Preparation of activated carbon with disered properties through optimization of impregnating agent

Abstract

In this study, activated carbon with desired properties was prepared from peanut shell and sugarcane bagasse using chemical activation method in which potassium hydroxide (KOH) was used as a impregnating agent. The properties of the activated carbon were evaluated based on the activation temperature, yield percentage, ratio of KOH to Char impregnation, and iodine adsorption number. Based on the characterization methods employed, the desired properties for activated carbon from peanut shell were obtained at these optimum conditions: Activation temperature of 350 0 C, treatment time of 1hr, and impregnation ratio of 1:2. These conditions exhibited maximum iodine number of 355 mg/g. On the other hand, sugarcane bagasse produced the superior properties (iodine number of 914.71 mg/g) at an activation temperature of 700 0 C, treatment time of 1hr, and impregnation ratio of 1:1. The activated carbons with superior properties obtained in this study are suitable for the treatment of waste water associated with carboxylic acids. Our on- going project will test the performance of the final product for various innovative applications