Application of microwave-induced plasma for extremely fast synthesis of large surface area activated carbon

Abstract

This research applied microwave-induced plasma with KOH activation to obtain activated carbon. It was discovered that activated carbon with a large surface area can be synthesized by this treatment in an extremely short time, where activated carbon with a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 1007, 1888, 2084 m2 g−1 was obtained within 80, 270, 330 s, respectively. It is remarkable that the investigated method can reduce the activation time by one to two order of magnitude in comparison to conventional thermal activation. Emission spectra from the plasma and pore structures of the products depending on KOH concentration are discussed here.