Production and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Çanakkale-Çan Lignite by KOH and ZnCl2 Activation

Abstract

Activated carbon was produced from Canakkale-Can lignite using potassium hydroxide (KOH) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as activating agent. The influence of carbonization temperatures (500-900 0C) and different chemical reagents (KOH and ZnCl2) on the pore development and the yield of the prepared activated carbon were investigated. The resultant activated carbons were characterized in terms of the yield, BET surface area, pore volumes, micropore and mesopore fraction. Results showed that increasing the carbonization temperature, the yield decreased, while surface area and micro-porosity increased. Maximum surface area was about 1092 m2/g at 900 0C with KOH activation and carbonization duration of 1 h. The surface area of char obtained from carbonization of lignite sample without impregnation by chemical reagent was 157 m2/g at 900 0C. From these data, it has been showed that in order to produce activated carbons with high surface area and porosity, thermal activation (without impregnation) itself is not sufficient. The prepared activated carbon was compared with commercial activated carbon. Surface area and micropore fraction of activated carbons obtained from both KOH and ZnCl2 activation much larger than those of the commercial activated carbon.