Physico-chemical characterization of activated carbons from local lignocellulosic biomass (Niger)

This study presents the physico-chemical characterization of activated carbons produced from local lignocellulosic biomass, notably the core shells of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Adoua), and Hyphaene thebaica (L.) Mart. (Gorouba) by chemical activation with orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4). Elaborated Activated Carbons (EACs) were characterized using experimental techniques such as: X-ray Diffraction using a Shimadzu XRD-6000 diffractometer, Infra-Red (IR-TF) using a spectrometer (Bruker Vector-22 Fourier transform spectrometer; ATR-FTIR), SEM using a Hitachi device at 20 kV and Raman spectroscopy. The results of this study show that Elaborated Activated Carbons did not detect any detectable crystallized species on the surface; the existence of several types of pore types (micropores, mesopores and macropores) of pores. Elaborated activated carbons have developed functional groups (carboxylic hydroxyls (O-H), asymmetrical and symmetrical C-H, C=C alkene, C=O carbonyl, C-O and C-C alkene, aliphatic and aromatic); cumulative pore volumes (BJH) vary from 0.269688 to 0.560185 cm3 g-1; CAEs are capable of adsorbing molecules of micropore, mesopore and macropore sizes.