Optimized Synthesis and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Corn Silk and Corn Silk Hydrochar

Abstract

This study investigates the development and optimization of activated carbon (AC) from corn silk (CS-AC) and corn silk hydrochar (CS-HC-AC) as a sustainable solution for water purification. For the first time, hydrothermal treatment and activation processes were employed, producing AC from corn silk with improved structural properties. CS-HC-AC exhibited a remarkable SBET surface area of 331.233 m2 g−1, surpassing the 7.335 m2 g−1 of CS-AC. Key factors such as temperature, activation time, and activator rate were optimized (100% activator rate, 500 °C temperature, and 60 min activation time), with K2CO3 and ZnCl2 identified as the most effective activators for CS-AC and CS-HC-AC, respectively. The resulting ACs showed high adsorption capacities for heavy metals (Cr(VI), Pb(II), and Ni(II)) and methylene blue dye.