Sains Malaysiana 53(6)(2024): 1309-1320

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2024-5306-07

Development of PCL/PMMA and PCL/PEG Polymeric Film as Potential for Algae Removal

(Pembangunan Filem Polimer PCL/PMMA dan PCL/PEG Berpotensi sebagai Penyingkiran Alga)

SHAHIRA HUSNINA SHABUDDIN¹, NORMAWATY MOHAMMAD-NOOR², NORAZMI AHMAD^1,3, ANWAR IQBAL⁴ & MOHAMAD WAFIUDDIN ISMAIL^1,3,*

¹Department of Chemistry, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

²Department of Marine Science, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

³Sustainable NanoTechnology and Computational Modelling Research Group,

Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

⁴School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

Received: 2 January 2024/Accepted: 13 May 2024

Abstract

Human activities generate excess nutrients that can lead to harmful algal blooms (HABs), which are increasing in number and severity worldwide, causing significant ecological problems and substantial economic losses. Cost-effective polymeric films with ease of operation represent a promising and sustainable alternative to traditional HABs mitigation methods in various aquatic systems. In this study, composite polymer films, specifically polycaprolactone with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PCL/PMMA) and polycaprolactone with polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG), were employed for algae mitigation. To the best of our knowledge, no prior studies have explored the application of PCL/PMMA and PCL/PEG composite polymer films for algae mitigation. These films were prepared using solvent casting methods. The successfully prepared film ratios were 1:0.2, 1:0.4, and 1:0.6. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed the successful preparation of PCL/PMMA and PCL/PEG by detecting characteristic functional group peaks corresponding to each pure polymer, suggesting the possibility of non-covalent bond interactions between the polymers in the composites. Thermal analysis (TGA) indicated increased thermal stability for all film ratios. Algae mitigation studies form light microscope analysis showed the presence of algal cells within the composite. Removal efficiency improved with higher ratios of these composite polymer films, with PCL/PMMA outperforming PCL/PEG. Notably, the 1:0.4 PCL/PMMA film exhibited highly efficient algae removal, with interactions between microalgae cells and the film observed within a shorter time. This film achieved the highest removal efficiency of 10.6% within a 15-min interval compared to others. From this preliminary study, the composite polymer films show good potential and promising candidate for mitigating algae-related issues. 

Keywords: Harmful algal blooms; mitigation; PCL; PEG; PMMA; polymeric films

Abstrak

Nutrien berlebihan hasil aktiviti manusia telah mengakibatkan peningkatan kembangan alga berbahaya (HABs) yang dilihat semakin parah di seluruh dunia. Keadaan ini menyebabkan masalah ekologi yang ketara dan kerugian ekonomi yang besar. Sebagai alternatif kepada kaedah tradisi mitigasi HABs dalam pelbagai sistem akuatik, kajian ini memfokuskan pada penggunaan polimer filem yang kos berkesan dengan kemudahan operasi. Filem polimer komposit, khususnya polikaprolakton dengan poli(metil metakrilat) (PCL/PMMA) dan polikaprolakton dengan polietilena glikol (PCL/PEG), diuji sebagai satu kaedah penyelesaian yang berpotensi dan mampan bagi masalah pertumbuhan alga. Menurut carian kami, kajian dalam mengeksplorasi penggunaan filem polimer komposit PCL/PMMA dan PCL/PEG dalam mitigasi alga masih belum pernah dijalankan. Filem-filem ini telah disediakan melalui kaedah acuan pelarut dengan filem berjaya disiapkan pada nisbah 1:0.2, 1:0.4 dan 1:0.6. Analisis ATR-FTIR telah mengesahkan keberhasilan penyediaan PCL/PMMA dan PCL/PEG dengan kehadiran puncak kumpulan berfungsi yang sepadan dengan setiap polimer tulen dengan ini menunjukkan interaksi ikatan bukan kovalen antara polimer dalam komposit filem yang dihasilkan. Analisis termal (TGA) menunjukkan peningkatan kestabilan termal untuk semua nisbah filem. Kajian mitigasi alga daripada analisis mikroskop cahaya mendedahkan kehadiran sel alga dalam komposit filem. Kecekapan penyingkiran meningkat dengan nisbah filem komposit yang lebih tinggi dengan PCL/PMMA melebihi PCL/PEG. Filem PCL/PMMA, 1:0.4 menunjukkan keberkesanan penyingkiran alga yang tinggi dengan interaksi antara sel mikroalga dan filem berlaku dalam waktu yang lebih singkat. Dalam tempoh 15 minit, filem ini mencapai kecekapan penyingkiran tertinggi sebanyak 10.6% berbanding dengan nisbah lain. Daripada kajian awal ini, dapat disimpulkan bahawa filem polimer komposit memperlihatkan potensi yang besar dalam menangani isu berkaitan dengan pertumbuhan alga dan merupakan calon berkemampuan untuk aplikasi lebih lanjut.

Kata kunci: Filem polimer; mitigasi; PCL; PEG; pertumbuhan alga merbahaya; PMMA

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*Corresponding author; email: wafisnj@iium.edu.my