Production of Activated Carbon from Sugarcane Leave

The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of activated carbon products from sugarcane leaves by using phosphoric acid activation. The effect of carbonization temperatures and activated temperatures were studied. The chemical and physical properties were analyzed by the standard methods, SEM, FTIR and XRD. The study showed that the best method was carbonization at 600°C in an hour, activation with 0.25 N phosphoric acid for 12 hours at a ratio of 1:2 by weigh per volume, then pyrolysed at 600, 700 and 800°C. After that, the product was demineralized with a concentrated 5N HCl, 48% HF and then 37% HCl solution. The activation temperature at more than 600°C was offered activated carbon. The ash contents of activated carbons were very low (0.02- 0.08%). The iodine number of activated carbons was higher than non- activated carbon. The study was confirmed with FTIR which showed a decrease in the functional group of activated carbon. The activated carbon at 800°C showed a smoother FTIR spectrum than the activated carbon at 600°C and 700°C. The XRD patterns from the activated charcoal corresponded to amorphous carbon. The surface properties of the charcoal were a regular surface with little pores. After activation by using phosphoric acid, it showed a rough surface. Keywords: sugarcane leave, charcoal, activated carbon, phosphoric acid, pyrolysis