Surface and porous characterisation of activated carbons made from a novel biomass precursor, the esparto grass

• Published in: Applied surface science 2013-01, Vol.265, p.919-924
• Main Authors: Nabais, J.M. Valente, Laginhas, C., Carrott, M.M.L. Ribeiro, Carrott, P.J.M., Amorós, J.E. Crespo, Gisbert, A.V. Nadal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Activation; Biomass conversion; Carbon dioxide; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Disordered solids; Esparto grass; Exact sciences and technology; Grasses; Materials science; Nanofibers; Physics; Porosity; Porous materials; granular materials; Powders, porous materials; Precursors; Specific materials; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surface area; Surface chemistry; Thermal treatment
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.11.164

▸ We have used a novel precursor for the production of microporous activated carbons. ▸ Materials with basic properties and high surface areas were produced. ▸ Esparto grass has an interesting potential for the production of activated carbons using carbon dioxide as activation method. ▸ SEM images have shown the presence of nanofibers on the internal structure of the carbons. In the work now reported the production of activated carbons from a novel precursor, esparto grass, by activation with carbon dioxide is presented. The results show that the materials produced have interesting properties, namely BET apparent surface area and pore volume up to 1122m2g−1 and 0.46cm3g−1, respectively. The activated carbons have basic characteristics with point of zero charge between 9.25 and 10.27 and show a very fascinating structure, as shown by the SEM images.