Abstract:
Utilization of avocado seed as activated carbon has been done. The activated carbon of
avocado seed was made by carbonization at 400oC for ± 2 hours and chemical activation
using H2SO4 with various concentration of 2.5; 5.0 and 7.5%. The characterization
result showed that activation using 5.0% H2SO4 have a good characteristics with 3.68%
of moisture content, 0.84% of ash content, 385.22 mg/g of iodine adsorption and 19.62
m2/g of surface area. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) was used to determine the
functional groups of activated carbon. The activated carbon was used to adsorb
cadmium and lead ions. Concentration of cadmium and lead ions were analyzed using
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Optimum adsorption of activated
charcoal avocado seeds were obtained at 0.38 ppm for 97.11% of cadmium ions and at a
concentration of 4.83 ppm for 97.92% of lead ions
