Effect of Sulfuric Acid Activator in Banana Stem Activated Carbon for Fe Adsorption

Abstract

Banana pseudo stem is one of a rich and inexpensive natural source of cellulose. Its value can be increased as a sustainable and ecofriendly material for activated carbon which can be used to remove Fe from raw water. Adsorption system is a suitable technology which can be used in rural area that rely on groundwater. Therefore, this study was aim to developed an activated carbon to adsorbed Fe from groundwater. Synthesis of carbon active was carried out by washing to remove sap and soluble components, drying at 105oC for 3 hours, carbonization at 400oC for 30 minutes, activation using H2SO4 or NaCl, and neutralization. This research was conducted to study the effect of activator concentration at 0.3 M; 0.5 M; and 0.7 M related to iodine number of activated carbon and its ability to adsorb Fe. Fe concentration was determined by using atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AAS). This study shows that using 0.3 M H2SO4 activator gives the best result in both terms with iodine number value 58.23 mg/g and 80.85% Fe was adsorbed.