Quality comparison of activated carbon produced from oil palm fronds by chemical activation using sodium carbonate versus sodium chloride

Abstract

Using Na2CO3 versus NaCl as chemical activator, we compared the quality of activated carbon produced from oil palm fronds as raw material. These activators were selected for comparison because both are readily available and are environmentally friendly. In the manufacturing, we used Indonesian National Standard (SNI 06-3730-1995) parameters. For the quality comparison, we determined activated-carbon yield, moisture, ash, volatiles, and fixed-carbon contents; and adsorption capacity of iodine. The best characteristics, assessed by morphological surface analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis, were observed in the carbon activated by Na2CO3 at an activator concentration of 10% and carbonization temperature of 400 °C. The results were as follows: activated-carbon yield, 84%; water content, 8.80%; ash content, 2.20%; volatiles content, 14.80%; fixed-carbon content, 68.60%; and adsorption capacity of iodine, 888.51 mg/g. Identification using the FTIR spectrophotometer showed the presence of the functional groups O-H, C=O, C=C, C-C, and C-H in the Na2CO3-activated carbon.