In this study, different amount of hydroxyapatite (HAP) was embedded into polyethersulfone (PES) matrix to prepare adsorptive mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). All fabricated membranes were characterised based on functional groups, morphology, overall porosity, water content, hydrophilicity and pure water flux. The relationship of equilibrium and kinetics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption onto fabricated membrane in a batch system was performed. The BSA adsorption equilibrium data is best described by Freundlich isotherm model followed by Langmuir isotherm model. The kinetics of the adsorption is well presented by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and followed by pseudo-first-order kinetic model. Among all membranes, fabricated PES/ HAP adsorptive MMM (K4) produced with 60 wt% HAP shows the best characteristic of membrane with higher water content, porosity and hydrophilicity, demonstrating the higher average pure water flux, j w of 29.12 m 2 l -1 h -1 ± 0.6 m 2 l -1 h -1 , adsorption capacity, q e of 26.54 (g BSA.g membrane -1 ) and adsorption kinetic rate, k 2 of 0.814 (h -1 ). The reusability of K4 membrane shows the most effective regeneration compare than other membrane. The results suggested that the PES/HAP adsorptive MMM can be effectively applied for the adsorption of BSA from aqueous solution and can offer high potential merit for application in membrane adsorption process.

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Metal-supported catalysts synthesized using a conventional impregnation method are usually suffered from non-uniform distribution and agglomeration of catalyst particles. In this work, in situ glycine-nitrate combustion method has been explored to synthesize Ni catalyst supported on palm oil fuel ash (Ni–POFA). The properties and performance of the catalyst were compared with one produced using impregnation method. Effects of pre-treatment and catalyst preparation method have been investigated and characterizations of POFA and Ni–POFA catalysts were performed using XRF, XRD, BET surface area, FESEM and TGA. Catalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated for methane cracking at 550 °C. Results showed that pre-treatment has improved the composition of SiO2 in POFA from 42.4 to 72.0%. Ni–POFA catalyst synthesized using in situ glycine-nitrate combustion method exhibited a good catalytic performance during the methane cracking with an initial H2 yield of 6.4%. This was attributed to high Ni metal dispersion on POFA support. Nevertheless, the degradation of CH4 conversion for this particular catalyst was more significant than one produced using impregnation method. Catalyst prepared using in situ glycine-nitrate combustion was active towards carbon formation, thus led to an obvious formation of carbon on the catalyst surface. Additionally, catalyst preparation method influenced the type of carbon formed on the spent Ni–POFA catalysts.

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