Characterization of Activated Carbon from Eggshell Membranes Prepared Using Sodium Acetate and Zinc Metal Activation

The eggshell membranes of ducks and hens were carbonized or activated with 4 wt% sodium acetate or zinc at 400-600°C. The carbonized or activated products were characterized by SEM-EDS, TEM, FTIR and XRD. It was found that the suitable activation temperature for eggshell membranes is 500°C with 30.03-35.26% yield. The activation performance of CH₃COONa for eggshell membrane activated carbon production was higher than that of Zn metal. The CO^3-₂, Ca-O, C=C, Na-O and C-O functional groups have been formed on the surface of eggshell membrane activated carbon materials during both CH₃COONa and Zn activation. Furthermore, CaO, MgO, Na₂O and ZnO have also accumulated on eggshell membrane activated carbon materials with high content and regular dispersion. It was shown that the particles on the duck eggshell membrane activated carbon formed with Zn had weaker attachment on the surface than for duck eggshell membrane activated carbon formed with CH₃COONa at same temperature. The XRD and TEM results revealed that the eggshell membrane activated carbons consist of an amorphous carbon matrix with some disordered graphite carbon matrix, spherical particles and nanofiber.