Jackfruit Peel Derived Zncl2-Impregnated Activated Carbon: Optimization, Characterization, and Application in Dye Removal

Abstract

Utilization of fine-grained Jackfruit peel (agricultural waste) as the precursor for the production of activated carbon by chemical activation method and application in dye removal. Response surface methodology accompanied with Box behnken design assessed and optimized the synthesis process parameters (carbonization temperature, activation time, and impregnation ratio of ZnCl2 to precursor). The responses analyzed were iodine adsorption value and yield percentage of the synthesized activated carbon. The characterization of optimized activated carbon was done by SEM-EDX, FTIR, and XRD. Further wielded as an adsorbent for the removal of Remazol golden yellow (RGY) dye from aqueous solution. The results proclaimed that activated carbon of yield 46.16% and iodine adsorption value of 1090.44 mg/g was obtained by optimizing the synthesis parameters to a carbonization temperature of 603 ℃, activation time of 89 minute, and impregnation ratio of 0.74. Maximum percentage removal of RGY was attained to be 97 %. Freundlich isotherm model and Pseudo second order model represented the experimental data better. The carbon illustrated the potential to be utilized for at least 5 times with higher removal efficiency.