Production of Carbon Adsorbents from Hydrolysis Industry Waste and Methods for their Modification

Abstract: Sorbents obtained from lignin, the multi-ton hydrolysis industry waste, were modified using a fullerene extract. The introduction of fullerenes into the material was performed at the mixing stage, prior to the processes of carbonization and activation. A water-alcohol solution of fullerenes was used to introduce the modifier. Based on a derivatographic analysis, it was shown that the use of fullerenes as modifiers leads to a decrease in the oxidation temperature of carbon material. Additionally, the results of X-ray studies showed a decrease in the size of carbon-graphite crystallites in the modified materials. This method of modification reduces energy consumption during the production of activated carbon, which lessens its negative impact on the environment and reduces the cost of its production. Activated carbon modified with fullerenes differs from unmodified activated carbon by an increased degree of hydrophobicity, which makes it effective in the process of purification of aqueous and highly humidified gaseous media from organic and inorganic compounds. The introduction of fullerenes increases the absorption properties of activated carbon obtained from aqueous media by 20% for methylene blue and 30% for iodine. At the same time, the porous structure of the obtained activated carbon remains practically unchanged.