https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-024-05496-2
Regular Article
Improvement of adsorption properties of coconut shell activated carbon using atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet
1
Plasma Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2
Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center (NANOCAT), University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Received:
25
April
2024
Accepted:
24
July
2024
Published online:
3
August
2024
Surface modification through the use of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet represents a cost-effective and efficient approach. The major advantage of this method lies in the fact that it enhances surface properties without altering the bulk properties. Despite, the impressive mechanical properties exhibited by coconut shell activated carbon, its adsorption capabilities are somewhat lacking. Therefore, the application of dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet treatment at atmospheric pressure becomes necessary to address the deficiency in adsorption properties associated with coconut shells. In this study, a dielectric barrier discharge configuration was generated using Cu wire and Cu tape separated by dielectric glass with an inner diameter of around 6 mm. A circular well with an area of 20 cm2 and a depth of 4 cm was filled with 60 mg of granular coconut shell, which was then subjected to plasma treatment at a voltage of 17 kV for 5 min. The surface of the coconut shell granules exhibited significant improvement following the plasma treatment. Analysis using FESEM micrographs indicated an increase in surface roughness due to plasma etching. Furthermore, FTIR spectra displayed heightened intensity of curve peaks located at 1543.00 cm−1 and 3748.91 cm−1, suggesting the introduction of new functional groups onto the surface of the coconut shell granules after plasma treatment. To evaluate dye adsorption, plasma treated coconut shell granules were combined with crystal violet dye in aqueous solutions at concentrations of 50 and 100 ppm. The absence of distinct peaks in the visible region of the UV–VIS spectrum (300–800 nm) confirmed the successful adsorption of the bluish-green dye by the coconut shell granules.
Copyright comment Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
