Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis
Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis (e-ISSN Indonesia: 1978-2993 ; ISSN International: 1978-2993; CODEN: BCRECO; Short Abbreviation Title (ISO 4): Bull. Chem. React. Eng. Catal., alternative title: Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering and Catalysis) is an international journal to provide a forum for publishing the novel technologies related to the catalyst, catalysis, chemical reactor development, kinetics studies, and chemical reaction engineering. As Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis is a fully open access journal, your paper will be available to anyone, at anytime, anywhere in the world This journal is published by Masyarakat Katalis Indonesia - Indonesian Catalyst Society (MKICS). The technical management of this journal is supported by BCREC Publishing Group. This journal has been accredited by National Journal Accreditation (ARJUNA) Managed by Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Republic Indonesia with First Grade (Peringkat 1, Sinta 1, Garuda) since year 2016 to 2028 according to the Decree No. 21/E/KPT/2018 and last updated by Decree No10/C/C3/DT.05.00/2025 Date of 21 Maret 2025. with Certificate of Accreditation (ARJUNA-SINTA) with Score of Accreditation of 95.5, and Certificate as Jurnal Bereputasi International. Fulltext PDFs of this journal have been distributed by EBSCO PUBLISHING (Academic Search Complete, Academic Search Premiere, and Academic Search R&D) and ProQuest Database (Engineering Collection; SciTech Premium Collection). The BCREC journal has been indexed and abstracted and displayed in Elsevier Products (SCOPUS, Ei Compendex / Engineering Village, EnCompassLIT), SCIMAGO Journal Ranking (Q3), Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection Database (Emerging Source Citation Index) (Q3 JCI), Dimensions-Digital Science, CABI, ASEAN Citation Index, DOAJ, Chemical Abstract Services (CAS); and ROAD ISSN. For year 2026, 4 issues (Volume 21, Issue 1 (April), Issue 2 (August), Issue 3 (October), and Issue 4 (December)) are scheduled for publication with 18-23 articles per issue. Commencement of publication: January 2008. Editor in Chief: Prof. Dr. I. Istadi. More info about Editorial Team here. International Diversity of Editors/Editorial Board: 27 Editors in 17 countries/Regions. Indonesia (11); Malaysia (5); Finland (1); Thailand (2); Equador (1); French (1); Italy (1); Portugal (1); Colombia (1); United Kingdom (1); Singapore (1); Egypt (1); Turkey (1); Nigeria (1); China (1) / Taiwan (1), Ecuador (1). Gender Diversity Distribution of the Editors: 23% woman; 77% man. Time to First Decision = 1 week Review Time = 4-5 weeks Publication Time = 1 weeks Current Acceptance Rate = 25% Time to First Decision is the average number of weeks it takes for an article to go from manuscript submission to the initial decision on the article whether it will be rejected, revised before review, or continued to review process, including standard and desk rejects. Review Time is the average number of weeks it takes for an article (after the first decision) to go through the editorial review process for this journal, including standard and desk rejects. Publication Time is the average number of weeks it takes to reach from manuscript acceptance, layouting process, to the first appearance of the article PDF fulltext online (with DOI). Current Acceptance Rate is percentage of submitted articles accepted during a calendar year; the total number of articles accepted out of the total number of articles submitted in the same year.
