Efficient Removal of Turbidity, COD, and Colour from Sugar Industry Wastewater Using a Novel Graphene Derived from Pressmud Waste: Optimization Study

Authors

  • Nurhayati Jamalludin Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Azizi Hakim Jamalludin Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Siti Khadijah Hubadillah School of Technology Management and Logistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, 06010, Malaysia
  • Mohd Riduan Jamalludin Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
  • Mohamad Sukri Mohamad Yusof Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v21n4.4345

Keywords:

Turbidity, color, turbidity, graphene, adsorption, industry wastewater

Abstract

Wastewater from the sugar industry poses significant environmental challenges due to high turbidity, COD, and color levels, often exceeding permissible limits and impacting aquatic ecosystems and public health. Pressmud, a sugar industry by-product typically discarded, can be converted into graphene for effective wastewater treatment. Therefore, in this study, wastewater from sugar industry was treated using graphene, synthesized from pressmud through carbonization at 600°C and activation with potassium hydroxide at 120°C for 24 hours. The adsorption process was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Central Composite Design (CCD) to analyze the interactions between graphene dosage (0-1g) and pH (5-10). The results demonstrated substantial reductions in turbidity (up to 96.45%), COD (up to 92.51%), and color (up to 98.71%), with R² values confirming high predictive reliability. Optimal adsorption conditions were achieved at a graphene dosage of 0.5 g and a pH of 7.5. The findings underscore the potential of converting pressmud into high-value graphene for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable industrial wastewater treatment applications.

Author Biographies

Siti Khadijah Hubadillah, School of Technology Management and Logistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, 06010, Malaysia

School of Technology Management and Logistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah, 06010, Malaysia.

Mohamad Sukri Mohamad Yusof, Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.

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Published

26-08-2025

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 4 (2025): July-August

Section

Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 NURHAYATI JAMALLUDIN, MOHAMAD AZIZI HAKIM JAMALLUDIN, MOHD HAFIZ DZARFAN OTHMAN, SITI KHADIJAH HUBADILLAH, MOHD RIDUAN JAMALLUDIN, MOHAMAD SUKRI MOHAMAD YUSOF

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