Characterization Of Microwave Activated Carbon Derived From The Mixture Of Palm Kernel And Coconut Shells

CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROWAVE ACTIVATED CARBON DERIVED FROM THE MIXTURE OF PALM KERNEL AND COCONUT SHELLS

Abstract

Activated Carbon (AC) was created using palm kernel and coconut shells and microwave-assisted NaCl/CaCl2 chemical activation with a 700W microwave and a 20-minute exposure time. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), moisture content, ash content, and an adsorption study were used to evaluate the activated carbon samples.

According to Tierney et al. (2006), all of the samples have moisture contents that are less than 70%, which means that the samples are not absorbing as much moisture. Sample E of activated carbon had the lowest moisture content of the samples at 6.50% and the lowest amount of ash at 3.66%, indicating that sample E is excellent for adsorption.

Methylene blue (MB), a representative adsorbate, was used to measure the adsorptive qualities of the AC samples. With a maximum adsorption capacity of 333.3 mg/g, the results demonstrated that the adsorption capabilities of the AC samples for MB fit well in the Langmuir model of adsorption.The porosity of activated carbon, whose development was regulated by microwave power and the presence of activating chemicals for impregnation, had an impact on the adsorption capacity.

Compared to the other prepared samples, Sample E exhibits a cleaner pore structure in the SEM, higher volume of pores, and better pore structures with less agglomeration, making it more suitable for adsorption.

In XRD characterisation, the existence of erratic X-Ray diffractogram patterns can be explained by the samples’ amorphous condition. In Sample E, there was a sharp peak at 26.5° that corresponds to CaCl2, as well as high peaks at two theta 31.5° and 45.0° that correlate to NaCl.The results showed that a mixture of activated carbon generated from palm kernel and coconut shells could be used to remove colors and/or pollutants from wastewater in general and to remove MB in particular.