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Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Bi3NbO7 by Fabrication of CuBi2O4/Bi3NbO7 Heterojunction Photocatalyst
Bi3NbO7 has been widely studied as a bismuth-based photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants. However, the fast recombination of photo-excited carriers limits its photocatalytic performance. In this work, the CuBi2O4/Bi3NbO7 heterojunction was successfully fabricated, and its photocatalytic performance was evaluated by degradation of TC under stimulated sunlight. The optimal TC degradation efficiency of 85% was obtained on CuBi2O4/Bi3NbO7 heterojunction with CuBi2O4 mass ratio of 10% at the condition as initial TC concentration of 40 mg/L and photocatalyst dosage of 1 g/L. This optimal TC degradation efficiency is greatly higher than that of bulk Bi3NbO7 with the reaction rate constant reached 0.035 min-1 which is 3.7 times as that of Bi3NbO7. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism that based on type-II heterojunction was proposed. This work provided a promising strategy to design highly efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Copyright (c) 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Facile Fabrication of Alginate–BiBDC Composite Beads for Efficient Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solutions
Alginate–BiBDC composite beads were produced using Ca²⁺-mediated ionic crosslinking and assessed for methylene blue (MB) adsorption. FT-IR, XRD, SEM, BET, and TGA validated the effective incorporation of BiBDC and the creation of a porous hybrid network. Among the composites, ALG@BiBDC-2 exhibited the most advantageous textural characteristics (14.16 m².g⁻¹ surface area, 0.0324 cm³.g⁻¹ pore volume, 16.27 nm pore size), attaining 85.33% methylene blue removal within 60 min. Adsorption was significantly influenced by pH, dose, concentration, and temperature. At a pHPZC of 6.76, electrostatic attraction predominates in the uptake of MB. The adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order model and a Langmuir isotherm, indicating chemisorption-driven monolayer adsorption. Thermodynamic analysis validated spontaneous and exothermic characteristics. The beads maintained over 60% effectiveness after four cycles, indicating moderate stability and significant promise for treating dye-contaminated wastewater. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Metronidazole Using Bismuth Oxide-Doped Erbium Oxide Anchored Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites: Kinetics and Mechanism
Metronidazole (MNZ) is a persistent pharmaceutical contaminant that resists conventional wastewater treatment. In this work, a visible-light-active Bi2O3–Er2O3/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposite was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. This nanocomposite was evaluated for the photocatalytic degradation of MNZ in aqueous solution. Structural and optical characterization (XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, BET, PL, and UV–Vis DRS) confirmed the successful anchoring of Bi2O3–Er2O3 nanoparticles onto GO sheets. That resulted in improved visible-light absorption and blocked charge-carrier recombination. The composite containing 20 wt% GO showed the highest photocatalytic activity. It achieved near-complete MNZ removal under exposure to visible light. The improved performance was attributed to the combined effects of many factors. Those include Bi2O3–Er2O3-induced visible-light response, Er2O3-assisted charge trapping, and efficient electron transport through GO. The study included examining the effects of many factors. Those included the solution pH, catalyst dosage, initial MNZ concentration, and GO content. Optimal degradation was found in alkaline conditions. The catalyst was found to be stable and reusable. Therefore, it has high potential for sustainable antibiotic removal from wastewater. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Enhanced Acid Orange 7 Adsorption by a Novel Organophosphorus-Modified Bentonite: Performance and Mechanistic Insights
Water contamination by Acid Orange 7 (AO7), a widely used anionic azo dye in the textile industry, represents a major environmental concern due to its persistence and potential to generate toxic aromatic amines. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel organobentonite (BPA6) via intercalation of phenylphosphonic acid into bentonite, an organoclay previously unexplored for pollutant removal. XRD analysis revealed an expansion of the basal spacing from 10 to 15.4 Å with an intercalation rate of 86%, while FTIR and SEM confirmed structural reorganization and successful incorporation of phenylphosphonic functional groups. The modification increased interlayer accessibility and introduced additional P–OH active sites, enhancing hydrogen-bond donor density. Consequently, BPA6 achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 123.3 mg.g⁻¹ at 55 °C, significantly exceeding raw bentonite. The kinetics were well described by the pseudo-second-order model, while the equilibrium data fit best with the Langmuir–Freundlich model. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a predominantly physisorption-driven process. BPA6 maintained stable performance over multiple regeneration cycles. Mechanistic insight was obtained by correlating spectroscopic, adsorption, and thermodynamic data, revealing a clear relationship between structure, surface chemistry, interactions, and performance. The adsorption mechanism is primarily governed by hydrogen bonding between Si–OH and intercalated P–OH moieties and the sulfonate and amine moieties of AO7. Phenylphosphonic acid intercalation optimizes clay surface chemistry, enhancing dye adsorption by BPA6 and highlighting its potential as a sustainable, high-performance wastewater adsorbent. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
