Elucidating the role of surface modification in the reuse of waste carbon fiber as an adsorbent by using microwave irradiation and conventional calcination methods

DOI: 10.5176/2301-3761_CCECP15.02

Authors: Chung-Hsin Wu, Chao-Yin Kuo, and Cheng-Chun He

Abstract:

The surface of waste carbon fiber (WCF) was modified by KOH, in which the weight of WCF:KOH:water was 5:40:100. The mixture was first dried at 130°C, followed by microwave irradiation and conventional calcination treatments. Experimental results indicate that the adsorption capacity of all adsorbents increased with the decrease of pH. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium fit pseudo second-order and Freundlich models, respectively. Both the microwave irradiation and conventional calcination methods significantly improved the adsorption capacity of WCF.

Keywords: adsorption, waste carbon fiber, microwave, calcination