Using activated carbon produced from hazelnut shells as an adsorbent for the quantitative analysis of volatile organic compounds by GC-MS

Abstract This study presents a sustainable approach utilizing activated carbon derived from hazelnut shells as an adsorbent for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of 48 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via GC-MS. The surface area of the produced activated carbon was successfully enhanced through the concurrent application of heat and steam. The effect of critical parameters, such as particle size and steam ratio, on the surface area and product yield was investigated. A high steam ratio was observed to increase the total surface area while decreasing the micropore surface area, which is attributed to the conversion of micropores into larger mesopores. Consequently, a 0.240–0.125 mm particle size and a 1.0 steam/AC ratio were selected, as they provided an optimal balance between back pressure and surface area. The method achieved exceptionally low limits of detection (LOD), with the lowest value of 3.72 µgm⁻ 3 obtained for chlorobenzene. The reliability of the method was confirmed by comparing its LOD values with those of the GC-MS instrument, revealing that LOD Met /LOD GC-MS ratios were mostly between 1.0 and 2.0. The obtained LOD values were found to meet and often exceed the legal VOC limits of many countries, confirming the method's broad practical applicability. Graphical abstract