The Incorporation of Hemin Catalysts and Alumina Nanoparticles in a Medium of Spondias mombin Leaf Extract of A Sulfonated Polysulfone-Polyaniline_Alumina Membrane Electrode Assembly for Fuel Cell Technologies
The development of sustainable Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) is crucial for advancing fuel cell technology. This study presents a novel MEA design that incorporates metal oxide nanoparticles synthesized using natural materials into a high-performance membrane and employs a non-platinum catalyst. Specifically, alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized in medium Spondias mombin leaf extract, which served as both a base source and a capping agent. Alumina nanoparticles combined with polyaniline serve as a composite material to enhance the hydrophilicity, structural and thermal stability, power density, and proton conductivity of a sulfonated polysulfone-based composite membrane. Alumina is known as a catalyst support with a large surface area, while polyaniline is a conductive polymer that readily interacts with metal oxides and hemin, which is rich in electrons, exhibits catalytic activity. Based on the characterization of physical and chemical properties, the SPSU-PANI_Al2O3 7.5% composite MEA using a hemin catalyst on the cathode in a fuel cell (DMFC) demonstrated good structural and thermal stability, low methanol permeabilitity (3.37×10-6 cm2/s), and high-power density (90.76 mW/cm2), but low proton conductivity. Furthermore, Electrochemical cell testing of the hemin catalyst, which identified two reduction peaks at 0.48-0.52 V and 1.22 V similar to those of the Pt catalyst at the cathode demonstrates that the hemin catalyst provides comparable cell potential and catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction for fuel cell technologies. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Effect of Calcination Temperature on Structural Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2/Vermiculite Composite for Methylene Blue Degradation
This study investigated the effect of calcination temperature on the structural properties and photocatalytic performance of TiO2/vermiculite (TiO2/ver) composites for methylene blue (MB) degradation. The TiO2/ver composites were synthesized via a one-step sol-gel method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) as the precursor, followed by calcination at 450, 600 and 800 oC. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the anatase phase predominance in samples calcined at 450 and 600 oC, whereas partial transformation to rutile occurred at 800 oC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that increasing calcination temperature promoted particle growth and agglomeration. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis revealed the coexistence of characteristic Ti-O-Ti and Si-O vibrations and indicated possible interfacial interactions between TiO2 and the vermiculite support through a shift the Si-O stretching band. Textural analysis demonstrated a progressive decrease in specific surface area with increasing calcination temperature, suggesting thermally induced pore collapse and crystallite growth. Photocatalytic experiments demonstrated that the sample calcined at 450 oC (V-450) exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving complete MB degradation within 90 min under the optimal conditions of a catalyst dosage of 1.0 g.L-1, an initial MB concentration of 10 mg.L-1 and pH of 7. Kinetic analysis showed that the degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The superior performance of the V-450 was attributed to the optimal balance between crystallinity, specific surface area and phase composition. These findings highlight the critical role of calcination temperature in tuning the structure-activity relationship of TiO2/ver composites for photocatalytic wastewater treatment applications. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Improvements in Photocatalytic Activity in Visible Light Destruction of Chlorpyrifos in a Batch Reactor Applying the Z-Scheme g-C3N4/Fe3O4/CuWO4/CuO Heterojunction, Including Fabrication, Characterization, and Recycling
