Green synthesis of highly porous activated carbon from jackfruit peel: Effect of operating factors on its physico-chemical characteristics

With an aim to decrease the energy consumption during the synthesis of activated carbon, attempt was made to use green techniques via microwave irradiation during the activation of KOH impregnated jack fruit peel biochar. Detailed characterization studies were conducted with an aim to study the effect of different operating parameters on the physico-chemical properties of the fabricated activated carbons and further to optimize the conditions for developing highly porous carbons. Irrespective of the different parameters selected for study, it was revealed that KOH impregnated biochar resulted in highly microporous activated carbon in JFPAC. Optimization studies showed that at an impregnation ratio 1.0, microwave power of 600 W, irradiation time of 10 min resulted in enhanced microporosity (with a micropore volume of 64.81%) and a higher BET surface area of 1526.4 m(2)/g in the developed activated carbon (JFPAC). The porous texture of the developed activated carbon was further evident from Fe-SEM images; while a favorable surface chemistry was reflected from FTIR studies. Results thus reveal the successful fabrication of a low cost, eco-efficient microporous activated carbon by use of optimum microwave energy from KOH impregnated biochar of jack fruit peel. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.