Production, characterization and application of activated carbon from nutshell for adsorption of methylene blue

Abstract

In this paper is reported the preparation of an activated carbon from an agricultural waste, rich in carbon, the nutshell. Physical activation by pyrolysis and physic-chemical activation with pyrolysis and chemical treatment were used for the preparation of the activated carbon. The material was characterized in relation to amount of carbon and ash, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface area (BET). The results showed that the coal produced had carbon content above 78 %, with a surface area around 400 m2·g-1 and high thermal stability and morphology honeycomb type. Tests for the adsorption capacity of methylene blue showed a capacity of 68 mg·g-1 for the activated carbon produced without chemical treatment and a capacity of 104 mg·g-1 for activated carbon treated with a chemical activation with ZnCl2. Thus, the material showed promise in the removal of methylene blue in aqueous solution.