Formulation and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Rubber Seed Husk Using Physical and Chemical Methods

S.O. Okpo¹ , I. Edeh²

1. Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Delta State University of Science & Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria.
2. Dept. of Chemical Engineering,University of Port-Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.9 , Issue.4 , pp.26-33, Dec-2022

Online published on Dec 31, 2022

Copyright © S.O. Okpo, I. Edeh . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

View this paper at   Google Scholar | DPI Digital Library

XML View     PDF Download

How to Cite this Paper

185 Views    147 Downloads    37 Downloads

Abstract :
Rubber seed husk is currently being discarded as agricultural waste, leading to economic loss. The current work assesses the possibility of converting this waste into activated carbon for potential use as an adsorbent. This was achieved using the physical method at 450oC for 1h and the chemical activation method through a one-step activation process with H3PO4 as the activating agent and an impregnation ratio of 1:1. The physicochemical properties of the formulated activated carbon were investigated, and functional groups were assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results of the physicochemical properties of the formulated activated carbon prepared using the physical method were: bulk density (0.4784 g/mL), pH (6.4), moisture content (0.730%), ash content (29.302%), volatile matter (21.66%), iodine number (16.624 mg/g), and surface area (525.4 m2/g). Results of the physicochemical properties of activated carbon prepared using chemical methods were: bulk density (0.4764 g/mL), pH (6.2), moisture content (0.2976%), ash content (29.302%), volatile matter (28.788%), iodine number (18.009 mg/g), and surface area (563.8m2/g). Regardless of method employed, FTIR investigations have revealed presence of alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, aromatics, amines, amides, carboxylic acids, esters, alkenes, and alkanes in manufactured activated carbon. The obtained result shows that high-quality activated carbon can be formulated from rubber seed husks using either physical or chemical methods.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Activated carbon; Adsorbent; Chemical activation; Physical activation; Pollution, Rubber seed husk; Wastewater.

