Judul: Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticle with Reducing Potential of Kepok Banana Peel Extract (Musa acuminata balbisiana C.).
Abstrak: Pemanfaatan kulit pisang digunakan untuk membantu proses sintesis nanopartikel perak. Senyawa polifenol yang terkandung dalam kulit pisang sebagai reduktor yang akan mengalami reaksi oksidasi. Perak nitrat berperan sebagai oksidator yang akan mengalami reduksi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah melakukan sintesis dan karakterisasi nanopartikel perak dengan bioreduktor dari ekstrak kulit pisang. Nanopartikel perak disintesis menggunakan metode green synthesis, dengan cara mereduksi AgNO3 dengan bioreduktor ekstrak kulit pisang. Hasil sintesis koloid nanopartikel perak dikarakterisasi menggunakan spektrofotometer UV-Vis, X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), dan Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Nanopartikel yang paling stabil diperoleh dengan konsentrasi AgNO3 1 mM. Hasil spektrum FTIR mengidentifikasi adanya karakteristik tanin yang ditunjukkan dengan puncak pada bilangan gelombang 3452 cm-1 . Difraktogram XRD menunjukkan nilai rata-rata ukuran kristal nanopartikel perak sebesar 56,33 nm. Hasil morfologi nanopartikel perak berbentuk globular dan belum berukuran nano.
Keyword: banana peels, reductor, silver nanoparticle

Judul: Green Synthesis Nanopartikel Perak Menggunakan Limbah Jeruk Purut (Citrus hystrix dc) dengan Variasi Konsentrasi AgNO3
Abstrak: Jeruk purut (Citrus hystrix) merupakan tumbuhan perdu yang kaya manfaat. Kandungan dalam kulit jeruk purut berpotensi dijadikan bahan bioreduktor dalam sintesis nanopartikel. Nanopartikel dengan sifat fisis dan kimiawinya yang unik diharapkan mampu meningkatkan nilai jual serta efektivitas pemanfaatannya. Nanopartikel perak sebagai salah satu jenis nanopartikel logam secara alami memiliki kemampuan antibakteri yang baik serta proses sintesisnya sudah banyak dilakukan. Pada penelitian ini, kulit jeruk purut dipilih sebagai bioreduktor dengan meninjau kondisi optimal pengaruh variasi konsentrasi AgNO3 dan waktu penyimpanan terhadap green synthesis nanopartikel perak. Rancangan percobaan dibuat menggunakan Response Surface Methodology dengan bentuk Central Composite Design. Ukuran partikel yang dihasilkan berkisar pada 86-236 nm yang masih dalam ukuran toleransi nanopartikel. Nilai absorbansi maksimum 0,241-0,506 yang tercapai pada panjang gelombang 268-279 nm. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa nanopartikel perak berdiameter kurang dari 100 nm tercapai pada variasi konsentrasi 1 mM dengan waktu simpan 1 dan 29 jam., Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) is a herbaceous plant that is rich in benefits. The content in kaffir lime peel has the potential to be used as a bioreductant in the synthesis of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with unique physical and chemical properties are expected to increase the selling value and effectiveness of their utilization. Silver nanoparticles as a type of metal nanoparticles naturally have good antibacterial abilities and many synthesis processes have been carried out. In this study, kaffir lime peel was chosen as a bioreductant by reviewing the optimal conditions for the effect of variations in AgNO3 concentration and storage time on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The experimental design was made using the Response Surface Methodology in the form of a Central Composite Design. The resulting particle size ranges from 86-236 nm which is still within the tolerance of nanoparticles. The maximum absorbance value of 0.241-0.506 is achieved at a wavelength of 267-279 nm. The results of this study showed that silver nanoparticles with a diameter of less than 100 nm were achieved at a concentration variation of 1 mM with a shelf life of 1 and 29 hours.
Keyword: AgNO3, Kulit jeruk purut, Nanopartikel, RSM, Sintesis hijau

Judul: Thermal Characteristics and Dynamics of Tropical Cyclone over Western North Pacific Ocean: A Case Study of Typhoon Songda (Chedeng) 2011
Abstrak: The frequent occasion of Tropical Cyclone (TC) over Western North Pacific (WNP) Ocean lies from 10˚N to 26˚N and 121˚E to 170˚E. Sources of TC development come from warm ocean temperature where latent heat is released during condensation processes and subsequently concentrated in the boundary layer. Relative humidity at 850-700 hPa is responsible to produce the most intense storm. Meanwhile, weak vertical wind shear between 850-200 hPa is one of the dynamical factors that lead to the development of TC. Pressure level of 850-200 hPa is chosen to minimize the thermodynamic effect in the lower troposphere. Typhoon Songda (Chedeng in the Philippines) or TSC lasted from May 18th to 30th, 2011 and strengthened into powerful Super Typhoon stage between May 24th and 27th. Long curving track and the exhibition of all sequences of TC life cycle, TSC is then considered as an ideal case of TC. The objective of the study with case of TSC is to investigate the role of thermal characteristics and dynamics on TC intensity. The research is carried out by using Advanced Research of Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF ARW model) version 3.3. Two domains are employed in the model. The first domain situate from 02˚N to 40˚N and 118˚E to 149˚E and cover spatial resolution () of 33.1 km. The second domain situate from 09˚N to 27˚N and 119˚E to 132˚E with of 11 km. Timestep of the model () is 120 seconds. The model is supported by the following physical parameterization, i.e., Yonsei University Scheme (YSU) in the boundary layer, Kain-Fritsch scheme (KF) in the cumulus, and WRF Single-Moment 3-class scheme in the microphysics. Initial meteorological condition prior to the formation of the cyclone is generated using WRF ARW standard-release model. Sensitivity of the model output is obtained from a selected single-parameter change scenarios, namely, 10 % to 20 % decrease and increase of wind shear initial data at 850-200 hPa, and by 10 % to 20 % decrease of relative humidity initial data at 850-700 hPa. The result showed that the negative correlations between wind shear and intensity are found in wind shear scenarios. Wind shears of 10 ms-1 which lead to strengthening of the wind intensity in the early period of Typhoon development are found in wind shear scenarios. The effect of wind shear changes on wind intensity is statistically significant in the 20 % wind shear scenarios. During mature stage, weak wind intensity occurred when wind shear increase as given in the WRF standard-release and the 20 % decreasing scenario. Different situation is found in the 20 % increasing scenario where wind shear tend to weak and lead to strong wind intensity at this stage. Meanwhile, the reduction of moisture supply at 850-700 hPa resulting from 20 % decreasing relative humidity play a major role in the weakening of wind intensity and reduces mechanical energy of the cycle process as much as 300 J kg-1.
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