Graphene from industrial waste / Noor Asnida Asli … [et al.]

Food waste is a global concern, with Malaysia producing approximately 605,120 tonnes of coconut shell waste and waste cooking oil per year. Food and Agriculture Organization (FOA) estimates that approximately 800,000 tonnes of soybean waste are discarded annually as a byproduct of tofu production. Food waste from production industries has caused severe environmental damage to landfills. This study focuses on biomass synthesis for carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs), emphasising graphene and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) utilising chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and Hummer’s method. For the first time, graphene was successfully synthesised using industrial waste from coconut shell charcoal, waste cooking oil and soybean waste as a carbon source. The excellent electrical, optical, and mechanical capabilities of graphene-based materials have sparked significant scientific interest and perspective for various applications. The carbon source is cost-effective in terms of waste reduction and environmental benefits. In terms of cost-efficiency, the carbon source is costeffective, and it also reduces environmental waste. Most carbon sources derived from fossil fuels are non-renewable and produce less than 50% yield carbon source. Graphene oxide from coconut shell charcoal powder can produce a higher yield of 83% carbon sources, while waste cooking oil yields 80% carbon sources. The produced graphene would benefit applications such as humidity sensor users as graphene’s properties can improve sensitivity performance and cost-effective production.