Nurjehan Faratul Sabrina Kamaruddin, Siti Kudnie Sahari, Ibrahim Yakub, Marini Sawawi, Mohamad Rusop Mahmood, Ramzan Bin Mat Ayub, Zainab Binti Ngaini, Yanuar Zulardiansyah Arief, Lilik Hasanah, Rafeah Binti Wahi
This study explores the potential of sago palm trunk as a precursor for synthesizing biographite for fuel cell applications. Pyrolysis was conducted at 500℃, 600℃, and 700℃, both in the presence and absence of iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate as a catalyst. The primary objective is to form biographite through pyrolysis at low heating temperatures. All samples were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and a 3D digital microscope. Only the catalyst-treated samples were further analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. To evaluate fuel cell performance, microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were constructed using the samples as bipolar plates. Results suggest that amorphous graphite can form at 500°C without a catalyst, whereas catalytic pyrolysis leads to the formation of nanocrystalline graphite. Among all tested samples, the catalyst-assisted pyrolysis at 600°C demonstrated the best fuel cell performance. These findings confirm the potential of the sago palm trunk for biographite synthesis. However, further optimization of the pyrolysis process beyond temperature control is needed to obtain crystalline graphite with enhanced electrical properties. © 2026, Universiti Malaysia Perlis. All rights reserved.
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Malaysia; Institute of Sustainable & Renewable Energy, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Malaysia; Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Malaysia; Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Malaysia; NANO-SciTech Centre, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Selangor, Shah Alam, Malaysia; Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Perlis, Kangar, Malaysia; Faculty of Resources Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, 94300, Malaysia; Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences Education, Indonesia University of Education, Indonesia
Research at a Glance
Register to unlock
Topics & SDG Alignment
Register to unlock
Collaboration
Register to unlock
Author Profile (Selected)
Register to unlock
References Overview
Register to unlock
Journal & Source
Register to unlock
Metadata & Integrity
Register to unlock