Adsorption of Toxic Materials from Industrial Waste Using an Activated Carbon Derived from Corn Cob

This study investigated the adsorption potential of corncob-based activated carbon to
remove toxic material from industrial waste. In this project, the activated carbon was
prepared and some testing has been done to study the characteristics of the activated
carbon produced. The experimental work can be divided into three main parts which are
sample preparation, sample characterization and sample testing. Sample preparation is
the process where we convert the raw material to activated carbon. Sample
characterization is done to study the characteristics and physical properties of the
activated carbon. Meanwhile, sample testing was conducted to see the adsorption
potential in term of adsorption capacity. Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulphur (CHNS)
Analyzer and Scanning Electron Miscroscope (SEM) were used to study the
characterization of produce activated carbon. For SEM testing, another sample was
created without chemical agent. The purpose is to see the effect of chemical agent
towards surface area and porosity of the activated carbon. The author also had used
American Standard Testing Method (ASTM) to study the characterization of raw
material. For adsorption testing, Gas Chromatography (GC) has been used. It was
observed that the carbon content for production of activated carbon from corncob was
53.32% meanwhile by during ASTM Method it was 38.07%. It is also shows that
activated carbon with chemical agent gives a better surface area and porosity
development. Lastly, maximum adsorption of 12.03% was observed with the corncob
activated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 700ºC.