A Comparison Study of Carbonized Kapok Fibres Treated by Sodium Hydroxide Solution and Hydrochloric Acid Solution as an Absorbent in Removing Oil Waste

Abstract Hydrophobic-oleophilic properties of Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) fibre enables it to show good oil absorption capacity. In this study, Kapok fibre was treated with two types of solvent which is Hydrochloric acid solution (HCl) and Sodium Hydroxide solution (NaOH). Both solutions function to remove lignin, pectin and wax that surrounds the outer surface of Kapok fibre. To achieve its carbonized properties, both samples of Kapok fibre were burned in a furnace at 450°C for approximately an hour. By doing this, it was found that activation time between carbonized Kapok fibre porosity shows a positive result, thus enhancing the capability of Kapok fibre as an absorbent. Absorption rate of two samples of Kapok fibre which is NaOH-treated Kapok fibre and HCl-treated Kapok fibre were evaluated on different types of oils which are diesel, lubricant oil, petrol and used vegetable oil. Mass used for each absorbent samples differ by using 0.2 g, 0.4 g, 0.6 g, 0.8 g and 1.0 g respectively. Dosage reusability and percentage of oil removal were examined for this two samples of absorbent. From the dosage reusability experiment it showed that both carbonized Kapok fibre can absorbed the oil after six cycle of using the same absorbent dosage. Meanwhile, the absorption oil experiment showed that HCl-treated Kapok fibre higher than NaOH- treated Kapok fibre. It is proven that HCL-treated Kapok fibre can perform better compared to NaOH-treated Kapok fibre.