Preparation of date seed activation for surfactant recovery; [Penyediaan biji kurma teraktif untuk pemulihan surfaktan]

• Published in: Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences
• Main Author: Jamion N.B.; Hafiff N.H.B.A.; Halim N.H.A.; Ghazali S.A.I.S.M.; Sapari J.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences 2017
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85032020094&doi=10.17576%2fmjas-2017-2105-06&partnerID=40&md5=fac91fc8dd06497ee0c6c6faae9cf209

Surfactants also known as surface-active agents are one of the water pollutants that can lead to the deterioration of the environment. In this study, activated carbon was prepared from date seeds (DAC) by using phosphoric acid as an activating agent. The activation process was carried out at 500 °C for two hours. DAC was characterized by Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Nitrogen Adsorption at 77 K. The BET surface area of DAC was 1187 m2/g. The adsorption capacities of surfactants (CTAB and TX-100) were determined. This study showed that the adsorption capacity of CTAB (23.0724 mg/g) onto DAC was greater than TX-100 (11.3868 mg/g). The adsorption process between both surfactants onto DAC was done by physisorption through electrostatic forces. Thus, this study showed that the date seeds have a greater tendency to be microporous activated carbon and an adsorbent for surfactants recovery. © 2017, Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences. All rights reserved.