Materials

The Chancellor of the University of Indonesia (UI), Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., inaugurated Prof. Dr. Dra. Helmiyati, M.Sc. as a Permanent Professor in the Field of Polymer Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UI. The inauguration ceremony was held on Wednesday (9/8), at the UI Depok Campus Convention Hall. On that occasion, Prof. Helmiyati presented the results of her research entitled "Potential of Biopolymers and Nanoparticles as Functional Green Nanocomposites: Energy, Clean Water, and Health".

In her scientific oration, Prof. Helmiyati said that Indonesia is rich in chemicals sourced from natural resources. Seeing this potential, she developed a biopolymer-based Nanocomposite synthesis supported by metal oxides to be applied to various needs. The incorporation of metal nanoparticles or metal oxides on the surface of the biopolymer will produce nanocomposite properties that are superior to each material and are synergistic. This finding can be developed as a catalyst for biodiesel; as a photocatalyst for handling hazardous dye waste so that clean water is obtained; and as an antibacterial that is useful in the health sector.

According to Prof. Helmiyati, fuel is an important factor in economic development because it is used for various types of vehicles, such as cars, motorbikes, trains, and planes. The fuels currently used mostly come from fossils. The use of fossil fuels causes quite serious environmental problems, because their combustion causes the greenhouse gas effect and the depletion of fossil fuel sources. In fact, fuel use in the world is estimated to increase by 28% between 2015 and 2040.

To overcome this problem, alternative fuels are needed that are environmentally friendly and renewable. Biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is considered a good fuel substitute because it can be directly substituted or mixed with diesel; has lower greenhouse gas emissions, better cetane numbers, and low sulfur content; and is non-toxic. In addition, biodiesel can be prepared using readily available materials, such as palm oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, animal fat, and used cooking oil.

In addition, Nanocomposites can also be used as photocatalysts to degrade dyes in waste to obtain clean water. A large amount of dye waste generated from various industries, such as the textile, plastic, paper, food, and cosmetics industries, cannot be disposed of without adequate treatment. Because dye pollutants from industry are one of the main causes of pollution of the ecological system. Even in small amounts, dye pollutants can be very toxic because they have a complex structure, making them difficult to degrade.

Azo dyes are a group of organic compounds found in dyes that can produce carcinogenic aromatic amines, such as benzidine, 3,3-dimethylbenzidine, 3,3-dimethioxybenzidine, and 2,4-toluylenediamine. These compounds can cause cancer and almost 70% of synthetic dyes contain azo groups. This is because synthetic dyes are resistant to light, acids, and alkalis. Therefore, the use of metal oxide semiconductor materials is useful as catalysts in photocatalysis because they have high stability, are available in nature, and are non-toxic.

Zirconium oxide semiconductors are suitable materials for photocatalysis with the advantages of being non-toxic, high stability, cheap, low thermal conductivity, insoluble in water, high catalytic activity, and optical properties. Zirconium oxide is stable, hydrophilic, produced at low cost, and is a semiconductor with a band gap of 5.0 - 7.0 eV which means it is in the UV light region. One method to reduce the band gap energy and increase photocatalytic activity is doping with semiconductors that have small/narrow band gap energy.

In the health sector, nanocomposites are applied to antibacterial materials as wound healing hydrogels, antibacterial fabrics, and food packaging. Antibacterial materials are certainly very important, especially in the post-pandemic era. Petroleum-based plastics are packaging materials that are often used because of their large availability at low cost. However, its continuous use can lead to reduced availability, the emergence of non-biodegradable waste, and environmental pollution.

Food packaging with biopolymer-based nanocomposite film materials is one solution to reduce plastic waste, especially waste generated by the food industry. Food packaging with biopolymers has biodegradable properties, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and their composites. Sources of biopolymers are natural biopolymers, microbial biopolymers, and synthetic polymers that can be biodegraded. Natural biopolymers are starch, chitosan, cellulose, and derivatives of carbohydrates.

"The combination of nanoparticles and biopolymers sourced from nature can be utilized to provide safe and inexpensive materials as an alternative to new energy from renewable energy sources. More efficient and environmentally friendly technology is also needed to process waste so that clean water is obtained. In addition, environmentally friendly antibacterial materials need to be developed to improve the quality of the environment so that public health improves," said Prof. Helmiyati.

This research is one of the many studies that have been conducted by Prof. Helmiyati. Some of her published works include Magnetic Alginate–Carboxymethyl Cellulose to Immobilize Copper Nanoparticles as A Green and Sustainable Catalyst for Nitrophenol Reduction (2023); Green Hybrid Photocatalyst Containing Cellulose and γ–Fe2O3–Zro2 Heterojunction for Improved Visible-Light Driven Degradation of Congo Red (2022); and Antimicrobial Packaging of ZnO–Nps Infused into CMC–PVA Nanocomposite Films Effectively Enhances the Physicochemical Properties (2021).

Prof. Dr. Dra. Helmiyati, M.Sc. studied Bachelor of Chemistry, Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Andalas University (1981–1986); Master of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Bandung Institute of Technology (1987–1989); and Doctorate in Polymer Physical Chemistry, Chemistry Study Program, UI (2006–2009). The inauguration ceremony of Prof. Helmiyati was also attended by the Retired Professor of the Chemistry Department of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dr. Wahyudi Priyono Suwarso; Dean of FMIPA UI for the 1994–1998 period, Prof. Dr. Endang Asijati, M.Sc.; Head of the 2nd Chemistry Department of FIPIA UI for the 1964–1967 period, Dr. Ir. Matulanda Ratulangi Sugandi; and Secretary of the 2nd Chemistry Department of FIPIA UI for the 1964–1967 period, Drs. F. Santoso.

News source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/