Effect of L-Arginine on the Carbon Microsphere Forming under Hydrothermal Carbonization

Carbon microspheres (CMs) with a diameter of 5-10 μm have been synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization of starch and L-arginine. The surface property and structure of CMs were examined by FT-IR spectra, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and SEM images. These characterizations indicated that the L-arginine does not connect into the CMs but it promotes the starch hydrolysis and polymerization-condensation reaction of intermediate, which accelerates the formation of CMs and improves the yield in shorter time. The surface property of CMs determines adsorption capacity for acetic acid. By contrast, the porosity resulted from the carbonization at 500 °C dominates the adsorption capacity for acetic acid.

Jilei Liang, Mengmeng Wu, Hongmei Cai, Hao Wang, Hua Huang, and Xiaorong Lu