Surface Area and Pore Size Distribution of Activated Carbon Produced from Low Cost Precursors

Abstract

Fast growing wood (Paulownia tomentosa-PT, Ailanthus altissima-AA, Salvadora oleoides-SO) and animal bones were utilized for the preparation of activated carbon. The carbon samples were activated by thermal means (400-10000C). The samples were characterized by surface area (Langmuir and BJH) with micropore and mesopores volume (BJH). The surface area of other carbon samples activated at 800 oc was found In the sequence: 654.9 for Salvadora oleoides > 615.8 for Ailanthus altissima > 346.3 for Paulownia tomentosa > 300.0 for animal bones. BJH surface area (m2g-l ) analysis of the carbon samples activated at 800 C was found in the sequence: 274.6 for Salvadora oleoides > 261.76 for animal bones > 224.8 for Paulownia tomentosa > 200.2 for Ailanthus altissima. The micropore volume (BJH method) of 800 oc activated carbon samples were in the sequence: 0.15 for Ailanthus altissima > 0.13 for Salvadora oleoides > 0.08 for animal bones.