Green Synthesis of Sulfonated Activated Carbon from Palm Kernel Shell as Potential Catalyst for Hydrolysis of Palm Bunch Cellulose

Biofuels are currently attracting attention as an alternative solution to the issue of depleting petroleum reserves and environmental problems. Biofuels can be produced through the catalytic conversion of biomass. Sulfonated activated carbon (SAC) is an active catalyst for biomass conversion. Sulfonated activated carbon is one of the green catalysts that has been successfully synthesized from palm shell waste. The SAC catalysts were prepared from palm shell waste by converting to activated carbon followed by sulfonating step. The SAC catalysts were characterized by using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and gravimetric methods. The SAC catalysts are porous amorphous and have acidic properties, a prerequisite for good catalytic activity. Preliminary catalytic tests showed that the SAC catalysts can be used for the hydrolysis of cellulose from palm bunch waste which was shown by the existence of reducing sugar in the liquid product of hydrolysis