Microwave-Assisted Conversion of Low-Rank Lignite into Hierarchical Activated Carbon: Molecular Insights into Efficient Post-Combustion CO2 Capture
Thai researchers used microwave-assisted KOH activation to convert low-rank Mae Moh lignite into activated carbon with 1,349 m2/g surface area. Under 15% CO2 at 1 atm, equilibrium capacity was 47.34 mg/g at 298 K and declined with temperature. Performance remained stable over six laboratory cycles, but process sustainability and economics remain unproven.