John Andrew T. Camposano, Charisse Marie O. Seguera, Regie S. Taytayon (March 2001)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to produced activated carbon from corn cobs and chicken feathers. It also aimed to determine the feasibility of corn cobs and chicken feathers as raw materials for activated carbon production. Furthermore, it sought to determine and compare the Methylene Blue adsorption values of the different concentrations of corn cobs and chicken feathers. It was hypothesized that there is no significant difference in the Methylene Blue values of the different ratios of corn cobs and chicken feathers. The independent variables of this study were the different ration of corn cob and chicken feathers, while the dependent variables were Methylene Blue values of corn cobs and chicken feathers. The positive test control was the commercial activated carbon, Diatabs. The study was conducted in Science Research Laboratory of the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus. Three replicates prepared for greater accuracy in the analysis of the data. The One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), set at 0.05 alpha level of significance, was employed to determine the significant differences in the Methylene blue adsorption value of the activated carbon produced from three preparations and the commercial activated carbon.
This study disclosed that corn cobs and chicken feathers, when used as raw materials for the production of activated carbon, was feasible. It was noted that the 25% corn cob: 50% chicken feather ratio of activated carbon achieved the highest value, while the commercial activated carbon attained the lowest, making it the most proficient adsorber. Nevertheless, tests showed that the produce activated carbon did not vary significantly with Diatabs and with each other, showing that they may be substituted with each other without affecting their observed degree of effectiveness.