Preparation of Activated Carbon Palm Kernel Shell Using NaOH/Ultrasonication Activation as an Adsorbent of Naphtol Dyes
Intan Lestari, Sultan Leofayuda, Rendi Apriansyah, Nurul Pratiwi

Program Study of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Jambi

Abstract

Liquid waste of synthetic dyes from textile and batik industries contains dyes such as naphthol which are difficult to degrade naturally, are toxic and have the potential to cause negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The manufacture of activated palm shell carbon using NaOH and ultrasonication has been carried out for the absorption of naphthol dyes. The study was conducted by activating carbon with 2M NaOH and physical activation through ultrasonication at a frequency of 40 kHz for 30 minutes. Characterization of activated carbon was carried out through proximate analysis to determine the content of water, ash, volatile, and fixed carbon. Analysis with a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) instrument to identify the functional groups of activated carbon, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to see the surface morphology and ImageJ software analysis to see the average pore size distribution. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups -OH, C-O, and aromatic C=C which play a role in the adsorption process, while SEM results showed a carbon surface with more open pores and increased after activation. The adsorption test of naphthol dye solution showed optimum capacity at pH 4 condition with adsorption capacity of 1.957 mg/g, contact time of 30 minutes with Q = 1.990 and naphthol absorption concentration increased to 300 mg/L with Q = 20.590 mg/g.

Keywords: Activated carbon, palm kernel shell, ultrasonication, adsorption, naphtol.

Topic: Chemistry and Applied Chemistry