Synthesis and characterization of biochar from crab shell by pyrolysis

Abstract

Carapace, which is part of the crab shell exoskeletons were analysed through structural and chemical methods. This material was compared between grinded and ungrinded process. This two processes resulted product called biochar. SEM-EDS, FT-Ir, XRD, TG-DSC, AAS, and PSA were conducted to characterized biochar. The SEM images showed different in biochar particles size. The composition of biochar differ for each pyrolyzed temperature, where Ca was the dominant element and C was the poor element. FT-Ir spectra provided different spectra for biochar prepared at 500-600 °C and biochar prepared at 700-900 °C. XRD data showed that calcite and lime-based biochar depend on pyrolyzed temperature. Thermal analysis generated that biochar decomposed into three main stages. Otherwise, biochar through grinded step give resemble result as like biochar without grinded step, but has smaller particle size, which means grinded process did not give significant effect both structural and chemical composition, but give any effect on particle size. Furthermore, these study indicate that biochar potentially can be used as adsorbent.