Nipah (Musa Acuminata Balbisiana) banana peel as a lignocellulosic precursor for activated carbon: characterization study after carbonization process with phosphoric acid impregnated activated carbon

Nipah banana fruits have gained some great attention in banana chips industries and several wastes generated could be used as a potential source for activated carbon production. Furthermore, activated carbon derived from Nipah banana peel was prepared by immersing a 60 g dried banana in 1000 mL of 25% phosphoric acid solution in a sealed beaker at varied carbonization temperatures (450, 470, 490, and 510 degrees C) for 30 min. In order to determine the potential of using Nipah banana peel, the raw Nipah banana peel was subjected to Thermo Gravimetric analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), and Micrometric ASAP 2020. The influences of carbonization temperature and impregnation ratio on the yield, functional group, surface morphology, and pore development of activated carbon were also investigated. The results revealed that carbonization affects the yield, functional group, surface morphology, and pore structures of activated carbon. The experimental results revealed that the optimum carbonization conditions were obtained at 470 degrees C with a 73.83% of yield. FT-IR analysis identified the presence of hydroxyl groups, carbonyl groups, ethers, and aromatic compounds deposited in the Nipah banana peel lignocellulosic structure. FESEM images on the surface morphology indicated well-developed pores as a result of increased activation temperature. Meanwhile, surface area analysis using BET displayed 684 m(2)/g surface area S-BET and 0.36 cm(3)/g total pore volume with nitrogen isotherm of type IV. It was demonstrated that the H3PO4 concentration used in the impregnation stage was suitable for the development of the surface area and pore volumes and an effective chemical to manipulate the pore structure and size distribution towards the optimum conditions. The findings obtained from the current study proven the potential of Nipah banana peel to be used as a natural precursor towards the development of biomass-based activated carbon in order to enhance the usage of green water treatment agents and maintaining environmental sustainability.