Microstructure of CuO Assisted Activated Carbon Adsorbent from Rubber Wood Sawdust Produced by Mechanochemical Processing

Abstract

A series of single carbon source and metal oxide assisted carbon source were prepared by mechanochemical process followed by carbothermal reduction which obtained via the reaction between activated carbon (AC) from rubber wood sawdust (Havea brasiliensis) and CuO precussor. Microstructure of the single AC and CuO assisted AC (CuO-AC) has been studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The products were further characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TG and DTA). A significant difference of the microstructure between AC and CuO-AC samples were observed in FESEM micrograph. The micrograph of single AC in indicates porous structure with numerous pores present due to dehydration of volatile matters. Milling process and reduction of CuO by AC has contributed to the increasing formation of porous structure with nanopore size ranging from 100-200 nm. TG and DTA results revealed that single AC and CuO-AC have a significant difference in thermal decomposition and stability. Doping of CuO to AC has affected the exothermic and endothermic reaction of the samples. These were further being clarified by X-ray diffraction where phase analysis is studied. It was found that the addition of CuO to AC brought a significant increase in the degree of crystallinity which is accompanied by mechanochemical process followed by carbothermal reduction to produce Cu. Incomplete reduction also cause the formation of Cu2O. Production of CuO-AC were successfully characterized and revealed the potential enhancement for waste treatment.