Preparation of activated carbons by microwave heating KOH activation

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 254; no. 2; pp. 506 - 512
• Main Authors: Ji, Yongbin, Li, Tiehu, Zhu, Li, Wang, Xiaoxian, Lin, Qilang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.11.2007; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Disordered solids; Exact sciences and technology; High surface area; KOH; Materials science; Mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB); Microwave (MW); Physics; Porous materials; granular materials; Powders, porous materials; Specific materials; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; 81.05.Rm; High surface area; Microwave (MW); KOH; Activated carbon; Mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB); Scanning electron microscopy; Potassium hydroxide; Porous materials; Preparation; Infrared spectra; Microwave heating; Activated carbon; Microwave (MW); Mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB); KOH; High surface area
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2007.06.034

Activated carbons with high surface areas were prepared via KOH activation process by microwave (MW) heating. As a comparison, activated carbons were also prepared by conventional heating (EF) method. The influences of KOH/Mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) weight ratio and activation time on the pore properties of the activated carbons were investigated. For both MW and EF heating methods, the surface area and pore volume increase to a maximum and then decrease with the KOH/MCMB ratio increasing. The effects of activation time on the pore properties depend on the KOH/MCMB ratio. The activated carbons prepared by MW heating have higher surface area and larger pore volume than those by EF heating when KOH/MCMB ratio is the same. The MW heating method shortens the activation time considerably. Activated carbons prepared by MW heating show low content of oxygen containing groups.