Optimisation of durian peel based activated carbon preparation conditions for dye removal

Abstract

Agricultural wastes are considered to be a very important feedstock for activated carbon production as they are renewable sources and low cost materials. This study present the optimize conditions for preparation of durian peel activated carbon (DPAC) for removal of methylene blue (MB) from synthetic effluents. The effects of carbonization temperature (from 673K to 923K) and impregnation ratio (from 0.2 to 1.0) with potassium hydroxide KOH on the yield, surface area and the dye adsorbed capacity of the activated carbons were investigated. The dye removal capacity was evaluated with methylene blue. In comparison with the commercial grade carbons, the activated carbons from durian peel showed considerably higher surface area especially in the suitable temperate and impregnation ratio of activated carbon production. Methylene blue removal capacity appeared to be comparable to commercial products; it shows the potential of durian peel as a biomass source to produce adsorbents for waste water treatment and other application. Optimize condition for preparation of DPAC determined by using response surface methodology was at temperature 760 K and IR 1.0 which resulted the yield (51%), surface area (786 m2/g), and MB removal (172 mg/g).