ACTIVATED CARBON FIBER DERIVED FROM SINGLE STEP CARBONIZATION-ACTIVATION PROCESS

Abstract

The properties of activated carbon are influenced by the conditions of carbonization and activation. Activated carbon is normally produced through a conventional two-step process. This two-step process comprises the carbonization of precursor followed by activation of the carbonaceous char at elevated temperatures with the presence of suitable oxidizing gases. However, such process is very time consuming and energy intensive. The present study attempted to synthesize activated carbon fiber (ACF) derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) fiber by using single step activation process. The properties of the produced ACF were investigated and analyzed by SEM, EDS, FTIR and XRD. Nitrogen adsorption was carried out to characterize the porosity of the produced ACF. EDS results indicated the carbon content of raw oil palm EFB fiber was 63.33 wt % with oxygen content of 36.67 wt %. After activation, ACF has a higher carbon content of 93.63 wt % and oxygen content of 5.19 wt %. The BET and Langmuir surface area for the produced ACF were 432 m2/g and 670 m2/g, respectively. The results revealed the possibility to prepare ACF from oil palm EFB fiber by using single step activation process.