DefinePK

Abstract

The feasibility of polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) as a carbon precursor for the nanocasting of ordered mesoporous carbon is investigated in this work. The presence of ordered hexagonal meso structures in silica template and carbon replica have been confirmed through transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. The total surface area of the synthesized carbon replica is 772 m2/g. The average particle diameter measured at 1.5 µm is determined from scanning electron microscopy. A series of adsorption tests conducted at 30 oC with initial concentration of 200 mg/L on three different solutes (methylene blue, riboflavin and chloramphenicol) has shown a promising potential of 80, 70 and 35% removal, respectively. A less hazardous, non-edible PEG-400 is therefore proposed as a promising alternative carbon precursor for ordered mesoporous carbon synthesis.