Characterization of Activated Carbon from Wood Sawdust Prepared via Chemical Activation using Potassium Hydroxide

The preparation of activated carbon from wood-based industry's residue is one of the most environmental friendly solutions of transforming negative-valued wastes to valuable materials. Wood sawdust was first chemically activated using potassium hydroxide, KOH and characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms measured in Micrometrices ASAP 2020 and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). By manipulating three different parameters, the optimal activation conditions were found at temperature of 500 degrees C, activation time of 60 min and impregnation ratio of 1:3. Results showed that the BET surface area, total pore volume and diameter of activated carbon were 1876.16 m(2) g(-1), 0.88 cm(3) g(-1) and 6.93 nm, respectively. Nitrogen adsorption desorption isotherm analysis proved the existence of mesopores in activated carbon produced, suggesting that it can be effectively used as an adsorption material.