American Transactions on Engineering & Applied Sciences

Problem statement: Developing high-value nanostructured carbon from bio-char, for electrical and natural gas energy storage, is critical to improving the economic viability of thermochemical bioenergy and biofuel conversion processes. Approach: We show chemical activation, using potassium or sodium hydroxide as catalysts, converted the biochar of distiller’s dried grains with soluble into activated carbon with high surface area (> 1500 m 2 /g). Results: The development of porosity by chemical activation using alkali hydroxides depends on type and dosage of activation catalysts; activation temperature and atmosphere conditions. Activated carbon samples with high mesoporous volume (>1 ml/g), and nanostructure similar to activated graphene were prepared at activation temperature (1050 °C) and KOH loading (0.05 or 0.075 mol/g biochar). Conclusion: This protocol offers the potential to use other protein rich feedstocks for preparing nanostructured carbon, containing nanostructure similar to activated graphene, as an advanced carbon material.

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