Coconut Shell Carbon Research Articles

Conversion Single Reagent of n-Propanol to 1,1-Dipropoxypropane Using Cr/Activated Carbon Catalyst

Synthesis of 1,1–dipropoxypropane from a single reagent of n-propanol using Cr/Activated Carbon (Cr/AC) as a catalyst has been done. Activated carbon (AC) was prepared by activating coconut shell carbon at 650 °C in the atmosphere of N2 at a flow rate of 20 mL/min for 4 h, and then it was washed using acetone in a Soxhlet for 15 rounds, washed three times by 1.0 M HCl, and finally, it was sieved at 60–80 mesh. Metal content was analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and represented by Na, Ca, and Fe. The AC was impregnated with Cr (VI) solution and reduced with H2 at 650 °C. The acidity of the Cr catalyst was determined by the adsorption of ammonia. Optimation of n-propanol conversion to 1,1-dipropoxypropane using Cr/AC catalyst in the atmosphere of N2 was conducted in an oven using variations of temperature of 450, 500, and 550 °C, amount of catalyst of 5, 10, and 15 g, and flow rate of alcohol of 0.10, 0.50, and 0.90 mL/min. The conversions of 1,1-dipropoxypropane were analyzed by GC-MS and 1H-NMR. The results showed that the AC's metal content significantly decreased after washing with acetone and 1.0 M HCl. The AC and Cr/AC had 2.49 and 8.27 mmol/g acidity, respectively. The highest product of 1,1-dipropoxypropane of 65.0% was reached at 450 °C using a 5 g catalyst at a flow rate of the alcohol 0.10 mL/min.

Ru-doped Mo2C grown on coconut shell derived 3D hierarchical carbon as robust electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

Biomass, as a low-cost, environmental friendly and renewable carbon source with natural porous structure can be used as carriers. Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C), possessing metallic characteristics and a platinum-like d-band electronic structure, has recently emerged as promising candidate for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, we fabricate a new electrocatalyst by embedding ruthenium (Ru) into Mo2C on carbonized coconut shell (Ru-Mo2C@CSC). Doping of Ru into Mo2C significantly activates the inherent HER activity by altering the surface state, which enhances electron accumulation and transfer between the intermediate and electrocatalyst surface. The obtained Ru-Mo2C@CSC exhibit a remarkably low overpotential of 40 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH, matching the benchmark Pt/C. Both experimental and density functional theory (DFT) reveal that this outstanding electrocatalytic activity stems from its unique three-dimensional (3D) architecture and the altered electronic structure by Ru-doping. The distinct 3D hierarchical porous structure aids electrolyte penetration, increases exposure of active sites, and facilitates the release of gas products. Substituting Ru atoms notably diminish the proton adsorption strength at the Mo and C atom coordination sites and electronic modification of Mo by charge transfer from Ru to Mo which was observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A synergetic interaction at the Ru-Mo interface is generated to optimize the adsorption–desorption energetics toward H intermediate and accelerate water dissociation.

Coconut Shell Carbon Preparation for Rhodamine B Adsorption and Mechanism Study.

Phosphoric acid is used as a chemical activator to prepare coconut shell carbon (PCSC), and for investigating rhodamine B (RhB) adsorption performance. The optimal conditions for the preparation of PCSC (calcined temperature, phosphoric acid concentration), and the influence of adsorption conditions (concentration, pH, etc.) on RhB and the recovery performance of optimal carbon are investigated. Experimental results show that when the amount of PCSC (600 °C, 2 h) is 0.2 g, the initial RhB concentration is 10 mg/L, pH = 6, and the adsorption time is 30 min, it can have 95.84% RhB adsorption efficiency. Liquid ultraviolet spectroscopy also supports this adsorption performance. Characterization data showed that hydroxyl and ester groups, aromatic structures, and PO43- existed on the surface of PCSC, and the amount decreased with increasing calcined temperature. PCSC has a BET (N2) surface area of 408.59 m2/g and has a micropore distribution, EDS-detected P content is 3.91%. SEM showed that the PCSC formed micropores which could better adsorb RhB. The kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of the adsorption of RhB by PCSC showed that the adsorption process was in accord with quasi-secondary kinetic equations and ΔGθ was between -1.65 and -18.75 kJ/mol. The adsorption was a physical adsorption and a spontaneous endothermic reaction, and the obtained PCSC sorption isotherms were classified as Langmuir-type. The RhB adsorption mechanism on PCSC includes pore diffusion, hydrogen bonding, and π-π conjugation. The PCSC prepared by H3PO4 modification has superior adsorption and recycling performance for RhB, providing a reference for the preparation of other biomass carbon materials for the treatment of dye wastewater.

