Pores Of Activated Carbon Research Articles

Zanthoxylum bungeanum branches activated carbons with rich micropore structure prepared by low temperature H3PO4 hydrothermal pretreatment method for toluene adsorption

Waste biomass is used as raw material to prepare activated carbons for the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorption elimination, which is an effective way to solve the waste biomass resource utilization and air pollution problems. Zanthoxylum bungeanum branches activated carbons with rich micropore structures were prepared by adopting H 3 PO 4 low-temperature hydrothermal pretreatment activation method. The prepared activated carbons were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The toluene adsorption/desorption performances and reusability were also tested to evaluate the application value of the prepared activated carbons. The toluene adsorption capacity increased with the rising of hydrothermal pretreatment temperature. When hydrothermal pretreatment temperature increased from 100 °C to 180 °C, the specific surface area of the prepared activated carbons increased from 956.0 to 1290.9 m 2 /g. And the micropore ratio of the prepared activated carbons markedly increased from 30.55 % to 63.35 %. Interestingly, the linear fitting results of toluene adsorption capacity and pore structures showed that the micropore volume and toluene adsorption capacity had maximum correlation. The micropore volume increased from 0.40 to 0.56 cm 3 /g, and the toluene adsorption capacity increased from 309.80 to 532.89 mg/g with the increase of hydrothermal pretreatment temperature. Toluene adsorption results were fitted by quasi-first, quasi-second, and Bangham models to analyze the toluene diffusion mechanism. The toluene adsorption process of all studied samples conformed to the Bangham kinetic model, which indicated that the diffusion mechanism of toluene adsorption process mainly followed intra-particle diffusion. Besides, the toluene adsorption capacity of the prepared biomass activated carbons could be regenerated at relatively low thermal desorption temperature (≤150 °C). • The activated carbon pore structures are obviously affected by the hydrothermal pretreatment temperature. • H 3 PO 4 hydrothermal pretreatment activation can prepare activated carbons with high micropore ratio. • Toluene adsorption capacity of the biomass activated carbons could be regenerated at low temperature. • The toluene adsorption process mainly was intra-particle diffusion.

Synthesis of Polynorbornadiene within the Pores of Activated Carbons: Effects on EDLC and Hydrogen Adsorption Performances.

Norbornadiene (NBD) is adsorbed on activated carbon (AC), and the adsorbed NBD is polymerized within the pores of AC. Two kinds of ACs─AC-2 with only micropores of ∼2 nm and AC-4 with not only micropores but also mesopores below 4 nm─are examined to study the effects of the hybridized polynorbornadiene (PNBD) on the electric double-layer capacitor and hydrogen adsorption performance. Various measurements are performed to determine the form of the hybridized PNBD inside the pores of AC. Scanning and transmittance electron microscopy observations of the AC/PNBD hybrids confirm that PNBD is hybridized inside the pores of AC, and there is little PNBD on the surface of AC particles. The nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurement for the hybrids of AC-4 reveals that PNBD is not hybridized preferentially inside micropores rather than mesopores irrespective of the amount of PNBD. In addition, both micropore and mesopore volumes decrease at a constant rate with increasing amounts of PNBD. These results suggest that PNBD is hybridized not as a layer but as an agglomerate for both ACs, and the agglomerate delocalizes over the whole AC pores, which is supported by the results of electrochemical measurements and hydrogen adsorption behavior of the hybrids.

Quaternary ammonium salts targeted regulate the surface charge distribution of activated carbon: A study of their binding modes and modification effects

Activated carbon (AC) is negatively charged in aqueous solution, which seriously restricts its application range. Quaternary ammonium salt as a common cationic surfactant was utilized to modify the surface charge distribution of materials. The evolution of the surface charge distribution of AC modified by benzalkonium chloride (BAC), diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDA) and 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl tri-methyl ammonium chloride (CTA) was investigated. Results showed that the surface charge of AC modified by CTA does not change significantly. BAC has a high molecular weight, low surface electrostatic potential and large steric hindrance due to its hydrophobic long-chain alkyl. The diffusion of BAC molecules from solution to AC changed its charge distribution. But these molecules were difficult to combine with AC surface, and most of them were adsorbed into the pores of AC to form aggregates, resulting in a significant reduction in the surface area. BAC modified AC could enhance the adsorption capacity of F− in aqueous solution through electrostatic attraction, but the improvement effect was limited due to the reduction of surface area, and the maximum adsorption capacity was only increased from 1.18 to 3.31 mg/g. DDA has a small molecular weight and high surface electrostatic potential and easily binds to the surface of AC. Some CC bonds in DDA combined with the ionized hydrogen ions derived from phenolic hydroxyl groups in AC to form carbonium-ions. Then, they could react with AC to form ether bonds, causing DDA to be closely bonded with the surface of AC. DDA realizes the targeted regulation of the surface charge distribution of AC, it has little effect on the porous structure of AC. The modified AC still maintained strong adsorption capacity, and the maximum adsorption capacity for F− was 54.98 mg/g. Meanwhile, a large number of zeolites were loaded on the modified AC and formed coating structures.

