Synthesis Alumina-Activated Carbon Composite Using Sol-Gel Method As Adsorption for Methylene Blue Dye

The research about synthesis alumina-activated carbon composite using the sol-gel method as adsorption for methylene blue has been done. Activated carbon is made from durian shell. The alumina-activated carbon composite was characterized by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy. The FTIR characterization for activated carbon indicated that the functional groups O-H, C=C, C-H, and C-O while the alumina-activated carbon composite has increased of the functional group of Al-O. SEM analysis of the surface of alumina-activated carbon composite showed that alumina sticks to the activated carbon surface. EDS results showed a decrease of the element C from 64.60% to 20.87% and the increase of Al from 0.86% to 23.02%. The optimum condition adsorption of methylene blue using activated carbon obtained at an initial concentration of 25 mg/L, contact time of 75 minutes and a temperature of 55°C, while the composite alumina-activated carbon obtained at an initial concentration of 30 mg/L, contact time of 90 minutes and the temperature of 75°C. The ability of activated carbon and alumina-activated carbon composite for adsorption methylene blue were 10.7205 mg/g and 14.3662 mg/g, respectively.