Coconut shell carbon via phosphoric acid activation for rhodamine B, malachite green, and methylene blue adsorption – equilibrium and kinetics

This study was aimed at evaluating the removal of different cationic dyes onto phosphoric acid-activated coconut shell carbon. The activated carbon was characterized for surface functional groups, thermal decomposition profiles, surface morphology, and textural properties. The specific area was recorded as 1,221 m2/g with 100% mesoporosity. On molecular basis, the activated carbon adsorbs malachite green, methylene blue, and rhodamine B at maximum capacities of 1.52 mmol/g, 0.80 mmol/g, and 0.58 mmol/g, respectively. It indirectly implies the selectivity of activated carbon toward malachite green, and behaves differently due to steric hindrance of dye molecules. All equilibrium data obeyed Langmuir model, while the kinetic data are closely fitted to pseudo-second order model as concentration increases. To conclude, coconut shell activated carbon is more effective to remove malachite green compared to methylene blue and rhodamine B.

Selective and efficient capture of phosphate from aqueous solution using magnetic zirconium-loaded coconut shell carbon materials: Kinetic and mechanism study

A simple-to-prepare, environmentally friendly, efficient and sustainable PO43− adsorbent was developed from iron oxide-modified coconut shell-activated carbon loaded with zirconium oxychloride (MAC@Zr). MAC@Zr was characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD, and XPS. PO43− adsorption experiments showed that the removal of PO43− (10 mg/L) by MAC@Zr was close to 100 % after 10 min at an initial pH value of 3.0 and a dosage of 4 g/L. Importantly, MAC@Zr exhibited outstanding selective adsorption for PO43− and demonstrated anti-interference ability to coexisting anions. The reutilization experiment showed that the removal of PO43− by MAC@Zr could still reach 100 % after 5 reaction cycles of repeated use, with the saturation magnetic strength slightly decreased from 0.15 (emu) to 0.14 (emu). The mechanism of MAC@Zr trapping PO43− was mainly due to electrostatic attraction and ligand exchange.

D/A heterojunction photocatalysts interspersed onto biochar to couple photocatalysis and adsorption for visible light-responsive efficient removal of pollutants

Phenol has various applications in industry, due to its hazardousness, solubility, and volatility, it persists in water and poses a risk to human health. People are excited by the progress of photodegradation technology that facilitates water pollution treatment. The effect of side-chain engineering is proven to enhance photodegradation performance by improving optoelectronic properties. Therefore, here is a strategy that introduces functional groups to change the electron cloud density, achieving excellent optoelectronic properties evidenced by efficient exciton dissociation, separation, and fine-tuned energy level. Subsequently, by coupling of photocatalysis and adsorption, the donor/acceptor (D/A) heterojunction photocatalysts (PBDB-T: BTTIC-TT, PBDB-T: BTTIC-Ph) are designed via loading on coconut-shell carbon to process phenol. The results indicate that the champion photocatalyst PBDB-T: BTTIC-TT possesses superior optoelectronic properties, which can be attributed to the stronger electron-withdrawing ability of thieno[3,2-b]thiophene than benzene. Consequently, the synergistic efficiency of adsorption and photocatalysis of phenol (10, 20 mg/L) are removed within 10 mins over 90 % which is still valid after twenty cycles. Surprisingly, a high concentration of phenol (100 mg/L) also exhibited excellent removal efficiency of over 80 % within 60 min.

