Work

Catalytic conversion of spent coffee grounds into graphitic and nanotube biocarbon

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Graphitic biocarbon comprising of graphene-like shells, nanotube-like structures, spherical clusters of Graphitic biocarbon encapsulated Fe, and amorphous biocarbon, were simultaneously synthesized from spent coffee grounds. The study investigates the influence of two distinct types of non-toxic, easily accessible metal catalysts on graphitization, and the evolution of the catalyst-impregnated biocarbon nanostructures with temperature. The findings show that using Ca as a catalyst produces a highly porous Graphitic structure with a larger crystallite size (Lc = 14.38 nm) and nanotube-like structures that become denser with temperature, increasing in diameter from 58.48 nm at 1200 °C to 93.64 nm at 1800 °C. Conversely, Fe as catalyst produces non-porous Graphitic structures with a smaller crystallite size (Lc = 4.06 nm). Notably, unlike previous literature reports, nanotube-like structures were observed only in Ca-catalyzed biocarbon, not in the Fe-catalyzed ones.

Source: Materials Today Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2025.113240

Authors: Gloria I. Ngene, Ange Nzihou

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, IMT Mines Albi, Centre de Recherche d'Albi en génie des Procédés, des SOlides Divisés, de l'Énergie et de l'Environnement, Université de Toulouse, Princeton University

Language: English

Topic: Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,830

Funder: Institut Mines-Télécom