The Effect of Synthesis Temperature on Carbon Nanospheres from Palm Kernel Fiber

Abstract

Carbon nanospheres (CNS) were synthesized successfully from palm kernel fiber activated carbon. Palm kernel fiber (PKF) which is an agro-waste was carbonized followed by physical activation with CO2, then go along with treated utilizing ethanol vapor at temperature of 700 °C, 850 °C and 1000 °C. The temperature effect on developed synthesized nanomaterials was investigated using scanning Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The temperatures were varied from 700 °C to 1000 °C with intervals of 150 °C. The SEM results showed highest purity and the largest number of carbon-nanospheres being formed at a synthesis temperature of 1000 °C. The results indicate that CNS diameter, growth rate, crystallinity and density can be affected by increase in temperature. The CNS diameters were found to increase when the synthesis temperature increased. The results of the TEM showed that, within the temperature range of 700 °C to 1000 °C, the CNSs diameter increased continuously from 3 nm to 65 nm. XRD analysis showed that the synthesized carbon nanomaterials were amorphous. In general, the results showed that the synthesis temperature affects the diameter, density and crystallinity of carbon nanomaterials. The synthesis temperature of 1000 °C appears to be the ideal temperature for high quality and high yield CNSs production. The presence of iron (Fe) in the EDX results showed that such synthesized CNSs can be used as reinforcement materials in the manufacture of automobile brake pads.

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“…Properties of additives affect their absorption properties. [35] In their Study, Pujari and Srikiran [36] called Palm core fiber Type-1 and Nile rose, Wheat, Aluminum and graphite (Type-2) composites in specific proportions. They used phenolic resin as the matrix.…”