Synthesis activated carbon of Screw-pine leaves by HNO₃ and its properties

The leaves of Screw-pine (Pandanusodorifer) which contain natural cellulose were used as sources of carbon to prepare activated carbon. Contained 28-30% of water, the leaves were dried for 3-5 days by sunlight. The pyrolysis process of dry leaves yielded 25.7% of carbon that was then followed by grounding and sifting steps to 80 mesh of particle size. This uniform particles were mixed with 5% HNO₃ activator in batch system for 24 hours. Physical activation conducted at 700°C and obtained 70.8% activated carbon. The characteristics of activated carbon were compared to the carbon base by using porosimeter, referencing to SNI 06-3730-1995 and finding the adsorption isotherm patterns. Activated carbon surface area was 337.9 m²/g that is classified as micro-pore substance. In accordance to SNI requirements, the activated carbon fulfilled water content, ash content and adsorption capacity of I₂ while the study of efficiency adsorption is satisfy at 92.5436%, 97.5707%, 97.9811% and 96.2066% of Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe respectively.