Development of activated carbon from vine shoots by physical and?chemical activation methods. Some insight into activation mechanisms

Activated carbons (ACs) are prepared from vine shoots (VS) by the method of physical activation in air, CO₂ and steam atmospheres and by the method of chemical activation with H₃PO₄, ZnCl₂ and KOH aqueous solutions. The ACs were characterized texturally by N₂ adsorption at −196 °C, mercury porosimetry, and density measurements. The method of chemical activation has been proved to be more effective than the method of physical activation to prepare ACs with a well-developed porosity. ACs with high micro- and mesopore volumes are prepared with ZnCl₂ and H₃PO₄. Using ZnCl₂, the volume of micropores is 0.62 cm³ g⁻¹ and the volume of mesopores is 0.81 cm³ g⁻¹. A greater development of macroporosity is obtained by KOH activation. The volume of macropores is as high as 1.13 cm³ g⁻¹ for the resulting AC. Yield of the process of preparation of the ACs is low for the method of chemical activation. Some insights into the performance of the activating agents in the activation process are provided.     

Effects of activation conditions on the structural and adsorption characteristics of pinecones derived activated carbons

This study was conducted to understand and optimize the activation process for the production of a low-cost activated carbon (AC) using a renewable and plentiful biomass waste, pinecones. This was achieved by tracking the changes in porous structure, surface chemistry and adsorption properties of the AC produced using different activating agents, activation temperatures, holding times and heating rates. Generally, produced ACs were predominantly microporous with small external surface area and were different in terms of H/C and O/C ratios. Study of Pb²⁺ cations adsorption on these samples proved the high affinity of the pinecones derived ACs to this cation. The best adsorption behaviour was recognized in sample prepared by impregnation with H₃PO₄ at weight ratio of 2, then heating at 400?°C for 2?h at 5?°C/min heating rate. This sample possessed the highest BET surface area (1335 m²/g). The adsorption process obeyed the pseudo-first-order and Freundlich model slightly better than the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir model. The high Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of 418?mg/g supports the applicability of the produced AC for the removal of Pb²⁺ cations from wastewater.     

Equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamics study of phenols adsorption onto activated carbon obtained from lignocellulosic material (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus Globulus labill</Emphasis> seed)

Activated carbon was prepared from lignocellulosic material (Eucalyptus Globulus labill seed) by chemical activation with ZnCl₂ at two different concentrations (10 and 25 % m/v) named ACS25 and ACS10. The textural characteristics of the activated carbons (ACs) were determined by N₂ adsorption isotherms; these exhibit B.E.T. surface areas of 250 and 300 m² g^?1 for ACS25 and ACS10, respectively, with micropore volume contents of 0.140 and 0.125 cm³ g^?1 in the same order. In addition, the FTIR and Boehm methods were conducted for the chemical characterisation of ACs, where many groups with basic character were found, which favours the adsorption of phenols. The prepared carbonaceous adsorbents were used in the adsorption of wide pollutants monosubstituted phenol derivatives: phenol, 4-nitrophenol and 4-chlorophenol. The effect of temperature on the thermodynamics, kinetic and equilibrium of phenols adsorption on ACs was thoroughly examined. The adsorption kinetics adjusted properly for a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. However, the Elovich model (chemisorption) confirms that phenols adsorption did not occur via the sharing of electrons between the phenolic ring and basal plane of ACs because is not properly adjusted, so the process is given by physisorption. The thermodynamic parameters [i.e. Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entropy change (ΔS°)] were also evaluated. The overall adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous in nature. The values found in the thermodynamic study, confirm that the adsorption process corresponds to a clearly physical process.     

Adsorption of mercury from single and multicomponent metal systems on activated carbon developed from cherry stones

