Preparation and Properties of Activated Carbon from Palm Shell by Potassium Hydroxide Impregnation: Effects of Processing Parameters
Sathaporn Bhungthong, Darunee Aussawasathien, Kittipong Hrimchum and Sa-Nguansak Sriphalang* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: daruneea@mtec.or.th
Volume: Vol.45 No.1 (January 2018)
Research Article
DOI:
Received: 3 July 2015, Revised: -, Accepted: 14 September 2016, Published: -
Citation: Bhungthong S., Aussawasathien D., Hrimchum K. and Sriphalang S., Preparation and Properties of Activated Carbon from Palm Shell by Potassium Hydroxide Impregnation: Effects of Processing Parameters, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2018; 45(1): 462-473.
Abstract
The preparation and characterization of activated carbons (ACs) produced from palm shells, a carbonaceous agricultural solid waste, via potassium hydroxide (KOH) impregnation were studied. The effects of processing parameters: activation temperature (500-1000°C), KOH/char ratio (1:1-3:1) and activation duration (1-3 h) on the properties of the prepared ACs were investigated. These properties included yield, pore development, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area (SBET), iodine number, methylene blue (MB) adsorption, composition, and surface chemistry and morphology. The optimum conditions for activation were KOH/char ratio of 2:1 at a temperature of 900°C for duration of 1 h. Under these conditions, ACs with maximum SBET, micropore volume (Vm ) and total pore volume (VT) of 1643 m2 g-1, 0.899 cm3 g-1 and 0.978 cm3 g-1, respectively were obtained, with iodine number and MB adsorption of 871 and 54% respectively. Experimental results showed that it was feasible to produce ACs with a high surface area and high adsorption capability from palm shells.