Synthesis of an Activated Carbon Based on Cardoon Waste and its Comparison to a Commercial Carbon in Terms of Physicochemical Characterization and Organic Dye Adsorption Performance

Abstract:

The present study aims to evaluate the possibility of using low-cost adsorbents based on Cardoon waste for the depollution of industrial effluents. After characterization of the raw cardoon waste [1], the carbonization was carried out at 350 °C in a muffle furnace. In order to show the performance of the method used to prepare this activated carbon (PC), a comparative study with a commercial carbon (CC) is performed. The obtained activated carbon and the commercial carbon were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDX, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Approximate analyses of moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content and fixed carbon content, acid-base surface functions, pH at zero charge and iodine value were performed. The obtained results indicate that the main characteristics of the activated carbon prepared at 350 °C are practically similar to those of the commercial carbon; a homogeneous porous surface, an interesting percentage of carbon, a high thermal stability and a disorganized graphitic crystalline structure, the iodine adsorption values on the two carbons are 409.887 mg/g for PC and 430.191 mg/g for CC. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) on both carbons was performed. The kinetics and isotherms of MB adsorption on the two carbons were evaluated. According to the obtained results, the use of the prepared carbon in effluent treatment can be put into perspective.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 954)
• Pages: 41-54
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-WYfpO4
• Online since: August 2023
• Authors: Meryem Hajji Nabih*, Hamza Boulika, Maryam Elhajam, Noureddine Idrissi Kandri, Abdelaziz Zerouale
• Keywords: Activated Carbon, Adsorption, Commercial Carbon, Depollution, Valorization, Waste

References

[1] M. Hajji Nabih , M. El Hajam, H. Boulika, M.M. Hassan , N. Idrissi Kandri, A. Hedfi, A. Zerouale, F. Boufahja, Physicochemical characterization of cardoon 'cynara cardunculus' wastes (Leaves and stems): A comparative study, Sustain. 13 (2021) 1–12.

DOI: 10.3390/su132413905

[2] P. Sudamalla, P. Saravanan, M. Matheswaran , Optimization of operating parameters using response surface methodology for adsorption of crystal violet by activated carbon prepared from mango kernel, Sustain. Environ. Res. 22 (2012) 1–7.

[3] M. El Hajam, N. Idrissi Kandri, A. Harrach, A. El khomsi, A. Zerouale, Adsorption of methylene blue on industrial softwood waste 'Cedar' and hardwood waste 'Mahogany': Comparative study, Mater. Today Proc.13 (2019) 812–821.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.04.044

[4] H. Boulika, M. El Hajam, M. Hajji Nabih, N. Idrissi Kandri, A. Zerouale, Activated carbon from almond shells using an eco-compatible method: screening, optimization, characterization, and adsorption performance testing, RSC Adv. 12 (2022) 34393–34403.

DOI: 10.1039/d2ra06220h

[5] M. El Hajam, N. I. Kandri, A. Harrach, A. Zerouale, Adsorptive removal of brilliant green dye from aqueous solutions using cedar and mahogany sawdusts, Sci. Study Res. Chem. Chem. Eng. Biotechnol. Food Ind. 20 (2019) 395–409.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2019.04.043

[6] F. Monette, F. G. Brière, M. Létourneau, M. Duchesne, R. Hausler, Traitement des eaux usées par coagulation-floculation avec recirculation des boues chimiques : Performance générale et stabilité du procédé, Can. J. Civ. Eng. 27 (2000) 702–718.

DOI: 10.1139/l00-047

[7] P. Atheba, P. Drogui, D. Robert, A. Trokourey, Contribution à l ' étude de quatre charbons activés à partir des coques de noix de coco Résumé, Afrique Sci. 12 (2016) 229–245.

[8] M. Hajji Nabih, H. Boulika, M. El Hajam, M.I. Alghonaim, N. Idrissi Kandri, S.A. Alsalamah, F.Boufahja, Successive solvent extraction, characterization and antioxidant activities of cardoon waste (Leaves and Stems) extracts: comparative study. Molecules. 28 (2023) 1-11. doi.org/.

DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031129

[9] M. Hajji Nabih, M. El Hajam, H. Boulika, Z. Chiki, S. Ben Tahar, N. Idrissi Kandri, A. Zerouale, Preparation and characterization of activated carbons from cardoon 'Cynara Cardunculus' waste: Application to the adsorption of synthetic organic dyes, Mater. Today Proc. 72 (2023) 3369-3379.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.07.414

[10] B. A. A. Alongamo, L. D. Ajifack, J. N. Ghogomu, N. J. Nsami, J. M. Ketcha, Activated Carbon from the Peelings of Cassava Tubers (Manihot esculenta) for the Removal of Nickel(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution, J. Chem. 2021 (2021) 1–14.

DOI: 10.1155/2021/5545110

[11] H. P. Boehm, Some aspects of the surface chemistry of carbon blacks and other carbons, Elsevier Sci. 32 (1994) 759–769.

DOI: 10.1016/0008-6223(94)90031-0

[12] J. P. Reymond, F. Kolenda, Estimation of the point of zero charge of simple and mixed oxides by mass titration, J. Collold Interface Sci. 130 (1989) 157–164.

DOI: 10.1016/S0032-5910(99)00011-X

[13] C. J. H. Robinson, A. C. C. Robert, E. Hansen, Awwa standard for granular activated carbon, J. Am. Water Work. Assoc. 66 (1974) 672–681.

DOI: 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1974.tb02114.x

[14] M. El Hajam, N. Idrissi Kandri, G.I. Plavan, A.H. Harrath, L. Mansour, F. Boufahja, A. Zerouale, Pb2+ ions adsorption onto raw and chemically activated Dibetou sawdust: Application of experimental designs, J. King Saud Univ. Sci . 32 (2020) 2176–2189.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jksus.2020.02.027

[15] G. M. S. ElShafei, I. M. A. ElSherbiny, A. S. Darwish, C. A. Philip, Artichoke as a non-conventional precursor for activated carbon: Role of the activation process, J. Taibah Univ. Sci. 11 (2017) 677–688.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtusci.2016.04.006

[16] H. Boulika, M. El Hajam, M. Hajji Nabih, I. Riffi Karim, N. Idrissi Kandri, A. Zerouale, Definitive screening design applied to cationic & anionic adsorption dyes on Almond shells activated carbon: Isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic studies, Mater. Today Proc. 72 (2023) 3336-3346.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2022.07.358

[17] M. Benadjemia, L. Millière, L. Reinert, N. Benderdouche, L. Duclaux, Preparation, characterization and Methylene Blue adsorption of phosphoric acid activated carbons from globe artichoke leaves, Fuel Process. Technol. 92 (2011) 1203–1212.

DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2011.01.014