Activated Carbon from Nipa Palm Fronds (Nypa fruticans) with H₃PO₄ and KOH Activators as Fe Adsorbers

Nipa palm is one of the non-wood plants rich in lignocellulosic content. In this study, palm fronds were converted into activated carbon, and their physical, chemical, and morphological properties were characterized. The resulting activated carbon was then applied as an adsorbent of Fe metal in peat water. The carbonization process was carried out for 60 min, followed by sintering at 400°C for 5 h with a particle size of 200 mesh. KOH and H₃ PO₄ were used in the chemical activation process for 24 h. KOH-activated carbon contained 6.13% of moisture, 4.55% of ash, 17.02% of volatile matter, and 78.84% of fixed carbon, while its Fe reduction efficiency was 28.09%. The H₃ PO₄-activated carbon contained 4.67% of moisture, 2.84% of ash, 16.41% of volatile matter, and 80.57% of bonded carbon, and the Fe reduction efficiency was 52.25%. KOH-activated carbon and H₃PO₄-activated carbon contained fixed carbon of 78.84% and 80.57%, respectively, while their average rates of efficiency of Fe reduction were 22.82% and 39.23%, respectively. Overall, the characteristics of activated nipa carbon met the Indonesian standards (SNI No. 06-3730-1995). However, H₃ PO₄-activated carbon was found to be better at adsorbing Fe metal from peat water.