Photocatalytic Degradation Performance of Fluorine and Nitrogen Co‐doped TiO2/AC Composites over Printing and Dyeing Wastewater under Visible‐Light Irradiation

AbstractPrinting and dyeing wastewater is one of the difficult wastewater to treat because of its complex composition, difficult degradation, high color and high concentration of organic matter. At present, photocatalysis, a chemical treatment method, is playing an increasingly important role in the field of printing and dyeing wastewater treatment. To improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of TiO2 on printing and dyeing wastewater, F−N‐TiO2/AC composite photocatalysts were prepared by loading titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles onto activated carbon (AC) using an impregnation‐hydrothermal method and co‐doping with fluorine and nitrogen. The characterization results showed that the TiO2 particles were loaded onto the surface and pores of AC, which increased the specific surface area of the composite and the average particle size of the TiO2 particles was reduced by the co‐doping of fluorine and nitrogen. Using methyl orange solution to simulate dye wastewater, the highest degradation efficiency (100 %) of methyl orange was achieved via F−N‐TiO2/AC composite photocatalysts when the F/TiO2 molar ratio was 0.3 and N/TiO2 molar ratio was 0.5. The rate of adsorption reaction for methyl orange by F−N‐TiO2/AC followed the pseudo second‐order kinetic. The effects of the catalyst dosage, environmental pH and interferences in water on the degradation efficiency of the F−N‐TiO2/AC composite photocatalyst were then investigated. The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange is well fitted by a first‐order kinetic model and the degradation rate is 0.09616 min−1, which is about 6 times higher than that of TiO2/AC composites. Meanwhile, the F−N‐TiO2/AC composite photocatalyst had good recycling performance and the degradation efficiency toward methyl orange was still >80 % after five times of repeated use.

Preparation of solid disinfectant for water treatment and mechanism of benzalkonium chloride immobilization on activated carbon

Chlorine disinfection is the most widely used method to inactivate microorganisms in water, however, the byproducts generated after disinfection have a very harmful cumulative effect on human environment. Therefore, a new highly efficient broad-spectrum disinfectant without side-effects is urgently required. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) can kill bacteria and fungi and inactivate viruses, so it is a dual-function disinfectant. In this paper, BAC molecules were immobilized onto activated carbon (AC), and the mechanism of BAC immobilization was explained at the molecular level. Then, the bactericidal performance of the modified AC was explored. The results showed that AC had a strong adsorption capacity for BAC molecules. The desorption of these BAC molecules from the AC occurred only on the ppm scale. In the immobilization mechanism, the adsorbed BAC molecules agglomerated due to the hydrophobic groups to form large agglomerates. Since the pores of AC are mostly in the shape of ink bottles, it is difficult for these agglomerates to be released from the narrow pore-inlet. The solid disinfectant prepared by fixing different BAC contents in the AC had strong bactericidal performance for Escherichia coli, and the performance was influenced by many factors, including the ability of microorganisms to adsorb onto the BAC-modified AC and the number of free BAC molecules that easily combined with the microorganisms. The bactericidal rate of these solid disinfectants was greater than 95%, and their application to inactivate microorganisms can be used to avoid the disadvantages of chlorine disinfection in water treatment.

