Project title: Evaluation of biochars produced from different feed stocks for use as adsorbents

Project description: The purpose of this study is to evaluate a number of different activated carbons produced from different feed stocks for use as adsorbents in wastewater treatment plants (focusing in pharmaceutical compounds).

In order to achieve this goal, three objectives have been formulated.

1. Production and generation of activated carbon by pyrolysis from three renewable biomass feed stocks, namely, eucalyptus, black wattle and horse manure.
2. To understand the physiochemical composition of the activated carbons through characterization by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller surface area analysis (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, pH at the point-of-zero-charge (pHpzc) , and the Boehm titration method.
3. To test the adsorption properties of the biochars and activated carbons through batch adsorption studies of a dye, as a surrogate for pharmaceutical compounds.

Starting date: TBD

Supervisor:  Dr S. Septien

Co-Supervisor: Prof D Lokhat and Prof B.S. Martincigh