The preparation of activated carbon from wood-based industrys residue is one of the most environmental friendly solutions of transforming negative-valued wastes to valuable materials. Wood sawdust was first chemically activated using potassium hydroxide, KOH and characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms measured in Micrometrices ASAP 2020 and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). By manipulating three different parameters, the optimal activation conditions were found at temperature of 500°C, activation time of 60 min and impregnation ratio of 1:3. Results showed that the BET surface area, total pore volume and diameter of activated carbon were 1876.16 m2g-1, 0.88 cm3g-1and 6.93 nm, respectively. Nitrogen adsorption desorption isotherm analysis proved the existence of mesopores in activated carbon produced, suggesting that it can be effectively used as an adsorption material.
Preparation of Pinewood- and Wheat Straw-based Activated Carbon via a Microwave-assisted Potassium Hydroxide Treatment and an Analysis of the Effects of the Microwave Activation Conditions
