Removal of Cu, Fe, and Zn from Peat Water by Using Activated Carbon Derived from Oil Palm Leaves

Abstract

Heavy metal such as Cu, Fe, and Zn are the most serious contributers to environmental problems. The removal of heavy metal from the environment is the research interest nowdays. The adsorption of Cu, Fe and Zn from wastewater was investigated with various activated carbons as adsorbents. The activated carbons were produced from oil palm leaves by using multi-activation methods. The H3PO4, NaOH, ZnCl2 and KOH were chosen as chemical activating agents. Batch adsorption experiment was used to test the ability of activated carbon to remove Cu, Fe, and Zn from wastewater. The surface characteristics of activated carbon were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The Activated carbons were able to purify wastewater with a maximum turbidity level of 2.83 NTU. The AC-H3PO4 activated carbon showed the highest absorbability of Cu metal as 91.540%, while the highest absorbabilities of Zn and Fe metals were indicated by AC-KOH activated carbon of 22.853% and 82.244% absorption respectively. Therefore, these results enable the oil palm leaves to become a high potential for activated carbon as removal the heavy metals.