Influence of one-step and two-step KOH activation on activated carbon characteristics

This study investigated the influence of one-step and two-step KOH activation on the characteristics of activated carbons. The biomass precursors [Kanlow Switchgrass (KS) and Public Miscanthus (PM)] and their biochars produced at pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C, were impregnated with KOH and activated at a temperature 900 °C for 30 min in an inert condition. BET surface area, pore characteristics, surface functional groups and microstructures of the activated carbons were examined. The biomass-derived activated carbons (KOH-KSBM and KOH-PMBM) had the highest BET surface areas of 1272 and 1597 m2/g respectively. The activated carbons were used in adsorbing acetaminophen and caffeine and the biomass-derived activated carbons presented an overall better adsorption characteristic.