Sago cycas–based hierarchical–structured porous carbon for adsorption of acetone vapour: preparation, characterization and performance

The porous structure and oxygen-containing functional groups of carbon materials play important roles in the adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, hierarchical-structured porous carbons (HSPCs) with a large specific surface area and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups were prepared from sago cycas without a template or post-processing for acetone (one of the most common VOCs) adsorption. The micropore volume (0.41–1.15 cm3 g−1) and oxygen-containing functional groups (0.3–1.92 mmol g−1) of HSPCs were manipulated by adjusting the activation temperature. Static adsorption data showed that the HSPC activated at 600 °C (HSPC-600) was superior for acetone adsorption, and a maximum adsorption capacity of 3.75 mmol g−1 was achieved at 25 °C and 0.1 kPa. Breakthrough curves and cyclic adsorption–desorption tests demonstrated the dynamic adsorption capacity and regeneration performance of HSPC-600 were excellent as well. The adsorption isotherms were well described by Langmuir and Langmuir–Freundlich models, indicating the adsorption of acetone on HSPCs is a monolayer adsorption process. Due to electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond and van der Waals forces between acetone molecules and oxygen-containing functional groups, the adsorption capacity of HSPCs for acetone was significantly improved at low relative pressure. This study may provide a peculiar insight into the development of high-performance acetone adsorbent.