Preparation of chitosan composite film using activated carbon from oil palm empty fruit bunch for Cd2+ removal from water

Abstract

Preparation of chitosan composite film using activated carbon had been successfully conducted. Activated carbon was produced by pyrolysis process of oil palm empty fruit bunch. The chitosan composite films were prepared by varying activated carbon content. The obtained chitosan composite films were charactherized by tensile test, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electon Microscope (SEM). Tensile test results showed content of activated carbon influenced the tensile strength of chitosan film. Adsorption study was conducted with various contact time, pH and initial concentration of Cd 2+ . Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to describe the mechanism of Cd 2+ adsorption by chitosan composite film. The maximum adsorption capacity based on Langmuir isoterm model (Q) was 333.33 mg/g. Regeneration study showed the chitosan composite film exhibited higher performance than pure chitosan film.