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Development and characterization of microwave-assisted activated carbons from Parkinsonea aculeata wood

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Abstract

Activated carbons from invasive Parkinsonia aculeata wood sawdust were developed by microwave assisted H3PO4 acid activation varying the radiation time (2–10 min). Their main physicochemical characteristics were determined, and compared with those of a sample previously obtained by conventional heating using the same precursor, chemical agent, and impregnation ratio. The activated carbons developed for radiation times of 5 and 10 min showed higher BET surface areas (~1300 m2/g) and total pore volume (1 cm3/g) than those obtained at 2 min (~710 m2/g) or by conventional heating (~970 m2/g). Microwave assisted activation also led to activated carbons with higher total amounts of acidic oxygen and basic functionalities in comparison with the sample arising from conventional heating. Phenol adsorption capacity for all the samples was also evaluated from determination of the adsorption isotherms and their proper description by the Freundlich model. The adsorption capacity for the activated carbons obtained at 5 and 10 min was almost twice that measured for the samples prepared at 2 min and by conventional heating, in agreement with the higher BET surface areas characterizing the former. Compared with conventional heating, the process assistance by microwave energy not only reduced operation time, but also improved the characteristics of the resulting activated carbons.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledged financial support from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), and Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica-Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (FONCYT-ANPCYT) from Argentina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Programa de Investigación Y Desarrollo de Fuentes Alternativas de Materias Primas y Energía (PINMATE) - Departamento de Industrias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Pabellón de Industrias, Intendente Güiraldes 2620. Ciudad Universitaria. (C1428BGA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    G. V. Nunell, M. E. Fernandez, P. R. Bonelli & A. L. Cukierman

  2. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Rivadavia 1917. (C1033AAJ), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    G. V. Nunell, M. E. Fernandez, P. R. Bonelli & A. L. Cukierman

  3. Cátedra de Tecnología Farmacéutica II - Departamento de Tecnología Farmacéutica - Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956. (C1113AAD), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    A. L. Cukierman

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  1. G. V. Nunell
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  2. M. E. Fernandez
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  4. A. L. Cukierman
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Correspondence to A. L. Cukierman.

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Nunell, G.V., Fernandez, M.E., Bonelli, P.R. et al. Development and characterization of microwave-assisted activated carbons from Parkinsonea aculeata wood. Adsorption 22, 347–356 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-016-9783-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-016-9783-z

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