Biomass derived carbon materials: Synthesis and application towards CO<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>S adsorption
Sabina A. Nicolae, Julian Louis‐Therese, Sarra Gaspard, Petra Ágota Szilágyi, Maria‐Magdalena Titirici
Abstract
Abstract Porous carbon materials derived from palm date seeds, guava seeds and winged beans are proposed as environmentally friendly and efficient adsorbents for CO 2 and H 2 S adsorption. The feedstock is converted into hydrochar via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), at 200°C, for several hours, and the textural properties are tuned using the chemical activation approach with KOH. The activated carbons (ACs) prepared in here are characterized by high surface areas, more than 2000 m 2 g ‐1 , and large pore volumes (1.23 cm 3 g ‐1 ). It is observed that a lower concentration of KOH results in a larger number of micropores, leading to improved gas uptake properties. The carbons obtained in here present sponge‐like structure with particle sizes in the range of 5–100 µm. Their morphology is characterized by irregular particle shape with large conchoidal cavities and smooth surfaces. The samples display significant gas adsorption capacity, with 5.47 mmol g ‐1 CO 2 uptake at 0°C, 1 bar and 4.36 mmol g ‐1 at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. H 2 S adsorption is achieved with more than 50% adsorption efficiency in 1 hour exposure time. Through this study we aim to add up to the eco‐friendly and cost‐effective materials, derived from biomass, suitable and efficient in CO 2 and H 2 S adsorption.