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Published on: February 12, 2019
Phenol adsorption by activated carbon produced from spent coffee grounds
Cínthia S Castro1, Anelise L Abreu, Carmen L T Silva
1Depto de Química, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras-MG, Brazil. cicastro14@yahoo.com.br
Summary
Activated carbons derived from spent coffee grounds effectively adsorb phenol, offering a sustainable solution for waste valorization and environmental remediation. These novel adsorbents demonstrate high capacity for phenol removal.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Agricultural residues like spent coffee grounds represent a significant waste stream.
- Developing sustainable adsorbents is crucial for environmental remediation.
- Activated carbons are effective adsorbents for various pollutants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare activated carbons from spent coffee grounds using water vapor and K(2)CO(3) as activating agents.
- To evaluate the phenol adsorption capacity of these activated carbons.
- To investigate the influence of pH on phenol adsorption.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of activated carbons (ACs) from spent coffee grounds (SCG).
- Activation using water vapor (ACW) and potassium carbonate (ACK).
- Characterization of ACs (surface area, porosity, composition) and phenol adsorption experiments.
Main Results:
- ACs exhibited a microporous structure with high surface areas (620-950 m(2) g(-1)).
- Both ACW and ACK showed high phenol adsorption capacity (≈150 mg g(-1)), comparable to commercial activated carbon (CAC).
- Distinct morphological and chemical properties were observed based on the activating agent, yet adsorption capacity remained similar.
Conclusions:
- Spent coffee grounds are a viable precursor for producing high-performance activated carbons.
- The prepared activated carbons are promising for efficient phenol removal from aqueous solutions.
- This study demonstrates a sustainable approach to waste valorization and environmental pollutant management.
