Microwave-Assisted Preparation of Activated Carbon from Eupatorium Adenophorum: Effects of Preparation Parameters

Abstract

Eupatorium adenophorum, global exotic weeds, was utilized as feedstock for preparation of activated carbon (AC) via microwave-induced KOH activation. Influences of the three vital process parameters – microwave power, activation time and impregnation ratio (IR) – have been assessed on the adsorption capacity and yield of AC. The process parameters were optimized utilizing the Design Expert software and were identified to be a microwave power of 700 W, an activation time of 15 min and an IR of 4, with the resultant iodine adsorption number and yield being 2,621 mg/g and 28.25 %, respectively. The key parameters that characterize the AC such as the brunauer emmett teller (BET) surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter were estimated to be 3,918 m2/g, 2,383 ml/g and 2.43 nm, respectively, under the optimized process conditions. The surface characteristics of AC were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and Transmission electron microscope.

Keywords

• eupatorium adenophorum
• preparation
• activated carbon
• microwave heating
• activation