High-performance [EMIM][Tf₂N]-grafted silica/polysulfone hybrid membranes for enhanced CO₂/CH₄ separation: An experimental and computational approach Mehtab Ali Darban, Serene Sow Mun Lock, Waqar Hussain, Sharjeel Waqas, Lam Ghai Lim, Irene Sow Mei Lock, Dun-Yen Kang, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Zhen Hong Ban, Chung Loong Yiin, Suhaib Umer Ilyas, Loh Jia Cheng Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2026 Background Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) containing three components consisting of a polymeric continuous phase, a solid inorganic material, and an ionic liquid are widely explored for CO₂ removal from natural gas to increase energy content, reduce corrosion, and enable safer utilization. However, most of the previous studies have relied on physically blended or impregnated ionic liquids (ILs), which suffer from leaching and membrane instability, ultimately limiting their separation performance. Moreover, experimental methods alone cannot fully explain gas transport mechanisms or interactions between polymers, fillers, and gases with sorption sites. Methods This work employs a grafting strategy to covalently support 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIM][Tf₂N]) onto silica surface (IL-Si), ensuring long-term stability, uniform dispersion, improved compatibility between polymer and filler, and enhanced gas separation performance. Hybrid membranes with filler contents ranging from 5 to 20 wt.% were experimentally fabricated and analysed from an atomistic perspective using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Significant Findings The IL-functionalized filler enhanced interfacial adhesion, as evidenced by increased thermal stability with delayed degradation and improved glass transition temperature (T g ) from 181.5 to 189.46 °C, reflecting stronger polymer-filler interactions. At 10 wt.% IL-Si, the membrane achieved a CO₂ permeability of 25 Barrer and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity of 37, representing 246% and 208% improvements over neat polysulfone (PSF). Compared to non-modified silica/PSF, the permeability and selectivity improved by 140% and 40%, respectively. MD simulations, with <10% deviation, confirmed [Tf₂N]⁻ anions enhance CO₂ sorption while [EMIM]⁺ cations strengthen filler dispersion and compatibility. Based on this, future work needs to focus on testing functionalized ILs, scaling up fabrication, assessing long-term stability under harsh conditions, and expanding membrane studies to other relevant gas pairs.
Sustainable Utilization of Phoenix Date Palm Biomass via Extraction of Lignin Using Pyridinium-Based Protic Ionic Liquid Aymn Abdulrahman, Tazien Rashid, Khuram Maqsood, Rizwan Nasir, Ahmed Aljehani, Mohammed A. Almarshoud, Eeyad Alahmadi, Suhaib Umer Ilyas ACS Omega, 2026 Lignin is a renewable biopolymer widely available in industrial crops, yet its efficient separation and valorization remain challenging due to its heterogeneous structure derived from coniferyl, sinapyl, and p-coumaryl alcohol units. Its properties vary with the biomass type and extraction method. This study investigates lignin extraction from four Saudi date palm leaf varieties (Ajwa, Safawi, Amber, and Rabia) using a newly synthesized protic ionic liquid (PIL) composed of a pyridinium cation and formate anion. Extraction was carried out at temperatures ranging from 25 to 125 °C for 1 to 6 h. The PIL achieved high lignin recovery, up to 90%, under mild conditions (75 °C, 3 h), while also enabling subsequent cellulose pulp saccharification. In the second stage, extracted lignin samples were characterized using structural, thermal, and morphological analysis techniques in a comparative approach. It was concluded that PIL-treated lignin resulted in enhanced phenolic and aromatic contents with increased thermal stability, making it a suitable biofuel. The findings highlight date palm leaves as a low-cost lignin source suitable for pharmaceutical applications and the development of bionanocomposites with enhanced thermal performance.
Crosslinked PES/chitosan membranes with Ni-MAF-6 MOF incorporation for efficient CO2separation Mustafa Alsaady, Muhammad Faisal Usman, Hafiz Abdul Mannan, Serene Sow Mun Lock, Aymn Abdulrahman, Suhaib Umer Ilyas E Polymers, 2026 A novel series of high-performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were engineered by fabricating the Ni-MAF-6 metal-organic framework nanoparticles (5–25 wt%) into polyethersulfone (PES)/chitosan matrix crosslinked with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTEOS). FTIR spectroscopy confirmed successful crosslinking and chemical integration of Ni-MAF-6 without degradation of the polymer matrix while SEM revealed uniform filler dispersion and defect-free morphology up to 20 wt% loading. TGA results demonstrated enhancement in thermal stability with increasing MOF content and mechanical testing verified the retention of structural integrity and flexibility despite high filler content. Gas permeation studies showed that CO 2 permeability as well as CO 2 /N 2 selectivity improved consistently with Ni-MAF-6 loading which is driven by the MOF’s high CO 2 adsorption capacity, chitosan’s selective barrier properties, and APTEOS-induced interfacial densification. The optimized PCNM-20 membrane achieved a CO 2 permeability of 39.2 barrer and a selectivity of 86.8 exceeding Robeson upper bound 2008 line and below 2019 line.
