Production of activated carbon derived from agricultural by-products via microwave-induced chemical activation: a review

Biomass of agricultural waste is getting increasing attention all over the world as it is a kind of renewable, abundantly available, low cost, and environmentally friendly resource. Preparation of activated carbon from agricultural waste via microwave-assisted chemical agent activation. The porosity, surface area, and functional and surface chemistry were featured by means of low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, Scanning Electron Microscopy, (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The best conditions resulted in activated carbon with adsorption capacity of 517.5 mg/g and carbon yield of 80.99%. The activated carbons from carbonized tobacco stem with K2CO3 activation by microwave radiation is highest of surface area, and total pore volume corresponded to 2557 m2/g, and 1.647 cm3/g, respectively, with a high contribution of mesopores, microwave power of 700 W, and irradiation time of 30 min. The results of the review showed that chemical activation could develop both microporosity and mesoporosity. The findings support the potential to prepare high surface area and micropore-activated carbon from agricultural waste by microwave-induced chemical activation.