Preparation of mesoporous activated carbon from Kraft lignin by impregnation with H sub(2)SO sub(4): A four parameters optimization study

• Published in: Environmental progress & sustainable energy 2013-12, Vol.32 (4), p.1158-1163
• Main Authors: Li, Xianfa, Luo, Xuegang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1944-7442; 1944-7450
• DOI: 10.1002/ep.11716

Activated carbons (ACs) were prepared from waste Kraft lignin (KL) obtained from pulp and paper industry by chemical activation with H sub(2)SO sub(4). The KL was characterized by elemental analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis. The suitable process conditions were optimized by an orthogonal design test [L sub(9) (3 super(4))], factors including the activation temperature, concentration of H sub(2)SO sub(4), activation time, and N sub(2) flow rate. The morphology and pore structure of ACs were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, cryogenic N sub(2) adsorption isotherm. The orthogonal test results suggested that the optimal activation parameters were as follows: 600 degree C of activation temperature, 35% of H sub(2)SO sub(4) concentration, 120 min of activation time, and 100 cm super(3)/min of N sub(2) flow rate. Under the selected conditions, a mesoporous ACs with BET surface area of 873.9 m super(2)/g and total pore volume of 0.485 cm super(3)/g was obtained. The ACs obtained from KL by H sub(2)SO sub(4) activation were also compared with ACs prepared by H sub(3)PO sub(4) and KOH activation. copyright 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1158-1163, 2013