Preparation and Characterization of Sg. Sayong Clay Material for Biocatalyst Immobilization

This study was conducted to characterize Sg. Sayong clay so that it can be applied as a supporting material for the immobilization of biocatalyst in the bioconversion of wastewater into biofuel. The clay sample was physically and chemically characterized using Nitrogen Adsorption, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The results obtained showed that the clay composed of SiO2 (57.4%), followed by Al2O3 (32.5%), K2O (4.9%), Fe2O3 (3.8%) and traces amount of Ca, Mg, Ma, and Ti. The results also showed the clay type was kaolinite with some presence of quartz, illite, montmorillonite and microcline. The clay was also successfully coated onto the wire-mesh and immobilized with biocatalyst for further bioconversion study.