Multifunctional cellulose acetate-based smart films with ZIF-8 and curcumin oil for sustainable packaging applications Mahnoor Ali Asim, Hafiz Abdul Mannan, Mustafa Alsaady, Ningbo Gao, Aymn Abdulrahman, Abdullah Bin Mahfouz, Suhaib Umer Ilyas E Polymers, 2026 Biopolymer based cellulose acetate films were developed as a potential eco-friendly alternative to food packaging materials. Cellulose acetate films were synthesized and modified by incorporating ZIF-8 nanoparticles (0.1–0.5 %) along with curcumin oil to enhance their functional properties. Different characterization techniques were performed to check and evaluate physicochemical and barrier properties. The films showed high protection against UV-Vis light by ZIF-8 incorporation along with excellent mechanical properties. WVP and AP testing showed that the barrier properties of the films improved substantially to reach 1.74 g/m 2 ·h WVTR with 3.9 mm/s air permeability. Additionally, these films proved their durability in mechanical tests by showing higher tensile strength and elongation at break. These films also demonstrated excellent antioxidant activities. The application of curcumin oil-based films is suitable for protecting dry or processed food because they exhibit resistance against moisture and air penetration.
Optimization of flexural strength in fly ash-based geopolymers through response surface methodology Ahmer Ali Siyal, Rashidah Mohamed Hamidi, Rashid M. Shamsuddin, Radin Maya Saphira Radin Mohamed, Suhaib Umer Ilyas Journal of Umm Al Qura University for Engineering and Architecture, 2025 Geopolymers possess very good compressive strength, but their low toughness and flexural strength inhibit them from various structural and non-structural applications. The geopolymers with better flexural strength would perform better in coating applications. The synthesis parameters of geopolymers and curing conditions play an important role in enhancing the flexural strength of geopolymers. Few studies have been reported on the optimization of the flexural strength of fly ash geopolymers; however, no study has been reported on the optimization of the flexural strength of fly ash geopolymers by varying mixing speed, mixing time, sodium hydroxide concentration, and curing temperature and time. This paper investigates the flexural strength optimization of fly ash-based geopolymer through response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD). The parameters of mixing speed and mixing time (250–600 rotations per minute (rpm) and 5–15 min), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration (8–12 M), and curing temperature and curing time (40–80 ℃ and 1–28 days) were varied. Two separate optimizations of mixing conditions and synthesis and curing conditions were conducted. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results of both optimizations showed the coefficient of determination (R2) and F-values of 0.9601 and 0.9887 and 33.72 and 97.17, respectively, and p-values of less than 0.05, and a non-significant lack of fit were obtained which showed well-fitting of the data to the quadratic model with a confidence level of 95%. The mixing speed and mixing time of 492 rpm and 10 min were found optimum in the first optimization, which resulted in the flexural strength of 10.45 MPa and the NaOH concentration, curing temperature, and curing time of 12 M, 80 ˚C, and 24 h respectively were found optimum in the second optimization which resulted in the optimum flexural strength of 15.23 MPa. The multi-parameter optimization through RSM enhanced the flexural strength of fly ash-based geopolymer, which shows that mixing conditions, synthesis parameters, and curing conditions play a significant role in flexural strength development of geopolymer. An enhanced flexural strength of fly ash geopolymers would improve their application in structural and non-structural applications.
Case studies in decarbonization of the petroleum industry Nawal Noshad, Suhaib Umer Ilyas, Shwetank Krishna, Serene Sow Mun Lock, Syahrir Ridha Decarbonizing the Petroleum Industry Current Status Ongoing Activities and Future Prospects, 2025
New analytical approach for predicting surge/swab pressure gradient using mud clinging effect and frictional pressure losses: For yield power law fluid Offshore Technology Conference Asia 2020 Otca 2020, 2020