Study of the Adsorption of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus Bacteria on Enterosorbent Obtained from Apricot Kernels

This paper presents the results of scientific research on the structural parameters and the adsorption capacity of activated carbon obtained from apricot kernels (AC-A) in a fluidized layer. The obtained results highlight the fact that the described procedure allows obtaining a mesoporous carbon adsorbent with increased adsorption capacities (SBET = 1424 m2/g) and with quality indices corresponding to the requirements of the carbon enterosorbents imposed by the European Pharmacopoeia Monograph. Adsorption kinetics studies of the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus have shown that the time to establish the adsorption equilibrium is 75–90 min. The adsorption of the mentioned bacteria on the carbon enterosorbent AC-A was studied depending on the temperature (26 and 36 °C) and pH of the solution (1.97–4.05). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the immobilization of bacteria takes place on the outer surface of the carbon adsorbent due to the fact that the geometric dimensions of the bacteria are often larger than the macro diameter of the activated carbon pores. FTIR investigations also indicated the presence of bacteria on the surface of the activated carbon.

Synthesis and Effectiveness of Snake Fruit (Salacca zalacca) Seed Charcoal Bio-Adsorbent in Reducing Remazol Brilliant Blue

The manufacture of adsorbents by utilizing biomass waste continues to be developed to obtain alternative materials with high effectiveness. Adsorbents should be made from easily available materials, have low operating costs, have easy manufacturing processes, and be environmentally friendly. Snake fruit seeds have economic value to be used as activated carbon in the adsorption method for the reduction of Remazol Brilliant Blue. Snake fruit seed charcoal already has a high activated carbon. The activated carbon pores were widened through acid activation, to increase the adsorption capacity of Remazol blue. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bio-adsorbent concentration of snake fruit seed charcoal in absorbing Remazol Brilliant Blue levels. Snake fruit seed charcoal has been activated with 1 M HCL to become a bio-adsorbent of snake fruit seed charcoal with various stirrings of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, rpm. Characterization of bio-adsorbent of snake fruit seed charcoal has been carried out by spectrophotometry UV-VIS, FTIR, SEM, and SEM-EDX. Snake fruit seed was a carbon source that can be used as a base material for activated carbon and adsorbent for Remazol Brilliant Blue dye. So, it has reduced the impact of textile dye waste pollution.

Protrusions induction by carbon black on surface of activated carbon to enhance its catalytic activity

Catalytic methane decomposition is considered as a promising hydrogen production technology without CO2 emission. Catalyst is generally required to reduce reaction temperature, among which, carbon-based catalysts are widely studied due to their excellent catalytic performance and low cost. Activated carbon (AC), although presents high initial activity, suffers from fast deactivation; In comparison, carbon black (CB) shows low activity but good stability, and its catalytic performance maintains ability inspires a novel method for AC optimization. According to the physical property difference of AC and CB, a novel catalyst is prepared by doping CB on the surface and in the pores of AC. And surface property modified by HNO3 is also recommended, because the increase of functional groups further improves the adsorption performance. The results illustrate that ACN + BP2000-20:3 show advantages in hydrogen yield, weight increase velocity and carbon yield. Meanwhile, not only the initial activity is improved by a large margin, but also the deactivation time is progressively prolonged. The analysis results show that CB loading significantly increased the number of micropores, which is the key factor for the high initial catalytic activity. And the protrusion, induced by CB, are characterized by unique graphene edges defect, which provides active sites and furtherly promotes the reaction.

Study on activated carbon/silica gel/lithium chloride composite desiccant for solid dehumidification

An activated carbon/silica gel/lithium chloride composite desiccant (AC-SL) for air dehumidification is proposed. Lithium chloride and silica gel are impregnated into activated carbon pores to improve the density, thermal conductivity and water vapor adsorption capacity of AC-SL. Nitrogen isothermal adsorption lines, SEM images and Fourier Transform Infrared showed that impregnation significantly reduced AC-SL is specific surface area and pore parameters and increased the content and types of oxygen-containing functional groups on its surface. The sorption kinetics study shows that the equilibrium adsorption capacity of AC-SL is 6.8 times that of activated carbon. The Dubinine-Astakhov equation based on Polanyi potential theory is used for nonlinear fitting of the water vapor isotherms adsorption, and the correlation coefficients of the fitting equations are all above 0.98. When the relative humidity is 60%, the water vapor adsorption capacity of AC-SL reached 0.81 kg kg−1, 4.5 times that of pure activated carbon. The simulation results show that the AC-SL coated heat exchanger's dehumidification capacity is 3.13 kg h−1, which has a higher cost performance than other materials.

