Corn cob usage as activated carbon using KOH as activator

Abstract

The value of agroindustry waste like corn cob can be added as raw material for produced activated carbon. Activated carbon can be used as adsorbent in food, pharmacy, cosmetic industries, and waste water treatment. This research was conducted by using KOH as activator in the activation process for produced of activated carbon from corn cob. The methods include several steps, first step was particle size reduction. Second step was carbonization process in 500° C for an hour. Third step was activation process using solid KOH and liquid KOH, then heated at 900° C. Then, it will be washed until neutral and dried at 105° C. The activated carbon was observed for iodine adsorption, surface area, carbon content and morphology. The result for activation process using solid KOH: optimum iodine adsorption, optimum surface area, and optimum carbon content were 1233.87 mg/g, 2076.141 m2/g, and 93.59 %, respectively. Activation process using liquid KOH: optimum iodine adsorption, optimum surface area, and optimum carbon content were 595.16 mg/g, 716.271 m2/g, and 95.24 %, respectively. The morphology of activated carbon using solid KOH was cleaner and more open (porous). The Activated carbon can be applied for skin care product, like gel peel off mask.