Easy and economical nanocasting method for preparation of carbon adsorbent using low-cost precursors in the presence of a natural zeolite as template

Carbon adsorbents have been prepared through an economical method including nanocasting of sucrose in naturally occurring clinoptinolith-ype zeolite from Semnan-Iran. Carbonisation of hybrid material containing nanocasted sucrose in natural zeolite was performed in an atmosphere controlled tube furnace using N-2 as inert gas. Two different processes, namely acid wash and KOH molten salt methods, were utilised for template removal and carbon activation. The resultant activated carbon samples were characterised by X-ray diffractometery, small angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Based on these techniques the KOH molten salt procedure is selected as the best method for both leaching of the zeolite template and activation of the final product. The surface area and porosity of samples were also determined by the conventional nitrogen porosimetry method using the Brunaure-Emmet-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda models. The selected samples were successfully utilised for removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions. The prepared activated carbon samples are promising materials for decolonisation, water treatment and catalytic applications because of the low-priced precursors and high surface area of 800 m(2) g(-1). The high bleaching efficiency of 98% was achieved for 25 ppm dye solution using 10 mg of the above adsorbent.