Preparation and characterization of a new adsorbent from raphia taedigera seed

There has been widespread research and engagement in recent years on the use of plant material in preparing porous carbon for wastewater treatment. In this study, new biochars (BCs) impregnated with 0.1 M sulphuric acid (RTA) and 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (RTB) were prepared. The BCs and raw seed [RTR] were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, and thermogravimetric/Differential thermal analyser. [TGA/DTA) to determine their morphology, spectral bands and thermal behaviour respectively. RTR showed a scattered aggregated surface microstructure, while both RTA and RTB gave aggregated rough surfaces with high number of pores. The FTIR analysis showed significant changes in term of band shift, bands disappearances, and new band formations due to pyrolysis and activation of the BCs. The results of the TGA/DTA revealed that RTA and RTB have better thermal stability than RTR, with the maximum degradation temperature of RTR, RTA, and RTB occurred at 3800C, 4250C and 4100C respectively. Adsorption efficiencies ranged from 81.671 to 99.743% for performance evaluation on the BCs using different adsorbent dosages and the initial concentrations of methylene blue solutions. These preliminary investigations suggest that biochars synthesized from Raphia taedigera seed can be used for methylene blue removal from wastewater.