Characterization of yellow mombin biomass (Spondias mombin L.) for production of activated carbon

Large amounts of plant biomass generated daily and not harnessed for lack of adequate technologies. Based on this context, this study aimed to perform physical–chemical and structural characterization of yellow mombin biomass (Spondias mombin L.—Anacardiaceae), to evaluate its potential for the production of activated carbon. The biomass of yellow mombin had real specific mass = 0.12 g cm−1 and apparent = 0.14 g cm−1, pH = 3.1, water content = 8.51%, ash content = 5.1 9%, volatile matter content = 6.64%, fixed carbon content = 91.71% and total extractives = 34.20%, in addition to total lignin = 37.69%, holocellulose = 66.66%, cellulose = 54, 22% and polyoses = 12.44%. In thermal analyses, several components degrade at temperatures above 300 °C, mainly the lignocellulosic components. SEM micrographs showed that biomass has few natural pores and infrared has identified various components such as water, acids and lignocellulosic components. Because of these constituents and the ash and fixed carbon content, besides the thermal processes, yellow mombin biomass is an interesting material for the production of activated carbon.