A sustainable ecofriendly-synthesis of carbon foams from sugarcane, benefiting the waste to obtain activated carbons

This study demonstrates, for the first time, that unprocessed sugarcane juice (SCJ) can be used directly as a sustainable precursor for the synthesis of carbon foams, yielding materials comparable to those obtained from commercial sucrose while avoiding the need for refined feedstocks. Despite the natural heterogeneity and additional inorganic and organic constituents present in SCJ, the resulting foams retain the characteristic three-dimensional cellular architecture, display bulk densities and open porosities similar to sucrose-derived foams, and contain a higher concentration of oxygenated functional groups that enhances their potential for adsorption-related applications. In parallel, the biomass residue generated after juice extraction —sugarcane bagasse (SCB)— was successfully valorised as a precursor for activated carbons. Both the rind and pith fractions produced microporous materials with surface areas in the 490–600 m2 g−1 range following CO2 activation at 800 °C, showing only minor differences in pore development and surface chemistry. The activated SCJF foam also reached surface areas of around 500 m2 g−1, confirming its suitability as a porous adsorbent. Overall, the integrated and reagent-efficient conversion of both SCJ and SCB provides an environmentally responsible route to high-value porous carbon materials, fully exploiting the precursor and broadening the non-food applications of sugarcane through the sustainable production of carbon foams and activated carbons.