Pesticides abatement using activated carbon produced from a mixture of synthetic polymers by chemical activation with KOH and K2CO3

Abstract

Highly efficient low cost carbon adsorbents were prepared from synthetic polymers mixture, such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), by chemical activation, with potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate, at 1073 K. Mixtures polymers carbon activation is more effective with KOH than with K2CO3, since the apparent surface area and the micropore volume were always higher on those prepared with KOH. The activated carbons (ACs) obtained presented a high thermal stability, a basic character and a very high apparent surface area (between 1206 and 2828 m2 g−1), micropore volume (between 0.35 and 1.38 cm3 g−1), with mean pore sizes ranging the supermicropores region. These ACs were successfully tested on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) removals from the liquid phase. The results achieved are very promising, as the adsorption capacity of these AC is higher than that obtained with commercial AC used for this end.