Chemical, Structural and Elemental Characterization of Biosorbents Using FE-SEM, SEM-EDX, XRD/XRPD and ATR-FTIR Techniques

Given the increased emphasis on the use of lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber (ACF), powdered oyster shell, and acidified powdered Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine) pine cones as the prominent biosorbents for anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) adsorption, there have been surprisingly few studies undertaken to characterize the chemical, structural, and elemental composition of aforementioned samples.

The main aim of this study, therefore was to investigate the chemistry, structure, and mineralogy of lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber (ACF), powdered oyster shell, and powdered Pinus densiflora pine cones samples using multiple characterization techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD)/x-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), multiple internal reflectance (MIR) or attenuated transform reflectance.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX). In addition, the samples were treated to determine the iodine number or iodine index for the characterization of the three samples.