Elaboración de carbón activado a partir del endocarpio del coco

Abstract

This study focuses on the elaboration and characterization of activated carbon from coconut endocarp, proposing its use as a sustainable and economical alternative to commercial activated carbons used in water treatment. Different activation methodologies, both physical and chemical, were explored to optimize the adsorptive properties of the activated carbon produced. The pyrolysis process was used as the initial stage for the carbonization of the coconut endocarp, followed by activation treatments with chemical agents such as phosphoric acid. A series of experiments were carried out to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the activated carbon, such as moisture, bulk density and ash content. In addition, adsorption tests were carried out to determine the efficiency of the activated carbon in the removal of contaminants. The results obtained showed that the activated carbon derived from coconut endocarp has adsorption characteristics comparable to those of commercial activated carbons, with a high capacity to remove contaminants from water. These findings suggest that the use of agro-industrial wastes such as coconut endocarp for the production of activated carbon is not only an economical and effective solution for water treatment, but also a sustainable strategy that contributes to the reduction of waste and the use of natural resources.