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%.