Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon derived from rubberwood sawdust by using KOH/KMnO 4 as multiple function activation agents

Abstract

This research is focused on the effects of impregnation ratios using KOH/KMnO 4 as multiple function activation agents on microporous of activated carbon. Rubberwood sawdust, the waste from wood processing industry, was used as a raw material in synthesis of activated carbon by chemical activation. The rubberwood sawdust was carbonized at 400 °C for 1 hour under an inert atmosphere to produce char. Chars were impregnated with different proportions of KOH and KMnO4. Impregnation time for each mixture proportion (Char: KOH: KMnO 4 ) was 24 hours before activation for 3 hours at 800 °C. The surface area, pore volume, micropore volume, pore size distribution, porous structure, and adsorption isotherm were examined and considered as the properties of activated carbon. The results showed that the activated carbon with an impregnation ratio of 10:10:5, 10:30:0, and 10:30:5 have the surface area 750.89 m 2 /g, 1574.39 m 2 /g, and 1346.10 m 2 /g, respectively. The pore volume and micropore volume were in the range between 0.3289-0.6405 cm 3 /g and 0.1920-0.3533 cm 3 /g. The average pore sizes were 1.75 nm, 1.63 nm, and 1.65 nm, respectively. These synthesized activated carbons were characterized as type I isotherm and microporous solids.