References :
[1]. P. Susheela, R. Radha, “Production of activated carbon from dry coconut shell and its efficacy in treating waste water”, IJCBS research paper, Vol.1, Issue. 10, pp.1-9, 2015.
[2]. S. Singh, I.J. Chaudhary, P. Kumar, “Utilization of Low-cost Agricultural Waste for Removal of Toxic Metals from Environment: A Review.” Int. J. Sci. Res. In Biological Sciences Vol.6, Issue.4, pp.56-61, 2019. DOI:https://doi.org/10.26438/ijsrbs/v6i4.5661
[3]. M. Gericke, J. Trygg, P. Fardim, “Functional cellulose beads: Preparation, characterization and applications,” Chemical Reviews, Vol 113, issue, 7, pp 4812–4836, 2013.
[4]. S.N. Ndung’u, E.W.Nthiga, R.N. Wanjau, J. Ndiritu, “Adsorption Studies of Lead (II) Ions from a Synthetic Media using Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) Rags: Kinetics, Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Studies”, International Journal of Scientific Research in Research Paper.Chemical Sciences, Vol.8, Issue.4, pp.05-12, 2021.
[5]. M.J. Hao, M.Q. Qiu, H .Yang, B.W. Hu, X.X. Wang, “Recent advances on preparation and environmental applications of MOF-derived carbons in catalysis”, Sci. Total. Environ. Vol. 760, pp.1-114, 2021.
[6]. R. Galvao, A.A. da Silva Moretti, F. Fernandes, E.K. Kuroda, “Post-treatment of stabilized landfill leachate by upflow gravel filtration and granular activated carbon adsorption” Environ. Technol. Vol.42, Issue.26, pp.4179-4188, 2020.
[7]. W. Tongpoothorn, M. Sriuttha, P. Homchan, S. Chanthai, C. Ruangviriyachai, “Preparation of activated carbon derived from Jatropha curcas fruit shell by simple thermo chemical activation and characterization of their physicochemical properties”, Chem. Eng. Res. Des., Vol. 89, pp. 335-340, 2011.
[8]. L. Tan, Z. Ma, K.Yang, Q. Cui, K. Wang, T. Wang, G. Wu, J. Zheng, “Effect of three artificial aging techniques on physicochemical properties and Pb adsorption capacities of different biochars”, Science of The Total Environment, Vol.699,134223, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134223
[9]. V. Fierro, G. Muniz, A.H. Basta, H. El-Saied, A. Celzard, “Rice straw as precursor of activated carbons: activation with ortho-phosphoric acid”, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Vol.181, pp. 27-34, 2010.
[10]. M. Goncalves, C.S. Castro, I.K.V. Boas, F.C. Soler, E.D.C.Pinto, R.L. Lavall, W.A. Carvalho, “Glycerin waste as sustainable precursor for activated carbon production: adsorption properties and application in supercapacitors.”, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Vol.7, Issue. 3, 103059, pp. 1-11, 2019. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2019.103059
[11]. M. Plaza-Recobert, G. Trautwein, M. Pérez-Cadenas, J. Alcañiz-Monge, “Preparation of binderless activated carbon monoliths from cocoa bean husk”, Microporous Mesoporous Mater, Vol.243, pp. 28–38, 2017.
[12]. L.O. Ekebafe, J.E. Imanah, F.E. Okieimen, “Effect of carbonization on the processing characteristics of rubber seed shell”, Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Vol.10, pp.174–178, 2017.
[13]. Y. Sudaryanto, S.B. Hartono, W. Irawaty, H. Hindarso, S. Ismadji, “High surface area activated carbon prepared from cassava peel by chemical activation”, Bioresour. Technol. Vol. 97, No. 5, pp. 734–39, 2006.
[14]. D. Mohan, C.U. Pittman, “Activated carbons and low cost adsorbents for remediation of tri- and hexavalent chromium from water”, J. Hazard. Mater, Vol. 137, Issue. 2, pp. 762–811, 2006. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.06.060
[15]. A. D?browski, P. Podko?cielny, Z. Hubicki, M. Barczak, “Adsorption of phenolic compounds by activated carbon : A critical review”, Chemosphere, Vol. 58, Issue. 8, pp.1049–70, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.09.067
[16]. O. ?ahin, C. Saka, “Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from acorn shell by physical activation with H2O–CO2 in two-step pretreatment”, Bioresour. Technol. Vol. 136, Issue. 3, pp. 163–68, 2013. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.02.074
[17]. M.J. Ahmed, S.K. Theydan, “Physical and chemical characteristics of activated carbon prepared by pyrolysis of chemically treated date stones and its ability to adsorb organics” Powder Technology, Vol .229, pp. 237–245, 2012. http:.doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2012.06.043
[18]. P. Pragya, S. Sripal, Y. Maheshkumar, “Preparation and study of properties of activated carbon produced from agricultural and industrial waste shells” Research Journal of Chemical Sciences, Vol. 3, pp.12-15, 2013.
[19]. P.C. Madu, L. Lajide, “Physicochemical characteristics of activated charcoal derived from melon seed husk”, Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 5, Issue. 5, pp. 94-98, 2013.
[20]. Indonesia National Standard (SNI) 60-3730-1995
[21]. E.T. Evwierhoma, O.D. Madubiko, A. Jaiyeola, “Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from bean husk”, Nigerian Journal of Technology (NIJOTECH), Vol. 37, No.3, pp. 674–678, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v37i3.17
[22]. V.E. Efeovbokhan, E.E. Alagbe1, B. Odika, R. Babalola, T.E. Oladimeji, O.G. Abatan, E.O. Yusuf, “Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from plantain peel and coconut shell using biological activators”, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1378 (2019) 032035, 2019. doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1378/3/032035
[23]. A.M. Abdul Raheem, E.A. Adeoye, “Preparation and characterization of steam activated chicken eggshell for gaseous pollutant adsorption’, Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, Vol. 18, Issue. 1, pp. 31-40, 2022.
