Optimization of the preparation conditions of KOH-activated, PAN-based carbon ellipsoids by orthogonal experimental analysis

• Published in: New carbon materials 2020-04, Vol.35 (2), p.131-139
• Main Authors: Liu, Yuan-ming, Qin, Xian-ying, Zhang, Shao-qiong, Zhang, Zhe-xu, Kang, Fei-yu, Li, Bao-hua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: KOH activation; Orthogonal experiment; Porous carbon; Specific surface area
• ISSN: 1872-5805; 1872-5805
• DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(20)60480-2

The optimal preparation conditions for activated carbons from polyacrolynitrile ellipsoid powder by KOH activation were investigated by orthogonal experimental analysis. Results indicate that the activation temperature, holding time, KOH/carbon mass ratio all have a significant impact on the specific surface area, but a small impact on the total pore volume and mean pore size. The importance of factors determining (a) specific surface area are activation temperature>activation time>KOH/carbon mass ratio, (b) total pore volume are activation temperature > KOH/carbon mass ratio > activation time, and (c) the mean pore size are activation time > KOH/carbon mass ratio > activation temperature,. The optimal combination of conditions (activation temperature of 800 °C, holding time of 4 h and KOH/carbon mass ratio of 4:1) from orthogonal experimental analysis was validated experimentally. Under these conditions the specific surface area, total pore volume and mean pore size of the PAN-based porous carbon reached 2 517 m2 g−1, 1.07 cm3 g−1 and 1.70 nm, respectively.