Characterization of phosphoric acid modified activated carbon fiber from fiber waste of pineapple leaf fiber production processing

Production of activated carbon fibers from fiber waste of pineapple leaf fiber production with phosphoric acid modification by non pre-carbonization activation and pre-carbonization activation processing were studied. The influences of step procedures, carbonization temperature (500 - 700 °C) and activation temperature (500 - 700 °C) on the resulting activated carbon fibers properties were evaluated. The non pre-carbonization activation is activation of fiber waste with H2PO4 of 1:1 ratio at 500-700 °C. For the pre-carbonization activation, it consisted of the carbonization of fiber waste at 500°C followed by an activation step with H2PO4 of 1:1 ratio at 500 °C - 700 °C. The carbonized and activated products were characterized by SEM- EDS, FTIR, XRD and BET. It was found that percent yields of carbonization and activation products are decreased with increasing carbonization and activation temperature from 500 oC to 700 oC. Percent yield of the non pre-carbonization activated carbon and pre-carbonization activated carbon, which have high content of phosphorus 17.56 - 22.60 wt.%, are much higher than carbon from fiber waste (1.52 - 1.66 wt.%). The both activated carbons are oxygen- and phosphorus-containing groups on the sureface. After carbonization, the all samples are in form groove and streak ridge in parallel follow longitudinal of fibers with uneven and rough, and more broken and contracted after activation. The P, Si, K and Ca elements existed in activated carbon fiber. The best temperature in activation of fiber waste by both activation processes were 600 oC