DEVELOPMENT OF MODIFIED KAPOK FIBER AS A MEDIA FOR ESSENTIAL OIL PURIFICATION

• Main Author: Jizreel Picaulima, Joshua
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/85952
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The abundant and inexpensive kapok fiber can be utilized as a natural sorbent to improve the quality of essential oils, the use of which is increasing in the pharmaceutical industry due to its pharmacological activity. Kapok fibers are hydrophobic, oleophilic, and have a lumen that can absorb oil. However, weaknesses such as brittle walls and a waxy coating on the surface decrease the cohesion of the fiber, making it difficult to use effectively. Thus, this study aims to modify kapok fiber sorbent to increase essential oil yield. The modification stage of kapok fiber starts from the cleaning stage of kapok fiber, pretreatment with NaClO2 , modification with TEOS, freeze-dry, and ends with the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method using DTMS compounds. Kapok fibers were cleaned to remove impurities. Pre-treatment with NaClO2 reduces wax and opens pores to increase oil adsorption. TEOS forms a silica layer to strengthen the fibers. Freeze-drying forms the fiber into a porous sponge to increase the adsorption capacity. DTMS through CVD makes the kapok fiber superhydrophobic so that the adsorption efficiency of essential oil increases. The experimental variations used are variations in packing density, DTMS volume, and types of essential oils as adsorbates, namely clove, patchouli, and cinnamon oils. The characteristics of kapok fibers based on FTIR spectrum analysis showed that the final modification of kapok fibers resulted in the dominance of methyl siloxane groups (Si-CH3) and a decrease in hydroxyl groups (-OH), so that kapok fibers are superhydrophobic and their adsorption capacity increases towards essential oils. The wetting behavior test showed the largest contact angle value to water on kapok fiber that had been modified with 5 mL DTMS, which was 137.550 . Optimization was carried out on kapok fibers with a packing density of 0.018 grams/mL and 5 mL DTMS treatment, resulting in the highest adsorption capacity for clove oil of 36.1 g/g. The highest selectivity value obtained from this variation is 9.32:1 for patchouli oil compared to water.