The adsorption of mercury from a single/multi-solute aqueous solution by activated carbon (AC) prepared from cherry stones (CS) by chemical activation with H₃PO₄, ZnCl₂ or KOH is studied. Three series of AC (i.e., P, H₃PO₄; Z, ZnCl₂; K, KOH) were prepared by controlling the impregnation ratio and carbonization temperature. The textural characterization of AC was carried out by gas adsorption, mercury porosimetry and density measurements. The surface chemistry was analyzed by the pH of the point of zero charge (pH_zpc), FT-IR spectroscopy and Boehm’s method. Experiments of mercury adsorption were conducted by the batch method, using aqueous solutions of mercury and of mercury, cadmium and zinc without pH adjustment. The ACs possess a wide range of pore volumes and sizes. Their microporosity is usually well developed. The meso- and macropore volumes are higher for the P carbons and K carbons, respectively. BET surface areas as a rule range between 1000 and 2000 m²?g^?1. The pH_zpc is much lower for the P carbons. The content of acidic oxygen surface groups is lower for the K carbons, whereas the content of basic groups is higher for these carbons. The kinetics of the adsorption process of mercury is faster for ACs with high volumes of large size pores. However, the surface groups have a marked unfavorable influence on the kinetics. The pseudo-second order rate constant (k₂×10^?3, g/mol?h) is higher by the order Z-4-800 (67.69)>K-3-800 (43.45)>P-3.44-400 (36.98). The incorporation of zinc and cadmium to the mercury solution usually decelerates the adsorption process for the P carbons and Z carbons and accelerates it for the K carbons. The amount adsorbed of mercury is much larger for the K carbons than for the other ACs. For the Z carbons, competition effects of zinc and cadmium on the adsorption of mercury are negligible, which indicates that mercury adsorbs specifically on surface active sites of these adsorbents.     

Preparation of activated carbon from cherry stones by physical activation in air. Influence of the chemical carbonisation with H2SO4

In the preparation of activated carbon (AC) by the method of physical activation, the carbonisation stage is usually carried out by heat treatment of a precursor at a given temperature in an inert atmosphere, whereas the activation stage is performed in air, carbon dioxide or steam atmosphere. Here, the use of a chemical carbonisation-based method with H₂SO₄ in aqueous solution as an alternative to the physical carbonisation method is studied. Using cherry stones (CS), AC was prepared by physical activation in air, as usual, and by carbonising with H₂SO₄ prior to activating in air. CS was carbonised at 600 °C in nitrogen atmosphere or with H₂SO₄ solutions of various concentrations and the resulting products were activated at 350–550 °C in air. Characterisation was undertaken by proximate analysis, TG–DTG analysis, N₂ adsorption at −196 °C, mercury porosimetry, density measurements and FT-IR spectroscopy. By the H₂SO₄-chemical carbonisation, AC with a lower inorganic matter content, wider pore size distribution in the meso- and macropore ranges, higher mesopore volume and carboxylic acid groups are prepared. The development of microporosity is similar regardless of the carbonisation method provided that the activation of the chemically carbonised product is effected at higher temperature. Physical carbonisation results in AC with an homogeneous macroporosity and with quinone type functional groups. Yield is also slightly higher by this carbonisation method.     

Preparation of active carbons from corn stalk for butanol vapor adsorption

Active carbons(ACs) were prepared through chemical activation of biochar from whole corn stalk(WCS)and corn stalk pith(CSP) at varying temperatures using potassium hydroxide as the activating agent. ACs were characterized via pore structural analysis and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). These adsorbents were then assessed for their adsorption capacity for butanol vapor. It was found that WCS activated at900 °C for 1 h(WCS-900) had optimal butanol adsorption characteristics. The BET surface area and total pore volume of the WCS-900 were 2330 m2/g and 1.29 cm3/g, respectively. The dynamic adsorption capacity of butanol vapor was 410.0 mg/g, a 185.1% increase compared to charcoal-based commercial AC(143.8 mg/g).     

Adsorption of oxygen-containing aromatics used in petrochemical,pharmaceutical and food industries by means of lignin based active carbons

The adsorption processes of three aromatic chemicals onto activated carbons (ACs) from aqueous solutions have been studied. Eucalyptus kraft lignin obtained from cellulose industry as a residual biomass has been used to prepare activated carbons by physical activation with CO₂. The influences of the activation time on the surface areas and pore volumes of the ACs were analyzed. The physicochemical properties and the surface chemical structure of the adsorbents have been studied by means of N₂ and CO₂ adsorption, ultimate analysis, XPS, TPD and SEM. XPS and TPD spectra of the ACs have suggested the presence of aromatic rings and carbon-oxygen functional groups in the solid surfaces. The potential use of the ACs for the removal of acetaminophen (paracetamol), salicylic acid and benzoic acid has been investigated at different pH, temperature and contact time. The adsorption equilibrium data have been correlated to Langmuir isotherm model. The thermodynamic study has been developed, the values of ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS have been calculated and they indicated that the processes are endothermic for acetaminophen and exothermic for salicylic and benzoic acids. The analysis of the kinetic experiments showed that the effective diffusivities are low; 10⁻¹² to 10⁻¹¹ cm²/s, and they are the corresponding to intraparticle mass transfer, which appears as the controlling step for the net adsorption processes.     

