Optimization of preparation conditions for activated carbon from palm oil fronds using response surface methodology on removal of pesticides from aqueous solution

Palm oil fronds were used to prepare activated carbon using the physiochemical activation method, which consisted of potassium hydroxide (KOH) treatment and carbon dioxide (CO2) gasification. The effects of variable parameters activation temperature, activation time and chemical impregnation ratios (KOH: char by weight) on the preparation of the activated carbon and for the removal of pesticides: bentazon, carbofuran and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were investigated. Based on the central composite design (CCD), two factor interaction (2FI) and quadratic models were respectively employed to correlate the effect of variable parameters on the preparation of activated carbon used for the removal of pesticides with carbon yield. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the most influential factor on each experimental design response was identified. The optimum conditions for preparing the activated carbon from oil palm fronds were found as follows: activation temperature of 750 °C, activation time of 2 h and chemical impregnation ratio of 2.38. The percentage error between predicted and experimental results for the removal of bentazon, carbofuran and 2,4-D were 8.2, 1.3 and 9.2%, respectively and for the yield of the palm oil frond activated carbon was 5.6.