Integration methods: H3PO4 immersion and gamma irradiation exposure in modified activated carbon from banana (Musa paradisiaca L. sp.) stems biomass

Indonesia has abundant natural resources or tropical fruit like bananas (Musa paradisiaca L.sp.). Waste from natural resources can be identified as biomass. In Musa paradisiaca L.sp., biomass is derived from banana peels, stems, and leaves. This biomass can be used as activated carbon. Banana stems can be processed into activated carbon because they contain galacturonic acid. This a combine method of chemical activation via phosphate acid (H3PO4) immersion and gamma irradiation exposure to synthesize activated carbon from banana stems. These combined methods can make the surface area increase and make its function improve. Gamma irradiation exposure used variant doses 10 kGy, 30 kGy, and 50 kGy. Synthesized activated carbon was characterized using Teller Brunauer Emmett (BET) to analyze surface area of Activated Carbon and to identify the functional groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The result shows the hidroxyl functional group decreases, and the transmission between irradiated carbons decreases with the increasing irradiation dose used. Effect of integration methods of acid immersion and gamma irradiation exposure on increasing surface area is enlarger of activated carbon banana stem. However, high-dose gamma irradiation exposure did not significantly impact surface area formation.