Sustainable activated carbon hollow fibers from liquefied rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) and its adsorption of organic matter from solution

Wooden activated carbon hollow fiber (WACHF) is successfully synthesized from liquefied rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) using H2O activation. The structures of WACHF are studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption. The effects of activation temperature on methylene blue (MB) and iodine adsorption property were also studied. Results show that both wood hollow fiber (WHF) and WACHF have a smooth surface and hollow fibrous structure with an average hollowness of about 76.43%. With increased activation temperature, the graphite-like microcrystalline structure has been formed. In addition, WACHF has high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area (1949 m2.g-1) and total pore volume (1.246 cm3.g-1), where the contribution for micropores is 47.4% and 46.3% for the mesopores. At 800°C, the MB adsorption and iodine adsorption of WACHF reach the maximal values of 412.6 mg. g-1 and 1123.7 mg. g-1, respectively. As a result, WACHF with double surface structures has great BET surface area and excellent adsorption property.