Preparation and characterization of activated carbon using coconut and Palm kernel shells

Activated carbons were prepared from coconut and Palm kernel shells. The samples were carbonized and chemically activated using 0.1 M H3PO4, 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M ZnCl2 as the activating agents. The adsorption capacities of activated carbons prepared were determined using different standard solutions of the Bromophenol Blue and Congo red solutions. Values of solute adsorb ranging from 1.9mg - 0.2 mg and 1.98-1.30 g were obtained for Bromophenol blue and Congo red respectively. Activated carbon prepared from coconut shell compare favourably well with commercial activated carbon (CAC) than the one prepared from palm kernel shell. The ash content and the fixed carbon were 94 and 60% respectively. Coconut shell has a higher fixed carbon content. In terms of adsorptivity and percentage fixed carbon, H3PO4 activated coconut shell carbon (PCA) was found to be superior to other activated carbon where NaOH and ZnCl2 had been used as activating agents and it is also superior to the one prepared from palm kernel shell. The nature of the raw material from which the carbon is prepared, the activating reagent used and the nature of the solute material being adsorbed are considered as the factors favouring the performance of PCA.