Study of adsorption isotherms on removal of Cu (II) solution using activated carbon of sugar palm fruit shell (Arenga pinnata)

Abstract

Sugar palm fruit shells (SPFS) are abundant agricultural waste in Indonesia especially in Aceh. It can be converted into activated carbon for heavy metal adsorption. This objective of this work is to study the maximum capacity of activated carbon derived from SPFS for copper ions adsorption. The sample size of 100 mesh was activated physically via heating at a temperature of 600 °C for 2 hours. The Cu (II) metal ions of 30, 70, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 ppm were prepared for the process. The prepared adsorbent was tested by adding a certain amount of copper sulphate concentration, 1 gr of adsorbent, and a contact time of 90 minutes. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX) used in this work. The copper ions were calculated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Both isotherm Langmuir and Freundlich models were utilized in this process. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm was found to be the fittest model isotherm with the adsorption capacitity of Cu(II) of 4,66 mg/g, mg/g, n = 1.02 with R2 = 0,97,9713. The activated carbon from sugar palm fruit shell has the potency being used for removal of copper contaminants.