Factor Affecting Microwave Assisted Preparation of Activated Carbon from Local Raw Materials

Abstract

This study illustrates the preparation of activated carbon (AC) from Corn Cob (CC) via microwave assisted K2CO3 activation. The effect of operational parameters including chemical impregnation ratio (0.25-1.25), microwave power (90 – 800 W) and irradiation time (1 – 9 min) on the carbon yield and adsorption capability of derived Corn Cob Activated Carbon (CCAC) were investigated. The results indicated that the optimum conditions were as follows: microwave power of 600W, microwave radiation time of 5 min and the impregnation ratio of K2CO3 was 0.75 g/g. The optimum conditions resulted in CCAC with a maximum adsorption capacity of 275.32 mg/g for MB and carbon yield of 27.09%. The BET surface area, Langmuir surface area and total pore volume were determined to be 765 m2/g, 834 m2/g and 0.43 cm3/g, respectively.