Enhancing the mechanical properties of Al2O3‐C refractory: Carbonized coconut shell as a substitution for graphite

Enhancing the mechanical properties of Al₂O₃‐C refractory: Carbonized coconut shell as a substitution for graphite

Influence of Carbonization Conditions and Temperature Variations on the Characteristics of Coconut Shell Carbon

Influence of Carbonization Conditions and Temperature Variations on the Characteristics of Coconut Shell Carbon

Effect of Carbon Support on the Properties of Fe, N, S Co-Doped ORR Catalysts Prepared by Molten Salt Method

In recent years, the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly catalysts for various electrochemical processes has become a major focus in the fields of energy storage and fine chemicals. Efficient and cost-effective oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts are crucial for the advancement of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. This study explores the use of rice husk-based porous carbon (RHPC) with a hierarchically porous structure as a support material for sustainable ORR catalysts. The performance of RHPC was compared with other commercial carbon materials, such as acetylene black (AB) and coconut shell carbon (YP-50), evaluating key properties including particle size, specific surface area, oxygen-containing functional groups, degree of graphitization, and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. Compared to AB, which has higher conductivity, and YP-50, which has a greater abundance of oxygen functional groups, RHPC demonstrated significant advantages as a catalyst support. The resulting Fe-NS/RHPC catalyst exhibited high activity (E1/2 = 0.858 V vs RHE, J = 4.83 mA cm−2), outperforming the standard Pt/C (E1/2 = 0.844 V vs RHE, J = 4.99 mA cm−2). When tested in a liquid Zn-air battery, the Fe-NS/RHPC catalyst achieved a peak power density of 116.2 mW cm−2 and a capacity of up to 792.5 mAh g−1.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON PRODUCED FROM CORNCOB, COW BONE, AND COCONUT SHELL AS A FILTER MEDIUM

Inaccessibility of safe drinking water coupled with poor sanitation and hygiene and its attendance effect is estimated to cost Nigeria about 1.3 billion dollars. The rural communities adopted different methods to filter their water however these methods have proven ineffective in removing certain impurities. The use of fabric cannot remove the microorganisms and chemicals present in water. It is given that activated carbon filters are applied in the removal of these chemicals to test the performance of activated carbon made from corncob, cow bone, and coconut shell as a filter medium, activated carbons were used separately, and combined in a model filter. Raw water samples from Kubanni River and the borehole in 55 apartment Dogon Itche Samaru, Zaria were filtered by the model without pretreatment. The sieve analysis carried out on the activated corncob, cow bone, and coconut shell shows effective sizes of 0.27mm, 0.08mm, and 0.21mm; and uniformity coefficients of 2.11, 5.38, and 2.33 respectively. The analysis showed that the combined media has the highest turbidity removal, 92% for the river sample and 89% for the borehole sample. In terms of acidity and chloride removal, the activated corncob gave better filtrate quality: 19% and 13% removal respectively. In the case of alkalinity, the activated cow bone and coconut shell showed a gradual removal in alkalinity from the borehole sample. The combined media showed more tendency to remove hardness compared to the other activated carbons

Improved greywater quality after biofiltration with a fibre-biofilter derived from plantain pseudo stem

In this study, we addressed the prevalent issue of untreated greywater discharge into waterbodies in many developing countries, despite the associated public health risks. Our approach involved utilizing fibers extracted from plantain pseudo-stems to enhance the quality of greywater through simple biofiltration setups. Greywater sourced from the GETFund Hostel of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani, Ghana, served as the focal point of our investigation. Through the application of this biofilter, we achieved notable reductions in two crucial parameters for assessing greywater quality: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), averaging at 30.4 % and 28.67 %, respectively. Furthermore, we conducted comparative analyses between the efficacy of plantain pseudo-stem fibers and carbonized coconut shell adsorbent, both individually and in composite form as biosorbents. While certain combinations of biofilters led to slight increases in conductivity, pH, and total dissolved solids (TDS) in the treated greywater, these variations were anticipated and attributed to potential organic matter leaching during the biofiltration process. Employing Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, we detected significant spectral changes indicative of successful organic matter removal from the greywater. Specifically, we observed an intensified phenolic hydroxyl (OH) peak at 3300 cm⁻¹, which shifted marginally to 3335 cm⁻¹ post-biofiltration. Additionally, the emergence of a carboxylic hydroxyl stretch at 2850 cm⁻¹ post-biofiltration provided strong evidence supporting the efficacy of our approach in mitigating organic contaminants in greywater.

