Three-dimensional honeycomb-like porous carbon derived from corncob for the removal of heavy metals from water by capacitive deionization |
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| Authors: | X F Zhang B Wang J Yu X
N Wu Y H Zang H C Gao P C Su S Q Hao |
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| Institution: | Department of Chemical Engineering, Chengde Petroleum College, Xueyuan Road, Chengde China.; College of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin China.; School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL UK |
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| Abstract: | In this study, porous carbon (3DHPC) with a 3D honeycomb-like structure was synthesized from waste biomass corncob via hydrothermal carbonization coupled with KOH activation and investigated as a capacitive deionization (CDI) electrode material. The obtained 3DHPC possesses a hierarchal macroporous and mesoporous structure, and a large accessible specific surface area (952 m2 g−1). Electrochemical tests showed that the 3DHPC electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 452 F g−1 and good electric conductivity. Moreover, the feasibility of electrosorptive removal of chromium(vi) from an aqueous solution using the 3DHPC electrode was demonstrated. When 1.0 V was applied to a solution containing 30 mg L−1 chromium(vi), the 3DHPC electrode exhibited a higher removal efficiency of 91.58% compared with that in the open circuit condition. This enhanced adsorption results from the improved affinity between chromium(vi) and the electrode under electrochemical assistance involving a non-faradic process. Consequently, the 3DHPC electrode with typical double-layer capacitor behavior is demonstrated to be a favorable electrode material for capacitive deionization.A porous carbon electrode with a 3D honeycomb-like structure demonstrates a high removal efficiency for the removal of chromium(vi) from water. |
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