3D Graphene-Like Carbon Structures from Poly(Acrylic Acid): A Novel Synthetic Route

Emerging contaminants, such as the hormone 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE), in aquatic environments pose a serious risk to both human and environmental health, making efficient removal essential. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three-dimensional porous carbon structures derived from poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc, Carbopol 990) as adsorbents for removing EE from aqueous solutions. Activated carbon materials were prepared using varying ratios of KOH as an activating agent (PAAc : KOH; 1 : 0 AAC, 1 : 1 AC1, 1 : 2 AC2, and 1 : 3 AC3). Adsorption tests were conducted by adding 10 mg of the adsorbent to 40 mL of an EE solution (100 ppm, 20 % acetonitrile in water). Analyses including TGA, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy were performed to evaluate the materials' structural properties and adsorption capacities. Among the materials, AC3 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for EE (238 mg g^-1), followed by AC2 (153 mg g^-1) and AC1 (82 mg g^-1). The superior efficiency of AC3 can be attributed to its larger surface area and pore volume, enabling greater interaction with EE molecules. These materials demonstrated higher adsorption capacities compared to commercial activated carbons and single-walled carbon nanotubes. This work opens new possibilities for developing efficient adsorbents, contributing to more effective and sustainable solutions for water purification and environmental protection.