Optimization of Experimental Conditions for the Preparation of High Specific Surface Area Bamboo-Based Activated Carbon

Bamboo as the raw material is carbonized to prepare high specific surface area activated carbon by microwave heating under nitrogen atmosphere in our present work. Influences of activation agents on the preparation of activated carbon are studied. The results show that activation agents have a significant influence on the preparation of activated carbon. Under the heating time of 15 min, the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon prepared utilizing KOH as activation agent is the best. When the KOH/C ratio is 4, the iodine number and yield of activated carbon are 2298 mg/g and 39.82%, respectively. The BET specific surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter of activated carbon are 3441 m2/g, 2.093 ml/g and 2.434 nm, respectively. The micropore volume of 1.304 ml/g is 62.30% of total pore volume, indicating that the activated carbon is microporous activated carbon.