Optimization Study of Adsorption parameter for the removal of Zinc (Zn) and Arsenic (As) on Activated Coconut Shell (ACS) Adsorbent using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract A large portion of the water environment is being contaminated and destroyed due to the direct liberation of industrial effluents, agricultural and municipal activities that are toxic to humans, animals, and plants. Among the several pollutants, heavy metals are considered to be a serious hazard and the presence arsenic in water will cause carcinogenic to humans. In this study, for sustainability easily available eco-friendly materials were used for the adsorption of heavy metal. An aqueous solution of zinc and arsenic metal was prepared and adsorption of heavy metal was performed by varying pH, initial concentration, time, and dosage. The metal productivity was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) by varying the obtained data. The model prediction result is in agreement with experimented result (R2=0.9706, 0.9799 adj R2=0.9432,0.9572 for and coconut shell carbon). ANOVA table shows that the adsorption of arsenic and zinc metal to carbon made from coconut shell. The optimization of carbon made from coconut shell pH, initial concentration, time, and dosage found to be the maximum adsorption capacity of both adsorbent pH (7,7), initial concentration (40,30), contact time (60,90), adsorbent dosage (0.3,0.3) was obtained. Characterization of activated coconut shell carbon was carried out by SEM.

The effect of pretreatment on the adsorption efficiency of activated carbon

Activated carbon (AC) is a very diverse adsorbent material with high porosity, high surface area, and excellent performance in vapor phase adsorption. The pretreatment provides a guaranteed way for the efficient adsorption performance of AC, which can remove the impurities and improve the porosity of AC. In this study, the difference between acid pretreatment and alkali pretreatment of coconut shell carbon was systematically investigated. The effect of heating with stirring pretreatment and ultrasonic pretreatment after acid treatment were also researched. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, the N2 saturation adsorption, and the porosity of AC by acid-ultrasonic pretreatment can reach 1094.30 m2g−1, 352.51 cm3 (STP) g−1, and 0.5453 cm3g−1, respectively, which are higher than that of acid-heating with stirring pretreatment and alkali-heating with stirring pretreatment. Combined with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis data, AC by acid-ultrasonic pretreatment has a better microstructure and clearer aperture. Among the three methods of preprocessing, acid-ultrasonic pretreatment yields the most favorable results. This work provides a possible way for AC pretreatment.

Aqueous-phase Reforming of Glycerol using Cu-Ni Bimetal Catalyst Supported over Coconut Shell Activated Carbon

The increasing generation of glycerol as a waste from biodiesel production calls for its various consumptions, especially in producing industrial chemicals. However, the focus of popular studies in this process is on using noble metals as the catalyst. It should be shifted to a low cost and abundant element to ensure sustainability. Therefore, this study uses activated carbon from coconut shells to support a bimetal catalyst copper-nickel in converting glycerol into value-added products. The catalyst was synthesized via the wet impregnation method and was characterized using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-Transform infra-red spectroscopy, and a surface area analyser. It was revealed that the BET surface area (582 m2/g) is smaller than the pristine carbon because of the exposure to high temperature during calcination. The average pore size (1.7 nm) is also smaller than the coconut shell carbon due to the same effect. The surface functional groups mainly consist of carboxylic acids that is known to contribute to the hydrogenolysis of glycerol. At 20 wt% initial glycerol concentration, 20 bar and 200 °C, acetic acid, propylene oxide, carbon monoxide and acetaldehyde were detected as the products. A possible mechanism was proposed considering the aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol and the dehydration process. The optimum operating conditions in this case are 20 wt% initial glycerol concentration, 25 bar and 200 °C. More studies are needed to evaluate the reactions involved in aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol using the Cu-Ni doped on coconut shell activated carbon. In conclusion, glycerol can be converted to valuable chemicals under mild conditions by using the cost-effective catalyst.

