Hierarchical Porous Carbon from Algae Biomass by Peroxide-Assisted Microwave Activation for Dye Adsorption

Abstract

Algae biomass are suitable carbonaceous precursors. Hierarchical porous carbons were prepared from Chlorella ellipsoidea, one of algae through centrifugation, freeze-drying and carbonization. The activation was carried out by a simple process that involved H2O2 treatment followed by microwave pyrolysis. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetic data of methylene blue were fitted with isotherm and kinetic models, respectively. In addition, the electrochemical properties were measured by cyclic voltammetry. It was found that microwave-assisted porous carbons exhibited higher adsorption capacity and excellent electrochemical performance due to the well-developed hierarchical pore structures.