Activated carbon for herbicide removal

What is it about?

Herbicide is commonly used for control of weeds and pests in agricultural farm in order to protect the crops. It can be harmful to the environment and human health in polluting the surface water and drinking water. This study was performed to examine the potential of producing activated carbon using microwave pyrolysis with steam activation. This was followed by an investigation on the adsorption efficiency of activated carbon on 2,4–D herbicide.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Microwave pyrolysis with steam activation showed a fast heating rate of 20 °C/min and short process time of about 65 min to convert PKS into AC. 83 wt% yield of highly porous AC with a high surface area of up to 419 m2/g was obtained. The AC showed the highest adsorption efficiency at 11 mg of 2,4-D/ gram of AC. The pyrolysis approach shows great potential to produce AC for use as adsorbent to remove herbicides contaminating the surface water in agricultural land.