Abstract
Local date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) waste stems were used to prepare activated carbon (AC) using KOH, NaCl and ZnCl2 as activation agents. Carbonization was conducted at 600 °C for 2hr under nitrogen flow, followed by activation at 750 °C for 2 hr under carbon dioxide flow. AC was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Iodine adsorption, BET, micropores, and mesopores surface areas at different carbon-to-activation-agent-ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3). FT-IR spectra results showed a reduction in AC-NaCl bands compared to other AC, which indicates less functional surface groups. At 750 °C, the TGA analysis showed the carbon yield as AC-ZnCl2 > AC-NaCl > AC-KOH, however, among all samples, AC-NaCl at 1:2 ratio was the best in terms of iodine removal. This treated AC sample exhibited about 18.3 % maximum iodine removal, which indicates the high surface area and porosity with 550.4380 m2/g, 348.7432 m2/g, and 201.6947 m2/g BET, micropores and mesopores surface areas, respectively. In conclusion, the local Omani date palm waste stems can be used for AC production with a well porous structure using cheap and environmentally friendly salts as activation agents. In addition, the produced AC attained better adsorption characteristics among other alternatives.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
