PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SUSTAINABLE ACTIVATED CARBON FROM ARENGA PINNATA SHELLS WASTE AND ITS ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY ASSESSMENT

Activated carbon was produced from Arenga pinnata peel using chemical activation with 2M HCl followed by pyrolysis at temperatures ranging from 500°C to 700°C in a nitrogen environment. X-ray diffraction results confirmed that increasing the pyrolysis temperature enhanced crystallinity, as shown by sharper (002) and (100) peaks and a reduction in interlayer spacing from 0.381nm to 0.369nm. FTIR analysis revealed a decline in O–H absorption and a rise in C=C bond intensity, pointing to greater graphitization with elevated temperatures. SEM images illustrated the transition from dense, low-porosity surfaces at 500°C to well-developed microporous networks (5–15μm pores) at 600°C, followed by particle agglomeration and pore collapse at 700°C. EDS data indicated high carbon content (86 at%) and some chlorine retention from acid treatment. Electrical conductivity measurements showed that ACS-500 had the lowest value (2.4×10⁻⁴ S/cm), while ACS-700 reached the highest (1.91×10⁻² S/cm), reflecting a shift from an amorphous, semiconducting structure to an organized, conductive carbon matrix at higher activation temperatures. Conductivity remained stable across frequencies for ACS-700, decreased slightly in ACS-600, and was most sensitive in ACS-500. The 600°C process produced semi-graphitized carbon with high surface area, uniform porosity, and enhanced conductivity. These findings suggest Arenga pinnata peel can be upcycled into sustainable activated carbon suitable for advanced energy storage applications.