Chemical Stability and Electrical Property of BaCe0.7Zr0.2Nd0.1O3-α Ceramic

BaCe_0.7Zr_0.2Nd_0.1O_3?α ceramic was prepared by solid state reaction. Phase composition, surface and fracture morphologies of the material were characterized by using XRD and SEM, respectively. Chemical stability against carbon dioxide and water steam at the high temperature was tested. The conductivity and ionic transport number of the material were measured by ac impedance spectroscopy and gas concentration cell methods in the temperature range of 500–900°C in wet hydrogen and wet air, respectively. Using the ceramic as solid electrolyte and porous platinum as electrodes, the hydrogen‐air fuel cell was constructed, and the cell performance at the temperature from 500 to 900°C was examined. The results indicate that BaCe_0.7Zr_0.2Nd_0.1O_3?α was a single phase perovskite‐type orthorhombic system, with high density and good chemical stability in carbon dioxide and water steam atmospheres at the high temperature. The conductivity of the material in wet hydrogen and wet air was increased as the temperature rises. In wet hydrogen, the material was a pure protonic conductor with the protonic transport number of 1 from 500 to 600°C, a mixed conductor of proton and electron with the protonic transport number of 0.973–0.955 from 700 to 900°C. In wet air, the material was a mixed conductor of proton, oxide ion and electron hole. The protonic transport numbers were 0.002–0.003, and the oxide ionic transport numbers were 0.124–0.179. The fuel cell could work stably. At 900°C, the maximum short‐circuit current density and power output density were 156 mA·cm^?2 and 40 mW·cm^?2, respectively.     

Pyrolysis of Hailar lignite in an autogenerated steam agent

An in situ pyrolysis process of high moisture content lignite in an autogenerated steam agent was proposed. The aim is to utilize steam autogenerated from lignite moisture as a reactant to produce fuel gas and additional hydrogen. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that mass loss and maximum mass loss rate increased with the rise of heating rates. The in situ pyrolysis process was performed in a screw kiln reactor to investigate the effects of moisture content and reactor temperature on product yields, gas compositions, and pyrolysis performance. The results demonstrated that inherent moisture in lignite had a significant influence on the product yield. The pyrolysis of L _R (raw lignite with a moisture content of 36.9 %, wet basis) at 900 °C exhibited higher dry yield of 33.67 mL g^?1 and H₂ content of 50.3 vol% than those from the pyrolysis of the predried lignite. It was also shown that increasing reaction temperature led to a rising dry gas yield and H₂ yield. The pyrolysis of L _R showed the maximum dry yield of 33.7 mL g^?1 and H₂ content of 53.2 vol% at 1,000 °C. The LHV of fuel gas ranged from 18.45 to 14.38 MJ Nm^?3 when the reactor temperature increased from 600 to 1,000 °C.     

ChemInform Abstract: Temperature Induced Phase Transition of CaMn0.5Zr1.5(PO4)3 Phosphate.

In view of a known structural phase transition at 800—875 °C and the by 10 times increased luminescence of Mn²⁺ in the high‐temperature phase, low‐ (LT) and high‐temperature (HT) polymorphs of CaMn_0.5Zr_1.5(PO₄)₃ are prepared by sol—gel reaction of Mn(O‐Ac)₂, Ca(NO₃)₂, ZrOCl₂, and NH₄H₂PO₄ in ethylene glycol followed by a final annealing (700 or 900 °C, 20 h, resp.).     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ordered Mesoporous Aluminosilicate Molecular Sieves with High Stability in High-Temperature Steam

The ordered mesoporous aluminosilicate molecular sieve （MASMS-1） stable in the high-temperature steam has been successfully synthesized from the assembly of diluted ZSM-5-type precursor with mesoporous MCM-41. The material was characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, FE-SEM, TEM, FT-IR spectroscopy and 27A1 MAS NMR techniques. This mesoporous material shows high stability in the high-temperature steam [H2O （φ=20%） in N2 at 800 ℃ for 4 h], which might be ascribed to the synergistic effect of both thick walls containing zeolite-like five-membered ring subunits and highly condensed surface silanol groups.     

