The Effect of Carbonization Method on Local Poultry Waste-Derived Carbon as Potential Carbon Capture Adsorbent
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v22n4.5395Keywords:
Chicken feather; Carbon material, Urea-assisted carbonization, CO2 capture; Adsorption.Abstract
The valorisation of poultry waste into functional carbonaceous materials represents a sustainable strategy to address both waste management and environmental challenges associated with greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, chicken feathers, a keratin-rich biowaste, were utilized as a precursor for the synthesis of high-performance carbon material through urea-assisted pyrolysis using a double crucible method. Urea generates a semi-inert gaseous environment that promotes controlled thermal decomposition of the precursor during the modified carbonization process. Carbonization was carried out at three different temperatures: 650°C, 750°C, and 850°C with the same ramp rate (9°C/min) and dwell time (2 hours) to investigate the effect of urea on physicochemical properties such as the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area and CO2 adsorption capacity of the resulting carbon materials. The synthesized carbon material was characterized using Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulphur (CHNS) elemental analysis to quantify the carbon content and presence of nitrogen after the usage of urea in the sample and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to elucidate morphological transformations and pore development. The results indicated that the modified method via urea significantly influenced the surface structure and porosity, with higher pyrolysis temperatures promoting more developed microporosity and larger specific surface areas, while also modifying the distribution of mesopores. At elevated temperatures, the enhanced decomposition of urea and volatilization of unstable species facilitated pore formation and structural rearrangement, leading to more accessible adsorption sites and improved textural properties. The carbon material carbonized at 850°C for 2 h with a ramp rate of 9°C/min exhibited a CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.8 mmol g-1 at 1 bar and 273.15 K, which is comparable to that of the commercial activated carbon 3.64 mmol g-1 under the same conditions. This result suggests that the urea-modified carbon approaches the performance of commercial activated carbon, showing a significant CO2 uptake despite being derived from waste-based precursors. These findings suggest that poultry feather-derived activated carbon represents a promising low-cost and sustainable adsorbent for biogas upgrading applications, contributing to cleaner energy production and advancing circular economy practices in the Malaysian context.
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