Synthesis and characterization of activated hollow carbon fibers from Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (kapok)

摘要

Hollow carbon fibers with a high adsorption capacity for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution were produced from Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (kapok). Steam was used for the oxidation and modification of the carbon surface. Compared to the kapok-derived carbonized hollow carbon fibers (KCHCF) without activation, the kapok-derived activated hollow carbon fibers (KAHCF) according to steam activation times showed a higher surface area (600～800 m~2/g) and larger hollow pore volume. The adsorption capacity of methylene blue on KAHCF according to temperature and solution pH showed the best fit with Langmuir isotherm model.