Carbon electrode based on durian shell: Effects concentration of chemical activator agent (Potassium hydroxide)

Abstract

This study aims to determine the optimum concentration of KOH activators in the preparation process of carbon electrodes made of durian shell. The electrode preparation process begins with pre-carbonization at 250 °C for 2.5 hours, followed by ball milling for 20 hours to find carbon powder with particle size ranging from 39 to 52 μm. Then the chemical activation using KOH activator agent with concentration variation of 0.5 M, 0.6 M, 0.7 M, 0.8 M, 0.9 M and 1.0 M. conversion of activated carbon powder into pellet is done with a hydraulic press at 8-ton pressure. Different KOH concentrations affect the physical properties of carbon electrodes such as dimensions, crystallinity properties, carbon content and also effects on capacitor properties such as capacitance, energy, and strength. The optimum concentration KOH was found as high as 0.7 M, indicated by the optimal capacitor properties such as capacitance, energy, and power. capacitance, energy and optimum strength are found as high as 1.87 F, 3.09 Whkg -1 , and 22.29 W kg -1 .