Open AccessPreparation and characterization of activated carbon from plantain peel and coconut shell using biological activators
Author(s) -
Vincent E Efeovbokhan,
Edith Egbimhanlu. Alagbe,
B. Odika,
Rasheed Babalola,
Temitayo E Oladimeji,
Olubunmi G. Abatan,
Esther O. Yusuf
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1378/3/032035
Subject(s) - activated carbon , potassium hydroxide , carbonization , raw material , methylene blue , chemistry , carbon fibers , environmentally friendly , pyrolysis , adsorption , pulp and paper industry , potash , nuclear chemistry , banana peel , waste management , chemical engineering , potassium , organic chemistry , materials science , food science , composite material , catalysis , ecology , photocatalysis , composite number , engineering , biology
A concern over the toxicity of chemicals used during the activation stage in the preparation of activated carbon is beginning to gain attention. The study therefore looked into the possibility of using bio-activators (lemon juice and potash leached from the peel of unripe plantain) as activating chemicals, for environmentally friendly activated carbon. Coconut shell and the peel from unripe plantain were used as feedstock and pyrolyzed at 400 and 450 °c. An impregnation ratio of 0.25:1 was used while laboratory grade potassium hydroxide was used as a base activating agent as a control setup. Characterization of the activated carbon was carried out using parameters like bulk density and yield which were obtained using standard procedures. Results showed that activating carbon using bio-activators as activating agents had very good characteristics when compared with the control. Bio-activators are therefore recommended for the production of bio based activated carbon especially in the fields of medicine, food and pharmaceuticals. The effect of carbonization temperature on adsorption efficiency and pore structure were investigated using methylene blue as adsorbate and SEM respectively