Hydrothermal carbonization of water hyacinth for producing carbon electrode materials

Abstract

Among various issues of water resource management, control of environmental nuisances, especially water hyacinth has become an important research topic in many countries because it is one of the invasive plants which resulted in social and environmental problems. This research studied conversion of water hyacinth into high value-added carbonaceous materials. Hydrothermal treatment was utilized for converting water hyacinth in temperature range 160-220 °C for 4-12 hours. It was found that the water hyacinth treated hydrothermally at 220 °C for 8 hours showed highest carbon content of 57.27 w/w%. Hydro-chars were carbonized for removing oxygen contained contents of hydrogen, oxygen, and other constituents. The carbonized hydro-char would possess a higher carbon and improved surface properties. It was found that the carbonized hydro-char at 900 °C sample which was hydrothermally treated at 180 °C for 8 hours possessed the highest specific surface area of 635.8 m2/g. Meanwhile, carbonized hydro-char at 900 °C sample which was hydrothermally treated at 220 °C for 8 hours possessed highest electric conductivity and carbon content of 73.1 w/w%. Moreover, the Fe-hybridized carbonaceous particle was successful synthesized by hydrothermal treatment and carbonization. Fe-hybridized carbonaceous was shown iron oxide 28.2 %w/w of the sample. Carbonized hydro-char was utilized as carbonaceous rods for fabricating electrode by conducting arc discharge in water