Surface Modified Activated Carbons: Sustainable Bio-Based Materials for Environmental Remediation

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Human activities, including improper disposal of agro-forest byproducts, exacerbate global warming and environmental pollution.
• Agricultural waste contributes to climate change through burning and causes water/air contamination via poor waste management.
• Developing countries face significant challenges due to these environmental issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the conversion of agricultural waste into smart materials for waste management and environmental remediation.
• To review modification methods for agricultural-waste-based activated carbons (ACs).
• To highlight the applications of modified ACs in pollutant adsorption.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of activated carbons (ACs) from various agricultural wastes.
• Surface modification of ACs using methods like acid/alkaline treatment, impregnation, ozone, and plasma treatment.
• Characterization of ACs to assess porous structure, specific surface area, and surface functional groups.

Main Results:

• Activated carbons derived from agricultural waste exhibit desirable properties for adsorption.
• Surface modification significantly enhances the adsorption capacity of ACs, particularly for specific pollutants.
• Various treatment methods alter the surface chemistry of ACs, impacting their performance.

Conclusions:

• Converting agricultural waste into modified activated carbon is a promising strategy for environmental remediation.
• Surface modification is crucial for optimizing AC performance in pollutant adsorption.
• Modified ACs offer effective solutions for managing environmental pollution challenges.