Characterization of Activated Carbon Prepared From Banana Peels: Effect of Chemical Activators on the Adsorption of Gas Emissions

The aims of the study were to investigate characteristics of activated carbon prepared from banana peels as adsorbent for the removal gasesemission from motorcycles. The effect of differents chemocalactivators and contact time were studied on the characteristics of banana peels raw carbon (RC) and chemically activated carbon (CAC) such as moisture content, ash content, volatile matter. The best ofIodine adsorption capacity of CAC H2SO4 3N 3 hour contact, was obtained at 913,68 mg/g adsorbent. Structure and morphology ofRC and CAC were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that RC and CAC could significantly adsorbed the CO and SO₂gasesemissions from motorcycles, but not applicable for NO, NO_x gases. After 10 minutes analysis using gas emission Analyzer, CO gas could be removed, from initial 16014 ppm to 3578 ppm using CAC H2SO4 adsorbent, while SO₂ gas could also be partly removed from 217 ppm to 19 ppm using CAC ZnCl2 adsorbent.Banana peels carbon produced was suitable for application in removing CO and SO₂gases emissions from motorcycles and it helps to reduce the green house gas effects of fossil fuel usage to the environment.