Preparation of activated carbon from mixed peels of fruits with chemical activation (K_2CO_3) - application in adsorptive removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution

摘要

This work explores the feasibility of mixed peels of fruits as a precursor for the preparation of activated carbon by carbonisation process with chemical activation by K_(2)CO_(3). The process variables of carbonisation such as carbonisation temperature, time and chemical impregnation ratio on the carbon yield and adsorption capacity were optimised. The morphological structure and textural characteristics of produced activated carbon were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The optimum conditions for preparation of activated carbon were as follows: At carbonisation temperature of 525°C and 75 min of carbonisation time, yield of carbon was 40.83%. In addition, prepared activated carbon was used as adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions under various initial concentrations and carbon dosage. The maximum adsorption capacity of activated carbon was identified to be 59.5 mg/g in a 500 ppm solution.