[24]. American Society for Testing and Materials-ASTM, Standard for method for determination of iodine number of activated carbon ASTM D 4607-86, Philadelphia, PA: ASTM Committee on Standards, 1986.
[25]. S.M. Anisuzzaman, C.G. Joseph, Y.H. Taufiq-Yap, D. Krishnaiah, V.V. Tay, “Modification of commercial activated carbon for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol from simulated wastewater”, Journal of King Saud University-Science, Vol. 2, Issue. 4, pp. 318-330, 2015.
[26]. F.T. Ademiluyi, E.O. David-West, “Effect of chemical activation on the adsorption of heavy metals using activated carbons from waste materials”, ISRN Chemical Engineering, Vol. 2012, No.1, pp.1-5, 2012.
[27]. E.S. Sanni, M.E. Emetere, J.O. Odigure, V.E. Efeovbokhan, O. Agboola, E.R. Sadiku, “Determination of optimum conditions for the production of activated carbon derived from separate varieties of coconut shells”, Int. J. Chem. Eng. Vol. 2017, pp.1– 16, 2017.
[28]. P. Sugumaran, V.P. Susan, P, Ravichandran, S. Seshadri, “Production and characterization of activated carbon from banana empty fruit bunch and delonix regia fruit pod”, Journal of Sustainable Energy & Environment ,Vol. 3, pp. 125-132, 2012.
[29]. O.A. Ekpete, A.C. Marcus, V. Osi, “Preparation and characterization of activated carbon obtained from plantain (musa paradisiaca) fruit stem”, Journal of Chemistry , Vol. 2017, 6 pages, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8635615.
[30]. S. Siahaan, M. Hutapea, R. Hasibuan, “Penentuan kondisi optimum suhu dan waktu karbonisasi pada pembuatan arang dari sekam padi “, Jurnal Teknik Kimia, Vol. 2, Issue.1, pp.26-30, 2013.
[31]. J. M. Marton, M.G.A. Felipe, E. Almeida, J.B. Silva, A. Pessoa, “Evaluation of the activated charcoals and adsorption conditions used in the treatment of sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate for xylitol production”, Braz. J. Chem. Eng. Vol. 23, Issue. 1, pp. 9-21, 2006.
[32]. O.A. Ekpete, M.J.N.R. Horsfall, “Preparation and characterization of activated carbon derived from fluted pumpkin stem waste (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F)”, Research Journal of Chemical Sciences, 1(3), 10-17, 2011.
[33]. R. Malik, D. Ramteke, S. Water, “Physico-chemical and surface characterization of adsorbent prepared from groundnut shell by ZnCl2 activation and its ability to adsorb colour”, Indian Journal of Chemical Technology. Vol. 13, pp. 329-333, 2006.
[34]. A. Nyamful, E.K. Nyogbe, L. Mohammed, M.N. Zainudeen, S.A. Darkwa, I. Phiri, M. Mohammed, J.M. Ko, “Processing and characterization of activated carbon from coconut shell and palm kernel shell waste by H3PO4 activation”, Ghana Journal of Science, Vol. 61, Issue. 2, pp. 91104,2020. https://Dx.Doi.Org/10.4314/Gjs.V61i2.9
[35]. A. Ahmad, H.M Al-Swaidan, A.H. Alghamdi, “Production of activated carbon from raw date palm fronds by Zncl2 activation”, J. Chem. Soc. Pak., Vol. 37, Issue. 6, pp. 1081-1087, 2015.
[36]. M.M. Aji, B. Gutti, B.K. Highina, “Production and characterization of activated carbon (ac) from groundnut shell and its application in water treatment”, University of Maiduguri, Faculty of Engineering Seminar Series, Vol. 8, pp.91-98, 2017.
[37]. D. Anis, M.A.M Ishak, A.G. Zaidi, I. Khudzir, M.N. Iqbaldin, M.O. Uwaisulqarni, W.I Nawawi, “Production of rubber seed pericarp based activated carbon using microwave-induced different chemical activating agent”, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Vol. 4, Issue 7, pp.1-8, 2014.
[38]. J.T. Nwabanne, P.K. Igbokwe, “Preparation of activated carbon from nipa palm nut: influence of preparation conditions”, Research Journal of Chemical Sciences, Vol. 1, Issue. 6, pp. 53-58, 2011.
[39]. A.B.D. Nandiyanto, R.Oktiani, R. Ragadhita, “ How to Read and Interpret FTIR Spectroscope of Organic Material”, Indonesian Journal of Science & Technology, Volume 4, Issue 1, pp. 97-118, 2019.
[40]. O. Hayet, G. Najes, “Removal of Cd (II) from Phosphoric Acid Solution by Adsorbents: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies”, Chemical Science Transactions, vol. 2, 357, 2013.
[41]. J. Barkauskas, M. Dervinyte, “An investigation of the functional groups on the surface of activated carbons”, J.Serb.Chem.Soc. volume 69, issue 5, pp. 363–375, 2004.
[42]. K. Ahmida , M. Darmoon, F. Al-Tohami, M. Erhayem, M. Zidan, “Effect of physical and chemical preparation on characteristics of activated carbon from agriculture solid waste and their potential application”, International Conference on Chemical, Civil and Environmental Engineering (CCEE-2015), pp. 83-87, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.15242/IICBE.C0615015
[43]. V. Strelko Jr, D.J. Malik, M. Streat, “Characterisation of the surface of oxidised carbon adsorbents”, Carbon , Vol. 40, Issue. 1, pp. 95-104, 2002.
[44]. R. Xie, Y. Jin, Y. Chen, W. Jiang, “The importance of surface functional groups in the adsorption of copper onto walnut shell derived activated carbon”, Water Science and Technology, Vol. 76, pp. 3022-3034, 2017.
[45]. Y. Bian, Z.Y. Bian, J.X. Zhang, A.Z. Ding, S.L. Liu, H. Wang, “Effect of the oxygen-containing functional group of graphene oxide on the aqueous cadmium ions removal”, Applied Surface Science, Vol. 329, pp.269-275, 2015.
[46]. H.Y. Wang, B. Gao, S.S. Wang, J. Fang, Y.W. Xue, K. Yang, “Removal of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions by biochar derived from KMnO4 treated hickory wood”, Bioresource Technology, Vol. 197, pp. 356-362, 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.132