Synthesis of activated carbon from Borassus flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste and their application in chromium (VI) removal

ABSTRACT

The present study emphasises that the synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from Borassus flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste (BFEFBW) and enhances the biosorption of chromium (Cr(VI)). The biosorption process was improved with four parameters: BFEFBWAC concentration, Cr(VI) dose, pH, and sorption time route utilising response surface methodology-Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterise the BFEFBWAC before, and after-sorption of Cr(VI). The AC exhibits a porous structure with a variety of functional groups, according to the characterisation data. The ANOVA test was used to examine the experimental findings, which revealed that the regression model was acceptable. The maximum biosorption of Cr(VI) (89.35%) was achieved to be a BFEFBWAC of 8.0 g/L, Cr(VI) dose of 20 mg/L, pH 5.0, and a contact time of 120 min. The reusability of BFEFBWAC for Cr(VI) was examined for up to five cycles. It appears that BFEFBW-based AC has a substantial role in improving Cr(VI) removal from water.

KEYWORDS:

• Borassus flabellifer empty fruit bunch waste
• chromium (VI)
• activated carbon
• Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
• biosorption

Data availability

All data are included in this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work is partially supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Mahendra Arts and Science College (Autonomous), and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, DST-FIST sponsored-Ref. No. SR/FST/College-232/2014.