Production and characterization of activated carbon from pyrolysis biochar of cellulosic cotton-based textile wastes

Abstract

The increased in the production of textile wastes has been associated to the to the excessive formation of solid wastes resulting to detrimental threat to both human and the environment. Therefore, the upcycling of these wastes materials is in utmost importance. In this study, cotton textile wastes (CTW) undergone slow pyrolysis in a static bed reactor at different temperatures (350 °C − 550 °C), to produce biochar as a precursor for the production of activated carbon (AC). The biochar were then chemically activated using H3PO4 at different impregnation ratios and then heat-treated to obtain the (AC). The produced biochar and AC were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results showed that highest char yield (27.64 wt%) was obtained at 450 °C, with a microporosity structure increased as the temperature increases. On the other hand, the micropore volume of AC increases as the impregnation ratio increases. Finally, the AC exhibit an acidic surface with an abundance of oxygen surface groups, making it promising candidates for different applications.