Preparation and characterization of flax, hemp and sisal fiber-derived mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents

The first aim of this study was to investigate mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents from sisal, hemp, and flax fibers by cost-effective methods. Fibers were impregnated with low concentration (20 wt.%) phosphoric acid. Carbonization temperatures were defined by thermal analysis. Bast fibers (hemp, flax) decompose at lower temperatures (419.36℃, 434.96℃) than leaf fibers (sisal, 512.92℃). The second aim was to compare bast and leaf fibers-derived activated carbon adsorbents by determining physical adsorption properties, chemical compositions, scanning electron microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that natural fibers have good candidates to prepare mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents with high surface area (1186–1359 m2/g), high mesopore percentage (60–72%), and high C content (80–86%). Even though leaf-derived activated carbon developed more mesoporous structure (72%), bast-derived activated carbons provided higher surface areas (Shemp = 1359 m2/g; Sflax = 1257 m2/g) and C content. Fourier transform infrared spectra for bast fibers-derived activated carbon adsorbents were quite similar while leaf fiber-derived activated carbon adsorbent had a different spectrum

Collaboration Between University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Community OutReach Development (UAB-CORD) and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness For Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Birmingham

GEAR UP is a competitive funding mechanism from the U.S. Department of Education that increases the number of low-income, minority students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. In 2014, the Birmingham City School (BCS) district, located in north central Alabama, was awarded a $19.6 million GEAR UP grant. In addition to UAB-CORD programs, GEAR UP students receive tutoring, mentoring, advising from counselors, summer academic enrichment and financial literacy skills. The current GEAR UP Birmingham cohort consists of 3,560 students, who will be followed for seven years. CORD offers K-12 students and teachers from all areas in-depth, hands-on, inquiry-based science experiences both during the school year and summer programs. The partnership between UAB-CORD and GEAR UP Birmingham provides lab experiences designed to expose students to a wide breadth of STEM fields. Current subjects include various disciplines of engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, and biology. These subjects are taught over a three-day hands-on lab experience

Preparation and characterization of flax, hemp and sisal fiber-derived mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents

The first aim of this study was to investigate mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents from sisal, hemp, and flax fibers by cost-effective methods. Fibers were impregnated with low concentration (20-‰wt.%) phosphoric acid. Carbonization temperatures were defined by thermal analysis. Bast fibers (hemp, flax) decompose at lower temperatures (419.36℃, 434.96℃) than leaf fibers (sisal, 512.92℃). The second aim was to compare bast and leaf fibers-derived activated carbon adsorbents by determining physical adsorption properties, chemical compositions, scanning electron microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that natural fibers have good candidates to prepare mesoporous activated carbon adsorbents with high surface area (1186--1359-‰m2/g), high mesopore percentage (60--72%), and high C content (80--86%). Even though leaf-derived activated carbon developed more mesoporous structure (72%), bast-derived activated carbons provided higher surface areas (Shemp-‰=-‰1359-‰m2/g; Sflax-‰=-‰1257-‰m2/g) and C content. Fourier transform infrared spectra for bast fibers-derived activated carbon adsorbents were quite similar while leaf fiber-derived activated carbon adsorbent had a different spectrum