Effect of time and temperature on the physicochemical characteristics of bamboo-derived activated carbon

Desiccant silica gel on the market contains dangerous ingredients and poses a suffocation hazard. Activated carbon can serve as an alternative solution for incorporating hazardous compounds into food packaging materials to adsorb and remove oxygen and moisture. This study had three objectives, namely, to prepare activated carbon using bamboo (Gigantochloa albociliata) at different time and temperature. To study the effect of time and temperature on the physicochemical characteristics of bamboo-derived activated carbon. To study the effect of time and temperature on the morphological properties of bamboo-derived activated carbon. The bamboo (Gigantochloa albociliata) was cut into 1.5-2 cm pieces, dried and thoroughly mixed well with a potassium carbonate (K2CO3) solution. The activation temperature in furnace was performed for 400°C, 600°C, and 800°C, it was controlled invariably for a given period of time, 1h, 1.5h, and 2hrs. FTIR analysis identified frequency peak of each functional group. The wavelength of AC 400 °C/1 hr was examined at range 1108.56 cm-1 to 3355.65 cm-1, and there were 6 functional compounds found. The wavelength of AC 600 °C/1.5 hrs was examined at range 533.71 cm-1 to 2359.35 cm-1, and there were 8 functional compounds found. The wavelength of AC 800 °C/2 hrs was examined at range 2082.31 cm-1 to 2322.95 cm-1 and there were 2 functional compounds found. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) confirmed the surface morphology. EDX determined the elemental composition of bamboo-derived activated carbon. BET surface area of activated carbon was obtained total pore volume for AC 400 °C/1 hr was 3.498×10-3 cc/g while AC 800 °C/2 hrs yielded 4.912×10-2 cc/g. AC 800 °C/2 hrs produced a high surface area value of 74.972 m²/g. AC 400 °C/1 hr yielded a low surface area value of 1.962 m²/g. XRD analysis was obtained two distinct broad peaks located at around 24° and 43.6°, determined crystalline structure where were 29.8%, 26.9%, and 28.2%, respectively. Bamboo-derived activated carbon has the potential to be marketed as a natural plant desiccant in the future.