Production of activated carbons from corn cobs waste by steam or H3PO4 activation for effective CO2 capture and industrial gas selectivity towards CO2/CH4/N2
Kishibayev K. Dziejarski B. Tokpayev R. Khavaza T. Ibraimov Z. Yergeshov M. Nauryzbayev M. Nazzal J.S. Serafin J.
15 January 2026Elsevier Ltd
Fuel
2026#404
This study compares physically and chemically activated carbons (ACs) derived from corn cobs for CO2 capture, focusing on their adsorption performance, selectivity and stability. Chemically activated AC-CC-C-800 exhibited the highest CO2 adsorption capacity, reaching 7.46 mmol/g at 1 bar and 25 °C and with a specific surface area of 1678 m2/g. In contrast, physically activated AC-CC-P-800 showed lower adsorption equal to 5.59 mmol/g but a more uniform pore structure with a specific surface area of 1546 m2/g, maintaining a high stability over 30 adsorption–desorption cycles. While chemical activation produced a higher microporosity, it required strong activating agents, making the process less environmentally friendly and generating chemical waste. Physical activation, using only steam at high temperatures, resulted in cleaner production with lower environmental impact while maintaining sufficient CO2 adsorption capacity and selectivity. Structural analysis using X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed the differences in porosity and surface properties between both methods. CO2/CH4/N2 gas selectivity in industrial applications were analyzed, including steel industry emissions, steam gasification and ammonia production. The findings highlight that physically activated ACs, despite slightly lower adsorption, offer a more sustainable and scalable solution for industrial CO2 capture, balancing efficiency with eco-friendly processing.
Activated carbon , Biomass waste , CO2 capture , Corn cobs , Gas selectivity
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Center of Physical-Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 96 A, Tole bi Street, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Division of Energy and Materials, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, SE-412 96, Sweden
Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Division of Energy Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, SE-412 96, Sweden
Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, 50- 370, Poland
Department of Catalytic and Sorbent Materials Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, 71-065, Poland
Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Martí i Franquès, 1-11, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
ENPHOCAMAT Group, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, C/Martí i Franquès 1, Barcelona, 08028, Spain
Center of Physical-Chemical Methods of Research and Analysis
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Department of Space
Faculty of Environmental Engineering
Department of Catalytic and Sorbent Materials Engineering
Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
ENPHOCAMAT Group
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