Production and Physicochemical Characterization of Activated Carbon from the Mesocarp of the Coconut (<i>Cocos nucifera</i> L.) Variety Alto del Pacifico
The mesocarp, a by-product of coconut production, consists of a fibrous outer layer and a medullary tissue. These fibers can be utilized as an alternative source for producing activated carbon (AC). This study presents a method for producing activated carbon from coconut mesocarp fibers (CMFs) using...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Chemistry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8549/7/3/88 |
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| Summary: | The mesocarp, a by-product of coconut production, consists of a fibrous outer layer and a medullary tissue. These fibers can be utilized as an alternative source for producing activated carbon (AC). This study presents a method for producing activated carbon from coconut mesocarp fibers (CMFs) using a phosphoric acid (H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>) solution as the activating agent. The chemical activation process involves two stages: (1) carbonization of the CMFs, and (2) activation with H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> at elevated temperatures. AC was characterized by its structural, thermal, surface morphological, and elemental properties. The resulting AC developed a lamellar structure with a porous network. Notably, the AC treated with a 60% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i> H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> solution demonstrated a BET adsorption surface area of 1508 m<sup>2</sup>/g, a total pore volume of 0.871 cm<sup>3</sup>/g, and an average pore diameter of 2.20 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of aromatic rings in the AC, while thermogravimetric analysis showed that the AC decomposed at 428 °C, compared to 418 °C for the non-activated carbon. Elemental analysis revealed a 9.04% increase in carbon content in the AC. Producing activated carbon from coconut mesocarp fibers offers a cost-effective method to generate high-surface-area activated carbon from agro-industrial waste. |
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| ISSN: | 2624-8549 |