SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBON DOT FROM PALM KERNEL CHAFF FOR BRACKISH WATER PURIFICATION

ABSTRACT The increasing population has led to increased demand for water, prompting the exploration of alternative sources like sea water and brackish water. However, access to safe water remains a challenge in underdeveloped countries. Carbon dots, carbon-based nanomaterials, have shown promise for water filtration. This study investigated the production and properties of carbon dots made from palm kernel chaff, aiming to create sustainable water treatment technologies to address salinity and water scarcity issues. This research aimed to synthesize and characterize carbon dot from palm kernel shaft for brackish water purification, considering objectives such as chaff synthesis, dot characterization, and water analysis before and after purification. The study demonstrated the synthesis of carbon dots (C-dots) from palm kernel chaff using a hydrothermal carbonization method at 600C. The process involves carbonizing the palm kernel chaff, grinding it into a powder, and heating it in a hydrothermal reactor. The carbon nano dots are then characterized using various techniques. The method involved the sample and a carbon dot, with varying concentrations and titrations to determine the chloride content before and after treatment. The SEM micrograph of a carbon dot revealed its spherical shape, allowing for adsorption of heavy metals. The porous surface and high reactivity make it suitable for adsorption. The TEM analysis revealed the particle size of the nanomaterials, with an average size of 2.33 nm, indicating successful synthesis. Before treatment the concentration of Chloride in the sample was 475.70mg/L and after treatment the result became 566.56mg/L an indication that the filtration process could not treat the brackish water instead it enhance the chloride content rather than reduce it the likely reasons could be due to ion release, ion saturation, and pH influence. Research on palm kernel chaff carbon dots production and application is crucial, although they could not treat the brackish water due to increase Chloride concentration experienced.