MCMA Group, Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Institute (IUMA), Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Molecules. 2022 Mar 1;27(5):1630. doi: 10.3390/molecules27051630.
This paper provides the basis for understanding the preparation and properties of an old, but advanced material: activated carbon. The activated carbons discussed herein are obtained from "green" precursors: biomass residues. Accordingly, the present study starts analyzing the components of biomass residues, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and the features that make them suitable raw materials for preparing activated carbons. The physicochemical transformations of these components during their heat treatment that lead to the development of a carbonized material, a biochar, are also considered. The influence of the chemical activation experimental conditions on the yield and porosity development of the final activated carbons are revised as well, and compared with those for physical activation, highlighting the physicochemical interactions between the activating agents and the lignocellulosic components. This review incorporates a comprehensive discussion about the surface chemistry that can be developed as a result of chemical activation and compiles some results related to the mechanical properties and conformation of activated carbons, scarcely analyzed in most published papers. Finally, economic, and environmental issues involved in the large-scale preparation of activated carbons by chemical activation of lignocellulosic precursors are commented on as well.
本文为理解一种古老但先进的材料——活性炭的制备和性质提供了依据。本文讨论的活性炭是由“绿色”前体物质：生物质残渣制备得到的。因此，本研究首先分析了生物质残渣的成分，如纤维素、半纤维素和木质素，以及使它们成为制备活性炭的合适原料的特点。还考虑了这些成分在热处理过程中的物理化学转化，导致碳化材料——生物炭的形成。此外，还修订并比较了化学活化实验条件对最终活性炭产率和孔隙发展的影响，与物理活化相比，突出了活化剂与木质纤维素成分之间的物理化学相互作用。这篇综述综合讨论了由于化学活化而可能发展的表面化学，并汇编了一些与活性炭的机械性能和构象相关的结果，这些结果在大多数已发表的论文中很少被分析。最后，还评论了通过化学活化木质纤维素前体制备活性炭的大规模制备所涉及的经济和环境问题。
