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.

This research is not only a breakthrough in environmentally friendly green technology, but also has great potential to help the textile industry meet increasingly stringent waste management standards.

“With this innovation, a future of a cleaner environment and sustainable industry is becoming increasingly possible,” he added.

Muhammad hopes this research will be the first step in developing more advanced and sustainable waste cleaning technology, supporting environmental conservation efforts for a greener and healthier Indonesia.

For his research, Muhammad Fathurrahman successfully earned a doctoral degree with cum laude honors after defending his dissertation entitled “Synthesis of Fe-PTC and Fe-PTC-HIna MOFs and Their Application in Optimized Methylene Blue Photodegradation Using Box-Behnken Design RSM.”

The open defense for Muhammad Fathurrahman’s doctoral promotion took place on Wednesday (July 2nd) at the Prof. Dr. G.A. Siwabessy Hall, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (UI), Depok. The defense was chaired by the Chairperson of the Open Defense Committee, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Budiawan, who also serves as the Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs at the Faculty.

Dr. Muhammad Fathurrahman was guided by Promoter, Dr. rer. nat. Agustino Zulys, S.Si., M.Sc. from the Department of Chemistry, FMIPA UI, and Co-promoter, Prof. Dr. Jarnuzi Gunlazuardi from the Department of Chemistry, FMIPA UI.