Naufal Rizky Amasda, Heru Suryanto, Aminuddin Aminuddin, Uun Yanuhar, Nanda Lidya Cinta Aulia Sari, Agus Suyetno, Komarudin Komarudin, Fajar Nusantara, Gaguk Jatisukamto, Aulia Surya Ramadhan
This study aims to investigate the effect of montmorillonite on the surface characteristics and porosity of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) membranes derived from pineapple peel waste. The bacterial cellulose was synthesized using Acetobacter xylinum using pineapple peel extract as medium component. Bacterial nanocellulose membrane (BNC) was obtained by crushing and homogenizing bacterial cellulose in a high-pressure homogenizer. BNC membrane was reinforced with montmorillonite content of 2 wt% to 8 wt%. The membrane was characterized for its properties using SEM, FTIR, surface roughness tester, tensile tester, water holding capacity test, and BET analysis. The results showed that montmorillonite was well-dispersed within BNC matrix but exhibited agglomeration at higher concentrations. When the samples were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy, observed changes in functional groups and molecular interactions at 2845 cm-1 Alkane C–H bond, confirming that components were successfully integrated. The surface roughness increased significantly from 28.33 ± 3.35 μm (control) to 82.23 ± 1.82 μm (8 wt% montmorillonite), confirming morphological change. The addition of montmorillonite has reduced the crystalline index and the mechanical properties of BNC membrane. BET analysis revealed a transition from microporous (1.6979 nm) to mesoporous structures (up to 2 nm) with enhanced surface area and pore diameter. Pore diameter and volume correlated with enhancing water holding capacity by 36.6% at montmorillonite content of 6 wt%. BC/montmorillonite membranes exhibit adjustable surface characteristics and porosity, thus providing potential for water treatment applications. Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, State University of Malang, Jl. Semarang, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Center of Science and Engineering (PSR), State University of Malang, Jl. Semarang, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Jember, Jl. Kalimantan, East Java, Jember, 68124, Indonesia; Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, East Java, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
