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Two raw materials, sago palm bark (SPB) and date pits, were utilized as precursors to prepare high porosity activated carbon (AC). The porosity of these two raw materials was compared with that of commercial AC made from coconut shells. The physicochemical activation method was used for AC preparation, and it consisted of two steps, carbonization and activation. The activation process was performed using zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as an activation agent. N2 adsorption-desorption analysis was carried out to characterize the porosity of AC. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted for the two raw materials. The adsorbent made from SPB, which showed the maximum surface area of 1634 m 2 /g at the 700 °C activation temperature for one hour, while the surface area of prepared AC from date pits was 1367 m 2 /g. Both prepared ACs had a larger surface area than commercial AC made with coconut shell (1348 m 2 /g).

Abstract. This study aimed to use sago palm bark to formulate a new adsorbent activated carbon (AC) contains highly surface area through physicochemical method via ZnCl2 activation. Conduction of the activation process was performed at varying impregnation ratios (0.5-2.0). Thermal decomposition was determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Porosity characterizations of AC were conducted by using N2 adsorption-desorption in order to characterise properties like pore volume, surface area, and micropore volume. To detect the presence of functional groups which were found on the surface of AC, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was utilised. Morphology of AC was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Experimental results showed that maximum AC surface area was 1737 m 2 /g. Activation temperature was revealed to be 700 o C, with chemical impregnation ratio of zinc chloride to a precursor equal to 1.5/1.

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