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Coconut Shell-Derived Activated Carbons: Preparation, Physicochemical Properties, and Dye Removal from Water
Vanda María Cachola Maldito Lowden1, María Francisca Alexandre-Franco1, Juan Manuel Garrido-Zoido1
1Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Coconut shells can be converted into high-performance activated carbons for wastewater treatment using physical or chemical activation. KOH chemical activation produced the best material for efficient organic contaminant removal.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Valorization of lignocellulosic waste, like coconut shells, is crucial for sustainable development.
- Activated carbons are effective adsorbents for wastewater treatment.
- Tailoring activated carbon properties is key to optimizing contaminant removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare physical and chemical activation methods for producing activated carbons from coconut shells.
- To investigate the influence of activation methods on porosity and surface chemistry.
- To evaluate the adsorption performance of the produced activated carbons for dye removal.
Main Methods:
- Coconut shells were subjected to physical activation (air, CO2, steam) and chemical activation (H3PO4, ZnCl2, KOH).
- Porosity (BET surface area, micropore and mesopore volume) and surface chemistry were analyzed.
- Adsorption experiments were conducted using methylene blue, methyl orange, and orange G dyes.
Main Results:
- Steam activation yielded A-ST (S_BET = 738 m2 g-1, V_mi = 0.38 cm3 g-1, V_me = 0.07 cm3 g-1).
- KOH activation produced A-KOH (S_BET = 1600 m2 g-1, V_mi = 0.74 cm3 g-1, V_me = 0.22 cm3 g-1), the top-performing carbon.
- A-ST and A-KOH showed high dye adsorption capacities, especially for methylene blue, linked to their porosity and surface chemistry.
Conclusions:
- Coconut shell waste can be effectively valorized into high-performance activated carbons.
- Activation method significantly impacts activated carbon properties and adsorption efficiency.
- Tailored activated carbons from coconut shells offer a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment.
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