Sains Malaysiana 53(1)(2024): 189-200

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2024-5301-15

Fabrication of Adsorbent using Nano-Sized Lignocellulosic Biochar Coated on Luffa aegyptiaca Sponge to Remove Heavy Metal Chromium VI

(Pembuatan Penjerap menggunakan Bioarang Lignoselulosa Bersaiz Nano Disalut pada Span Luffa aegyptiaca untuk Menyingkirkan Logam Berat Kromium VI)

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ELFI YULIA^1,2,3, BAMBANG SUNENDAR PURWASASMITA^1,2, NUGRAHA¹, ESTIYANTI EKAWATI^1,3,* & ASHARI BUDI NUGRAHA^1,2

¹Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, 40132, Indonesia

²Advanced Material Processing Laboratory, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, 40132, Indonesia

³Center for Instrumentation Technology and Automation, Institut Teknologi Bandung, 40132, Indonesia

Received: 17 August 2023/Accepted: 26 December 2023

Abstract

Eliminating heavy metal Cr (VI) in liquids is challenging. Developing adsorbents using sustainable, cheap, and biodegradable materials is still a concern. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize a heavy metal adsorbent by transforming forest residue into nano-sized lignocellulose biochar. This nano-sized lignocellulosic biochar, with the assistance of chitosan and alginate, was coated onto the Luffa aegyptiaca sponge surface to complete the structure of the proposed heavy metal adsorbent. This adsorbent is easy to apply in adsorbing heavy metals, is durable, and can be reused. The adsorbent products were characterized to observe the functional groups by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The adsorbents were also experimented with contact times of 120 and 1200 minutes in the adsorption process. The decrease in heavy metal concentration was analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) observed the adsorbent surface that has absorbed heavy metal ions. FTIR characterization of surface functional groups showed the presence of hydrogen, aliphatic C-H group, C=C aromatic ring, carboxyl groups, and carbonate ion, capable of binding heavy metal Cr (VI). The morphology of the adsorbent coated on luffa showed that the adsorbent was well attached. The results of the adsorption process showed a decrease in Cr (VI) concentration, with adsorption efficiency reaching 94% for 1200 min and adsorption capacity of 0.36 mg/g. SEM-EDX results validated the attachment of Cr (VI) heavy metal ions to the adsorbent surface.

Keywords: Adsorbent coating; forest residual; lignocellulosic biochar; Luffa aegyptiaca

Abstrak

Menyingkirkan logam berat Cr (VI) dalam cecair adalah satu cabaran. Membangunkan bahan penjerap menggunakan bahan yang mampan, murah dan boleh terurai masih menjadi kebimbangan. Oleh itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mensintesis bahan penjerap logam berat dengan menukar sisa hutan menjadi bioarang lignoselulosa bersaiz nano. Bioarang lignoselulosa bersaiz nano ini, dengan bantuan kitosan dan alginat, telah disalutkan ke atas permukaan span Luffa aegyptiaca untuk melengkapkan struktur bahan penjerap logam berat yang dicadangkan. Bahan penjerap ini memberikan kelebihan dalam penggunaannya yang mudah dalam menjerap logam berat, tahan lama dalam larutan dan boleh digunakan semula. Produk penjerap ini telah dicirikan untuk mengesan kumpulan berfungsi dengan Infra-Merah Transform Fourier (FTIR) dan morfologi permukaan dengan Mikroskopi Elektron Pengimbasan (SEM). Bahan penjerap juga diuji dengan masa sentuhan 120 dan 1200 minit dalam proses penjerapan. Penurunan dalam kepekatan logam berat dianalisis dengan Spektroskopi Serapan Atom (AAS). Mikroskopi Elektron Pengimbasan bersama Spektroskopi Serakan Tenaga Sinar-X (SEM-EDX) mengesan permukaan penjerap yang telah menyerap ion logam berat. Pencirian FTIR bagi kumpulan berfungsi permukaan menunjukkan kehadiran hidrogen, kumpulan alifatik C-H, cincin aromatik C=C, kumpulan karboksil dan ion karbonat yang mampu mengikat logam berat Cr (VI). Morfologi bahan penjerap yang disalutkan pada luffa menunjukkan bahawa bahan penjerap melekat dengan baik. Keputusan proses penjerapan menunjukkan penurunan kepekatan Cr (VI), dengan keberkesanan penjerapan mencapai 94% untuk 1200 minit dan kapasiti penjerapan sebanyak 0.36 mg/g. Keputusan SEM-EDX mengesahkan sangkutan ion logam berat Cr (VI) kepada permukaan bahan penjerap.

Kata kunci: Bioarang lignoselulosa; lapisan penjerap; Luffa aegyptiaca; sisa hutan lignoselulosa

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*Corresponding author; email: esti@itb.ac.id