Coconut shell-based biochars produced by an innovative thermochemical process for obtaining improved...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• There is a need for cost-effective methods to produce biochar for environmental applications.
• Biochar can be produced from lignocellulosic materials like coconut waste.
• Adsorption is a key process for removing pollutants from water.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple thermochemical process for producing coconut-based biochar (CBB) under oxygen-limited conditions.
• To evaluate the methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacity of CBB produced via this method.
• To compare the adsorption performance of CBB produced under different conditions.

Main Methods:

• Coconut-based biochar (CBB) was produced under oxygen-limited (muffle furnace biochar - MFB) and inert (pyrolytic reactor biochar - PRB) conditions at varying temperatures (350-700°C) and times (30-90 min).
• Materials were characterized using FTIR, RAMAN, SEM, EDS, and XRD.
• Adsorption experiments were conducted using MFB and PRB to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions.

Main Results:

• Atmospheric conditions significantly impacted biochar yield and structure.
• Pyrolytic reactor biochar (PRB) showed higher yields and larger cavities compared to muffle furnace biochar (MFB).
• MFB produced at 700°C for 90 min exhibited a methylene blue adsorption capacity (q_t) of 33.1 mg g^-1, while PRB produced at 700°C for 30 min had a q_t of 9.2 mg g^-1.

Conclusions:

• A straightforward, cost-effective thermochemical process for producing coconut-based biochar (CBB) was successfully developed.
• The produced biochar demonstrates significant potential as an effective biosorbent for removing methylene blue.
• This lignocellulose-based material offers a promising alternative for water treatment applications.