ADSORPTION OF LEAD (II) AND ZINC (II) IONS IN SYNTHESIZED WASTEWATER WITH ACTIVATED CARBON DERIVED FROM TAMARIND PEEL AND SEED

Abstract

This research investigated the synthesis of activated carbon from tamarind peel and seed through a chemical activation and carbonization process. Initially, tamarind peel and seed, with moisture content percentages of 11.69 and 7.20, were calcined at 400°C for 2 hours. It was found that the average charcoal percentages were 37.29 and 31.37, respectively. Subsequently, they were activated with H₃PO₄ and carbonized at 500°C and 600°C for 2 hours, resulting in four types of activated charcoal: tamarind peel at 500°C (AC-1), tamarind peel at 600°C (AC-2), tamarind seed at 500°C (AC-3), and tamarind seed at 600°C (AC-4). The activated carbon content percentages were 28.77, 27.16, 28.68, and 28.00, respectively. The iodine number of activated carbon in AC-3 and AC-4 was found to be greater than 600 mg/g (643 and 717 mg/g, respectively). All types of activated carbon were then evaluated for the adsorption of lead (II) and zinc (II) ions in synthesized wastewater. It was observed that AC-2, AC-3, and AC-4 activated carbon showed similar efficiency in adsorbing lead (II) ions, while AC-1 exhibited the lowest efficiency. For the adsorption of zinc (II) ions, AC-4 activated carbon was the most effective, followed by AC-3 and AC-2, with AC-1 being the least effective. Consequently, this research concluded that the most effective activated carbon for adsorbing lead and zinc (II) ions in synthesized wastewater is the one derived from tamarind seed, activated with H3PO4, and carbonized at 600°C for 2 hours. AC-3 and AC-4 can be utilized as industrial powdered activated carbon.