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Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9900-772X
Date Available
5-7-2028
Year of Publication
2026
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/School/Program
Chemistry
Faculty
Marcelo I. Guzman
Faculty
Kenneth Graham
Abstract
In this work, bourbon stillage was converted into hydrochar and activated using phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The resulting materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) to evaluate their properties. Chemical activation with H3PO4 produced carbons with a surface area of 255.3 ± 0.4 m2 g-1 and 246.3 ± 0.3 m2 g-1 while physical activation with CO2 yielded activated carbon with a surface area of 207 ± 1 m2 g-1, compared to 42.7 ± 0.2 m2 g-1 for the hydrochar. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated enhanced thermal stability after activation. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the D band, G band, and 2D band. Electrochemical testing showed the hydrochar exhibited a specific capacitance of 0.8 ± 0.1 F g-1, while the highest average specific capacitance among the synthesized materials was exhibited by the H3PO4 1:3 500 °C with 7.1 ± 2.5 F g-1. However, the 1:1 H3PO4 activated carbon prepared at 500 °C exhibited the highest surface area, favorable electrochemical behavior (5.0 ± 2.9 F g-1)and increased thermal stability. Due to its reduced activating agent requirement, this condition represents a practical synthesis approach highlighting bourbon stillage as a promising precursor for sustainable activated carbon.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.111
Archival?
Archival
Funding Information
National Science Foundation (NSF award 2403875)
University of Kentucky Materials Science Research Priority Area
Wilderness Trail Distillery (provided bourbon stillage for this study)
Recommended Citation
Wilson, Stephanie A., "ESTABLISHING A RELIABLE SYNTHESIS PROCESS FOR H₃PO₄- AND CO₂-ACTIVATED CARBONS DERIVED FROM BOURBON STILLAGE" (2026). Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry. 218.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/chemistry_etds/218
Included in
Analytical Chemistry Commons, Materials Chemistry Commons, Physical Chemistry Commons, Sustainability Commons
