Pore structure of activated carbon prepared from hazelnut bagasse by chemical activation

Abstract

In this study, hazelnut extracted-bagasse which is a waste from oil factory was used for the production of activated carbon by chemical activation using ZnCl2 and KOH as activating agents. Hazelnut bagasse has been impregnated with aqueous solutions of ZnCl2 and KOH in the ratio of 1-3 g agent per g precursor. The carbonization treatment was performed at 500, 600 and 700°C for 2 h under nitrogen flow. The surface area, pore volumes, pore size distribution and average pore diameter of the activated carbons were characterized by N2 adsorption at 77 K using the BET, t-plot and DFT methods. The highest surface areas of activated carbons are 1642 and 1489 m 2/g and total pore volumes are 0.964 and 0.9329 cm3 g -1 for KOH and ZnCl2, respectively. The surface chemical characteristics of activated carbon were determined in terms of surface functional groups. These groups were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic method and Boehm's titration method. Surface morphology was investigated by SEM. According to the results, activated carbons prepared from hazelnut bagasse by chemical activation have high surface area and porosity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.