Espumas de carbón a partir de raquis de banano para la recuperación de itrio en soluciones acuosas

Abstract

Yttrium (Y+3) is a transition metal that has become a valuable element for the development of microelectronics and cybernetics. However, the extraction and refining process of this rare earth is detrimental, causing health problems in humans and environmental pollution. Adsorption emerges as a practical alternative for the recovery of this element, consequently, the objective of the present experimental work was to develop carbon foams from banana rachis for the recovery of Y+3 in aqueous solutions. Four carbon foams were developed in which the amount of rachis and the particle size of rachis used varied: EC from 5 g of PRF (M1C1); EC developed from 10 g of PRF (M1C2); EC from 5 g of PRG (M2C1) and; EC elaborated from 10 g of PRG (M2C2). These were subjected to a pyrolysis process with an inert atmosphere using nitrogen gas at 800 °C and a residence time of 1 hour. For the characterization of the bioadsorbent material, a zero charge potential study (pHpzc) was performed. On the other hand, to evaluate the applicability of the material, pH studies, equilibrium studies using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and kinetic studies with Pseudo First Order (PPO) and Pseudo Second Order (PSO) mathematical modeling were carried out.