Preparation of high surface area activated carbon from Eupatorium adenophorum using K2CO3 activation by microwave heating

Abstract

The present study attempts to utilize Eupatorium adenophorum to prepare high surface area activated carbon (HSAAC) with K2CO3 activation using microwave heating. The operational variables including microwave power, K2CO3/C mass ratio and heating time on the adsorption capability and yield were identified. Additionally, the surface characteristics of HSAAC were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimum conditions resulted in HSAAC with an iodine number of 1696 mg/g and a yield of 32.88%. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and total volume were 2768 m2/g and 1.149 ml/g, respectively. The findings strongly support the feasibility for preparation of HSAAC from E. adenophorum by microwave heating.