Production and characterization of activated carbons from Rhododendron ponticum L. by physical and chemical activation

In this study, the production of activated carbon by physical and chemical activation methods from Rhododendron ponticum L. was studied. In the physical activation method, Rhododendron ponticum L. was directly heated in nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures of 450, 550, and 650 °C and subjected to CO2 atmosphere for 1 h. Chars produced from Rhododendron ponticum L. were used in the chemical activation method. The chars were obtained by heating to 450 °C at a nitrogen atmosphere and waiting at this temperature for 2 h. H3PO4, KOH, and K2CO3 were used as chemical agents, and the char and chemical agent mass ratio were ½, and the chars were carbonized to a temperature of 550 °C at a nitrogen atmosphere and allowed to stand at this temperature for 1 h. The structural characterization of the activated carbons produced by both methods was carried out using nitrogen adsorption at − 196 °C and scanning electron microscope.