Mathematical Modelling and Optimization for Facile Synthesis of Structured Activated Carbon (ACs) from Adansonia kilima (Baobab) Wood Chips Integrating Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis for the Elimination of Lead (II) Cations from Wastewater Effluents

Santhana Sellamuthu; Zaira Zaman Chowdhury; Khalisanni Khalid; Shahjalal Mohd. Shibly; Md Mahfujur Rahman; Masud Rana; Irfan Anjum Badruddin; H. M. T. Khaleed; Sarfaraz Kamangar; Mohd. Rafie Bin Johan; Mohamed Hussein; Ajita Mitra; Abu Nasser Faisal

doi:10.3390/molecules28186640

Molecules (Sep 2023)

Mathematical Modelling and Optimization for Facile Synthesis of Structured Activated Carbon (ACs) from Adansonia kilima (Baobab) Wood Chips Integrating Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis for the Elimination of Lead (II) Cations from Wastewater Effluents

Santhana Sellamuthu,
Zaira Zaman Chowdhury,
Khalisanni Khalid,
Shahjalal Mohd. Shibly,
Md Mahfujur Rahman,
Masud Rana,
Irfan Anjum Badruddin,
H. M. T. Khaleed,
Sarfaraz Kamangar,
Mohd. Rafie Bin Johan,
Mohamed Hussein,
Ajita Mitra,
Abu Nasser Faisal

Affiliations

Santhana Sellamuthu: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Zaira Zaman Chowdhury: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Khalisanni Khalid: Malaysian Agricultural Research & Development Institute (MARDI), Serdang 43000, Malaysia
Shahjalal Mohd. Shibly: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Md Mahfujur Rahman: Institute of Halal Management, Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah 06010, Malaysia
Masud Rana: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Irfan Anjum Badruddin: Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 394, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
H. M. T. Khaleed: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University, Madinah Munawwarra 42351, Saudi Arabia
Sarfaraz Kamangar: Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 394, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Mohd. Rafie Bin Johan: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Mohamed Hussein: Department of Chiemistry, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Ajita Mitra: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
Abu Nasser Faisal: Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186640
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 28, no. 18
p. 6640

Abstract

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In this research, activated carbon (AC) was synthesized from ligno-cellulosic residues of Adansonia kilima (Baobab) wood chips (AKTW) using two-step semi-carbonization and subsequent pyrolysis using microwave-induced heating (MWP) in the presence of a mild activating agent of K2CO3. The influence of process input variables of microwave power (x1), residence time (y1), and amount of K2CO3 (z1) were analysed to yield superior quality carbon having maximum removal efficiencies (R1) for lead (II) cations from waste effluents, fixed carbon percentages (R2), and carbon yield percentages (R3). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to develop relevant mathematical models, with an appropriate statistical assessment of errors. Level factorial response surface methodology (RSM) relying on the Box–Behnken design (BBD) was implemented for the experimental design. The surface area and porous texture of the samples were determined using Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) adsorption/desorption curves based on the N2 isotherm. Surface morphological structure was observed using field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out to observe the thermal stability of the sample. Change in the carbon content of the samples was determined using ultimate analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to observe the crystalline and amorphous texture of the samples. The retention of a higher proportion of fixed carbon (80.01%) ensures that the synthesized adsorbent (AKTWAC) will have a greater adsorption capacity while avoiding unwanted catalytic activity for our synthesized final sample.

Published in Molecules

ISSN: 1420-3049 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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