Valorization of Coffee Husk Waste into a Sulfonated Activated Carbon Catalyst for Enhanced Glycerol Acetylation toward Triacetin Production

Heny Dewajani; Lintang Alivia Anggerta; Ernia Novika Dewi; Ulfiana Ihda Afifa; Luchis Rubianto; Listiyana Candra Dewi; Risky Elinaningtyas

doi:10.33795/jtkl.v10i2.10560

Authors

Heny Dewajani Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Lintang Alivia Anggerta Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Ernia Novika Dewi Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Ulfiana Ihda Afifa Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Luchis Rubianto Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Listiyana Candra Dewi Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia
Risky Elinaningtyas Department of Chemical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 9, Malang 65141, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33795/jtkl.v10i2.10560

Keywords:

activated carbon, coffee husk, glycerol acetylation, sulfonated carbon, triacetin

Abstract

Coffee husk, a lignocellulosic by-product of the coffee processing industry, remains largely underutilized despite its substantial carbon content and potential as a renewable catalyst precursor. This study investigated the combined effects of carbonization temperature (250–350°C) and H₂SO₄ concentration (4–10 N) on the synthesis of sulfonated activated carbon from coffee husk waste, and evaluated physicochemical changes before and after sulfonation. Activated carbon was produced by furnace carbonization followed by chemical activation with 2 N H₃PO₄, and subsequently converted into a solid acid catalyst via H₂SO₄ sulfonation. The resulting catalysts were evaluated in the glycerol acetylation reaction with acetic acid. The highest mean glycerol conversion was 56.49 ± 0.00%, with a triacetin selectivity of 14.38%, achieved with the catalyst prepared at 300°C and 10 N H₂SO₄. FTIR, BET, XRD, and GC-MS characterization confirmed successful sulfonation, mesoporous texture, amorphous carbon structure, and formation of monoacetin and triacetin products. These findings establish coffee husk waste as a promising precursor for sulfonated activated carbon catalysts applicable to sustainable glycerol valorization

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