Utilizing Cassava Peel-Derived Carbon Biochar for Ammonia Adsorption to Support Hydrogen Storage and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Effect of Microparticle Size and Isothermal Analysis

Abstract

This study investigated the use of cassava peel biomass as a precursor to biochar carbon microparticles to absorb ammonia gas, highlighting its potential in hydrogen ammonia storage energy systems. Cassava peel, an abundant agricultural waste, is converted into carbon biochar without chemical or physical activation. Biomass is carbonized through drying and heating. The process is then put into the process to obtain certain particle sizes (namely 500, 250, and 105 µm). We also evaluated the effect of microparticle size on adsorption performance in adsorbing ammonia solutions at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 ppm. The adsorption process was analyzed using 10 isotherm models, including Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Jovanovic, Halsey, Harkin-Jura, Flory-Huggins, Fowler-Guggenheim, and Heil De Boer, to understand the interaction between biochar carbon and ammonia molecules. The results showed that smaller microparticles (105 µm) exhibited higher adsorption capacity due to their larger surface area and pore structure, facilitating monolayer formation and effective physical interactions. The carbon biochar reduces ammonia concentration to 0.1%, making it an environmentally friendly and sustainable adsorbent for hazardous gases in industrial applications. This study concludes that cassava peel-derived carbon biochar, without activation, is an economical and efficient solution for ammonia adsorption and hydrogen storage. Future research should explore its regeneration and broader pollutant applications. This study also supports current issues in sustainable development goals (SDGs).