Physicochemical characterization of maize tassel as an adsorbent. I. Surface texture, microstructure, and thermal stability
2008
Zvinowanda, Caliphs M. | Okonkwo, Jonathan O. | Agyei, Nana M. | Shabalala, Pride N.
In this study, various physicochemical parameters were evaluated for maize tassel, a novel adsorbent. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherm was used to experimentally model N2-adsorption data (up to a relative pressure of 0.30); the results indicated that the powdered material was mesoporous with a BET specific surface area, total volume (up to a relative pressure of 0.98), and average pore width (4V/A by BET) of 2.52 m2/g, 0.0045 cm3/g, and 7.2 nm, respectively, for the 150–300-lm fraction. Laser diffraction pattern analysis yielded particle size distributions for the 45–50-, 50–150-, and 150–300-lm fractions. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed a microstructure showing predominantly flattish, rodlike particles. The material exhibited stability to thermal decomposition up to about 230C, as evidenced by the results obtained from simultaneous thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry.
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