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Activated Carbon from Lignocellulosic Waste Residues: Effect of Activating Agent on Porosity Characteristics and Use as Adsorbents for Organic Species

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Abstract

This paper reports on the effect of activating agents such as the impregnation ratio of phosphoric acid (1:1–1:5) at constant activation temperature on the performance of porous activated carbon from waste residues (maize tassel). The variation in the impregnation ratio of the produced activated carbon (AC) from 1:1 to 1:5 enabled the preparation of a high surface area (1,263 m2/g) and a large pore volume (1.592 cm3/g) of AC produced from maize tassel (MT) using a convectional chemical activating agent (phosphoric acid). Impregnation ratios (IR) of the precursors were varied between 1:1 and 1:5 in which it was found that the ratio of 1:4 was optimal based on the high surface area, while 1:5 has the optimal pore volume value for the produced activated carbon.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the University of Johannesburg for funding this research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Johannesburg, South Africa

    O. F. Olorundare, T. A. M. Msagati & B. B. Mamba

  2. Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    R. W. M. Krause

  3. Department of Environmental, Water & Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    J. O. Okonkwo

Authors
  1. O. F. Olorundare
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  2. T. A. M. Msagati
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  4. J. O. Okonkwo
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  5. B. B. Mamba
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Correspondence to T. A. M. Msagati or B. B. Mamba.

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Olorundare, O.F., Msagati, T.A.M., Krause, R.W.M. et al. Activated Carbon from Lignocellulosic Waste Residues: Effect of Activating Agent on Porosity Characteristics and Use as Adsorbents for Organic Species. Water Air Soil Pollut 225, 1876 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-1876-2

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