Characterization of Mesoporous Carbon Prepared from by Acorn Shell ZnCl2 Chemical Activation

Abstract

In this study, Activated carbons were produced from acorn inner bark by chemical activation with zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) at 650 and 750 °C in N₂ atmosphere. In order to activate the acorn shell, chemical activation was adopted and zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) retained as dehydrating agent. For this purpose, 20 g of raw material were mixed with a certain volume of ZnCl2 solution (50 % in weight) for 24 hours with occasional stirring. The amount of zinc chloride solution used was adjusted to give a certain impregnation ratio (weight of activating agent/weight of raw material) of 2/1. The mixture was then heated at 105 ◦C (±5 °C) in an oven until complete evaporation. Adsorption capacity was demonstrated with BET. BET surface area of the best produced activated carbon was 577 m²/g. The surface chemical characteristics of activated carbon were determined by FTIR spectroscopic method. The microstructure of the produced activated carbons was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).