Effect of Carbonization Temperature on Electrical Conductivity of Biocarbon Water Hyacinth Composites

This paper presents the usage of water hyacinth as the base material of activated carbon or biocarbon, using carbonization temperature 500 o C, 600 o C, 700 o C, 800 o C, 900 o C, and 1000 o C. The SEM results show that the pore structure of the biocarbon is shaped like a coral, the higher the temperature the more open pores and the smaller the diameter, with about 2μm at 1000 o C. The XRD results show that the carbonization temperature affects the percentage of the carbon crystal of the biocarbon formed, the higher the temperature the percentage increases by reaching 14% at 1000 o C, the carbon crystals are rhombohedral and graphite-like.The structure of the pores and the percentage of the carbon crystal has the effect of the value of electrical conductivity, the higher the temperature resulting in an increase in the value of the composite electrical conductivity, the water hyacinth biocarbon composite has a range of electrical conductivity values ranging from 2,697 × 10 -6 S / cm (500 o C) to 1,767 × 10 -2 S / cm (1000 o C) is included in a suitable conductive composite applied to the sensor and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) Shielding.