Mesoporous activated carbon from wood sawdust by K2CO3 activation using microwave heating

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2012-05, Vol.111, p.425-432
• Main Authors: Foo, K.Y., Hameed, B.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Activation; Adsorption; Carbon - chemistry; Carbonates - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Mathematical models; Methylene blue; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microwave; microwave treatment; Microwaves; nitrogen; Potassium - chemistry; Sawdust; scanning electron microscopy; sorption isotherms; surface area; Surface chemistry; Wood; Wood sawdust
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.01.141

[Display omitted] ► Highlight the renewable use of wood sawdust. ► Evaluate the effects of impregnation ratio, microwave power and radiation time. ► Short activation time of 6min and low chemical impregnation ratio of 1.25. ► High BET and Langmuir surface area of 1496.05 and 2245.53m2/g. ► Monolayer adsorption capacity of 423.17mg/g and carbon yield of 80.75%. Wood sawdust was converted into a high-quality activated carbon (WSAC) via microwave-induced K2CO3 activation. The operational variables including chemical impregnation ratio, microwave power and irradiation time on the carbon yield and adsorption capability were identified. The surface physical characteristics of WSAC were examined by pore structural analysis, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The adsorptive behavior of WSAC was quantified using methylene blue as model dye compound. The best conditions resulted in activated carbon with a monolayer adsorption capacity of 423.17mg/g and carbon yield of 80.75%. The BET surface area, Langmuir surface area and total pore volume were corresponded to 1496.05m2/g, 2245.53m2/g and 0.864cm3/g, respectively. The findings support the potential to prepare high surface area and mesoporous activated carbon from wood sawdust by microwave assisted chemical activation.