Activated carbon preparation from bagasse and banana stem at various impregnation ratio

Abstract

The effects of impregnation ratio on characteristics of activated carbon from bagasse and banana stem were analyzed. The precursors were impregnated using phosphoric acid (H3PO4) solution as the activator at a ratio of the activator to the precursor (w/w) of 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1. Pyrolisis was conducted at 400 °C for 15 minutes. The results showed that activated carbon from bagasse has better yield, surface area and total pore volume compared to activated carbon from banana stem. The increased of impregnation ratio decreased the yield and surface area, but increased the total pore volume and pore radius. The highest yield of activated carbon from bagasse and banana stem were 61.87% and 45.53%, respectively. Whereas the highest surface area of activated carbon from bagasse and banana stem were 1,070 m2/g and 915 m2/g, respectively. The activated carbon produced from both precursors contained both micropores and mesopores structures.