Three-dimensional honeycomb-like porous carbon derived from corncob for the removal of heavy metals from water by capacitive deionization†

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 m ² 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.

Abstract

A porous carbon electrode with a 3D honeycomb-like structure demonstrates a high removal efficiency for the removal of chromium( vi) from water.