The use of piassava fibers (Attalea funifera) in the preparation of activated carbon

The piassava fiber, residue of the broom industry, was used as precursor for the preparation of activated carbons (AC). AC were prepared by chemical activation with zinc chloride (AC ZnCl2) or phosphoric acid (AC H3PO4) and by physical activation with carbon dioxide (AC CO2) or water vapor (AC H2O). These materials were characterized by adsorption/desorption of N2 to determine the BET areas, elemental analysis (CHN), thermogravimetric analysis (TG, DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The carbons were tested with respect to their adsorption capacity of methylene blue, reactive red, phenol and metallic ions (Cr+6, Cu+2 and Zn+2). AC ZnCl2 presented the highest surface area (1190 m2 g−1) and AC H3PO4, the largest pore volume (0.543 cm3 g−1). AC ZnCl2 was more efficient in the adsorption of methylene blue, Cr+6 and Cu+2 ions. AC H2O was the better adsorbent for phenol, while AC CO2 was better for Zn+2 ions.