Production of Granular Porous Carbon Sorbent by Co-Thermolysis of Agricultural and Technogenic Waste

This study reports the development of a granular porous carbon sorbent produced by the co-thermolysis of rice husk (agricultural waste), oil sludge (industrial waste), and a starch-based binder. The aim was to design an efficient and environmentally friendly method for converting biomass into high-performance adsorbents. The synthesis procedure included mechanical processing of the raw materials, granulation using starch, carbonization under a nitrogen atmosphere, and steam activation at elevated temperatures. The physicochemical characteristics of the resulting sorbents were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. SEM and TEM images revealed a well-developed micro- and mesoporous structure with pore diameters ranging from ۵۰ to ۲۰۰ nm, suitable for adsorption applications. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed a high carbon content, typical of activated carbon materials. Raman analysis showed prominent D and G bands at ۱۳۵۴ cm-¹ and ۱۶۰۲ cm-¹, respectively, with a graphitization degree of ۳۲.۸%, indicating a semi-ordered carbon structure. Optimization studies demonstrated that the sorbent’s properties were strongly influenced by the binder content and activation conditions. The most effective sorbent was obtained at a precursor ratio of ۹:۱:۲ (rice husk:oil sludge:starch), yielding granules with enhanced adsorption capacity. This work provides a novel and sustainable approach for the valorization of agricultural and industrial waste into functional carbon-based materials, with promising applications in water purification, wastewater treatment, and gas adsorption.

کلیدواژه ها:

porous carbon sorbent ، Rice husk ، Oil Sludge ، co-thermolysis ، Activation ، Adsorption