Physicochemical Properties And Characterisation of Activated Carbon Prepared From Palm Kernel Shell

Abstract

Palm kernel shells, which are free and naturally abundant, were employed for activated carbon preparation using H3PO4 and ZnCl2 activating agents. Research findings indicated AC1 with an ash content of 8.23±0.11%, and that of AC2 was 7.03±0.01%, moisture content for AC1 and AC2 was 7.61±0.02% and 7.05±0.04% indicating a well-dried and packaged activated carbon. The results also indicated 15.04±0.15% for AC1 and 14.87±0.05% for AC2, with good fixed carbon content of 69.12±0.01% for AC1 and 71.05±0.04% for AC2 since the value for the fixed carbon content should be equal to or greater than 65% for a good activated carbon. The BET surface area of 976.48 m2/g recorded for AC2 was high compared to 815.38 m2/g indicated for AC1, and total pore volume of 0.30 cm3/g and 0.46 cm3/g was revealed for AC1 and AC2, respectively. The prepared activated carbons are both mesopores that are crucial in facilitating the access of the adsorbate molecules to the interior of the carbon particles. FTIR spectrum for AC1 indicated the peak occurrence at 1735.1 cm-1 and this may be attributed to the C = O stretching vibration. The presence of the absorption band at 1996.0 cm-1 is responsible for the presence of the C = C = C stretching vibration. The peak around 2109.7 and 2883.1 cm-1 could also be attributed to CΞC and C-H stretching bond. Also, for the AC2 spectral, the presence of the peak at 875.9 cm-1 indicates C = C stretching vibration, while the peak at 1032.5 cm-1 reveals C-O stretching, and the peak at 2883.1 cm-1 shows C-H stretching bond respectively.