Synthesis and characterization of ZnO/Al2O3/activated carbon composite from banana fruit bunch using hydrothermal method

Composite of ZnO/Al2O3/activated carbon (AC) prepared from the banana fruit bunch has been synthesized using hydrothermal method. Preparation of activated carbon was started from banana fruit bunch which was impregnated by 10% NaOH and carbonized at 300°C for 4 h. Composite of ZnO/Al2O3/AC was conducted from the mixtures of activated carbon, ZnO and Al2O3 nano-powder with ration 2:1:1. Nanoparticles of composite were characterized by X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive r-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results of XRD characterization indicated that activated carbon was covered by the metal oxides forming semicrystalline. SEM-EDX characterizations show nanoflake from ZnO type wurtzite and Al2O3 particles covering on the entire surface of the activated carbon. The EDX characterizations proveed the composition of composites are Zinc (Zn) 44.11%, carbon (C) 22.78%, oxygen (O) 16.90%, and aluminum (Al) 0.76%.