Factor Affecting Microwave Assisted Preparation of Activated Carbon from Local Raw Materials

This study illustrates the preparation of activated carbon (AC) from Corn Cob (CC) via microwave assisted K₂CO₃ activation. The effect of operational parameters including chemical impregnation ratio (0.25-1.25), microwave power (90 – 800 W) and irradiation time (1 – 9 min) on the carbon yield and adsorption capability of derived Corn Cob Activated Carbon (CCAC) were investigated. The results indicated that the optimum conditions were as follows: microwave power of 600W, microwave radiation time of 5 min and the impregnation ratio of K₂CO₃ was 0.75 g/g. The optimum conditions resulted in CCAC with a maximum adsorption capacity of 275.32 mg/g for MB and carbon yield of 27.09%. The BET surface area, Langmuir surface area and total pore volume were determined to be 765 m²/g, 834 m²/g and 0.43 cm³/g, respectively.