Open Access

ARTICLE

Synthesis and Application of Activated Charcoal from Indonesian Sugar Palm Bunches (Arenga longipes) as a Potential Absorbent for Heavy Metals

Luthfi Hakim^1,*, Yunida Syafriani Lubis², Apri Heri Iswanto¹, Harisyah Manurung¹, Jayusman², Widya Fatriasari³, Petar Antov⁴, Tomasz Rogoziński⁵, Lee Seng Hua⁶, Nur Izyan Wan Azelee⁷

1 Laboratory of Forest Product Technology, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Kampus 2 USU-Bekala, Deli Serdang, 20353, Indonesia
2 Research Center for Applied Botany, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jalan Raya Jakarta-Bogor KM 46, Cibinong, 16911, Indonesia
3 Research Center for Biomass and Bioproduct, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jalan Raya Jakarta-Bogor KM 46, Cibinong, 16911, Indonesia
4 Faculty of Forest Industry, University of Forestry, Sofia, 1797, Bulgaria
5 Department of Furniture Design, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, 60627, Poland
6 Department of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Cawangan Pahang, Kampus Jengka, Kuantan, 26400, Malaysia
7 Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, 81310, Malaysia

* Corresponding Author: Luthfi Hakim. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2025, 13(12), 2355-2373. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0078

Received 06 April 2025; Accepted 31 July 2025; Issue published 23 December 2025

Abstract

Activated charcoals were synthesized from sugar palm bunches (SPB) of the native tree of Arenga longipes in Indonesia. The synthesized activated charcoal (AC) was characterized, and utilized as an absorbent for heavy metals (lead/Pb and copper/Cu) through thermal activation. The synthesis of AC was accomplished through furnace activation at temperatures of 500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C. Acid chlorides were blended with the SPB-AC samples at 5% impregnation level and subsequently subjected to washing for activation, resulting in the elimination of volatile substances and ash content, which facilitates the development of a porous structure in the activated charcoal. The proximate analysis results indicated a reduction in weight and moisture content with an increase in activation temperature. The C-O, C=C, O-H stretching chains were not visible in the SPB-AC, indicating that the chains were broken after activation. The treatments at 600°C and 700°C exhibited superior thermal stability relative to the others. Moreover, there was a notable reduction in the signal strength of low-crystallinity amorphous carbon, indicating that the high-temperature treatment substantially altered the structural characteristics of the crystal. The SPB-AC produced at 700°C exhibited a primarily microporous architecture, characterized by a maximal surface area, reduced total pore volume, and small particle size. In conclusion, elevating the activation temperature to 700°C leads to notable improvement in the adsorption of Pb (91.61%) and Cu (95.19%) metals.

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