Formation of amorphous and quasi-two-dimensional microcrystalline structures of CO2 in activated carbon pores at low temperatures

Carbon micropores are often used for CO2 capture and storage (CCS) applications. In this study, the intermolecular structure of CO2 molecules adsorbed inside activated carbon with different pore sizes was investigated through in situ X-ray scattering measurements, hybrid reverse Monte Carlo (HRMC), and grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. Although most of the CO2 molecules in the micropores formed an amorphous structure, some formed a microcrystalline structure at certain pore sizes. To determine the structure and stability of this microcrystalline CO2 structure, a systematic structure analysis technique using computational methods was proposed. A plausible quasi-two-dimensional CO2 crystal structure that reproduced the experimental X-ray scattering results was obtained. The structure was found to be stable below 80 K. This microcrystalline structure, which was a characteristic arrangement formed with the assistance of the intrapore potential, was different from that of the bulk CO2 phases.

Ozonation/adsorption hybrid treatment system for improved removal of natural organic matter and organic micropollutants from water – A mini review and future perspectives

Elevated concentrations of natural organic matter (NOM) and organic micropollutants (OMPs) can contaminate the quality of drinking water, and current water treatment technologies are not always successful in removing all their constituents. Ozonation and adsorption are two advanced processes with different removal mechanisms used to treat NOM and OMPs. Their treatment efficiency depends on the strength and kinetics of adsorption and ozonation (ozone molecule and OH radical (OH•) reaction) of the individual NOM constituents and OMPs. They are individually able to remove many of the NOM fractions and OMPs but not satisfactory in removing the vast array of their components which differ in their physico-chemical characteristics, for example molecular weight, charge, functional groups, aromaticity, and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity. Significant progress has been made by integrating these processes (ozonation followed by activated carbon (AC) adsorption) but they need further improvement to efficiently target all NOM fractions and the various OMPs. Ozonation transforms the larger NOM molecules into smaller molecular sizes with lower aromaticity and hydrophobicity, subsequently resulting in reduced adsorption. The reduced adsorption of these molecules diminishes their competition against OMP adsorption resulting in increased OMP removal. Adsorption can remove unoxidized pollutants as well as the by-products of ozonation, and some of them are suspected to be human carcinogens. Of the commonly used adsorbents, anion exchange resin and AC, the former has higher affinity towards negatively charged humic fraction and OMPs. Conversely, the latter has higher affinity towards the hydrophobic constituents and smaller sized constituents which diffuse into AC pores and get adsorbed. Biofilm formed by long-term use of AC also contributes to enhanced removal of NOM and OMPs. This paper briefly reviews the currently available literature on removing NOM and OMPs by the ozonation/adsorption integrated process. It also suggests a new method for further increasing the efficiency of this process.

Detecting pore size distribution of activated carbon by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance.

In this study, the transverse relaxation time (T2 ) of activated carbon (AC) in different relative environment humidity was detected firstly by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR). The pore size (diameter) of AC distributions was calculated by the relationship between T2 and surface relaxation rate (ρ), where ρ was obtained by the detection of nine porous materials with known pore size. The results showed that the pore size distributions of AC calculated by ρ < 0.19 nm/ms were in good agreement with that obtained by nitrogen adsorption method and proved that LFNMR as a new detection method was feasible for characterizing AC pore size distribution.

Modification, Production, and Methods of KOH‐Activated Carbon

AbstractThis review covers research on the use of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to produce and modify activated carbon. The methods employed for activation by considering the activation process, carbonization, temperature, activation time, and KOH ratio to material are described and how the surface area, surface morphology, and functional groups are affected by the KOH ratio. Characterization techniques and preparation conditions are summarized. The activated carbon pore structure mainly depends on the burn‐off size and the time for activation is linked to the overall activation reaction rate. The increase in surface area and pore size depends on the ratio of KOH, showing that KOH affects the surface chemistry of the activated carbon. The sorbent‐sorbate interactions are strongly influenced by different parameters, which were also calculated in this review and used to evaluate such interactions.

