Exploring the thermal decomposition of cigarette butts and its role in chromium adsorption processes
Smoked cigarette butts (SCB) can serve as precursors for producing activated carbon (AC) due to their high carbon content, which originates from cellulose acetate and other components retained during tobacco combustion. This study examines the pyrolysis process and char formation from SCB residue. Kinetic analysis of char formation is conducted using thermogravimetry with heating rates of 5, 10, and 15 °C/min. Mathematical models, including Kissenger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Starink (STK), and Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) are applied to determine thermodynamic parameters, such as activation energy. The resulting char undergoes KOH activation to enhance surface area and pore volume, resulting in BET surface area and micropore volume values of 433 m<sup>2</sup>/g and 0.25 cm<sup>3</sup>/g, respectively. The activated carbon is then used for Cr(VI) removal, exhibiting a maximum adsorption capacity (Q<sub>max</sub>) of 55.8 mg/g, as determined by the Langmuir model.
Authors
- Luz Elena Tinoco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5250-3839)
- Juan Carlos Moreno‐Piraján (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9880-4696)
- Yesid Murillo‐Acevedo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8911-0086)
- Carlos Felipe Herrera-Puerta
- Santiago Suspes-García
- Diego Cifuentes-Galindres
- Diana M. Galindres-Jiménez
- Liliana Giraldo Gutiérrez
Institutions
- Universidad de Los Andes (CO)
- Catholic University of Ávila (ES)
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia (CO)
- Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades (PE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Heliyon
- Published
- 2025-01-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42162
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.45
Funders
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de los Andes