Abstract:
The aim of this study was to utilize nipa frond into activated carbon which is used as
adsorbent. Nipa frond carbon made by carbonization at 400℃ for 1 hour. Nipa frond
carbon activated by microwave at 600 W with various activation times (5, 10, and 15
minutes). The characterization results showed the best microwave irradiation time was 5
minutes, with the characterization result were 0.59% of water content; 13.53% of ash
content; 592.7599 mg/g of iodine number; and 11.0804 mg/g of methylene blue
number. Nipa frond carbon before activation and after activated for the best time by
microwave characterized by SEM. The surface of nipa frond carbon before activation
still covered with impurities. Then, the activation process by microwave cause damage
to the pore structure. It concluded that the microwave irradiation time affects the quality
of nipa frond carbon.