Adsorción de mercurio utilizando carbones activados modificados con peróxido de hidrogeno y calentamiento

Abstract

Activated carbon was prepared from corn cob. This material was carbonized at 400°C for one hour in nitrogen atmosphere. After that, the carbonized cob is chemically activated and modified by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide followed by heating to a temperature of 600°C. The coal obtained was texturally characterized using the BET method and acidity and basicity in the carbonaceous matrix was determined by the Boemh method. The maximum adsorption of mercury was 5.24 Hg2+ mg/g of carbon. Modification with hydrogen peroxide increased the surface area of the active carbons from 527.9 to 663.8 m2/g, and coals with area of micropore 527 m2/g, 136 m2/g external area and micropore volume of 0.22 cm3/g were obtained. The results were compared with those reported in the literature. The modifications do not increase the adsorption of mercury and the modification with peroxide and heating allows maximum peaks of adsorption of 3.30 and 3.05 mg of Hg per gram of carbon respectively.