Carbon Nanospheres (CNS) are synthesized by pyrolyzing Maize cob-hair using the CVD method for two hours, at 10000C in presence of Ni, Fe, or Co nanometals as the catalyst. The morphology of carbon nanomaterial was characterized by the HRSEM images. The XRD pattern and the Raman spectrum confirmed the graphitic nature of the carbon. Surface area measurement of CNM was done by the Methylene Blue test method. The impact of catalyst was noted on the surface area of the carbon nanosphere; the maximum being 95.018 m2/g when Fe nanoparticle was used as catalyst, 83.141 m2/g when Ni was used, and a minimum of 21.379 m2/g in presence of Co. These carbon nanospheres were used for Arsenic adsorption from water. Adsorption of Arsenic was assessed by Chand Pasha et al’s method.  It was found that after 12 hrs of exposure, CNS with 95 m2/g surface area could adsorb 32% arsenic; CNS (of 23.8m2/g surface area adsorbed 31% whereas CNS (surface area of 21.379m2/g. could adsorb only 16% arsenic. The arsenic adsorption capacity was found to be affected by the available surface area.

Maize cob-hair, carbon nanosphere, chemical vapor deposition

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