Brasil nut mesocarp (Bertholletia excels) as a Biomass Source for Activated Carbon Production: Correlation Between Thermal Treatment and Adsorption Performance

Author(s)

de Lima Duarte, Rosangela Viana ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Liana Alvares ^[2] ; de Moraes, Nicolas Perciani ^[2] ; da Costa Couceiro, Paulo Rogerio ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Amazonas, Gen Rodrigo Octavio Jordao Ramos Ave 1200, BR-69067005 Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Lorena Sch Engn EEL, Estr Municipal Campinho S-N, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOINTERFACE RESEARCH IN APPLIED CHEMISTRY; v. 12, n. 4, p. 4584-4596, AUG 15 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The activated carbon investigated in this work was produced from the extractive residues of Brazil nut processing, more specifically from the mesocarp of the Amazonian fruit. The process was performed by muffle pyrolysis, with ZnCl2 impregnation, at 400 and 500 degrees C. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetry, CHNS elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and adsorption/desorption of N-2. The results were promissory, with 99% removal of methylene blue for the CA25 material, which has a surface area of 1236 m(2) g(-1), much higher than commercial coal (CAC, 618 m(2) g(-1)). The adsorption kinetics best fit the pseudo-second-order model for all materials. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 195.3 mg g(-1). Therefore, the extractive residue of Brazil nut has excellent potential for the development of activated carbon, which can be used effectively to mediate environmental contamination in a given aqueous medium. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/16360-0 - Development of ZnO/Bi2O3/Carbon xerogel ternary composites as photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants
• Grantee: Nicolas Perciani de Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate