Synthesis of mesoporous carbon from sulfonated modified crude palm oil as adsorbents of heavy metal Cu2+ and Cd2+

Abstract

Sawdust of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB/TKKS (Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit)) as a waste product from oil palm plants could be used as mesoporous carbon which was used as an adsorbent for Cu2+ and Cd2+ metal ions because it was a lignocellulose compound which had a hydroxyl (OH) functional group that could bind metals. This adsorption ability could be increased by delignification and sulfonated treatment of OPEFB (TKKS) sawdust. The treatment shown that activated OPEFB carbon can achieve maximum adsorption that is close to activated carbon.