Optimized Synthesis and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Corn Silk and Corn Silk Hydrochar

Abstract This study investigates the development and optimization of activated carbon (AC) from corn silk (CS‐AC) and corn silk hydrochar (CS‐HC‐AC) as a sustainable solution for water purification. For the first time, hydrothermal treatment and activation processes were employed, producing AC from corn silk with improved structural properties. CS‐HC‐AC exhibited a remarkable S BET surface area of 331.233 m 2 g −1 , surpassing the 7.335 m 2 g −1 of CS‐AC. Key factors such as temperature, activation time, and activator rate were optimized (100% activator rate, 500 °C temperature, and 60 min activation time), with K 2 CO 3 and ZnCl 2 identified as the most effective activators for CS‐AC and CS‐HC‐AC, respectively. The resulting ACs showed high adsorption capacities for heavy metals (Cr(VI), Pb(II), and Ni(II)) and methylene blue dye.