Synthesis of Activated Carbon from Coconut Shell and Recycled Styrofoam Nanofiber for Water Filtration

Authors

Rahma Dani, Master of Physics Education, Universitas Sriwijaya, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia.
Ismet Ismet, Master of Physics Education, Universitas Sriwijaya, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia.
Leni Marlina, Master of Physics Education, Universitas Sriwijaya, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia.
Rona Alisya, Departement of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia
Muhamad Abel Kirana Aldi, Departement of Mining Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia
Anggi Ludiansyah, Departement of Biology Education, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia
Lintang Auliya Kurdiati, Departement of Physics Education, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia
Meutia Kamilatun Nuha AP Idjan, Departement of Medicine, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia
Agung Mataram, Master of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia
Muhammad Rama Almafie, Doctoral of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, Indonesia
Ida Sriyanti, Master of Physics Education, Universitas Sriwijaya, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indralaya 30862, IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

Water pollution affects life sustainability; hence, several efforts have been exerted to overcome this problem. For ex-ample, nanofiber membrane technology is introduced to retain solutes while allowing only water molecules to pass through the system. Therefore, this study aimed to maximize the technology for water filtration using the electrospin-ning method by combining Styrofoam waste-based polymer with activated carbon from coconut shell waste (ACCS). The nanofiber diameter produced ranged from 590 nm to 610 nm with porous characteristics and without beads. The carbon content varied from 68.04% to 69.84%, according to the energy dispersive X-ray measurement, demonstrating the composite’s effectiveness. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results also indicated carbonization and activation, along with water removal, associated with O-H stretching vibrations of alcohol and phenol, as well as N-H stretching vibrations of amino bonds. Moreover, the mechanical properties were measured using a single-fiber tensile test on X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis, and Young’s modulus was successfully maintained at 3,209.15 ± 632.877 and 1,839.12 ± 212.637 kPa due to the material amorphous nature. The contact angles were 126.5° and 131°, demon-strating ultra-hydrophobic properties. The addition of ACCS has led to a superior porosity structure for waste filtration. The clean water permeability test also showed that the membrane can withstand a 1–4 bar pressure for 15–60 seconds, demonstrating its strength in resisting water resistance. The trend shows the capacity of the material to potentially func-tion as a superior candidate for water filtration.

Recommended Citation

Dani, Rahma; Ismet, Ismet; Marlina, Leni; Alisya, Rona; Aldi, Muhamad Abel Kirana; Ludiansyah, Anggi; Kurdiati, Lintang Auliya; Idjan, Meutia Kamilatun Nuha AP; Mataram, Agung; Almafie, Muhammad Rama; and Sriyanti, Ida (2024) "Synthesis of Activated Carbon from Coconut Shell and Recycled Styrofoam Nanofiber for Water Filtration," Makara Journal of Science: Vol. 28: Iss. 4, Article 9.
DOI: 10.7454/mss.v28i4.2284
Available at: https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/science/vol28/iss4/9