Physicochemical characterization of maize tassel as an adsorbent. I. surface texture, microstructure, and thermal stability

In this study, various physicochemical parameters were evaluated for maize tassel, a novel adsorbent. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm was used to experimentally model N₂-adsorption data (up to a relative pressure of 0.30); the results indicated that the powdered material was mesoporous with a BET specific surface area, total pore volume (up to a relative pressure of 0.98), and average pore width (4V/A by BET) of 2.52 m²/g, 0.0045 cm³/g, and 7.2 nm, respectively, for the 150-300-μm fraction. Laser diffraction pattern analysis yielded particle size distributions for the 45-50-, 50-1.50-, and 150-300-μm. fractions. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed a microstructure showing predominantly flatfish, rodlike particles. The material exhibited stability to thermal decomposition up to about 230°C, as evidenced by the results obtained from simultaneous thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry.