Sorption Properties of Carbonaceous Adsorbents Obtained by Pyrolysis and Activation of Pistachio Nut Shells

Abstract

A series of carbonaceous adsorbents was obtained by physical and chemical activation of pistachio nut shells. The effect of activation method on the textural, acid–base and adsorption properties of the materials obtained was tested. The materials prepared were characterized by iodine and methylene blue removal at room temperature. Depending on the procedure of activation, the final products were microporous activated carbons of surface area varying from 530 to 1204 m 2 /g, exhibiting diverse acidic–basic surface character. The results obtained in this study prove that a suitable choice of the activation procedure for agricultural waste materials permits production of low-cost adsorbents characterized by very high adsorption capacity towards iodine and methylene blue (1280 and 400 mg/g, respectively).