The most widely used pesticide in agricultural regions across the entire globe is chlorpyrifos (CPF).In the present research, g-C3N4/Fe3O4/CuWO4/CuO heterojunction has been created through a series of straightforward technologies and used for photocatalytic degradation of chlorpyrifos .The produced g-C3N4/Fe3O4/CuWO4/CuO nanocomposites' optical and magnetic features, structure, and morphologies have been investigated using XRD, FTIR, elemental mapping, EDS, SEM, TEM, VSM, DRS, PL, and BET methodologies. With rate constants of 0.00507 and 0.00696 min-1, correspondingly, the photocatalyst enabled the photocatalytic degradation of chlorpyrifos, g-C3N4, and CuWO4, which achieved maximal efficiencies of 50% and 69% in visible light. However, under visible light, g-C3N4/Fe3O4/CuWO4/CuO exhibited a maximum performance of 93% with rate constants of 0.0159 min-1. In order to remove chlorpyrifos from aqueous solution, this work created a unique type of g-C3N4/Fe3O4/CuWO4/CuO nanocomposite utilizing a multistage procedure using a photocatalytic technique employing novel catalysts. Being exposed to visible light, the as-fabricated g-C3N4/Fe3O4/CuWO4/CuO substantially enhanced the photocatalytic activity for the successful elimination of pesticide, boosting its potential for use in ecologically friendly water purification systems. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Role of Ni and Zn Dopants in Modulating the Structure and Photocatalytic Activity of Mesoporous Silica–Cu Catalysts for Methylene Blue Degradation
This study investigates the structural and photocatalytic roles of Ni and Zn dopants in mesoporous silica–Cu catalysts for methylene blue degradation under light irradiation. The materials were synthesized and systematically characterized using FTIR, XRD, BET, SEM–EDS, and UV–DRS to elucidate dopant-dependent structural, textural, and electronic modifications. XRD analysis revealed that Zn doping enhances crystallinity to 90.80% with a crystallite size of 1.97 nm, whereas Ni doping produces lower crystallinity (80.69%) and smaller crystallites (1.82 nm), indicating defect-rich microstructures. BET analysis confirmed mesoporous characteristics in both systems, with Zn incorporation generating broader pore distributions and higher adsorption capacity, while Ni induces more confined pore structures. SEM results showed average particle sizes of 1.49 nm for Zn-doped and 1.67 nm for Ni-doped catalysts. UV–DRS measurements demonstrated pronounced electronic modulation, with Ni doping significantly narrowing the band gap to 1.02–1.11 eV compared with 2.08–2.78 eV for Zn-doped materials. Photocatalytic evaluation at an initial methylene blue concentration of 5 ppm showed superior performance for the Ni-doped catalyst, achieving 79.59% removal efficiency and an adsorption capacity of 19.89 mg.g⁻¹, compared with 50.98% removal and 12.74 mg.g⁻¹ for the Zn-doped system. Kinetic analysis followed pseudo-first-order behavior, with a higher rate constant for Ni doping (0.01675 min⁻¹) than Zn doping (0.00706 min⁻¹). These findings demonstrate that Ni primarily enhances photocatalytic activity through electronic defect formation and band gap narrowing, while Zn mainly improves structural ordering and pore accessibility. The study highlights the critical role of dopant selection in tailoring structure–activity relationships in mesoporous silica–Cu photocatalysts. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Catalytic Aromatization of Propane-Butane Fractions over Polyfunctional Zeolite Catalysts: Effect of Process Parameters
The catalytic conversion of a propane–butane fraction into aromatic hydrocarbons was investigated over ZnLaFe/ZSM-5 and phosphorus-modified ZnLaFeP/ZSM-5 catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction, SEM-EDX, TEM, NH₃-TPD, TGA and FTIR-pyridine analyses. Textural and structural studies confirmed the preservation of the MFI framework after metal and phosphorus incorporation, while acidity measurements revealed that phosphorus modification significantly reduced the concentration of medium-strong and strong Brønsted acid sites, leading to a moderated acid strength distribution. Catalytic performance tests demonstrated that ZnLaFe/ZSM-5 exhibits high PBF conversion over a wide temperature range, whereas ZnLaFeP/ZSM-5 delivers substantially higher aromatic yields, reaching up to 59.7% at 550 °C and a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 350 h⁻¹. The enhanced aromatization performance of the phosphorus-containing catalyst is attributed to the synergistic interaction between moderated Brønsted acidity and Zn–phosphate Lewis acid sites, which promote dehydrogenation, cyclization, and aromatization while suppressing excessive cracking and coke formation. Stability tests over 11 h confirmed the superior resistance of ZnLaFeP/ZSM-5 to deactivation, with only minor losses in conversion and aromatic yield and a stable product distribution dominated by benzene and toluene. Pilot-scale experiments using larger catalyst beds (100 and 500 mL) further demonstrated that the optimized acidity and catalytic functionality are retained upon scale-up. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Efficient Deoxygenation of Palm Oil to Green Diesel Using a Metal Oxide Catalysts Supported on ZrO2-Enhanced Graphene Oxide
