Preparation of activated carbon from babassu endocarpunder microwave radiation by physical activation

Abstract

Babassu endocarp were used to prepare activated carbons by physical activation via microwave radiation for the first time. The pyrolysis temperature was 600°C and the derived biochar were activated in CO2atmosphereat 700, 750 and 800°C for 30 min. The material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The porous properties of the activated carbons obtained including the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, pore volume, and average pore diameter were determined by nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77.32 K. The experimental results showed that most pores occurred during the activation predominantly as micropores. Endocarp babassu can be used as precursor to produce activated carbon with a rather well-developed porosity by pyrolysis and physical activation by two-steps with CO2 activation via microwaves radiation. The activated carbon, with a low production cost, could be suitable for applications in gaseous pollutant adsorption, adsorb iodine, methylene blue, and residual chlorine.