Removal of methylene blue using biochar from cassava peel (Manihot utilissima) modified by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) surfactant

Abstract

Biochar is one of carbon-rich material generated from decomposition of biomass in the limited-oxygen supply. It is an environmental friendly, inexpensive, and potential biomaterial used for several purposes. In this study, the biochar was prepared from cassava peel (Manihot utilissima) using pyrolysis process in the temperature of 300 °C. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), an anionic surfactant (surface active agent), was loaded to improve the negative charge on the biochar surface. The effects of SDS loading onto biochar were observed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), CHNS elemental analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The result shows that the SDS surfactant was successfully attached on the biochar surface. Furthermore, the influence of SDS mass variation used in biochar impregnation was also studied to investigate their ability in Methylene Blue (MB) adsorption. In the preparation process, the SDS surfactant was impregnated at different mass including 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 mg. The result revealed that 15 mg SDS surfactant generates the highest activity of biochar on the MB adsorption. Hence, it is known that SDS surfactant can successfully improve biochar activity in methylene blue dye removal through adsorption process.