Development and characterization of novel activated carbons based on reed canary grass

Activated carbons were prepared from a novel precursor, reed canary grass, through microwave-induced activation in nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and air environments using phosphoric acid chemical activating agent. BET surface area of activated carbons was modeled as a function of phosphoric acid concentration and radiation time. The optimal preparation conditions for the activated carbon prepared in presence of nitrogen was 35 wt% phosphoric acid concentration and 6.9 min radiation time with BET surface area of 521 +/- 6 m(2)/g and yield of 44.7 +/- 1.2 wt%. The optimal preparation condition in the carbon dioxide environment was phosphoric acid concentration of 65 wt% and radiation time of 4 min, giving a BET surface area of 699 +/- 7 m(2)/g and yield of 44.8 +/- 1.2 wt%. In case of air as the activation gas, the yield was 15.6 +/- 0.6 wt% and below which was much lower than the yield values when the activated carbons were prepared in nitrogen and carbon dioxide environments. Cellulose, the key component of the reed canary grass was also used as the precursor and high surface area of the activated carbon product suggested significant contribution of cellulose to reed canary grass pore development in the activation process.

Automated summary

Activated carbons were prepared from reed canary grass using phosphoric acid as the chemical activating agent and microwave-induced activation. The optimal preparation conditions varied in different environments, and cellulose in reed canary grass was found to contribute significantly to pore development.