Crystallite structure of Palm shell Activated Carbon/MgO and Its Influence on Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide Adsorption

Gas emission of the motor vehicle is a major contributor to climate change, with a total of 14% emission annually, and the best potential option for reducing pollution is using the adsorption method. Magnesium oxide (MgO) has been proven as an effective adsorbent for liquid and gases. The impregnation of MgO on porous structure increases the affinity toward nonpolar gases, which is one of the purposes of this study. The crystallite structure is also a key factor that determines the adsorption capacity of activated carbon (AC). However, deeper analysis is needed in the activated carbon crystallite structure represented by d002 (aromatic layer), Lc (crystallite height), and La (crystallite diameter) on the adsorption of motor vehicle gas emissions. Three types of palm shell-based activated carbon were tested in this experiment. The results showed that activated carbon made using the two-step method and the AC/MgO produced surface structure with a d002 value of 0.33 nm and 0.32 nm, respectively. The impregnation of MgO on AC showed changes in surface structure and affected its crystallinity. The ability to adsorb CO2 and CO by AC/MgO increase up to 80% and 88%, respectively.