NiO, Fe2O3, and bimetallic oxide NiFe2O4 catalysts supported on graphene oxide and promoted with ZrO2 were synthesized via wet-impregnation approach. A systematic characterization of the catalysts physicochemical properties was evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Temperature -programmed desorption CO2 (TPD-CO2), Brunaur-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, Field emission Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The catalysts were evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts in the deoxygenation (DO) of palm oil for green diesel production under varying operating conditions. Among the catalysts tested, Fe2O3/ZrO2-GO (calcined at 400 °C for 4 h, 5 wt% loading) demonstrated superior catalytic activity, achieving a maximum hydrocarbon yield (HC%) of 98.0%, bio-jet fuel (BJF) selectivity of 40%, and kerosene yield of 86%. The exceptional performance is attributed to the catalyst’s large BET surface area (18.64 m2/g), substantial pore volume (0.027 cm3/g), and moderate surface basicity (3234.65 μmol/g), which collectively facilitate efficient deoxygenation via decarboxylation (DCO2) and decarbonylation (DCO) pathways while suppressing undesired cracking. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibited remarkable stability and reusability over four consecutive reaction cycles, retaining 92% hydrocarbon yield and 80.9% kerosene yield, with BJF selectivity increasing to 84%. The gradual decline in performance is attributed to carbon deposition (coke formation), pore blockage, and sintering-induced degradation of the mesoporous network, as confirmed by post-reaction XRD and BET analysis. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Cation-dependent Behavior of Aluminium under Pulsed Electrolysis
For decades, chloride ions Cl⁻have been considered a key factor in the electrochemical behavior of aluminum in chloride electrolytes, including depassivation, pitting corrosion, and anodic dissolution. However, the influence of electrolyte cations has been considered secondary or ignored in most classical studies. In this study, we investigated the influence of electrolyte cations (MgCl2, CaCl2, SrCl2, BaCl2) on the electrochemical behavior of aluminum under the influence of an alternating symmetrical pulsed current with a density of 1 A.cm-2. The study found that in the presence of Ba2+ and Sr2+, aluminum is oxidized to form dispersed two-phase products AlOOH and Al(OH)3, with an average particle size of 1.9 and 2.2 nm for the AlOOH phase and 20.4 and 13.9 nm for the Al(OH)3 phase. In Mg2+ and Ca2+ chlorides, passivating films of Mg(OH)2 or Ca(OH)2 are formed, as well as layered double hydroxides – Mg6Al2(OH)16Cl2∙4H2O (Mg-Al LDH) or Ca2Al(OH)6Cl∙2H2O (Ca-Al LDH), respectively, which inhibit aluminum corrosion under pulse electrolysis conditions, even in the presence of activating Cl- ions. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
ZIF-67 Incorporated Sodium Alginate/Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Beads for Efficient Adsorptive Removal of Reactive Blue 19 from Aqueous Solution
In this study, ZIF-67/SA/PVA composite beads were synthesized and used to remove Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) from aqueous solution. The composites were prepared by integrating cobalt-based ZIF-67 into a sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol matrix with different SA/PVA ratios. The physicochemical properties of the composites were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM–EDS, BET, TG, and pHpzc analyses. Among the investigated samples, ZIF-67/SA/PVA-1:3 exhibited the highest RB19 removal efficiency (96.45%). The removal efficiency increased with increasing adsorbent dosage and temperature, but decreased at higher RB19 concentrations. The pH-dependent adsorption behavior was consistent with the pHpzc of 7.77. The negative ΔG° values (−5.308 to −7.298 kJ.mol-1) and the positive ΔH° value of 15.297 kJ.mol-1 indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir model better than the Freundlich model. These findings demonstrate the potential of ZIF-67/SA/PVA as a composite adsorbent for removing reactive dyes from contaminated water. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Soursop Leaf Extract for Photocatalytic Degradation of Textile Wastewater
This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a photocatalyst and evaluate their performance for textile wastewater photodegradation since previous studies have mainly focused on photocatalytic degradation of model dye compounds, whereas studies using actual textile wastewater remain limited. The synthesis was achieved by extracting soursop leaves and mixing them with AgNO₃ and heating the mixture. After photodegradation reaction condition optimization, the optimum conditions were found at pH of 13, 15 minutes of irradiation time, and a volume of 0.5 mL of AgNPs. Under these conditions, a degradation percentage of 34.37-37.76% was achieved, with a reduction in BOD levels of 5.54-11.08% and COD levels of 8.66-12.22%. These results indicate the potential of AgNPs for textile wastewater treatment, although pretreatment may be required to improve degradation performance. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Recovery of Gold Nanoparticles from Aqueous Solutions via Hydrogen Peroxide Reduction using Self-Propelled Palm Shell-Supported Manganese Dioxide Composites
