Development of lignocellulosic biomass derived Cu and Zn doped highly porous activated carbon and its utilization in the anti-microbial treatment

A detailed study has been carried out to develop a process which can yield highly porous activated carbons from lignocellulosic biomasses and check the antimicrobial properties by doping with metals such as Cu and Zn. According to the availability of the waste biomasses in the Indian subcontinent especially in the North-Eastern region which is considered a biomass hotpot, activated carbon samples were prepared using rubber wood sawdust, ramie fibre and areca husk as they are available in plenty. The activated carbons were prepared using a modified thermo-chemical treatment at different temperatures and activation time to increase the surface area of the activated carbon samples which was found to be in the range of 346–1998 m²/g. The activated carbon samples were found to have thereby exhibited good antimicrobial activity against E.coli on the incorporation of suitable metals such as Cu and Zn into the highly porous carbon matrix. The activated carbon samples which were prepared at 700 °C using rubber wood sawdust and areca fibres reported a better bactericidal effect ranging between 75 and 93.5% against the carbon dosages ranging between 10 and 20 g/L of water samples containing E. coli. The antimicrobial killings were confirmed through the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) process by using UV Visible Spectroscopy. Various analytical methods such as DSC, FTIR, BET and FESEM-EDX etc. were applied to describe the properties of the samples. This study will give more information about the utilization of activated carbons for drinking water purification purposes.