Synthesis and Characterization of Polysulfone Membrane Doped Activated Carbon for Water Filtration

Abstract

Synthesis and characterization of polysulfone membrane doped activated carbon, which was made from raw material coconut shell and sengon wood, has been performed. Carbonization process was performed at a temperature of 500oC for 4 hours, followed by KOH immersion and steam activation, at a temperature of 850oC for 80 and 110 minutes. Structural characterization of activated carbon/charcoal was determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), and the electrical conductivity was measured using LCRmeter. All of activated carbon have fulfilled the Indonesian National Standard 06-3730-1995, for technical activated charcoal quality, except for the benzene adsorption and some of the iodine adsorption. Activated charcoal without KOH immersion and with steam activation time of 110 minutes of each raw material, were selected as the doping material for membrane, based on their optimum adsorption. Polysulfone membrane doped activated carbon was prepared by phase inversion method. Membrane characterization was determined by flux test with cross-flow method, the degree of swelling, mechanical strong with force sensor, morphological analysis by SEM, and crystallite structure analysis by XRD. Doping of polysulfone membrane with activated carbon, afford to change the characteristic and ability of membrane in water filtration. Membrane with the highest flux was obtained on the membrane doped with activated carbon sengon concentration of 2%. The resulting water flux values was 624.99 L/m2h. This correlates with its degree of swelling, that has the lowest value of 52.17%.