One‐stage Template‐free KOH Activation for Mesopore‐enriched Carbons and Their Application in CO2 Capture

Activated carbons with a high mesoporous structure were prepared by a one‐stage KOH activation process without the assistance of templates and further used as adsorbents for CO₂ capture. The physical and chemical properties as well as the pore structures of the resulting mesoporous carbons were characterized by N₂ adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM ), X‐ray diffraction (XRD ), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR ) spectroscopy. The activated carbon showed greater specific surface area and mesopore volume as the activation temperature was increased up to 600°C, showing a uniform pore structure, great surface area (up to ~815 m²/g), and high mesopore ratio (~55%). The activated sample exhibited competitive CO₂ adsorption capacities at 1 atm pressure, reaching 2.29 and 3.4 mmol/g at 25 and 0°C, respectively. This study highlights the potential of well‐designed mesoporous carbon as an adsorbent for CO₂ removal and widespread gas adsorption applications.     

Preparation of activated carbon from cotton stalk and its application in supercapacitor

High specific capacitance and low cost are the critical requirements for a practical supercapacitor. In this paper, a new activated carbon with high specific capacitance and low cost was prepared, employing cotton stalk as the raw material, by using the phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) chemical activation method. The optimized conditions were as follows: the cotton stalk and activating agent with a mass ratio of 1:4 at an activation temperature of 800 °C for 2 h. The samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K. The specific surface area and pore volume of activated carbon were calculated by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and t-plot methods. With these experimental conditions, an activated carbon with a BET surface area of 1,481 cm²?g^?1 and micropore volume of 0.0377 cm³?g^?1 was obtained. The capacitance of the prepared activated carbon was as high as 114 F?g^?1.The results indicate that cotton stalk can produce activated carbon electrode materials with low cost and high performance for electric double-layer capacitor.     

Adsorption kinetics of various gases in carbon molecular sieves (CMS) produced from palm shell

Carbon molecular sieves (CMS) have been prepared from locally available palm shell of Tenera type by a thermal treatment technique involving carbonization followed by steam activation and benzene deposition technique. Carbonization of the dried palm shells was done at 900 °C for duration of 1 h followed by steam activation at 830 °C for 30–420 min to achieve activated carbons with different degree of burn-offs. The highest micropore volume of activated carbon obtained at 53.2% burn-off was found suitable to be used as a precursor for CMS production. Subsequent benzene deposition onto activated samples at temperature range from 600 to 900 °C for various benzene concentrations have resulted in a series of CMS with different kinetic selectivities. The molecular sieving behaviour of the CMS products was assessed by kinetic adsorption isotherms of O₂, N₂, CO₂ and CH₄ at room temperature.     

Proton transportation in an organic–inorganic hybrid polymer electrolyte based on a polysiloxane/poly(allylamine) network

A new class of proton‐conducting polymer was developed via the sol–gel process from amino‐containing organic–inorganic hybrids by the treatment of poly(allylamine) with 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane doped with ortho‐phosphoric acid. The polymer matrix contains many hydrophilic sites and consists of a double‐crosslinked framework of polysiloxane and amine/epoxide. Differential scanning calorimetry results suggest that hydrogen bonding or electrostatic forces are present between H₃PO₄ and the amine nitrogen, resulting in an increase in the glass‐transition temperature of the poly(allylamine) chain with an increasing P/N ratio. The ³¹P magic‐angle spinning NMR spectra indicate that three types of phosphate species are involved in the proton conduction, and the motional freedom of H₃PO₄ is increased with increasing P/N ratios. The conductivity above 80 °C does not drop off but increases instead. Under a dry atmosphere, a high conductivity of 10^?3 S/cm at temperatures up to 130 °C has been achieved. The maximum activation energy obtained at P/N = 0.5 suggests that a transition of proton‐conducting behavior exits between Grotthus‐ and vehicle‐type mechanisms. The dependence of conductivity on relative humidity (RH) above 50% is smaller for H₃PO₄‐doped membranes compared with H₃PO₄‐free ones. These hybrid polymers have characteristics of low water content (23 wt %) and high conductivity (10^?2 S/cm at 95% RH), making them promising candidates as electrolytes for fuel cells. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3359–3367, 2005     

Effects of phosphoric acid as additive in the preparation of activated carbon fibers from poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) by carbon dioxide activation

Poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) was impregnated with small amounts of H₃PO₄, and the effects of this additive on the porosity and other characteristics of chars and activated carbon fibers (ACFs) derived from this polymer were investigated. To this end, PBO-AS impregnated with 5, 10 or 15 wt.% H₃PO₄ was pyrolyzed at 850 °C, and the resulting chars were physically activated with carbon dioxide at 800 °C to different burn-off (BO) degrees. Thermal analysis techniques only detected minor effects of H₃PO₄ on PBO pyrolysis. The char yield and char reactivity towards CO₂ increased following PBO-AS impregnation with H₃PO₄. Structural (X-ray diffraction), porous textural (CO₂ adsorption) and surface chemical (temperature-programmed desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) characterizations of the pyrolysis chars indicated that the increase in char reactivity is probably associated with a higher content of oxygenated functionalities. Following CO₂ activation, the surface area and pore volume of the obtained ACFs chiefly depended on the BO degree, but impregnation with H₃PO₄ restricted the pore size to the micropore and narrow mesopore range, thus producing adsorbents with a slightly narrower pore size distribution than in the absence of H₃PO₄. The results are compared with those previously obtained under equivalent conditions with other high-crystallinity polymers as precursors for ACFs.     

Proton transport in polybenzimidazole blended with H3PO4 or H2SO4

Proton transport in H₃PO₄‐ and H₂SO₄‐blended polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) has been studied with both temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent dielectric spectroscopy. The influences of the acid concentration and temperature on the relative conductance and activation volume are discussed. An Arrhenius relation is used to model the temperature‐dependent conductivity at a constant acid content. The logarithm of the relative conductance for PBI blended with H₃PO₄ decreases linearly with increasing pressure. As the temperature increases, the activation volume becomes smaller for PBI blended with H₃PO₄. It is proposed that proton transport in acid‐blended PBI is mainly controlled by proton hopping and diffusion rather than a mechanism mediated by the segmental motions in the polymer. The conductivities of PBIs blended with H₃PO₄ and H₂SO₄ are compared. At a 1.45 molar acid doping concentration, the former has the higher conductivity. With water, the conductivity of H₃PO₄‐blended PBI increases significantly. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 663–669, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10132     

Synthesis of Layered Sodium Manganese Phosphate via Low-heating Solid State Reaction and Its Properties

The layered nanocrystalline sodium manganese phosphate was synthesized by low‐heating solid state reaction using MnSO₄·H₂O and Na₃PO₄·12H₂O as raw materials. The resulting sodium manganese phosphate and its calcined products were characterized using element analysis, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), Fourier transform IR (FT‐IR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) absorption spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility. The results showed that the product obtained at 70°C for 3 h, NaMnPO₄·3H₂O, was a layered compound, and its crystallite size and interlayer distance were 27 nm and 1.124 nm, respectively. The thermal process of NaMnPO₄·3H₂O between room temperature and 700°C experienced three steps, the dehydration of the one adsorption water at first, and then dehydration of the two crystal waters, at last crystallization of NaMnPO₄. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of NaMnPO₄· 3H₂O from room temperature to 2.5 K point to ferrimagnetic ordering at T_N‐35 K.     

Low CO content hydrogen production from oxidative steam reforming of ethanol over CuO-CeO2 catalysts at low-temperature

CuO-CeO₂ catalysts were prepared by a urea precipitation method for the oxidative steam reforming of ethanol at low-temperature. The catalytic performance was evaluated and the catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis. Over CuO-CeO₂ catalysts, H₂ with low CO content was produced in the whole tested temperature range of 250–450 °C. The non-noble metal catalyst 20CuCe showed higher H₂ production rate than 1%/oRh/CeO₂ catalyst at 300–400 °C and the advantage was more obvious after 20 h testing at 400 °C. These results further confirmed that CuO-CeO₂ catalysts may be suitable candidates for low temperature hydrogen production from ethanol.     

Activated carbon prepared by physical activation of olive stones for the removal of NO2 at ambient temperature

Activated carbon was prepared from olive stones by physical activation using water vapor at 750 °C. Textural, morphology and surface chemistry characterizations were achieved (nitrogen adsorption, SEM, FTIR and TPD–MS). NO₂ adsorption was performed for different inlet gas compositions and temperatures. NO₂ may adsorb directly on the oxygenated surface groups, and can also be reduced to NO. Therefore, a second NO₂ molecule adsorbs on the oxygen left on the carbon surface. TPD performed after NO₂ adsorption showed the presence of various surface groups. The adsorption capacity was about 131 mg/g, which is higher than with several activated carbon prepared from classical lignocellulosic biomass. NO₂ reduction into NO decreased with increasing the inlet oxygen concentration. In contrast, a slight decrease in the NO₂ adsorption capacity was observed with increasing temperature. It seems that the activated carbons prepared from olive stones by steam activation could be used as efficient adsorbents for NO₂ removal.