Preparation of Pellet Biopolymer Polyvinyl Alcohol/Alginate/Gluataraldehyde Impregnated with Banana Peel Activated Carbon (BPAC)

Abstract

Environmental pollution increases along with industrial developments, one of which is copper (Cu) heavy metal waste. In this research, banana peel as adsorbent was carbonized at 350℃. Then chemically activated with ZnCl2 and KMnO4. Biopolymer pellets without banana peel activated carbon were in the form of white gel-like beads, activated carbon ZnCl2 and KMnO4 0.5 g were dark gray, and ZnCl2 and KMnO4 1 g were light gray. SEM results showed that the pores of ZnCl2 and KMnO4 1 g were larger than the pores without 0.5 g. The mechanical strength with the best percentage of activated ZnCl2 biopolymer pellets was 1 g at 6%, while activated KMnO4 was 0,5 g at 2%. Biopolymer pellets of banana peel activated ZnCl2 worked well in the removal of copper (II) at pH 6 the concentration absorbed 3.03 ppm. Meanwhile activated KMnO4 at pH 5 with the concentration absorbed 3.675 ppm.