Intensive mechanical stirring, commonly used for gold nanoparticle (AuNP) recovery, suffers from drawbacks such as mechanical wear and high operational costs. Self-propelled catalytic composites capable of autonomous motion present a promising alternative, yet their applicability and influence on AuNP recovery efficiency remain insufficiently explored. Hence, this study aimed to fabricate palm shell-supported manganese dioxide (MnO2)composites and investigate the effect of their dosage on AuNP recovery via hydrogen peroxide reduction. The composites were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX) to assess their morphology, particle size, and elemental composition, while UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to monitor AuNP formation through localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) responses. Results revealed that a composite dosage of 0.2 g/L produced the sharpest LSPR peak at 530 nm, indicating the highest yield of spherical AuNPs with particle sizes ranging from 20 to 80 nm. Motion analysis showed that the composites exhibited autonomous bubble-propelled motion at an average speed of 25.5 µm/s, following linear and semi-circular trajectories that enhanced mass transfer and AuNP recovery efficiency. Overall, palm shell-supported MnO2 composites demonstrate great potential as an alternative to conventional mechanical stirring-based methods for recovering AuNPs. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Optimized Cobalt-Loaded Palm Oil Fuel Ash (Co/POFA) Catalyst for Syngas Production via Ethanol Dry Reforming
Converting biogenic carbon and captured CO₂ into synthesis gas (syngas) via ethanol dry reforming (EDR) offers a pathway to low-carbon fuels, but catalyst instability and coking remain key barriers. Palm-oil fuel ash (POFA), a silica-rich agro-industrial waste, was investigated in this study as a support material for cobalt loading and to evaluate its performance in EDR. Co/POFA catalysts containing 5-20 wt % Co was prepared by ultrasonic-assisted incipient wetness, calcined, and tested for EDR at 750 °C. Nitrogen physisorption, FT-IR, and post-reaction TGA were employed to correlate catalyst texture, surface chemistry, and thermal stability with ethanol and CO₂ conversion, as well as H₂ and CO yields. Maximal, durable activity occurred at the intermediate Co loading (15 wt%), where ethanol and CO₂ conversions were ~72% and 80% initially and remained ~50% and 68% after 5 h, the ~48% H₂ yield was sustained, consistent with a loading that maximizes accessible Co sites without incurring mesopore transport limitations. Lower loading of 5 wt % Co was site-limited and heavily coked, whereas excessive loading of 20 wt % Co showed rapid deactivation attributed to pore blockage and cobalt agglomeration despite minimal coke. Optimizing cobalt dispersion on conditioned POFA enables stable syngas production under demanding EDR conditions, validating Co/POFA as a viable waste-derived catalyst for circular, CO₂-utilizing hydrogen generation. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Sustainable Removal of Methylene Blue Using an Inverse-Vulcanized Polysulfide Derived from Waste Cooking Palm Oil
The environmental impact of waste palm cooking oil (WCO) has prompted extensive research into its potential applications, as it remains a significant pollutant, particularly in urban areas. This study investigates the synthesis of polysulfide using elemental sulfur and WCO as a sustainable method to repurpose these waste materials. The synthesized polysulfide showed effective methylene blue (MB) dye adsorption from wastewater, with adsorption performance assessed by varying the sulfur content (wt%) and dosage levels. Characterization techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), were employed to analyze its structural and morphological properties. At the same time, UV-Vis spectrophotometry was used to measure the color removal efficiency. The highest removal rate of 78% was achieved at 70 wt% sulfur using 5 g of polysulfide in a 5 mg/L MB solution. The adsorption followed the Temkin adsorption isotherm (R2 = 0.96). Post-adsorption FTIR analysis confirmed that the degradation followed a physisorption mechanism, as no changes in functional bonds were observed. By simultaneously addressing WCO and sulfur waste, this study underscores the potential of polysulfide as an effective, sustainable adsorbent for wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Influence of Ni/CeO2 on Pyrolytic Conversion of FOBS to Hydrogen Formation
Fuel Oil Blended Stock (FOBS) is a residual byproduct from petroleum refineries that is often underutilized and may cause storage and environmental issues. Converting FOBS into hydrogen through catalytic pyrolysis offers a sustainable waste valorisation pathway; however, no studies have focused on Ni/CeO2 catalysts for hydrogen production from FOBS, which establishes the novelty of this work. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a Ni/CeO2 catalyst for hydrogen production from FOBS via catalytic pyrolysis. A 3% Ni/CeO2 catalyst was synthesized using the wet impregnation method and characterized using XRD, FESEM, BET, and FTIR. Catalytic pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a tubular furnace reactor at temperatures between 400-600 °C, nitrogen flow rates of 40-140 mL/min, and catalyst-to-feedstock ratios of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:15. The gaseous products were analyzed using GC-TCD/FID. The results showed that higher temperatures and catalyst-to-feedstock ratios improved FOBS conversion and hydrogen selectivity, with optimal performance achieved at 600 °C, 90 mL/min, and a catalyst-to-feedstock ratio of 1:15, yielding high conversion, gas yield, and hydrogen selectivity. In conclusion, the Ni/CeO2 catalyst shows strong potential for converting FOBS into hydrogen-rich gas, supporting waste valorisation and sustainable hydrogen production. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Apparent Reaction Kinetics of Crude Palm Oil Dechlorination Using Sodium Silicate Solution