Sustainable process to produce activated carbon from Kraft lignin impregnated with H3PO4 using microwave pyrolysis

Currently, the demand for activated carbon (AC) has been growing thanks to its adsorption capacity to remove liquid and gaseous pollutants. Lignin is a biomass derived from an abundant renewable resource, rich in carbon, with potential applications in modern society. This work seeks to add greater value for the lignin, transforming it in AC and also to demonstrate the microwave pyrolysis effectiveness. ACs were obtained from Kraft lignin treated with different proportions of phosphoric acid in two different periods of time, using microwave pyrolysis in oxidizing atmosphere. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction showed that the conversion of lignin to carbon material occurred successfully. The morphology of lignin, observed by scanning electron microscopy, showed a globular appearance and different diameters, which was converted into AC with very porous structures. Adsorption/desorption of N2 (BET) analyses showed that the AC presented high surface areas, between 635 and 1055 m2g-1, with the presence of micro and mesopores. The highest acid:lignin weight ratio favored higher values of AC surface area and pore volume. The maximum adsorption capacity of prepared AC was tested with methylene blue dye (MB) and amoxicillin (AMOX), and values of 140 and 220 mgg−1 were found, respectively. In the case of MB, the adsorption mechanism adjusted better to the Langmuir model and the AMOX to the Freundlich model.

The Effect of Impregnation Ratio on the Surface Characteristics of Gigantochloa Verticillata Bamboo-Activated Carbon

The activation process is the final stage in the manufacturing of activated carbon that can be carried out physically or chemically. This paper focuses on characterizing the surface properties of activated carbons from Gigantochloa verticillata bamboo that are chemically activated at 750°C under different impregnation ratios (IRs) of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1. The activated carbons produced were denoted as IR1-AC, IR2-AC, and IR3-AC for impregnation ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, respectively. Characterizations include TGA, SEM, and adsorption isotherm tests. The results of the research show that variation of the impregnation ratio yielded fluctuated content of proximate elements and surface properties of activated carbons. The highest fixed carbon of 75.69% and the lowest ash of 13.10% were obtained by IR2-AC. The highest surface area of 511.10 m2/g and pore volume of 0.561 cc/g was obtained by IR3-AC and IR2-AC, respectively. The activated carbon pores are distributed in micropores and mesopores areas with average pore diameters of 1.245, 2.494, and 1.984 nm for IR1-AC, IR2-AC, and IR3-AC, respectively. The existence of the pores can be found on the surface morphology of activated carbons.

Role of sodium oleate in the in-situ pore wetting of porous active carbon by 1H LF-NMR: Implications for porous mineral flotation

The filling of pores by flotation-reagent-contained water plays an important role in porous mineral flotation. This paper studied the role of sodium oleate (NaOL, a commonly used flotation reagent) solution in the in-situ wetting process of pores of porous active carbon using 1H LF-NMR, FTIR as well as contact angle measurements. The floatability of active carbon particles wetted by NaOL solutions was evaluated by particles-bubble attachment measurements. The pore wetting percentage decreased as the NaOL concentration increased. The variation trend in pore wetting percentage by NaOL solutions was from fast to slow. Increasing the NaOL concentration contributed to achieve a lower pore wetting percentage as well as rate. The NaOL solution with a high concentration significantly improved the hydrophobicity of the sample, which further prevents the pore wetting process.

Mesoporous activated carbon yielded from pre-leached cassava peels

The search for alternatives to fossil-based commercial activated carbon (AC) continues to reveal new eco-friendly potential precursors, among which is agricultural waste. The key research aspect in all these endeavors is empirical ascertainment of the core properties of the resultant AC to suit a particular purpose. These properties include: yield, surface area, pore volume, and the active surface groups. It is therefore pertinent to have process conditions controlled and tailored towards these properties for the required resultant AC. Pre-leaching cassava peels with NaOH followed by KOH activation and carbonization at holding temperatures (780 °C) above the melting point of K (760 °C) yielded mesoporous activated carbon with the highest surface area ever reported for cassava peel-based AC. The carbonization temperatures were between 480 and 780 °C in an activation–carbonization stepwise process using KOH as the activator at a KOH:peel ratio of 5:2 (mass basis). A 42% maximum yield of AC was realized along with a total pore volume of 0.756 cm3g−1 and BET surface area of 1684 m2g−1. The AC was dominantly microporous for carbonization temperatures below 780 °C, but a remarkable increase in mesopore volume (0.471 cm3g−1) relative to the micropore volume (0.281 cm3g−1) was observed at 780 °C. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the pre-treated cassava peels showed distortion in the C–H bonding depicting possible elaboration of more lignin from cellulose disruption by NaOH. A carboxylate stretch was also observed owing to the reaction of Na+ ions with the carboxyl group in the raw peels. FTIR showed possible absorption bands for the AC between 1425 and 1712 cm−1 wave numbers. Besides the botanical qualities of the cassava peel genotype used, pre-leaching the peels and also increasing holding activation temperature above the boiling point of potassium enabled the modified process of producing highly porous AC from cassava peel. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) imaging showed well-developed hexagonal pores in the resultant AC and intercalated K profile in the carbon matrices, respectively.

