Facile synthesis of corn stalks-derived carbon aerogels: Characterization, adsorption of ciprofloxacin and energy storage applications

• Published in: Surfaces and interfaces 2023-07, Vol.39, p.102991, Article 102991
• Main Authors: Phong, Dang Thanh, Son, Tran Thanh, Tu, Phan Minh, Dat, Nguyen Minh, Huong, Le Minh, Nam, Nguyen Thanh Hoai, Hai, Nguyen Duy, An, Hoang, Cong, Che Quang, Tai, Le Tan, Duy, Pham Hoang Anh, Dat, Tran Do, Hieu, Nguyen Huu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Antibacterial; Carbon aerogel; Corn stalks; Energy storage; Sustainable synthesis
• ISSN: 2468-0230; 2468-0230
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2023.102991

Cellulose aerogels were fabricated from the corn stalks-derived cellulose with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a binding agent. The aerogel structure was constructed via the freeze-drying method and then carbon aerogels (CA) were obtained via carbonization under inert gas at 700 °C. The results showed that the CA has an amorphous structure with high porosity (> 96%). Therewithal, the adsorption capacity of the CA materials was evaluated with ciprofloxacin, a persistent antibiotic. As a consequence, it is indicated that CA1 with the precursors' ratio of cellulose:PVA (5:1) performs the highest adsorption efficiency with a maximum capacity of 99.01 mg/g. The process was determined to be chemical adsorption following the Langmuir isotherm model with the investigated initial concentration in the range of 25 − 100 mg/L for ciprofloxacin. Moreover, the electrochemical properties were determined through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge. Resultantly, the highest capacity reached 326.51 F/g at the scanning rate of 0.005 in the potential region of -0.5 to 0.5 V, corresponding to the CA3 sample with the cellulose:PVA ratio of 15:1. Furthermore, after 1000 continuous scanning cycles, the CA3 shows insignificant changes in the GCD curve, which depicts high stability as a supercapacitor. Besides, the safety of the prepared CA in energy storage application was also confirmed via the insignificant inhibitory performance on two strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aforementioned results reveal that the CA from corn stalks is potentially applicable in environmental remediation and suitable material in supercapacitors for energy storage. [Display omitted]