The correlation between the iodine value of coconut shell carbon and their reaction performance for NO2 to NO

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe precise detection of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) requires the conversion of NO2 to nitric oxide (NO) using a molybdenum conversion furnace. Currently, molybdenum wire is utilized as the conversion agent for the molybdenum furnace; however, the high operating temperature of the molybdenum wire can inadvertently convert ammonia (NH3) in industrial exhaust gas to NO, potentially impacting the accuracy of the detection process. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop low‐temperature conversion agents. The study aims to establish a correlation between the iodine value, which characterizes the liquid‐phase adsorption properties of activated carbon (AC), and its capacity for NO2 conversion, with the potential to provide valuable theoretical insights supporting the development of commercial molybdenum furnace conversion agents.RESULTSThe iodine value of coconut shell carbon (C) is closely related to their reaction performance for NO2‐to‐NO among three samples with different iodine values. AC‐900, AC‐1200 and AC‐1500 exhibited notable NO2‐to‐NO conversion capabilities. Specifically, AC‐900 demonstrated significantly superior reaction performance compared to AC‐1200 and AC‐1500. Under conditions of 175 °C and 1 L min−1, the NO2 conversion rates for AC‐900, AC‐1200 and AC‐1500 were measured at 97.3%, 88.2% and 86.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the evaluation of AC‐1200 and AC‐1500 at different flow rates at 125 °C revealed a decrease in NO2 conversion with increasing gas flow rate. AC‐1200 exhibited better reaction performance compared to AC‐1500.CONCLUSIONThe structure–activity relationship between iodine value of coconut shell C and their NO2‐to‐NO performance is revealed. The capacity of AC to convert NO2 is significantly influenced by the presence of oxygen (O) functional groups and the proportion of micropores. The content of micropores and O‐containing functional groups, especially phenolic hydroxyl groups, decreases with the increase of iodine value, leading to a decrease in the reaction performance of the conversion agent. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Screen printed carbon electrode from coconut shell char for lead ions detection

This research aimed to produce a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) from an activated coconut shell carbon. As a raw material, coconut shell char provides renewability and is abundantly available in the market. Meanwhile, SPCE offers a simple electroanalytical electrode because the working, counter, and reference electrodes are in one piece. The coconut shell carbon was activated by steam at 700 oC for 1h, producing AC700 that was then characterized to ensure the result by following per under carbon as the main component, the phases, crystal structure, surface area, morphology, and elemental content. The result showed that the surface area of AC700 is 816 m2/g, and the surface structure is porous, as identified by SEM images. Impedance analysis followed by data fitting and conductivity calculation found a high conductivity of 8.68 x 10-2 Scm‑1. The produced-SPCE or SPAC700 was modified by ferrocene at various compositions of 10%; 20%; and 30% of mass. The SPAC700-Fc30 provided the best performance for lead analysis with a detection limit of 0.35 mM, a quantitation limit of 1.17 mM, and good reproducibility with a Repeatability Coefficient (RC) of 0.022. SPAC700-Fc30 showed good lead ions detection despite under 10% Cu2+ and 10% Co2+ interferences. The result confirmed the potential use of coconut shell char as the raw material for SPCE production.

