Journals Proceedings

Abstract

Durian, originating from the Durio Zibethinus genes is one of the widely consumed fruits in South East Asia especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Philippines. Durian’s rind was found to be abundantly available in Malaysia due to the high consumption of durians by the locals. Durian rinds were opted to produce magnetic biochar in the presence of iron oxide solution by employing the pyrolysis process in a muffle furnace at a pyrolysis temperature of 700˚C and pyrolysis time of 20 minutes. The pyrolysis process was carried out in a condition of absence of oxygen in the muffle furnace by generating a vacuum condition without utilizing any carrier gas. Magnetic biochar which were produced with a surface area of 790 m2/g successfully provided a 95% removal of 30 mg/L methylene blue from aqueous solution with a maximum adsorption capacity of 87.32 mg/g at an optimum condition of pH 9 of stock solution, adsorbent’s dosage of 0.5 gram, agitation speed of 120 rpm and contact time of 45 minutes. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm model were opted to analysis the adsorption of methylene blue by magnetic biochar from aqueous solution which provided a Langmuir constant, KL value of 0.0910 L/mg and Freundlich constant, KF 4.395 mg1-nLn/g. Results obtained acknowledge the discovery behind the transformation of waste material into an innovative substance for a cleaner and healthier environment.