The Surface Properties of Activated Carbon Prepared from the Trunk, Root and Peel of Cassava

Abstract

This research studied to appropriate condition for production of activated carbon from trunk,
root, and peel of cassava. The effects of carbonized and activated temperature and ratio of the
charcoal per the phosphoric acid were studied. The products were analyzed for physical and
chemical properties, eg. moisture, iodine number, and by FTIR, SEM and XRD. It was found that
the appropriate temperature for carbonization to obtain low functional group of charcoal is 700??C.
The production of activated carbon from trunk, root and peel charcoal were activated with 85%
H3PO4 (charcoal : acid = 1:1 by the weight by volume) and activated temperatures at 700??C and 800??
C. After the produces were demineralized with concentrated HCl and HF solution, the moisture
content and iodine number of activated carbon from cassava root at 700oC and 800oC are 6.23% and
609.6 mg/g and 1.17% and 602.9 mg/g respectively, and for cassava peel activated carbon are 5.23%
and 910.2 mg/g and 0.64% and 904.0 mg/g respectively. From FTIR spectra, the functional group of
activated carbon is lesser than the charcoal. It was found that the charcoal showed regular particle
size with a few riddled holes. However, after activation process, the micropore of activated carbon
was increased. The result of XRD was showed that the activated carbon is amorphous carbon with
some phosphate.

Keywords: charcoal, activated carbon, cassava, trunk, root, peel