Carbon gels derived from phenolic-oil for pollutants removal in water phase

The gelation of a low value-added industrial waste, phenolic oil (PO), was successfully carried out for the first time in presence an acid catalyst and paraformaldehyde (PF), which is by-product formaldehyde industry. Therefore, use PO PF can be considered win-win situation as attempt to valorise these ‘wastes’ integrate them into circular economy. A broad range formulations has been explored, optimal preparation conditions terms materials' homogeneity yield have identified gels dried different ways, leading xerogels, cryogels aerogels, well their carbonaceous counterparts after pyrolysis at 900 °C. porous textures latter materials were studied depth, results allowed selecting one carbon xerogel adsorption studies reference molecule, methylene blue (MB), aqueous phase. Kinetic equilibrium measurements, calculation associated thermodynamic parameters, elucidating detailed mechanisms MB this type gel.