| Summary: | In this study, biochar derived from coconut shell biomass was synthesized by pyrolysis reaction with chemical activation using Potassium hydroxide (KOH). The biomass was carbonized by heating at low temperature 300°C for 3 hours with KOH content varied at 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 30 wt.%. The effect of weight ratio between biomass and KOH on the characterization and structure of the biochar was investigated. An increase in the KOH content caused the change in the chemical composition and surface morphology of the biochar. The properties of raw material and biochar were examined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). When the content of KOH was changed in the range from 10 wt.% to 30 wt.%, the biochar had uniform porosity distribution with pore size around 0.5 μm and K2CO3 crystal equally distributed on the biochar surface. The synthesized biochar had porous structure with high K+ cation content, which was applicable for K-rich fertilizer for soil amendment, adsorbent for heavy metals, and carbon fuel in combustion processes.
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