Journal Article
Innovative resource recovery: converting discarded disposable diapers (D3) into activated carbon using Box–Behnken design
D. R. S. I. Shah; N. F. Anuar; S. Z. Roslan; M. Musa; W. M. A. W. Daud; A. B. Alias; N. Aghamohammadi
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · Vol. 22, Issue 15 · pp. 15455-15465 · 2025
Abstract
This study aims to optimize the production of activated carbon from discarded disposable diapers (D3AC) using Box–Behnken design (BBD) under response surface methodology. Biochar (D3B) was initially produced via carbonization at 900 °C for 90 min under nitrogen flow, followed by physical activation with CO 2 . The BBD model demonstrated strong reliability (R 2 = 0.9972), effectively predicting the influence of activation temperature, holding time, and CO₂ flowrate on surface area development. Under optimized conditions, D3AC exhibited a BET surface area of 1235.32 m 2 /g, significantly higher than that of D3B (479.79 m 2 /g), with a well-developed microporous structure. In contrast, D3B displayed higher total pore volume and ash content. These findings confirm the successful enhancement of porosity and surface characteristics through parameter optimization and support the feasibility of thermochemical conversion using statistical design. Graphical abstract