Preparation of activated carbon from palm kernel shells using mechanical milling method / Muhammad Hafiz Asyraf Sha’ari

The purpose of this study was to use mechanical milling and carbonization at various temperatures to prepare and characterize activated carbon (AC) from palm kernel shells (PKS). Using elemental analysis (EA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microscopic imaging, and pressure composition temperature (PCT) analysis, the procedure comprised of preparing the raw materials, milling them, carbonizing them, and characterizing the samples. However, because of equipment limitations, the prepared samples showed properties more similar to biochar than activated carbon, according to the results. Lacking vacuum and inert gas control in the carbonization-using muffle furnace resulted in partial pyrolysis. Though it was still below the predicted range for AC, EA confirmed an increase in carbon content. Limited pore development was shown by microscopic imaging, but an amorphous structure was suggested by XRD analysis. The material's lack of catalytic activity was further demonstrated by PCT analysis, which revealed no improvement in hydrogen desorption characteristics. These results emphasize the necessity of process optimization, specifically enhancing pyrolysis conditions and utilizing chemical activation methods to produce high-grade Palm Kernel Shell (PKS)- derived activated carbon.