This paper reports a study of the apparent reaction kinetics of crude palm oil (CPO) dechlorination using a sodium silicate (SS) solution, providing a water-efficient alternative to conventional washing to mitigate the 3-MCPD precursor. Three CPO-to-SS volume ratios (0.25, 2.33, and 3.00) were tested across temperatures of 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C. The results showed the 2.33 ratio as most effective, achieving 1000 times of extraction, as indicated by the McCabe-Thiele equilibrium plot. Kinetic analysis revealed a transition from pseudo-first-order regimes at lower temperatures to exceptionally high apparent reaction orders (up to 24.90) at 80 °C. These high orders indicate a mass-transfer limited process where declining SS concentration might have destabilized the emulsion, making the reaction rate sensitive to interfacial surface area. The FTIR spectra confirmed that SS acted as both a buffering agent and a dispersant, reducing moisture retention without clear free fatty acid neutralization. The elevated temperatures significantly enhanced dechlorination rates, with the 0.25 ratio facilitating chloride breakdown with the highest rate constant. The results revealed that the kinetic rate is: with the rate constant, k (range 3.6 × 10-3 until 1×10 -111) and the apparent order, (range up to 24.9) at 80 ºC. These findings conclude that SS can effectively reduce chlorine content in CPO, and that process is strongly governed by the phase volume ratio and operating temperature. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Tailoring the Structural Evolution of Co-Supported Fibrous ZSM-5 via Hydrothermal Aging for Syngas Production in Ethanol Dry Reforming
The catalytic dry reforming of ethanol (EDR) offers a promising approach to reduce CO2 emissions and support the less carbon-intensive processes. This study examined the effect of cobalt (Co) loading on fibrous ZSM-5 (FZSM-5), which was synthesized at hydrothermal aging times of 6, 8, and 10 h, for EDR. The catalytic evaluation was carried out at 650 °C, 1 bar, and 30,000 mL.g-1.h-1 for 8 h. The results showed that hydrothermal aging time influenced the catalyst properties and catalytic performance. The catalyst aged for 8 h developed a distinct dendritic structure, a surface area of 208.9 m2.g-1, and distributed hierarchical porosity. During EDR, the 8 h Co/FZSM-5 catalyst sustained stable ethanol conversion and produced a favorable H2/CO ratio of 1.55. By contrast, the 6h catalyst showed low crystallinity, while the 10 h catalyst underwent extended crystal growth that limited mass transfer. TGA results further showed that the 8 h catalyst limited carbon deposition more effectively and exhibited less deactivation better than the other samples. These findings provide practical guidance for catalyst design and support the development of more resource-efficient reforming processes. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Optimization and Kinetic Studies of Enzymatic Saccharification of Double-Stage Ozonolysis Pretreated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch for Enhanced Sugar Production
Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB), an abundant lignocellulosic biomass in Malaysia, is a promising feedstock for producing Total Reducing Sugar (TRS), although its recalcitrant structure limits enzymatic conversion. This study proposes a novel double-stage ozonolysis pretreatment integrated with intermediate alkaline swelling to enhance cellulose accessibility and saccharification efficiency. Structural modifications were confirmed through compositional analysis, TGA, XRD, FTIR, and SEM. Enzymatic saccharification (ES) was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Face-Centered Central Composite Design (FCCCD), evaluating reaction time, biomass loading, and temperature. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated a significant model (R2 = 0.88), with optimal conditions of 44 h reaction time, 1.8 % w/v biomass loading, and 50 °C temperature, achieving a maximum TRS yield of 42.75%. The double-stage ozonolysis outperformed single-stage and alkaline pretreatments, yielding the highest cellulose enrichment (up to 79 wt%) and improved digestibility. Kinetic analysis revealed a substantial reduction in the Michaelis-Menten constant ( ) from 175.713 to 9.010 mg/mL, indicating enhanced enzyme–substrate affinity. These findings demonstrate a robust and efficient strategy for improving biomass-to-sugar conversion. Copyright © 2026 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
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