Preparation of activated carbons from corn cob catalyzed by potassium salts and subsequent gasification with CO2

Submitted by Erin Rasmussen on April 22, 2009 - 1:21pm

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Tsai, W. T.; Chang, C. Y.; Wang, S. Y.; Chang, C. F.; Chien, S. F.; Sun, H. F.

Source:

Bioresour Technol, Volume 78, Number 2, p.203-8 (2001)

ISBN:

0960-8524 (Print)

Accession Number:

11333042

Keywords:

Carbon Dioxide, Carbon/ isolation & purification, Carbonates, Charcoal/isolation & purification, Hydroxides, Potassium, Potassium Compounds, Surface Properties, Zea mays/ chemistry

Abstract:

In the present study, granular activated carbons were prepared from agricultural waste corn cob by chemical activation with potassium salts and/or physical activation with CO2. Under the experimental conditions investigated, potassium hydroxide (KOH) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) were effective activating agents for chemical activation during a ramping period of 10 degrees C/min and subsequent gasification (i.e., physical activation) at a soaking period of 800 degrees C. Large BET surface areas (>1,600 m2/g) of activated carbons were thus obtained by the combined activation. In addition, this study clearly showed that the porosity created in the acid-unwashed carbon products is substantially lower than that of acid-washed carbon products due to potassium salts left in the pore structure.