Preparation, structural evaluation and adsorptive properties of activated carbon from agricultural waste biomass

The purpose of this study is to produce the low-cost activated carbon from the orange peel, known as a waste of fruit juice industry, by chemical activation using zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3). The effects of the activation temperature and type of activation reagents on the surface and chemical properties of activated carbon were investigated. The activation temperatures and impregnation ratios were selected at the range of 500-1000 degrees C and 1:1, respectively. The carbon content of activated carbons resulted 70% while BET surface area of activated carbons prepared with K2CO3 and ZnCl2 activation is 1352 m(2) g (1) and 1215 m(2) g (1), respectively. An increase in the temperature for both K2CO3 and ZnCl2 led to a decrease in the yields of the activated carbons. The yield of ZnCl2 series is higher than that of K2CO3. The obtained activated carbons were heterosporous with the micropore. (C) 2015 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.