Activated carbon from peanut husk: characterization and evaluation for functional textile applications

Abstract

Agricultural residues offer a low‑cost, sustainable feedstock for carbon materials that can replace synthetic additives in textile finishing. This study explores the use of peanut husk, a readily available agricultural byproduct, as a sustainable source. Peanut husk was converted into porous activated carbon powder by controlled carbonization and activation. The material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier‑transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal analysis (TGA/DSC) to determine morphology, surface chemistry, and thermal stability. The prepared activated carbon exhibited a porous morphology with a high density of surface functional groups identified by FTIR and good thermal stability under the tested conditions. The material’s physicochemical features indicate strong potential for adsorption and interaction with textile fibers. Activated carbon derived from peanut husk is a promising, eco friendly, and cost effective material for functional textile applications.

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