Modification of structured bio‑carbon derived from spongin-based scaffolds with nickel compounds to produce a functional catalyst for reduction and oxidation reactions: Potential for use in environmental protection

Effect of pyrolysis temperature and hydrothermal activation on structure, physicochemical, thermal and dye adsorption characteristics of the biocarbons

In this study, the possibility of using sawdust from mixed woods to obtain biocarbons in the pyrolysis and steam activation using microwave radiation as an energy source was investigated. Biocarbons were characterized based on the results of N2 adsorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. Surface characterization was performed by Boehm titration and pHpzc determination. The adsorption capacity of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) was studied. It was proved that the pyrolysis temperature and hydrothermal activation increased the biocarbons structural, surface and adsorption parameters of the obtained biocarbons. The amorphous materials of small specific surface area with a significant share of micropores were obtained. The steam activation resulted in significant development of the porous structure (to SBET =729.2 m2 /g and Vp =0.36 cm3 /g). The presence of functional groups, mainly phenolic ones, and pHpzc values indicating a potential for adsorption applications regarding MO and MB were found. The highest sorption capacity concerning MB (qe =122.8 mg/g) and MO (qe =99.1 mg/g) was observed for the steam-activated biocarbon BC-800MW . Using microwave energy hydrothermal activation proved very efficient, resulting in significant surface area and porosity development with a small loss of carbon matter.

Novel construction of the catalyst from red mud by the pyrolysis reduction of glucose for the peroxymonosulfate-induced degradation of m-cresol

Red mud of low cost is regarded as a promising alternative to heterogeneous catalysts for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade m-cresol. Improper valence states of metal oxides and coated active substances in red mud greatly hampered its wide application. To solve this problem, the modified red mud (WRMG/700) was prepared by the pyrolysis reduction of glucose in N₂ atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) analysis confirmed the production of Fe₃O₄, MnO and NiO in red mud and their gathering on the surface of particles. WRMG/700 exhibited the excellent performance toward PMS activation for the m-cresol degradation with 99.02% degradation efficiency and a pH-independent catalytic activity between initial pH 3-8. The removal efficiency of COD increased with the reaction time under the optimized degradation conditions. The free radical scavenging experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) test confirmed ¹O₂ played a dominant role during m-cresol degradation in the WRMG/700/PMS system, implying m-cresol degradation was a non-radical oxidation process. Accordingly, the possible reaction mechanism was proposed. WRMG/700 retained its activation performance even after five recycles. This study showed a low cost and simple operation process for m-cresol elimination.

Activated Carbon Modification towards Efficient Catalyst for High Value-Added Products Synthesis from Alpha-Pinene

DT0-activated carbons modified with HCl and HNO₃ acids, which were used for the first time in the catalytic process of alpha-pinene isomerization, are presented in this study. The carbon materials DT0, DT0_HCl, DT0_HNO₃, and DT0_HCl_HNO₃ were examined with the following methods: XRF, SEM, EDX, XPS, FT-IR, XRD, and N₂ adsorption at −196 °C. It was shown that DT0_HCl_HNO₃-activated carbon was the most active material in the alpha-pinene isomerization process. Detailed studies of alpha-pinene isomerization were carried out over this carbon by changing the reaction parameters such as time (5–180 min) and temperature (60–175 °C). The 100% conversion of alpha-pinene was achieved at the temperature of 160 °C and catalyst content of 5 wt% after 3 h over the DT0_HCl_HNO₃ catalyst. Camphene and limonene were the main products of the alpha-pinene isomerization reaction.

Activated Carbons Obtained from Orange Peels, Coffee Grounds, and Sunflower Husks-Comparison of Physicochemical Properties and Activity in the Alpha-Pinene Isomerization Process

This work presents studies on the preparation of porous carbon materials from waste biomass in the form of orange peels, coffee grounds, and sunflower seed husks. The preparation of activated carbons from these three waste materials involved activation with KOH followed by carbonization at 800 °C in an N2 atmosphere. This way of obtaining the activated carbons is very simple and requires the application of only two reactants. Thus, this method is cheap, and it does not generate much chemical waste. The obtained activated carbons were characterized by XRD, SEM, XPS, and XRF methods. Moreover, the textural properties, acidity, and catalytic activity of these materials were descried. During catalytic tests carried out in the alpha-pinene isomerization process (the use of the activated carbons thus obtained in the process of alpha-pinene isomerization has not been described so far), the most active were activated carbons obtained from coffee grounds and orange peels. Generally, the catalytic activity of the obtained materials depended on the pore size, and the most active activated carbons had more pores with sizes of 0.7-1.0 and 1.1-1.4 nm. Moreover, the presence of potassium and chlorine ions in the pores may also be of key importance for the alpha-pinene isomerization process. On the other hand, the acidity of the surface of the tested active carbons did not affect their catalytic activity. The most favorable conditions for carrying out the alpha-pinene isomerization process were the same for the three tested activated carbons: temperature 160 °C, amount of the catalyst 5 wt.%, and reaction time 3 h. Kinetic studies were also carried out for the three tested catalysts. These studies showed that the isomerization over activated carbons from orange peels, coffee grounds, and sunflower seed husks is a first-order reaction.