Activated carbon from coffee grounds

The use of activated carbon in industry is rapidly expanding (an annual increase in production of over 8%). This carbon is most often the result of the processing of mineral resources. It is therefore to be expected that any increase in the consumption of activated carbon thus causes an increase in the use and exploitation of resources that can be extremely damaging to the environment. Paradoxically, this activated carbon is thus use for its ability to filter, absorb, and purify to de-pollute and be environmentally friendly. In addition, carbon originating from mines, due to its level of purity, is difficult to use in the pharmaceutical industry. In parallel, several thousand tons of coffee grounds are consumed each year (household, restaurants, companies, etc.). This represents an equivalent quantity of coffee grounds that is most often disposed of in household waste and thus not re-used or recycled.

We re-use coffee grounds by turning them into activated carbon. Activated carbon originating from coffee grounds has a uniform microporous structure and a specific surface area greater than 1000 m2/g. Several groups are present on the surface: ethers, quinones, lactones, cetons, free and phenolic hydroxyls, pyrones and Si-H bonds. The high melanoidin and phenolic compound content of coffee grounds provides this activated carbon with chelating properties. Activated carbon originating from coffee grounds can be used in all fields where activated carbon is currently used, such as: - Processing of gaseous and liquid industrial effluents - De-pollution - Odor absorption - Separation or storage of gas - Catalysis, etc. Originating from a biomass, this activated carbon is also compatible with medical, food, and cosmetic uses after sufficient purification. This carbon can also be used for more technological uses, such as part of electrochemical processes or in super condensers.