DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANICALLY REINFORCED EFB-CG (EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH-CHITOSAN GRAPHENE) COMPOSITE FOR MERCURY ADSORPTION

Mercury contamination is a prominent threat because it is a potent neurological poison in fish, wildlife and humans. Inorganic mercury greatly increases its toxicity and the potentiality for accumulation in aquatic organisms. Currently, composites which act as adsorbents had weak mechanical strength and had a lower adsorption capacity because they had trouble removing Hg2+. Hence, the aim of this study is to develop empty fruit bunch-chitosan reinforced with rGO (EFB-CG) composite film via solvent casting method which leads to environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible for the removal of mercury. Firstly, 1.5 wt% of chitosan powder, 10 wt% of glycerol were mixed together in a 2%v/v acetic acid solution. Later, 0.1- 0.5 wt% of rGO and 0.2 g of chopped EFB fibers were added to the solution to form composite filmogenic solution. The composite solution was casted on petri dish and was peeled off after drying process.