Modification of biomass-derived activated carbon with magnetic α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles for CO2 and CH4 adsorption

Magnetic and nonmagnetic activated carbons (ACs) were successfully prepared by using AC obtained from spent coffee grounds (SCGs) for use in CO2 and CH4 capture. SCGs were activated by chemical activation to produce ACs and a magnetic α-Fe2O3/AC composite was prepared by coprecipitation method from the ACs produced. Magnetic and nonmagnetic samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) techniques. The textural properties of samples were determined by nitrogen adsorption-desorption using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) methods.