Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Palm Shell by Catalytic Activation with Steam

The use of palm shells as a precursor for the production of activated carbon with physical activation was investigated. The carbonized material was impregnated with potassium carbonate and potassium phosphate to improve the yield and adsorption capability of activated carbon. The produced activated carbons were characterized by Iodine number text, Methylene blue adsorption text, Nitrogen adsorption isotherms, Scanning electron microscope in order to understand the palm shell activated carbon. The results showed that palm shell is an appropriate precursor for activated carbon. The optimum activation condition is: temperature 850°C, activating time 60 min, and steam flow rate 1.0g min -1 . Potassium carbonate-impregnated and potassium phosphate-impregnated sample showed higher value of surface area which attained 982m 2 /g and 973m 2 /g, respectively.