Enhancing Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Brass Composites with Carbonized Coconut Shell Ash

Enhancing Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Brass Composites with Carbonized Coconut Shell Ash

Optimization and Removal of Heavy Metals from Groundwater Using Moringa Extracts and Coconut Shell Carbon Powder


 
 
 
 Abstract: This study focuses on enhancing the efficacy and elimination of heavy metals from groundwater by employing bio-absorbents generated from Moringa extracts and Coconut shell carbon powder. The green synthesis technique was utilized to produce cost-effective absorbents, including powdered Moringa seeds, leaves and carbon from coconut shells. The study examines the effectiveness of synthetic bio-absorbents in removing heavy metals, including Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), and Zinc (Zn), from groundwater. Identifying functional groups such as Hydroxyl (OH), C-H of alkenes, C=C of alkenes, and C-O from carboxylic acids have been determined to be essential for removing metals in groundwater. The method of FT-IR spectroscopy was used to characterize these functional groups. The examination of the morphology of Moringa seeds indicated the presence of consistent spherical network sheets, but Moringa leaves had a hexagonal network structure like a flower. The coconut shell photos revealed the presence of irregular, small-sized flakes that were clustered together to create a sheet. In light of the escalating deterioration of groundwater quality in Vijayawada as a result of industrial expansion, urban development, and significant infrastructure initiatives, the primary objective of the study was to ascertain the primary contaminants present in the groundwater. Subsequently, adsorption methods utilizing natural bio-absorbents were employed. Water samples were gathered and exposed to bio-absorption utilizing powdered Moringa olifera leaves, powdered Moringa olifera seeds, and powdered carbon derived from coconut shells. The technique of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was utilized to examine the decrease in concentrations of heavy metals. The findings demonstrated that the bio-absorption of heavy metals was more prominent in Moringa olifera seed powder than in Moringa olifera leaf powder and coconut shell carbon powder. The highest levels of adsorption for copper, cadmium, and lead were achieved at 98.5%, 99.5% and 99.4%, respectively. This work offers useful insights into the potential of bio-absorbents manufactured using green methods for effectively eliminating heavy metals from groundwater. It addresses the crucial problem of water quality in metropolitan areas.
 
 
 

The Catalytic Activity of Manganese-Copper Supported on Coconut Shell–Carbon Activated by Nitric Acid for Low-Temperature NH3-SCR

The Catalytic Activity of Manganese-Copper Supported on Coconut Shell–Carbon Activated by Nitric Acid for Low-Temperature NH3-SCR

Multifunctional composite with hybrid carbon fiber and carbonaceous coconut particle reinforcement

The utilization of multifunctional composite materials presents significant advantages in terms of system efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and miniaturization, making them highly valuable for a wide range of industrial applications. One approach to harness the multifunctionality of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is to integrate it with a secondary material to form a hybrid composite. In our previous research, we explored the use of carbonaceous material derived from coconut shells as a sustainable alternative to inorganic fillers, aiming to enhance the out-of-plane mechanical performance of CFRP. In this study, our focus is to investigate the influence of carbonized coconut shell particles on the non-structural properties of CFRP, specifically electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, thermal stability, and water absorption resistance. The carbonized material was prepared by thermal processing at 400 °C. Varying proportions of carbonized material, ranging from 1% to 5% by weight, were thoroughly mixed with epoxy resin to form the matrix used for impregnating woven carbon fabric with a volume fraction of 29%. Through measurements of scattering parameters, we found that the hybrid composites with particle loadings up to 3% exhibited EMI shielding effectiveness suitable for industrial applications. Also, incorporating low concentrations of carbonized particle to CFRP enhances the thermal stability of hybrid CFRP composites. However, the inclusion of carbonized particle to CFRP has a complex effect on the glass transition temperature. Even so, the hybrid composite with 2% particle loading exhibits the highest glass transition temperature and lowest damping factor among the tested variations. Furthermore, when subjected to a 7-day water immersion test, hybrid composites with 3% or less amount of carbonized particle showed the least water absorption. The favorable outcome can be attributed to good interfacial bonding at the matrix/fiber interface. Conversely, at higher particle concentrations, aggregation of particles and formation of interfacial and internal pores was observed, ultimately resulting in deteriorated measured properties. The improved non-structural functionalities observed in these biocomposites suggest the potential for a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to their inorganic-based counterparts. This advancement in multifunctional composites could pave the way for enhanced applications of biocomposites in various industries.