Optimasi Zeolit Alam Pahae dan Karbon Aktif Kulit Pisang Kepok Melalui Perlakuan Fisik-Kimia Sebagai Adsorben Reduksi Salinitas Air Laut

Abstract

Research on adsorbents made from Pahae Natural Zeolite - activated carbon from banana peels to reduce seawater salinity has been conducted. Banana peels were carbonized at temperatures of 350°C and 400°C for 90 minutes. Pahae natural zeolite and banana peel carbon were sieved using a 75 µm (200 mesh) sieve. Natural Pahae zeolite was chemically activated using a 1M H2SO4 solution, and banana peel carbon was chemically activated using a 2M H2SO4 solution. After the pH of natural Pahae zeolite and activated banana peel carbon was neutralized, they were dried at 100°C for 1 hour. The adsorbents were molded using a hydraulic press with a pressure of 6 tons for 10 minutes, with variations in the composition of Pahae natural zeolite: banana peel activated carbon, namely 100%:0%, 95%:5%, 90%:10%, 85%:15%, 80%:20%, 75%:25%, and 0%:100% with a total mass of 10 grams. The molded adsorbent was then physically activated at a temperature of 400°C for 4 hours. The adsorbent was characterized based on its physical properties to determine porosity and water absorption, SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF, FTIR, and BET. The optimal composition for physical properties was obtained at a carbonation temperature of 400°C and a composition of 80%:20%, with a porosity value of 96.00% and an absorption capacity of 81.30%. The results of testing the adsorbent's application as a means of reducing seawater salinity showed that the adsorbent was able to reduce seawater salinity by 18.9‰ with a salinity reduction value of 8.8‰ and a salinity reduction efficiency of 31.76%.