Characteristics of Activated Carbon Produced from Rubber Seed Shell by Using Different Methods of Chemical Activation with KOH

Abstract

Rubber-seed shell was selected as the precursor for the preparation of activated carbon by chemical activation with KOH as an activating agent. Impregnation-Activation Method and Carbonization-Impregnation-Activation Method were investigated with different concentration of KOH solution. Rubber-seed shell activated carbons were characterized by using scanning electron microscope, fourier transform infared spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The results present that the first method which impregnation of precursor in 2%wt. KOH solution with the ratio of 300 g/l for 24 hrs before thermal activation at 700°C for 2 hrs under 2 cm3/min of nitrogen flow, was satisfied to prepare the Rubber-seed shell activated carbon. Products with maximum BET surface area, average pore diameter and volume ratio of micropores to mesopores were equal to 429 m2/g, 2.09 nm and 4.19, respectively.