Hou, H; Sun, W; Li, S; Miao, X; Liu, S
A kapok fiber carbon aerogel(KFCA) with hollow tubular structure was synthesized through the homogenous treatment, ambient pressure drying and carbonization. The surface morphology, pore structure, crystal structure and chemical composition of KFCA were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and water contact angle(WCA). The adsorption properties of KFCA were studied with the commonly used organic reagents and oils as adsorbate. The results indicated that KFCA had an unique hollow tubular structure with low density, hydrophobic surface, large specific surface area and developed pores. The water contact angle of KFCA-800(which was carbonized at 800â) was 134.0°, specific surface area was up to 170.22 m2/g, the average pore diameter was 4.022 nm and the pore volume was 0.22 cm3/g. KFCA-800 was composed of C, H and O. C=O and C=C functional groups were detected on the surface of KFCA-800. Carbonization temperature had a certain effect on the adsorption performance of KFCA, among which KFCA-800 had the best adsorption performance. Its adsorption capacities of pump oil, soybean oil, N, N-dimethylformamide(DMF), ethanol, acetone, n-hexane, benzene and xylene were reach up to 52.3, 34.15, 75.21, 72.26, 54.16, 52.79, 62.06 and 38.95 g/g. In addition, KFCA could be regenerated by the methods of direct drying and extraction-drying. The adsorption capacities of KFCA-800 for ethanol and soybean oil were 69.54 g/g (more than 90% of the initial adsorption capacity) and 26.16 g/g (about 75% of the initial adsorption capacity) respectively after five adsorption-regeneration cycles. © 2021, Editorial Board of «Chemistry and Industry of Forest Products». All right reserved.