Activated carbon synthesis from palmyra seed shell via physical and chemical activation methods

Abstract

Activated carbon is generally used as absorbing and purifying agent due to its porous nature. Recently, agro-residues are considered as precursor for activated carbon production. Palmyra seed shell is one of the unexploited lignocellulosic feedstock and resource to produce multiple bioproducts for energy and environmental applications. Present study focused with the specific objective on activated carbon synthesis from palmyra seed shell using physical and chemical activation methods. Further, their relationship among the precursor characteristics, its microstructure, such as chemical and iodine adsorption properties were analyzed. The results inferred that the maximum iodine number of 840 mg g-1 was attained under optimal conditions of 800 °C and 60 min. or physical activation. Whereas, through sequential physical and chemical activation method, the maximum iodine number of 948 mg g-1 was obtained at the impregnation ratio of 1:2 at the activation temperature and activation time of 800 °C and 60 minutes.