Abstract:
The presence of surface functional groups is key to the performance of an adsorbent
material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of functional groups on banana
leaf petiole and on biochar made from banana leaf petiole. These functional groups assist
in determining the potential of the material as an adsorbent for pollutants and heavy metals
in waste water. Banana leaf petioles were collected from a single plantation and analyzed
using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The material was then pyrolyzed at
pyrolytic temperatures of 300°C, 400°C and 500°C, and the resulting biochars were
analyzed to identify the surface functional group. The results showed the presence of
hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups on the banana leaf petiole before pyrolysis. The
biochars also showed presence of hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups whose presence
and abundance reduced with increase in pyrolytic temperature. The presence of hydroxyl
and carboxyl functional groups in a material has been related to its ability to adsorb metals
in waste water and thus the banana leaf petiole as well as its resulting biochar would be a
promising adsorbent for waste water remediation