Mechanism of improving the stability of activated carbon catalyst by trace H2S impurities in natural gas for hydrogen production from methane decomposition

Direct methane decomposition for hydrogen production is considered a clean technology with limited CO2 emission. However, catalysts usually suffer from deactivation due to carbon deposition. This study reported a method of improving the catalyst stability by using a trace amount of H2S which naturally exists in natural gas, and the action mechanism of H2S was discussed. Coconut shell activated carbon (AC) was used as the catalyst, the pure methane was mixed with 100, 200, and 300 ppm H2S and decomposed at high temperature. Results show that adding different concentrations of H2S can increase the methane conversion and delay the deactivation time of the AC catalyst. Through scanning electron microscopy characterization and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller analysis, it was found that the positive effect of H2S is achieved by changing the carbon deposition morphology which in turn changes the AC pore width distribution and the specific surface area. Under the action of H2S, AC has a relatively large number of micropores during the reaction, promoting the adsorption of methane molecules on AC. First-principles calculations show that H2S changes the reaction pathway of methane dehydrogenation and promotes methane decomposition.

Are activated carbon pore structure parameters linearly positively related to its mass-specific capacitance?

Despite considerable achievements in the use of porous carbon in electrochemical double-layer capacitor or electrode of supercapacitor over the past few years, understanding the relationship between pore structure parameters and electrochemical performance has long been highly desirable. Herein, apricot shell lignin (ASL) was used to prepare activated carbon, after which the galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) test was performed. Meanwhile, the pore structure parameters of AAC were determined by the nitrogen adsorption–desorption test. The results confirmed that the AAC pore structure parameters were consistent with the inherent law of activation. Besides, in the low current density ranging from 0.50 A/g to 10.00 A/g, the micropore surface area density of AAC rather than other pore structure parameters (e.g., mesoporosity, micropore specific surface area, mesopore specific surface area) was linearly positively related to its mass-specific capacitance. Additionally, the average of linear fit coefficients between micropore surface area density and mass-specific capacitance was 0.92. Consequently, when using a three-electrode configuration with a 6 M KOH electrolyte, the micropore surface area density of activated carbon can be employed as a universal predictor of mass-specific capacitance in a low current density range 0.50–10.00 A/g.

A cost-effective synthesis of heteroatom-doped porous carbon by sulfur-containing waste liquid treatment: As a promising adsorbent for CO2 capture

Based on efficiency and environmental concerns, the development of porous carbon from waste and biomass materials has attracted extensive attention as a novel approach. In this study, poplar sawdust was an inexpensive carbon precursor, sulfur-containing waste liquid (SCWL) was used as a modifier to turn waste into treasure, and potassium oxalate (K2C2O4) was a mild activator, successfully prepared N, S, O co-doped new porous activated carbon with excellent CO2 capture performance. The heteroatom doping and pore structure can be controlled by using SCWL and K2C2O4, and adjusting the activation temperature. The best sample (PCSK-2-3-800) prepared with SCWL and K2C2O4 showed excellent CO2 adsorption performance, reaching 3.82 and 5.61 mmol/g under normal pressure at 25 and 0 °C, respectively. This is attributed to the synergy of porous structure and surface chemistry. The pore structure parameter results showed that K2C2O4 promotes the development of activated carbon pore structure. The specific surface area, micropore volume and narrow micropore volume of PCSK-2-3-800 are 1418 m2/g, 0.55 cm3/g and 0.43 mL/g, respectively. The characterization results of FTIR and XPS showed that the addition of SCWL can successfully introduce heteroatoms into the carbon skeleton, and form CO2-philic active sites on the surface of the porous carbon. Both aspects promoted the adsorption of CO2. In addition, the PCSK-2-3-800 sample has a moderate adsorption heat of 27.13 kJ/mmol, good adsorption selectivity of CO2 and N2 is 13, and excellent recyclability, which is very promising for CO2 separation or storage. This paper develops a sustainable scheme for the first-time using biomass and SCWL to develop a new solid carbon adsorbent, which provides useful information and inspiration for capturing CO2.