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Chemical and physical characteristics of optimal synthesised activated carbons from grass-derived sulfonated lignin versus commercial activated carbons

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Nasir Al-Lagtah

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Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the surface characteristics and chemistry of optimal activated carbons (ACs) synthesised from water-soluble grass-derived sulfonated lignin (SL) using three dehydrating salts (ZnCl₂, KCl and Fe₂(SO₄)₃.xH₂O). The optimal AC synthesised by each dehydrating salt was chosen as the carbon that achieved the highest removal efficiency of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. These optimal sulfonated lignin-based activated carbons (SLACs) showed the highest surface areas, total pore and micropore volumes among all the synthesised ACs. These SLACs were named SLAC-ZC (optimal grass-derived SLAC activated by zinc chloride); SLAC-PC (optimal grass-derived SLAC activated by potassium chloride) and SLAC-FS (optimal grass-derived SLAC activated by ferric sulfate). The surface characteristics of two commercial activated carbons (CAC1 and CAC2) were also appraised for comparison purposes. The optimal SLACs showed similar, or even better, properties to the two CACs. The N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms showed that the micropore fraction of SLAC-ZC was greater and its mesopores were narrower than SLAC-PC. For SLAC-FS, the amount of adsorbed N₂ was markedly lower than all other ACs and hence its values of BET surface area (A_BET) and total pore volume (V_total) were the lowest. The iodine volume capacities of SLAC-ZC and SLAC-PC were higher than CAC1, suggesting that they could operate better in continuous adsorption processes. FTIR and SEM analysis illustrated that chemical activation had changed the surface chemistry of SL. Overall; synthesis of ACs from this novel precursor will add value to sulfonated lignin, which is considered as an industrial waste.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Al-Lagtah NMA, Al-Muhtaseb AH, Ahmad MNM, Salameh Y

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

Year: 2016

Volume: 225

Pages: 504-514

Print publication date: 01/05/2016

Online publication date: 03/02/2016

Acceptance date: 27/01/2016

ISSN (print): 1387-1811

ISSN (electronic): 1873-3093

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2016.01.043

DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2016.01.043

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