Optimization study on removal of Methylene Blue by using activated carbon from oil palm trunk

Activated carbon (AC) are well known as good adsorbent and widely used for various applications in industries. The AC has high adsorption capacity, inherent porosity, high carbon content and filterability. AC is a member of family of carbons that can be made of carbonaceous raw material from oil palm trunk. The purpose of this study was to synthesize and characterize the activated carbon from oil palm trunk using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared- Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) Spectrometer. Response Surface System (RSM) was used to determine the optimum parameters for the suitable adsorption of activated carbon. The AC from oil palm trunk was produced by using chemical activation method, which was at first need to carbonize at 500ᵒC for 3 hours to form biochar. Biochar gone to activation process from chemical agent of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) to transform into activated carbon. The rate of dye removal can be determined by Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS). The result showed the highest range percentage of removal in RSM system was obtained which was 97.98% when the parameters used were 1.5 g of adsorbent dosage, 200 ppm of dye concentration and 2 hours in contact time. This study indicates that oil palm trunk can be one of the adsorbent for adsorption process that can be used for environmental purpose.