Microwave utilization for preparation of carbonaceous materials from different wastes

• Grant number: 18/24502-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: September 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Maraisa Gonçalves
• Grantee: Thais Aline Prado Mendonça
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Increasingly, measures to reduce/eliminate the environmental impacts caused by humans are becoming urgent. Currently, the production of plastic waste is a worldwide concern due to the problems caused by its inappropriate disposal. Another major concern is the demand for bioenergy that, with its growth, brings the need to use by-products. This project aims to use microwaves to prepare activated carbon from biodiesel residues, glycerin and plastic waste, expanded polystyrene. The residues will be impregnated with ferric chloride and phosphoric acid and activated in a nitrogen atmosphere in a microwave oven. The activation parameters, such as potency, amount of activating agent and activation time, will be evaluated. In order to evaluate the parameters in the physical-chemical and textural properties of the activated carbons, a factorial design 23 will be used. All materials will be prepared in replicates to evaluate the reproducibility of the activation process. The prepared activated carbons will be characterized, and their efficiency will be evaluated in the adsorption of emergent contaminants, using amoxicillin as a model compound. An evaluation test of the recovery efficiency of the activated carbon surfaces will be carried out using hydrogen peroxide as oxidizing agent. (AU)